All over the arrangement map: Trendsetting power poppers to chart-topping new wavers to unexpected hard rockers who dropped a "g", to an out'n'proud Scot going acoustic and falsetto.
Like Steve, I didn't know Blondie's wasn't the original until several years ago. This original version has grown to become my favorite, though Blondie's is a close second. L7 also covered it, and there's isn't terrible.
Plimsouls might be worth an "autopsy" all their own!
You're right about The Nerves' spunky little delivery! And, you're right about The Plimsouls, who hold a near and dear place in my heart, with "A Million Miles Away" being a sparkling gem. However many takes they had from which to choose for inclusion, they picked the right one!
I'd have to go back and listen to their oh-so-brief canon...another band with such a spotty and unfortunately short lifespan for being so filled with talent and promise.
Actually, it'd be fun to poll the 'Stack writers who were critics back in the day---Christgau, Robins, et al! Of course, it'd be fun to do that for any artist/album, but for a band with a short lifespan who had such a rabid music-critic following (probably more rock critic fans than record-buying public!), it might be worth at least researching for their reviews from the early '80s!
Thanks for your input, Kevin! I'm always interested in hearing others' perceptions! Good on ya, though, for having sussed out The Nerves as the originators of the song before many others!🎸
Excellent choice of song to give the Inside Tracks treatment. I will admit to thinking Blondie wrote the original until about 8 or 9 years ago when I started listened to the radio show turned podcast “Sound Opinions” with Jim Derogatis and Greg Kot. At the end of each episode they would play listeners voice messages commenting on previous episodes. The musical cue leading into the segment was one of 4 or 5 songs about the “telephone” and The Nerves version was used quite often.
I knew the Def Leppard version -- I own that covers album -- but had no idea Jimmy Somerville did one too! I like all 4 versions but like Sade (and many others) once said: “It’s never as good as the first time.” So my soft spot will always be Blondie.
Thanks, Steve! As TV used to say, "Knowing's half that battle!" Jack Lee is not otherwise hitless (other "stars" have covered his tuneage, including Blondie with at least one other Lee song), but no one on the planet is aware of his existence (except, of course, those in the biz)!
I love the fellowship and generosity that seemed to exist back in the punk/new wave Hollywood biz back in the day i.e. Debbie helping Jack get back on his feet, with a legitimate love for his art, and not just a gratuitous, "hollow" handout! Proven, of course, by her hit with "Telephone," and others! And, even though you did, I decline to even discuss MY soft spot! Perhaps another time!
Dropping Wednesday (if you'll pardon a blatant tease!) will be an "Audio Autopsy" on a songwriter nearing 80, who not only wrote a pop/easy listening hit in the late '60s, but was friends with hard core country artists (and a peyote enthusiast) to the point where he's since been labelled as being an "outlaw country" figure! Quite an amazing personality and renaissance man, dropping 8am CT Wed!
FR&B readers and followers, I invite you to check out Steve's wonderful and insightful "Earworms and Song Loops," and do as I do and subscribe, as well: https://earworm.substack.com/
I was just playing some Kurt Baker earlier today and remembered that he also did a nice cover of Hanging on the Telephone! From his Got It Covered album in 2010. Might be too close to the original to warrant a 4th band's take on it, but I do love Kurt and am about to post about him right now!
Like Steve, I didn't know Blondie's wasn't the original until several years ago. This original version has grown to become my favorite, though Blondie's is a close second. L7 also covered it, and there's isn't terrible.
Plimsouls might be worth an "autopsy" all their own!
You're right about The Nerves' spunky little delivery! And, you're right about The Plimsouls, who hold a near and dear place in my heart, with "A Million Miles Away" being a sparkling gem. However many takes they had from which to choose for inclusion, they picked the right one!
I'd have to go back and listen to their oh-so-brief canon...another band with such a spotty and unfortunately short lifespan for being so filled with talent and promise.
Actually, it'd be fun to poll the 'Stack writers who were critics back in the day---Christgau, Robins, et al! Of course, it'd be fun to do that for any artist/album, but for a band with a short lifespan who had such a rabid music-critic following (probably more rock critic fans than record-buying public!), it might be worth at least researching for their reviews from the early '80s!
Thanks for your input, Kevin! I'm always interested in hearing others' perceptions! Good on ya, though, for having sussed out The Nerves as the originators of the song before many others!🎸
Excellent choice of song to give the Inside Tracks treatment. I will admit to thinking Blondie wrote the original until about 8 or 9 years ago when I started listened to the radio show turned podcast “Sound Opinions” with Jim Derogatis and Greg Kot. At the end of each episode they would play listeners voice messages commenting on previous episodes. The musical cue leading into the segment was one of 4 or 5 songs about the “telephone” and The Nerves version was used quite often.
I knew the Def Leppard version -- I own that covers album -- but had no idea Jimmy Somerville did one too! I like all 4 versions but like Sade (and many others) once said: “It’s never as good as the first time.” So my soft spot will always be Blondie.
Thanks, Steve! As TV used to say, "Knowing's half that battle!" Jack Lee is not otherwise hitless (other "stars" have covered his tuneage, including Blondie with at least one other Lee song), but no one on the planet is aware of his existence (except, of course, those in the biz)!
I love the fellowship and generosity that seemed to exist back in the punk/new wave Hollywood biz back in the day i.e. Debbie helping Jack get back on his feet, with a legitimate love for his art, and not just a gratuitous, "hollow" handout! Proven, of course, by her hit with "Telephone," and others! And, even though you did, I decline to even discuss MY soft spot! Perhaps another time!
Dropping Wednesday (if you'll pardon a blatant tease!) will be an "Audio Autopsy" on a songwriter nearing 80, who not only wrote a pop/easy listening hit in the late '60s, but was friends with hard core country artists (and a peyote enthusiast) to the point where he's since been labelled as being an "outlaw country" figure! Quite an amazing personality and renaissance man, dropping 8am CT Wed!
FR&B readers and followers, I invite you to check out Steve's wonderful and insightful "Earworms and Song Loops," and do as I do and subscribe, as well: https://earworm.substack.com/
I was just playing some Kurt Baker earlier today and remembered that he also did a nice cover of Hanging on the Telephone! From his Got It Covered album in 2010. Might be too close to the original to warrant a 4th band's take on it, but I do love Kurt and am about to post about him right now!