Lovely Jenne from The Unicorn Challenge is teasing us once again with this photo. We are to get creative in 250 words or less. In exactly 250 words, this is my response.
βCoroner? What do we need the coroner for?β asked Police Sergeant Jeffries. βItβs obvious this poor slob jumped off the roof. Just look at him!β
βNot so fast, Jeffriesβ snapped Police Captain Russo. βTake a close look at his hand.β
Knowing his boss was expecting him to man up, Jeffries crouched down near the splattered corpse. God, he hated jumpers.
βYou know what I think, Cap? This guy was some sort of perv into the kinky stuff. That bottle in his hand is from Club Kashmir, the notorious sex den.β Jeffries looked up at his superior hoping to have made a good impression.
βJeffries, sometimes I wonder how you ever made it onto the forceβ sneered Russo. βIf you hope to be Lieutenant someday, you better prove you have what it takes. Pervert, my ass!β
Humiliated, Jeffries was beginning to think he wasnβt cut out for this line of work β always tripping over himself to impress the captain.
β Jeffries! Make yourself useful. Put that bottle in an evidence bag. And for Christβs sake, put on a pair of gloves first!β Russo shouted.
Jeffries felt like an idiot but did as he was told.
Captain Russo ordered everyone back to the station. βNot you, Jeffries. Youβre done for tonight. Go home. Report back tomorrow.β
Jeffries nodded curtly but smiled to himself as he fingered the Club Kashmir passkey in his pocket which he pilfered off the dead guy. At least some hot chickie will show him a little appreciation tonight.
βThat means nothing to me. I am not a USO Girl and youβre not the military,β she said sternly. Iβve given you my response.β
βItβs not fair. I want this! No, I need this, and I want you to do it with me!β
βYou want free labor to make your dream possible, and Iβm not willing to entertain being a part of something I donβt want to do. I actually know you, which is one of the many reasons you donβt want to ask me, Jeremy. I donβt deal with your nonsense very well. Find someone else.β
She left the room quietly.
He plopped onto the couch, splayed out like a tired octopus. βSheβll never understand,β he bemoaned with a pinch of heavy sigh.
Jeremy mourned the rejection from Stella for a day or two and then he was back to trying to recruit another helper for his house remodel project.
But whoever he asked declined. It seemed that Stella had spread the news of Jeremyβs devious planning around and most people were pre-warned and were avoiding even talking to him.
Then there was a surprising offer of help from someone he least expectedβ¦.
β°β°β°
Fandangoβs part:
βHey, Buddy, I hear you need a hand.β
Jeremy was standing on a ladder skim-coating the drywall in a small closet when he froze. The voice sounded familiar but he couldnβt immediately place it. He climbed down off the ladder, turned in the direction the voice had come from, and his jaw dropped when he saw who it was.
βSurprise, surprise,β said the man when he saw Jeremy staring at him.
βDad?β
βNone other,β the man said, an ear-to-ear grin on his face.
Jeremyβs face turned dark red. βYou son of a bitch. You abandoned Mom and me a decade ago and neither of us has heard from you since. How the hell did you find me and what do you want from me?β
βThatβs an interesting story, son,β the man said.
βI donβt have the time for this, old man β¦. just like you didnβt have the time for me and mom so show yourself out. I got work to do.β
βStill got that high-and-mighty stubborn streak, I see, Jeremy. Well, maybe youβll be singing a different tune when you hear what I have to say. In the meantime, toss me a brush; four hands are better than two.β
Despite himself, Jeremy was curious about why his father bailed on him and his mother and what he had to say. He stayed quiet while his father continued.
βIt all started when the Bellamy Twins came blowing into town. Those sons of bitches were fired up and looking for trouble. And they came calling on me.β
β°β°β°
Iβm going to pass the baton over to Lisa at Tao Talk and hope sheβs keep it going.
Once upon a time I was writing music blogs for a great little site called The Rhythm Section (TRS). Some of you followed my posts there; others were unaware of the site’s existence. As of a few days ago, The Rhythm Section was officially shut down.
I had the dream of starting my own music blog and gave it a great deal of thought; unfortunately, too many things got in the way. In the end I decided I had neither the time nor the ambition to maintain two sites and give both the attention they deserve.
I spent a lot of time working on TRS and thought “what a shame to let everything I wrote simply fade away”. And so I’m moving on, away from forces and people who drag me down and doing more of what makes me happy … like making one site out of two.
With that thought in mind, I have transferred every one of my posts from The Rhythm Section and incorporated them into The Elephantβs Trunk; they are all here in chronological order, tucked away between my stories, poems and other music posts. While looking them over, I have discovered some graphics did not survive the transfer; that’s unfortunate but it’s the chance we take when moving a lot of data around. Fortunately, the text and videos are intact.
I invite you, if you are so inclined, to check out TRS posts; they are dated March 2, 2023 and run through December 31, 2023. You’ll find them.
I hope you enjoy the words I have written and the music I have chosen.
Our gracious host Rochelle at Friday Fictioneers has another intriguing photo for us to reflect on and create something clever in 100 words or less. In 100 words, this is what the photo said to me.
Gary finished heating up his Hungry Man TV dinner β¦. fried chicken with a side of mash, corn and a big honking brownie for dessert. His stomach grumbled at the aroma of that juicy breast still sizzling hot from the oven.
βMan, this is the life!β Gary thought. He plopped down onto his beloved Barca-Lounger and popped open a Mountain Dew, swigging half the bottle in three huge gulps followed by an explosive burp.
Every weekday mopping floors at the local elementary school, decorating his trailer with cool stuff from Lost and Found.
βFuckinβ A! Itβs a freakinβ βMonkβ marathon!β
Denise at GirlieOnTheEdge has once again challenged us to write a Six Sentence Story using the prompt word “nail”. This is my story.
When I first saw him I thought I was hallucinating (was this a real person or a fear-induced illusion?) and I knew I had to remain perfectly still and quiet β my very life depended on it.
I had no idea how long Iβd been there β certainly long enough for my skin to have turned red, my mouth parched, my lips cracked and I remember being stung and bitten by insects and digging my nailsinto the palms of my hands to keep from crying out, but I recall now β¦ we were picking flowers and berries in a sun-filled field β¦ we had been following a stream and unknowingly wandered far from home when I caught sight of a bush hidden deep in a shady area; the plant was heavy with ripe blackberries and I couldnβt resist running to the bush, happily filling my bucket with the deep purple fruit.
I was busy plucking berries when I heard screams β not the usual giddy, playful squeals of young girls but awful shrieks of terror and I started to run back only to see my three sisters encircled by a group of Indians, hulking and menacing men, blocking the girlβs attempts to flee; they wore breechcloths across their midsection, moccasins and no shirts, their faces painted and their heads shaved except for a center strip of upright long hair and I knew immediately they were the dreaded Mohawk.
