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Anatomy of a Song: The Oral History of 45 Iconic Hits That Changed Rock, R&B and Pop by Marc Myers
gsatori's review against another edition
3.0
This isn't the sort of book one really sits down and reads. It has interesting snippets from songwriters about how certain of their songs came about and were executed, but to just read one account after another after another...becomes boring quickly.
bkachenbach's review against another edition
4.0
Good book with fabulous information and interviews about the songs. I really wish there was a companion playlist on all the normal suspects. A star has been deducted because I still have Runaround Sue stuck in my head... AAARGH
toddlleopold's review against another edition
3.0
You can see the underpinnings of a more thorough book in "Anatomy of a Song."
In this work, Wall Street Journal columnist Marc Myers collects 45 of his articles from his column of the same name, providing a tour of rock history through some key singles. He starts with Lloyd Price's "Lawdy Miss Clawdy" and concludes with R.E.M.'s "Losing My Religion," taking time to breeze through "Please Mr. Postman," "Chapel of Love," "My Girl," "Different Drum," "Maggie May," "Rock the Boat" and several others -- 45 songs in honor of the 45 rpm record, the longtime form of the single.
"Breeze" is the operative word. Though there are a few revelations -- I had no idea Fats Domino played piano on "Lawdy Miss Clawdy," or there was an early, crummy mix of "Rock the Boat" (and Jim Gordon and Larry Carlton played on THAT) -- too much has been written elsewhere, and sometimes you get the feeling chapters are cut off before the artists (or producers, or writers) really have a chance to dig deep.
That's a given with an 800-word column, but it shouldn't necessarily be a given in a book from those columns.
Probably the most interesting material comes from songwriters, who often had a completely different idea in mind -- certainly inspiration -- than the producers or artists. Michael Nesmith wrote "Different Drum" as a story song; Linda Ronstadt ended up winging the lyrics because she didn't have a sheet in front of her. (She also hates how she sounds: "I hear fear and a lack of confidence," she told Myers.) "Midnight Train to Georgia" was inspired by a call songwriter Jim Weatherly made to his friend Lee Majors, whose then girlfriend, Farrah Fawcett, answered and told him she was flying home to Houston. Edwin Hawkins' piano influence on "Oh Happy Day" was Sergio Mendes. And Smokey Robinson didn't write "My Girl" as a response to his own "My Guy," which had topped the charts for Mary Wells a few months earlier.
But I always found myself wanting more. Mick Jagger talks about "Moonlight Mile's" development, but I wanted to know about that weird mesh of chords at 1:02 -- one that doesn't repeat itself later in the song. John Fogerty alludes to difficulties with CCR as early as 1968 in the "Proud Mary" chapter -- he didn't like the band's background vocals so he did them himself -- but it's a lot less revealing than an interview with Doug Clifford I saw a few weeks ago.
Also, Myers -- who often writes about jazz -- is a little stiff and academic in his setups. A book about rock 'n' soul needs more energy.
Still, it's a pleasure to hear so many musicians give credit to a) their predecessors and b) serendipity. One thing that often bugs me about music post-1980 or so is it sounds so damned polished. (That's practically a prerequisite for anything in the AutoTuned 21st century, but Ed Ward even complained about the same attribute for 1969's "Abbey Road," and I can't argue.) But it's the flaws that usually make the greatest songs.
In the chapter on "London Calling," Clash drummer Topper Headon repeats the oft-told story about producer Guy Stevens, who insisted one song was done after Topper complained that it sped up. (He was probably talking about "Brand New Cadillac," not "London Calling.") "All great rock 'n' roll speeds up," Stevens responded. To which Headon says now, "He was right. It made us realize that a good rock producer leaves imperfection in there somewhere."
"Anatomy of a Song" is equally imperfect, but it's got enough juice to make for an entertaining read. Now, if only I could read the extended version.
In this work, Wall Street Journal columnist Marc Myers collects 45 of his articles from his column of the same name, providing a tour of rock history through some key singles. He starts with Lloyd Price's "Lawdy Miss Clawdy" and concludes with R.E.M.'s "Losing My Religion," taking time to breeze through "Please Mr. Postman," "Chapel of Love," "My Girl," "Different Drum," "Maggie May," "Rock the Boat" and several others -- 45 songs in honor of the 45 rpm record, the longtime form of the single.
