Wednesday, 2 April 2025

Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head

As a kid, I totally fell for the film Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. I think it was my Mum who recommended it to me. Possibly because of Robert Redford and Paul Newman, but more likely because she knew I liked cowboys. I don't know what age I would have been when I first saw it, but I was captivated by the characters, their charm, bravado, the sunshine, the dust, the colours, the freedom, the robberies, chases and shoot outs ... I still love watching the film to this day.

When my wife Lynn and I went travelling around the world, we stopped off in the tiny town of Tupiza in Bolivia, a small dusty town where Butch and Sundance hung out and hung low, robbed a bank and ultimately met their demise. We booked on a tour to do the Butch and Sundance trail. I think I enjoyed this more than Lynn!

Anyway, back to the film, which benefits from the songwriting genius of Burt Bacharach and Hal David. South American Getaway is absolutely perfect for the film, glorious cinematic melodies, sublime.

However, I'm going to focus on a song that Robert Redford initially thought didn't fit with the theme of the film, Raindrops Keep Fallin' On My Head. After all, there is no rain in the desert!

The song is used to soundtrack a scene where Butch (Paul Newman) is larking around on a bike to impress his girlfriend, Etta Place (Katharine Ross) and it works beautifully thanks to its easygoing melody, the brass, the piano ... it's so warm and familiar. I can't remember, but I imagine it felt like that from the very first time I heard it. 

B.J. Thomas’s voice is unhurried, gliding over Bacharach’s playful, bouncing arrangement. There’s something magical about the way it flows—casual, carefree, yet completely assured. A song about rain and misfortune that somehow feels more like sunshine breaking through clouds.

I just did me some talking to the sun

And I said I didn't like the way he got things done

Whenever I hear the song I think of a little rain shower on the evening of Sunday 11th August 1996 at Knebworth Park in Hertfordshire. I was there for Oasis (as blogged on here) and my friend Elliott and I managed to blag and bribe our way into Pit 1 just before the Manic Street Preachers came on. 

The Manics played a blinding set and midway through they played their cover of Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head. My memory is a little hazy, it either was raining, or it had just stopped raining. Either way, it was perfect, super chilled. James Dean Bradfield's voice was crystal clear and the song had a real festival and community vibe. It was a real moment. There must be a film of it somewhere.

Manic Street Preachers had recorded the song for Warchild's legendary Help album the previous year in 1995. I've previously written blogs on The Charlatans super cool cover of Sly's Time for Livin' and Radiohead's remarkable Lucky - both taken from this album. This was quite a landmark for the band as it was their first return to recording following the disappearance of Richey Edwards in February 1995. The Help album was recorded on 4th September and released on 9th September.

As a band known for their intensity, anger, and heart-on-sleeve passion, whose previous release had been the ferocious and intense album The Holy Bible in 1994, Raindrops ..... was quite a change. The Manics strip it back and I love James voice as he sings;

But there's one thing I know

The blues they send to meet me 

Won't defeat me, it won' be long

'til happiness steps up to greet me

The Manics version isn't as jaunty as the original. It's more melancholic but as the song approaches conclusion Bradfield's voice soars;

Because I'm free

Nothing's bothering me

I love the Manics cover of this wonderful song. James Dean Bradfield's voice shines and reflects melancholy, hope and resilience. 

The B.J. Thomas original and Manic St Preachers cover of Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head are added to my Everything Flows Cool Cover Versions playlist on Spotify which also features all of the songs listed below. Search for the title or CLICK HERE

Previous covers of the month blogs

13. Hurt
39. ABBA-esque
40. Jumpin' Jack Flash
64. Lola
82. Drop
87. Indian Rope Man + bonus Strawberry Fields Forever + This Wheels On Fire
92. Valerie
101. Shout!
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Sunday, 30 March 2025

Butler, Blake and Grant - FRETS 25 and the album

Douglas McIntyre brought Bernard Butler, Norman Blake and James Grant together to play one of his FRETS nights at Saint Luke's back in January 2022 (blog here). The trio took turns to tell the story behind one of their songs and then play it. There was humour and warmth throughout the show and enough chemistry for them to regroup to play FRETS in its hometown of Strathaven and subsequently take the show on the road.

