For the next 72 hours I’m going to be giving away a free, previously unreleased track. This is the story of how it came to be…
Veruca Salt: “Snozberry?! Who ever heard of a Snozberry?!
Wonka: “WE are the music makers. And WE are the dreamers of dreams”.
My favorite movie of all time is still “Willy Wonka And The Chocolate Factory”. Almost every scene contains a simple but often forgotten life lesson or rule to live by. But instead of force feeding these proverbs down our gullets with a bulldozer sized “drama spoon”, the creators chose to let the characters lick their fingers and “wet willy” the irony into our ears.
When the master of derision himself, Gene Wilder embodied one of the greatest adjudicators in literary history (Willy Wonka), our morality gauges young and old, were poked and tickled into submission. In the glorious aforementioned moment, when Wonka disputes Veruca’s un-childlike, insulting lack of “pure imagination” with a deft quote from Authur O’Shaughnessy while not so gently scrunching her cheeks together, the tone of this masterpiece gracefully careens from remedial quirkiness into sublime perspicacity. (That means it starts off a bit milky and awkward but becomes fuckin’ genius).
Candy wrap all of this into a musical with an almost eerie, other worldly quality and some disturbingly indelible songs, and it’s pretty tough to think of any other motion picture that’s been able to weave such sociocultural nuances.
“If you want to view paradise, simply look around and view it.” Were any truer words ever sung or spoken? They have stuck with me since I was 8 years old. I couldn’t think of a better way to pay homage to a film and a song that’s haunted and taunted me forever than to warble out my own humble version of it. So, about 10 years ago… I did.
I was in a studio session just banging out random shit to warm up my fingers and vocal chords and the engineer said “Hey, let’s lay one of those down”. The recording you’ll hear (if you choose to snag it for this limited time) is just me sitting at a baby grand piano– oh, so many years ago. The significance and the sentiment of this song for me, speaks for itself. I hope it taps your “fountain of youth keg” as well.
The track is not currently available for sale anywhere. Instead I’m going to give it away for free to anyone who picks up a copy of my physical album here:
http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/billyburke
Once you’ve ordered it simply send an email to wonka@billyburke.net with your order number and/or the email address you used when you placed the order and I’ll personally email you a copy of my version of “Pure Imagination” shortly thereafter.
THE CATCH: This track is only going to be available for the next 72 hours, then it’s back into the archives until who knows when. So if you’d like a free copy of the track… you gotta get it now.
DON’T STRESS… If you were one of the people who bought a “hard copy” when it first came out, the same thing applies. Simply send me a copy of your order number or email receipt and I’ll send you the track as well. I’m so sorry but due to online tracking difficulties we have to limit this offer to ONLY THOSE who bought the physical album. Not to mention, call me old school but I think physical albums are cool.
ALL PROCEEDS WILL GO TO the “VH1 Save The Music” Foundation so you’ll be helping provide a kid with a violin or a tuba or something while you provide yourself with a free bonus track and an album that has received unanimous 5 STAR REVIEWS on iTunes, CD Baby, Amazon and others.
After you take a listen, drop in a comment. Love it or hate it, I’d love to hear what y’all have to say.
Once again, this track is not available anywhere else and currently there are no plans to release it.
To get your copy for FREE, just order a “hard copy” on CD Baby and then email your order number and/or email address to wonka@billyburke.net.
As always, much love,
-bb
{ 34 comments… read them below or add one }
Normally I do not discover article on blogs, but I wish to say that this write-up very compelled me to take a look at and do so! Your writing style has been amazed me. Thanks, quite nice article.
I have the CD and it’s WONDERFUL!!!! Looking out for your next CD Billy. Also, if you and your crew are ever in Chicago, look me up as I would love to show you around!
Wow billy Burke!
I was a huge fan of Charlie Swan but who knew you could kick so much ass too!
Yes now an even bigger fan of Miles Matheson yummy
And I’ve just discovered you can sing as well!
Also cute with the moustache but totally gorgeous without it!!
Long may you grace my screen and fill my i pod!
Good luck to you
Xxxxxxx
Shirley from Derby UK
Billy,
receved your CD “Removed” today. Can’t tell you enough how much I have enjoyed listening to it. Hope that you do another soon.
thanks for sharig your talent,
Ann
Love your songs, love your acting, you have the acting experience the other “kids” in Twilight still need to learn from. I saw all the Twilight movies and was team “Billy” because Im your age. The subtle expressions you made in Twilight for your lines were stealing the scene, I loved the wedding line where you said you were a cop and ” you know things” and rolled your eyes at the song of Renae singing to Bella, LOL. You are a great actor and I wish you well in acting an singing cuz Im a big fan of both!
Sincerely Glori
Evening Billy…I am anxiously awaiting tomorrow night at 12:01 a.m.! Have already bought my ticket, finished reading the book for the umpteenh time, been listening to your first album, and just biding my time. Thanks for all of the entertaining over the past few years. I really have enjoyed watching and following your career. Good Luck on the second cd.
Sincerely,
Bronwyn
totally awesome music Billy! WILL BE ORDERING ASAP
Love, love, love your music! I downloaded the album, so I guess I don’t get the bonus track? I wish I read this message first because I would have bought the hard copy. *sigh* I think you’re a great actor and an even better musician. Please don’t take that as an offense. I think you’re awesome, a true Renaissance man!
