30 Day Song Challenge – Day 4: A Song That Makes Me Sad

As you can probably tell by now, music is pretty important to me and it plays a huge role in my life. I would like to think that if somebody made a movie of my life, it would have a pretty kick ass soundtrack. As a music lover, I often seek meaning and solace from music when times are bad or when I’m down. But I’ve chosen a song that makes me sad for reasons that are less personal.

I was driving to work on the Monday morning after Amy Winehouse’s death when I heard her version of The Shirelles’ “Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow?” for the first time. Although I considered myself a big fan, as I had listened to her brilliant album “Back to Black” about a million times, I had somehow missed this song. I learned that the song originally appeared on the soundtrack of the 2004 movie Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason, which would explain how I missed the song, since I avoided that movie at all costs. In the wake of her death, though, a lot of Amy Winehouse’s music resurfaced online and on radio stations and that’s how I came to finally hear the song.

Amy’s version of “Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow?” is simple, sweet and moving. It’s stripped down to just her voice and a softly-strummed guitar. Later in the song, horns, bass and drums are added in but they can’t overshadow Amy’s big and beautiful voice. She sounds alternately vulnerable and bold, as if challenging her lover to stay until the morning. “Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow?” was remixed by her friend, producer Mark Ronson for inclusion on Lioness, the posthumous collection of previously-unreleased gems and new songs that Amy was working on before her death. I highly recommend it

This song makes me sad because Amy Winehouse’s untimely death makes me sad. Her story is as old as rock and roll: talented but fragile star turns to drugs and alcohol to battle her demons. Despite fame, wealth and the love of fans around the world, she can’t handle life on the edge and dies far too young – in Amy’s case, at age 27. Amy Winehouse isn’t all that different from the rock stars who went before her but I thought she could be different. We live in a culture where fame plays out in three acts: meteoric rise to stardom, spectacular flameout, and a triumphant rise from the ashes. Amy certainly experienced the first two acts, especially the flameout, where her every drunken escapade played out in tabloids. But she seemed poised to make a comeback, as she was recording a new album and reportedly committed to getting off drugs and alcohol. I always believed that Amy’s incredible talent would win out over her personal problems and she would experience that triumphant third act.

I’m sad for Amy that she didn’t get that third act, that her third act was her tragic, untimely death. And, selfishly, I’m sad for me and for all of the music fans who were robbed of her beautiful music. At just 27 years old, she had a lifetime of music to give and now we’ll never get it. More than any other of her songs, “Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow?” is a reminder of what we had, all too briefly, and what we’ll never get again.

Dolores Yannucci obituary

Friends and loved ones,

My mother’s obituary ran in The Youngstown Vindicator on Thursday, June 30. Unfortunately, it was very poorly written. In the version that ran, it looked like the author took a bunch of words about my mom and threw them together on a piece of paper. Also, it looked like the author was retarded. My siblings and I collaborated to write a better version that much better illustrates my mother’s spirit. Please feel free to share this with any of your friends or family:

YOUNGSTOWN – Funeral services will be held Saturday at 11 a.m. at St. John’s Episcopal Church on Wick Avenue for Dolores A. Yannucci, 75, who died Tuesday, June 28, at 10:35 p.m., surrounded by her loving family and friends.

Dolores was born Aug. 12, 1935, in Youngstown, a daughter of William N. and Irene T. Stillwagon Battisti.

She was a 1953 graduate of The Rayen School, a homemaker, and a 70-year member of St. John’s. She was a very active volunteer at St. John’s, where she was a Sunday School teacher and a member of its vestry. She assisted at the church’s weekly Boar’s Head Luncheon and she coordinated the dinner that preceded the yearly Board’s Head Festival. She worked at the Mahoning County Board of Elections for many years during election season and was a Democrat precinct committee person representing precinct 4-S for 8 years.

Dolores is survived by her husband, Frank Yannucci, whom she married Feb. 14, 1969; a son, Joseph (Geralyn) DeNiro of Austintown; three daughters, Roxanne (Marty Joseph) DeNiro of Austintown, Lori (James) Yannucci Grim of University Heights and Heidi (Anthony) Perry of Youngstown; six grandchildren, Nicole and Gina DeNiro, Rachel and Don Hanni IV and Alex and Julian Grim; a brother, William L. Battisti of Boardman; a sister-in-law, Marge Battisti of Novelty; and a host of beloved family members and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; a brother, Dr. Robert E. Battisti; and her first husband, Joseph R. “Primo” DeNiro, whom she married n August 1956, and who died Sept. 25, 1966.

Dolores was devoted to family and she hosted frequent gatherings in her home. She especially enjoyed annual family reunions and vacations on Lake Erie. She was an avid Cleveland Indians fan and spoke fondly of the games she attended as a child with her father and brother, especially the game in 1948 where she watched her favorite pitcher, Bob Lemon, throw a no-hitter.

Family and friends may call Friday from 4 to 7 p.m. and Saturday from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the Schiavone Funeral Home in Youngstown.

The family would like to extend special thanks to her medical team and especially the caring staff and volunteers at Hospice House.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St. John’s Episcopal Church or Hospice of the Valley.