The British attack, and all is well
Print- •
-
Share
- Share this item
-
Grab the link
Copy and paste the link:
- Blog about it
- Close
- •
-
Post a Comment
- •
Favorite- •
-
Report error
-
Thank you for your submission.Error report or correction
- Close
-
- •
When the Beatles bombarded these shores, Americans were hungry for more British music. Part of the reason was that the Brits embraced the roots of American rock, which had disappeared from many American rock songs. The British bands were doing things harder and faster, pushing rock music forward for both shores. Note: Because they will have their own list, there are no Beatles songs here.
Animals: "House of the Rising Sun" (1964)
An ancient song, "House of the Rising Sun" had been performed in a variety of ways for centuries. However, it was the Animals' version that became the definitive one, being credited as the first electric folk song.
Recorded in only one take, Eric Burdon's deep voice shows range and emotion, starting off low and gaining power throughout the song. The guitar plays the chords in arpeggio, which is eventually taken over by the Alan Price's amazing keyboard solo.
The Zombies: "When She's Not There" (1964)
The Zombies are possibly one of the most underrated bands from the '60s and did better in America than their home country.
"When She's Not There," written by keyboardist Rod Argent, has a jazzy feel that is created by the keyboards and the bass. Singer Colin Blunstone's haunting vocals provide an otherworldly eeriness to the song.
The Kinks: "You Really Got Me" (1964)
Lead singer and songwriter Ray Davies desperately needed a hit, or the Kinks would lose their record contract. His hit was delivered via a razor blade and knitting needles.
Kinks guitarist, 17-year-old Dave Davies, looking for a more distorted sound, cut his amp's speaker cone with a razor blade and poked holes in it with the needles. He got what he was looking for.
The song was ruled by Dave's power chords, which give the song a crunchy sound. Lead singer and the band's Ray Davies, has said that the song, which is considered by many to be the first hard rock song, is as a musical metaphor for the libido.
Them: "Gloria" (1964)
This garage band anthem was written by the Irish band Them. The song, written by 18-year-old singer Van Morrison, is lusty and raunchy, with Morrison spelling out "G-L-O-R-I-A" in the unforgettable chorus.
The Yardbirds: "Heart Full Of Soul" (1965)
The Yardbirds were guitar blessed, boasting the likes of Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck and Jimmy Page during the band's run.
"Heart Full of Soul," written by '60s songwriting powerhouse Graham Gouldman, features Beck on lead. Using a fuzz box, Beck wanted to emulate the style of a sitar, which blends well with singer Keith Relf's deep and melodic voice. In so doing, the Yardbirds created possibly the first psychedelic song.
Rolling Stones: "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction"
Before "Satisfaction," the Stones were primarily a cover band. Everything changed with this massive hit and solidified Mick Jagger and Keith Richards as a songwriting team.
When the band recorded the song, Richards played the main, now famous riff using a fuzz box, but had intended the part to be played by horns. Luckily, clearer heads prevailed and the song, with its fuzzy riff, became a legendary hit.
The lyrics are a statement trashing commercialism and advertising. However, the line "trying to make some girl" made many radio stations uncomfortable.
Small Faces: "Whatcha Gonna Do About It?"
Small Faces singer and guitarist Steve Merriott influenced many rock singers with a powerful voice that belied his small stature. He shows his vocal chops in "Whatcha Gonna Do About It?" with gravelly vocals that show a lot of emotion. Merriott and bassist Ronnie Lane based the tune on "Everybody Needs Somebody to Love" by Solomon Burke. Providing percussion is Kenney Jones, who would later join the Who after Keith Moon's death.
The Hollies: "Look Through Any Window" (1965)
Co-written by Graham Gouldman, the Hollies put beautiful, tight harmonies together over a 12-string lead guitar. The song carries two choruses by way of an impressive and unpredictable chord progression.
The Who: "My Generation" (1965)
Possibly the first punk song, everything about "My Generation" was different, pulling together brilliantly in one of the most angry songs ever written.
Guitarist Pete Townshend, who wrote the song, plays full power chords, attacking the guitar with hammering downstrokes. But, instead of guitar, the lead instrument is John Entwistle's bass, which is played to perfection. Entwistle's bass solo runs are answered by Townshend's guitar cacophony, which are rage-fueled. Roger Daltrey stutters the lyrics, giving the song its most distinguishing characteristics. Keith Moon is insane on the drums, seemingly playing everything at once, but somehow maintains a steady beat.
Spencer Davis Group: "Keep on Running" (1965)
While "Keep on Running" barely scratched the charts in the United States, it was a No. 1 hit in Britain and elsewhere in Europe. The song was written by Jamaican-born singer Jackie Edwards, and you can hear the reggae influence in the chord structure, and the song has a nice hook.
The most impressive aspect of the song is singer Steve Winwood's voice, who was a mere 17 at the time.
-
Print
- •
-
Share
- Share this item
-
Grab the link
Copy and paste the link:
- Blog about it
- Close
- •
-
Post a Comment
- •
- Favorite
- •
-
Report error
-
Thank you for your submission.Error report or correction
- Close
-
- •
