fun videos

Always Stay Two Metres Apart - a COVID-19 Parody Song

Our talented Terry Bates has adapted Eric Idle's song "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life" for the coronavirus pandemic of 2020. The original song appeared at the end of the Monty Python film "Life of Brian". While COVID-19 is a serious and ominous threat to our daily lives, Terry's new lyrics, set to Mac Huff's clever arrangement, provide timely advice for everyone dealing with it.

Enjoy Collage's harmonies as we tell you exactly what to do.

Always Stay Two Metres Apart (Jan 20 2024 5:02pm) - about 3 months ago

I Caught It Through the Grapevine

"I Heard It Through the Grapevine" has a long history in the annals of Motown music. Originally written by Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong in 1966, it has gone through many transformations and rearrangements. One of the best known was recorded by Marvin Gaye in 1968, and it is his version we've adapted here.

Collage's own Stephanie Mitchell has rewritten the lyrics to advise us all of the dangers of breaking COVID-19 lockdown protocol. Enjoy!

I Caught it Through the Grapevine (Jan 20 2024 5:02pm) - about 3 months ago

Amen! is a traditional gospel song, popularised in the 1963 Sidney Poitier movie, "Lilies of the Field". It's been covered many times by gospel choirs. Its infectious beat and trivially simple lyrics give ample scope for vocal harmony and experimentation.

Go Tell It on the Mountain is a gospel song that celebrates the Nativity of Christ. It has been traced back to 1865 and has become a popular traditional Christmas carol. There are many variations to the tune.

Collage's version combines the two songs in a lovely arrangement by Mary McDonald.

The background photography is a mountain near Munnar, in the Indian state of Kerala. The photograph is by travel blogger Jackson Groves.

Amen-Go Tell It (Jan 17 2024 4:36pm) - about 4 months ago

The Little Drummer Boy was written in 1941 by Katherine Davis and became a huge hit for the Harry Simeone Chorale. It's been covered well over 200 times and is one of the most recognizable Christmas songs today.

Peace on Earth was added as a duet with the unlikely pairing of David Bowie and Bing Crosby. They performed it as part of Bing Crosby's final Christmas show in 1977.

Collage blends the two melodies beautifully in this lovely version, arranged by Jay Althouse.

Peace On Earth-Drummer Boy (Jan 17 2024 4:36pm) - about 4 months ago

Santa Bring my Baby (Back to Me) was recorded in 1957 by Elvis Presley and was released as an EP (remember them?) with three other Christmas favourites. It quickly shot to the top of the Christmas charts and has shown up on Christmas playlists all over the world ever since.

This arrangement is by Ryan O'Connell. Collage's energy and love of singing "together" is evident in this version, which was recorded socially distantly in the fall of 2020.

Santa Bring My Baby (Jan 17 2024 4:36pm) - about 4 months ago

So many Christmas carols involve bells in some fashion. Here are four, cleverly combined into a delightful medley arranged by Greg Gilpin. Clever video work puts each member of Collage into their own Christmas ornaments, from which we sing in lovely harmony.

Bells Of Christmas (Jan 17 2024 4:36pm) - about 4 months ago

White Christmas is one of the most recognisable and timeless classics of the Christmas season. It was writen in 1942 by Irving Berlin for the movie Holiday In. Berlin actually wrote twelve songs for the film, but White Christmas is by far the best known. It's arguably one of the most covered Christmas songs, with Bing Crosby's version being a best-seller at over 50 million copies. It won an Academy Award for Best Song.

Here's Collage's whimsical version, with a little bit of "be careful what you wish for!"

White Christmas (Jan 17 2024 4:36pm) - about 4 months ago

Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da

This delihtful nonsense song was written by Paul McCartney and first appeared in 1968 on the so-called "White Album".

The words "Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da" are literally nonsense words; they have no cryptic meaning. The song reputedly borrows a little from reggae and ska. When similar songs were performed in Jamaica, "Ob-La-Di" was often a call to the audience, who would then respond "Ob-La-Da".

This delightfully intricate arrangement by Audrey Snyder demands precise timing, pitch and diction of its singers, and the reward is a lovely, happy tune that brings smiles to Collage and our audiences alike.

Ob-La-Di Ob-La-Da (Jan 20 2024 5:03pm) - about 3 months ago

Route 66

What do you get when you take a Lamborghini, an Aston Martin, a Porsche, a farm tractor and a GPS with an attitude, throw in various other vehicles and stir in the members of Collage? Well, you get Collage's great rendition of Route 66!

