Blossoms and… Achoo is about contrast. The colours, the light, the warmth, of spring, and then suddenly… a sneeze. And another. Welcome to the season of pollen!
Lyrics
Springtime is calling
Soft on the breeze
Petals are falling
From blossom-filled trees
Walking through fields in a golden hue
Sky painted bright in a softer blue
Flowers are dancing, the air is sweet
Sunlight is warming the world beneath
By my side with a curious view
A little black cat as the day feels new
Tail held high, taking it slow
Watching wherever the wild winds go
Everything perfect, calm and bright
Spring has arrived in gentle light
Blossom and breeze, what a beautiful day
Colours and petals all drifting our way
But just as the moment feels easy and true
Here comes a tickle… and then comes achoo
Blossom and breeze, dancing light as a tune
Laughing beneath a bright afternoon
Eyes start to water, what can you do
Springtime is lovely… and slightly achoo
Daisies and tulips all lined in rows
Fragrance that follows wherever we go
Everything glowing, soft and serene
Nature is painting the perfect scene
But then comes a flutter I cannot ignore
A whisper of pollen I felt before
My black cat pauses, starts to stare
Waiting to see what will happen there
A moment of stillness, a breath held tight
Something is building, not quite right
Blossom and breeze, what a beautiful day
Colours and petals all drifting our way
But just as the moment feels easy and true
Here comes a tickle… and then comes achoo
Blossom and breeze, dancing light as a tune
Laughing beneath a bright afternoon
Eyes start to water, what can you do
Springtime is lovely… and slightly achoo
Little black cat with a puzzled face
Watching each sneeze in perfect grace
Head tilts left, then right once more
Never quite seen this dance before
Petals keep falling, the world stays bright
Even through sneezes, it feels just right
Blossom and breeze, what a beautiful day
Even with pollen that gets in the way
Laugh through the moment, see it right through
Springtime is magic… with a hint of achoo
Walking through fields as the sun dips low
Cat by my side as the soft winds blow
Flowers still dancing in golden view
Springtime is gentle… and slightly achoo
About the Song
Even before my first album, Riley’s Lounge, is released, we are already working on the second, which we plan to be a tribute to some of the greatest bands and artists that ever lived.
All of the songs are written by Mark, and this one is inspired by the wonderful Alma Cogan, who, for those who might not know, brought a light, playful humour into her music. Songs like He Just Couldn’t Resist Her with Her Pocket Transistor and Never Do a Tango With an Eskimo are perfect examples of that spirit.
So, we wanted to create something fun, in that same gentle and cheerful style. This time, it includes a walk through springtime fields, a little black cat called ODC from Mad Black Cat, and of course… pollen. Because for many people, spring is beautiful, but it is not always comfortable!
Blossoms and… Achoo is really about that contrast. The colours, the light, the warmth, and then suddenly… a sneeze. And another. And another. Even for my little black cat companion, who never quite knows what is coming next, it becomes a slightly unpredictable adventure.
And on a slightly more serious note, it is worth remembering that something as simple as sneezing or watery eyes can affect concentration, especially when driving. If you would like to understand more about that, you can explore it further through N332.
But for now… achoo!
Now, here is the problem. We recorded a number of different versions of the song, as we often do, and we simply could not choose a favourite.
So, rather than wait until later in the year, Mark had the idea of releasing them now, as a spring EP. Well… I say it was his idea, but I am quite sure I mentioned it too.
So here it is — three versions of the same song. You can choose your favourite, or enjoy them all in different ways.
Blossoms and… Achoo is here for you.
Riley