This eventually led to Butler, Blake and Grant convening at Norman's house with their acoustic guitars, a roaring fire and some wine to write and record some songs together. Sounds blissful!

So, given the history, it was only right for the trio to return to FRETS for a weekend of shows ahead of the launch of their debut album. 

My friend Lorna picked me up and we then made the mistake of following her sat nav, which took us the craziest route possible to Strathaven! Despite arriving 10-15 minutes late for support act Jo Mango, we somehow managed to nab front row seats as a couple of people hadn't turned up. BONUS!

Watching BBG at close quarters led me to;

  • Appreciate what a fantastic guitar player James Grant is. Inventive and effortless! 
  • Marvel at how Bernard Butler srocks double denim and a sensational fringe. 
  • Crave for a guitar as beautiful as Bernard's! 
  • Smile at Norman's DIY buzzcut from the previous evening. Missed a bit at the back Norman! 
  • Continue to be amazed by Norman's exceptional voice and ability to harmonise.
  • Think that James and Bernard's pre-album singles had a little more zip to them live.
  • Come up with the idea that BBG should record a covers album. Maybe tackle 2 of their own back catalogue each plus 4 covers - including The Monkees Me and Magdelena and Neil Young's Cinnamon Girl. This should DEFINITELY include Bernard's Yes.
  • Laugh at the dry, witty humour of Grant and the off the wall (slightly surreal humour) of Norman. And wondering how Butler gets a word in!
On to the album. Given the tales behind the songs, it would appear to be a mix of songs that the trip have had kicking around for a while, new songs and Rosus Posus an improvised instrumental that BBG walked onstage to. James and Norman joked that it was PROG!

There is a lovely warmth to Down By The Sea, a song Norman said he had written a while ago. Blake sounds like he is with you, the home recording works really well on this song

I hope you'll always think of me
If I take a walk down by

The warmth also comes out on The Old Mortality, sung by Bernard, his rich soulful voice is enhanced by strings. There is a great breakdown instrumental where the strings soar and Blake ooh's beautifully.

Across the album. there are beautifully crafted tunes, natural camaraderie, exquisite harmonies, brilliant guitar playing and the trio work well together. Surely there will be more.

Bring An End (Blake) / One And One Is Two (Grant) / The 90's (Butler) / Down By The Sea (Blake) / The Old Mortality (Butler) / Girl With The Little Black Number (Grant) / Writing's On the Wall (Blake) / Rosus Posus (instrumental) / Seemed She Always Knew (Grant) / There's Always Something You Can Change (Butler)



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Tuesday, 25 March 2025

Kerr Mercer at the Garage

 

There were a few moments last night at The Garage where Kerr Mercer tilted his head back, or slightly to the side, and just let rip, taking his already exceptionally rich, emotional, soulful and powerful voice to new levels.

It's quite the sight. Quite the sonic experience. 

Whenever this happened, my wife and I would exchange a little nod or glance in appreciation. However, there was one particular moment, during Kerr's song Soldier, when even his guitarist Adam Frame looked up in awe as his friend's voice soared beautifully. It was so nice to catch this.

Only 18-years old, Kerr Mercer has been building a head of steam for over a year, picking up some excellent support/opening slots for established artists to build his fanbase and hitting the road on his own mini tours. 

There was a real sense of occasion around last nights sold out show at The Garage. The venue looked incredible! Has it had a makeover? Or do I just always think back to when I was attending club nights as a teenager before getting a late (and very long) bus home to Carluke?

Perhaps there was a greater anticipation around the show after a fantastic feature was published on the BBC Scotland news page on Sunday morning. Journalist Jonathan Geddes brought out Kerr's humour, family values and humility in the interview. 

