Written by Gerry Goffin and Carole King
Recorded by The Cookies
There are endless wonderful songs from this period, and the majority of them have outstanding bridges, but bridges that do not fall into the definition I use for this blog. More details can be found here, but one defining rule is that the bridge must only happen once. In The Cookies' "Don't Say Nothin' Bad," we have one bridge, and an absolutely lovely one at that!
Written by heroes of the 20th Century, Gerry Goffin and Carole King, the story follows a narrator assaulted by the trash talk of her peers, who insist that her man is no good.
As The Cookies, this was their biggest hit. The group found their first success as The Raelettes, providing the legendary backup vocals to Ray Charles in songs such as "Night Time Is the Right Time," "What'd I Say" and "Hit the Road Jack". As session musicians, they were responsible for harmonies on popular songs like "Breaking Up Is Hard To Do" and "The Loco-Motion." After some line-up changes, at the time of this recording, The Cookies were Dorothy Jones, Margaret Ross and Earl-Jean McCrea, three talented singers prepared to fill any role in the vocal mix.
While the band didn't have a traditional lead singer, like many girl groups of the time, for "Don't Say Nothin' Bad," Earl-Jean is most highlighted in this song.
In the first verse, our narrator remains patient while explaining that her man's good and that's all she cares about. But after the gossipers persist that he's a playboy, she's had enough, declaring, "He's true to me, so girl you better shut your mouth!" I like it!
And this takes us to the bridge, and another chance to set the record straight. When everybody says he's lazy, she explains, "but not when he's kissin' me." And when they say he's crazy, she retorts, "Sure he's crazy,
crazy about me." I buy that. He seems ok. Why's everyone talking such smack?
Musically, the song is a straightforward "1-4-5" progression with the bridge starting at the 4-chord. I love the signature piano riff but I can't find any information about the pianist. If it hasn't yet been sampled, I'd love to hear someone grab those 8 bars and add it to some beats and rhymes. And of course, we have the marvelous sax solo, recorded by King Curtis, who in his tragically short life contributed to the history of rock n' roll as much as anyone else. And like many songs of the era, there are handclaps!
One final note about that great line, "He's true to me, so girl you better shut your mouth!" Sixteen years after the release of this song, Holly and the Italians released "Tell That Girl to Shut Up." Covered with more success nine years later by Transvision Vamp, this song's narrator focuses her anger at a girl who has stolen her man - and oh yeah, this song also contains a great bridge! Maybe we'll get to it in greater depth, but until then, keep your lip zipped and Don't Say Nothin' Bad About My Baby!
Recorded by The Cookies
There are endless wonderful songs from this period, and the majority of them have outstanding bridges, but bridges that do not fall into the definition I use for this blog. More details can be found here, but one defining rule is that the bridge must only happen once. In The Cookies' "Don't Say Nothin' Bad," we have one bridge, and an absolutely lovely one at that!
Written by heroes of the 20th Century, Gerry Goffin and Carole King, the story follows a narrator assaulted by the trash talk of her peers, who insist that her man is no good.
As The Cookies, this was their biggest hit. The group found their first success as The Raelettes, providing the legendary backup vocals to Ray Charles in songs such as "Night Time Is the Right Time," "What'd I Say" and "Hit the Road Jack". As session musicians, they were responsible for harmonies on popular songs like "Breaking Up Is Hard To Do" and "The Loco-Motion." After some line-up changes, at the time of this recording, The Cookies were Dorothy Jones, Margaret Ross and Earl-Jean McCrea, three talented singers prepared to fill any role in the vocal mix.
While the band didn't have a traditional lead singer, like many girl groups of the time, for "Don't Say Nothin' Bad," Earl-Jean is most highlighted in this song.
In the first verse, our narrator remains patient while explaining that her man's good and that's all she cares about. But after the gossipers persist that he's a playboy, she's had enough, declaring, "He's true to me, so girl you better shut your mouth!" I like it!
And this takes us to the bridge, and another chance to set the record straight. When everybody says he's lazy, she explains, "but not when he's kissin' me." And when they say he's crazy, she retorts, "Sure he's crazy,
crazy about me." I buy that. He seems ok. Why's everyone talking such smack?
Musically, the song is a straightforward "1-4-5" progression with the bridge starting at the 4-chord. I love the signature piano riff but I can't find any information about the pianist. If it hasn't yet been sampled, I'd love to hear someone grab those 8 bars and add it to some beats and rhymes. And of course, we have the marvelous sax solo, recorded by King Curtis, who in his tragically short life contributed to the history of rock n' roll as much as anyone else. And like many songs of the era, there are handclaps!
One final note about that great line, "He's true to me, so girl you better shut your mouth!" Sixteen years after the release of this song, Holly and the Italians released "Tell That Girl to Shut Up." Covered with more success nine years later by Transvision Vamp, this song's narrator focuses her anger at a girl who has stolen her man - and oh yeah, this song also contains a great bridge! Maybe we'll get to it in greater depth, but until then, keep your lip zipped and Don't Say Nothin' Bad About My Baby!