Remembering World AIDS Day (Dec. 1) in song

[Wayman_Wong]

Posted: 12/1/24 at 7:58pm

One of the most moving AIDS songs I've ever heard is Tom Andersen's ''Yard Sale.'' Tom says it was inspired by a San Francisco neighbor during the 1980s. It earned Tom a rave review in Billboard and the 1998 MAC Award for Song of the Year. It's since been sung by Australian cabaret star David Campbell and many others around the world.

Here's Tom's poignant performance of his ''Yard Sale,'' accompanied by Seth Rudetsky, at ''The Leading Men III'' benefit for Broadway Cares (2008 ) at Birdland in NYC:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2hLtT5vUVGU&t=4s

Updated On: 12/1/24 at 07:58 PM

[ManOfLaMuncha]

Posted: 12/1/24 at 8:31pm

Thank you for posting that beautiful, sad song.  Not enough people remember what today honors.  As a very long term survivor this was a pleasant surprise...seems there are less mentions of the day as the decades roll by.

I saw that the entire quilt was at the White House, and I believe it is 54 tons?!!  The president spoke, that was nice.

I only saw the quilt once years ago when they had it on the huge green in the center of D.C..  I'll never forget the boxes of kleenex at the corner of each section.

Thanks again :)

[Kad]

Posted: 12/1/24 at 8:50pm

I love Howard Ashman and Alan Menken's "Sheridan Square," a really beautiful snapshot of the mood and feelings at the height of the crisis. Ashman's lyrics are some of his best and most devastating.

[ManOfLaMuncha]

Posted: 12/1/24 at 10:17pm

Sheridan Square was another very touching song, and I loved his voice.  It was interesting that he wrote for so many Disney movies. There are probably so many touching songs written during the worst of it.  I'm glad I heard two great ones tonight.  Thanks for mentioning it on the message board.