This is something Kerr naturally brings out on stage - whether forgetting to put his guitar on for a song, mentioning how his Mum brought him down to earth when he was hoping for a Glasgow aftershow (as any 18-year old would after a big hometown show) but had to get up at 5am for a flight to Europe to begin a tour supporting Only The Poets, or consistently thanking the audience and expressing his amazement that people showed up to see him - 'my knees are knocking backstage before every show as I don't think anyone will turn up.'

People turned up last night. I overheard a Dad talking to his daughter behind us. She had caught Kerr supporting someone and had brought her Dad along to The Garage. Dad approved - 'Aye, he's got something. What a voice!' I like to think that Dad and daughter will be having more bonding trips over Kerr Mercer gigs in the future. I hope to take our eldest to the next one after she turns 14 in June.

Anyway, on to the songs. Kerr Mercer showcased an exceptional talent for music (playing electric piano or acoustic/electric guitar), songwriting and singing. 

Setlist

  1. Hurts
  2. Love to Lose
  3. Her
  4. Best of Me
  5. One in a Million
  6. Never Be You
  7. Jealous
  8. Soldier
  9. Waves
  10. Handbags & Gladrags (Rod Stewart cover version)
  11. Alcohol

The sense of occasion was heightened by the fact that Kerr was playing with a full band for the first time. Previous shows have seen Kerr performing solo (guitar/keyboard), or with Adam on guitar. Adam let rip on a couple of songs, relishing the opportunity to play electric guitar.

Mercer's and his band wasted no time in showing what they could do with an opening number entitled Hurts that reminded me a little of Michael Kiwanuka. With the addition of drums, Mercer said that he wanted the crowd to have the opportunity to dance, as well as enjoy his slow piano ballads. The backbeat was cool, as was the song.

Love to Lose slowed things back down, Her had one of those choruses that take off, aching with love, angst, heartache and heartbreak.

One in a Million was a stunner. Pre-show someone had handed out pieces of heart-shaped cards displaying the song title. People started holding them up after Kerr introduced the song and his band played the intro. It took Kerr a verse to realise what everyone was doing and he laughed to say he was wondering what they were and knew who probably brought them. One in a Million is a beautiful song, I fully expect it to be playing on the radio before too long.

I think it was during Never Be You that Kerr displayed some outstanding piano skills and then there was a fantastic run of 3 songs that I've got to know over the last year of catching him live.

Jealous is a heart tugging gem with Kerr pouring his heart out (as he does on every song, but the lyrics go pretty deep here). It's so well written and arranged that you could be forgiven for thinking tht it is an old classic. Soldier is soulful with Kerr really going for it and Waves seems to have been adopted as a real fan favourite. 

Kerr likes to play a cover in his sets and he opted for an older song than usual, playing Rod Stewart's Handbags & Gladrags (I've only just found out this isn't a Rod original! It was written by Mike d'Abo of Manfred Mann and originally recorded by Chris Farlowe), although Kerr discovered the song through a later day version by The Stereophonics. Regardless of who wrote it or originally recorded it, Mercer delivered it with raw emotion, like messrs Stewart and Jones. The song suited him perfectly and allowed him to attack his piano as he sang. Stunning! 

Closing with Alcohol, Kerr teased that it might be his debut single, there was no encore. Not to worry, there is A LOT more to come from this young man. 

Kerr Mercer plays TRNSMT 2025 on Sunday 13th July. Keep an eye on his Instagram for regular story updates about his shows, songwriting and plans.



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Saturday, 15 March 2025

Cut Your Hair

Trust me # 89
Cut Your Hair by Pavement

Pavement exploded on to the music scene in the early 90's through the release of albums Slanted & Enchanted (1992) and Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain (1994). Like most of the best bands, they seemed to be in their own world. The Pavement universe was full of in-band-jokes, zany videos, (at times) barely tuned guitars and cool song titles. The band arguably invented and certainly personified the slacker scene and style.

I own both of those albums on vinyl along with the 7-inch of Cut Your Hair. I seemed to lose touch with the band after that period though. Maybe they just became a little too zany, a little too clever with what they were doing. Maybe it was all beautifully new and natural at first.

Or maybe it simply didn't do it for me!