They tugged the girlβs long blonde hair, poked them with sticks and tore at their starched white dresses.
I wanted to shout out but was too afraid and I hid while my sweet little sisters were raped and raped and raped.
At 15, I was the eldest and I was supposed to protect them; how could I be such a coward?
Welcome to Birthday Thursdays! Each week I will feature someone from the world of music whose birthday falls on that day. There wonβt be any chit chat from me, no facts and figures β just some great tunes (and an occasional surprise). Check it out right here every Thursday and enjoy the music.
Happy Birthday to Jimmy Dorsey Born February 29, 1904 in Shenandoah, Pennsylvania
This is it, kids …. the final installment of Feb Fab Faux Four! What a trip this has been for me!
The Beatles have been in my life since WMCA NY disc jockey Jack Spector played “I Want To Hold Your Hand” on December 26, 1963. That’s a very long time ago β just over 60 years β and I imagine some of you weren’t even born yet. I’ve seen the Beatles perform live in concert and I’ve lived through every transformation in the 7 years, 7 months and 24 days they were together. I loved them. I still love them. They are not only in my heart but in my soul.
My goal here on this month-long blog was to have fun and not try to convert anyone into becoming Beatles fans, but after 29 days, I think I may have done exactly that with a few of you.
During this month I discovered that really good Beatles covers are very difficult to find; they are few and far between. Also, judging by the fact that almost every Beatles video presented on this blog was preferred over the cover reinforced what I already knew: the Beatles are hard to beat. They are the best group that ever was or ever will be!
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Now it’s time to get into our final song.
Many Beatles tracks have had interesting afterlives, and this is one of them. It sits towards the end of the last album they made together β 1969βs Abbey Road β but it is less a song than a segment, a tender part of the medley at the end of side two. In one minute and 32 seconds, it evokes nostalgia, innocence and loss in its lyrics and melody, about the impossibility of getting back home (βOnce there was a wayβ¦β), and the singing of lullabies to a child (βSleep, pretty darling, do not cryβ).
Next comes the seventh and penultimate song in the album’s climactic medley. It features unison vocals in the chorus from all four Beatles, a rarity in their songs. The middle bridge β featuring brass instruments, electric guitar, and vocals β reprises the beginning of “You Never Give Me Your Money”, but with different words. The lyrics have been interpreted as an acknowledgement by the group that nothing they would do as individual artists would equal what they had achieved together, and they would always carry the weight of their Beatle past. The song is said to be about the Beatles’ business difficulties and the atmosphere at Apple at the time.
The final song of the medley is quite clearly the denouement, not only of the album but of the Beatles as a group. All four Beatles have a solo, including a Ringo Starr drum solo. Ringo disliked solos, preferring to cater drum work to whoever sang in a particular performance; in fact, this is the only drum solo he recorded with the Beatles. George, John and Paul perform a rotating sequence of three, two-bar guitar solos. The idea for a guitar instrumental over this section was George’s, and John suggested the three of them each play a section. The Beatles’ recording engineer, Geoff Emerick, later recalled: “John, Paul and George looked like they had gone back in time, like they were kids again, playing together for the sheer enjoyment of it. More than anything, they reminded me of gunslingers, with their guitars strapped on, looks of steely-eyed resolve, determined to outdo one another. Yet there was no animosity, no tension at all β you could tell they were simply having fun.” In 2007, the final track of the medley was ranked at number 7 on Q magazine’s list “The 20 Greatest Guitar Tracks”.
I listened to a lot of cover versions of this medley and it was impossible to find one that I really liked, except for Phil Collins. I came very close to going with Phil’s recording but I just couldn’t hit the share button on the video. For me, his remake is more of a George Martin remake with Phil singing Paul’s part and playing the drums over a Beatles’ recording. Since I couldn’t find the perfect cover, I made the decision to close out this month by playing only one version …. the original. Nothing else will do. If anyone knows of a version they think is better than or comparable to the original, you are most welcome to drop the link into the comments box. I look forward to hearing them. No professional tribute bands, please.
I can’t think of a better way to say “the end” than by featuring the medley from the fabulous Abbey Road. Here are the Beatles with “Golden Slumbers/Carry That Weight/The End”.
That, my friends, is how it’s done!
I hope you enjoyed spending February together listening to Beatles music; it’s been an incredible experience for me. To you who stuck with me and left comments throughout the month, I am in awe of you and so greatly appreciative. Thank you!
As the Beatles sang: “And in the end the love you make is equal to the love you take“.
This is the final challenge this month from Glyn at Mixed Music Bag, which is to write about a band or singer that starts with the Letters C or D.
Ellen Naomi Cohen was born in Baltimore, Maryland on September 19, 1941, the granddaughter of Russian-Jewish immigrants. Her family was subject to significant financial stress and uncertainty during her childhood years. Ellenβs father ran a lunch wagon and her mother was a nurse. Sometime in high school Ellen began calling herself βCassβ. She became interested in acting and shortly before graduation, moved to New York to further her acting career. After the death of one of her friends, she took on his name and Cass Elliot was born.
You may know her better as βMama Cassβ, from her time with the Mamas and the Papas.
Cass Elliot was known for her sense of humor and optimism and was considered by many to be the most charismatic member of the group. Her powerful, distinctive voice was a major factor in their string of hits. If you want to know more about the Mamas and the Papas, thereβs plenty to read in Wiki.
After the group broke up, Cass Elliot released five solo albums; for this post I will feature Cass Elliotβs biggest hit as well as my favorite song by Mamas and the Papas.
βDream a Little Dream of Me“, a 1931 song with music by Fabian Andre, Wilbur Andre and Wilbur Schwandt and lyrics by Gus Kahn, enjoyed its highest-charting success when it was covered in 1968 by Cass Elliot with the Mamas and the Papas.Β Gus Kahn’s sentimental, bucolic lyrics citing “birds singing in the sycamore treeβ, “stars shining” and “night breezes” are a lullaby, specifically a romantic one of parting lovers.
This is a solo Cass Elliot with βDream a Little Dream of Meβ from her album βMamaβs Big Onesβ.
βCreeque Alleyβ is an autobiographical hit single written by John and Michelle Phillips in late 1966, narrating the story of how the Mamas and the Papas was formed, and its early years. It also recounts Cass Elliotβs life after leaving high school and moving to NYC to pursue an acting career.
The title of the song, which does not occur in the lyrics, is derived from Creque or Crequi (pronounced “creaky“)Β Alley,Β home to a club in the Virgin Islands where the New Journeymen, John and Michelle Phillips’ original group, spent time on vacation.Β The lyric “Greasin’ on AmericanExpress cards” refers to that time during which they could only make ends meet by using their credit cards,Β and the lyric “Duffy’s good vibrations, and our imaginations, can’t go on indefinitely” refers to Hugh Duffy, the owner of the club on Creeque Alley.
