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 F4. This is one of those songs that had everybody wondering what the hell it was all about.
John Lennon wrote today’s song to bewilder listeners who had been seriously trying to interpret some of the Beatles’ lyrics. He was partly inspired by two LSD trips and Lewis Carroll’s poem “The Walrus and the Carpenter”.
George Martin arranged and added orchestral accompaniment that included violins, cellos, horns, and clarinet. A 16-voice choir of professional studio vocalists also joined the recording singing nonsense lines and shrill whooping noises. Shortly after release, the song was banned by the BBC for the line “Boy, you’ve been a naughty girl, you let your knickers down.” Scandalous!
Have you figured out today’s song? I’m sure you have. Let’s check it out.
This is “I Am The Walrus” by the Beatles
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With their cover of “I Am The Walrus”, this is Spooky Tooth
So, what did you think of this version by the progressive rock band, Spooky Tooth? I thought it was pretty good except for one thing ….. it was too slow. As you can see, the cover lasted almost two minutes longer than the original. It dragged on and probably should have been called “I Am The Sloth”.
No question …. this one goes to the Beatles. That’s my opinion; what’s yours?
Stop by for a jumping little number coming up tomorrow.
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 in Song Lyric Sunday, Jim as asking us to write about a song(s) composed by a duo. Iβve chosen a duo not only from the US but from my hometown of New York. As a kid, I’d sing these songs in my bedroom pretending I was a major recording artist. Didn’t we all? I found myself happily swimming in a sea of wonderful memories as I wrote this post.
This former husband and wife duo wrote many of the 60s biggest hits and those songs were recorded by everyone from Aretha Franklin to James Taylor to the Beatles. He wrote the lyrics and she wrote the music to songs such as βWill You Still Love Me Tomorrowβ, βTake Good Care Of My Babyβ and βThe Loco-Motionβ, and chances are youβve danced to a hit single by this dynamic songwriting duo.
Iβm talking about Carole King and Gerry Goffin.
During the spring semester of her freshman year at Queens College in NY, Carole King was introduced to Gerry Goffin while at the student lounge. Goffin, three years older than King, was looking for someone to write lyrics for a musical he was writing. King took a look, said she wasn’t interested and added “You know, I write rock ‘n’ roll songs” but allowed Goffin to drive her home. Soon she was writing songs for his musical, he writing lyrics for her songs.
King and Goffin were married in 1959 when she was only 17 and pregnant with their first child. They quit college and took day jobs, Goffin working as an assistant chemist and King as a secretary. And in the evenings, they wrote songs together. High school friend Neil Sedaka got them an audition with music producer Don Kirshner; he offered a guaranteed advance against royalties of $1000 a year, to be doubled if the deal was renewed for a second year and tripled if for a third. The rest is history.
Their songs were always impeccably structured. Their music was for teens and dealt with themes of love, rejection and jealousy and teenagers dealing with them on their own terms. Carole’s heart-tugging melodies and Gerry’s superb lyrics captured the tone and the everyday language of their audience’s inner experiences with uncanny accuracy.
Carole had a gift for arrangement, knowing how to build a song. To help sell her songs, she began making low cost tapes to demonstrate her ideas to the producers. Those demos were so good that often the producer only had to copy them with the proper instrumentation to have a hit record.
One night in the fall of 1960 Carole and Gerry returned from an evening out and found a note from Don Kirshner saying he needed a lyric by the next day for the Shirelles. Goffin immediately began writing and King composing; the result was “Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow.” In January 1961, the song became the first song by a female group to reach #1 on the pop charts since the McGuirre Sisters in 1958, and first ever for a black female group.
Kirshner decided that Goffin & King were capable of running a record label and put them in charge of Dimension Records. For over a year they had a more consistent track record than any of their competition, including Phil Spector’s Philles Records. By 1964 they had come up with another 23 hits, but their best work was behind them and the British Invasion had begun.
However Goffin & King were heroes to these English groups. The Beatles recorded “Chains” and Paul McCartney was quoted as saying he wished he could write as well. On their first U.S. tour, meeting them was a priority. The Beatles were not the only British band that felt that way but by 1965, Carole and Gerry’s talents were becoming less important as groups such as the Byrds, the Young Rascals and the Beach Boys set the tone for other upcoming artists who wrote their own material.
By 1967 Goffin & Kingβs marriage was crumbling due to creative disenchantment, internal pressures and the times. They were divorced with King moving to California where she started a group called βThe Cityβ and came into her own as a performer. When Carole King found her solo niche, the team of Goffin & King ended.
I’d like you to think for a minute about those exhilarating days of young love as teenagers. Our parents called it “puppy love” and didn’t take us seriously, saying it would never last and we’d get over it. Some parents were dead set against their daughters or sons getting romantically involved at such a young age; really, who could blame them but who could blame us teenagers for falling in love? We can’t control what the heart feels and it was especially difficult for teenage girls. As much as we like to think people have evolved, they really haven’t changed all that much. Teen girls who have sex are thought of as promiscuous while guys are macho and sewing their wild oats. It’s an age old dilemma, the most personal situation young people can find themselves in.
Nothing obvious or indelicate was ever revealed in our featured song but if you read between the lines of Gerry Goffin’s gorgeous lyrics, there’s little doubt what this song is about. Using a variation on the theme “will you respect me in the morning?”, here are the Shirelles asking in a sublimely delicate and romantic way, “Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow?”
Lyrics
Tonight, you’re mine completely You give your love so sweetly Tonight, the light of love is in your eyes But will you love me tomorrow?
Is this a lasting treasure Or just a moment’s pleasure? Can I believe the magic of your sighs? Will you still love me tomorrow?
Tonight with words unspoken You say that I’m the only one But will my heart be broken When the night (when the night) Meets the mor- (meets the morning sun)
I’d like to know that your love Is love I can be sure of So tell me now, and I won’t ask again Will you still love me tomorrow?
