"Hold Me"
Performed by
Betty Wont
Music and Lyrics: Alotta Regina
To the Tune of: Обними меня - А́ни Ло́рак
Betty Wont's childhood was notably tough.
Born in the small town of Chilton, Betty was raised by a single mother following the death of her father in one of the worst industrial disasters in Beepee, when Betty was only 4 years old.
At the age of 6, she and her siblings were placed in the Halle Lou Orphanage. Run by the wicked, but glamorous, Halle Lou.
At the orphanage, orphans were required to design and sew couture fashion from every day objects such as paper towels, refuse sacks and fishing wire. Each Thursday, the orphans were then required to lipsync for visiting childless couples who would choose which orphan would sashay into they lives.
It was during these pageants that Betty developed the desire to become a singer.
After several failed runway battles, Betty was eventually adopted by Norma and Norman Normal. Norma worked in the typing pool at the local council whilst Norman was a lowly clerk in a bank.
Betty flourished with the Normals and often performed at various school and local stage shows. However, at the age of 18, Mr and Mrs Normal informed Betty that there was no future in music and she should focus on a more sensible career.
Heartbroken, Betty fled to Norkfolk Pinewoods in the hope of finding fame and fortune as a singer. However, she failed to get more than occasional open mic sessions at the diners where she worked as a hostess.
At the age of 24, Betty got her big break, being chosen to represent her home country at WorldVision 81 with the song "Fight For My Love". Betty's first attempt was marred by vomiting on stage shortly before the performance was due to begin.
Betty was the 10th singer to perform, preceded by the Vartugian entrant and succeeded by the Eljidan entry. Betty finished 22nd on the night out of the 34 entrants.
Betty was then chosen, again through internal selection, to sing in World Hit Festival 51 in Sinnlichšukai with the song "Love Me". Betty, opening the performances, scored Beepee's best result to date finishing 5th (of 20), and scoring top points from both the Waisnor and the Fatiman Federation juries. "Love Me" reached a peak of No.2 in the Beepeean charts.
Since WHF51, Betty released her debut album "But I Wish He Would" containing the two singles performed at WV and WHF, and 10 other tracks, including "Hold Me".
The Song
The song "Hold Me" was performed at the first Beepeean Song Featival, narrowly beating out Sherry Tryfle in the final set of votes from Achaean Republic to win by two points.
Alotta Regina, who wrote the music and lyrics, describes the song as a 'tender mid tempo bop with lustful undertones'.
Commentary
For televisual viewers back in Beepee, Hugh Jakeman provides irreverent and biting commentary.
"You know, I was once told that you shouldn't start drinking until the singing was over. That performance proves that old adage wrong. I'm pouring the chardonnay now...
Now! It's that moment you've been waiting for all night, it's us. Trying our best once again.... can we run away with the grand prix this year?
Betty's our girl. She's singing the song 'Hold Me', a delightful little ditty.
Betty's been doing very well in rehearsals and puts in a very solid performance... here she comes... let's cheer her on in word and gesture."
Performance
Betty strides onto the stage and stands centre stage, back to the audience. The nerves which hindered her performance in WV81 appear to have vanished and she now stands as a strong, confident woman: comfortable in her own skin and ability. Her backing dancers, Omar Gosh, Mustapha Wyne, Eoghan Muhnie and Holden MacGroyne stay just off stage. Also, backing vocalist Pat MacGroyne stands in the shadows in preparation to add depth to the vocals.
Betty, is dressed in a short black dress with faux fur trim and collars with dangerously high silver and black heels. Her backing dancers dressed in black denim Jean's and mesh shirts.
The postcard ends and the stage is in darkness as the music begins. As the music kicks various colourful lights spray across the stage and the audience. A spotlight finds Betty who turns to look over her shoulder, she lifts her microphone and begins...
Looking at you, looking at me,
From across the room tonight,
Knowing is wrong, feeling so right,
You'll be coming with me.
As she sings 'from across the room' she winks down the camera, smiling as the steadicam operator runs round to Betty's front, and frames the audience behind her. As Betty sings 'feeling so right', she looks coyly at the floor before looking demurely at down the camera and walking towards to the steadicam.