The Phillips’ lyrics mention, directly or indirectly, many artists and bands who were part of the folk music scene at the time, including fellow band members Cass Elliot and Denny Doherty, Zel Yanovsky and John Sebastian of the Lovinβ Spoonfull, Roger Mcguinn of the Byrds and Barry McGuire of the New Christy Minstrels. Michelle Phillips is referred to in the lyrics by her nickname Michi (“John and Michi were getting kind of itchy, just to leave the folk music behind”).
The song peaked at #5 on the U.S. Billboard pop singles chart the week in 1967, becoming their last Top 10 hit. It made #9 on the UK Singles Chart, #4 on the Australian and #1 on the Canadian charts.
This is βCreeque Alleyβ by the Mamas and the Papas.
Lyrics
John and Mitchy were gettin’ kind of itchy Just to leave the folk music behind Zal and Denny workin’ for a penny Tryin’ to get a fish on the line In a coffee house Sebastian sat And after every number they’d pass the hat McGuinn and McGuire just a gettin’ higher In L.A., you know where that’s at And no one’s gettin’ fat except Mama Cass*
Zally said Denny, you know there aren’t many Who can sing a song the way that you do, let’s go south Denny said Zally, golly, don’t you think that I wish I could play guitar like you Zal, Denny and Sebastian sat (at the Night Owl) And after every number they’d pass the hat McGuinn and McGuire still a gettin’ higher In L.A., you know where that’s at And no one’s gettin’ fat except Mama Cass
When Cass was a sophomore, planned to go to Swarthmore But she changed her mind one day Standin’ on the turnpike, thumb out to hitchhike Take me to New York right away When Denny met Cass he gave her love bumps Called John and Zal and that was the Mugwumps McGuinn and McGuire couldn’t get no higher But that’s what they were aimin’ at And no one’s gettin’ fat except Mama Cass
Mugwumps, high jumps, low slumps, big bumps Don’t you work as hard as you play Make up, break up, everything is shake up Guess it had to be that way Sebastian and Zal formed the Spoonful Michelle, John, and Denny gettin’ very tuneful McGuinn and McGuire just a catchin’ fire In L.A., you know where that’s at And everybody’s gettin’ fat except Mama Cass Di di di dit dit dit di di di dit, whoa
Broke, busted, disgusted, agents can’t be trusted And Mitchy wants to go to the sea Cass can’t make it, she says we’ll have to fake it We knew she’d come eventually Greasin’ on American Express cards It’s low rent, but keeping out the heat’s hard Duffy’s good vibrations and our imaginations Can’t go on indefinitely And California dreamin’ is becomin’ a reality
*“And no one’s getting fat except Mama Cass” refers to making money and has nothing to do with gaining weight. By the end of the song, hinting at Cass Elliot’s struggles with recording success, the lyrics changes to “And everybody’s getting fat except Mama Cass”.
On July 27, 1974, Cass Elliot finished two weeks of solo concerts at the London Palladiumand went on a 24-hour celebration binge. She first attended the 31st birthday party for Mick Jagger after which she went to a brunch in her honor presented by Georgia Brown. While there, according to biographer Eddi Fiegel, Elliot was blowing her nose frequently, coughing and having trouble breathing.Β Next she attended a cocktail party hosted by American entertainment journalist Jack Martin. She seemed in high spirits but also appeared physically exhausted and sick. She left that party at 8:00 pm on Sunday, July 28, saying she was tired and needed to get some sleep.
Elliot retired to an apartment owned by singer-songwriter Harry Nilsson who allowed her to stay there. Several hours after Elliot left Jack Martin’s cocktail party, she died in her sleep at age 32. According to autopsy results, she died of a heart attack, and there were no drugs in her system. Four years later, the Whoβs drummer Keith Moon died in the same bedroom, also aged 32 years.
Cass Elliot’s ashes are buried in Mount Sinai Memorial Park Cemetery in Los Angeles.
WARNING: THIS BLOG WAS NOT CREATED FOR BEATLEMANIACS! If youβre on the fence about the Beatles or if you just donβt like them, this blog is for you. My goal is not to convert you; itβs to expose you to the lesser-known Beatles songs we donβt 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!
Today I have chosen for you one of the most beautiful songs ever recorded by the Beatles. I was hoping Iβd be able to feature this number for a couple of reasons; in addition to being a stunning piece of music with gorgeous lyrics, itβs one that’s rarely heard.
The song begins with a distinctive electric harpsichord intro, then John Lennon joins in, his guitar mimicking the harpsichord line. The vocals enter in their prominent and perfectly tuned three-part harmony. This was one of the few Beatles recordings to feature a Moog synthesizer, played by George Harrison.
According to John, the song’s close musical resemblance to the first movement of Beethovenβs βMoonlight Sonataβ was no coincidence: “Yoko was playing ‘Moonlight Sonata’ on the piano and I said, ‘Can you play those chords backwards?’ Our song was written around those chords. The lyrics speak for themselves …. no imagery, no obscure references.“
While I was hoping to feature this song I was also reluctant; I couldnβt find any good covers. And then I discovered today’s remake and I’m pretty sure I forgot to breathe for a few of seconds.
Let’s listen to the song.
This is βBecauseβ by the Beatles
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This is Elliott Smith with his remake of βBecauseβ
This may very well be my favorite Beatles song. If Iβve said that before, please excuse me; I have so many favorite Beatles songs.
Elliott Smith was a dedicated fan of the Beatles, as well as their solo projects and claimed that hearing the White Album was his original inspiration to become a musician. In 1998, Smith contributed a cover of the Beatles song βBecauseβ to the soundtrack and closing credits of the film βAmerican Beautyβ. This was the only Beatles song that Smith ever officially released.
This is too close to call; for me itβs definitely a draw.
PS β If any video wonβt play for you, Iβve provided the name of the song and who did it so you can find it on YouTube. Itβs a pain in the ass but it does happen from time to time. My apologies.
Itβs one of those rare delights β an unusually quiet morning with no appointments, no grandchildren to watch and nothing to do except roll over and glance out the bedroom window.
Itβs that time just after dawn but before the sky has fully lightened and I think if thereβs no name for this time of day, there should be.
I yawn and stretch, feeling no tension in my body, and when my eyes open, I audibly gasp as everything around me has frozen in time. Suspended in the sky is a pregnant pearlescent circle, full and perfect, a translucent milky orb.
Good morning, Snow Moon; this is serendipity at its finest.
Snow Moon, oh so shy You fly away at my glance Where are you hiding?
I guessed that something was wrong as soon as I saw the look of shocked disbelief on my husband Davidβs face.