Anyway, I lost touch with Pavement. I bought a couple of Stephen Malkmus' albums with his band The Jicks, but never got into what he was doing.

Anyway ... I bought Cut Your Hair on 7-inch single and I still absolutely love it.

Cut Your Hair has a beautiful charm to it, riding in on ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh's and fuzzy guitars, before Malkmus comes in with the opening lines.

Darling don't you go and cut your hair

Do you think it's gonna make him change?

The song pokes fun at style over substance, with the second verse dealing with this through Malkmus declaring (after seeing a new band);

I don't remember a line, I don't remember a word
But I don't care, I care, I really don't care
Did you see the drummers hair?

I'm not going to lie, I love when a band looks cool! They do need something to back it up though! 


31-years on from release, the line songs mean a lot, when songs are bought in the third verse takes on a whole new meaning in the era of streaming. I, for one, am extremely guilty for streaming music. I mean, it's not illegal, but I know bands/artists don't really make anything out of it. That said, Pavement have some pretty big hitters on Spotify!

Attention and fame's a career
Career, career, career, career

Sadly, with reality shows and 'influencers' attention and fame has become a career for some absolute assholes that wouldn't have received the time of day back in the 90's. That's the world we now live in though! 

Cut Your Hair is added to my Trust Me playlist; search for Everything Flows - Trust Me on Spotify or CLICK HERE 

Check below for all previous blogs in my Trust Me series.

Previous Trust Me blogs

1. Something On Your Mind by Karen Dalton
1A. Crimson and Clover by Tommy James and the Shondells
2. I Am, I Said  by Neil Diamond
3. Where's The Playground Susie?   by Glen Campbell
4. If You Could Read My Mind by Gordon Lighfoot
5. Gimme Some Truth by John Lennon
6. Gone With The Wind Is My Love by Rita and the Tiaras
7. In The Year 2525 by Zager and Evans
8. The Music Box by Ruth Copeland
9. The Ship Song by Nick Cave
10. Sometimes by James
11. I Walk The Earth by King Biscuit Time
12. Didn't Know What I Was In For by Better Oblivion Community Centre
13. When My Boy Walks Down The Street by The Magnetic Fields
14. The Man Don't Give A F**k by Super Furry Animals
15. All Flowers In Time Bend Towards The Sun by Jeff Buckley and Liz Fraser
16. Are You Lookin' by The Tymes
17. A Real Hero by College & Electric Youth
18. Feelings Gone by Callum Easter
19. Sunday Morning by The Velvet Underground
20. Did I Say by Teenage Fanclub
21. Don't Look Back by Teenage Fanclub
23. Belfast by Orbital
24. Clouds by The Jayhawks
25. Dreaming Of You by The Coral
26. Everlasting Love by Love Affair
27. Walk Away Renee by The Left Banke
28. Teenage Kicks by The Undertones
29. Shaky Ground by Sneeze
29. Rill Rill by Sleigh Bells
30. I Can Feel Your Love by Felice Taylor
31. The State We're In by The Chemical Brothers w/ Beth Orton
32. Sunshine After The Rain by Ellie Greenwich
33. Losing My Edge by LCD Soundsystem
34. Mondo 77 by Looper
35. Les Fleurs by Minnie Riperton
36. Rat Trap by The Boomtown Rats
37. How High by The Charlatans
38. I Can't Let Go by Evie Sands
39. Pop Song 89 by R.E.M.
40. Summertime Clothes by Animal Collective
41. There She Goes by The Las
42. We're Going To Be Friends by White Stripes
43. Autumn Sweater by Yo La Tengo
44. Sister Rena by Lomond Campbell
45. Revolution by The Beatles
46. Lazarus by The Boo Radleys
47. Wrote For Luck by Happy Mondays
48. American Trilogy by The Delgados
49. Loser by Beck 
50. Silent Sigh by Badly Drawn Boy
51. Comedy by Shack
52. Take The Skinheads Bowling by Camper Van Beethoven
53. Freakscene by Dinosaur Jr
54. Thank You For Being You by The Pastels
55. I Think I'm In Love by Spiritualized
56. Chestnut Mare by The Byrds
57. Cannonball by The Breeders
58. Like A Rolling Stone by Bob Dylan
59. You Make Me Weak At The Knees by Electrelane
60. Lucky by Radiohead
61. Strange Currencies by R.E.M.
61. I Am The Cosmos by Chris Bell
62. Like A Ship (Without A Sail) by Pastor TL Barrett and the Youth for Christ Choir
63. Nothing But A Heartache by The Flirtations
64. Made of Stone by The Stone Roses
65. Tonight In Belfast by Orbital, David Holmes, DJ Helen and Mike Garry
66. Anything by Adrianne Lenker
67. I Hold Something In My Hand by Bill Ryder-Jones
68. I Meant Every Word by Burnett Sisters
69. Dream Baby Dream by Suicide
70. Stove by The Lemonheads
71. Red Lady by Phil Cordell
72. Little Fluffy Clouds by The Orb
73. I Can Do It With A Broken Heart by Taylor Swift
74. Turnin' My Heartbeat Up by The M.V.P.'s
75. Razzle Dazzle Rose by Camera Obscura
76. Such Great Heights by The Postal Service
77. The Rat by The Walkmen
78. My God Has A Telephone by Aaron Frazer
79. Unfinished Sympathy by Massive Attack
80. Sweet and Tender Romance by The McKinleys
81. Hoppipolla by Sigur Ros
82. 69 Police by David Holmes
83. Hey Lisa by David Holmes
84. I Am A Rock by Simon & Garfunkel
85. Kung Fu by Ash
86. Kids by MGMT
87. Slight Return by The Bluetones
88. Give Peace A Chance by John Lennon / Plastic Ono Band