Betty turns fully to the audience, and the steadicam operator runs off backstage as the large boomcrane camera swoops in toward the front of the stage. Betty begins to walk to the front of the stage.
Taking you home, holding my hand,
I feel your beating heart,
Shaking inside, feeling alive,
Anticipation.
As she sings 'anticipation', Betty puts her free hand on her thigh and demurely pulls it up the side of her body, ruffling the bottom of her dress. The full set of stage lights go on, in a warming golden glow.
A wind machine kicks in and pushes her hair backwards, creating movement for the audience at home.
The camera changes to a stage wide view as the first chorus arrives.
Hold me in your arms, tonight
Keep me in your arms, 'til morning,
Wrap yourself around, me now,
It's electric, feels electric.
As Betty sings she throws her free arm around herself. Holding herself tightly. With the lines "electric", betty flings open her arms.
The steadicam comes on from side stage sweeping across stage toward Betty. The four male dancers also rush onto stage at a low level, dancing around Betty and then holding onto her legs.
Hold me through the night, so close,
Let me feel your arms, around me,
Never let me go, I want you,
To hold me, just to hold me.
The four backing dancers move away from Betty, and they and Betty move in synchronicity. Stepping forward, back and to the side, wrapping their arms around themselves as the chorus continued. As the next verse begins the dancers rush off stage.
The stage lights turn to a burnt umber colour slowly changing through deep ochre to a golden yellow colour as Betty sings through the next verse...
Morning so bright, sun on my skin,
I reach to pull you near,
I feel you stir, you reach for me,
Dont disappear.
As she sings 'reach for me' she reaches her hand towards the audience, the boomcrane camera rushes towards her outstretched arm and as she pulls her arm back towards her, the camera moves with her in towards her.
Without a word, without a sign,
I feel you close to me,
I know that now, without a doubt,
You'll stay forever.
The boomcrane camera cuts to the wide angle and the full stage is visible to the televisual audience, and betty repeats the choreographed routine.
Hold me in your arms, tonight,
Keep me in your arms, 'til morning,
Wrap yourself around, me now,
It's electric, feels electric.
As the lines 'electric' are sung, a firework curtain sparks at the back of the stage. This allows time for the backing dancers to come out for the second time and repeat the choreographed moves.
Hold me through the night, so close,
Let me feel your arms, around me,
Never let me go, I want you,
To hold me, just to hold me.
As the chorus ends, the backing singers run off stage again.
Betty holds the final 'me' extending the note, now come the musical interlude and Betty adds to the music with harmonious vocals...
Aaaaaayyy
Aaahhoooohaah
Oooohh
Yeeeahhaaaaayyooooo
The stage lights dim focusing the audiences attention on Betty as the boom camera pulls in close to her. She sings the bridge chorus part quietly.
Hold me in your arms, tonight,
Keep me in your arms, 'til morning,
Wrap yourself around, me now,
It's electric, feels electric.
Following the quiet bridge chorus, the boom camera zooms out quickly, to show the full extent of the stage. The lights blast full in orange, gold and canary, and indoor fireworks shoot up from the ground in flame, as Betty sings the next chorus with gusto.
Hold me in your arms, tonight,
Keep me in your arms, 'til morning,
Wrap yourself around, me now,
It's electric, feels electric.
With lights blazing, swirling amber colours across the stage and audience. The steadicam comes onstage to take a close up of Betty as a wind machine, blowing at full tilt, blows Betty's long brown hair behind her. Betty continues at full belt....
Hold me through the night, so close,
Let me feel your arms, around me,
Never let me go, I want you,
To hold me, just to hold me.
The final drum beat fades and Betty stands wrapped in her own arms. Grinning from ear to ear, obviously delighted with how the performance went.
Closing Commentary
For Beepeean televisual viewers, Hugh Jakeman once again returns to provide witty and patriotic commentary...
I dont know about you, but I thought that was very good. Let's raise a glass of chardonnay to.... oh wait... I'll have to top up this glass... The tv audience will hear a small pop and the sound of a wine glass filling. Now where was I....
Yes Betty did very well, but these international juries are a fickle bunch. Let's all keep our fingers and toes crossed.
Next....