Lennon/Ono with the Plastic Ono Band - Instant Karma! (We All Shine On) (1970)

This “conceptual band” was started by The Beatles’ John Lennon and Yoko Ono who had met in 1966, became romantically involved with in 1968, and married in 1969. They made their first official release using the Plastic Ono Band name with “Give Peace a Chance” in 1969, even though the couple had been making music and releasing albums together as early as 1968.

Backing them, the Plastic Ono Band had a rotating lineup which at any time could have featured numerous notable musicians, such as George Harrison, Ringo Starr, Eric Clapton, Billy Preston, Keith Moon and many, many others. Lennon and Ono were fond of reminding their fans that “YOU are the Plastic Ono Band.”

The song below was Lennon’s attempt to create an “instant single.” He wrote the song (in an hour) on January 27, 1970, recorded it that very same day, and saw its release about a week later. Playing on the song besides Lennon and Ono (backing vocals), was George Harrison, Klaus Voormann, Alan White, Billy Preston, Mal Evans, with Allen Klein and numerous people from a pub down the street who assisted with backing vocals. It was George Harrison who suggested Lennon use famed producer Phil Spector, who happened to be visiting London at the time. Spector obliged, ending a self-imposed retirement he had begun in 1966. His collaboration with Lennon on the song led to his eventual hiring for production of The Beatles’ Let It Be album, which was released later that year in May.



Lennon/Ono with the Plastic Ono Band - Instant Karma! (We All Shine On) (1970)

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Lyrics:

…three, four

Instant karma’s gonna get you
Gonna knock you right on the head
You better get yourself together
Pretty soon you’re gonna be dead
What in the world you thinking of?
Laughing in the face of love
What on earth are you tryin’ to do?
It’s up to you
Yeah, you

Instant karma’s gonna get you
Gonna look you right in the face
Better get yourself together darlin’
Join the human race
How in the world you gonna see?
Laughin’ at fools like me
Who on Earth do you think you are?
A superstar?
Well, right you are

Well we all shine on
Like the moon and the stars and the sun
Well we all shine on
Everyone
Come on

Instant karma’s gonna get you
Gonna knock you off your feet
Better recognize your brothers
Everyone you meet
Why in the world are we here?
Surely not to live in pain and fear
Why on earth are you there
When you’re everywhere?
Come and get your share

Well we all shine on
Like the moon and the stars and the sun
Yeah, we all shine on
Come on and on and on- on- on

Yeah, yeah
Alright

Well we all shine on
Like the moon and the stars and the sun
Yeah, we all shine on
On and on and on- on and on

Well we all shine on
Like the moon and the stars and the sun
Well we all shine on
Like the moon and the stars and the sun
Well we all shine on
Like the moons and the stars and the sun
Yeah we all shine on
Like the moon and the stars and the sun

The Rumors - Hold Me Now (1965)

Formed around 1963, this Los Angeles-based band was founded by keyboardist, lead singer, and sometimes-manager Ben Turner. The group was rounded out by guitarist (and ex-member of The Ventures) Ed Burkey, bassist Larry Scher, and drummer Norm Prinsky. The band only recorded one single, “Hold Me Now” b/w “Without Her,” which had been recorded at Gemcor Records. (Gemcor was a small, local label owned by Bill Bell which only pressed three singles in total before closing their doors.)

The band toured Los Angeles and the surrounding areas, often competing in “battle of the bands” tournaments and even being featured on local television programs. Somewhere in 1967 or 1968, disappointed in record sales, the band called it quits.

Heard below is the A-Side to the group’s only release, “Hold Me Now.” The music and lyrics were predominately written by the band’s Ben Turner, with some lyrical assistance by their drummer, Norm Prinsky. The song was originally released in June 1965 and has since been featured on numerous compilation albums, including Nuggets, Pebbles, and The Cicadelic Sixties.



