Comments on: From “Always On My Mind” to “The Letter” https://thenewneo.com/2025/12/27/always-on-my-mind/ A blog about political change, among other things Wed, 31 Dec 2025 05:05:32 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.1.4 By: BJ https://thenewneo.com/2025/12/27/always-on-my-mind/#comment-2835644 Wed, 31 Dec 2025 05:05:32 +0000 https://thenewneo.com/?p=146402#comment-2835644 @ Sennacherib,

Yes, it does. The PSB undoubtably heard Willie’s version and subconsciously or not, echoed him.

BTW, the PSB had a surprisingly encyclopedia like knowledge of recent music history. When they recorded their single “What Have I Done To Deserve This”, they knew the only feminine voice for the counterpoint was Dusty Springfield’s. There were plenty of contemporary stars who would have filled in, but hers was perfect and they knew it.

]]> By: Sennacherib https://thenewneo.com/2025/12/27/always-on-my-mind/#comment-2835606 Tue, 30 Dec 2025 22:42:52 +0000 https://thenewneo.com/?p=146402#comment-2835606 Bj
I know it’s the Pet Shop boys, but it sounds a little like Willie.

]]> By: BJ https://thenewneo.com/2025/12/27/always-on-my-mind/#comment-2835537 Tue, 30 Dec 2025 05:38:25 +0000 https://thenewneo.com/?p=146402#comment-2835537 The Pet Shop Boys did a cover of “You Were Always On My Mind” back during the Cold War, when MTV still played videos. This one seems like they couldn’t decide on a concept, so they mixed it all into a surreal soup, along with a promo at the end for their next single.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wDe60CbIagg&list=RDwDe60CbIagg&start_radio=1

]]> By: Art Deco https://thenewneo.com/2025/12/27/always-on-my-mind/#comment-2835465 Mon, 29 Dec 2025 16:16:31 +0000 https://thenewneo.com/?p=146402#comment-2835465 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c5dwksSbD34

]]> By: Art Deco https://thenewneo.com/2025/12/27/always-on-my-mind/#comment-2835464 Mon, 29 Dec 2025 16:15:05 +0000 https://thenewneo.com/?p=146402#comment-2835464 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hIuryZ8JUJM

]]> By: Sennacherib https://thenewneo.com/2025/12/27/always-on-my-mind/#comment-2835462 Mon, 29 Dec 2025 15:57:28 +0000 https://thenewneo.com/?p=146402#comment-2835462 Cocker bought a ranch near my parents, he was a good guy.

]]> By: huxley https://thenewneo.com/2025/12/27/always-on-my-mind/#comment-2835437 Mon, 29 Dec 2025 07:02:05 +0000 https://thenewneo.com/?p=146402#comment-2835437 Re: Joe Cocker

I will full-throatedly defend Joe Cocker and his first three albums, culminating in his live album and film, “Mad Dogs & Englishmen,” from which his version of “The Letter” emerged.

“Mad Dogs” is a peak moment in rock’n’roll, never surpassed IMO for its unique, near orchestral (~40 players) blend of rock, blues and country. Leon Russell, who produced and conducted the performances, gets equal credit.

Unfortunately, it was also Cocker’s peak. He was already exhausted from previous tours and discovered he was obligated to tour again. Russell did the heavy lifting, but between Cocker’s alcoholism, other drugs, and the stress, it took him years to recover and he never fully recovered his prime.

–“Joe Cocker – The Letter (Live From Mad Dogs & Englishmen)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LqnatdH4jmA

RIP Joe Cocker (1944–2014)

]]> By: huxley https://thenewneo.com/2025/12/27/always-on-my-mind/#comment-2835429 Mon, 29 Dec 2025 04:04:03 +0000 https://thenewneo.com/?p=146402#comment-2835429 Re: “With a Little Help from My Friends.”

Mrs Whatsit:

Hmm … you’re right. Cocker does sing it in 3/4 and the Beatles in 4/4. Pretty tricky!

FWIW the Beatles loved Cocker’s version. He brought a black sound to their song that they greatly admired.

One critic remarked, well, Joe Cocker is not Ray Charles, but he’s close enough to give us songs Ray didn’t have time to get to.

]]> By: Sennacherib https://thenewneo.com/2025/12/27/always-on-my-mind/#comment-2835421 Mon, 29 Dec 2025 02:20:42 +0000 https://thenewneo.com/?p=146402#comment-2835421 I noticed you like the Belmont Club.

]]> By: Mrs Whatsit https://thenewneo.com/2025/12/27/always-on-my-mind/#comment-2835404 Sun, 28 Dec 2025 22:08:26 +0000 https://thenewneo.com/?p=146402#comment-2835404 As for Joe Cocker, Mr Whatsit would like me to add that the difference between Joe Cocker’s “With a Little Help from my Friends” and the Beatles’ original is that the Beatles sang it in 4/4 and Joe Cocker sang it in 3/4.

Whether or not that’s the reason, it’s one of the only Joe Cocker songs I can get myself to listen to.

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