Best Regards,
Lexi
(SexyLexiCullen@gmail.com)
Billy,
I sent in email with my info on it as to previously ordering your CD but did not get a reply with the copy of the song. Please send it to me! I enjoy your CD so much I listen to it almost every day!!
all the best,
Bonnie
Very good to hear Lavinia. Keep it on the upswing. Thank you so much -bb
Thanks for your well-wishes Billy. I appreciate it. Keep up the good work, you’re a great entertainer
Hey there,
I bought the physical CD, e-mailed in the info but instead of getting “Pure Imagination”, I got a link to “Removed”…great song but I already have it of course and was looking forward to hearing “Pure Imagination”…help?
HEy again, sorry, false alarm…looks like I got two e-mails for some reason…got “pure Imagination” after I got the e-mail with the copy of “Removed”. So disregard
bb
Thank you for the free song! I love it! That IS the greatest movie. I’m looking forward to your new album. Keep your face and your voice out there for all the world to see and hear. You have a great talent and I love your style!
Much love to you and your family!!
Cathy
NC
great job on the song i like your version better thanks for the freebie…lol cant wait to hear more
Hey BB,
Love the new song!!! Puts a new twist on a childhood favorite movie of mine. Love Johnny Depp but NO ONE will do a better job then Gene Wilder!!!!! They never should have remade that movie!!!!
Thanks,
Cheri
I was at your release party for REMOVED and got the CD there and love listening to it.
Glad to hear you’re looking at your music again … you rock & share too!
I love it. It’s great. I love ur Removed cd i listen to it all the time. U are a great singer and actor.
I bought the REMOVED CD when it first came out….and I delete emails and throw away the shipping package info, as soon as it’s not needed…so I guess I lose out on this single. (Feeling sorry for myself)…;(
Go to the cdbaby website you ordered Remove from log in they will have the info you need.
I would LOVE to hear the new unreleased song, but I already bought the cd when it first came out. My friend has the original order email with the order numbers because she ordered both of our copies together. Sadly, I will be unable to hear the song now. I can’t afford to buy another one right now.
Guess I’ll just have to wait to buy it.
I bought the hard copy when it first came out, but I’ve long deleted the receipt when I actually received it.
Since I bought your CD when you first released it, I guess I won’t be getting a copy of this track.
Shame, I was looking forward to hearing something new from you. I love every single song on your CD and can’t wait for you to release a new one.
Looking forward to enjoying more music from you soon.
Ugh, 4(ish) dollars shipping? I’ll have to wait until after this cool deal to buy. But thanks for the reminder that I want this CD. It sounds like such good driving music.
i really wish i could hear the song, i bought the digital cd and i love every single song. i was really excited to hear something new. is there any other way we could get it?
I have also had Removed since it came out via iTunes. Would love this song as it is so timely.
Whatever you can do.
Thanks,
Sugar
Hi Billy,
I love your music but your acting even more. I have seen you on several TV shows but of course, I like Charlie Swan best! You captured the Charlie in the book exactly like I saw him when I read the Twilight books!
Good luck in your career.
P.S. I love the song “Pollyanna Rose.”
I have to echo sentiments already expressed here…while I also think “physical CDs are cool” when Removed was released I lacked the ability to order it anywhere but iTunes…but I had loved the single so much, I bought it and have enjoyed listening to it ever since. Isn’t there some way those of us who bought it digitally can prove we bought it to get our free track (and dont say send us the iTunes receipt, having bought the album when it came out, the email is long gone)? Agreeing again with a previous post, there’s no way financially I cab justify purchasing the hard copy of a CD I already own digitally…help us out Billy…we love your music and personally, I’d love to have more of it.
I am very disappointed that I cannot get this – I downloaded “Removed” from iTunes. I was so excited when I got the email this morning, I’ve been watching and waiting for something new for so long…
Hi Billy,
Thank you, firstly, for sharing “Pure Imagination” with your fans. I love your voice, I love the arrangement, very simple but very well done. It was just what I needed to hear this morning.
Cool. Really cool song. It will fit perfectly in a movie scene. Sometimes you surprised me with your layers. Thanks billy.
Love,
Letizia
Hi Billy,
Thank you so much for sharing “Pure Imagination” with us!! I have always liked “Willy Wonka” and hearing your song takes me back to my youth. I love your version it put a smile on my face. I can’t wait to play it for my family. I know they will love it too! You have an amazing voice and I can’t wait to hear more music from you in the future. Thanks again and much love to you!!
Hey Billy
I know you’re busy so I’ll keep this short. I loved WIllie Wanka when I was younger. Gene Wilder is an amazing actor and some of my all-time fav movies are his (i.e. Young Frankenstein and Haunted Honeymoon). I love the idea that you’ve recorded a cover of that amazing song, and while I’d absolutley love to purchase the album to get the song, things are tight here financially speaking (as it is for the majority of the country. I’ll spare you my political rant. :] ). So, I’ll wish you well on the increase in sales and tell you that it’s wonderful you’re donating to Save the Music (former Band Geek here). I would hate to think that by the time my daughter hits middle school where she’s offered band, or my son when he’s old enough, that it’ll be gone – that was the best thing about school for me.
Anyway, keep up the awesome work you’re doing. I can’t wait to see and hear more from you
~Ali
Awesome single Billy. I bet Bluesy loves having you sing that to her. Certainly took me back to my childhood. Looking forward to hearing the new album. Thanks for keeping your fans posted.
PS. You might not recall, but in response to your last open discussion I posted on your site a while ago that I have a tumour in the brain? In case I’ve ever been a fleeting thought in your head, and in the event that you should happen to read this, I’m pleased to report that so far things are going very well