Beech Tree News Network

Most are familiar with The Pointer Sisters’ song “Fire”.  But did you know it was written and originally recorded by Bruce Springsteen? It’s true! Bruce wrote the song in 1977.  It had its highest profile as a 1978 single by the Pointer Sisters. 

Brice envisioned “Fire” as a song that could be recorded by his idol, Elvis Presley.  Springsteen wrote it after he saw Elvis perform at a May 28, 1977 concert at The Spectrum in Philadelphia.  Springsteen said “I sent (Elvis) a demo but he died before it arrived”.  Springsteen completed a studio recording of “Fire” on June 17, 1977.  It was one of at least 52 tracks partially recorded which did not make the cut for his 1978 album Darkness On The Edge of Town. 

The song did see the light of day, however.  The first single by the Pointer Sisters as the trio of Anita, June and Ruth Pointer, “Fire” was recorded for the group’s November 1978 album release called Energy with Anita Pointer singing lead.  Record producer Richard Perry had introduced the song to the Pointers by playing them a tape of Bruce Springsteen’s original, causing Anita Pointer to say “it’s too low for me.  I guess you want Ruthie to sing it”, to which Perry replied “No, I want you to sing it”.  The Pointer’s version peaked at #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 in February, 1979(behind Rod Stewart’s “Do Ya Think I’m Sexy”), “Fire” was eventually tied with “Slow Hand” (1981) as The Pointer Sister’s highest-charting single.  “Fire” was The Pointer’s first gold single.

Bob Dylan recorded “From A Buick 6” July 30, 1965 as a b side on his album Highway 61 Revisited.  The A side was “Positively 4th Street”.  The song has been covered by many-most notably Gary U.S. Bonds and Mitch Ryder.  The Gary U.S. Bonds cover was lifted from the collection How Many Roads: Black America sings Bob Dylan.  This album also features Stevie Wonder on “Blowin’ In The Wind”, Richie Havens singing “Tombstone Blues”, Jimi Hendrix’ famous cover of “All Along The Watchtower”, The Isley Brothers singing ‘lay Lady Lay” and Mavis Staples doing “Gotta Serve Somebody”. (www.elsewhere.co.nz)

“Last Kiss” is a song released by Wayne Cochran in 1961 on the Gala label.  It failed to do well on the charts so he re-recorded it for the King Label in 1963.  It was later revived by J Frank Wilson and The Cavaliers, Pearl Jam and several other international artists.  Wilson’s version, released in ’64, reached the top 10 in October, becoming their only commercial hit. It eventually peaked at #2.  The Pearl Jam cover came about when lead singer Eddie Vedder found an old record of the song at the Fremont Antique Mall in Seattle, Washington.  He convinced the rest of the band to try out the song and it was performed a few times on the bands 1998 tour.  The band eventually recorded the song at a soundcheck at the Meriweather Post Pavilion.  The song was a top 5 hit for the band on the Billboard chart.  

“It’s All Over Now”.  Yes, it’s the title of the next song but it also signals the end of this week’s column.  The Rolling Stones included it on their 1964 album 12 X 5.  Written by Bobby and Shirley Womack, the song was originally released by The Valentinos featuring Bobby Womack.  The Stones had their first #1 hit in the United Kingdom with the song in July 1964.  The Valentinos  version entered the Billboard Hot 100 on June 27, 1964 and reached #94 after staying on the charts two weeks.  The Rolling Stones’ version reached #26 in the U.S. and hit #1 on the U.K. singles charts.  (www.wikipedia.com)