White Women Have No Business Singing

Song: White Women Have No Business Singing
Artist: The Five Irmas
Year : 2007


To all my faithful readers (both of you), I apologize for such a long period between posts. It has been a crazy summer. Not only is my job seasonal (lumber/building materials), my boss passed away in the middle of July. Even more important, he was also my father-in-law, my wife's father. Needless to say, there have been more pressing things to attend to.

That being said, I am not posting a cover today. A special treat - an on-air interview from NPR of Rachel and Mary.

This was around July 12 in Columbus, Ohio. The wife & I left Detroit on the 13th to catch the show in Pittsburgh. Every time we've seen them, the haven't hit the stage until at least midnight. So we thought we were good to go when we arrived at Mr. Smalls Theater at 11:00. Wrong! They were already into their encores. I don't think the crowd was very interested in the scene, however. The wife & I were able to walk right up to the stage below Rachel. We came in during "Cry On" and they then went into "The Hurt's All Gone", after which the boob next to us requested some Irma Thomas! Rachel had to explain to him that the last two songs were Irma Thomas!!

Although we were disappointed in missing most of the show, we did get a chance to talk to Rachel after the show. She was kind enough to share some interesting tidbits with us.

We were scheduled to see them again the next night in Cleveland but we got that call that my wife's father was fading. Fortunately we were able to get back in time to be with him at his time of passing.

Sorry, don't mean to be so depressing. Take a listen and you'll be rejuvenated by Rachel & Mary's spirit. You'll also understand the title of this post.

I'll be back with more posts soon. I promise.
Thanks for all the encouraging e-mails

Download it now:
White Women Have No Business Singing - The Five Irmas - NPR - 2007 - Part 1
White Women Have No Business Singing - The Five Irmas - NPR - 2007 - Part 2

Support NPR.org

I Can't Please You

Song: I Can't Please You
Artist: Jimmy Robins
Written: Jimmy Robins
Year : 1966
Album/Single: Jerhart # 207 A

Cobra's Version
Song: Just Can't Please You
Released: January 18, 2005
Album: Baby


Today's selection is from the other great Mid-western city - Chicago! (Sorry, Cleveland). The artist, Jimmy Robins, has been performing since the 50's, first as a gospel artist. It would also appear that he has come full circle, for he now bills himself as Jimmy "Preacher" Robins - check out his website. It seems he's not only still performing, but he can assist you with a limo, real estate or maybe introduce you to Denzel Washington. He also has a MySpace site where you can stream 4 of his songs, including "I Can't Please You".

Today's select was release in 1966 and was the only national hit for Bob Lee's Jerhart label, making it all the way to #131 ! Or maybe it was #55, as his website claims. It was also released in England on the President label.

Lyrics:
Hey! Oh Little Girl
What's wrong with you?
I've done everything
I knew to do

I've tried
So hard!
You misused me
But I tried
Sorry!
I just cant please you
Oh Little Girl
I've given you all that you need
And I've been a good man
A good man indeed

I've tried
So hard
You misused me
But I tried
Sorry!
I just cant please you

I brought you happiness when you were sad
Even made you smile when you were mad
Leaving me, baby, may make you glad
But you'll soon realize what a good man you had

Little Girl
Ohh, Ohh what's wrong with you
I've done everything
I knew to do

I've tried
So hard
You misused me
But I tried
Sorry!
I just cant please you

Oh Baby
Oh Girl
Gave you everything you wanted:
A fine automobile,
Plenty of money

What's wrong with you ?
Nothing I do satisfies:
Mink coats,
I brought you a diamond ring,
A fine home to live in . . .

I am particularly fond of the way he punctuates the "Sorry!"

Now while it may have been recorded in Chicago, it has a very Memphis / Bluesy sound to it. The Cobra's version substitutes the original's punching horn rhythm with - you guessed it! - Detroit garage guitar crunch. The lyrics remain true to the original, changing the gender of course. Rachel does not rap out during the fade, like Jimmy Robins did ("A fine automobile, plenty of money . . ."). They did "cobrasize" the title as well, turning "I Can't Please You" into "Just Can't Please You". Making it that much more difficult to research the origin . . .

(On a personal note, the missus and I will be attending the Detroit Cobra's shows at Mr Small's in Pittsburgh on July 13th, and at the Beach Ballroom in Cleveland on the 14th. If you see us (picture's above) at the show be sure to say hello.)


