Herbie Hancock, Annie Lennox and all of the musicians do a wonderful job bringing this song to life. As most know, it is about a person dying from Aids. However, it could serve to tell the touching story of a child of any age dying in the arms of a loving parent. "Hush, Hush, Hush" is my favorite song on this album. I'm a nurse who has witnessed many-a-soul draw their last breath because of their disease. Often times it was an adult child surrounded by his or her parents. Without a doubt, those moments in time were profoundly touching and sad. The eyes of the parents often revealed their wish for their child's comfort, which was always after a long, brave and painful battle with an illness like cancer or Aids. At the same time, the eyes of the parents also revealed their deep and honest desire for their beloved child to not die. As found in the melody, the chords, the lyrics, and the performances of the singer and musicians, this song captures all of this.
***** Edward, your post...just beautiful. Thank you.Did you see the documentary of the making of "Possibilities?" It's incredible, & only deepens, even more, the context for the possibility of humanity's magnificence, that you express here, imho. I had it, in one of my playlists, but can't find it anymore, except in a different language. I think it's because one has to pay for it now, to stream it, but it's worth it. I will even buy it, if I can, & watch it when I need to.
Johnny LeRose Hi - Yes. I saw the documentary of the making of "Possibilities". Saw it on Netflix, if I remembering this correctly. Currently, I'm listening to this song for the fourth time in a row. Again. Haven't heard it in a while. Still brings out those tears. . . . (and many memories).
The song was written by Paula Cole, and Annie and Herbie had to call Paula during the session for instruction on how to approach the song. This is when Paula confirmed the subject was dying of AIDS. It's completely changed the approach for the rest of the session. This song always breaks my heart. I believe it was successful for at least this much respect shown to the spirit of the song. Yet, with the mastery on display here, there are few more emotional performances I've ever had the privilege of witnessing, even after 25 years of my own professional music career.
Well said thank you for your service.. I lost 1ofmyold Childhood friend.. This song Is embedded In my soul towards him.. Thank Lord For the gift of friendship...
yes - as good as it gets.. Performance, commitment and soul - This would have to be Annie's best performance - in my view - but as I think these great performers would agree - the song is the key - so we should acknowledge Paula Cole - I love this song..
I love this 🎵 🎼🎶 It's been really difficult for me to actually find this version with Annie Lennox on Apple Music. I've searched through Herbie Hancock's albums, too, and couldn't find this version. Definitely found Paula Cole singing her song, though! 🎤🎶🎼🎵
the recording is great, but for my the original recording by Paula Cole excels. Austere and elegiac, with a chorus sung by Peter Gabriel helps to enhance the lost of all concerned.
In an interview with Annie Lennox and Herbie Handcock, Herbie said neither he nor Annie Lennox quite understood the song, so in the midst of recording it, they called Paula Cole and asked her about it. Paula said the song was about her friend dying of aids in hospice; he had not yet revealed to his parents that he was dying nor that he was gay; he was understandably afraid of disclosing both, particularly to his father. Paula urged him to call, insisting that he couldn't simply die without telling his parents what was happening--and to trust that they would understand. His parents accepted the news the way we would hope any parents would, without judgment, with love and compassion. According to Paula, the words, "Hush, Hush, Hush" are the final words from father to son, as he struggled to breathe during his last night. Annie Lennox offers such a hauntingly realistic expression of these events. It was only after hearing the interview and listening to Lennox's version that I understood it myself.
saw this amazing documentary as well and have been haunted by this ever since... I love the story behind the music and this was an exceptionally poignant one. Annie and herbie power and possibility to life...
Just learned of the death of someone I used to know. Gone much too soon. This song popped into my head. It was not AIDs but this song feels right, right in this moment.
It's a song about a man dying from AIDS and, his father trying to come to accept his son is , gay, and dying...very sad...and extremely well written and performed....
This is the saddest song I know by a country mile. Paula Cole wrote it. Sometimes there is no hope and this beautiful song reflects that. No more to be said.
The original of this song is so much better, written by Paula Cole. She originally performed this with Peter Gabriel... and yes, it is about a man dying of AIDS.
Thank you, I am trying to get a memorial for casualties of AIDS here in US, the first of it’s kind. I got a bit burnt out by this in the late 80’s/early 90’s. No more I love yous…