βBabe, whatβs wrong?β
With tears in his eyes David whispered βI lost my wedding ring!β
It was our last night in Cape Cod. After dinner we went for a walk on the beach. There was a lot of seaweed in the ocean from a storm a few days before. We walked along the shore, teasing each other with clumps of seaweed; thatβs when the ring must have slipped off his finger. But exactly where we had no idea. We crawled around searching but it was dark and we couldnβt see anything. David was devastated.
βHon, I know your wedding ring means the world to you but we can always replace it.β
βI know, Jess, but it just wonβt be the same.β
Dejected, we returned to our room and went to bed. After hours of trying to get to sleep, I grabbed my laptop and Googled βWill a ring wash ashore after falling in the ocean?β
Almost immediately there was a *ding* on my laptop β¦ a response from βTheRingFinders.comβ. It read: βWe can help find any lost metallic object on the beach or in the water. Enter your zip code and weβll get back to you ASAP .β
I entered the zip code for Cape Cod and 10 minutes later I heard from Rick at βRingFindersβ. After explaining our situation, Rick said heβd be at our B&B at 7:00 AM to start his search. Thank God for the Internet!
True to his word, Rick was already on the beach at 7:00. We ate breakfast on the veranda, never taking our eyes off Rick as he searched everywhere with no luck. It was almost checkout time when he trudged up to the B&B.
βNo luck, folks. Youβre gonna get socked in traffic if you donβt leave now. Iβm sorry to disappoint you but Iβm not giving up. Iβll keep in touch with you either way.β
Disheartened, we checked out and loaded up the car. Taking one last look at Rick, we waved goodbye when we realized he wasnβt waving goodbye β¦ he was waving in excitement. He ran up the beach with his arm in the air, hand clenched in a fist.
βI found it, folks! I found your ringβ he shouted.
We ran to meet him and he grinned as he placed a wet, sandy ring in Davidβs hand.
Thering was under 11 inches of water and seaweed!
Overjoyed, David hugged Rick and we asked how much we owed him.
βThis is a free service we provide but we gladly accept donationsβ Rick explained. βIts very rewarding to see the joy on peopleβs faces when theyβre reunited with their precious lost items.β
I donβt remember how much we gave Rick β¦ thatβs not important. What I do remember is David glancing at his ring all the way home and smiling.
What an experience and certainly an incredible act of kindness. Thanks, Rick!
Authors Note:Β Every word of this story is true. David is my son and Jess is my daughter-in-law. Theringfinders.com is a real organization and Rick, a stranger to David and Jess, did them a service they will remember for the rest of their lives. Sometimes fact is stranger than fiction!
WARNING: THIS BLOG WAS NOT CREATED FOR BEATLEMANIACS! If youβre on the fence about the Beatles or if you just donβt like them, this blog is for you. My goal is not to convert you; itβs to expose you to the lesser-known Beatles songs we donβt 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!
Welcome back to Feb Fab Faux Four. We’re down to the final three days of the month; after this, I won’t be allowed to play another Beatles song until summer!
This next song is clearly about a guy begging for his woman not to leave him. Itβs a real belter, with a hard and heavy Louisiana-style blues/rock sound.
Paul says he remembers βwanting to get the vocal right, wanting to get it good; itβs hard on the voice and if it comes off even a little bit lukewarm, then youβve missed the whole point.β
John said βPaul wrote it, so what the hell, heβs going to sing it. If heβd had any sense, he should have let me sing it.β
Haha! I happen to like this song a lot and think Paul did a fine job on it. Letβs see what you think of my cover choice; as usual, the original will play first.
From the Beatles, this is “Oh! Darlingβ
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With his rendition of βOh! Darlingβ, this is Graham Bonnet
Oh, sweet baby Jesus! This is how to do a cover! You stick to the basics, changing it up just enough to make it your own without tearing the hell out of it and making it unrecognizable.
Iβve always loved the gritty, down & dirty sound of the blues; βOh! Darlingβ is a perfect example of that style of song. Graham Bonnet, front man for such hard rock and heavy metal bands as Rainbow, Michael Schenker Group and Alcatrazz was born to sing a song like this.
I adore Graham Bonnet. He’s got one of the best voices in rock, hard rock and metal. And since today is my birthday, Graham Bonnet singing “Oh! Darling” is my gift to me!
Talk about hitting all the right notes. My vote goes to Graham Bonnet.
PS β If any video wonβt play for you, Iβve provided the name of the song and who did it so you can find it on YouTube. Itβs a pain in the ass but it does happen from time to time. My apologies.
WARNING: THIS BLOG WAS NOT CREATED FOR BEATLEMANIACS! If youβre on the fence about the Beatles or if you just donβt like them, this blog is for you. My goal is not to convert you; itβs to expose you to the lesser-known Beatles songs we donβt 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!
Today’s song is another request. I did not have this one programmed so the cover choice is not mine. It’s a great number for the category of lesser known songs and I was glad to receive the request and cover suggestion.
During the recording of today’s song, Paul McCartney reportedly stormed out of the studio due to tension and disagreement with the band over the song’s arrangement and direction. The creative process for the Beatles during this time was often intense and fraught with artistic differences, which could lead to such incidents.
The song was originally inspired by an LSD trip; the lyrics were written by John Lennon based on an experience he had with actor Peter Fonda. It’s another case of he said, she said …. or in this case …. she said, she said.
This is “She Said, She Said” by the Beatles
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And here is our requested cover version of “She Said, She Said” by Lonestar.
No input from me on this one, kids, so you’ll have to virtually duke it out on your own. No hitting below the belt!
PS β If any video wonβt play for you, Iβve provided the name of the song and who did it so you can find it on YouTube. Itβs a pain in the ass but it does happen from time to time. My apologies.
Sammi at Weekend Writing Prompt has challenged us to write something clever in exactly 91 words, using the word βintentβ. This is my response in exactly 91 words.
Angie eased into the bathtub.
Her once lithe and graceful body had been rebelling for a while; now it had declared mutiny.
She didnβt expect to have free time today so this moment of solitude was bliss.
Angie barely had time to relax when she heard the persistent nudging on the door; a black paw soon found its way into the narrow opening.
Sidney, the cat.
He was intent on getting into the bathroom to see what Angie was up to without him.
βSid!β Angie scolded playfully. βA little privacy, please!β
WARNING: THIS BLOG WAS NOT CREATED FOR BEATLEMANIACS! If youβre on the fence about the Beatles or if you just donβt like them, this blog is for you. My goal is not to convert you; itβs to expose you to the lesser-known Beatles songs we donβt 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!
Today’s song is another in your face, bare naked plea inspired by John’s love for Yoko. As he put it: “When it gets down to it, when youβre drowning, you donβt say, βI would be incredibly pleased if someone would have the foresight to notice me drowning and come and help me,β you just scream.”
John and Yoko had a real connection. I don’t think the other Beatles disliked Yoko; I think they resented her hanging around all the time. None of the other wives came to the “office” every day; she was the 5th wheel, a distraction. John was totally into her and not what the group was doing. She was a constant presence and made things uncomfortable but neither she nor John cared.
