"Primary" released as the only single from the album "Faith" in 1981, is distinctive for its unconventional instrumentation. The song features both Simon Gallup and Robert Smith playing bass guitars, with Smith's bass employing effects pedals to create lead-like sounds. Notably, there are no traditional guitars (other than bass guitars) or keyboards featured in the track.
"Primary," the first track recorded for the album, summarise the band's thematic exploration of loss of innocence and emotional turmoil during this period. The song reflects Robert Smith and Lol Tolhurst's personal experiences with grief, coinciding with the album's extended recording process. Both Smith and Tolhurst, who were raised in a Catholic environment, grappled with the loss of faith and the search for emotional solace during this time. "Primary" lyrically and musically delves into these themes, exploring a sense of yearning and searching for emotional fulfillment amidst existential uncertainty.
The extended 12" mix of "Primary" is a notable release in their discography. Unlike many other extended mixes of their songs which were often included on subsequent albums or compilations, the extended version of "Primary" remains unique to its original 12" single release. This makes it a sought-after and rare item among collectors and fans. One significant difference between the 7" and 12" mixes is the lengthening of the instrumental introductions to the song's verses in the extended mix.
The video shows the band performing the song on a black background, with very close shots of both the faces and the instruments, interspersed with images of girls playing happily.
ELVIS PRESLEY - HEARTBREAK HOTEL
Estrenada: 27 de gener de 1956
Llistes: EUA: #1 (8 setmanes) Regne Unit: #2
"Heartbreak Hotel" és una cançó d'Elvis Presley, llançada el gener de 1956, sent el seu primer single sota el segell RCA Victor. Enregistrada el 10 de gener de 1956, en una sessió amb la banda de Presley, els Blue Moon Boys, i músics destacats com el guitarrista Chet Atkins i el pianista Floyd Cramer, "Heartbreak Hotel" es va convertir en un moment definitiu per a la carrera de Presley i un hit en la història del rock 'n' roll.
El single va encapçalar la llista Billboard Top 100 durant vuit setmanes i la llista de singles pop de Cashbox durant sis setmanes. A més, va dominar la llista de Country and Western durant disset setmanes i va arribar al número 3 de la llista R&B. Aquest èxit va convertir "Heartbreak Hotel" en el primer single d’Elvis Presley a vendre més d'un milió de còpies i en un dels més venuts de l'any 1956.
La lletra va ser escrita per Tommy Durden, un guitarrista de Nashville que anteriorment havia treballat com a reparador de rentaplats. Durden es va inspirar per un article de diari sobre un home que havia posat fi a la seva vida i havia deixat una nota que simplement deia: "I walk a lonely street" (camino per un carrer solitari). Mae Boren Axton, una altra compositora de Nashville, va compondre la música. El manager d'Elvis Presley, el coronel Tom Parker, va gestionar que Presley rebés crèdit com a autor de la cançó a canvi d'enregistrar-la. Aquest acord significava que els drets d'autor es repartien entre Durden, Axton i Presley. En una entrevista del 1982, Durden va mencionar que "Heartbreak Hotel" li havia proporcionat ingressos estables durant més de dues dècades, cobrint les despeses de la seva vida amb el seu èxit.
Elvis Presley tenia 21 anys quan es va llançar "Heartbreak Hotel". En aquell moment, ja havia llançat alguns singles i tenia un grup de seguidors significatiu al sud dels Estats Units, però aquest single el va catapultar a la fama nacional. La popularitat de la cançó va créixer després que Elvis la interpretés a Stage Show, una sèrie de televisió presentada per Jimmy i Tommy Dorsey, l’11 de febrer de 1956. Va continuar interpretant la cançó al The Milton Berle Show el 3 d'abril de 1956. El 21 d'abril de 1956, "Heartbreak Hotel" va arribar al número u de les llistes als Estats Units.
"Heartbreak Hotel" va tenir un impacte important a Anglaterra, influenciant futures llegendes del rock. George Harrison va recordar el moment inpactant quan va escoltar la cançó per primer cop sonant en un tocadiscos mentre anava en bicicleta. Va descriure com la cançó simbolitzava la frescor americana durant un temps de recuperació postguerra a Gran Bretanya, proporcionant un sentit d'esperança i inspiració.
