Happy Valentine’s Day! (featuring video)

Royce Campbell and Paulien.

For the longest time, I thought there could only be one, ultimate Valentine’s song–until I heard the one that guitarist Royce Campbell wrote for my first US released album in 2007. True, it is  hard to beat Rodgers’ and Hart’s “My Funny Valentine”, especially when it is performed by the unforgettable Chet Baker,  who not only was  a fabulous trumpet player, but who also had a voice that could make you melt….

But then there is the one written by Royce, “Be my Valentine,” and of all the songs on my album, it is one of my favorites. It is a hopeful song, yet embodies a melody that is a little sad, almost in a comfortable way.
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On top of being a great musician, Royce Campbell is a hopeless romantic, who writes his most beautiful tunes in the middle of the night, when he cannot sleep and puts his heart and thoughts into a melody and rhyme. And, on a good night, a song like “Be my Valentine” emerges:

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Lyrics & Music: “Be My Valentine”
by Royce Campbell
It would please me if you would honor
​ the following request:
Fill my soul and make me strong,
keep me calm when things go wrong
Help me take all things in stride,
and to keep a peace inside
Keep me with you everywhere,
one soul working as a pair
Help me every way to shine
Be my Valentine, be my Valentine, be my Valentine
Be my Valentine, be my Valentine, be my Valentine
Help the music to go on,
and put my thoughts into a song
Keep me there when I’m away,
Keep the days from turning gray
Make me thankful of the night,
grateful for the morning light
Help me every way to shine
Be my Valentine, be my Valentine, be my Valentine
Be my Valentine, be my Valentine, be my Valentine

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