So tell me now, and I won’t ask again Will you still love me tomorrow? Will you still love me tomorrow? Will you still love me-
In 1960, the Shirelles released the first version of “Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow” with “Boys” on the B-side. The single’s first pressing was labeled simply “Tomorrow“, then lengthened later. When first presented with the song, lead singer Shirley Owens did not want to record it because she thought it was “too country“; she relented after a string arrangement was added. However, Owens recalled on Jim Parsons’s syndicated classic radio program, “Shake Rattle Showtime“, that some radio stations had banned the record because they had felt the lyrics were too sexually charged.
In addition to reaching No. 1 in the US, the song reached No. 2 on the R&B chart, No. 4 in the UK and No. 3 in New Zealand. This version, with session musicians Paul Griffin on piano and Gary Chester on drums, was ranked at No. 126 among Rolling Stone’s list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. Billboard named the song No. 3 on its list of 100 Greatest Girl Group Songs of All Time.
From 1971, the incredibly talented Carole King with “Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow”
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 the Feb Fab Faux Four. This song is surrounded by mystery, skepticism and a lot of a disappointment.
The story goes that John Lennon wrote this song about Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, the Beatles’ Indian guru. The group took an interest in Transcendental Meditation after attending one of Maharishi’s lectures. They went to India to study TM specifically at his camp, but left early when they began to fear he was more of a cult leader than an enlightened being. Speculation was Maharishi Mahesh Yogi was using his status to seduce women.
Controversy among the Beatles lies in whether they all believed the stories or if John was seeing and believing things that weren’t really happening. Sadly, there’s no one who will tell the real story. John and George are dead, Ringo’s all about peace and love and Paul’s all about Paul.
There are many people who believe there are strange events surrounding the Beatles, including the conspiracy theory that the original Paul was killed in a car crash in 1966 and was replaced by a look-alike named William Shears Campbell (who also happened to be extremely talented!) Supposedly, they were sworn to secrecy. Who knows …. maybe when there’s only one man standing will some of the truths be revealed, but I doubt it.
Lennon called today’s song “Maharishi,” but changed the title to “Sexy Sadie” to keep from getting sued. The opening lines make Lennon’s sentiments perfectly clear.
This is “Sexy Sadie” by the Beatles.
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Doing his cover of “Sexy Sadie” this is Paul Weller
Paul Weller achieved fame with the new wave band, the Jam then had further success with the blue-eyed soul sound of the Style Council before setting out on a solo career.
I think he did a fine cover of Sexy Sadie, keeping very true to the original, but his remake lacked the finesse and subtlety of John’s. My vote goes to the Beatles.
We’re going in the opposite direction tomorrow; come join me.
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.
It’s time once again for The Unicorn Challenge where we are asked to respond to the photo prompt by writing something brilliant in 250 words or less. In exactly 250 words, this is my response.
The first half of my morning commute was always quite pleasant. Iβd buy a muffin and a freshly brewed cup of coffee at Britain and McCainβs, then hop on the Metro North New Haven line. The 7:18 train was brightly lit, clean, and the seats were suitably arranged, making for a comfortable ride. Iβd always see the same faces, fellow suburbanites with their briefcases and newspaper tucked under an arm. A nod or a wave was all that was necessary; it was all quite civilized. Arriving at Grand Central Terminal, Iβd hustle to catch the subway; once inside, all masks of civility were discarded. It became a jungle, survival of the fittest. Finding a seat on the subway was a continuous battle. Any shred of human decency was stripped away as people trampled each other in the hope of securing a place to sit or, at the very least, a spot against a wall on which to lean. If you were unable to find neither seat nor wall, youβd have no choice but to position yourself in the aisles where you could hang onto the hand straps suspended from the ceiling or stand shoulder-to-shoulder like disgruntled sheep crammed in a stall with no place to go. If anyone should stumble and fall, God help them because no one else would! Livestock on their way to the slaughterhouse. No wonder so many people were frustrated and disillusioned, dragging themselves to jobs they hated in conditions not fit for man or beast.
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 are now two days into the second half of the month.
Considering the edgy progressive complexity of today’s song, it’s amazingly difficult to believe it was released in 1963 and was composed primarily by two guys who could neither read nor write music. This little number takes us all over the place with notes and chords and harmonies we don’t expect and somehow, it all works.
It’s a classic.
Here are the Beatles with “Not A Second Time”
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This is “Not A Second Time” as done by the Pretenders
It seems only right that this progressive, edgy and complex piece be covered by the Pretenders and their legendary front-woman Chrissie Hynde; they are, after all, the icons of punk and New Wave music.
This is a really good cover; it stayed true to the original with a good electric piano break but I expected a little more from this group which has always been on the cutting edge.
This one goes to the Beatles.
Join me tomorrow for a cool tune off the White Album.
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 time for Friday Fictioneers Fun with Rochelle! Hereβs something different for you today. I wrote Part 2 to Dale Rogersonβs terrific story, Β Endless Love and piggy backed my story onto hers. Hereβs the link to Daleβs site; please read her story before mine. Thanks to our host Rochelle and my friend Dale for a fun read and a great photo!
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 Harold Arlen (Composer) Born February 15, 1905 in Buffalo, New York
From “The Wizard Of Oz”, it’s Judy Garland singing “Somewhere Over The Rainbow”
“Blues In The Night” from the album “Sentimental Journey: Hits From The Second World War”
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!
It’s time to shake things up again by featuring another song which the Beatles covered. We’re going back to the 50s; this song was a staple of the Beatles’ live set from the very earliest formative years until they stopped touring in 1966. In fact, it was the last song they played at their final concert at San Francisco’s Candlestick Park in August 1966.
Is that ringing any bells for you? Let’s get the phonograph cranked up; it’s time for some good old rock & roll.
From 1957, this is little Richard with “Long Tall Sally”
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And here are the Beatles with their version of Little Richard’s “Long Tall Sally”; this time it’s Paul on lead vocals.