"Breeze" is the operative word. Though there are a few revelations -- I had no idea Fats Domino played piano on "Lawdy Miss Clawdy," or there was an early, crummy mix of "Rock the Boat" (and Jim Gordon and Larry Carlton played on THAT) -- too much has been written elsewhere, and sometimes you get the feeling chapters are cut off before the artists (or producers, or writers) really have a chance to dig deep.
That's a given with an 800-word column, but it shouldn't necessarily be a given in a book from those columns.
Probably the most interesting material comes from songwriters, who often had a completely different idea in mind -- certainly inspiration -- than the producers or artists. Michael Nesmith wrote "Different Drum" as a story song; Linda Ronstadt ended up winging the lyrics because she didn't have a sheet in front of her. (She also hates how she sounds: "I hear fear and a lack of confidence," she told Myers.) "Midnight Train to Georgia" was inspired by a call songwriter Jim Weatherly made to his friend Lee Majors, whose then girlfriend, Farrah Fawcett, answered and told him she was flying home to Houston. Edwin Hawkins' piano influence on "Oh Happy Day" was Sergio Mendes. And Smokey Robinson didn't write "My Girl" as a response to his own "My Guy," which had topped the charts for Mary Wells a few months earlier.
But I always found myself wanting more. Mick Jagger talks about "Moonlight Mile's" development, but I wanted to know about that weird mesh of chords at 1:02 -- one that doesn't repeat itself later in the song. John Fogerty alludes to difficulties with CCR as early as 1968 in the "Proud Mary" chapter -- he didn't like the band's background vocals so he did them himself -- but it's a lot less revealing than an interview with Doug Clifford I saw a few weeks ago.
Also, Myers -- who often writes about jazz -- is a little stiff and academic in his setups. A book about rock 'n' soul needs more energy.
Still, it's a pleasure to hear so many musicians give credit to a) their predecessors and b) serendipity. One thing that often bugs me about music post-1980 or so is it sounds so damned polished. (That's practically a prerequisite for anything in the AutoTuned 21st century, but Ed Ward even complained about the same attribute for 1969's "Abbey Road," and I can't argue.) But it's the flaws that usually make the greatest songs.
In the chapter on "London Calling," Clash drummer Topper Headon repeats the oft-told story about producer Guy Stevens, who insisted one song was done after Topper complained that it sped up. (He was probably talking about "Brand New Cadillac," not "London Calling.") "All great rock 'n' roll speeds up," Stevens responded. To which Headon says now, "He was right. It made us realize that a good rock producer leaves imperfection in there somewhere."
"Anatomy of a Song" is equally imperfect, but it's got enough juice to make for an entertaining read. Now, if only I could read the extended version.
dogtrax's review against another edition
5.0
This is my kind of book ... stories behind the songs ...
joshtuinder's review against another edition
5.0
From Blues to Alternative…and everything in between.
Incredible read. The way Mr. Myers brings you from Louisiana blues to Detroit R&B and ends it with Brit Rock and Alternative music is a pleasurable journey through history. And the stories being told by those who were actually there make it honest and real. Loved it.
Incredible read. The way Mr. Myers brings you from Louisiana blues to Detroit R&B and ends it with Brit Rock and Alternative music is a pleasurable journey through history. And the stories being told by those who were actually there make it honest and real. Loved it.
tracey_stewart's review against another edition
4.0
I love this stuff. I love learning the background, the genesis for a work, be it a book or painting, tv episode or – obviously – a song. Websites like SongFacts are huge rabbit holes that I can and do fall into and lose ridiculous amounts of time. And this collection of 45 tales, originally articles in the Wall Street Journal, derived from the author's interviews with those who participated in the songs' creation and recording, are (more or less) fascinating.
There's a fairly common bit of trivia about the Beatles' "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds", about how although everyone pretty much assumes it's about an acid trip (the capitals of the song title are LSD!), John Lennon always denied it, said it was based on a crayon drawing from one of his kids. Similarly, Steppenwolf's "Magic Carpet Ride" is not, as – oh, come on, as everyone who's ever heard it – thinks, about any mind–altering substances. It makes so much sense when you hear the story. ("Lucy" is not one of the 45 songs in this book, by the way – consider this a bonus.)
I do love this stuff. I love inside information, inspiration, in–jokes – I will never hear "Groovin'" the same again, now that I know about the Misheard–Lyric Joke the band used to make, which ranks up there with "There's a bathroom on the right" and "Hold me closer, Tony Danza".
