Song of the Day 11/22: Was (Not Was), “11 MPH (Abe Zapp Ruder Version)”
A lot of music has been written about the assassination of John F. Kennedy. In the immediate aftermath songs expressed the shock and grief that enveloped the nation, but within a few years they started to reflect the widespread belief that we weren’t being told the real story. These days more than two-thirds of Americans believe Lee Harvey Oswald didn’t act alone.
A lot of songs have been written about that, too, but none of them are as funky as this one, featured on “What Up, Dog?” the 1988 breakthrough album for Was (Not Was). Eleven miles per hour is the speed Kennedy’s motorcade had to slow down to as it made a sharp left-hand turn in front of the School Book Depository in Dallas. A debunked but persistent feature of JFK conspiracy theory was that the motorcade’s route was changed to force that slow turn, giving Oswald a better target.
That mix of the song was released on the US version of the album, which made it to No. 43 on Billboard’s album chart. A different arrangement was used on the UK LP, with a faster beat and less funky, more Northern Soul vibe. I think El Som will like this one better.
I really got into this album way-back-when. Such great voices.
My other favorite from this album is the beat-poetry-inspired “Earth to Doris”.
It’s really impossible for me to pick a fave, ain’t no losers on it.
If I had to pick one, I’d probably go with ‘Somewhere In America There’s A Street Named After My Dad’. Or ‘Walkin’ The Dinosaur’. Or ‘Dad, I’m In Jail’. Or–you get the idea. One of the absolutely greatest and most fun albums of the ’80’s.
Man, that UK version ROCKS!
Not only did I wear out my copy of ‘What Up, Dog’, I also wore out my ‘What Up, Dog’ T-shirt. I’ve retired it to my t-shirt Hall of Fame. Holes and all.
I agree about the UK version. Don’t know why they remixed it for the US album, which has a different run order from the UK album, too.
Somebody compiled what appears to be a comprehensive list of songs about or influenced by the assassination. The most recent entry is Bob Dylan’s 2020 opus, “Murder Most Foul.”
“Somewhere in America There’s a Street Named After My Dad” — an excellent song with one of the all-time great titles. And “Dad I’m in Jail” will always be lodged in my brain. “Hello, dad, I’m in JAIL . . .Say hi to mom, from JAIL . . . I LIKE it here.”
This one’s often overlooked. Some of the ’80s production touches undercut the ’60s soul vibe, but despite the lyrical bluntness, it’s a gorgeous love song.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rh2pZrppGq8