Damn! That’s how you do a cover!
When Paul and John first met, back in the summer of 1957, βLong Tall Sallyβ was among the songs Paul played for John, after which John invited him to join his band. As Paul told Playboy in 1984: βI knew the words to 25 rock and roll songs so I got in the band. “Long Tall Sally” and“Tutti-Frutti,”that’s what got me in. That was my audition.β
Well, kids, this is a tough one. For quality of sound, that banging piano and George’s incredible guitar playing, the Beatles win this one hands down. BUT let’s not forget something: without the likes of Little Richard, there just might not be a Paul McCartney and the Beatles.
Come join me tomorrow as we take it down a notch or two.
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.
Weβre well into February so the challenge from Glyn at Mixed Music BagΒ is to write about a band or singer that starts with the LettersΒ CΒ orΒ D.
There werenβt too many artists in rock history to successfully straddle the line between music and comedy. The Coasters was one of those groups. Their undeniably funny lyrics and on-stage antics might have suggested a simple troupe of clowns, but the Coastersβ records were no mere novelties; their material was too witty, their arrangements too well-crafted, and the group itself too skilled musically. That engaging and infectious combination made them one of the most popular early R&B/rock & roll acts, as well as one of the most consistently entertaining doo-wop/vocal groups of all time.
Originally from Los Angeles, The Coasters began as the Robins; instead of singing the usual ballads and rhythm pieces, they sang novelty songs written by the duo of Leiber and Stoller. In 1955 they became The Coasters and started recording what would become a series of rock & roll hits directed at teenage listeners. βSearchinβ β and βYoung Bloodβ (both 1957), βYakety Yakβ (1958), and βCharlie Brownβ and βPoison Ivyβ (both 1959).
The Coasters alternated lead singers and featured clever arrangements, including amusing bass replies and tenor saxophone solos by King Curtis, who played a crucial role in creating Atlanticβs rhythm-and-blues sound. With further personnel changes they continued performing in βoldiesβ shows into the 1990s. The Coasters were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987.
Here are two of The Coastersβ hits, βYakety Yakβ and βPoison Ivyβ.
LYRICS
Take out the papers and the trash Or you don’t get no spendin’ cash If you don’t scrub that kitchen floor You ain’t gonna rock and roll no more
Yakety yak (don’t talk back)
Just finish cleanin’ up your room Let’s see that dust fly with that broom Get all that garbage out of sight Or you don’t go out Friday night
Yakety yak (Don’t talk back)
You just put on your coat and hat And walk yourself to the laundromat And when you finish doin’ that Bring in the dog and put out the cat
Yackety yack (Don’t talk back)
Don’t you give me no dirty looks Your father’s hip, he knows what cooks Just tell your hoodlum friend outside You ain’t got time to take a ride
She comes on like a rose but everybody knows She’ll get you in Dutch You can look but you better not touch
Poison ivy, poison ivy Late at night while you’re sleepin’ Poison ivy comes a-creepin’ around
She’s pretty as a daisy but look out man she’s crazy She’ll really do you in If you let her under your skin
Poison ivy, poison ivy Late at night while you’re sleepin’ Poison ivy comes a-creepin’ around
Measles make you bumpy And mumps’ll make you lumpy And chicken pox’ll make you jump and twitch A common cold’ll fool ya And whooping cough’ll cool ya But poison ivy, Lord’ll make you itch!
You’re gonna need an ocean of calamine lotion You’ll be scratchin’ like a hound The minute you start to mess around
Poison ivy, poison ivy Late at night while you’re sleepin’ Poison ivy comes a-creepin’ around
Measles make you bumpy And mumps’ll make you lumpy And chicken pox’ll make you jump and twitch A common cold’ll fool ya And whooping cough’ll cool ya But poison ivy, Lord’ll make you itch!!
You’re gonna need an ocean of calamine lotion You’ll be scratchin’ like a hound The minute you start to mess around
Poison ivy, poison ivy Late at night while you’re sleepin’ Poison ivy comes a-creepin’ around
La da la da la da La da la da la da La da la da la da La da la da la da
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!
Happy Valentine’s Day and welcome back to FFFF, all you romantic fools!
Just for today I’ve switched out Misky’s Feb Fab Faux Four Beatles Tiki Gods graphic; as you can see, they’re all wearing their hearts on their sleeves chests …. except for the one in the middle. I wonder what happened to make him so grumpy? Maybe he’s Pete Best!
You probably have a favorite Beatles love song; after all (as we learned last week), according to Paul’s aunt, all they ever wrote were love songs. I have my favorite but I’m not playing it because, as my friend Keith pointed out the other day, some Beatles songs should just be left alone.
I chose today’s song for three reasons: (1) we’re long overdue for a song from the ladies; (2) the harmony is so rich and unexpected, it just makes you smile and (3) it’s perfect for Valentine’s Dayβ£οΈ
Here’s one of the few Beatles’s songs just begging you to get up and do the Cha ChaCha.
This is the Beatles with “If I Fell”
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Here is “If I Fell” by the MonaLisa Twins
Wasn’t that just like eating a big, yummy chocolate heart? Oh my, so very sweet!
The MonaLisa Twins …. Mona & Lisa Wagner …. are Austrian-born, Liverpool-based musicians known primarily for their covers of Beatles songs and other artists from the 60s. Their voices blend so beautifully and this Lennon-McCartney number is perfect for them.
I love when a piece of music surprises me with it’s accidental* chords and intricate harmony; “If I Fell” does that every time I listen to it. For me, it’s one of the Beatles finest pieces and definitely one you don’t hear too often.
Happy Valentines Dayβ£οΈ I love you all for stopping by and sticking with me this month. If you have a Beatles remake that you like and want me to share on my blog, leave the name of the song and who covered it in the comments box and I’ll take it from there. Simple as that!
*Accidental: A musical term meaning that a note is either higher or lower than the original natural note;βit’s called accidental but it’s no accident.