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Friday, 7 March 2025

Never Ending Mixtape part 98

 

Welcome to part 98 of my Never Ending Mixtape!

I started this blog/playlist/mixtape back in October 2016 with the simple intention of creating a playlist that I would add songs to on a regular basis and then blog about the latest additions every month.

There would be no thought to the structure of the playlist, unlike the mixtapes and CD's I would make in my younger days. I'd just add songs when I felt like it, depending on what I was listening to.

As a result, my Never Ending Mixtape now has 4,269 songs! It's an eclectic and eccentric mix that I regularly play on shuffle.

We jump from 4,217 songs to 4,269 with the additions of the original demo for The House Song by The Beta Band and then the version that ended up on their Patty Patty Sound EP. Last month I mentioned how the band were teasing their reunion. I'm delighted that I'll be going to see them at The Barrowland this September!

Check this early Tiny Desk Concert by Edward Sharp & The Magnetic Zeros. I love the Tiny Desk YouTube channel. Their performance of Home at 4-minutes 30-seconds is magical!

Thank you so much if you are one of the 361 people following the playlist.

Thanks also if you dive in now and again. As always, I hope you discover an incredible song you've never heard before, or that you rediscover an old favourite you haven't heard in some time. 

Search for Everything Flows Never Ending Mixtape on Spotify or CLICK HERE

Here are a few of the latest additions;

Recent discoveries

Home - Edward Sharp & The Magnetic Zeros

Bye Bye Badman (demo) by The Stone Roses

Army Dreamers by Kate Bush

Sang & Dance by The Bar-Kays (infectious energetic soul, pictured below)

Coffee Cold by Galt McDermott (check the drumming on this!)

New releases

L.O.V.E. by Jessica Winter (cool pop I heard on 6Music, pictured above)

The Heart Is A Foolish Little Thing by Edwyn Collins

apple green u.f.o. by Andy Bell

Old favourites

L.A. Woman by The Doors
What Is Life by George Harrison
Out Of Space by The Prodigy
Praise You by Fatboy Slim
Make Me Feel Again by Edwyn Collins
Slight Return by The Bluetones
Sliver by Nirvana



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Thursday, 6 March 2025

Louie Louie

 

Cover version of the month #106
The Kingsmen cover Louie Louie by Richard Berry and The Pharaohs

I recently watched the magnificent 24-Hour Party People film for the first time in ages. Steve Coogan is outstanding as Tony Wilson (with a little dash of Partridge) while the formation of Factory Records, development of Joy Division, Ian Curtis' suicide, opening and mismanagement of the Hacienda, reliance/total piss-take on New Order's money and chaos of the Happy Mondays are portrayed with the right levels of honesty, empathy, bemusement and humour.

