R.I.P. Andrew Gold
The magical musician who created the musical notes that made the THEME SONG OF OUR LIVES passed away and floated up to heaven where he will hum "Thank You For Being A Friend" while Bea Arthur, Estelle Getty, Rue McClanahan and Jesus (in a Betty White wig) reenact the opening credits of Golden Girls for the angels. People reports that Andrew Gold, who wrote "Thank You For Being A Friend," died in his sleep from a heart attack on Friday at the age of 59.
Andrew also wrote "Lonely Boy," "I Only Have Eyes For You" and "Do Wah Diddy." Andrew is survived by his wife and three children.
Rest in peace, Andrew. Thank you for creating the masterpiece song that I can sing word for word even when I'm lying upside down over a bed with a 230lb dude sitting on my stomach after drinking a full bottle of Sour Apple Schnapps (don't ask). And also thank you for creating the perfect masterpiece song for Blanche to strut her ass to.
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I sing every word to that theme song almost every single night, sometimes multiple times. I will never get sick of the Golden Girls. RIP best theme song ever writer dude.
Like the early lineup of the Eagles, Gold's big break was as a member of Linda Ronstadt's band. It is him playing the memorable guitar solo in "You're No Good". I liked "Thank You For Being a Friend" when he had it out as a single, but it has become a classic thanks to Golden Girls. MK got some half-facts. He obviously did not write "I Only Have Eyes For You", but he did play on Art Garfunkel's hit 70s remake. He also did not write "Do Wah Diddy", but did a remake that was released as a single that was not a hit.
R.I.P.
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♫I used to be a swinger, until Snowy wrapped me 'round her finger, just like a Yo-Yo...♫
MK, where did you get that info about him writing those other three songs? There's no WAY he could have written those. If he's dead at 59, he was born in 1952. "Do Wah Diddy," and "I only have eyes for you," were both made popular in the early 60s, although they could have been written much earlier ((Wiki does give much earlier dates for both) so unless he was an extremely talented and successful middle schooler, you need to check your facts. Or lay off the bong hits. :)
File this under useless information, but he was Linda Ronstadt's piece for a bit, and used to sing back up for her in her glory days. Learned that from a friend's father who was in love with her during his high school days.
I loved these women. Normally, I would hate a corny show like this this but they were all so cool. Especially, Bea!
I go to sleep with the GG DVD's on a loop every night. This morning I rolled over and turned it off around 3am. That show has brought me so much relief and happiness in times of despair.
Anytime someone dies from GG, I feel like I've lost a family member.
RIP.
*sadness*
:(
That is a great theme song.
R.I.P.
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They're all just slipping away from us it seems. The sads.
GG's theme will always have special place in my heart, but Lonely Boy was such a great song. Peace out Brotha.
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"I could have been living in a swinging condo instead of with...I better not say anything till I've had my coffee...a slut and a moron! I'm sorry, it must be decaf."
The incomparable Dorothy Zbornak
59 is too young....rest in peace...
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Charisma, Uniqueness, Nerve and Talent...
Awwww so sad. The fairground I used to visit as a child always played Thank You for Being a Friend and Never Let her Slip Away. Sweet memories, and I never knew he was Marni's boy.
Do wah diddy..I can only imagine what the obit for future dead musical stars will be..'Known for hits such as ride that ass and bitch got back. He and his contributions will be deeply missed.'
Baby Boomers are most likely going to be the last generation with decent substantial obituaries. The rest will read like a case file.
He was also the son of Marni Nixon, the singer. The things you learn when someone dies...
I loves me some Lonely Boy. But geez, it makes no goddamn sense. He was an only child, then he gets a sibling and *NOW* he's lonely? Poor thing! Waaaah! But I still love to listen to that song. It has that time-machine quality. Dial me back to 1977!
"I Only Have Eyes For You" was written in the 1930s and not by Andrew Gold.
BTW, Art Garfunkel's version is even better than the Flamingos. *swoon*
"Lonely Boy" always makes me lol. It is the best song evar...about a boy's jealousy of his younger sister. Who writes a song about that? WTF?
RIP Andrew Gold.
Come on peeps. "never let her slip away" gets no mention? Listen to it and try NOT to sing along!rip andrew.
Submitted by Centaurious on Mon, 06/06/2011 - 8:48pm.
"I don't think he thought that HE thought he was my boyfriend, now that I realistically reflect on our interactions...."
LOL. I love honest people.
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Who are you calling silly cow?
What he did for that smash Ronstadt LP is more meaningful IMNSHO than his TV theme songs.
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Crimewave
Agreed. Reminds me of the intoxicating feeling of slow dancing when I was young.
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Submitted by Twat Muffin on Mon, 06/06/2011 - 9:39pm.
...I love the original version by The Flamingos (1959), one of the most romantic songs ever.
Submitted by Uncle Brain-fart on Mon, 06/06/2011 - 10:18pm.
Gaza Strip, since this is your standard shtick when people die, please do me a favor and read up on the origin of RIP.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rest_in_peace
And then explain to me where the white trash comes in. Thank you.-
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Doh!! Woot. This.
Gaza Strip, since this is your standard shtick when people die, please do me a favor and read up on the origin of RIP.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rest_in_peace
And then explain to me where the white trash comes in. Thank you.
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"I also have felt the nose heat of the man meat."
SFRB, 04/26/11
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http://www.youtube.com/user/beeper246#p/a/u/2/BrO86m4qAEs
Thanks though, T-doc, for letting me know that Marni Nixon is his mother. Had no idea.