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.
Rachel and Paul had been together for six years. They assumed one day they would marry, have kids β the whole nine yards β but life has a funny way of taking twists and turns. Their romance and dreams just fizzled out but they remained very close and relied on each other for guidance β from the job scene to the dating game.
One night Rachel texted Paul: “Hey, babe. Ella & Sam set us up with blind dates for Fri. U in?”
Paul: “Y not? No plans anyway!”
Rachel: “Great! Emilio’s @ 7. Glad U R my back-up!”
Paul: “Ditto, babe! C U there.”
Both kicked themselves for calling the other “babe”. Old habits.
Friday night the foursome met at Emilio’s. While checking-out their prospective dates, Paul and Rachel exchanged alarmed glances; her eyes were screaming “WTF!” It was the fastest dinner in the history of Emilio’s restaurant.
As soon as Paul got home, he called Rachel: “What was that?!“
Rachel howled: “A TOTAL FREAK SHOW!! Your date was downright scary! She looked like Vampira and I swear her eyes were red! And what was up with that black cape β with a hood, for Christ’s sake? Did you notice her steak? It wasn’t rare; it was raw and practically throbbing!”
“And what about YOUR date?!” Paul exclaimed. “Wrist-to-neck tattoos, eyebrow, nose and lip piercings, boots with spikes and a “Carcass” t-shirt! He downed a bottle of beer in two gulps and belched like a bloody Viking!”
“I’ll never let Sam and Ella play matchmakers again. I’m sure they thought it was hysterical” Rachel quipped. “Anyway, my mother set me up with her friend’s cousin’s son, “The Doctor”, for next Saturday …. on Valentine’s Day, for Pete’s sake! If you get a date maybe we can try this again.”
“Sure. Nothing could be as bad as tonight” Paul replied. “I’ll call ya.”
A few days later Paul called to say he had a date for Saturday β a friend of a friend. “But she said “drinks only” and she’ll take a taxi.”
“Ok, fine, with me, but if it turns into another debacle like that last date, we all go our separate ways.”
Arrangements were made to meet at The Aviary in Central Park. Rachel’s date was Wesley, an OB/GYN. He was handsome, tan and suave. Paul’s date was Ginger, a salesgirl at Victoria’s Secret with modeling/acting ambitions. She was a vivacious redhead with mischievous green eyes.
“Well, there’s no point in me hanging around” Rachel said glumly. “Ginger should be back any second and three’s a crowd.”
As Rachel got up to leave she glanced out the window and saw Wesley and Ginger getting into his car. “What the hell? Paul! We’ve been dumped …. on Valentine’s Day!”
Paul and Rachel started the slow walk of rejection through Central Park. He jokingly bumped her shoulder with his.
“There’s a hockey game on tonight. Any chance you wanna watch?” Paul asked.
She bumped him back.
“Why not? I don’t have any plans now, anyway” Rachel sighed.
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 Beatles songs we don’t hear day in and day out. These are treasures. Of course, if you are a Beatles fan, pull up a chair and enjoy the tunes!
Let’s start with a little background info about today’s song. Legend has it that Paul McCartney’s aunt asked if he could ‘please write something other than love songs‘. Determined to give it a go, Paul was inspired to write about something new and different when he spotted Ringo back stage at a concert venue reading a dime store novel …. and today’s song was born.
This is “Paperback Writer” by the Beatles
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This is SAXON doing their interpretation of “Paperback Writer”.
Back in 2021, British hard/metal rockers SAXON recorded an album called “Inspirations”, covering groups such as the Beatles, Hendrix, MotΓΆrhead, Deep Purple, Zeppelin, Thin Lizzy, AC/DC and Black Sabbath. According to lead singer Bill Byford, the group “didn’t want to change any of the songs too much, just play them more like Saxon.”
If I didn’t know the original version, Saxon’s remake would get my vote; it’s one of my favorite covers since I started doing this blog. That said, I’m calling this a draw; its a great example of excellence in two genres β pop rock and hard rock.
Same song done two ways, each with it’s own unique sound. Which one did you prefer …. the original or the remake …. or are you calling it a draw, like me? PS: Saxon’s album “Inspirations” is now on my playlist.
Tomorrow is Valentine’s Day so regardless of what Paul’s aunt said about love songs, prepare yourselves for a little lovin’ tomorrow; stop by to check it out. And don’t forget to show your significant other some love; there’s still time to buy your Valentine’s Day candy and flowers! π
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.
From our kitchen window I can see my little girl Nell playing with her new best friend Elena. Since moving to Atlanta two months ago, the girls have become inseparable. They are both four years old and about the same height but thatβs where the physical similarities end.
Nell is a green-eyed lanky Irish redhead covered in a profusion of freckles while Elena is a slightly plump Spanish beauty with brown doe eyes, smooth tanned skin and lustrous black hair.
As I stand at the kitchen sink I can see the girls frolicking in the yard with Elena’s puppy, Pongo. Their energy is boundless as they dash back and forth from the swings to the trampoline to their bikes. They like to play a funny game where little Pongo is a scary monster chasing them around the yard …. and Pongo is always happy to oblige.
Moving around the kitchen doing my chores, I can hear Elena counting, followed by an excited βready or notβ¦.here I comeβ, then the hysterical giggles as Nellβs secret (but usual!) hiding place is discovered.
The yard is fenced in and Iβm completely aware of the girls and what theyβre doing …. most of the time. Occasionally theyβll wander into a concealed corner of the garden to pick wild flowers for me and Elenaβs mom. Even though I canβt see them, I can clearly hear their conspiratorial mumblings as they go from one blossom to the other.
βButtercups, Daisies and Lillies of the Valleyβ whispered Elena.
