(Note: this series was created elsewhere.)
Something in music: the origin
One night at a 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 scribbled down 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’s about to get hitched, she needs “something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue.” Your provocative penman was immediately inspired. After all, those same terms could be applied to music: “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. And the rest is history…
‘Something’ in Music 378
Something Old
Our “something old” this edition is the classic cut “If I Needed Someone” originally recorded by the English band the Beatles and written by lead guitarist George Harrison. The song was released on the 1965 platter Rubber Soul except in North America, where it would be included on the 1966 album Yesterday and Today.
Something New
Our “something new” this time is the new music video and song “May Day” by the Stockton, California-born post-punk act the Torn Boys. It’s the premiere single off their debut disc, 1983. It features Jeffrey Clark (vocals, electric guitar, and harmonica), Kelly Foley (vocals and acoustic guitar), and Duncan Atkinson (synthesizer and drum machine). The song was co-written by Clark and Foley. (The latter also provided illustrations for the video.)
Something Borrowed
Our “something borrowed” for this edition is the 1986 song “Tuff Enuff” recorded by the blues rock band The Fabulous Thunderbirds and written by lead singer Kim Wilson. This live cover is by American blues rock singer Mitch Ryder. It’s off his new Ruf Records release titled The Roof Is On Fire (Keep your peepers peeled for your rockin’ writer’s full review of the album!)
Something Blue
Last but least, our “something blue” this time is a cover of the 1974 Bobby “Blue” Bland song "I Wouldn't Treat a Dog" by the blues-rooted, Boston-born band Bees Deluxe. This performance was recorded live at the popular Parkside Lounge, New York in 2018. If you’d like to see them live, you’re in luck. Bees Deluxe is on tour now. Check out these upcoming dates:
Wednesday March 6
The Lizzie Rose Music Room
Tuckerton, NJ
Friday March 8
Jamey's House of Music
Landsdowne, PA
Sunday March 10
Montclair Brewery
Advance Tickets
101 Walnut St. Montclair, NJ
Friday March 15
The Porch Southern Fare & Juke Joint
Advance Tickets
175 Rivers Edge Drive,
Medford, MA
Saturday March 16
Stitch Bar & Blues
247 W 37th St, New York, NY
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, RedHeartPhoto, and/or original owners)