Born in Kentucky in 1944, Jackie DeShannon is one of the top pop composers, singers and all-around musicians of her time. Many people remember her for biggest hit, 'What the World Needs Now", written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David.
Perhaps fewer people know she also first recorded and, according to some sources, co-wrote "Needles and Pins" (a bit hit for her and a bigger hit for The Searchers in 1965). This was her second Top Ten hit, back in 1969.
She also co-wrote and performed the song "Bette Davis Eyes" on a 1974 album. It was later covered by Kim Carnes in 1981 and became a Grammy-winning Number one hit in the USA.
She still performs and records music, releasing an album last year and has perfomed from Los Angeles to London in the past few years.
She was the opening act for The Beatles in their first North American tour in 1964 and later performed with Johnny Cash at the Grand Old Opry in Nashville. (Not bad company, eh?) Her rockabilly roots are on full display in this recording of "Break A Way" which she co-wrote. This trac wasn't released until this greatest hits compilation came out in 1994.
(from Wikipedia) "DeShannon also co-wrote "Break-A-Way", recorded by Irma Thomas in 1964 and by Tracey Ullman in 1983. "Put A Little Love In Your Heart" reached Billboard No. 9 in 1989 as a duet by Annie Lennox & Al Green and was also covered by Dolly Parton in 1993. Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers and Stevie Nicks had a Top 40 U.S. hit in 1986 with a cover of "Needles and Pins", which DeShannon originally recorded but did not write. A version of "When You Walk in the Room" by Pam Tillis in 1994 topped the country charts. Another recent cover of "When You Walk in the Room" was in 2004 by ex-ABBA vocalist Agnetha Fältskog, both in her comeback album My Colouring Book and as a UK (no. 34) and European (no. 53) hit single. Country rock artist Chris Hillman, one of the original members of The Byrds, also did a cover of "When You Walk in the Room" on his solo 1998 album "Like a Hurricane".
The only song I wasn't familiar with is Breakaway, but I did not know about all the other songs that she wrote. Thanks for telling us. I liked her, but then she seemed to disappear!
ReplyDeleteYes, when I started doing this blog I wasn't even sure if Jackie DeShannon was still alive! But apparently she is alive and well and was performing in a London club last year.
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoy this music Jacquie.
Ah, songs from my youth, Doug!
ReplyDeleteWhat the World Needs Now - I couldn't agree more....
fabulous oldies...remember them well :)
ReplyDeleteI recognise "What The World Needs Now." I'm not sure if it was this was the same singer. When she first start singing I thought it Was a Peggy Lee look alike. Not the voice I have to say.
ReplyDeleteMe too. I do not think I had ever heard it before. I have always like Put a little love in your heart. Thank you for the trip down memory lane.
ReplyDeleteYes, that's one of the reasons I wanted to feature these songs on my blog, Will. New music of this variety seems sorely missing today.
ReplyDeleteMe too Lucky. Glad you enjoyed these.
ReplyDeleteYes, Cassandra, I thought Jackie was channelling Peggy Lee a bit much on that hair at the "Shindig" gig--or at least her hair stylist/agent thought that a good look... It seems she preferred a more natural look as the decade progressed.
ReplyDeleteI find it's easy to get the original artist of certain iconic songs confused--dozens of solo artists and groups recorded "What the World Needs Now". (Even contemporary groups like Coldplay.) The great Dionne Warwick had the first chance at this one, but she turned it down.
You're welcome as always Fred. You've featured some great songs as well.
ReplyDelete"Put A Little Love.." is one of my favorites, too. Its message has something a lot of folks in all parts of societies are in big need of these days.
Yes it does. We are in the middle of the annual United Way campaign at work. I have been trying to encourage my co workers to help other less fortunate people. It has been a major struggle
ReplyDeleteLove the songs, especially the first one. Haven't heard them for years. Thanks Doug.
ReplyDeleteGood for you Fred. Yes, these are tough times and, sadly, it's times like this when some people really need help that others more fortunate feel the most vulnerable in their jobs.
ReplyDeleteNor had I heard them in quite a while.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome Iri Ani.
My older brother used to play Jackie De Shannon songs to accompany his toe curling smooching sessions with his girlfriend, but despite all that I still like them Doug, even though I am far too young to have ever owned any myself :-)
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed this AA. While this music recalls your older brother's snogging sessions with his girl (a generosity of spirit on your part to still like Jackie De's music), I always have to divorce her songs in my head from all the advertisers who jumped on the bandwagon later on and used life-affirming music like these first two selections to sell Coca-Cola, ciggies and overpriced, low-mileage four door cars.
ReplyDeleteI have heard the song I never knew of here Doug but brilliantly put as it's a song which certainly is much needed as it's very hard to read all these thoughts from so many on how fed up they are. I never have seen the likes of it but her song certainly does have meaning during this time...
ReplyDeleteI never have found it so difficult to write while so many are truly fed up.
It really does Jack. I think the general state of things is what drove a song like "Put a Little Love in Your Heart" back into my consciousness.
ReplyDeleteA coulpe of these songs came to me out of all this general anxiety I've read on Multiply and other sites by regular folks, plus the hatred expressed by pundits and politicians in the major media.
Yeah I have thought of this as well as there really are many which are very tired with it all and this was done with much thought...perhaps a little humor might as well go a far ways.
ReplyDeleteTheworld would be a far uglier place without humor I think we can agree Jack.
ReplyDeleteI do believe so...
ReplyDelete