All was quiet and I presumed the girls would come dashing into the kitchen and present me with a freshly-picked bouquet; instead Pongo bounded in, yipping and yapping like crazy …. an omen that all is not as it should be. To my relief, there’s no sign of anything unusual in the dining room. The front door is locked and my handbag is still resting on the desk where I left it. To my amazement, on the crisp white tablecloth sat a short blue glass vase brimming with Daisies, Buttercups, Lillies of the Valley and ivy. It was breathtaking.
I stood there admiring the green, white and golden cluster when suddenly I heard woeful whimpering and sobbing nearby. Pongo gave a little tug on the end of the tablecloth and there, huddled closely, were Nell and Elena, their little bodies covered in itchy red rashes. Only then did I realize the vine in the vase with flowers was poison ivy!
βCome with me, my sweet girls. Itβs nothing a little calamine lotion wonβt fix. Thank you for the flowers …. the most beautiful Iβve ever seen! Wonβt daddy be surprised when he comes home tonight!β I said, smiling and chuckling to myself.
And tomorrow we will rid the garden of all the pretty shiny ivy.
Welcome Back to Feb Fab Faux Four – the only blog (I assume) devoted solely to Beatles cover songs!
Our friend Lisa gave me a suggestion for a group known for their Beatles covers. The name was familiar and was pretty sure they were a tribute band; I will not feature professional tribute bands on this blog. And when you see their album cover, you’ll understand my hesitation and doubt. However, I was wrong; they’re not a tribute band and, believe me, I gave the internet a good search to make sure.
This pop/rock group from Carteret, New Jersey made a name playing their own material, but they have recorded Beatles songs as well and have always had a soft spot for the enthusiasm and zest of British Invasion bands. Their approach to music is twofold: as fans who know it intimately and as composers who know what makes a great song durable.
I have not heard another group play a Beatles’ instrumental piece with such precision. They even perfected Paul’s screams in the background! If anyone reading this right now knows of a better group, please let me know; I welcome your comments and videos.
Here are the Beatles with “Cry For A Shadow” …. written in their very early days by George and John with Pete Best on drums!
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This is “Cry For A Shadow” by the Smithereens
As I said earlier, you can see why I had trouble believing the Smithereens are not a tribute band.
What a song! And kudos to George for his incredible guitar playing. I’m hearing a little bit of Duane Eddy, Del Shannon, Cliff Richard and Santo & Johnny.
This piece was recorded in June 1961 at Friedrich-Ebert-Halle in Hamburg, Germany. At that time the Beatles were performing as a backing band for Tony Sheridan and went by the name “Beat Brothers”. It was written by George Harrison with John Lennon in the style of the Shadows who backed Cliff Richard and were the biggest British instrumental rock & roll group at the time. “Cry For A Shadow” is the only Beatles track to be credited to Harrison and Lennon alone.
The Smithereens are still performing and have some upcoming dates at Daryl’s House with Daryl Hall.
So, what’s the verdict? I’d say this cover is as close as you can get to the real thing.
Sammi at Weekend Writing Prompt has challenged us to write creatively in exactly 60 words, incorporating the word βvapidβ. Using a few other prompt words, here is my 60-word response in the form of a Dectina Refrain and a Haiku Duet.
Old man with vapid thoughts and empty eyes lives in denial; puppeteers pulling strings feeding hypnotic untruths into flaccid, desolate brain on the outskirts of insanity. Old man with vapid thoughts and empty eyes
Gray, grayer smoke above the clouds in the sky no light shining brightly
Brown dying trees dried leaves lay at the roots no buds tacitly emerging
Dectina Refrain: This refrain is written as follows: 1st line β 1 syllable, 2nd line β 2 syllables 3rd line β 3 syllables, and so on for 9 lines; the 10th line is comprised of the first four lines as one stand-alone line.
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 going to shake things up just a bit; instead of featuring a Beatles’ song that was covered by another artist, I’m showcasing a song which the Beatles covered themselves.
The Beatles’ greatest early influences were American Rock & Roll, R & B and some country: Elvis Presley, Chuck Berry, Larry Williams, Little Richard, Carl Perkins, Roy Orbison, Eddy Cochran, Buddy Holly, etc., as well as songwriters Goffin/King and Leiber/Stoller.
To start things off today, it’s a 1957 song written and recorded by Larry Williams. As usual, the original will always be played first. During the remainder of February, I will feature three more of these switched-around posts, each one highlighting the singing talents of another Beatle.
Let’s begin.
This is Larry Williams with his 1957 hit, “Slow Down”
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Here are the Beatles with their 1964 remake of “Slow Down”; John is singing lead vocals.
Coolness overload today, kids!
This Larry Williams cover, featured on the Beatles’ “Long Tall Sally” EP, was recorded during the same sessions as the soundtrack to “A Hard Dayβs Night“.
When the Beatles were first starting out performing in places like the Cavern Club, all the groups did the same songs. A rival Liverpool group member named Ted “King-Size” Taylor told Beatles historian Mark Lewisohn how the Beatles came to watch his band, and βall four of them sat in a row and took down one line each of all the songs we did β βDizzy Miss Lizzy,β βSlow Down,β βMoney,β all of those β and the next time we saw them, they were playing all our stuff!β Until the Beatles learned how to write their own songs, that’s how it was done.
These two versions are obviously very similar, but both done in the artists’ own style. Do you have a preference?
Tune in tomorrow when I’ll will return to my usual format.
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.
Jim over at Song Lyric Sundayhas challenged us to write about a band that wore uniforms or dressed alike. Iβve chosen a group from here in the U.S.
In Boise, Idaho in 1958 a little instrumental combo called the Downbeats was born; the group saw considerable U.S. mainstream success in the second half of the 1960s and early 1970s. Founded by organist Paul Revere Dick and singer Mark Lindsey, the band was known for including Revolutionary War-style clothes during their performances. The group’s name was soon changed to the catchy and more appropriate Paul Revere and the Raiders.