Download it now:
Jimmy Robbins - I Can't Please You - Jerhart # 207A - 1966
Available on "Northern Soul of Chicago, Vol. 2"

Buy "Baby" by the Detroit Cobras

The Slummer the Slum

Song: The Slummer the Slum
Artist: Five Royales
Written: Obadiah "Scoop" Carter/Lowman Pauling
Year : 1958
Album/Single: King # 5153

Cobra's Version

Song: Slummer (The Slum)
Released: February 24th, 1998
Album: Mink Rat or Rabbit


Once I got hooked on the Cobra's via "Shout Bama Lama", I started to do some research on them. One of the first descriptions I read said they mostly covered obscure old R&B songs, with the occasional punk song thrown in. The first time I heard "Slummer (The Slum)" I knew I had found their rare punk rock cover.

Oops!

I once again I proved I don't know shit. Not only is it not a punk cover, it is one of the older songs the Cobras had covered.

The "5" Royales formed in 1942 in Winston-Salem, North Carolina as a gospel group called Royal Suns. They changed their name to "5" Royals in 1952 when they decided to make secular recordings. Being one of four "5" Royales songs the Cobras have covered, we'll dig deeper into their history in future posts. For now I just want you to remember one name - Lowman Pauling.

Lyrics:
(Slummer the Slum)
Don't try to figure out
where I come from
Now don't try to figure out
where I come from
I could be a smart guy from Wall Street
I could be the Purple People Eater's son

But I can do the (Slummer the Slum)
Ooh, Yeah (Slummer the Slum)
Oh, yeah (Slummer the Slum)
I can do the (Slummer the Slum)
Oooh (Slummer the Slum)
I can do the (Slummer the Slum)
Oooh,baby (Slummer the Slum)
I can do the (Slummer the Slum)
Oh, yeah (Slummer the Slum)
I can do the (Slummer the Slum)
Mmmmm Hmmm (Slummer the Slum, Slum)

[guitar solo 1]

Now there's only one difference
between me and you
There's only one difference
between me and you
You've got money in your pocket
And I've got a hole in my shoe

All from doing the (Slummer the Slum)
Ooh Ooh Yeah (Slummer the Slum)
Oh, Yeah (Slummer the Slum)
Mmmmm Hmmm (Slummer the Slum)
All from doing the (Slummer the Slum)
Ooh Yeah (Slummer the Slum)
All from doing the (Slummer the Slum)
Mmmmm Hmmm (Slummer the Slum)
I can do the (Slummer the Slum)
Ooh Yeah (Slummer the Slum)
All from doing the (Slummer the Slum, Slum)

[guitar solo 2]

I can do the (Slummer the Slum)
Ooh Yeah (Slummer the Slum)
I can do the (Slummer the Slum)
Ooh Yeah (Slummer the Slum)
Hey hey hey Now (Slummer the Slum)
I can do the (Slummer the Slum)
Ooh, yeah (Slummer the Slum)
Ooh Ooh, yeah (Slummer the Slum)
Ooh, yeah (Slummer the Slum)
I can do the (Slummer the Slum, Slum)

Lowman Pauling co wrote the song. But that was only a small part of his genius. Did you hear that blistering guitar solo? He was so proud of it he did it twice! Heady stuff for 1958. It has been said that Eric Clapton would have paid to carry Lowman's coat. Once you hear more of the '5' Royales work, however, you come to appreciate the fact that Lowman was a major influence on Steve Cropper (which subsequently meant he influenced the entire Stax sound, and subsequently Memphis soul as a genre).

Apparently "The Slummer The Slum" was intended to be a dance craze, a la "The Twist". Between this and "Stupidity" they certainly had some strange inspirations for dances back then. Makes the "Macarena" seem intelligent . . . OK, maybe not!

The Cobra's version clocks in at a very efficient 1:50, shaving 0:27 off the '5' Royale's 2:17.
Very fast, very frantic.
Cobrazized.


