The 50th Sanchez song of the day comes from one of the most influential albums in my musical journey. You might assume it’d be from a Billy Joel or Elton John album, but no—it’s this album, which was released when I was just 3 years old. My parents had it on cassette and played it almost every night as I fell asleep. Back then, I had no idea who Kenny Loggins was, but this album stayed with me for years. Now, when I look at the star-studded credits, it’s clear why I’ve gone through phases of loving certain artists—it’s like I’ve been rediscovering old friends.
This album features songs written by Kenny Loggins, Jimmy Webb, John Lennon, Rickie Lee Jones, Paul Williams, and others. Its list of musicians and vocalists is equally impressive:
- Vocalists: David Crosby, Graham Nash, Patti Austin, Kate Price, Steve George, Gary Chapman, Amy Grant, Kenny Loggins, and David Pack.
- Musicians: Kenny Loggins, David Pack, Greg Phillinganes, Chet Atkins, Dean Parks, Nathan East, and Howard Levy.
Return to Pooh Corner became a huge success for Kenny Loggins, even earning a Grammy nomination for Best Musical Album for Children. He later recorded a follow-up album in 2000, More Songs From Pooh Corner.
The featured song was written by Kenny Loggins back in high school and first recorded by the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band on their 1970 album Uncle Charlie & His Dog Teddy. Kenny later re-recorded it with Jim Messina on their debut album, Sittin’ In. The version I’m sharing is the 1994 re-recording from the album Return to Pooh Corner.
Copyright Trivia: Since the song is all about Winnie the Pooh and Christopher Robin, Disney initially wouldn’t allow Kenny Loggins to record it. At the time, Loggins was dating the daughter of Disney’s CEO. She arranged a meeting, and Kenny received the green light.
This song has been a part of my life for over 30 years. It’s a source of comfort for me and now for my kids, who often fall asleep to this album just as I did. I hope you enjoy this beautiful piece—it’s a timeless treasure.
My Listening Tips/Ideas: The last verse gets me every single time. Especially since I’ve been a father. Try not to cry. I dare you.
It’s hard to explain how a few precious things
Seem to follow throughout all our lives
After all’s said and done I was watching my son
Sleeping there, with my bear by his side
So I tucked him in, I kissed him and as I was going
I swear that old bear whispered, “boy, welcome home”
Also that is Amy Grant singing with her then husband Gary Chapman on BGVs. The acoustic guitar solo is by David Pack from the band Ambrosia.
Other Versions:
Loggins and Messina (fantastic!)
Nitty Gritty Dirt Band (ehh not my favorite)
Live in the Redwoods (Kenny’s incredible live version)
Hope you enjoy this great song
Song: “Return To Pooh Corner”
Artist: Kenny Loggins
Album: Return To Pooh Corner
Year: 1994
Christopher Robin and I walked along
Under branches lit up by the moon
Posing our questions to Owl and Eeyore
As our days disappeared all too soon
But I’ve wandered much further today than I should
And I can’t seem to find my way back to the wood
So help me if you can, I’ve got to get
Back to the house at Pooh corner by one
You’d be surprised there’s so much to be done
Count all the bees in the hive
Chase all the clouds from the sky (chase the clouds from above)
Back to the days of Christopher Robin and Pooh
Winnie the Pooh doesn’t know what to do
Got a honey jar stuck on his nose
He came to me asking help and advice
And from there no one knows where he goes
So I sent him to ask of the owl if he’s there
How to loosen a jar from the nose of a bear
It’s hard to explain how a few precious things
Seem to follow throughout all our lives
After all’s said and done I was watching my son
Sleeping there, with my bear by his side
So I tucked him in, I kissed him and as I was going
I swear that old bear whispered, “boy, welcome home”
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My name is Michael Sanchez and I’m an avid record collector and obscure song searcher. My goal is to post (hopefully) one song a day that’s been on my stereo/turntable frequently. If you don’t like the song… too bad 🙂 You can just wait for the next one. All the info I find is from wikipedia/youtube/interviews/news articles/personal stories I’ve heard/random googling. Sorry if there are any mistakes 🙂
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Sanchez Song Of The Day 