“State of Independence” is a song written by Jon Anderson and Vangelis. Originally recorded by Jon and Vangelis for their 1981 album The Friends of Mr Cairo, “State of Independence” was released as a single the same year but did not chart. The song subsequently became better known when Donna Summer released a cover version a year later in 1982, which became a Top Twenty UK single. In 1992, a third version of the song – retitled “Spiritual High (State of Independence)” — was recorded and released as a single by Moodswings, with vocals by The Pretenders lead singer Chrissie Hynde.
There is much debate about why it wasn’t a hit for Jon and Vangelis but I can only guess that after the first single from The Friends of Mr Cairo album was a massive hit everyone ran out and bought the album, which was also a massive hit. The title track and its accompanying music video serve as an ode to classic Hollywood films of the 1930s and 1940s, including references to the classic film noir The Maltese Falcon. The track incorporates sound effects and voice impressions of the stars of the era, most notably Humphrey Bogart, Sydney Greenstreet, Peter Lorre, and Jimmy Stewart.
Joel Cairo (Mr Cairo) is the name of the character played by Peter Lorre in The Maltese Falcon.
Enjoy…
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55 Comments on “Flat Music #18”
The Friends of Mr Cairo is one of my favourite albums.
Sounds weird because I am so used to the Donna Summer disco version.
Had “The Friends of Mr Cairo” on vinyl many years ago.
I never knew theirs was the original version, I always thought they covered Donna Summer’s song.
Love Donna Summer…
Ooh I feel love, I feel love,
I feel love, I feel love,
I feel love.
Never got round to listening to any of Jon’s solo stuff which is shameful for a Yes fan to admit.
His voice is superb no matter what is age!
I saw Yes in 1977 in Stafford and Jon’s voice was totally amazing and if anything it is better today than it was over 40 years ago!!
Haven’t heard this before or Donna Summer singing it.
Quality!!
I get it lads we aren’t in great form fuckin hell.
I know, I know. It was a stupid idea to name my dog Alexa.
Me dads been fuming about just wanting the top shelf in the fridge for ages. So has now bought a knee height monstrosity to put his beer in.
Ann’s gonna divorce him!
Please no more snow, one of my hoomans at one station has spent nearly 4 hours snow clearing and then it started snowing again as they were going home!
Is a duck’s birthday when the egg is laid or when the shell breaks?
Just said to my Dad if you can’t be philosophical at a time like this what even is the point of philosophy. He threw me out the house!
Iv taught me rabbit to use the human toilet.
Everton won aswell. Party at mine bring your own noose!
Lookin on an Apple Watch here but I can’t be assed with it chattin me heart rates through the roof everytime I leg the stairs!
Coulda swore I brought my tan w me to Liverpool but I’ve just exfoliated and apparently I didn’t!! What a WASTE!!
Just spent £70 on a pair of slippers. Live Tory vote labour!
Just got my own Amazon prime. Being an adult is mad I have to pay for my own subscriptions? Mum, Dad? This is your job
honestly, the internet isn’t for some people!
Feel like pure shit just want a Caesar Salad.
Where’s the Ket?
Today is January 394th.
My new toilet is a few inches higher, ever dangle your feet while you pee? Not as fun as it sounds.
Was it rough? Sounds fuckin terrifying.
I was not impressed with the snow yesterday. I admit, it does look beautiful but it’s just so cold to walk on. I was lucky that Kate saw me trying to get back to the veranda and she rescued me. Why do some humans love snow so much? I can’t understand it.
If people ask me,
I always tell them:
‘Quite well, thank you, I’m very glad to say.’
If people ask me,
I always answer,
‘Quite well, thank you, how are you today?’
I always answer,
I always tell them,
If they ask me
Politely…
BUT SOMETIMES
I wish
That they wouldn’t.
Good morning and welcome to Marvellous Marmalade Monday!
Rolf report 25 Jan
It was snowing yesterday so I didn’t go to campus. I just went for a leash walk around the garden. I jumped up into a tree to survey my domain which is now sparkling white. It’s bleak mid winter but the daffodils are starting to bud, signalling hope.
Rolf x
The heating has conked out in my office and it’s colder in here than outside, as it’s bloody cold outside too I have had enough and will switch the computer off and go indoors to continue with my lists.
Good morning to dogs only!!
I have decided I am not going to leave so wish me fuckin luck!
I’m just another thing for you to roll your eyes at x
Good morning, it’s freezing outside so I’ve shuffled up and left a space for you on this warm fluffy blanket in year three. Keep warm and stay safe friends.
New bed arrived. It’s 5 separate boxes! It’s staying in the hallway till my mate is back from work at the end of the week to build it… I mean help build it! The mattress on the floor Is comfy anyway. Dear god I can tell this is going to be a mission already!
Everything in this country is shite isn’t it. Everything. From the government right down to the snow. Shite!
*taps phone taps again… “Is Pat there please?”
-50C in Yakutsk, Russia.
Keir Starmer self-isolating again. How many times has he gone into hiding?
Ey up, Lampard’s off to the dance. The redundance! Are you having that one David?!!!
Bike ride or sit on settee drinking beer n betting on horses, is the big question of the day?
This cat is guna get volleyed if she keeps giving me the evils. Not in the mood today!
What was yer hobby before the pandemic mine was entering a house party a was not invited to shout let’s get this party started and then leave.
I went to write a letter to our Children’s Minister and to also relay the horrific stories I’ve been told about young people in the care system at the mo and then I saw she used to be an investment banker and I gave up all hope.
Today’s excuse to get drunk is incapaciting toothache with no painkillers to hand!
Just ignore me, I’m just talking to myself on here mostly.
Imagine tying to start a revolution on your own. Get as far as the end of my road then detained by that nice couple on the corner!
After giving it some thought I think I can say pretty confidently that I have never frolicked. I may have scampered or even capered, and I am positive I have cavorted. But frolicking never happened.
And at my age I imagine it never will.
The trousers I put on this morning are inside out. I’ve known this since about 20 minutes after putting them on. They are still inside out…
Best thing about living in a ground floor flat is the stubborn pensioner who ends up driving into your front room and killing you while you are watching Countryfile
Lockdown 3 is fucking shite!
Let’s be honest nothing much good happened even when we were allowed out either. Amazing how much interesting we’ve decided our lives were…