Download it now:
Five Royales - The Slummer The Slum - 1958 - The Five Royales Sing For You
Available on - Monkey Hips and Rice: The "5" Royales Anthology

Buy "Mink Rat or Rabbit" by the Detroit Cobras

As Long As I Have You

Song: As Long As I Have You
Artist: Garnett Mimms
Written: Bob Elgin / Norman Meade
Year : 1964
Album/Single: Warm and Soulful

Cobra's Version

Song : As Long As I Have You
Released : April 24th, 2007
Album : Tied & True


Hello ?
Is this thing on ?

Sorry for the posting lag. After my last post, the wife and I left for an Easter trip to Florida. Now you need to understand, when we travel to Florida we don't travel like normal folks - down the freeway as fast as you can drive. No, our trip was scheduled for 2-1/2 days - no freeways allowed - just state highways and county roads. First day went fine and the second day was going great until we ran into a little problem in Dandridge, Tennessee. Thankfully the only casualty of the accident was my laptop. Now that the laptop's been replaced (thanks State Farm!) and I've caught up at the office hopefully I can get back to regular postings.

I thought I would start back up again with the hottest track off of "Tied & True", the Cobra's new disc.

Garnett Mimms biggest hit, with his backing group The Enchanters, was in 1963 with "Cry, Baby" - Janis Joplin covered it 1971 and had a minor posthumous hit with it. Today's selection was released in 1964 and shared a writer with "Cry, Baby" - Norman Meade (real name : Jerry Ragovoy). Ragovoy penned other rock/soul classics as well - "Piece of My Heart", "Time is On My Side" to name two. By the way, Garnett Mimms' producer was none other than our old friend Bert Berns. "As Long As I Have You" amazingly was not released as a single, be relegated to being album filler. I am not the first to point this out but it deserves repeating - he should have sued for career mismanegement - this song is too good to have never seen the light of day. I am particular fond of the "Give me mountains to crumble . . ." stanza.

Lyrics:
Born in darkness
but I fought my way up to the sun
Had a lot of battles
some I lost and some I've won

But let me tell you, girl
you ain't seen nothing yet
There's nothing in this world
that I can't get
As long as I have you (long as I have you)
Long as I have (long as I have you) you
As long as I have you

Give me mountains to crumble
and I'll turn them to sand
Let me put this world
in the palm of your hand

Find some teardrops
but I sang my way out of the blues
Had to learn to stand up
even when they scared me out of my shoes

But let me tell you, girl
you ain't seen nothing yet
There's nothing in this world
that I can't get
As long as I have you (long as I have you)
Long as I have you (long as I have you)
As long as I have you

Give me mountains to crumble
and I'll turn them to sand
Let me put this world
in the palm of your hand

Say you love me
and I know that half the battle is won
Don't cha worry about nothing
in your mind the best is yet to come

But let me tell you, girl
you ain't seen nothing yet
There's nothing in this world
that I can't get
As long as I have you (long as I have you)
Long as I have you (long as I have you)
Every thing's gonna be alright (long as I have you)
And I won't have to cry no more (long as I have you)
All my troubles will be over (long as I have you)
Yeah

If you are unfamiliar with the genre of "Northern Soul", this is a textbook example of it. Driving beat, punching horn arrangement, impassioned vocals, tight instrumentation. Of course the Cobras strip the song down the garage basics - ripping guitars and and driving rhythm section. And Rachel's perfectly matched vocals.

The opening lyric - "Born in Darkness" - is significant here. The Cobra's have been playing this song in concert since at least June of 2006. It would show up on their playlist as "Darkness" or "Born of Darkness". I have also posted a video of them doing the song on YouTube from their November 22, 2006 show at the Magic Stick in Detroit.

It seems that the Cobras are not the first to see the value of this song - Led Zeppelin used to cover the song in their early days.

Download it now:
As Long As I Have You - Garnett Mimms - 1964
Available on - Talcum Soul: 26 Stonking Northern Soul Greats

The Cobra's version is available as a free download from Bloodshot records
As Long As I Have You - Detroit Cobras - 2007
You need to buy "Tied & True" by the Detroit Cobras

Love Speaks Louder Than Words

Song: Love Speaks Louder Than Words
Artist: Fabulous Thunderbirds
Written: K. Wilson / D.Tate
Year : 2005
Album/Single: Painted On

Breaking the rules this week, kiddies.

This is not a song the Detroit Cobra's have covered.