En una entrevista del 1975, John Lennon rememorava la seva introducció a la música d'Elvis Presley a través del seu amic Don Beatty. A diferència dels altres membres dels Beatles, que van créixer amb influències radiofòniques, la família de Lennon rarament escoltava la ràdio. Beatty va mostrar a Lennon una foto de Presley del New Musical Express juntament amb les llistes, i més tard va escoltar "Heartbreak Hotel" a Radio Luxembourg. Lennon va descriure l'impacte profund d'escoltar-la per primera vegada, recordant com li va fer tremolar l'espinada. El músic va admetre que inicialment no van entendre completament la lletra, però van quedar captivat per l'emoció pura i l'energia de la música, que va descriure com un "gran soroll".
En la seva autobiografia del 2010, Keith Richards dels Rolling Stones va reflexionar sobre l'impacte profund que "Heartbreak Hotel" va tenir en ell. Va elogiar el lliurament pioner de rock and roll d'Elvis Presley, subratllant el so cru i despullat de la cançó, lliure d'embelliments com violins i cors. Richards va reconèixer Presley per utilitzar el silenci de manera efectiva com a tela i marc en la música, una canvi significatiu amb els estils tradicionals, i va descriure la cançó com la seva introducció a una experiència musical nova, crua i potent que ressonava profundament amb ell.
Robert Plant, el cantant principal de Led Zeppelin, va atribuir a "Heartbreak Hotel" un impacte profund en la seva vida. Recordant la primera vegada que la va escoltar als 8 anys. Plant la va descriure com animalística i sexual, marcant el seu primer despertar musical. Va assenyalar que el carisma i l'aparença salvatge d'Elvis Presley van deixar una impressió profunda en ell i els seus companys, evocant una reacció visceral que senyalava una nova era en la música.
Pel que fa a l'èxit a les llistes, "Heartbreak Hotel" es va convertir en el primer single d'Elvis Presley a arribar a les llistes del Regne Unit. Va debutar a la UK Singles Chart al maig de 1956, aconseguint finalment el número dos el mes següent i mantenint-se a les llistes durant un impressionant període de 22 setmanes. Al novembre de 2022, la cançó va ser certificada amb la distinció de plata per la British Phonographic Industry (BPI), que significa vendes que superen les 200.000 unitats.
ELVIS PRESLEY - HEARTBREAK HOTEL
Released: January 27, 1956
Charted: US: #1 (8 weeks) UK: #2
"Heartbreak Hotel" is a song by Elvis Presley, released on January 1956, marking his debut single under RCA Victor. Recorded on January 10, 1956, in a session featuring Presley's band, the Blue Moon Boys, along with notable musicians like guitarist Chet Atkins and pianist Floyd Cramer, "Heartbreak Hotel" became a defining moment in Presley's career and a landmark in the history of rock 'n' roll.
The single topped the Billboard Top 100 chart for eight weeks, and Cashbox's Pop singles chart for six weeks. Additionally, it dominated the Country and Western chart for seventeen weeks and reached No. 3 on the R&B chart. This achievement made it Elvis Presley's first million-seller and one of the best-selling singles of 1956.
The lyrics were written by Tommy Durden, a steel guitar player from Nashville who had previously worked as a dishwasher repairman. Durden was inspired by a newspaper article about a man who had ended his life and left behind a note that simply read, "I walk a lonely street." Mae Boren Axton, another Nashville songwriter, composed the music. Elvis Presley's manager, Colonel Tom Parker, arranged for Presley to receive a songwriting credit in exchange for recording the song. This arrangement meant that royalties were split among Durden, Axton, and Presley. In a 1982 interview, Durden mentioned that "Heartbreak Hotel" had provided steady income for more than two decades, covering his living expenses through its success.
Elvis Presley was 21 years old when "Heartbreak Hotel" was released. At that time, he had already released a few singles and built a significant following in the Southern United States, but this single catapulted him to national stardom. The song's popularity surged after Elvis performed it on Stage Show, a television series hosted by Jimmy and Tommy Dorsey, on February 11, 1956. He further showcased the song on The Milton Berle Show on April 3, 1956. By April 21, 1956, "Heartbreak Hotel" had reached the number one spot on the charts in the United States.
"Heartbreak Hotel" had a profound impact in England, influencing future rock legends. George Harrison recalled the transformative moment when he heard the song playing on a turntable while riding his bike. He described how the song symbolized American coolness during a time of post-war recovery in Britain, providing a sense of hope and inspiration.
