Song of the Day 8/29: The Clovers, “Love Potion No. 9”
If it smells like turpentine and looks like India ink, Trumpers would probably take it before they’ll take that commie socialist vaccine.
Though it’s been covered by scores of groups, the best version remains the first. The Clovers debuted this Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller classic in 1959, when they took it to No. 23 on the Hot 100. Billy Mitchell sings the spirited lead vocal.
The cover that did the best on the charts was by the Searchers, a now mostly forgotten Merseybeat band whose version reached No. 3 during the British Invasion in 1964.
The biggest name to cover it is probably Neil Diamond, who included it on his 1993 album of Brill Building covers.
Seems a better place to mention thus than yhe open thread.
RIP to a legend and a one of a kind artist. From Kendal, Jamaica. Lee Scratch Perry.
Rhythm from the ghetto. Lyrics from the streets. Ras Ta Fari.
Was lucky enough to see a show on his last spin through the US, maybe 4 – 5 years ago.
Guy fucking burned down his studio because he was done with it. The Black Ark.
…pulls out Searchers 2 CD set from shelf…
“Hey, did you guys know that you were now mostly forgotten?”
Completely unnecessary band.
By what definition?
Never had a hit that wasn’t a remake. Had no notable players or singers. A Liverpool bar band that got a recording contract because some other band from Liverpool got famous first.
“…no notable players or singers.” Mike Pender, MBE, would most likely disagree. (Not to be confused with Mike Pinder of the Moody Blues)
By that definition, there must be thousands of unnecessary bands out there
Hundreds of thousands. And his voice is nothing special. Listen to the two versions above. The Clovers blow him out of the water.
I’d say they were overrated, but I don’t think anyone rates them very highly in the first place.
Beyond that, we’re just going to have to disagree. You’ve got the 2-disc set, I don’t, so apparently all’s right with the universe.
Truth be told, I figured you more for a Seekers fan than a Searchers fan.
Hi, Alby,
A little more information on that two CD set – there are 60 songs on it, about five of which are memorable. Back in the ’60s, record companies would rush albums out to capitalize on a hit single. Usually the other 11 or so songs on the album were filler. There is a lot of “filler” on the two CDs.
However, I still enjoy listening to the five or so “hits” on the two CDs. Mrs. D and I still sing along to “Needles and Pins-ah” when it pops up on the radio.
You’re absolutely right about one thing – I am much more of a Seekers fan. I think that Judy Durham has one of the most incredible voices in folk/pop music.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wOKDT0S2O3c
Check out that incredible note she hits near the end of the song.
Yes, let’s agree to disagree! 🙂
I, too, enjoy Needles and Pins.
I do have a 2-CD set of the Seekers. They are indispensable.
Betcha didn’t know (I didn’t) that Jack Nitzsche and Sonny Bono were credited with writing the Searchers’ hit ‘Needles And Pins’. Jackie DeShannon claimed that she deserved songwriting credit as well.
A little tidbit from Wikipedia:
“Audible during The Searchers’ recording of “Needles and Pins” is a faulty bass drum pedal, which squeaks throughout the song. It is particularly noticeable during the opening of the number.”
But what about the Springfields?