Saltwater (Julian Lennon song)
Encyclopedia
"Saltwater" is a 1991 song performed by English singer, songwriter, and musician Julian Lennon
. It was written by Mark Spiro
, Leslie Spiro and Julian Lennon. Originally released on the album Help Yourself, it topped the Australian singles charts for four weeks and reached #6 in the UK.
Unlike most of Lennon's previous songs, "Saltwater" combines subtle melodies with gentle vocals to bring forward the issues of environmental conservation and world poverty. The lyrics juxtapose the many marvels and feats of human civilization with the death of the natural world, constantly emphasising the passing of time - 'Time is not a friend, 'cos friends we're out of time'
The recording features a lead guitar solo in the style of George Harrison
. Julian Lennon
originally wrote a guitar solo for the song. At the suggestion of his producer Bob Ezrin, he then contacted George Harrison
to play the solo instead. George was busy at the time consoling Eric Clapton
whose son had recently died. He recorded a couple of riffs and sent them back to Julian. Guitar player Steve Hunter then played the actual solo on the song, combining the solo's of Julian's and George's. In the liner notes for the Help Yourself album George Harrison
is given special thanks.
An instrumental version (Guitar Duet) of this song was recorded by Chet Atkins and Tommy Emmanuel on their album The Day Finger Pickers Took Over the World.
The song can be heard in its entirety during the 1991 Christmas Day special of Only Fools and Horses, Miami Twice
.
Anni-Frid Lyngstad
from ABBA
performed the song at the open-air gala concert "Artister for Miljo", and included her cover as a b-side on her single "Änglamark".
Julian Lennon
John Charles Julian Lennon is an English musician, songwriter, actor, and photographer. He is the son of John Lennon and Lennon's first wife, Cynthia Powell. Beatles manager Brian Epstein was his godfather. He has a younger half-brother, Sean Lennon. Lennon was named after his paternal...
. It was written by Mark Spiro
Mark Spiro
is an American Songwriter, Record Producer, Recording Artist, and TV Series Original Music Producer. He is represented on over 100 Million Records sold World-Wide.-Discography and Soundtrack Filmography:SONGWRITER* JULIAN LENNON - “”...
, Leslie Spiro and Julian Lennon. Originally released on the album Help Yourself, it topped the Australian singles charts for four weeks and reached #6 in the UK.
Unlike most of Lennon's previous songs, "Saltwater" combines subtle melodies with gentle vocals to bring forward the issues of environmental conservation and world poverty. The lyrics juxtapose the many marvels and feats of human civilization with the death of the natural world, constantly emphasising the passing of time - 'Time is not a friend, 'cos friends we're out of time'
The recording features a lead guitar solo in the style of George Harrison
George Harrison
George Harrison, MBE was an English musician, guitarist, singer-songwriter, actor and film producer who achieved international fame as lead guitarist of The Beatles. Often referred to as "the quiet Beatle", Harrison became over time an admirer of Indian mysticism, and introduced it to the other...
. Julian Lennon
Julian Lennon
John Charles Julian Lennon is an English musician, songwriter, actor, and photographer. He is the son of John Lennon and Lennon's first wife, Cynthia Powell. Beatles manager Brian Epstein was his godfather. He has a younger half-brother, Sean Lennon. Lennon was named after his paternal...
originally wrote a guitar solo for the song. At the suggestion of his producer Bob Ezrin, he then contacted George Harrison
George Harrison
George Harrison, MBE was an English musician, guitarist, singer-songwriter, actor and film producer who achieved international fame as lead guitarist of The Beatles. Often referred to as "the quiet Beatle", Harrison became over time an admirer of Indian mysticism, and introduced it to the other...
to play the solo instead. George was busy at the time consoling Eric Clapton
Eric Clapton
Eric Patrick Clapton, CBE, is an English guitarist and singer-songwriter. Clapton is the only three-time inductee to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: once as a solo artist, and separately as a member of The Yardbirds and Cream. Clapton has been referred to as one of the most important and...
whose son had recently died. He recorded a couple of riffs and sent them back to Julian. Guitar player Steve Hunter then played the actual solo on the song, combining the solo's of Julian's and George's. In the liner notes for the Help Yourself album George Harrison
George Harrison
George Harrison, MBE was an English musician, guitarist, singer-songwriter, actor and film producer who achieved international fame as lead guitarist of The Beatles. Often referred to as "the quiet Beatle", Harrison became over time an admirer of Indian mysticism, and introduced it to the other...
is given special thanks.
An instrumental version (Guitar Duet) of this song was recorded by Chet Atkins and Tommy Emmanuel on their album The Day Finger Pickers Took Over the World.
The song can be heard in its entirety during the 1991 Christmas Day special of Only Fools and Horses, Miami Twice
Miami Twice
"Miami Twice" was a two-part Christmas special edition of the British sitcom Only Fools and Horses. The first episode, on screen subtitle The American Dream, was first screened on 24 December 1991. The second episode of Miami Twice was first screened the following day on 25 December 1991...
.
Anni-Frid Lyngstad
Anni-Frid Lyngstad
Anni-Frid Prinzessin Reuss von Plauen , is a Norwegian-born Swedish pop singer...
from ABBA
ABBA
ABBA was a Swedish pop group formed in Stockholm in 1970 which consisted of Anni-Frid Lyngstad, Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson and Agnetha Fältskog...
performed the song at the open-air gala concert "Artister for Miljo", and included her cover as a b-side on her single "Änglamark".