On the Record for 7-5
By Jon Busdeker on Jul. 05, 2007
Q: Who recorded “My Love Opens the Door, to Your Heart”?
A: We believe you are referring to “Let My Love Open the Door,” the hit single from Pete Townshend’s 1980 solo effort, “Empty Glass.” The album peaked at No. 5 on the Billboard charts while the single rose to No. 9. A slightly different mix — the “E. Cola Mix” — was included on the soundtrack to the movie “Grosse Point Blank,” starring John Cusack and Minnie Driver. We’ve also discovered that indie rocker M. Ward did a country-folk version of the song that was included on the compilation album, “Sweetheart 2005: Love Songs.” Each of these albums should be available through your favorite music seller.
Q: I am looking for information on a song I particularly liked back in the day — I believe that the year was 1968. The song’s chorus was “Baby you come rollin’ cross my mind.” I’ve looked but have never been able to find it again. Can you help me name that tune and the artist? Thanks so much!
A: Well, the lyrics you provided helped us tremendously. The song’s title is “Baby You Come Rollin’ Across My Mind” and was performed by the Peppermint Trolley Company. It was released in 1968 on the group’s first (and only) album, the eponymous “The Peppermint Trolley Company.” The single peaked at No. 59 on the Billboard Singles chart. The group featured Bob Cheevers (vocals and guitar), brothers Jimmie (bass, guitar and sax) and Danny (keyboards) Faragher, Casey Cunningham (guitar and flute), and Greg Tornouist (drums). Although their recording career did not take off as they hoped, they landed the job of singing the opening themes to “Love American Style” and the first season of “The Brady Bunch.”
Cheevers left the band in the early ’70s to pursue a solo career and the remaining Trolley members reformed as The Bones and released one album, simply titled “Bones,” in 1972. By the mid-’70s, Jimmie and Danny Faragher were recording with their bassist brother, Davey, as the Faragher Brothers. Interestingly, in addition to his session work, Davey went on to serve as bassist for Cracker (1990-92) and Elvis Costello from 2001 onwards.
Q: I recently heard a new song that uses a sample of “Stand By Me.” Can you tell me the name of the song and who sings it?
A: The song is “Beautiful Girls” by 17-year-old Sean Kingston. Although he was born in Jamaica in 1990, Kingston grew up in Miami. After a hard life that included homelessness and jail, Kingston used his talent for writing rhymes to get booked in Miami clubs. He was quickly noticed and signed to a recording contract. While recording his debut album, he heard “Stand By Me” on the radio and immediately wanted to incorporate a sample from the 1961 hit by Ben E. King into a song. The resulting song, “Beautiful Girls,” is currently climbing the pop charts.
Q: My favorite U2 song has always been “Pride.” The song refers to the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and contains the line “Early morning, April 4, a shot rings out in the Memphis sky.” Is this a mistake? Wasn’t he shot in the evening?
A: You are correct, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was indeed shot around 6 in the evening of April 4, 1968. The song started out as an anti-Reagan anthem when it was first recorded during the War tour. The final version had all the anti-Reagan sentiments removed in favor of references to Martin Luther King Jr. According to some Internet fan sites, Bono has acknowledged that he made a mistake and will occasionally sing “Early evening, April 4” when performing the song live. Although “Pride” only reached No. 33 on the pop charts in 1984, it has since become a rock radio classic.
By Bradford Brady and John Maron. Send your questions about songs, albums, and the musicians who make them to
or visit http://www.musicontherecord.com. Brady and Maron are freelance music writers based in Raleigh, N.C.
COMMENTS