In a 1975 interview, John Lennon reminisced about his introduction to Elvis Presley's music through his friend Don Beatty. Unlike other members of the Beatles who grew up with radio influences, Lennon's family rarely had the radio on. Beatty showed Lennon a picture of Presley from the New Musical Express alongside the charts, and later Lennon heard "Heartbreak Hotel" on Radio Luxembourg. Lennon described the profound impact of hearing "Heartbreak Hotel" for the first time, recalling how it sent shivers down his spine. Lennon admitted that initially, they didn't fully understand the lyrics but were captivated by the raw emotion and energy of the music, which he described as a "great noise."
In his 2010 autobiography, Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones reflected on the profound impact "Heartbreak Hotel" had on him. He praised Elvis Presley's pioneering rock and roll delivery, emphasizing the song's stripped-down, raw sound devoid of embellishments like violins and choirs. Richards credited Presley for using silence effectively as a canvas and frame in music, a departure from traditional styles, and described the song as his introduction to a stark, powerful new musical experience that resonated deeply with him.
Robert Plant, the lead singer of Led Zeppelin, attributed "Heartbreak Hotel" with profoundly impacting his life. Recalling the first time he heard the song at the age of 8, Plant described it as animalistic and sexual, marking his first musical arousal. He noted that Elvis Presley's charisma and wild appearance left a lasting impression on him and his peers, evoking a visceral reaction that signaled a new era in music.
In terms of chart success, "Heartbreak Hotel" became Elvis Presley's first charting single in the United Kingdom. It debuted on the UK Singles Chart in May 1956, eventually peaking at number two the following month and remaining on the charts for an impressive 22 weeks. In November 2022, the song was certified silver by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI), signifying sales exceeding 200,000 units.
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FRANK SINATRA - I’VE GOT YOU UNDER MY SKIN
Publicada: Març de 1956
Àlbum: Songs for swingin’ lovers
"I've Got You Under My Skin" és una cançó clàssica escrita pel compositor nord-americà Cole Porter el 1936. Va fer el seu debut quan l'actriu Virginia Bruce la va interpretar al musical de la MGM "Born to Dance", protagonitzat per Eleanor Powell i James Stewart. Malgrat la seva popularitat, la cançó va perdre per poc l'Oscar a la Millor Cançó Original el 1936, que va ser guanyat per "The Way You Look Tonight" de la pel·lícula "Swing Time" de Fred Astaire i Ginger Rogers.
Frank Sinatra la va estrenar al seu programa de ràdio el 1946, però va ser el 1956 quan va fer realment seva la cançó. Va gravar una versió amb gran orquestra amb arranjaments de Nelson Riddle per al seu àlbum "Songs for Swingin' Lovers", impregnant-la amb el seu estil i elegància característics. Aquesta interpretació es va convertir en una de les més icòniques de Sinatra i en una de les seves cançons més representatives.
Les sessions d'enregistrament per a "Songs for Swingin' Lovers" van ser desafiants, especialment a causa de l'espai reduït de l'Estudi A de Capitol i la insistència de Sinatra a assolir la perfecció. L'enginyer de so John Palladino va recordar les dificultats, especialment durant l'enregistrament de "I've Got You Under My Skin", on el trombonista Milt Bernhart va afrontar la tasca impressionant d'oferir un solo impecable entre múltiples preses.
Palladino va descriure la situació com a difícil per Bernhart, qui es va preparar diligentment però va tenir problemes per complir amb els estàndards exigents de Sinatra amb les seves interpretacions a tota potència. Palladino va admetre que mai va considerar editar diferents preses per millorar el solo, ja que Sinatra preferia captar actuacions completes i sense interrupcions amb poca edició.
Frank Sinatra mantenia un alt estàndard d'exigència no només amb els seus músics sinó també amb ell mateix durant les sessions d'enregistrament. Segons l'enginyer de so John Palladino, la dedicació de Sinatra per aconseguir una gravació perfecta era evident en l'aproximació meticulosa que adoptava. Palladino recorda sessions on Sinatra i els músics van treballar en "I've Got You Under My Skin" fins a 22 preses, tot i que no totes eren senceres.