The Fabulous Thunderbirds were formed back in 1974 by vocalist/harpist Kim Wilson and guitarist Jimmy Vaughan - brother of guitar god Stevie Ray Vaughan. They hit it big in 1986 with "Tuff Enough". Unfortunately, that was the extent of their chart success. Jimmy would eventually leave the band to play with brother Stevie Ray, which was cut short in 1990 with Stevie's tragic death (rant - "Why did Cobain get a Rolling Stone cover upon his death and Stevie didn't? - The Women of Twin Peaks ? Please!" - rant over).

So why, on a blog self described as ""An in depth study of the songs the Detroit Cobras have chosen to cover" are we discussing a song by the Fabulous Thunderbirds?

Because of the guest vocalist on the track - none other than the lovely and talented Detroit Cobra, Rachel Nagy.

Lyrics:
Love speaks louder than words
it's a feeling you get deep down in your heart
It's not what you say or in the way
you prove it over and over
Because love, love speaks louder than words

Well we might not say it
but we both know how we feel
I can hear your heart talk to mine
The way you play is sweet music to my soul
Even if I was deaf, dumb and blind

Because love speaks louder than words
it's a feeling you get down in your heart
It's not what you say or in the way
you prove it over and over
Because love, love speaks louder than words

Ooohhh, we've been together so long, baby
I don't ever want it to end
Ooohhhh, I'm so happy darling
You my lover and my best friend

I can't repay ya, there ain't enough diamonds and gold I'll alway be their when you call Every night and every day The truth be told your my all and all
Because love, love speaks louder than words
Because love, love speaks louder than words
Because love, love speaks louder than words

I have no idea how this match up came to be. I have found no mention of it other than album reviews. I just stumbled upon it myself when I was checking Rachel's AllMusic.com biography to determine how old she is (which I have yet to determine . . . anybody out there know her age ?) I do agree with the review I read that refers to "Love Speaks Louder Than Words" as "Wilson Pickett-worthy". To be honest, I was quit surprised this was not a cover - it was co-written buy the vocalist sharing the mic with Rachel - Kim Wilson. Irregardless, it's a dandy little chestnut I thought might have escaped the casual Cobra fan so I offer it here for you.

Enjoy - we'll get back on track next week with a special Easter edition of "Cobras Covers".

Download it now:
The Fabulous Thunderbirds featuring Rachel Nagy - Love Speaks Louder Than Words - 2005
Available on - "Painted On"

Oh My Lover

Song: Oh My Lover
Artist: Chiffons
Written: Ronald Mack
Year : 1963
Album/Single: Laurie # LR-3152

Cobra's Version
Song: Oh My Lover
Released: May 1st, 2001
Album: Life, Love & Leaving

This weeks selection is from a band you may have actually heard of before (unlike a lot of the bands the Cobras have covered) - The Chiffons. Their biggest hit was "He's So Fine" and today's selection - "Oh My Lover" - was it's b-side. Interestingly enough, the producers of the record, the Tokens (of "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" fame), felt that "Oh My Lover" should have been the A-side. Along with "He's So Fine", the Chiffons had other hits with "One Fine Day", "Sweet Talking Guy" and "A Love So Fine".

Both sides were penned by Ronald Mack, a young songwriter who had heard the Chiffon's singing in their high school cafeteria. He would not be able to enjoy the fruits of his labor, however, passing away later in 1963 from Hodgkin's disease. His estate, however, was able to double dip, after suing George Harrison claiming plagiarism on "My Sweet Lord". Ironically enough, the Chiffon's covered "My Sweet Lord" in a jazzy, lounge lizard fashion, in 1975.

Being a fan of the girl group sound, this is one of the few songs the Cobra's have covered that I knew before I heard the Cobra's version - "Bye Bye Baby" (Mary Wells), "Find Me A Home" (by Solomon Burke, though I was familiar with the Otis Redding version), "I'll Keep Holding On" (the Marvellettes, though I knew it from the Action's version), "Insane Asylum" (Koko Taylor), "It's Raining" (Irma Thomas), "Putty" (the Shirelles via the Yardbirds) and "Weak Spot" (Ruby Johnson). The rest of their songs have been a joy of discovery.

