There were two revelations on the Stiff’s Live album. I’d heard much of it before, but I hadn’t heard Larry Wallis’s Police Car, which is a brilliant bit of rock poetry. And I hadn’t heard Elvis Costello, who I was infatuated with, singing Burt Bachrach’s and Hal David’s I Just Don’t Know What To Do With Myself. It is so very soulful.
I later came across Dusty Springfield’s version. She is a great singer and interpreter, but the stripped down Costello version seems so much more appropriate.
There is a Linda Ronstadt version out there, which I think bridges the two, but the YouTube video id’d as Ronstadt is actually Springfield. Bet that’s the first time that has happened.
Which brings us to the end of the song. The White Stripes have made some good records. And I like the idea of taking a slow one and making it hard. But random noise only works sometimes.
Like a lot of Jack White music, it seems to be more about him than the tune. Which is fine. Up to a point.
Great post Peter! All of this got me to fish out my Stiff’s Live disc and relieve my well spent youth! “Police Car” is a great song too.