Here are the Beatles with “Don’t Let Me Down”
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From Wales with their cover of “Don’t Let Me Down”, this is Stereophonic.
Here we have another case of “If I didn’t know the original, I’d be all over this one“. I love the sound of the lead singer’s voice and the group has a really good vibe. I like this cover a lot but, just like the cover of “I Am The Walrus”, it’s too slow. Besides, all I think of when I hear this song is the Beatles rooftop concert.
Another one for the Beatles. What are your thoughts?
PS β If any video wonβt play for you, Iβve provided the name of the song and who did it so you can find it on YouTube. Itβs a pain in the ass but it does happen from time to time. My apologies.
Today, Jim at Song Lyric Sunday is asking us to write about a song that was not originally released as an album single or never became a single.
The songs Iβve chosen were written and recorded by one of the biggest bands to come out of the UK in the 60s. No, not the Beatles! This time Iβm talking about the Rolling Stones. Contrary to what some people believe, a person can be into both the Beatles and the Stones. Shocking, isnβt it!
Hereβs a quick bio: The Rolling Stones were formed in London by founding members, vocalist Mick Jagger, guitarist Keith Richards, multi-instrumentalist Brian Jones, bassist Bill Wyman and drummer Charlie Watts. During their early years, Jones was the primary leader of the band.
Just like all bands starting out at that time, the Stones’ catalog consisted of cover songs. When they began writing their own songs, the Jagger-Richards partnership became the band’s primary songwriting and creative force; this alienated Brian Jones, who developed a drug addiction that by 1968 interfered with his ability to contribute meaningfully. Jones left the band shortly before his death in 1969, having been replaced by guitarist Mick Taylor. In 1971 the Stones released the album Sticky Fingers, the first of eight consecutive #1 studio albums in the US. Taylor left the band at the end of 1974 and was replaced by Ronnie Wood. Following Wyman’s departure in 1993, the band continued as a foursome.
Two of the Rolling Stonesβ songs that were never released as singles are both mega hits β βGimme Shelterβ off their 1969 album Let It Bleed and βCanβt You Hear Me Knockingβ from their first #1 album, Sticky Fingers.
βGimme Shelterβis about the political and social unrest at the time. There was the war in Vietnam, race riots, the murders by the Manson Family and politicians being assassinated. Mick Jagger sings of needing shelter from this βstormβ. Merry Clayton is the female vocalist featured singing the line βRape, murder, itβs just a shot awayβ. She delivered a chilling vocal with her voice cracking on the word βmurderβ at the 3:01 mark and you can hear Jagger in the background saying βWhoo!β The Stones didnβt release the song as a single but Merry Clayton did …. in 1970 which made it to #73 in the US.
This is βGimme Shelterβ by the Rolling Stones; be sure to listen for Merry in the background.
βCanβt You Hear Me Knockingβ is the fourth track on the Rolling Stonesβ 1971 album Sticky Fingers. The first two and a half minutes of the song are down and dirty, riff-tastic Rolling Stones. The last four and a half minutes are an improvised, instrumental jam session. The length of this song made for a tough sell; in order to improve the chances of radio play, singles were held to around three minutes. The entire track was captured in one take, with the jam being a happy accident. The band had assumed the tape machine had been stopped and were surprised to find the entire session had been captured. Originally they were going to end the song before the jam started, but were so pleased with the results, they decided to keep it in.
The four singles from Sticky Fingers were βBrown Sugar,β βBitch,β βWild Horses,β and βSway.β However, popular consensus is βCanβt You Hear MeKnockingβ stands miles higher than βSwayβ. Not only does it bear one of the Rolling Stonesβ most instantly recognizable guitar riffs, but itβs been included in the soundtracks for a number of movies including Casino and The Fighter.
But whatβs the song all about? What are the Stones trying to tell us? Itβs probably best not to read too much into the lyrics of this one since even Mick Jagger isnβt exactly sure what he wrote! Appearing on the track is Bobby Keys, who had debuted his saxophone for the Stones on βLive With Meβ back on Let It Bleed. Mick Taylor’s got that impressive guitar track starting at the 4:32 mark.
So, since I donβt have any spectacular words of wisdom to add to that, letβs just enjoy the Stones and βCanβt You Hear Me Knockingβ.
The Rolling Stones’ estimated record sales of 200 million makes them one of the best-selling music artists of all time. They have won three Grammy Awards and a Grammy Lifetime AchievementAward. They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall ofFame in 1989 and the UK Music Hallof Fame in 2004. Billboard and Rolling Stone magazine have ranked them as one of the greatest musical groups of all time. I definitely concur.
Thanks so much to Jim for all the work he does week after week on Song Lyric Sunday.
WARNING: THIS BLOG WAS NOT CREATED FOR BEATLEMANIACS! If youβre on the fence about the Beatles or if you just donβt like them, this blog is for you. My goal is not to convert you; itβs to expose you to the lesser-known Beatles songs we donβt 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!
Welcome back to F4! We’re going to take a trip back in time.
I’m featuring another Beatle covering one of their favorite rock & roll songs; if you’ve been keeping track you know there’s only one Beatle I haven’t featured yet. So, who’s the last man standing? You’re about to find out …. but first, let’s listen to the original song which the Beatles covered.
From 1960, here are The Shirelles with their hit, “Boys”
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And here are the Beatles with their version of “Boys” with Ringo doing the singing.
There’s no doubt the fabulous girl groups from the early 60s broke boundaries and paved the way for future artists BUT …. and you knew there was a but coming …. this definitely goes to the high octane performance by Ringo and the boys. You can tell they are all into this one 100% and having the time of their lives! We can’t forget, however …. without groups like The Shirelles, the Beatles might not even exist.
PS β If any video wonβt play for you, Iβve provided the name of the song and who did it so you can find it on YouTube. Itβs a pain in the ass but it does happen from time to time. My apologies.
Jenne, our genial host at The Unicorn Challenge, has offered up the photo below as our inspiration to write a story of no more than 250 words. This is my 250-word response to that challenge.
There was once a land so very far away from every other land that it was almost completely forgotten by all the inhabitants of the world.
And on that land there were trees and bushes and plants of every type imaginable. Each tree, plant and bush bore the most incredible edibles β¦ luscious fruits of every variety known and unknown to man. There were at least 10,000 kinds of grapes, 8,000 sorts of apples, 3,000 types of pears, 2,000 varieties of peaches, 1,000 kinds of bananas, 400 types of berries, 400 varieties of oranges, etc. There were many sorts of vegetables that grew underground as well as on trees. There were streams, lakes and rivers with crystal clear water abundant with fish.