Lyrics:
(Oh, My Lover)
Oooohhhhoooohhhh
(Oh, My Lover)
(Oh, My Lover)
(I love you)

Oh, please (oh, my lover)
don't never ever say were through (oh, my lover)
for I feel attached to you (oh, my lover)
Can't you see I'm really in love with you ? (I love you)

My desire (oh, my lover)
is to be with you to the end (oh, my lover)
You and I are a perfect blend (oh, my lover)
Can't you see that we were meant to be more than just friends (I love you)

(Love is a wonderful thing)
Keeps those bells in swing
(As we walk down the aisle)
Once more those bells will ring

(Oh, My Lover)
Oooohhhhoooohhhh
(Oh, My Lover)
(Oh, My Lover)
(I love you)

I wonder (oh, my lover)
if he feels the same about me (oh, my lover)
Now that I see his face, I will weep (oh, my lover)
I know that I no longer should worry (I love you)

(Oh, My Lover)
Oooohhhhoooohhhh
(Oh, My Lover)
(Oh, My Lover)
(Oh, My Lover)
(Oh, My Lover)
(Oh, My Lover)

It's a quick, tight song, clocking in at a mere 1:48. The Cobra's version is much faster, getting the job done in 1:34. Perhaps they were able to cut the 14 seconds by not repeating the chorus (oh, my lover) after each stanza. Also, Rachel tweaked the third stanza of the third verse - "Now that I see his face, I will weep" - to something I can not make out, I think it is "Now that his feelings say I will be", but can't be sure. I'd be interested in your opinion as to what it is.

Download it now:
The Chiffons - Oh My Lover - 1963 - Laurie # LR-3152
Available on - "One Fine Day"

Buy "Life, Love and Leaving" by the Detroit Cobras

Insane Asylum

Song: Insane Asylum
Artist: Koko Taylor
Written: Willie Dixon
Year : 1968
Album/Single: Checker # 1191

Cobra's Version
Song: Insane Asylum
Released: January 6th, 2004
Album: Seven Easy Pieces


Today's selection is the longest song in the Cobra's catalog, clocking in at 4:16, well over their 2:21 average. It is a cover for Koko Taylor's 1968 duet with the songwriter, Willie Dixon. It was Dixon who discovered Taylor and brought her to Chess records in 1963. She hit it big in 1965 with another of composition of of Dixon's, "Wang Dang Doodle" - the last Chess release to hit the R&B top ten. She moved from Chess to Alligator records in 1975 but continued to make records in the Chicago, electric blues tradition. Check out her take of Bo Diddley's / Muddy Water's "I'm A Man" called "I'm A Woman" on her MySpace page ("MySpace, not just for kids anymore").

Lyrics:
(Willie Dixon)
I went out to the insane asylum
And I found my baby out there
I said please come back to me darlin'
What in the world are you doin' here?

Then the little girl raised up her head
Tears was streamin' down from her eyes
And these are the things
That the little girl said

(Koko Taylor)
When your love has ceased to be (Lord, have mercy)
There's no other place for me (Mmmm)
If you don't hold me in your arms (Oh child oh child)
I'd rather be here from now on
Some people have it halfway fair
Without your love I ain't nowhere

Oh I can't eat and I can't sleep (oh child oh child)
Lord I can't even live in peace (Mmmm)
Please take me baby for your slave (Oooh)
And save me from that early grave

Some people have it halfway fair
Without your love I ain't nowhere

(Willie Dixon)
And then sorrow struck my heart
Tears began to stream down from my eyes
The only woman that I ever loved in whole my life
Out here in a place in a condition like this
And I began to thinkin' about what
my mama told me when I was a little boy

She told me when I couldn't help myself,
to get down on my knees and pray
Then I fell down on my knees
And these are the words that I said

(Willie Dixon & Koko Taylor)
Save me save me save me babe,
Save me save me save me dear,
Whoa I don't know just how we made it
But I'm so glad our love is here
But I'm so glad our love is here
But I'm so glad our love is here...

(For the record, this is the first of the 9 posts so far in this blog, in which I was able to actually find the lyrics online rather than having to transcribe them myself.)

Greg Cartwright steps in as Willie Dixon to Rachel's Koko on the Cobra's version. Greg Cartwright, of course, is from Reigning Sound, previously covered in my "I'll Cry" post. Considering the shoes they are trying to fill, they rise to the occasion quit well. Not surprising, considering "insane Asylum" was a song she frequently sang to herself in her car, long before she sang professionally. Thankfully she took her act out of the car and shared her talents with us all.

