Beech Tree News Network

The origins of the song “A Hazy Shade Of Winter” can be traced back to the ‘60’s.  1966, in fact was when it was released by Simon & Garfunkel.  It was originally a stand-alone single but was eventually included on the duo’s fourth studio album, Bookends, in 1968.  The song peaked at #13 on the Hot 100.  In 1987, The Bangles recorded a cover version for the soundtrack to the movie Less Than Zero.  The song peaked at #2 on the Billboard Hot 100.  That is where my familiarity ends.  However, it was covered two more times: once by thrash metal band Sodom in 2007.  I’m sure we all remember that one(ha).  In 2019, Gerard Way and Ray Toro recorded a cover version for the Netflix original series The Umbrella Academy.

“Bette Davis Eyes” is a song originally written and composed by Donna Weiss and Jackie DeShannon in 1974.  The song was made popular by Kim Carnes in 1981 when it spent nine non-consecutive weeks at #1.  It was originally on top for 5 consecutive week, then interrupted for one week by the “Stars On 45 Medley” then returned to the top spot for another four weeks, becoming Billboard’s biggest hit of the year. 

“My Maria” was co-written by B.W. Stevenson and Daniel Moore.  Stevenson released the song on August of 1973 and the song became a top 10 hit, peaking at #9 on the U.S. pop chart.  It spent 12 weeks in the Top 40.  The cover by Brooks & Dunn reached #1 on the U.S. country chart and won the 1997 Grammy for Country Performance by a Duo or Group.

Written by Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart, the song “She” was originally released by The Monkees.  In fact, Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart were among the ones who sang background vocals on the single.  The song was first recorded in 1966 and released by The Monkees January of 1967.  While not a cover, I just thought it was interesting that the song was written by such a legendary writing duo.

The final song this week is “Day Tripper”.  This legendary Beatles song was actually a b-side of another legendary Beatles song, “We Can Work It Out”.  Written primarily by the late John Lennon, it was credited to the Lennon-McCartney partnership.  Both songs were recorded during the sessions for their Rubber Soul album.  Lennon described “Day Tripper” as “a drug song” in 1970.  In Many Years From Now, McCartney said the song was about sex and drugs.  The Beatles’ original peaked at #5 in the U.S.  Otis Redding covered the song and took it to #43 in 1967.  Lennon was indifferent about Redding’s version.  The song was recorded by Nancy Sinatra in 1966, for her album Boots.