I still find the selection of songs a little surprising. Despite never having heard of several, I have no argument with the songs and artists included (except for "Suspicious Minds" – I despise that song) – but I do wonder about so many artists who are not represented. Billy Joel, Simon and/or Garfunkel, Rush, Melissa Etheridge, Elton John, Styx, Bruce Springsteen. Bob Dylan. Michael Jackson – any of the Jacksons. Prince. David Bowie. Hell – the Beatles. I mean. There were two songs from the Rolling Stones, though. That doesn't work for me. But it's not my collection. I just wonder why. In a perfect world would these 45 songs be the 45 songs he would have chosen out of all the songs ever? Or did the songs choices depend on the interviews – whether people involved in the production were still alive, were willing, were otherwise available?
Why "Mercedes Benz" and not "Me and Bobby McGee?" I mean, it's a great story, but how do I know "Bobby McGee" doesn't have just as cool a background? (ETA: I have since learned that "Bobby McGee" was a cover by Pearl, so if it was going to be discussed here it would be under Roger Miller's name, most likely.)
The audio format took a bit of adjusting for me. Jonathan Yen did an excellent job of narrating, but still – knowing that the essays were based on taped interviews, it seemed off not to have the artists' own voices telling the stories. To sit with them, talk with them and extract the answers, edit everything down and write an article, and then give it to someone else to read – verbatim, with all of each person's idiosyncrasies – into a microphone – it just feels a little crazy. I mean, it does make sense, in that having to get the rights and permissions would have taken time and money from the book's budget, and the edited-down versions of the interviews were, I'm sure, pretty choppy. It just took a little time to adapt to the same voice reading Grace Slick and Loretta Lynn and Stevie Wonder and Michael Stipe. I absolutely commend the narrator and the producers for the decision not to try for impersonation of any sort – no accents, none of those characteristic speech tics, only a slightly lighter voice used for women's contributions. None of my problems with the book were due to the narrator – he was very good.
I think – apart from that – my only real complaint about this book is that it ended quite abruptly. The last song, "Losing My Religion", is featured, and then … that's it, no wrap up. Some kind of coda would have been nice. Other than that, it was a well–put–together compendium of articles.
But seriously, why two Stones songs?
1. Lloyd Price – Lawdy Miss Clawdy – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nYO263wui1w
2. Little Willie Littlefield – K.C. Loving – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BEPt9lrfO_8
3. The Isley Brothers – Shout – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qFCePEPdaU4
4. The Marvelettes – Please Mr. Postman – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pSlzhYd0rYw
5. Dion – Runaround Sue – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ID–jsd0HGZs
6. The Dixie Cups – Chapel of Love – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rTq7w8P6_2I
7. The Kinks – You Really Got Me – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fTTsY–oz6Go
8. The Righteous Brothers – You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NONMSNzLhHU
9. The Temptations – My Girl – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6bsdGo8dEoY
10. The Four Tops – Reach Out I'll Be There – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qd6XkaKmqMM
11. The Lovin' Spoonful – Darling Be Home Soon – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fXjzOpz4Cyw
12. The Doors – Light My Fire – (7 min) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=deB_u–to–IE
13. The Young Rascals – Groovin' – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=falI0baGhBQ
14. Grace Slick (Jefferson Airplane) – White Rabbit – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XR8LFNUr3vw
15. The Stone Poneys – Different Drum – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2FLN4MUROXk
16. Otis Redding – (Sittin' on) The Dock of the Bay – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wyPKRcBTsFQ
17. Loretta Lynn – Fist City – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YvPnYhftIjs
18. The Rolling Stones – Street Fighting Man – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_ypZLjVbFE
19. Tammy Wynette – Stand by Your Man – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AM–b8P1yj9w
20. Steppenwolf – Magic Carpet Ride – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ccBi8f_2RE
21. Creedence Clearwater Revival – Proud Mary – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XfyEpmQM7bw
22. The Edwin Hawkins Singers – Oh Happy Day – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hzj3pOdCOqU
23. Elvis Presley – Suspicious Minds – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxOBOhRECoo
24. Led Zeppelin – Whole Lotta Love – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q0utAHY3xo4
25. Janis Joplin – Mercedes Benz – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qev–i9–VKlY
26. The Rolling Stones – Moonlight Mile – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=stpRIyHHw8g
27. Rod Stewart – Maggie May – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bxtCqs2WFZE
