I'm Not Afraid

Album: Frank Sinatra's Greatest Hits, Vol. 2 (1971)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • One half of a Double A single along with Frank's duet with daughter Nancy Sinatra "Life's a Trippy Thing," this song flopped when it was released in 1971. However, the singer's son, Frank Sinatra Jr., told Mojo magazine that the Jacques Brel, Gérard Jouannest and Rod McKuen-penned tune is very much underrated. "This for me is a great song," he said. "The arranger was a man called Lenny Hayton. This never became a hit, unfortunately. It's a thoroughly sophisticated love song. It is not the usual mundane love song lyric. It's a very, very good piece of writing by a man who's been forgotten, named Rod McKuen. The music is by Jack Brel and Gérard Jouannest, but McEwan's lyrics."

    Sinatra continued: "Years ago, the concert pianist Arthur Rubinstein said, 'Chopin's music speaks directly to the heart of the people.' Certain lyrics do exactly that and Sinatra, as an interpreter of those lyrics, did that same thing. McKuen was a poet. A beautiful sadness."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Adam Young of Owl City

Adam Young of Owl CitySongwriter Interviews

Is Owl City on a quest for another hit like "Fireflies?" Adam answers that question and explains the influences behind many others.

James Bond Theme Songs

James Bond Theme SongsMusic Quiz

How well do you know the 007 theme songs?

Graham Nash

Graham NashSongwriter Interviews

Graham Nash tells the stories behind some of his famous songs and photos, and is asked about "yacht rock" for the first time.

Ben Kowalewicz of Billy Talent

Ben Kowalewicz of Billy TalentSongwriter Interviews

The frontman for one of Canada's most well-known punk rock bands talks about his Eddie Vedder encounter, Billy Talent's new album, and the importance of rock and roll.

Emilio Castillo from Tower of Power

Emilio Castillo from Tower of PowerSongwriter Interviews

Emilio talks about what it's like to write and perform with the Tower of Power horns, and why every struggling band should have a friend like Huey Lewis.

Angelo Moore of Fishbone

Angelo Moore of FishboneSongwriter Interviews

Fishbone has always enjoyed much more acclaim than popularity - Angelo might know why.