WIP: DYNAMIC DUO OF THE OZARKS

As I have mentioned on this webpage before, I listen to the music of the point in time that this novel takes place. Part of the novel revolves around Mykel becoming an intern at the popular Top 40 radio station, K-I-L-L.

I have made several playlist for my iPod and Spotify of the hits of that era. I love this music. This was the music I was introduced to as a youngster through my older sister’s record collection, radio shows like Dick Bartley’s Solid Gold Saturday Night and Live From the 60s (hosted first by Gary Owens & later The Real Don Steele), and endless “golden oldie” record commercials that permeated afternoon reruns. I developed a deep love for it.

I have done extensive research for this novel and the playlist to go along with it by looking at old chart listings from Cashbox, Radio & Records, and Billboard, as well as weekly charts given away local radio station. This way I get both the good and bad of that year.

Now, as I said, I enjoy listening to many of these songs. However, there is one I don’t like because it has to be the most depressing song of that year. It is called “What Now My Love” by Sonny & Cher. The song was originally a French song “Et maintenant” (translation “And now my love”) by Gilbert Becaud and Pierre Delanoe. As a personal aside, I find that most songs written by French male song writers are depressing (Charles Aznavour’s “Yesterday When I Was Young” & Jacques Brel’s “Seasons In the Sun”). The exception is “Je T’Amie…Moi Non Plus” by Serge Gainsbourg & Jane Birkin (I love hearing Jane Birkin’s moaning and heavy breathing).

The first hit version was by Shirley Bassey, before she hit big internationally with the theme from Goldfinger, in Britain. There were also versions in 1966 by Judy Garland, Frank Sinatra and Jim Nabors.

Sonny & Cher had the first Top 40 hit version in January and February. The reason it is so depressing is the lyrics are about a despair so strong that the lyrics mention contemplating suicide. Here is Sonny & Cher’s hit version.

I’m not slamming Sonny & Cher. Unlike Bill Murray in Groundhog Day, I could listen to “I Got You Babe” over and over. I also like “Baby Don’t Go” & “But You’re Mine.” This is also a great recording and they do an outstanding job. The problem is the lyrics.

A few months after their version peaked at Number 14 on Billboard, Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass released an upbeat instrumental version. This version is heard more often than the Sonny & Cher version. I prefer this version. Around the same time, the Ramsey Lewis Trio released a similar upbeat instrumental version that is pretty good.

I should point out that Mitch Ryder had a version hit the charts the next year, but I had a hard time finding a version of it on iTunes. It is not on any of his greatest hits compilations.

Many have said the best version was the one by Elvis during his Aloha From Hawaii TV special. Personally, I only like the Herb Alpert and Ramsey Lewis versions because I don’t have to listen to those depressing lyrics.