28. Joni Mitchell – Carey – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bulwl46vz9s
29. The Staple Singers – Respect Yourself – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=–1pYKdqD1ls
30. Jimmy Cliff – The Harder They Come – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j0Nm5baiM4M
31. Gladys Knight and the Pips – Midnight Train to Georgia – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A0F9lh8TiSM
32. The Allman Brothers – Ramblin' Man – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1x28jaeyX2s
33. The Hues Corporation – Rock the Boat – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fO1Z8ikSEPU
34. Aerosmith – Walk This Way – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5UFFa1HbFfA
35. Stevie Wonder – Love's in Need of Love Today – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nmcXIaBwz_g
36. Steely Dan – Deacon Blues – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2A0wGO3c2T8
37. Elvis Costello – (The Angels Wanna Wear My) Red Shoes – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N0aAGP3ty_A
38. Blondie – Heart of Glass – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aa911_8TP2s
39. Pink Floyd – Another Brick in the Wall – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YR5ApYxkU–U
40. The Clash – London Calling – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v7ZiwhDAo04
41. The Neville Brothers – Brother John/Iko Iko – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=99NYJkWZC9I
42. Merle Haggard – Big City – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Th7tgdCZjUo
43. Cyndi Lauper – Time After Time – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VdQY7BusJNU
44. Bonnie Raitt – Nick of Time – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dy8gHfGIS_A
45. R.E.M. – Losing My Religion – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xwtdhWltSIg
There's a fairly common bit of trivia about the Beatles' "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds", about how although everyone pretty much assumes it's about an acid trip (the capitals of the song title are LSD!), John Lennon always denied it, said it was based on a crayon drawing from one of his kids. Similarly, Steppenwolf's "Magic Carpet Ride" is not, as – oh, come on, as everyone who's ever heard it – thinks, about any mind–altering substances. It makes so much sense when you hear the story. ("Lucy" is not one of the 45 songs in this book, by the way – consider this a bonus.)
I do love this stuff. I love inside information, inspiration, in–jokes – I will never hear "Groovin'" the same again, now that I know about the Misheard–Lyric Joke the band used to make, which ranks up there with "There's a bathroom on the right" and "Hold me closer, Tony Danza".
I still find the selection of songs a little surprising. Despite never having heard of several, I have no argument with the songs and artists included (except for "Suspicious Minds" – I despise that song) – but I do wonder about so many artists who are not represented. Billy Joel, Simon and/or Garfunkel, Rush, Melissa Etheridge, Elton John, Styx, Bruce Springsteen. Bob Dylan. Michael Jackson – any of the Jacksons. Prince. David Bowie. Hell – the Beatles. I mean. There were two songs from the Rolling Stones, though. That doesn't work for me. But it's not my collection. I just wonder why. In a perfect world would these 45 songs be the 45 songs he would have chosen out of all the songs ever? Or did the songs choices depend on the interviews – whether people involved in the production were still alive, were willing, were otherwise available?
Why "Mercedes Benz" and not "Me and Bobby McGee?" I mean, it's a great story, but how do I know "Bobby McGee" doesn't have just as cool a background? (ETA: I have since learned that "Bobby McGee" was a cover by Pearl, so if it was going to be discussed here it would be under Roger Miller's name, most likely.)
The audio format took a bit of adjusting for me. Jonathan Yen did an excellent job of narrating, but still – knowing that the essays were based on taped interviews, it seemed off not to have the artists' own voices telling the stories. To sit with them, talk with them and extract the answers, edit everything down and write an article, and then give it to someone else to read – verbatim, with all of each person's idiosyncrasies – into a microphone – it just feels a little crazy. I mean, it does make sense, in that having to get the rights and permissions would have taken time and money from the book's budget, and the edited-down versions of the interviews were, I'm sure, pretty choppy. It just took a little time to adapt to the same voice reading Grace Slick and Loretta Lynn and Stevie Wonder and Michael Stipe. I absolutely commend the narrator and the producers for the decision not to try for impersonation of any sort – no accents, none of those characteristic speech tics, only a slightly lighter voice used for women's contributions. None of my problems with the book were due to the narrator – he was very good.
I think – apart from that – my only real complaint about this book is that it ended quite abruptly. The last song, "Losing My Religion", is featured, and then … that's it, no wrap up. Some kind of coda would have been nice. Other than that, it was a well–put–together compendium of articles.
But seriously, why two Stones songs?