All pictures previously used in the blog were
pictures I had taken myself. Today's
is not, but it was too delicious to pass up.
Click on it and you will go to the original site

Download it now:
Koko Taylor - Insane Asylum - 1967 - Checker # 1191
Available on - Koko Taylor

Buy "Seven Easy Pieces" by the Detroit Cobras

(Sorry I missed last week's post - I've been busy)

Cha Cha Twist

Song: Cha Cha Twist
Artist: Brice Coefield
Written: Hank Ballard
Year : 1960
Album/Single: Madison # 137

Cobra's Version
Song: Cha Cha Twist
Released: February 24th, 1998
Album: Mink Rat or Rabbit


While I can not find any specific information on today's selection, I have found some information on Brice Coefield.

Quite frankly, the man was involved with some legendary names in the music industry - "Bumps" Blackwell (songwriter and producer of Little Richard), Herb Alpert (co-founder of A&M records, legendary trumpet player), Lou Adler (producer for, among others, Sam Cooke, Mama's & Papa's, the Monterrey Pop Festival) & Phil Spector (I don't need to explain who he is, do I?). Draw your own conclusion as to why, with all these talented people around him, he wasn't more successful himself.

He started off in 1955 in Los Angeles with his cousin, Rip Spencer, in a variety of vocal groups. It was Brice's father who, through jazz pianist Lloyd Glenn, that put them in touch with "Bumps" Blackwell. Calling themselves the "Valiants", they actually were the first to release "Good Golly, Miss Molly", one of the songs Bumps had written (Little Richard had recorded it before them but the Valiants were the first to actually release it). It was the flip side of one of two records they would every have chart - "This is the Night" (#43 R&B / #69 Pop). The other chart success they enjoyed was as members of the Alley Cats with "Puddin N' Tain" - released in 1962 on Phil Spector's Phillies Label (Brice was a co-writer of the song as well).

This brief bio was culled from Marv Goldberg's excellent R&B Notebook - check it out for yourself.

Brice had 5 records released on the Madison label from 1960 to 1961. Four were as a member of the "Valiants", with today's record being released simply as "Brice Coefeild". Interestingly enough, despite the thoroughness of the aforementioned Marv Goldberg's R&B Notebook, there is no mention of this record. The song writing credits go to the legendary Hank Ballard (thought jazz keyboardist Les McCann sometime get's credit for writing it as well). I would have to assume it was recorded/released late in 1960, to capitalize on the success of Chubby Checker's massive hit earlier in the year - "The Twist" (which was also written by Hank Ballard!).

Lyrics:
(Cha Cha Cha) (Cha Cha Cha) (Cha Cha Cha)
Come on baby
Let's do the Twist
Come on baby
Let's do the Twist

You look fine, yeah
when you go like this

Tell me, baby
Have you seen my sis ?
Tell me, baby
Have you seen my sis ?

She knows how to rock
and do the Cha Cha Twist

Hully, hully gully
Slop and Madison, too
When you do the twist
to a beat like this
You can Cha Cha with your baby too

Your Papa's sleeping
and your Mama's not around
Your Papa's sleeping
and your Mama's not around

Well come over here, baby
we're gonna tear the house down

Hully, hully gully (shake your shoulders)
Slop and Madison, too (hit it)
When you do the twist
to a beat like this
You can Cha Cha with your baby too

Your Papa's sleeping
and your Mama's not around
Your Papa's sleeping
and your Mama's not around

Come on baby
we're gonna tear the house down

Eeyaa (?) Twist
Hey baby

The Cobra's take on "Cha Cha Twist" both speeds it up and rocks it up courtesy of classic Detroit garage guitar crunch. What's interesting on the original is all the stuff going on in the background - all the "Oooohhhhh Aaahhhh", "Cha Cha Cha" and "Wuh Wuh" vocals that run throughout the song. If you listen closely to the Cobra's version you will hear them doing similar things, but buried much deeper in the mix.

I understand this was used for a Diet Coke commercial a few years back. Never saw, but it had to be cool. They did shoot a video for "Cha Cha Twist" (their only video ?) with Meg White as "Little Red Riding Hood". Interestingly enough, it seems to be a different version of the song that was released on "Mink Rat or Rabbit".

Download it now:
Brice Coefield - Cha Cha Twist - 1960 - Madison # 137
Available on - nothing! I paid a guy $3.00 to rip it from his vinyl copy.