Collage has sung this Manhattan Transfer-styled arrangement by Ed Lojeski for many years. We'll help you get your kicks on "The Mother Road" - Route 66!

Route 66 (Jan 17 2024 4:36pm) - about 4 months ago

This is my Home

Destined to become a Canadian anthem, This is my Home was composed by Bob Buckley for Expo 86, the World's Fair held in Vancouver that year. Bob, a Vancouver local, has had the honour of seeing his work performed in many different venues, from full choir and orchestral arrangements to small ensembles like Collage. Collage's first performance was with the Royal City Concert Band of New Westminster, BC - with Bob Buckley himself conducting Collage. We've also performed it several times at the world-famous Kitsilano Showboat.

The words to this inspiring song were written by Brian Gibson, and include English and French, reflecting the dual linguistic heritage of our country. There are echoes of O Canada throughout the song.

A subtitled version is available on request - please use our Contact Us form.

This Is My Home (Jan 17 2024 4:36pm) - about 4 months ago

When I'm 64

This tune was written by Paul McCartney, but it's often co-credited to John Lennon. It was recorded by The Beatles in 1966 and released on their groundbreaking album "Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" in 1967. It's a delightful look ahead to what the future might hold for a young man in search of true love and commitment.

Collage has performed this cute arrangement by Alan Billingsley in our shows for several years now. We hope you like our first "virtual-choir" style offering.

When Im 64 Virtual Collage Light (Jan 20 2024 5:04pm) - about 3 months ago

1 Marshmallow World (Jan 17 2024 4:36pm) - about 4 months ago

2 Blow, Blow Thou Winter Wind (Jan 17 2024 4:36pm) - about 4 months ago

3 Canticle of Winter (Jan 17 2024 4:36pm) - about 4 months ago

4 Gloria in Excelsis Deo (Jan 17 2024 4:36pm) - about 4 months ago

5 Ecce Novum (Jan 17 2024 4:36pm) - about 4 months ago

6 January Hymn (Jan 17 2024 4:36pm) - about 4 months ago

1 Happy Together (Jan 17 2024 4:36pm) - about 4 months ago

2 After the Goldrush (Jan 17 2024 4:36pm) - about 4 months ago

3 Parlez Moi (Jan 17 2024 4:36pm) - about 4 months ago

4 The Sleigh (Jan 17 2024 4:36pm) - about 4 months ago

5 Northern Lights (Jan 17 2024 4:36pm) - about 4 months ago

6 You Raise Me Up (Jan 17 2024 4:36pm) - about 4 months ago

7 Ain't No Mountain High Enough (Jan 17 2024 4:36pm) - about 4 months ago

1 Chopin - Nocturne in E-flat major, Op. 9, No. 2 (Jan 17 2024 4:36pm) - about 4 months ago

1 Rondeau (Jan 17 2024 4:36pm) - about 4 months ago

2 Dance from the Court of the Witch Queen (Jan 17 2024 4:36pm) - about 4 months ago

3 Hear the Voice and Prayer (Jan 17 2024 4:36pm) - about 4 months ago

4 Dorian Dance (Jan 17 2024 4:36pm) - about 4 months ago

5 Ronde Pourquoy (Jan 17 2024 4:36pm) - about 4 months ago

6 A Suite of Irish-Sounding Dances (Jan 17 2024 4:36pm) - about 4 months ago

7 Scotland the Brave (Jan 17 2024 4:36pm) - about 4 months ago

1 Boy from New York City (Jan 17 2024 4:36pm) - about 4 months ago

2 Blue Moon (Jan 17 2024 4:36pm) - about 4 months ago

3 I Will (Jan 17 2024 4:36pm) - about 4 months ago

4 Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da (Jan 17 2024 4:36pm) - about 4 months ago

5 Love Will Keep Us Together (Jan 17 2024 4:36pm) - about 4 months ago

6 I'm a Believer (Jan 17 2024 4:36pm) - about 4 months ago

2 Omoi No Yukue (Jan 17 2024 4:36pm) - about 4 months ago

1 Green, Green (Jan 17 2024 4:36pm) - about 4 months ago

2 Dream a Little Dream (Jan 17 2024 4:36pm) - about 4 months ago

3 May I Be Still (Jan 17 2024 4:36pm) - about 4 months ago

4 Your Song (Jan 17 2024 4:36pm) - about 4 months ago

5 I Got a Name (Jan 17 2024 4:36pm) - about 4 months ago

6 Aquarius-Let the Sunshine In (Jan 17 2024 4:36pm) - about 4 months ago

Daddy Sang Bass (Jan 17 2024 4:36pm) - about 4 months ago