SOMETHING OLD
Terry Reid - Without Expression
1968
Terry Reid - Without Expression
1968
TERRY REID
November 13, 1949 - August 4, 2025
November 13, 1949 - August 4, 2025
I hate to keep choosing songs on the basis of recent deaths... but this one cannot go unremarked upon. Terry Reid was an English powerhouse, which was agreed on by names like Jimmy Page and Ritchie Blackmore who offered him to be the lead vocalist of Led Zeppelin and Deep Purple, respectively. But he was just one of those guys who was not confined to his most noticeable talent. Not only did he have crazy pipes, he was a brilliant songwriter and guitarist–and he started very young. His first album, Bang Bang You’re Terry Reid (a title that makes me laugh out loud) was released when he was just 18 years old.
The song seems to tell the story of a very imaginative and expressive narrator reflecting on the un-imaginative masses, like those who spill depression as the law. Quite peculiar lyrics, yet still resonant.
The instrumental intro to this song is immediately infectious and builds for about 30 seconds until Terry comes in with a soft and smooth voice to start. Over time, he starts bringing in more of his vocal strength, and by the end we’re blown away by that distinctive tone, which is certainly with expression.
Terry Reid will be dearly missed. I also encourage you to listen to Speak Now Or Forever Hold Your Peace, my favorite song of his, which is omitted since it was once already played on the Dizzy Express.
SOMETHING NEW
Kurt Vile + Luke Roberts - classic love
July 25th, 2025
Kurt Vile + Luke Roberts - classic love
July 25th, 2025
When Kurt Vile first heard his Nashville friend Luke Roberts' classic love, he felt like it was the “epitome of a song that belonged on the radio.” He imagined it as an old country song standard that had long been covered by anyone and everyone. But it wasn’t, it was just a demo by Roberts and his friend Kyle Spence.
The effervescently silly but wildly talented Vile stepped in to help flesh out the song more and release it on a dual 5-song EP, which also includes his own take on the song, titled the “kv version.”
I think the song works best, though, with Vile and Roberts paired together.
It’s a bittersweet story. When you find that “classic love,” and you knew from the start how great it would be. It feels as bright as a sunrise…or is it as dim as sundown? They sing that it's just like a sunset because it fades out and goes away. They also sing that it killed the child in me, which is also, like, the saddest thing I’ve ever heard. But it overall feels very true to the ebbs & flows of life, and has a super catchy tune that fits right into Vile’s repertoire.
Oh, you thought we were done with Terry Reid?
On Terry’s eponymous 1969 album, he created somewhat of a fascinating medley. His own original song, Friends, sandwiched in between a cover of Dylan’s Highway 61 Revisited. But, the Highway cover is not the focal point of “Something Borrowed” today. It’s just a super-cover edition.
In 1970, the London group Arrival released a cover of Friends on their debut record. They incorporated strings and pop harmonies where Reid had some rockier, rougher edges. With either interpretation, it remains a sweet, beautiful song about friendship, and perfect for Dyan Birch's lovely voice. What a wonderful thing it is to have friends, because they have friends too, which means there are friends beside you, friends to guide you, everywhere.
On Terry’s eponymous 1969 album, he created somewhat of a fascinating medley. His own original song, Friends, sandwiched in between a cover of Dylan’s Highway 61 Revisited. But, the Highway cover is not the focal point of “Something Borrowed” today. It’s just a super-cover edition.
In 1970, the London group Arrival released a cover of Friends on their debut record. They incorporated strings and pop harmonies where Reid had some rockier, rougher edges. With either interpretation, it remains a sweet, beautiful song about friendship, and perfect for Dyan Birch's lovely voice. What a wonderful thing it is to have friends, because they have friends too, which means there are friends beside you, friends to guide you, everywhere.
Yay friends! Go tell yours that you love them.
SOMETHING... released on this day 30 years ago
Liz Phair - Jealousy
August 8, 1995
Liz Phair - Jealousy
August 8, 1995
Happy 30th birthday to Liz Phair’s Juvenilia EP!
What a human song this is about what they call “retrospective jealousy.” Feeling jealous toward someone’s past, likely before you were even in their life. It may come across like just another angry 90s rock song, but this one is different.
What a human song this is about what they call “retrospective jealousy.” Feeling jealous toward someone’s past, likely before you were even in their life. It may come across like just another angry 90s rock song, but this one is different.
I can’t believe you had a life before me.
Phair grapples with feeling anger at the other person, but also directing it inwards at herself. A rational person plagued with irrational feelings. It’s humbling, but at least it shows you're not crazy. Her stomach is tensing up and her blood is boiling thinking about this person's past, but she also knows this is jealousy that should be “concealed” because of its utter irrationality. She knows it’s just a drawer of photographs. She knows they’re ex-girlfriends, she tries to remember that. But she can’t help herself from obsessing and comparing herself. A twisted urge to rage against the person you love…just for having loved before.
Self-aware Phair, I’ll call her.