Buy "Mink Rat or Rabbit " by the Detroit Cobras

Baby Let Me Hold Your Hand

Song: Baby Let Me Hold Your Hand
Artist: Hoagy Lands
Written: Bert Russell / Wes Farrell
Year : 1964
Album/Single: Atlantic # 2217

Cobra's Version
Song: Baby Let Me Hold Your Hand
Released: January 18, 2005
Album: Baby


I have not found out much about Hoagy Lands. Born in New Jersey in 1936, he was 28 when today's selection was released. It was the flip side to what is considered his finest release - "Baby Come On Home" (having heard both sides I much prefer today's selection - the B-side). Hoagy recorded sides for many different labels but this was the only one released on Atlantic. Not sure why it's his only Atlantic release, since he often was produced by Bert Berns, and Berns did a lot of work for Atlantic (he took over as lead producer and songwriter from Jerry Lieber / Mike Stoller in 1963).

Which brings us to the next point. Not only did Bert Berns produce the song, he also co-wrote it. His middle name is "Russell" and often used the alias of "Bert Russell" for his song writing credits. But then again, Bert Berns didn't really write it (very Led Zepplinish of him to take credit, however). It was 'adapted' from a folk-blues song covered by Bob Dylan eponymous first album, credited to Eric Von Schmidt, Dave Von Ronk & the Reverend Gary Davis. Eric Von Schmidt claims to have nicked it from a Blind Boy Fuller song called "Baby, Let Me Lay It On You". Who knows where he got it from. Maybe he wrote . . . somebody had to! As far as the Cobra's version is concerned, however, it is obviously a take on the Hoagy Lands version.

The song was also covered by the Animals in 1964. They changed the name - "Baby Let Me Take You Home" - and lyrics a bit. They also blues'd it up a lot, skipping the a cappella intro. I suspect it was out of the range of the growl of Eric Burdon vocals. They did add a very cool 'bump & grind' in the middle, however.

Lyrics:
I've seen a lot of pretty girls
In my time
I never really paid them any mind

And baby when I saw you
Somehow I knew
That you were the loving kind

Baby, let me hold your hand
Baby, let me hold your hand
Let me feel it right there
and I'll take you anywhere
If you only let me hold your hand

(Oh, my hand is right there
if you take me anywhere
you know, baby you can hold my hand)

Baby, let me be your man
Baby, let me be your man
Let me hold you real tight
Let me love you all night
I just want to be you man (that's all, baby)

(You can hold me real tight
You can love me all night
Oh yeah, you can be my man)

Now I want you to listen to me (looky here):

Now I want you to be
a full time love
'Cause the kind of love I got for you
is really strong

Now these arms are made
for just your size
So get home, baby,
where you belong

Now you know I don't mind
(??? unintelligible) when a kings a leave flirt (??? unintelligible)
Every man has to go through some of that

But I'm here to let you know
personally, baby
exactly where it's at

Baby, let me take you home
Baby, let me take you home
Oh, the walk will do you good
You know'll talk the way I should

(Oh you talk the way you should
and the walk will do me good
Come baby, you can take me home)

Come home, baby (Come home, baby)
Come home, baby (Come home, baby)
Come home, baby (Come home, baby) . . .

Now, if you try to follow these lyrics with the Cobra's version you'll get lost. Not only do they change the gender, but they reworked the lyrics quite a bit, to their advantage. To me, the most interesting part of the Hoagy Lands version is the guitar intro after the a cappella intro. Reminds me of Jackie De Shannon's "When You Walk In The Room". But since I can play the guitar, what the hell do I know.

It is one of two songs on "Baby" with "baby" in the title ("Baby Help Me"). Must be where they came up with the title . . .

Download it now:
Hoagy Lands - Baby Let Me Hold Your Hand - 1964 - Atlantic # 2217
Available on - nothing! I paid a guy $3.00 to rip it from his vinyl copy.

Bonus - Download it now:
The Animals - Baby Let Me Take You Home - 1964 - The Animals
Available on "The Complete Animals"

Extra Bonus - Download it now:
Bob Dylan - Baby Let Me Follow You Down - 1962 - Bob Dylan
Available on "Bob Dylan"

Buy "Baby" by the Detroit Cobras