After charting in 1961 with a minor hit and then just missing Billboard’sΒ Hot 100 in late 1963 with a cover ofΒ “Louie, Louie”,Β the band was signed to Columbia Records. In January 1966, thanks to Dick Clark’s show “Where The Action Is”, the single “Just Like Me”Β reached #11 on the Hot 100. The consecutive Top Tens hits “Kicks”Β andΒ “Hungry” soon followed, establishing the band as national stars. Between 1966 and 1969 they reached the top 30 with 12 hits. Their three 1966 albums all were gold-certified by the RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America).
Songwriters Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil composed βKicksβ in 1966 and offered it to the Animals but lead singer Eric Burdon turned it down. Instead, Paul Revere & the Raiders recorded and released it as a single which became a #1 hit in Canada and reached #4 in the United States. “Kicks” was included on the band’s fifth album, βMidnight Rideβ, released in May 1966. A live version of the song was recorded on the band’s 1996Β βGreatest Hits Liveβ compilation album.
Considered one of the earliest anti-drug songs, “Kicks” was composed and released during the time when pro-hippie, pro-experimentation, and other counterculture themes were gaining popularity on U.S. FM radio stations. As a result, the song’s message was perceived as outdated by the emerging youth counterculture, as popular artists ranging from the Beatles to Jefferson Airplane had written songs whose themes sharply contrasted that of “Kicksβ. However, the song has received generally positive reviews by music critics in the decades since its release.Β In 2004, “Kicks” was ranked number 400 on Rolling Stoneβs Β list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.
This is βKicksβ by Paul Revere and the Raiders
Lyrics
Girl, you thought you found the answer On that magic carpet ride last night But when you wake up in the mornin’ The world still gets you uptight Well, there’s nothin’ that you ain’t tried To fill the emptiness inside When you come back down, girl Still ain’t feelin’ right
And don’t it seem like Kicks just keep gettin’ harder to find And all your kicks ain’t bringin’ you peace of mind Before you find out it’s too late, girl You better get straight No, but not with kicks, you just need help, girl
Well you think you’re gonna find yourself A little piece of paradise But it ain’t happened yet, so girl, you better think twice Don’t you see no matter what you do You’ll never run away from you And if you keep on runnin’ you’ll have to pay the price
And don’t it seem like Kicks just keep gettin’ harder to find And all your kicks ain’t bringin’ you peace of mind Before you find out it’s too late, girl You better get straight
No, you don’t need kicks To help you face the world each day That road goes nowhere I’m gonna help you find yourself another way
Kicks just keep gettin’ harder to find And all your kicks ain’t bringin’ you peace of mind Before you find out it’s too late, girl You better get straight
Don’t it seem like Kicks just keep gettin’ harder to find And all your kicks ain’t bringin’ you peace of mind Before you find out it’s too late, girl You better get straight
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!
I’ve probably said this just about every day and I’m going to say it again: this next song is one of my favorites …. not just a favorite Beatles song but a favorite George song (and if you know me at all, you know I adore George). Seeing him in concert during his solo career in 1974 was almost as exciting as seeing the Beatles at Shea Stadium in 1965.
While putting this post together, I had the recurring thought that George’s solo career, though cut short due to illness, still produced better quality music than Ringo or Paul’s solo careers. George’s musicality during “Concert for Bangladesh” was nothing short of amazing. After his death, his peers, friends and fellow performers who admired and loved him presented the “Concert For George” and “George Fest“, two tributes to George and his music. The number of big name musicians on stage at those tribute concerts was staggering.
Today’s cover song wasβperformed at “George Fest”.
George wrote our featured song using a piano rather than his guitar and the song’s rhythm suggests the influence of ska, which he was into. In his autobiography, George says that the song’s lyrics started as a study in opposites and addresses ‘the duality of things”, not just in music but in life as well.
This is a very cool song and it’s called “Old Brown Shoe” by the Beatles, written and sung by George.
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Now those of you who have seen “Concert For George” know that Gary Booker of Procol Harum performed “Old Brown Shoe” and he did a great job; however, the cover I’ve chosen today comes from “Live At George Fest”.βIf you’ve seen that concert, then you may remember who performed “Old Brown Shoe”; if you haven’t seen the concert then I guarantee you will be very surprised when you see who did it.
Get ready …. here we go!
From “Live at George Fest”, performing a ridiculously cool version of “Old Brown Shoe”, this is late night TV personality Conan O’Brien.
Hot damn! That was great fun and I love both of these numbers. How do you feel about Conan O’Brien stepping out from behind his late night desk and jamming to “Old Brown Shoe” with a bunch of incredible musicians?
Me? I’m giving it to George and the boys by a hair.
I hope you’ve been enjoying the music and the comments here on Feb Fab Faux Four. Join me again tomorrow for another great song and cover.
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.
It’s time for The Unicorn Challenge! Jenne has provided the photo below and asks that we respond with a story not to exceed 250 words. Here is my 250-word response.
Russell was tired of my excuses, my insecurities, my hang-ups and what he called βThat Sicilian thing thatβs 2000 years oldβ, which would have had more gravitas if I didnβt know it came straight from “Godfather 2″. He was breaking up with me and I was laughing in his face.
He was right, of course. I was a lousy girlfriend and I certainly wouldnβt make him a good wife. I didnβt like sex with him; some of the things he tried to do went on forever and brought me no satisfaction. I was disgusted by what he wanted me to do.
Russell stormed out. Good riddance. Thatβs when I decided to follow my dream and move to Sicily. Travel arrangements went smoothly and, having spoken previously with the people where Iβd be staying, I knew getting accommodations would not be a problem.
My plans came together quickly. I packed a carry-on; more than that I wouldnβt need. In the morning I called for a taxi. Four hours later I was flying across the Atlantic on my way to the town of Erice. The place where I was staying was ancient, located on the top of Mount Erice, far from the useless worries of life. No cares, no distractions.
The bus dropped me off at Sorelle Povere*. My knock on the door was answered by a smiling older woman.
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 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.