Palladino va aclarir que algunes preses podrien haver estat intents fallits, i només un grapat van acabar en actuacions completes i sense interrupcions. La consciència aguda de Sinatra sobre les seves habilitats vocals el portava a abandonar les sessions si considerava que la seva manera de cantar no era al nivell que s’exigia. Palladino va elogiar la capacitat de Sinatra per a criticar els músics de manera constructiva, assenyalant que els seus comentaris sempre buscaven garantir que la banda es sincronitzés perfectament amb la seva veu.
Després de la seva gravació inicial el 1956 amb Nelson Riddle, Sinatra va tornar a enregistrar la cançó per al seu àlbum del 1963 "Sinatra's Sinatra", on el solo de trombó, originalment interpretat per Milt Bernhart, va ser interpretat per Dick Nash. El 1993, Sinatra va col·laborar en una nova versió de la cançó amb Bono d'U2 per a l'àlbum "Duets". Dirigit per Kevin Godley, el vídeo musical corresponent es va rodar a una taverna. Problemes tècnics durant la filmació van causar un retard, i Sinatra va marxar abans que s'acabés completament. Godley va muntar creativament el vídeo utilitzant imatges existents de Sinatra i talls de Bono cantant la seva part en un monitor.
"I've Got You Under My Skin" es va convertir en un element habitual al repertori de concerts de Sinatra, i una versió pràcticament perfecta es pot escoltar al seu àlbum en viu de 1966, "Sinatra at the Sands", on és acompanyat per l'orquestra de Count Basie.
FRANK SINATRA - I’VE GOT YOU UNDER MY SKIN
Released: March 1956
Album: Songs for swingin’ lovers
"I've Got You Under My Skin" is a classic song written by American composer Cole Porter in 1936. It made its debut when actress Virginia Bruce performed it in the MGM musical "Born to Dance," which starred Eleanor Powell and James Stewart. Despite its popularity, the song narrowly missed out on winning the Academy Award for Best Original Song in 1936, losing to "The Way You Look Tonight" from the Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers film "Swing Time."
Frank Sinatra first showcased it on his radio show in 1946, but it was in 1956 when Sinatra truly made the song his own. He recorded a big-band arrangement by Nelson Riddle for his album "Songs for Swingin' Lovers," infusing it with his signature style and swagger. This rendition became one of Sinatra's most iconic performances and became one of his signature songs.
The recording sessions for "Songs for Swingin' Lovers" posed challenges, especially due to the cramped setup of Capitol's Studio A and Sinatra's insistence on achieving perfection. Sound engineer John Palladino recalled the difficulties, particularly during the recording of "I've Got You Under My Skin," where trombonist Milt Bernhart faced the daunting task of delivering a flawless solo amid multiple takes.
Palladino described it as a tough situation for Bernhart, who diligently practiced early but struggled to meet Sinatra's exacting standards with his full-force performances. Palladino admitted that the thought of editing together different takes to improve the solo never crossed his mind, as Sinatra preferred capturing complete, uninterrupted performances without much editing.
Frank Sinatra maintained an unwavering standard of perfectionism not only for his musicians but also for himself during the recording sessions. According to sound engineer John Palladino, Sinatra's dedication to achieving the perfect recording was evident in the meticulous approach he took. Palladino recalled sessions where Sinatra and the musicians worked through "I've Got You Under My Skin" for up to 22 takes, although not all of these were complete runs.
Palladino clarified that some takes may have been false starts, with only a handful resulting in full, uninterrupted performances. Sinatra's acute awareness of his vocal abilities led him to abandon sessions if he felt his singing was not up to par. Palladino praised Sinatra's ability to critique musicians constructively, noting that Sinatra's feedback was always aimed at ensuring the band synchronized perfectly with his vocals.
After his initial 1956 recording with Nelson Riddle, Sinatra re-recorded the song for his 1963 album "Sinatra's Sinatra," where the trombone solo, originally played by Milt Bernhart, was performed by Dick Nash. In 1993, Sinatra collaborated on a new rendition of the song with U2's Bono for the album "Duets." Directed by Kevin Godley, the accompanying music video was filmed at a tavern. Technical issues during the shoot caused a delay, leading Sinatra to leave before it was completed. Godley creatively pieced together the video using existing footage of Sinatra and shots of Bono singing his part on a monitor.
"I've Got You Under My Skin" became a fixture on Sinatra's concert setlist, and a near-perfect version can be heard on his 1966 live album, “Sinatra at the Sands”. where he is backed by the Count Basie Orchestra.
