Rise and Shine : Songs

This song originates from Peebles, a small town on the Border of England and Scotland, where local residents mistook a science experiment for UFOs. Instead of aliens trying to land, the lights were flying lanterns carrying letters to Santa which had been set off by local man Iain Weir in an attempt to educate his daughter Ellie.

Thanks to the 1,200 or so people who took part in the shows this Yuletide Festive series. We’ll have more shows in 2009. You can also follow @riseandshinetv on Twitter for updates.

This song was inspired by Pope Benedict XVI who angered many by saying that humankind needed to be saved from homosexuals and transsexuals. The song takes a compassionate view of the broad spectrum of human sexuality via the voice of a Catholic priest who enjoys some after-hours recreation in a bar near the Vatican (possibly called “The Purple Squirrel”, after a concurrent news story.)

Today’s song, written mostly by Dan Brittain with the assistance of Dean Whitbread and of course the Rise and Shine audience is based on the peculiar story of the Finnish mosquito whose ingested blood was used as DNA proof of an alleged thief’s presence at the scene of a crime.

Great images from Derek O’Brien.

Today’s song is from Switzerland, written by Mike Turtle. Mike worked on the broken internet cables story and, with suggestions from the audience, devised a punk song where Santa saves the internet, after anti-Santa has almost destroyed it.

Today’s song somehow managed to mashup reports of Paris Hilton’s burglary with the fall of the Belgium government in a Frankie Goes to Hollywood Euro house style. That’s the beauty of live songwriting collaboration!

The scenario is that due to a mix up in communications, the French confuse reports of Paris Hilton’s Hollywood burglary with their capital city being stolen by Belgians. King Albert decides rather than risk the wrath of his European neighbours to sell the entire land to a French bank.

Today’s song is about Hope, the three-legged cat from Cincinatti, who disappeared for 7 weeks, despite Norma Meece spending $500 and employing a pet detective.

Dean, today’s writer, wondered what Hope would have been doing in that 7 weeks – and why did he return home when he did? The moving story of Hope the gambling cat was born, written with the Rise and Shine audience and contributors.

Read the story that inspired the song here.

Some great comments back from Ben Walker’s songwriting session, this very cool article by Ian Shepherd and this beautiful image from Derek O’Brien.

From @timbearcub – “he is really good – very funny & didn’t look flustered while thinking through the song & responding to comments which is hard”

from @onlinemeetings – “that was great fun couldnt stay as long as i wanted just listening to magma lady ”

from @JanVanMol – “great stuff at http://riseandshine.tv, you’re right. Best wishes from Africa.”

from @musicnotes – “How cool is this? Live Christmas music songwriting on a channel dedicated to songwriters!”

from @lolololori – “actually http://www.mogulus.com/rise… is better for participating in live songwriting of icelandic christmas song – I’m mesmerized.”

from @randellfever – “i just named a new drink the ‘magma lady’ it’s vodka and bright orange flavored water”

Ben Walker played a blinder on the first of the festive season, writing a song based on a lonesome geologist called Derek. A great three hours to kick off the festive season, a pleasure to take part, and some marvellous responses.

 Magma Lady [00:02:59m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (1092)