1. Lloyd Price – Lawdy Miss Clawdy – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nYO263wui1w
2. Little Willie Littlefield – K.C. Loving – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BEPt9lrfO_8
3. The Isley Brothers – Shout – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qFCePEPdaU4
4. The Marvelettes – Please Mr. Postman – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pSlzhYd0rYw
5. Dion – Runaround Sue – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ID–jsd0HGZs
6. The Dixie Cups – Chapel of Love – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rTq7w8P6_2I
7. The Kinks – You Really Got Me – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fTTsY–oz6Go
8. The Righteous Brothers – You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NONMSNzLhHU
9. The Temptations – My Girl – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6bsdGo8dEoY
10. The Four Tops – Reach Out I'll Be There – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qd6XkaKmqMM
11. The Lovin' Spoonful – Darling Be Home Soon – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fXjzOpz4Cyw
12. The Doors – Light My Fire – (7 min) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=deB_u–to–IE
13. The Young Rascals – Groovin' – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=falI0baGhBQ
14. Grace Slick (Jefferson Airplane) – White Rabbit – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XR8LFNUr3vw
15. The Stone Poneys – Different Drum – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2FLN4MUROXk
16. Otis Redding – (Sittin' on) The Dock of the Bay – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wyPKRcBTsFQ
17. Loretta Lynn – Fist City – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YvPnYhftIjs
18. The Rolling Stones – Street Fighting Man – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_ypZLjVbFE
19. Tammy Wynette – Stand by Your Man – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AM–b8P1yj9w
20. Steppenwolf – Magic Carpet Ride – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ccBi8f_2RE
21. Creedence Clearwater Revival – Proud Mary – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XfyEpmQM7bw
22. The Edwin Hawkins Singers – Oh Happy Day – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hzj3pOdCOqU
23. Elvis Presley – Suspicious Minds – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxOBOhRECoo
24. Led Zeppelin – Whole Lotta Love – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q0utAHY3xo4
25. Janis Joplin – Mercedes Benz – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qev–i9–VKlY
26. The Rolling Stones – Moonlight Mile – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=stpRIyHHw8g
27. Rod Stewart – Maggie May – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bxtCqs2WFZE
28. Joni Mitchell – Carey – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bulwl46vz9s
29. The Staple Singers – Respect Yourself – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=–1pYKdqD1ls
30. Jimmy Cliff – The Harder They Come – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j0Nm5baiM4M
31. Gladys Knight and the Pips – Midnight Train to Georgia – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A0F9lh8TiSM
32. The Allman Brothers – Ramblin' Man – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1x28jaeyX2s
33. The Hues Corporation – Rock the Boat – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fO1Z8ikSEPU
34. Aerosmith – Walk This Way – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5UFFa1HbFfA
35. Stevie Wonder – Love's in Need of Love Today – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nmcXIaBwz_g
36. Steely Dan – Deacon Blues – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2A0wGO3c2T8
37. Elvis Costello – (The Angels Wanna Wear My) Red Shoes – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N0aAGP3ty_A
38. Blondie – Heart of Glass – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aa911_8TP2s
39. Pink Floyd – Another Brick in the Wall – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YR5ApYxkU–U
40. The Clash – London Calling – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v7ZiwhDAo04
41. The Neville Brothers – Brother John/Iko Iko – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=99NYJkWZC9I
42. Merle Haggard – Big City – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Th7tgdCZjUo
43. Cyndi Lauper – Time After Time – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VdQY7BusJNU
44. Bonnie Raitt – Nick of Time – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dy8gHfGIS_A
45. R.E.M. – Losing My Religion – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xwtdhWltSIg
pamiverson's review against another edition
4.0
oral history of 45 hit songs of the rock and roll era, with the composers, artists, and behind-the-scenes folks. I'll admit I don't know some of the newer ones (and it ended a long time ago). Still fascinating to hear the stories behind some songs I really enjoyed. (Good book for the middle of the night...)
didactylos's review against another edition
3.0
I probably only read 40% of this. Many of the songs are ones I have no experience of, or have no emotional connection with and as there is an assumed knowledge of them, both the lyrics and the music, I was left cold on those. Where my knowledge and emotional connection coincided the material was very interesting in exposing the back story and the creative process that came to produce the end product. I was hampered by my total lack of musical knowledge, so much of the references to chord sequences, timing and other aspects just went over my head. An interesting other track to this is the manner in which emerging technologies were so much a part of producing the material and the demand for it.
dochie1984's review against another edition
4.0
Fun read about some well known to me songs & a few I'd never heard