And on that very far away land lived a cyclops β¦ giant, of course, as all cyclopes are. He was left there years ago by his parents who knew he would never survive life in the city, a life of ridicule and torment and loneliness. They also knew they would never be able to show him any kind of love or affection; indeed, his mother was repulsed by the feel of his rough skin, and unable to look into his one large, blood red eye.
But the cyclops was not forgotten. Every birthday his parents would travel thousands of miles to bring him candy. He would greedily eat the candy and they would leave. Until the last visit when he ate the candy and for dessert, his parents.
WARNING: THIS BLOG WAS NOT CREATED FOR BEATLEMANIACS! If youβre on the fence about the Beatles or if you just donβt like them, this blog is for you. My goal is not to convert you; itβs to expose you to the lesser-known Beatles songs we donβt 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!
Welcome to the final week of Feb Fab Faux Four! Let the countdown begin!
Today I’m featuring a lovely ballad off their 1970 “Let It Be” album. John explained how the words of the first line came to him: “I was lying next to my first wife in bed and I was irritatedand I was thinking. She must have been going on and on about something and she’d gone to sleep and I kept hearing these words over and over, flowing like an endless stream. I went downstairs and it turned into a sort of cosmic song rather than an irritated song, rather than “Why are you always mouthing off at me?” [The words] were purely inspirational and were given to me as boom! I don’t own it you know; it came through like that.“
This is “Across The Universe” by the Beatles.
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With his remake from the “I Am Sam” soundtrack, this is Rufus Wainwright and “Across The Universe”
Truth be told, I don’t really know that much about Rufus Wainwright so I Googled him and found out that he is a Canadian-American singer, songwriter and composer. He has recorded eleven studio albums and numerous tracks on compilations and film soundtracks. He has also written two classical operas and set Shakespeare’s sonnets to music for a theatre piece by American director and playwright Robert Wilson. Up until today I had no songs by Wainwright on my playlist; now I have one.
I listened to a few covers of this piece, including Bowie’s and one by Wainwright with Moby and Sean Lennon. None of them came close to the original.
This solo piece was a shining star for me. I’m not quite ready to call it a draw so score one more for the Beatles.
PS β If any video wonβt play for you, Iβve provided the name of the song and who did it so you can find it on YouTube. Itβs a pain in the ass but it does happen from time to time. My apologies.
Rochelle, our gracious host at Friday Fictioneers, has challenged us to write a story of 100 words or less, using the photo below as inspiration. This is my story.
Photo Copyright Alicia Jamtaas
Too many arguments, too many years of spiteful words. Sheβd had enough.
He walked into their bedroom where she was packing. βHow can you do this, like it was nothing?β
βLike it was nothing? Do you really think this is easy, like tossing out yesterdayβs leftovers?β
βTwenty-three years, Beth. You canβt throw that away.β
βWould you just let it be, Sam, and go to work.β
βIβll see you when I get home, Beth.β
βObliviousβ she murmured.
Of course she was gone when he returned. Nothing left but remains of the day.
Welcome to Birthday Thursdays! Each week I will feature someone from the world of music whose birthday falls on this day. There wonβt be any chit chat from me, no facts and figures β just some great tunes (and an occasional surprise). Check it out right here every Thursday and enjoy the music.
Happy Birthday to Marni Nixon (Voice Dubber/Ghost Singer) Born February 22, 1930 in Altadena, California
Marni Nixon talks about Dubbing for Marilyn Monroe and Debora Kerr
Yul Brynner & Deborah Kerr perform “Shall We Dance” from “The King and I”. (Marni Nixon dubbed Deborah Kerr’s singing)
“Tonight” from “West Side Story” with Marni Nixon as ghost singer for Natalie Wood
Audrey Hepburn’s voice was dubbed by Marni Nixon for “I Could Have Danced All Night” from “My Fair Lady”
Marni Nixon doing her best Marilyn Monroe in “Diamonds Are A Girl’s Best Friend” from “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes”
WARNING: THIS BLOG WAS NOT CREATED FOR BEATLEMANIACS! If youβre on the fence about the Beatles or if you just donβt like them, this blog is for you. My goal is not to convert you; itβs to expose you to the lesser-known Beatles songs we donβt 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!
Today I’m featuring a fun song from Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, a work regarded by musicologists as an early concept album. At the end of August 1966, the Beatles had permanently retired from touring and pursued individual interests. While on a return flight to London in November 1966,Β PaulΒ came up with an idea that formed the impetus of the Sgt. Pepper concept: creating songs for an Edwardian military rock band.
Meanwhile……
John was out one day and he stopped at an antique store where he saw a framed poster on display advertising a circus. As he read the poster, an idea started forming. He bought the poster and hung it in his music room at home. Everything came together, incorporating many of the words from the poster almost exactly as they were written (except Henry the Horse was actually named Zanthus) and the result was a fantastical number unlike anything the Beatles had done before.
Here is “Being For The Benefit Of Mr. Kite!” by the Beatles.
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And here is Cheap Trick with their rendition of “Being For The Benefit Of Mr. Kite!”.
There was always a method to the Beatles madness. Love it or hate it, this song beautifully displays the brilliant imagination, unparalleled musicality and creative genius of the Beatles. This song helped keep Sgt. Pepper fromΒ becomingΒ an overwhelming Paul McCartney project …. and thank goodness for that!
So, what about the Cheap Trick version. It’s very good, the best cover I could find, and why wouldn’t it be good? It sounds like Cheap Trick bought the sheet music for “Mr. Kite”, rehearsed it and did their level best to sound as close to the Beatles as possible. It’s a replica of the original and shows little imagination of its own but it’s done well …. I’ll give Cheap Trick that much.
This one goes to the Beatles, without question. Join me tomorrow for an interesting selection.
PS β If any video wonβt play for you, Iβve provided the name of the song and who did it so you can find it on YouTube. Itβs a pain in the ass but it does happen from time to time. My apologies.
Written for Glyn’s Mixed Music Bag #8 February Monthly Challenge where we’re asked to write about a song by any group or solo singer beginning with the letter C or D.
Formed in San Jose, California in 1970, The Doobie Brothers are known for their vocal harmonies and their flexibility in performing across numerous genres. Active for 50+ years, with their greatest success during the 1970s, the group is still performing and touring today.
So, whatβs up with their name? Well, itβs really not that hard to figure out but the story goes that during the formative days while the group was trying to come up with a name, the guy who lived next door and hung out with them said βSince youβre always smoking pot, why not just call yourselves βThe Doobie Brothersβ?β The band members couldnβt deny that was true but thought the name was βreally dumbβ; they decided to go with it just until they came up with a better name but they never did.
Breakthrough success came to The Doobies after the 1972 release of their album βToulouse Streetβ which contained the hits βListen To The Musicβ and βJesus Is Just Alrightβ. A string of hits followed, including βLong Train Runninββ and βChina Groveβ.
