(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 360

Something Old

Our “something old” this edition is the classic cut “Addicted to Love” written and recorded by English rock vocalist Robert Palmer who also played bass on the track. It first appeared on his eighth release, Riptide, which dropped in 1986. It was meant to be a duet with Chaka Khan.

Something New

Our “something new” this time is the latest song by Jaaii also known as Jaaii Music. It is a dedicated cover of the 2020 song titled “Aziyat” by the Indian singer and songwriter Pratyush (Prats) Dhiman. In a post on social media, Jaaii noted that currently the musical focus is on producing cover versions. Jaaii concludes: “[I] hope that all you guys love them!”

Something Borrowed

Our “something borrowed” for this edition is the song “Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown)” first recorded by the Beatles. It was mainly written by John Lennon with some lyrics by Paul McCartney. This dedicated cover is by the North Carolina-based American indie band known as Pinkerton Raid.

Lead singer and guitarist Jesse James Deconto discussed the cover in a message on social media. He said “‘Norwegian Wood’ is one of my favorite songs of all time, from one of my favorite albums of all time, The Beatles' [1965 album] Rubber Soul. The band and I played it outdoors in the beautiful North Carolina woods of Saxapahaw in July 2023.” Also featured here is Luis Rodriguez on electric guitar, Andy Reed on drums, and MK Rodenbough on bass.

Something Blue

Finally, our “something blue” this edition is the original Kurt Allen song "Bad Love" recorded by the blues rock group known as the Kurt Allen Band. It was recorded live at The Red Shed in Hutchinson, Kansas on May 8, 2021 and appears on the band’s 2022 release Live From The Red Shed. It features Kurt on guitar and vocals, Gregory Schaberg on drums, and Bill Morlan on bass.

If you’d like to see the band play live in person, you just might be in luck. The group is now on tour. Here are some of the band’s upcoming tour dates:

January 7 (Sun) Pop's Place Decatur IL
January 12 (Fri) Kenny's Bar & Grill Barnhart MO
January 13 (Sat) Outlaw Cigar & Brewery N. Kansas City MO
January 19 (Fri) The B Bar Omaha NB
January 20 (Sat) Kane Family Farm Tonganoxie KS
Jan 26/27 (Fri, Sat) Miceks Shangrila Columbus NE

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)