"RIP" SQUAWK "RIP" SQUAWK "RIP" SQUAWK
Enough with the white trash blabbering.
GOD, when did everyone feel the need to sound like the scary redneck woman on the news?
Anyway, iconic tune. But WHY TF are you addressing him directly in here? HE CAN'T HEAR YOU.
At least he didn't suffer through a long, debilitating disease, à la Estelle Getty. RIP Andrew.
Am I missing something here? ("only have eyes for you" is probs a mistake? had to type this four times; p.noir tgimes now so but I know the 'thank you for being a friend' is andrew)
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-13666487
http://www.publicbroadcasting.net/wxxi/arts.artsmain?action=viewArticle&...
MK, Andrew Gold didn't write either "I Only Have Eyes for You" (Harry Warren/Al Dubin in 1934 :P) or "Do Wah Diddy Diddy" (Jeff Barry/Ellie Greenwich in 1963).
He did -record- the latter in the 70s, though.
TexnDoc -- thanks for looking that up (I'm so damn lazy). I was trying to figure out how it was possible that a 8-year old kid wrote such a great song. I love the original version by The Flamingos (1959), one of the most romantic songs ever.
Andrew, rip. 59 golden years. The vid of Miss Blanche strutting to yo musak IS ALL THE POINT and ROCKS. You had a hand in that. Rock the afterlife.
<"Submitted by Twat Muffin on Mon, 06/06/2011 - 9:28pm.">
Google says he played every instrument on Art Garfunkel's recording of "I Only Have Eyes For You", not that he wrote it. The only person Google has saying he wrote it is now Michael K. (LOL, the cream immediately rises to the top, don't it?)
He was only 59? The song "I Only Have Eyes For You" is nearly 50 years old. Am I missing something here?
Ah, his momma Marni Nixon is still alive and survives him (and gave him his red hair). She's really had a fascinating career, having dubbed Deborah Kerr in "The King and I", Audrey Hepburn in "My Fair Lady" and Natalie Wood in "West Side Story", all Best Picture winners. And she sang parts of "Diamonds Are A Girl's Best Friend" for Marilyn Monroe. Lady deserves a special Oscar or something.
When I watch the reruns, I still can't believe that Bea, Rue and Estelle are gone.
They are just so ALIVE in that show.
They always will be.
PS -- I will always love Bea's Chico's/Eileen Fisher ensembles.
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GERONIMO!
wow he was pretty young
"Lonely Boy":
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iCOS2vOxuXE
This song, pathos, much melodic pathos.
Submitted by IrishFury on Mon, 06/06/2011 - 8:54pm.
I've seen that episode a hundred times, Texn Doc!
I have a framed, signed pic of Rue (and she wrote Dear [my name] on it. It's a treasure!
You're so freaking lucky!! I'm such a dork I bought a COPY of a signed (by all of them) script for the pilot off of ebay.
Things I knew:
"He played several instruments, did arrangements and sang on such Linda Ronstadt albums as "Heart Like a Wheel" in 1974, "Prisoner in Disguise" in 1975 and "Hasten Down the Wind" in 1976.
Did NOT know:
Gold was born Aug. 2, 1951, in Burbank, Calif., to composer Ernest Gold and singer Marni Nixon.
His father won an Academy Award for his score for the 1960 film "Exodus," and his mother sang for Natalie Wood in "West Side Story" and Audrey Hepburn in "My Fair Lady," among others.
!!!!
He was only 59? When did that show come out?
wow
I've seen that episode a hundred times, Texn Doc!
I have a framed, signed pic of Rue (and she wrote Dear [my name] on it. It's a treasure!
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Dark-sided!
For those who can't read Blanche's lips:
"I'm as jumpy as a virgin at a prison rodeo!"
Dorothy: "Thats.......jumpy."
PLEASE elaborate on the schnapps incident...
RIP Mr.Gold.
RIP!
I watch GG reruns nonstop when I can't sleep, that show is a classic.
Is Lonely Boy the one that goes, Ohhhhhh, oh, what a lonely boy...oh, what a lonely boy, oh what a lonely boooooooy!
Do Wah Diddy was my song for my British boyfriend when I was 19. He used to let me drive his Saab. He was 30.
I don't think he thought that HE thought he was my boyfriend, now that I realistically reflect on our interactions....
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GERONIMO!
RIP Mr. Gold. Thank you for giving me a song to sing drunkenly to many a friend that has helped my wobbly ass walk home after a good night.
Anyone who is in any way associated with GG is a hero. R.I.P Andrew.
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I set fire to the rain
And I threw us into the flames
Well, I felt something die,
Cause I knew that
That was the last time,
The last time
-Adele
I did like lonely boy. Sad indeed.
I thought the words to the other song was "Thank-you for reaming my end..."
"Lonely Boy." I had the 45 and read so much into that song. I airplayed the piano part.
I could watch that clip and sing that song all day long.
Awwww, RIP, Andrew. So sorry you passed. Thank you for the greatest theme song EVER!
"Thank you for creating the masterpiece song that I can sing word for word even when I'm lying upside down over a bed with a 230lb dude sitting on my stomach after drinking a full bottle of Sour Apple Schnapps (don't ask). "
LOL, MK! I AM asking.
NOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!
Is there no GOD?!!!
Sad. 59 is pretty young.
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Douchechill!