Music Blog

Feb Fab Faux Four #9

Nancy's Notes 🖊️🎶

WARNING: THIS BLOG WAS NOT CREATED FOR BEATLEMANIACS!
If you’re on the fence about the Beatles or if you just don’t like them,
this blog is for you. My goal is not to convert you; it’s to expose you
to the lesser-known Beatles songs we don’t hear day in and day out.
These great tunes will show you just how amazing the Beatles are.
Of course, if you are a Beatles fan, pull up a chair and enjoy the tunes!

© Misky

Welcome back to Feb Fab Faux Four!

Today’s song is the most covered Beatles song ever and quite possibly the most covered song of all time. It’s a timeless classic, a simple yet simply beautiful song with no accompaniment other than an acoustic guitar and a string quintet. You’ve probably figured out which song I’m featuring today. The remake I’ve chosen for you was done by an extremely well-known and immediately recognizable Motown recording artist.

This is going to be an interesting pairing.

Turn up the volume and let’s get it on!

This is “Yesterday”, the Beatles most frequently covered song.

🪲

Our Motown artist with his rendition of “Yesterday” is the incredible Marvin Gaye.

Marvin Gaye started out as a session musician for Motown; check out the earliest Motown recordings and it’s highly likely you’ll find his name listed as the drummer. He went on to become a huge star with an unmistakeable sexy, soulful voice as smooth as warm butterscotch.

Almost exactly one year after the release of his mega-hit “Sexual Healing” and his concert tour of the same name, Marvin Gaye was shot and killed by his own father following an altercation after he intervened in an argument between his parents. He was pronounced dead on arrival at the California Hospital Medical Center. His father later pleaded no contest to a charge of voluntary manslaughter.

This deliciously soulful cover of “Yesterday” was produced by Norman Whitfield, legendary songwriter and producer for Motown.

What’s the verdict on Marvin Gaye’s remake? For me it gets an enthusiastic 👍🏼

Join me tomorrow as I’ll be shifting gears again; stop by to find out what’s what.

See you on the flip side. 😎

NAR©2024

PS – If any video won’t play for you, I’ve provided the name of the song and who did it so you can find it on YouTube. It’s a pain in the ass but it does happen from time to time. My apologies.

This portfolio (including text, graphics and videos) is copyright for The Sicilian Storyteller, The Elephant’s Trunk and The Rhythm Section and is not for use by anyone without permission. NAR © 2017-present.

30 thoughts on “Feb Fab Faux Four #9”

  2. I thought you were gonna cover the more obscure tunes? 😉

    That said, this cover is lovely. I enjoyed it. The original has a certain je ne sais quoi that cannot be captured elsewhere. 

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    1. You got me on that one, Dale, and I’m not really sure why I went with this obviously well-known song. I think I heard Marvin Gaye’s cover, liked it and went with it. But you’re right and I should stick to the program! 😎

      Now I’m fighting the urge to check what I’ve already scheduled! 😂 😳

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        1. Teasing or not (which I knew you were, BTW), I should follow through.

          I also said I wasn’t going to talk much on this blog. That lasted about 2 days! 😂

          When music blogging, I take the menu approach: first the appetizer, then the main course and finish up with dessert! 🍨

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    1. Thanks for sharing your point of view with us, Keith. There are a handful of songs I feel that way about, movies also. While people like to say “imitation is the sincerest form of flattery”, very few quote the saying in it’s entirety:

      “Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery that mediocrity can pay to greatness.”

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  8. I’ve heard so many covers of this song over the years, some of which have been truly execrable. This isn’t bad, but I think the ‘soul’ bits feel a little forced, and don’t really add anything to the song. If you want a soulful Beatles cover, try Tina Turner’s version of ‘Help’ to see how it should be done 😊

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    1. Have you been peeking at my playlist, Clive? I’ve been shuffling Tina back and forth from “probable” to “possible” since I started researching this blog. We’ll see. I do need to get more ladies into the act.

      I have to disagree with you re Marvin. I feel it was everything I said in my description but you’re right about one thing: his version is far more enjoyable than many other covers that are …. as you said …. execrable.

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      1. No, I haven’t, but it would be high on my own list of choices!

        Maybe this one didn’t do it for me as I’m not really a fan of soul music. I like quite a lot from those days, but don’t think of it as a favourite. Each to their own 😊

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