In the film, local punk fan Jon the Postman regularly gets up at the end of gigs to sing the evergreen garage band anthem Louie Louie, determined to keep the party going and sing his favourite song. Jon would go on to form a band and often guest with others. This led to him appearing with The Fall on Live 1977 album singing a ramshackle version. 

Louie Louie is a song I most definitely heard for the first time in McChuills. It was, and still is, regularly played by Old Nick in the bar. Probably by most DJ's at some point as well!

Covered by well over 1,000 bands/artists, including The Sonics, Iggy Pop, Motorhead and The Clash, I was convinced that the original was by The Kingsmen, as that was the version referenced by the bands and in the numerous articles I had read over the decades. However, it turns out that a guy called Richard Berry wrote and recorded the song with his band The Pharaohs back in 1955.

I'd never heard the original until I started researching the song for this blog. On first listen, I have to admit to finding it pretty uninspiring. I guess I'm used to the rawness of The Kingsmen and The Sonics, while The Pharaohs version is slower and smoother.

But the laid-back groove did grab me on second listen. It is undeniably catchy, allegedly inspired by Latin rhythms, particularly René Touzet’s El Loco Cha Cha. Berry crafted a story about a sailor longing for his love while stranded on a foreign shore. 

The story of the song, author, rights, publishing and ownership are quite something! There is a book in there for someone! A few google searches will direct you to some cracking articles.

By the mid-80's Berry was living on welfare and then the drinks company California Cooler used the song in a commercial. Despite the fact Berry had sold the rights to the song almost immediately after writing it, he still owned the radio and TV performance rights. He became a millionaire!

Richard Berry & The Pharaohs version

Lets travel back to 1963 though, when a young band from Portland, Oregon, called The Kingsmen took a raw, raucous approach to Louie Louie, generating immediate ripples and recording something so important that it has left a permanent mark on guitar music, stamping their name into rock history. 

This could well be the most important cover version of all-time.

Apparently The Kingsmen played a 90-minute version at a teen club the night before recording. Can you imagine if that was unearthed?! What I find remarkable is how they create such a dirty sound when they look so clean cut! 

Louie Louie by The Kingsmen is gloriously messy—recorded in one take with a distorted, almost unintelligible vocal from singer Jack Ely, who had to stand awkwardly to sing into a microphone hanging from the ceiling (they were essentially recording in a radio studio), resulting in a primal energy that would define garage guitar music for generations. It's so pure and real that it is completely timeless.

Beginning with an organ riff, everything else falls in behind and the energy grabs you immediately as Ely goes straight to the chorus, his words tumbling and stumbling into each other as he flies through the you take me to where you gotta go in double quick time.

Louie, Louie, oh no, you take me to where you gotta go

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah baby

Louie, Louie, take me to where you gotta go

Ely is like the original Julian Casablancas of The Strokes. Sounding like he is making it up as he goes along, a detached cool don't give a f**k attitude. You can just about make out what he is saying, although the lyrics would be the subject of much debate among teenagers in America who would speculate and write their own on pieces of paper and pass them round. Amazingly, and brilliantly, this led to the FBI were investigating the song! Lets just say that the lyrics that kids were passing around were not exactly clean! Rock n roll!

A fine little girl, she waits for me

Me catch a ship across the sea

Me sailed that ship all alone

Me never think I'll make it home

After a second chorus there is an audible shout of fuck from someone somewhere (believed to be the drummer)  on the recording and Ely continues to tell his tale of sailing across the seas to his girl.