The Rumors - Hold Me Now (1965)

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Lyrics:

I'm coming, baby
Coming home to you now
I'm running, baby
Running to be with you now
Ah, don't you know?
I'm gonna love you so
I need all your lovin'

After I went and left you, I was blue
I'm saving all my money for only you
I'm gonna' love you- love you 'til the day I die
I- you know what I've been doin', now

Around and around and up and down we go, baby
Around and around and up and down we go, baby
Around and around and up and down we go, baby
I need all your lovin'

Let's go!

Hold me, hold me, hold me, hold me, hold me, hold me, hold me now
All of the time

Hold me, hold me, hold me, hold me, hold me, hold me, hold me now
Hold me now
You'll be mine

Hold me, hold me, hold me, hold me, hold me, hold me, hold me now
You're so fine

I need all your lovin'
Right now!

Eddie & The Showmen - Mr. Rebel (1963)

As mentioned in a previous post, this band was created when guitarist Eddie Bertrand of The Bel-Airs left his group to start a new one that he would lead in a “harsher” surf rock sound. Formed in Southern California, the group had other notable members throughout their history, such as Dick Dodd- previously a Mouseketeer and later a member of The Standells- who was their original drummer; guitarist Larry Carlton would later become a famous jazz guitarist; and Rob Edwards would later be in the psychedelic band known as Colours.

Released in late 1963, the song heard below was composed by Bertrand and definitively the group’s most popular release, despite all of their singles selling well. The group was in a unique position, being an instrumental band signed to a big label (Liberty Records). Unfortunately, Liberty never saw fit to release a full-length album, and the band only put out singles. The song below reached number four on the local Los Angeles market in February 1964, making it the group’s highest (albeit locally) charting hit. The song was produced by Bert Bertrand, Eddie's father.



Eddie & The Showmen - Mr. Rebel (1963)

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Lyrics:

(instrumental)

Patrick Sky - Many a Mile (1965)

Patrick Sky (born Patrick Lynch on October 2nd, 1943) is an American folk musician, singer, and songwriter. Though he was born in Georgia and raised in Louisiana, Sky made a name for himself in Greenwich Village, New York, alongside contemporaries such as Eric Andersen, Mississippi John Hurt, Buffy Sainte-Marie, Dave van Ronk, and all of the other numerous names made famous who got their start in the Village.

He recorded four albums in the mid- to late-sixties until simultaneously becoming tired with the music industry and growing a more politically radical point of view. This new outlook inspired Sky to record a highly satirical album in 1971. The album, titled Songs That Made America Famous, was so controversial that it wasn’t released until 1973, after having been declined for release by numerous labels.

More recently, Sky has been renowned for his expertise in building and playing the Irish uillean pipes. He has authored numerous books on the subject and often performs with his wife Cathy.

Heard below is the opening track to Patrick Sky’s eponymous debut album, released in 1965. Written by Sky himself, the song became a standard of the folk music scene in the 1960s. It has been covered by numerous artists, perhaps of which most notably was Buffy Sainte-Marie, who named her 1965 album after the song.



Patrick Sky - Many a Mile (1965)

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Lyrics:

I’ve damn near walked this world around
Another city, another town
Another friend to say goodbye
Another girl to sit and cry
And it’s many a mile I’ve spent on this road
It’s many a mile I have gone

Well, there was one who knew me best
You know she gave my poor heart rest
She was my world, my heart, my dear
Now she’s gone to God knows where
And it’s many a mile I’ve spent on this road
It’s many a mile I have gone

I’ve seen your towns; they’re all the same
The only difference is in a name
The only home I’ve ever know’ed
Was a suitcase and the open road
And it’s many a mile I’ve spent on this road
It’s many a mile I have gone

So I’ll fill my glasses up to the brim
And through my glass, my world looks dim
But, I know, outside there’s light somewhere
Maybe my rambling will get me there
And it’s many a mile I’ve spent on this road
It’s many a mile I’ve gone

It’s many a mile I’ve spent on this road
And it’s many a mile I will go