“Listen To The Music” was written by lead singer and guitarist Tom Johnston and was the Doobie Brothers’ first big hit. Upon the release of the single, Cash Box said that it’s “the group’s mellowest rockin’ mood yet, one that could see them through to chart territory with AM play.” The staff of Billboard consider it the Doobie Brothers’ best song, saying that it “ranks high in the pantheon of rock nβ roll feel-good hits” and should “get your foot tapping and bring a bit of a smile to your face.”
“Listen To The Music” remains a staple of adult contemporary and classic rock radio. The band uses it as an encore song during live shows. The Doobie Brothers were inducted into the Vocal Group Hall Of Fame in 2004 and the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame in 2020. The group has sold more than 40 million records worldwide.
Letβs listen to some Doobie Brothers; smoke βem if you got βem.
This is βListen To The Musicβ by The Doobie Brothers
LYRICS
Don’t you feel it growing, day by day People getting ready for the news Some are happy, some are sad Whoa, gotta let the music play
What the people need is a way to make ’em smile It ain’t so hard to do if you know how Gotta get a message, get it on through Oh, now momma don’t you ask me why
Whoa, oh listen to the music Whoa, oh listen to the music Whoa, oh listen to the music All the time
Well I know, you know baby, everything I say Meet me in the country for a day We’ll be happy, and we’ll dance Oh, we’re gonna dance our blues away
And if I’m feeling good to you and you’re feeling good to me There ain’t nothing we can’t do or say Feeling good, feeling fine Oh, baby, let the music play
Whoa, oh listen to the music Whoa, oh listen to the music Whoa, oh listen to the music All the time
Like a lazy flowing river Surrounding castles in the sky And the crowd is growing bigger Listening for the happy sounds And I got to let them fly
Whoa, oh listen to the music Whoa, oh listen to the music Whoa, oh listen to the music All the time
Whoa, oh listen to the music Whoa, oh listen to the music Whoa, oh listen to the music All the time
Whoa, oh listen to the music Whoa, oh listen to the music Whoa, oh listen to the music All the time
WARNING: THIS BLOG WAS NOT CREATED FOR BEATLEMANIACS! If youβre on the fence about the Beatles or if you just donβt like them, this blog is for you. My goal is not to convert you; itβs to expose you to the lesser-known Beatles songs we donβt 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, pullup a chair and enjoy the tunes!
Now it’s time for something completely different. I got a request to feature today’s song; if I get a request and I have room, I’ll post it. Too bad requests didn’t start coming in until just the other day. Regarding requests …. I will give you some info about the original song but will not comment on the cover.
So, just what the hell is this song about anyway? For John Lennon, the answer was simple: βThat was just a sort of nice line that I made into a song. It was about me and Yoko. Everybody seemed to be paranoid except for us two, who were in the glow of love. Everything is clear and open when you’re in love.“
Additionally, the lyrics contain sayings the Beatles heard from Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. In further comments on the song, John said it addressed his bandmates’ initial reaction to his relationship with Yoko. There is also wide speculation that the title of the song as well as some of the lyrics reference John and Yoko’s heroin use during ’68.
Recorded early in the sessions for the White Album, the track typifies the Beatles’ return to a rock sound in 1968 after their psychedelic period.
I had originally programmed Soundgarden’s cover of this song but when the request came in, I went with that instead.
Ok, enough chitchat. Here we go.
Here are the Beatles with “Everybody’s Got Something To Hide Except For Me And My Monkey”.
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Today’s requested remake of the Beatles’ song with the longest name as done by Fats Domino.
PS β If any video wonβt play for you, Iβve provided the name of the song and who did it so you can find it on YouTube. Itβs a pain in the ass but it does happen from time to time. My apologies.
Denise at GirlieOnTheEdge is asking us to write a Six Sentence Story using the word “pass”. This is my six sentence story.
The house is quiet tonight β¦.eerily quiet β¦. for all the lights are off and only the glow of candles shines dimly through the curtained windows, performing a ballet of shadows on the walls and ceiling; every so often a door softly opens, barely perceptible murmurings are audible, then the door gently closes as intermittent muted sobbing creeps up from the parlor.
I sit on my bed huddled under a blanket, a tiny flashlight flickering a pale yellow beam on my diary as I jot down my memories of the day; I must be quiet because my mother will be very upset with me if she discovers Iβm still awake at this late hour.
My window is open just enough to let in some fresh air and the distinct smell of cigarette smoke wafts up into my room; I peek out to see my motherβs uncles sitting on the back steps silently smoking their unfiltered Lucky Strike cigarettes, their black armbands starkly visible against their plain starched white shirts.
I tip-toe across the length of my bedroom, praying the old wooden floorboards beneath the well-worn rug will not creak and ever so slowly I turn the glass doorknob; the hallway is dark but I can detect a muted light downstairs and I scurry nearer to the staircase railing for a better look as I sit there hugging my knees asking myself if I should creep downstairs and take a peek.
A few hours earlier the ambience of the house was much different, still subdued but active as delivery men came and went and acquaintances passed through the hallway into the parlor to pay their respects while my mother and the other women labored in the kitchen like mute worker bees, preparing trays of food for the constant flow of visitors, and my father, along with my uncles, positioned the many floral arrangements throughout the parlor; we children sat quietly on the two enormous matching sofas along the side walls, eyes downcast, confused and uncharacteristically subdued, occasionally glancing toward the walnut casket resting atop a platform in the center of the room and quickly look away.
Around 6:00 we were quietly whisked away into the dining room where we silently ate our supper, then returned to the parlor to continue our vigil; it had been a long and sorrowful day, the longest day in our young lives, for the family matriarch, my great-grandmother had died.
This recording was made in September 1920, less than a year before Carusoβs death. His health was failing and the recording equipment was, by our standards, primitive. Despite all that, the power and beauty of his voice remain unmatched.