Following the second verse and another chorus, Ely screams OK, lets give it to 'em right now leading to an outstanding 30-second guitar solo over the simple and sublime organ riff. It is electrifying! The Kingsmen are in the zone, lost in the moment and no matter how many times you listen, they draw you in with them.

There is a false start before the next verse, beautifully covered with a beautiful roll by drummer Lynn Easton (my wife's name!) and then they go into it for real. This just adds to the cool, raw, unpolished, urgent vibe. The energy. You can't teach this. You can't produce this or arrange it. If you're lucky, you might capture it.

Louie Louie by The Kingsmen got off to a slow start, just 1,000 copies were initially pressed by Jerden Records, then it got picked up by a larger label, Wand Records. Remarkably, things picked up after a DJ played it as his worst record of the week! 

Sometimes, the best songs are the simplest ones, built on passion rather than perfection. The infectious energy created from Louie Louie is still being felt today. It's a classic three-chord wonder that has been covered by everyone from The Sonics to Iggy Pop, The Beach Boys to Otis Redding, The Kinks to The Clash. 

The Richard Berry original and the landmark cover version by The Kingsmen of Louie Louie are added to my Everything Flows Cool Cover Versions playlist on Spotify which also features all of the songs listed below. Search for the title or CLICK HERE

Richard Berry original

The Kingsmen version

Previous covers of the month blogs

13. Hurt
39. ABBA-esque
40. Jumpin' Jack Flash
64. Lola
82. Drop
87. Indian Rope Man + bonus Strawberry Fields Forever + This Wheels On Fire
92. Valerie
101. Shout!



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Tuesday, 4 March 2025

Give Peace A Chance

 

Trust me #88
Give Peace A Chance by John Lennon / Plastic Ono Band



Released in July 1969, John Lennon's Give Peace A Chance created worldwide headlines as the Beatle wrote and recorded the song during a 'Bed-In' held with his wife Yoko for their honeymoon in Montreal.

Capturing the times, the song quickly became the anthem for the anti-Vietnam war movement and was sung by 500,000 demonstrators, led by Pete Seeger, at a protest in Washington that year.

Sitting cross-legged on his bed, Lennon leads his audience backed with acoustic guitars, handclaps and stomps through a string of verses beginning with everybody's talking about ... before going on to list a series of words that are equally relevant, nonsense, funny and cool. 

Each verse leads to the chorus (which becomes a mantra by the end);

all we are saying is give peace a chance


Isn't the footage extraordinary? 

Lennon's relationship with Ono led to bursts of spontaneous music and art with love and/or social/political commentary at the heart of them. The Unfinished Music albums (incredible that these were released when The Beatles were still going!) are absolutely crazy but document one of the most important nights of Lennon's life, when Ono came over and stayed the night while Cynthia was away. They made love and they made music. Well, the latter might be debatable. Good luck getting through the album!

I love that Lennon returned his MBE to Buckingham Palace with the note;

I am returning this MBE in protest against Britain's involvement in the Nigeria-Biafra thing, against our support of America in Vietnam and against Cold Turkey slipping down the charts. 
With love, John Lennon of Bag.

Instant Karma was recorded and released in days and Lennon would go on to write songs of peace and protest; Power To The People, Imagine and Happy Xmas (War Is Over). 

Yoko and I are quite willing to be the world's clowns if by doing so it will do some good. 
I know I'm one of these 'famous personalities'. 
For reasons only known to themselves, people do print what I say. 
And I'm saying peace. John Lennon

Give Peace A Chance simple, pure, soulful and a message that we all need to be singing in these troubled times. Where are the figureheads of Lennon's stature in these troubled times? 


Give Peace A Chance is added to my Trust Me playlist. Search for Everything Flows - Trust Me on Spotify or CLICK HERE. Check below for blogs on previous songs to feature in this series.

