Covering the Covers: There Goes My Baby

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This series looks at some of the covers that came out during the years 1976-85 or songs that were originally released during that time period and subsequently covered. Boring, rote covers need not apply. Looking for artists that can take a song and add their own blend of spice. As the lovely Kate Pierson of The B-52's once said about the Talking Heads cover of "Take Me to the River": It's a rare thing that a band can do a cover song and make it their own. Simply put, they made Al Green's 'Take Me to the River' into a Talking Heads song."

Today's study: There Goes My Baby, written by Benjamin Nelson, Lover Patterson & George Treadwell, original released by The Drifters.

Released: April 1959 (Atlantic) Produced by: Jerry Leiber & Mike Stoller

U. S. Billboard Charts:
Hot 100	2
R&B	1

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Released: July 1984 (Geffen) Produced by: Michael Omartian Album: Cats Without Claws

U. S. Billboard Charts:
Hot 100	21
R&B	20

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Covering the Covers: MacArthur Park

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This series looks at some of the better covers that came out during the years 1976-85 or songs that were originally released during that time period and subsequently covered. Boring, rote covers need not apply. Looking for artists that can take a song and add their own blend of spice. As the lovely Kate Pierson of The B-52's once said about the Talking Heads cover of "Take Me to the River": It's a rare thing that a band can do a cover song and make it their own. Simply put, they made Al Green's 'Take Me to the River' into a Talking Heads song."

Today's study: MacArthur Park, written by Jimmy Webb, original released by Richard Harris.

Released: April 1968 (Dunhill) Produced by: Jimmy Webb Album: A Tramp Shining

U. S. Billboard Charts:
Hot 100	2
Easy Listening	10

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Released: September 1978 (Casablanca) Produced by: Giorgio Moroder & Pete Bellotte Album: Live and More

U. S. Billboard Charts:
Hot 100	1
Disco	1
Adult Contemporary	24

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Covering the Covers: How Do I Survive

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The chorus to the song "How Do I Survive" (the Amy Holland version) got stuck in my head the other morning, so I found it on the YouTube for a quick listen only to discover other versions, including...

Released: 1979 (Columbia) Written by: Paul Bliss Produced by: Geoff Westley Album: Neon Smiles

U. S. Billboard Charts:
Not released as a single

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Released: 1980 (Capitol) Written by: Paul Bliss Produced by: Michael McDonald Album: Amy Holland

U. S. Billboard Charts:
Hot 100	22
Adult Contemporary	34

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Released: 1982 (Epic) Written by: Paul Bliss Produced by: Nicky Graham Album: Portrait

U. S. Billboard Charts:
Not released as a single

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It's beyond the scope of 1976-85, but Paul Bliss re-recorded his own tune in 1997: 

Covering the Covers: Take Me to the River

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This series looks at some of the better covers that came out during the years 1976-85 or songs that were originally released during that time period and subsequently covered. Boring, rote covers need not apply. Looking for artists that can take a song and add their own blend of spice. As the lovely Kate Pierson of The B-52's once said about the Talking Heads cover of "Take Me to the River": It's a rare thing that a band can do a cover song and make it their own. Simply put, they made Al Green's 'Take Me to the River' into a Talking Heads song." Seems as good a place to start as any:

Released: October 1974 (Hi) Written by: Al Green & Mabon "Teenie" Hodges Produced by: Willie Mitchell Album: Al Green Explores Your Mind

U. S. Billboard Charts:
Not released as a single

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Released: August 1978 (Sire) Written by: Al Green & Mabon "Teenie" Hodges Produced by: Brian Eno & Talking Heads Album: More Songs about Buildings and Food

U. S. Billboard Charts:
Hot 100	26

David Byrne calls this "a song that combines teenage lust with baptism. Not equates, you understand, but throws them in the same stew, at least. A potent blend."

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First version heard by your humble blogger? None of the above. It was the Talking Heads' live version on Stop Making Sense (1984)

Rev. Green's Full Gospel Tabernacle in Memphis depicted on the picture sleeve of the Talking Heads' single? It's not exactly on the beaten path, but I found it in December 2011.


On that same trip to Memphis, I also visited Royal studios where this song was recorded



and I've seen Rev. Green perform the song live (wish I could say the same for Talking Heads [sad trombone sound]).