Whatever Happened to Benny Santini? es un álbum de Chris Rea, publicado en 1978 por Magnet. El disco incluye 10 canciones, entre ellas «Whatever Happened to Benny Santini?», «The Closer You Get», «Because of You...» y «Dancing with Charlie».
Sobre el álbum
La discografía de Chris Rea arranca con este álbum debut de 1978, una obra marcada por la tensión entre la visión artística del músico y las presiones comerciales de la industria. El título mismo es una pregunta irónica. "Benny Santini" era el nombre que la discográfica sugirió que adoptara Chris Rea, pensando que su nombre real no era lo suficientemente comercial. El álbum es el sonido de un artista que lucha por mantener su identidad.
El disco presenta un sonido de soft rock muy pulido, con arreglos de cuerda y una producción orientada a la radio estadounidense, a cargo del reputado Gus Dudgeon, productor de Elton John. Pese a la frustración del artista con esta dirección, su talento como compositor y guitarrista ya es innegable.
El álbum contiene la canción que lo lanzó a la fama, especialmente en Estados Unidos: "Fool (If You Think It's Over)". Esta balada sofisticada, con su atmósfera melancólica, se convirtió en un gran éxito y le valió una nominación al Grammy.
Sin embargo, el éxito de esta canción encasilló a Chris Rea en un estilo de baladista que no lo representaba por completo. 'Whatever Happened to Benny Santini?' es un debut agridulce: un trabajo de una calidad innegable que le dio el éxito, pero que lo alejó del sonido de blues y rock más crudo que él realmente quería hacer.
Listado de Canciones
- Whatever Happened to Benny Santini?4:23
Letra
They say his chances could not have been better All the promise of a July sun in the morning sky Laughing at the peering faces From the windows of a limousine Caviar with the A & R and still only in his teens So whatever happened? I can see him now, his face lit up in neon One hand up in the air as he turns towards the crowd His songs of silver arrows they tried to roll into gold With diamond tips from painted lips Designed and ready to be sold They say he could not fall off They say he could not fail The wealth and fame would fire his flame Just as soon as his ship set sail So whatever happened? Whatever happened to Benny Santini? Whatever happened to the guy on the wall? Where did he go to if he could not fall off They tell you they don't know They don't know at all - The Closer You Get3:33
Letra
Street lights start to come on I know that it's time Stop what you're doing Meet those drinking friends of mine First lady call me on the telephone She said 'Get out and die young but I'm staying at home' Now I believe in love, I believe that it's true Know I'm defenceless when I look into blue Sleepy eyes down an angel's face Don't worry honey no-one's gonna take your place The closer you get, the better you look Throw me a line 'Cos the closer you get, the more that I see We'll sure have a good time I know what you're thinking, well how do I feel? We'll there's no rules in my book Except the closer you get, the better you look Keep one foot in the showroom, one out of sight Girl I've had some close ones but I'm doing all right Gold on her fingers don't mean a thing He'll do his best to hear that sweet lady sing Now I got the time if you got the place We've got the know how and you got the face We got the power, we got no shame Come over baby, I sure do wanna light your flame 'Cos the closer you get, the better you look Throw me a line The closer you get, the more that I see We'll sure have a good time I know what you're thinking, well how do I feel? We'll there's no rules in my book Except the closer you get, the better you look - Because of You...3:57
- Dancing with Charlie3:50
Letra
Charlie was a loser till that sunny day No-one saw him leaving as he sailed away Treated like a sinner, no-one gave a damn Till Charlie threw two sixes Now he's got them in his hand Now they're waiting in line to go dancing with Charlie They wanna be seen dancing with Charlie No-one seems to know how No-one seems to care Doesn't really matter just as long as you are there Party in the moonlight, free drinks at the bar You can bet what's in your pocket that Charlie won't be far Now they're waiting in line to go dancing with Charlie They wanna be seen dancing with Charlie Charlie bought a jet plane, Charlie rides the sky Friends appear from nowhere, Charlie gets them high Big D was a gambler with everything to lose Charlie didn't have anything So he didn't have to choose And they're waiting in line to go dancing with Charlie They wanna be seen dancing with Charlie And they're standing in line to go dancing with Charlie They wanna be seen dancing with Charlie - Bows and Bangles3:59
Letra
Born and raised in wilderness Of suburban shops and schools How she tried and tried to be satisfied With a job on the typing pool She hated the smell of carbon paper The office so smoky and dry How she longed for the day she would make her get away And say her last goodbye Bows and bangles on her fingers And silver bells on her toes That lady has music where she wonders That lady has music where she goes Married a guy with prospects And so became his wife And that my friend is the end of the story 'Cos that was the rest of his life She could have been a movie star She could have made the scene Right or wrong she still hangs on Each night to her favourite dream Bows and bangles on her fingers And silver bells on her toes That lady has music where she wonders That lady has music where she goes - Fool (If You Think It's Over)4:46
- Three Angels3:26
Letra
Nine dollars, two cents No money, no rent 8759 that's the number Be on time Bring something, don't care Whatever, be there Good woman, good loving, good feeling Three angels Eight castles, wants nine Unhappy all the time Gold headlights, can't see Sure could help him, feel free Five aces, no calls Easy action on the walls One burning, two custom, all waiting Three angels Burns, Hofner, white flats All together feeding back No mixer, no lights Good fixer, be all right Dream wishing, downtown In the windows, locked sound One burning, two custom, all waiting Three angels - Just One of Those Days2:40
Letra
Cold red sunsets that freeze the rainbows out Standing here in the rain I've been thinking how, how much happier I have been since you came Staring down at the sidewalk shining Satin winds floating down Change the crystals on ladies faces I think I'll stick around Laden gutters, flowing over Hit the streets and explode Young girls laughing and make up streaming Go running down the road I've been thinking and too much drinking And things I just don't dare to say It's still raining but who's complaining It's just one of those days - Standing in Your Doorway3:52
Letra
There'll be no moon tonight And the stars won' t light the sky There are women on the streets But there's no loving in their eyes Feeling weary, tired and wishing I was standing in your doorway now There'll be dancing flames Something better cooking slow, perfume heavy And all the lanterns turned down slow Oh that lucky, oh that lucky man Who's standing in your doorway now I'm a wandering man, you'll never tie me down Lifelong sailor, but how I wish I was homeward bound At this moment, tired and wishing I was standing at your doorway now - Fires of Spring3:57
Letra
She's back real late yet she don't seem to care She hangs around outside in late night air Burning tears upon a smiling face And she's caught in the fires of spring The ice of loneliness you've known so long For good or not seems to have been and gone Your Phoenix flies you high on crazy wings And you're caught in the fires of spring When all that you do has faded from view and I tell you it don't mean a thing oh you're burned and I'm blind and you're caught in the fires of spring You've been before but never been so fast Your only hope is that it's gonna last You know the pain and yet you love it's sting And you're caught in the fires of spring