βDonβt look at me, Helen. Last year’s lessons with Vanessa nearly put me over the edge.β
βWell, I canβt do it! Ever since Marcia Morelli snatched that promotion for Real Estate Agent of the Year away from me, Iβm spending all my time at work playing catch up.β
βThatβs not my problem, Helen. Anyway, I signed on to coach Brandonβs baseball team this season, remember?β
βOh, cry me a river, Bob! Youβre the one who took an early retirement; your schedule is much more flexible than mine.β
βThatβs right, I retired so I could do things I enjoy like playing golf and going fishing. Itβs important to stay mobile after retirement so we donβt become dust in the wind.β
βWell, if you canβt do it and I canβt do it, why donβt we get Vanessa to teach Danielle how to drive?β
βAre you out of your mind, woman! Vanessaβs been driving less than a year. She canβt take Danielle out driving! Can you imagine the mayhem when those two hit the streets?β
βAt least Iβm making suggestions, Bob. All youβre doing is justifying why you canβt do it.β
βOh, Helen, save your breath and donβt look at me with such contempt. Iβm right and you know it. I wonβt idly sit by and watch both our daughters driving without an adult in the car. Itβs out of the question.β
βYou wonβt? Oh, thatβs wonderful, Bob! I knew youβd come around!β
βNow hold on there, Helen. I didnβt agree to anything.β
βWhy, sure you did, Bob. You said you wouldnβt sit idly by while the girls are driving around without an adult in the car.β
βBut I didnβt meanβ¦..β
βLook at it this way, Bob. Danielle is used to being driven everywhere she goes. If you donβt teach her how to drive, youβll just have to drive here wherever she wants to go. Iβd say this is a win/win situation.β
βAnd how do you figure that, Helen?β
βSimple! By giving Danielle driving lessons, youβll be doing your part to keep our insurance rates down, youβll be able to coach Brandon’s baseball team and still have time to do the things you enjoy and you wonβt turn into dust in the wind. And all it takes is just one daily one-hour driving lesson! Youβre a genius, Bob!β
βI am? Yeah, I guess I am. Hey! Wait just a gosh darn minute, Helen!β
WARNING: THIS BLOG WAS NOT CREATED FOR BEATLEMANIACS! If youβre on the fence about the Beatles or if you just donβt like them, this blog is for you. My goal is not to convert you; itβs to expose you to the lesser-known Beatles songs we donβt 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!
Welcome to day 20 of Feb Fab Faux Four. We’re coming ’round the bend and the finish line is in sight!
Yesterday I hinted that today’s song was a huge hit for one of the Beatles during his solo career …. and by huge I mean HUGE. This was our Beatle’s first single as a solo artist and it topped the charts worldwide; it was the biggest-selling single of 1971 in the UK and the first #1 single by an ex-Beatle in the US and England. By the late 1970s, it was the most covered song written and released by any of the former Beatles since the band’s break-up. Did I say it was huge?
Our Beatle wrote today’s song in praise of the Hindu god Krishna, while intending the lyrics as a call to abandon attachment to any one religious sect through his blending of the Hebrew word “hallelujah” with chants of “Hare Krishna” and Indian prayers.
That last bit of information was a dead giveaway, I’m sure, so let’s cut to the chase and play some music.
Here is George Harrison with “My Sweet Lord”
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This is Edwin Starr’s remake of “My Sweet Lord“
My sweet lord! Can I get an “Amen”?!
I know the obvious choice for a cover version is Billy Preston but we’ve all heard that one too many times. Edwin Starr has given us a slowed down, almost gospel-like version and I have to give him kudos for taking on such a big song; his vocal range is impressive. I like his arrangement but it can’t hold a votive candle to George Harrison’s
βEvery time I put the radio on, itβs βOh my Lordβ. I’m beginning to think there must be a Godβ said John Lennon after George scored the first number one hit by any solo Beatle. Sour grapes? Typical biting humor from John. And none of them thought George had what it took to write decent songs.
In 1976 George was slapped with a lawsuit claiming that “My Sweet Lord” sounded too much like the 1963 hit by the Chiffons called “He’s So Fine”. George took his guitar to the court and demonstrated how he wrote the song, but he was found to have committed βsubconscious plagiarismβ. It doesn’t seem to have negatively impacted his career. I’ll let you be the judge. Here are the Chiffons with “He’s So Fine”.
Well, all I can say is there’s a similarity. I think the Chiffon’s lawyers got lucky on this one.
That’s it for today, kids. Nine more vids to go before I’m outta here.
PS β If any video wonβt play for you, Iβve provided the name of the song and who did it so you can find it on YouTube. Itβs a pain in the ass but it does happen from time to time. My apologies.
Presidents’ Day is a federal holiday in the U.S., celebrated on the third Monday in February; Presidents’ Day 2024 will occur on February 19 …. hey, that’s today!
Originally established in 1885 in recognition of President George Washington, the holiday became popularly known as Presidents’ Day after it was moved as part of 1971βs Uniform Monday Holiday Act, an attempt to create more three-day weekends for the nationβs workers.
While several states still have individual holidays honoring the birthdays of Washington, Abraham Lincoln and other figures, Presidents’ Day is now popularly viewed as a day to celebrate all U.S. presidents, past and present. Very few people do that and the holiday is a day off for federal employees, kids have winter break this week and Presidents’ Day sales are going strong in stores around the country.
Hey, if you can’t laugh at the leader of the free world, who can you laugh at? Enjoy the holiday!
Presidential Bloopers
Here’s One Weird Fact About 45 Presidents (sorry Joe!)
WARNING: THIS BLOG WAS NOT CREATED FOR BEATLEMANIACS! If youβre on the fence about the Beatles or if you just donβt like them, this blog is for you. My goal is not to convert you; itβs to expose you to the lesser-known Beatles songs we donβt 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!
Welcome to day 19 of Feb Fab Faux Four. Are you having fun yet?
We’re spinning the wheel in the other direction and going back in time to another tune the Beatles covered.
Today’s number is a rockabilly song often credited to Carl Perkins; however, it been brought to light that Carl’s song is actually based on a 1936 song of the same name written by singer/songwriter Rex Griffin. Griffin’s song didn’t really go anywhere and Carl Perkins’ 1957 release achieved widespread popularity. Lucky Carl Perkins! The Beatles covered the song in 1964.
The Beatles recording was first released as the final track on “Beatles For Sale” in the United Kingdom late in ’64 and as the concluding track on the North American album “Beatles ’65”. The remake by the Beatles features a false ending which means the final musical phrase (not vocals) repeats itself after the song seems to have stopped; this false ending does not appear in the Carl Perkins version.
Here is Carl Perkins with his 1957 recording of “Everybody’s Trying To Be My Baby”.
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And from 1964, here’s “Everybody’s Trying To Be My Baby” by the Beatles featuring George Harrison on lead vocals. George was a life-long fan of Carl Perkins; it was a thrill for him to actually meet and perform with Carl.
There’s not a damn thing wrong with a George Harrisong!
As a diehard George fan, I love everything he ever did and believe the quality of his his solo work after the Beatles split is better than anything the other three produced. In this remake, George’s vocals were processed with the STEED effect; I doubt I’ll be able to explain this process with great clarity so I’m leaving it highlighted if you’d like to read about it.
Carl Perkin’s rockabilly recording is great but my vote goes to George and the boys.
Before I close this page out, here is a bonus track …. the original 1936 recording of Rex Griffin’s “Everybody’s Trying To Be My Baby”. Enjoy this very unusual and different arrangement.
I’m back tomorrow with what became a huge hit for one of the Beatles during his solo career. Join me to see which song it is.
PS β If any video wonβt play for you, Iβve provided the name of the song and who did it so you can find it on YouTube. Itβs a pain in the ass but it does happen from time to time. My apologies.
The Elephant's Trunk 