Song of the Day, 2/18: The Nazz, “Open My Eyes”
It’s hard for those who didn’t live through the ’60s to appreciate how large the Beatles loomed over pop culture. Not only did their music spawn entire new genres, they also starred in films that influenced how bands presented themselves. In the case of “Open Your Eyes,” the Nazz ripped off the Who’s “Can’t Explain” for the opening lick, but this goofy video, in which the quartet stumbles around with eyes closed, is pure Fab Four.
The Nazz is best remembered as Todd Rundgren’s band because he wrote most of the material and went on to a larger career, but he wasn’t the front man. That honor went to Bob “Stewkey” Antoni — the nickname was a nod to Richard Starkey, better known as Ringo — and they were the hottest band in Philly in the summer of ’69. The single was a prized possession, because its flip side, the original slow, spacey version of “Hello It’s Me,” was another great tune, and the original A side of the 45.
The funny thing about that opening riff is that it sounds totally extraneous and feels tacked on by some record exec.
Great jam. Love the forward rhythm section “wall of sound” type production.
Wow – speeding up “Hello It’s Me” really fixed that song. Tho..maybe my ears are just used to the Rundgren solo version.
Everybody’s are. He redid it a couple of times. I played the Nazz version a couple of million time before that, though, so the one that became a hit always sounds sterile to me.
Thanks Alby. Great post.
You’re welcome. Thanks for stopping by.