Blood, Sweat & Tears was one of those bands that just cut their own path. They weren’t quite a rock band, they weren’t quite jazz, they weren’t quite blues, but they combined some of all of those, along with maybe a little bit of gospel. They were a big band, and they used a synthesizer, horns, and all to cut some unique music.
A lot of my favorite Blood, Sweat & Tears came from when I was quite young; my “favorite” sister Ann had all of their albums, and I remember her playing them while I was careening around the house. We lost Ann to cancer a few years back, so my enjoyment of Blood, Sweat & Tears is tempered by this little touch of sadness. Ann was closest to me in age, and we shared being Mom’s “babies.”
Here are six of the ones I remember best.
Lucretia Mac Evil (1969): This is the tale of a bad girl. The band’s lead singer, David Clayton-Thomas, was inspired by the “bad girls” he saw in the bars he played when he was starting out in music. It’s a song about a woman of dubious character, somewhat predatory, and probably best avoided. But it made for a great song, and some of the best horns work this band ever did!
See Also: Start Your Weekend Right by Getting Down With 6 Great Funk Tunes
You’ve Made Me So Very Happy (1969): This song reminds me of my wife. You can probably figure the rest for yourselves.
And When I Die (1969): This is an interesting take on life, death, and the cycle of generations. It reached the #2 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1969, and despite the topic, took an almost optimistic tone: “And when I die, and when I’m dead, dead and gone, they’ll be one more child in this world, to carry on.” Every time I listen to this, I think of my grandchildren.
God Bless the Child (1968): Originally a tune written and recorded by Billie Holliday in 1941, this is an interesting tune; the line “God bless the child that’s got its own,” to me represents the reward of someone who has worked for what they have, and now he’s “got his own.” That’s not the intent of the song, but that’s how I hear it.
See Also: Start Your Weekend Right With Six Groovy Songs From 1968
Hi-De-Ho (1971): A remake of a Carole King song, this one is, again, striking an optimistic tone in the face of adversity, even unto temptation by the devil. Consider this stanza:
But when he laid that paper on me
And he showed me where to sign
I said thank you very kindly
But I'm in too good-a mood to mind
There’s no optimism like optimism in the face of hard times.
And, finally:Lisa, Listen To Me (1971): This one brings up a different memory. Our oldest had a bad relationship that lasted 15 years; she doesn’t really regret it altogether because she has her three kids to show for it. But when she finally got out, she met a new guy, who treats her like a princess. They’ve been happily married for some time now. The song is an interesting one for anyone who’s ever been disappointed in love, only to find the one they’ve been waiting for all along.
With a band as unique as this, I’m sure everybody reading has a wide range of favorites. Tell us! The comments, as always, are all yours.