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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 ππΌ
Join me tomorrow as I’ll be shifting gears again; stop by to find out what’s what.
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 at Friday Fictioneers has challenged us once again to create something amazing in 100 words or less to go with the photo prompt below. Here is my 100-word response to that challenge.
βSomething rather barbaric, Ellen. I think we should just move along.β
βWhat do you mean βbarbaricβ? Now Iβm feeling both disturbed and curious.β
βItβs an execution, Ellen.β
βAn execution? Here β¦. out in the open? When did that become legal?β
βLast week. Itβs the βRevenge Billβ. Convicted murderers can be executed the same way they killed their victims. In the cage is the βBathtub Murdererβ. Heβll be lowered into the water and kept there until he drowns. These people watching are the victimβs family members.β
NB:This is a fiction piece and must be regarded as such. My beliefs regarding capital punishment or my political/religions/humanitarian leanings are strictly personal and are not up for discussion on a public forum such as WordPress unless I specifically choose to do so.
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 John Williams Born February 8, 1932 β New York, New York
John Williams ~ “Star Wars Theme”
“Raiders March from Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark” ~ John Williams
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!
There are so many things I like about the music the Beatles made; one thing you see a lot of that isn’t very prominent in other popular music is key and tempo changes multiple times throughout an entire piece. This song is a prime example of that.
Today’s song has long been a favorite of mine and I just happened upon the cover version by doing one of the things I do best …. listening to music while driving in my car. As soon as I heard it I knew I was going to include it in my blog; it’s a very bluesy, jazzy, Gershwin-esque piece and I liked it because that’s just the kind of hairpin I am.
Let’s see what you think.
As usual, starting off is the original …. the Beatles with “Girl”
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This is the Joe Jackson Trio with “Girl”
Many of you will remember Joe Jackson for his 1978 pop song “Is She Really Going Out With Him”.βHe’s an interesting-bordering-on-quirky dude and an accomplished classically trained musician as you heard in the cover piece. I thought it was quite edgy/jazzy/bluesy. I’m sort of a George Gershwin freak and I heard a lot of Gershwin in this remake.
So….. What’s the verdict? Two very different styles of a solid Beatles song. I liked them both for very different reasons and for me, I’m calling this one a draw. Kudos to Joe Jackson for his creativity and musicianship.
I think we’re long overdue for a little Motown; I’ll have to rectify that tomorrow.
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.
My quadrille for dVerse using the word βimagineβ
As a former childrenβs choir director, I often rewrote the lyrics to favorite songs.
My days as a lyricist ended after being chastised by a pastor who accused me of βlacking imaginationβ by using the same melody and ‘simplychanging the words‘.
As itβs now February, the challenge from Glyn at Mixed Music Bag is to write about a band or singer that starts with the letters C or D.
One of the greatest things about growing up Italian in the Bronx, NY (besides the food) was hanging out with my friends listening to music. Weβd usually go to Salβs Pizzeria on Belmont Avenue where the pizza was like nothing you ever tasted. It was thin and soft and light as a feather. On just about every street corner, doo-wop groups would gather and sing song after song and everyone would dance. Man, those were some of the best times.
One singer from Belmont Avenue (sadly a little before my time) was an Italian kid named Dion DiMucci. Dionβs dad Pasquale was a vaudeville entertainer and Dion would accompany him whenever he went on tour. Dion developed a love of country music, particularly Hank Williams, but he was really into the blues, doo-wop and rock and roll. His singing was honed on the street corners and local clubs of the Bronx.
In early 1957, Dion auditioned for Bob and Gene Schwartz for their Mohawk Records label. They asked Dion to sing a song but Dion refused, stating it sounded like something his old fashioned parents would listen to, but the Bob and Gene convinced him to give it a try. The backing vocals were by a group called “the Timberlanes”, some guys Dion had never met. The resulting single, “The Chosen Few“, was released under the name “Dion and the Timberlanes”, and became a minor regional hit which enabled Dion to perform the song on American Bandstand. The kids at the show started screaming during his performance and gave Dion his first impression of being a recording star. In his autobiography, The Wanderer, Dion explained that he didn’t even know who the Timberlanes were. “The vocal group was so white bread, I went back to my neighborhood and I recruited three guys and we called ourselves Dion and the Belmonts.β
The groupβs initial hit was called βI Wonder Whyβ followed by βNo One Knowsβ and “Don’t Pity Me”, which charted the Billboard Top 100. This success won a place for Dion and the Belmonts on the ill-fated “The Winter Dance Party” tour with Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, the Big Bopper and other performers. On February 3, 1959, after a concert stop in Clear Lake, Iowa, Buddy Holly and the others decided to charter a flight to the next venue rather than travel on the tour bus. Dion was invited to accompany the group but declined when he heard the price of the ticket was $36. That was the same amount of money his parents spent for one month’s rent for their apartment and Dion couldn’t justify the expense. The plane crashed, killing all on board; that tragic event has been referred to as βthe day the music diedβ.
In March 1959, Dion and the Belmonts recorded βA Teenager In Loveβ which reached No. 5 on the U.S. pop charts and No. 28 in the UK. The group’s biggest hit, βWhere Or Whenβ was released in November of that year and reached No. 3 on the U.S. charts. Further single releases for the group that year were less successful; with musical, personal and financial differences between Dion and members of the Belmonts, Dion left the group for a solo career.
By the end of 1960, Dion produced his first solo album on Laurie Records, βAlone with Dionβ, released in 1961. The single “Lonely Teenager” rose to No. 12 in the US charts. The name on his solo releases was simply “Dion“. In 1961 Dion released βRunaround Sueβ which stormed up the U.S. charts, reaching No. 1 and No. 11 in the UK, where he also toured. “Runaround Sue” sold over a million copies and was followed by βThe Wandererβ another big hit for Dion. By the end of 1961, Dion had become a major star, touring worldwide.
In 2024, at the age of 84, Dion is still recording new songs and his career is going strong.
