Cover version of the month #99
The White Stripes cover Dusty Springfield
Yet another cover version where I discover that who I thought was the original artist to record and release a song, was actually covering it.
I Just Don't Know What To Do With Myself came to my attention in 2003 when The White Stripes released the song as a single, taken from their Elephant album that also spawned the massive Seven Nation Army.
At the time, Jack White spoke in interviews about the song as being a Dusty Springfield cover version. While that is true, it turns out that there is an interesting story behind the song, before it was recorded by Springfield.
Written by the legendary Burt Bacharach and Hal David in 1962, the original version of the song was recorded by an artist called Chuck Taylor. That version was then shelved, until the brilliant Kent Records released it in 1984.
However, back in 1962, Taylor's vocals were removed from the song and a singer called Tommy Hunt recorded his vocals over the top. Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller produced the single, but it failed to chart, despite the top notch songwriting and production team. However, truth be told, neither of these versions do it for me.
Fast forward to 1964 and Dusty Springfield is well in with Bacharach and David, having recorded a number of their songs. Bacharach mentioned I Just Don't Know What To Do With Myself to Springfield. The seed was well and truly planted, the song was recorded and her version reached number 3 in the UK singles charts.
Springfield breathed new life into the song. Much like Love did to Bacharach's My Little Red Book (originally recorded by Manfred Mann and blogged on here).
I'm so used to doing everything with you
Dusty's voice soars effortlessly at times, she drops it down at others and you know it will rise again, often in tandem with the beautiful music arrangement; drums crash, horns and strings float and the whole song just flies along. There is so much more soul and urgency in the Springfield version in comparison to the Chuck Taylor or Tommy Hunt 1962 recordings.
Dionne Warwick greatly benefited from the Bacharach and David song catalogue and seemed to be the perfect singer for many of them. So it should be no surprise to learn that she covered the song in 1966.
Warwick seems so assured, like a confession, like she is talking directly to the love who has left her this way. Springfield's version is a little bit more gutsy, like she is also giving herself a good talking to.
Listen to Warwick's voice from 1-minute 36 seconds after a delicious brief drum roll and pause. It is so effortless, gliding, soaring, swooping ... so beautiful.
I just don't know what to do with myself
I don't know what to do with myself
Baby if your new love ever turns your down
Come on back, I will be around
Just waiting for you
I don't know what else to do
Fast forward to 2003 and The White Stripes have broken through following the release of mega hit Seven Nation Army. Always a band to wear their hearts on their sleeves, performing and releasing many cover versions over the years, The Stripes followed their mega hit with their version of I Just Don't Know What To Do With Myself.
It wasn't just their raw garage rock n roll soul sound that captured my attention! The accompanying promo film was a work of art. Shot in black and white by acclaimed director Sofia Coppola, the video features supermodel Kate Moss looking absolutely sensational in black underwear, strolling around and eventually pole dancing. Moss is super seductive, oozing sex appeal, the way she moves and the way she holds the camera in her gaze is pretty breathtaking to watch.
White Stripes - I Just Don't Know What To Do With Myself (official video)
The change in the middle eight is amplified as Jack distorts his guitar, screams for all his worth and Meg pounds on the drums. Absolutely glorious!
Like a summer rose
Needs the sun and rain
I need your sweet love
To feel all the way
Previous covers of the month blogs
40. Jumpin' Jack Flash
44. Witchi Tai To
45. Our Lips Are Sealed
46. Sunshine Of Your Love
47. Here Comes The Sun
48. I Think We're Alone Now
49. Don't Let Me Down
50. It's Oh So Quiet
51. Alcoholiday
52. Summer Holiday
53. Who Do You Think You Are?
54. Head On
55. Nothing Compares 2 U
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