(Note: this series was originally published elsewhere.)

Something in music: origin

One evening at a hot, trendy L.A. nightclub on a rare solo outing, yours truly found himself standing alone at the bar preparing to review the upcoming act. Before he had taken more than a few notes, however, he was bookended by a pair of vivacious vixens who insisted on engaging your rockin’ writer in cozy conversation. Strangely, the subject of “marriage” arose.

One of the young ladies noted that when a gal is about to get hitched, she needs “something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue.” Your provocative penman was immediately inspired. After all, those very same terms could be applied to music too: “Something old” or classic, “something new” or recently released, “something borrowed”, a cover, and “something blue”, a blues song or a song with “blue” in the title. The rest is history.

‘Something’ in Music 326

Something Old

Our “something old” in this edition is the classic cut “Little by Little” recorded by English rock vocalist and former Led Zeppelin lead singer Robert Plant. He co-wrote it with keyboardist Jezz Woodroffe. The track was released as a single and originally appeared on his 1985 album Shaken ‘n’ Stirred.

Something New

Our “something new” this time is the song “Heavy Load” written and recorded by Los Angeles-based American singer-songwriter and musician Heather Anne Lomax. It’s off her upcoming new album The Doman Tracks. It features the late producer, musician and former frontman of The Broken Homes Michael Doman.

In a recent media post, Lomax notes that the video is “in loving memory of Michael Doman musician and friend.” If you’re in Southern California and would like to see Lomax play live, you’re in luck! Lomax will be performing at her Doman Tracks Record Release Show on November 29, 2023 at the Troubadour in West Hollywood.

The show will also include appearances by special musical guests Manda Mosher and Abby Posner. General admission tickets are $18.00 in advance or $20.00 at the door. For tickets and additional information visit the Troubadour website.

Something Borrowed

Our “something borrowed” for this edition is the song "Top Of The World" originally recorded by The Carpenters, co-written by Richard Carpenter and John Bettis and released as a single in 1973. This dedicated cover cut is by American singer, songwriter and recording artist Jayne Taylor. This is a live performance from 2019.

Something Blue

Last but certainly not least, our “something blue” this time is the tune “Cold Finger Blues” recorded by American singer-songwriter and musician Ben Gage featuring Dan Socha and Bethany Joy. It was co-written with Socha. Gage discussed the track on his official website.

He said: “The song was inspired by a worker who spends his days outside making money to pay for a wedding, but while he is gone, the spark fades, the relationship ends, and he is left with cold fingers. Cold fingers in a dual sense. First because he is working outside and it’s cold (not much to unpack there).”

He added: “Second because he had hidden purchased wedding rings and before he could unveil and present the gift and himself, the relationship dissolved, leaving him an unadorned finger and a wasted treasure. The song was built completely around the bass groove in the key of G. Credit goes to Dan Socha for that one, and it pairs awesome with his slide playing. There is some inspiration from local legend Roger Hoover in that fingerpicking style too…” (Keep your peepers peeled for a full review of Gage’s new, upcoming album Two Singing Songs on this very site.)

Did we mention your favorite “something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue”? If not, let us know. Don’t forget to send us your bride photos too!

(Images courtesy of Rock n Roll Bride and/or original owners)