This is Dion with his biggest early hit, βRunaround Sueβ.Β
LYRICS
Here's my story, it's sad but true It's about a girl that I once knew She took my love then ran around With every single guy in town
Yeah I should have known it from the very start This girl will leave me with a broken heart Now listen people what I'm telling you Ah keep away from a Runaround Sue
I might miss her lips and the smile on her face The touch of her hair and this girl's warm embrace So if you don't want to cry like I do Ah keep away from-a Runaround Sue
Ah, she likes to travel around She'll love you and she'll put you down Now people let me put you wise She goes out with other guys
Here's the moral and the story from the guy who knows I fell in love and my love still grows Ask any fool that she ever knew, they'll say Keep away from-a Runaround Sue
Yeah keep away from this girl I don't know what she'll doe Keep away from Sue
She likes to travel around She'll love you and she'll put you down Now people let me put you wise She goes out with other guys
Here's the mora and the story from the guy who knows I fell in love and my love still grows Ask any fool that she ever knew, they'll say Keep away from a Runaround Sue
Stay away from that girl Don't you know what she'll do now
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!
We’re closing out Week 1 of Feb Fab Faux Four with a beautifully intricate Beatles song written while they were in India.
I was in my car one day and, as usual, the radio was tuned to The Beatles Channel. There was a guest host talking about and playing his four favorite Beatles songs and this was one of them. Whoever the guy was, he drew me in with his description of the song, breaking down all the nuances I’d never picked up on; he spoke so eloquently that I had to pull over and listen.
This song is so involved yet so subtle, we don’t realize that each one of the three Beatles is actually playing his own individual song. No one outshines the other and it all comes together quite seamlessly and very beautifully. And, yes …. you read correctly. I wrote three Beatles; Ringo was not at this recording session in 1968. He had temporarily left the group out of protest at Paul’s non-stop criticism of his drumming on “Back in the U.S.S.R.” Ringo walked out and Paul sat behind the kit for this song.
As you can imagine, in Ringo’s absence the Beatles had to play even more instruments than usual for this song and there were numerous takes. The breakdown of who did what goes like this: John sang lead vocals, backing vocals and played rhythm guitars; Paul sang harmony and backing vocals, played drums, bass guitar, piano and tambourine; George sang harmony and backing vocals, played rhythm guitar, lead guitars and tambourine while contributing personnel Mal Evans and Jackie Lomax did backing vocals, hand claps and additional percussion.
For an amazing experience, listen to today’s original through headphones, if you can; it’s mind-blowing.
Here’s the gorgeous “Dear Prudence” by the Beatles. Listen to those layers of music!
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It’s time to bring in the ladies again, at least as lead singer. Doing their own unique version of “Dear Prudence”, here’s Siouxsie and the Banshees.
The Times called Siouxsie and the Banshees “one of the most audacious and uncompromising musical adventurers of the post-punk era.” Well, they certainly were on this cover song! Do we have any Siouxsie and the Banshees fans out there? What are your thoughts about this version?
For me, there’s absolutely no comparison to the original.
We’re going to a bluesy bar tomorrow for a very interesting tune. Bring your ID, kids!
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 GirlieOnThe Edge has challenged us to write a Six Sentence Story using the word ‘game’. In six sentences, this is my response to that challenge
If youβre wondering what βcapadosteβ means, itβs Italian slang for thickheadedβ and all will be revealed as I continue with my store which goes like this: A while back β¦. and by βa whileβ Iβm guessing close to 56 years now β¦. my husband (who was my boyfriend at the time) and I would get together most Friday nights with our friends at somebody or otherβs house where weβd do a whole bunch of nothing, like sitting around watching TV, playing cards, shooting the breeze, listening to music, smoking and drinking.
Now, before we go any further, I need to emphasize the fact that Iβm a lousy drinker and it doesnβt take more than one drink to get me tipsy, something I was well aware of but joined in the fun anyway because I didnβt want to be a βparty pooperβ; it was guaranteed that any night out that involved drinking always ended with me puking my guts out on the way home, Bill walking me to the front door where my father would be waiting up for me, saying goodnight then collapsing in my bed while my room whirled around like a spinning wheel.
Well, as you can imaging, these get-togethers with friends started getting old pretty fast until somebody mentioned a new gamehe played recently and asked if we wanted to hear about it, which, of course, we did; some of you out there in βReader Landβ may already be familiar with this pastime with playing pieces consisting of nothing more than a glass, paper napkins, a rubber band and a dime β¦. βThe Dime Gameβ!
The game was really easy, anyone could play it, we all did and the rules went like this: drape a paper napkin over an empty glass, securing it in place with a rubber band, then place the dime in the very center of the napkin (couldnβt be simpler, really, but thatβs just the set up) β¦. playing the game was significantly more difficult.
Since everyone smoked something or other back then, the idea was to take your lit whatever, burn a hole on the top surface of the napkin (praying it would stay small and not ignite the entire napkin), then the next player does the same thing; the goal of the game was to keep the napkin as intact as possible without the dime falling into the glass which resulted in the person who made the dime fall having to chug a shot glass of whatever libation was being served that night (and it wasnβt alcohol-free) so you know what that meant for me!
As a lover of board games, card games and party games, I was a total sucker for βThe Dime Gameβ and like the idiot I was, I played every time, got sloshed after two shots and was done for while everyone else was having fun; youβd think a lesson like that would have been learned rather quickly and to that I have only one thing to say β¦. βCapadoste!β
Dectina Refrain: This refrain is written as follows: 1st line β 1 syllable, 2nd line β 2 syllables 3rd line β 3 syllables, and so on for 9 lines; the 10th line is comprised of the first four lines as one stand-alone line.
Donβt Worry About me Iβll be just fine Better without you Donβt write me an email Donβt send me anymore texts I donβt want you hanging around Take your toothbrush out of my bathroom Donβt worry about me Iβll be just fine
The Elephant's Trunk 