Dianne Joy’s arrangements and performances of songs written by other artists are drawn from many genres, eras and musical styles.

DJ's Original Songs

For my last song of 2023, I’m pleased to be joined by my friend Dale, who is accompanying me on guitar for the song, “Snowflakes from Heaven.” It was written by Caitlin Hanford (lyrics) and John Sheard (music) and recorded by the award-winning country and folk group, Quartette, on their 2002 Christmas album, “I Saw a Star.” The members of Quartette are Cindy Church, Caitlin Hanford, Gwen Swick and Sylvia Tyson, who are well established Canadian solo and touring performers in their own right.

"It Came Upon a Midnight Clear" was a poem written in 1849 by Edmund Sears, pastor of the Unitarian Church in Wayland, Massachusetts. The next year, he asked Richard Willis, music critic for the New York Herald Tribune, to put the poem to music.

The Swedish pop supergroup, ABBA, topped the charts worldwide from 1974 to 1982, and again in 2022. ABBA is a palindrome of the first letter of the member’s first names: Agnetha Fältskog, Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Anderson and Anni-Frid Lyngstad. “I Have a Dream” was written by Anderson and Ulvaeus, and the original 1979 single includes a final chorus with the children’s choir from Stockholm International School. The song is also featured in the musical, Mamma Mia!

Gordon Lightfoot released “Song for A Winter’s Night” in 1967 on his second studio album, “The Way I Feel.” He reissued another version on his 1975 compilation album, “Gord’s Gold.” In a 1969 interview with a group of Vancouver teens, he said he doesn’t set out to write songs specifically about Canada. “It’s the atmosphere of Canada that’s in the songs. The fact that I’m a Canadian, and that I dig Canada and the landscape. So, the geography and everything just comes out in these songs.”

"The Wayward Wind" is by Stanley Lebowsky (music) and Herb Newman (lyrics). It was a massive #1 hit for American singer, Gogi Grant in 1956, and has been recorded by everyone from Tex Ritter to Neil Young. In 1963, a few months before her death, Patsy Cline released a version that held the #1 spot on the singles chart for three weeks. Members of the Western Writers of America named the song as one of the Top 100 Western songs of all time.

Gordon Lightfoot left a legacy of of 20 studio albums, three live albums, 16 greatest hits albums and 46 singles, among the over 200 songs he wrote. He toured the world, with his last concert in Winnipeg, seven months before his death in May 2023, at the age of 84. Many of his songs became anthems about the history, geography, and culture of Canada. Others, like “Did She Mention My Name?” describe the details of everyday life in this country and beyond. 

John Wort Hannam is an inspiration. In 2001, he quit his teaching job to write his first songs. He now has eight albums to his credit, and this year won Canadian Folk Music Awards for Solo Artist of the Year and Contemporary Album of the Year. His other accolades include a JUNO nomination, CBC Galaxy Rising Star Award and a Kerrville Texas New Folk win. His songs are steeped in the landscape of southern Alberta, including one of my favourites, “Out Here.”

“Sea of Heartbreak” was written by Hal David and Paul Hampton, and first recorded in 1961 by Don Gibson. Many artists have recorded it since, including unlikely combinations such as Jimmy Buffett with George Strait, Johnny Cash backed by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, and a duet by Roseanne Cash and Bruce Springsteen. The song has also been a hit internationally for Yugoslav, Serbian and Czech artists.

Kris Kristofferson wrote “Me and Bobby McGee” in 1969. He shares the songwriting credit with producer Fred Foster, who challenged him to write a song with the name of the studio secretary, Barbara "Bobbie" McKee. Kris misheard her name and it became Bobby McGee. The song was included in a Janis Joplin album, released after her death in October 1970. It was the second posthumously released song to top the US singles chart, after “(Sittin’ on) The Dock of the Bay” by Otis Redding in 1968.

“All I Have To Do is Dream” was written by Boudleaux Bryant, and has been recorded by countless artists. The original 1958 version by the Everly Brothers was the only single to reach #1 on all the Billboard singles charts simultaneously. They recorded the song live in just two takes, featuring Chet Atkins on guitar. The Everly Brothers version was an international hit, topping the UK charts for seven weeks. It received the Grammy Hall of Fame Award in 2004.

“Bye Bye Love” shows that persistence pays off. Written by Boudleaux and Felice Bryant, the song was rejected by 30 artists before the Everly Brothers recorded it in 1957, topping both the pop and country charts. It has been covered by many artists, including Simon and Garfunkel on their 1970 album, “Bridge Over Troubled Water” and by the Beatles in 1969 during their “Let It Be” sessions.

As of 2012, Dolly Parton had written more than 3,000 songs, sold more than 100 million records, and earned 11 Grammy Awards. Her extensive philanthropy activities through the Dollywood Foundation include Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, which mails one book per month to each enrolled child from birth to kindergarten. She has published an autobiography and authored several children’s books. She wrote “Wildflowers Don't Care Where They Grow” and recorded it on “Trio,” a 1987 collaboration with Emmylou Harris and Linda Ronstadt, which achieved Platinum status and won numerous awards including a Grammy in 1988.

Hank Williams Sr. is one of the most celebrated and influential musicians of the 20th century. From his start in 1937 with a 15-minute radio show, to his death in 1953 at age 29, Williams had 55 Top-Ten singles, five of which were released posthumously. His 1952 recording of "I Can't Help It (If I'm Still In Love With You)" peaked at #2. Many artists have recorded this song, including a 1974 version by Linda Ronstadt that charted at #2 and won the Grammy for Best Country Vocal Performance, Female.

The Canadian indie roots rock band, The Sadies, released “Why Be So Curious (Part 3)” on their 2004 album, “Favourite Colours.” There is no Part 1 or 2, and no reason why this is Part 3 - it’s curious!  Members of The Sadies are Dallas Good, Travis Good, Sean Dean and Mike Belitsky. Dallas and Travis are part of Canadian folk/bluegrass “royalty” as the sons and nephews of the trio, The Good Brothers. Sadly, in 2022, Dallas Good died suddenly of natural causes related to coronary illness.

Elvis Presley recorded over 600 songs. His label required songwriters to give Elvis co-writing credit, even though he didn’t write a single song. Ken Darby wrote "Love Me Tender" set to a mid-1800’s song. Elvis and Darby’s wife, Vera Matson, have the songwriting credit. When asked why he attributed the lyrics to his wife along with Elvis, the standard response from Darby was, “because she didn’t write it either.”

Ian Tyson once said, “I’ll always be a westerner and I’ll always be a cowboy.” This perspective runs through each of his 17 albums, released between 1973 and 2006. The single, “Springtime in Alberta” was on his 1991 album, titled “And Stood There Amazed.” The song reached #9 on the Canadian Top Country chart. Ian Tyson passed away on December 29, 2022, at his ranch near Longview. He was 89.