Tom Knight's New Songs

Song tribute to Frankie Manning

2009-04-30T12:12:00.000-07:00

Legendary Lindy Hopper Frankie Manning just passed away on April 27th, 2009 at the age of 94. I had the opportunity to take swing dance lessons from him, and met him several times.

In May 1999, I wrote a song for his 85th birthday, which I recorded with my band, Tom Knight & the Blue Moon. I traveled to NYC to deliver it to him at his party at the Roseland Ballroom in New York City.

LA Times Obituary

Click once to play, or right click and save to download mp3

Vocals and rhythm Guitar - Tom Knight
Bass - Jim Lawrence
Lead Guitar - Mike Vitucci
Drums - Fred Johnson
Sax - Peter Forlano
Trumpet - Gary Hartz

Engineered by Peter Hopper in Freeville, NY.

Tom Knight's website

Frankie Steps Out
Copyright 1999 by Tom Knight

In 1938 things were really hoppin' in Harlem
Goodman and Basie were swingin' all the way to big stardom
On Lenox avenue the kids found a way to move their two feet
Which matched up perfectly with the energy of the new beat
When the band started to swing it in rhythm
All the cats in the corner were with 'em
Hoppin' and stompin'
Under the umbrella of a fella who was known to all as Whitey (Herbert White)
The girls and boys at the Savoy were Lindy Hoppin' nightly (Well all right)

Mr. Chick Webb led the house band playin' in the ballroom
It was one whole city block and had 2 stages - not a small room
When one band finished the other band started there was no rest
The Savoy was famous for its battle of the bands and other contests
Once Chick Webb tried to battle Count Basie
No one won, but the cats all went crazy
Hoppin' and stompin'
Chick had Ella Fitzgerald who could really make the place swing
But singin' with Basie was Billie Holiday she was amazing

Shorty George Snowden mighta been the best dancer in the city
According to the story, Shorty was the first to call it Lindy
When Whitey's Lindy Hoppers were starting to get famous all around town
Shorty thought the time had come to challenge all the young 'uns to a showdown
Shorty did the act that he had been known for
Up steps Frankie, challenging the king of the dance floor
Hoppin' and stompin'
Young Frankie Manning threw his partner in the air, it was a new trick
The crowd went crazy, screaming was louder than the music
(spoken)---We'll have to give this contest to the youngsters!

My parent's 50th wedding anniversary

2008-12-23T07:41:00.000-08:00

Joyce and Richard Knight, October 25th, 2008

Joyce and Richard Knight, October 25th, 1958

50th wedding anniversary song
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Chorus:
It’s not easy, it’s not perfect
Find a person you respect
Who shares the values you agree with
You learn to bend instead of break
And laugh at all of your mistakes
Choose someone you really love to be with

35th anniversary song
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Chorus:
35 years of love
35 years of love
You can thank your lucky stars and the heavens above
For 35 years of love

Here are two songs I wrote for my parents' anniversaries - one for the 50th, which just happened Oct. 25th, 2008, and one for the 35th.

I was able to play them both live at the parties we had in California.

Tom Knight: vocals and guitar
Recorded Oct. 2008 by Karl Fitzke at Soundswell Studio, Ithaca, NY

Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree by Tom Knight

2008-12-14T08:51:00.000-08:00

Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree 2007
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Rockin' Around the Chrismas Tree 2003
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Here's a Christmas song with an interesting history. I originally wrote this song at least 10 years ago. It has always bugged me that the popular song "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" doesn't actually "rock." It kind of sways. I thought a song with that title should have a good uptempo groove. So I wrote one.

In 2003 I recorded a version of my song with John Simon and Radio London. Jan Nigro did some nice piano work, and the band all sang some cool harmonies on the chorus.

In December 2007, I decided to re-visit the song and give it a more funky groove. I borrowed the drum part from a song I like and made it into a loop. I was partly inspired by the Run-DMC Christmas in Hollis song. Not that I listen to a lot of Run-DMC. I think that song was on a commercial once.

2003 Version
Tom Knight - guitar and lead vocals
John Simon - guitar and vocals
Ken Zeserson - sax and vocals
Jan Nigro - piano and vocals
John Hilton - bass
Mark Cushman - drums
Tim Reppert - recording engineer

2007 version
Tom Knight - vocals, electric guitar, background harmony and bass!

Living in Color by Tom Knight

2008-12-11T12:38:00.000-08:00

Living In Color by Tom Knight
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This is one of my early home recordings on my computer, from June 2006. I used drum and percussion loops, as well as a bass loop, to created the rhythm tracks. I recorded my electric guitar and then the lead vocal, and finally, a harmony vocal.

The song was inspired by my experiences in acting class. I was learning to access and express emotions that are usually kept inside. It was very exciting, liberating, and scary. I was also thinking about the song "You Don't Know Me," and how shyness can keep people from connecting with others.

The Holiday Song by Tom Knight and John Simon

2008-12-11T10:51:00.001-08:00

The Holiday Song by Tom Knight and John Simon
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In 2003, I wanted to write a new holiday song. My goal was to write something that mentioned all the different holidays happening this time of year (December). I invited my friend John Simon to help.

We recorded it at REP Studios in Ithaca.

Tom Knight - vocals and guitar
John Simon - vocals and guitar
Tim Reppert - bass and jingle bells

About this blog

2008-12-11T10:04:00.000-08:00

Hi!

Now I have three blogs, a myspace page, and a website.

The first blog is an online art show of drawings and photos of Garbage Monsters, based on the song of the same name.
The second blog is focusing on what's going on in my world of making music videos.
This one will be dedicated to my original songs that have not been released on CD.

The songs are demos recorded in my room, or simple acoustic recordings in a studio.

They range from love songs, new songs for kids, songs for my family and friends' special occasions - basically songs that don't have a home yet.

Feel free to comment on them. I'd love to hear your feedback.

- Tom