Choosing a song title, opinions wanted

Subject: Choosing a song title, opinions wanted
From: Marion
Date: 20 Mar 08 - 10:10 AM

Hello folks. As discussed in my recent thread "Tips for getting airplay on folk radio", I'm working on getting one of my songs recorded and into circulation. However, I'm having a little difficulty settling on a title for it, so I'm interested in your votes.

The song is a witty synopsis of the plot of Anne of Green Gables, and the tunes is the standard fiddle tune Ste. Anne's Reel.

The titles I'm considering are:
1. Ste. Anne's Reel (With An E)
2. Ste. Anne-With-An-E's Reel
3. Anne of Three Minutes

The first two would be a play on the connection between the story and tune, and would reference the fact that Anne was adamant about having her name spelled with an E.

The third option would be a reference to the sequel novels (Anne of the Island, Anne of Windy Poplars, Anne of Avonlea etc.), and might be better in light of the fact that not everybody will recognize Ste. Anne's Reel and understand the word play.

Thanks, Marion

Subject: RE: Choosing a song title, opinions wanted
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 20 Mar 08 - 12:13 PM

Use 'Anne of Three Minutes.'

The others are too tedious to type.

Why the 'e' on Ste? That's French, not English. That will really foil anybody tryng to look up 'St. Anne.'

I also thought you were adding an E chord to a tune that didn't have one before.

By the way, I have often heard of 'Anne of Green Gables,' but I've never read it.

Subject: RE: Choosing a song title, opinions wanted
From: GUEST,The Mole Catcher's unplugged Apprentice
Date: 20 Mar 08 - 12:19 PM

Listed in a couple of my Canadian music books as

St. Anne's Reel / Reel de Ste. Anne.

giving both the English and French titles, neither of which has anything to do with the freckle-faced, redhaired girl from Prince Edward Island

Charlotte (inside Ma and Pas's piano stool)

Subject: RE: Choosing a song title, opinions wanted
From: katlaughing
Date: 20 Mar 08 - 12:24 PM

I like the third one best, Marion, though they are all a little obscure in reference. Any other options? Green Gables Anne's Reel? Naw, too wordy. How about Gable Anne's Reel? Or, Green Anne's Reel? (That last one is trendy...i.e. go green!)**BG**

Subject: RE: Choosing a song title, opinions wanted
From: GUEST,JB
Date: 20 Mar 08 - 12:44 PM

If you're writing a song, don't call it a reel. Keep the title short and simple. Perhaps just "Green Gables". Good luck, hope they like it.

Subject: RE: Choosing a song title, opinions wanted
From: GUEST,The Mole Catcher's unplugged Apprentice
Date: 20 Mar 08 - 12:48 PM

'If you're writing a song, don't call it a reel.'

so if I wrote a song about my brother in law's fishing habits, I shouldnt call it Rod's Reel...? Just asking.

Charlotte (the view from Ma and Pa's fishing hole)

Subject: RE: Choosing a song title, opinions wanted
From: GUEST,Jak Campin
Date: 20 Mar 08 - 12:59 PM

There is a music shop in Edinburgh which started out selling a mixture of fishing equipment and musical instruments. They could have called it Reels but decided to go with Scayles instead.

There is already a song called The Ballad of St Anne's Reel, which is confusing enough without there being two of them.

Subject: RE: Choosing a song title, opinions wanted
From: GUEST,The Mole Catcher's unplugged Apprentice
Date: 20 Mar 08 - 01:09 PM

'There is already a song called The Ballad of St Anne's Reel..'
and here it is......


Ballad Of St Anne's Reel
(David Mallett)

He was stranded in some tiny town
On fair Prince Edward Island
Waiting for a ship to come and find him
A one horse place, a friendly face
Some coffee and a tiny trace
Of fiddlin' in the distance far behind him

A dime across the counter then
A shy hello, a brand new friend
A walk along the street in the wintry weather
A yellow light, an open door
A "Welcome friend, there's room for more"
Soon they're standing there inside together

He said "I've heard that tune before somewhere
But I can't remember when
Was it on some other friendly shore
Did I hear it on the wind
Was it written on the sky above
I think I heard it from someone I love
But I never heard it sound so sweet since then"

How his feet begin to tap
A little boy says "I'll take your hat"
He's caught up in the magic of his smile
Then leaps the heart inside him
When off across the floor
He sends his clumsy body, graceful as a child

He said "There's magic in the fiddler's arms
And there's magic in this town
There's magic in the dancers' feet
From the way they put them down"
Smiling people everywhere
Boots and ribbons and locks of hair
Laughter and old blue suits and Easter gowns

The sailor's gone, the room is bare
The old piano's sitting there
Someones hat's left hanging on the rack
Some empty chairs, the wooden floor
That feels the touch of shoes no more
Waiting for the dancers to come back

And the fiddle's in the closet
Of some daughter of the town
Strings are broke and the bow is gone
And the case is buttoned down
But often on December nights
When the air is cold and the wind is right
There's a melody comes passing through this town

Charlotte (the view from Ma and Pa's piano stool)

Subject: RE: Choosing a song title, opinions wanted
From: GUEST,JB
Date: 20 Mar 08 - 01:20 PM

Charlotte, you should call it "Rod's Reel, Really".
There used to be a computer shop near here. They called "Efficient Chips".
Uh-oh, I feel a new thread coming on.

Subject: RE: Choosing a song title, opinions wanted
From: open mike
Date: 20 Mar 08 - 03:31 PM

I think something with Montgomery in it would be good...or Maude.
Or maybe use the name Anne Shirley, the main character of the book.

I have played St. Ann's Reel many times. The old time fiddler I used
to accompany at contests often won on that tune. He insisted it was
Saint Angie's Reel, however.

I thought the "e" you referred to was the one after the "St."

Subject: RE: Choosing a song title, opinions wanted
From: Cool Beans
Date: 20 Mar 08 - 04:15 PM

Don't listen to the others. "St. Anne With an E's Reel" is absolutely brilliant! Everyone who knows the book or movie or TV miniseries or perennial Charlottetown production will get the reference--and that's a load of people. If I played fiddle I would record a medley of Bruce Springsteen songs and I would call it "Paddy on the Jersey Turnpike." But I don't, so I won't.

Subject: RE: Choosing a song title, opinions wanted
From: GUEST,The Mole Catcher's unplugged Apprentice
Date: 20 Mar 08 - 04:22 PM

'Charlotte, you should call it "Rod's Reel, Really'

one of the reels in my repetoire is the Real Ale Reel, which is to be found on The Albion Band's Before Us Stands Yesterday CD

Charlotte (we was reelin' 'n' a rockin' till the break of day)

Subject: RE: Choosing a song title, opinions wanted
From: katlaughing
Date: 20 Mar 08 - 06:38 PM

Or, just "Anne with an E Reel"

Subject: RE: Choosing a song title, opinions wanted
From: Kent Davis
Date: 20 Mar 08 - 06:46 PM

Whatever you do, DON'T call it "Carrots' Reel"!

Kent

Subject: RE: Choosing a song title, opinions wanted
From: Marion
Date: 21 Mar 08 - 11:44 AM

Thanks everybody. I was leaning towards Anne of Three Minutes anyway, and your responses have confirmed that this is the best choice.

PS to Cool Beans... I am gratified, though, that at least one person "got" my original idea... but I'm afraid it's a little too nerdy for the outside world.

PS to Kent Davis... How dare you! Insolent boy!