Till There was You

[Francis Gerald (Jerry) Chamness]

I agree, Bill. One of my favorite Beatle songs, and one of my favorite MonaLisa-Twin’s covers! Just so beautiful. I do love it.

[Robert Fendt]

I must agree with you there Bill Till There Was You is an awesome song by the MonaLisa Twins but having said that I think all MLT songs are magnificent, their harmonies and musicianship are sensational. So refreshing hearing good honest music. ???

[David Herrick]

Till There Was You is my favorite MLT cover that they’ve put out since I discovered their music a year and a half ago, just barely beating out Here, There and Everywhere.

The first time I watched the video I was impressed by Lisa’s guitar intro and singing, and then when Mona joined in with a totally unexpected vocal harmony I gasped and threw my arms straight up into the air.  It was probably my strongest emotional reaction to anything I’ve seen or heard them do.

And the video itself is so much fun to watch.  We get to see extended segments of each of them singing or playing instruments, arranged into a collage as if we’re watching a group consisting of multiple Monas and Lisas.  And they act as if they’re laying down the tracks rather than performing, which gives you the sense that you’ve been invited to watch a recording session.

 

[Lynn T. Newcomb]

My father sang this at my sister’s wedding 50 years ago.  Although it was a cover, it was still one of her favorite Beatles’ songs.

[Michael Thompson]

I agree David about Monas harmony! I love how she modulates up and then back down at the end! And Lisas voice is so pure and lovely! Does anyone remember when Paul sang it he said “I never soar them winging?” I always loved that!

[David Herrick]

I always assumed that was just an instance of that aspect of the British accent where they sometimes insert an “r” sound between two words.  But usually it occurs when one word ends with a vowel sound and the next one begins with a vowel sound (“I sawr it”), so it would seem amiss here.  Can any Brits in the club help out?

 

[Refugio Arellano]

Good afternoon everyone, I agree Bill, the interpretation of the girls is spectacular

Greetings

[Johnnypee Parker]

It’s so kool when artists put their all into the studio side of things and create classics like this.

I think I hear a slight vibrato in Mona’s voice.  It’s beautiful.

And, as always Lisa’s guitar solos are dead on.  She is a real pro.  I love when she looks down at her guitar as if to signal things are about to get real and they do, note for note.

Bravo ladies, this one is very kool.

JP

[Jung Roe]

Hi Bill, great post.  Til There Was You is played so elegantly, the singing, drumming, and intricate guitar work by Mona and Lisa are all brilliant.  So much so, it moved me to sketch Lisa with her guitar on Til There Was You behind the scene,  🙂  this from someone who could only draw stickmen at the beginning of the year, not that my sketching skills don’t still have much to be desired.  Unfortunately my skills are not yet able to do Lisa’s incredible beauty justice, but hopefully with enough practice one day.  I like the eyes.

I wasn’t familiar with this song until I heard this wonderful MLT cover of it.  Mona and Lisa  have been my window to so much great music I never knew about.  “Best Years of Our Lives, The Kids Are Alright, Pretty Flamingo, It Aint Me Babe, Hey Bull Dog, You Can’t Do That….list goes on and on.  I said it before, MLT have this genius of knowing what a song needs or how it can be improved upon, and they transform it into something truly remarkable and special and becomes all their own!

 

[Graham Smyth]

Hello David, You are quite correct! To me the this is perfectly normal, particularly in the north of England. I live approximately 20 miles from Liverpool.

[David Herrick]

Thanks, Graham!  I had only heard the “r” used between vowels, so it surprised me to hear it before a “th”.  I thought the “r” was just an unconscious way of separating the two vowel sounds.

 

[Graham Smyth]

Hi David, I have just listened again to the song, Paul is exaggerating the “r” in quite a few instances in this song, he would not normally do this in his everyday speech. I have a similar accent. I guess it was just for effect as he doesn’t do it in I saw her standing there but he does it in A taste of h0ney. Now you’ve got me puzzled 🙂

[David Herrick]

Fascinating!  Maybe it was just some sort of “in” joke.

 

[Michael Thompson]

I always thought it was Paul being cheeky!

[Bill Isenberg]

All great responses everyone and so many good points! Funny thing? For years I thought the Beatles version was the only version of Till There Was You, but found out when my son had the lead role that it came from the musical. So he and the lead lady started singing this in the part of the show, I had the Beatles version in my head….LOL…We are all on the same page knowing that Mona and Lisa cover songs and make them their own and in some cases if not all cases In my opinion? Is better.

[David Herrick]

I just found a much more recent Paul performance of Till There Was You on YouTube, and there was no hint of an “r” in there.

 

[Jacki Hopper]

It’s definitely  a stellar rendition,  and the gals  superbly created a well rounded music masterpiece with all aspects covered… Kudos to a fine tune, m6sics ears are certainly  happy !!

[Jim Yahr]

I grew up with the Broadway sound track o fThe Music Man so “Till There Was You” has been in my life since before the Beatles did it.  My wife and I sang it as a duet at our wedding and we’ve occasionally sung it when friends have requested it.  The MLT version is a very nice interpretation, one of my favorites.  As for Paul and the “sawr” it may have come from Peggy Lee’s version, which is what inspired Paul to add it to their set list.  They used it on the DECCA Sessions which pre-date their signing with EMI, and he sings it with the “R” sound there too.  Here’s Peggy Lee’s version; if you listen, she sings “sawr” on the “…no I never saw them at all…” line:

 

https://youtu.be/lGJxA-Xyiyk