Previous Trust Me blogs

1. Something On Your Mind by Karen Dalton
1A. Crimson and Clover by Tommy James and the Shondells
2. I Am, I Said  by Neil Diamond
3. Where's The Playground Susie?   by Glen Campbell
4. If You Could Read My Mind by Gordon Lighfoot
5. Gimme Some Truth by John Lennon
6. Gone With The Wind Is My Love by Rita and the Tiaras
7. In The Year 2525 by Zager and Evans
8. The Music Box by Ruth Copeland
9. The Ship Song by Nick Cave
10. Sometimes by James
11. I Walk The Earth by King Biscuit Time
12. Didn't Know What I Was In For by Better Oblivion Community Centre
13. When My Boy Walks Down The Street by The Magnetic Fields
14. The Man Don't Give A F**k by Super Furry Animals
15. All Flowers In Time Bend Towards The Sun by Jeff Buckley and Liz Fraser
16. Are You Lookin' by The Tymes
17. A Real Hero by College & Electric Youth
18. Feelings Gone by Callum Easter
19. Sunday Morning by The Velvet Underground
20. Did I Say by Teenage Fanclub
21. Don't Look Back by Teenage Fanclub
23. Belfast by Orbital
24. Clouds by The Jayhawks
25. Dreaming Of You by The Coral
26. Everlasting Love by Love Affair
27. Walk Away Renee by The Left Banke
28. Teenage Kicks by The Undertones
29. Shaky Ground by Sneeze
29. Rill Rill by Sleigh Bells
30. I Can Feel Your Love by Felice Taylor
31. The State We're In by The Chemical Brothers w/ Beth Orton
32. Sunshine After The Rain by Ellie Greenwich
33. Losing My Edge by LCD Soundsystem
34. Mondo 77 by Looper
35. Les Fleurs by Minnie Riperton
36. Rat Trap by The Boomtown Rats
37. How High by The Charlatans
38. I Can't Let Go by Evie Sands
39. Pop Song 89 by R.E.M.
40. Summertime Clothes by Animal Collective
41. There She Goes by The Las
42. We're Going To Be Friends by White Stripes
43. Autumn Sweater by Yo La Tengo
44. Sister Rena by Lomond Campbell
45. Revolution by The Beatles
46. Lazarus by The Boo Radleys
47. Wrote For Luck by Happy Mondays
48. American Trilogy by The Delgados
49. Loser by Beck 
50. Silent Sigh by Badly Drawn Boy
51. Comedy by Shack
52. Take The Skinheads Bowling by Camper Van Beethoven
53. Freakscene by Dinosaur Jr
54. Thank You For Being You by The Pastels
55. I Think I'm In Love by Spiritualized
56. Chestnut Mare by The Byrds
57. Cannonball by The Breeders
58. Like A Rolling Stone by Bob Dylan
59. You Make Me Weak At The Knees by Electrelane
60. Lucky by Radiohead
61. Strange Currencies by R.E.M.
61. I Am The Cosmos by Chris Bell
62. Like A Ship (Without A Sail) by Pastor TL Barrett and the Youth for Christ Choir
63. Nothing But A Heartache by The Flirtations
64. Made of Stone by The Stone Roses
65. Tonight In Belfast by Orbital, David Holmes, DJ Helen and Mike Garry
66. Anything by Adrianne Lenker
67. I Hold Something In My Hand by Bill Ryder-Jones
68. I Meant Every Word by Burnett Sisters
69. Dream Baby Dream by Suicide
70. Stove by The Lemonheads
71. Red Lady by Phil Cordell
72. Little Fluffy Clouds by The Orb
73. I Can Do It With A Broken Heart by Taylor Swift
74. Turnin' My Heartbeat Up by The M.V.P.'s
75. Razzle Dazzle Rose by Camera Obscura
76. Such Great Heights by The Postal Service
77. The Rat by The Walkmen
78. My God Has A Telephone by Aaron Frazer
79. Unfinished Sympathy by Massive Attack
80. Sweet and Tender Romance by The McKinleys
81. Hoppipolla by Sigur Ros
82. 69 Police by David Holmes
83. Hey Lisa by David Holmes
84. I Am A Rock by Simon & Garfunkel
85. Kung Fu by Ash
86. Kids by MGMT
87. Slight Return by The Bluetones





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