Old Grey Whistle Test – May 30, 1975

Today in Jim Adams’ post ‘Emphasis On Album Acts’,
he has gone with a theme suggested by
“the only deadhead in the hameau” which
is to write about a song that was played on
the BBC’s ‘The Old Grey Whistle Test’ TV show.
Written for Song Lyric Sunday, here is my choice.

The Old Grey Whistle Test was a BBC music show that featured performances from a variety of artists. The show was known for being the only regular outlet for non-chart music on television. It influenced many later music shows, including Later With Jools Holland and From The Basement. OGWT aired on BBC2 for 17 years, from 1971 to 1988, with the final episode airing on New Year’s Eve 1987 and running through the early hours of New Year’s Day 1988. The show was a unique and ground-breaking music program that featured live studio sessions, interviews, location reports, and concerts. 

As you can imagine, there were a lot of songs to choose from and, after going over the selections, I decided to go with one from the Scottish band Nazareth which they performed on OGWT on May 30, 1975. Nazareth is by far the biggest rock band to emerge from Scotland; they were the pioneers who took Scottish Rock international and paved the way for many other great Scottish bands the likes of Simple Minds, Big Country, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, and more.

The original members first came together while schoolmates in 1961 when they formed a band called The Shadettes. Pete Agnew was lead singer and rhythm guitarist and when Dan McCafferty joined in 1965, they had twin lead vocals. In ’69 Agnew switched to bass and the group changed its name to Nazareth. They gave up their day jobs, moved to London and recorded their first album, Nazareth, which was the beginning of what was to become a long and illustrious recording career.

In 1974 Nazareth was riding a crest of popularity around the world but still had not managed to get that elusive American hit that every group needs to prove it’s a global success. As it turns out, that hit was just around the corner. American success and international acclaim was brought in 1975 by Nazareth’s album Hair Of The Dog and it’s title track of the same name, popularly knows as “Son Of A Bitch” due to its hook lyric “now you’re messing with a son of a bitch”, became a staple of rock radio throughout the world.

Over the last 50 years Nazareth has played thousands of concerts worldwide, ranging from rock clubs to stadiums. The group has recorded 23 studio albums, earning them Platinum, Gold and Silver Awards and the band continues to record and perform.

My featured song today is the one that turned things around for Nazareth …. “Hair Of The Dog” .… from 1975’s album of the same name. This track on the band’s 6^th studio album is about a dishonest woman who finally meets her match. Despite the recognizable chorus of ” now you’re messing with a son of a bitch!”, Nazareth’s record label wasn’t about to let them use that phrase as the name of the song. “Hair Of The Dog” was selected as a compromise, putting the finishing touches on a career-defining release. The album title is the shortened version of “the hair of the dog that bit you” …. a phrase describing the cure for a hangover. Alongside “Love Hurts”, “Hair Of The Dog”  remains Nazareth’s most successful and popular song.

From the May 30, 1975 airing of Old Grey Whistle Test, this is the live version of “Hair Of The Dog” followed by Randy Newman’s “Guilty” performed by Nazareth.

LYRICS

Heartbreaker, soul shaker
I’ve been told about you
Steamroller, midnight shoulder
What they been sayin’ must be true

Red hot mama, velvet charmer
Time’s come to pay your dues

Now you’re messin’ with a
(A son of a bitch) now you’re messin’ with a son of a bitch
Now you’re messin’ with a
(A son of a bitch) now you’re messin’ with a son of a bitch

Talkin’ jivin’ poison ivy
You ain’t gonna cling to me
Man taker, bone faker
I ain’t so blind I can’t see

Red-hot mama, velvet charmer
Time’s come to pay your dues

Now you’re messin’ with a
(A son of a bitch) now you’re messin’ with a son of a bitch
Etc.

Source: LyricFind
Songwriters: Dan McCafferty/Darrell Sweet/Manuel Charlton/Pete Agnew
Hair of the Dog lyrics © Carlin America Inc

LYRICS – “Guilty”

Yes baby I been drinkin’
And I shouldn’t come by I know
But I found myself in trouble
And I had nowhere else to go

Got some whisky from the barman
Got some cocaine from a friend
I just had to keep on movin’
Til I was back in your arms again

Guilty baby I’m guilty
And I’ll be guilty the rest of my life
How come I never do what I’m supposed to do
How come nothin’ that I try to do ever turns out right?

You know you know how it is with me baby
You know, I just can’t stand myself
And it takes a whole lot of medicine
For me to pretend that I’m somebody else

Source: LyricFind
Songwriters: Randy Newman
Guilty lyrics © Walt Disney Music Company

From Nazareth’s album of the same name, here is the audio of “Hair Of The Dog”.

Emphasis on Album Acts

Big thanks to Jim Adams for hosting another great Song Lyric Sunday this week. Be sure to follow the link and check out Jim’s site.

Thanks for stopping by. See you on the flip side. 😎

NAR©2024

All text, graphics and videos are copyright for Nancy ~ The Sicilian Storyteller, Nancy (The Sicilian Storyteller), The Sicilian Storyteller, The Elephant’s Trunk, and The Rhythm Section and are not for use by anyone without permission. NAR©2017-present.