Bobby Darin, Jack Lawrence, and Beyond The Sea (new interview)

Bobby Darin Song File: Lyricist Jack Lawrence goes "Beyond The Sea"
"One day at the publisher's offices I ran into a new young singer with a distinctive style," explains Lawrence. "He was brash and a bit cocky, but rather refreshing, and his name was Bobby Darin..." READ MORE

New Bobby Darin Decca CD Reviewed

Check out a review of the new Bobby Darin CD from El Toro, "Early Bobby Darin," at this link:

http://darinland.com/Bobby-Darin-Early-Bobby-Darin-Review.html

Bobby Darin, The Singles: We Didn't Ask to Be Brought Here/Funny What Love Can Do

BOBBY DARIN: WE DIDN'T ASK TO BE BROUGHT HERE/FUNNY WHAT LOVE CAN DO (Atlantic 2305; 1965)

In August of 1965, after making 7 albums on the Capitol label, Bobby Darin returned to the studios of Atlantic Records to record his very first self-penned protest song, "We Didn't Ask To Be Brought Here." The lyrical tone was anti-establishment, the arrangement was fully electric, and the result was one of his finest original recordings. Darin had left Atlantic in 1961 for many reasons, not the least of which was a lack of control over his own recordings. Clearly, he was now fully in charge.

The B-Side, "Funny What Love Can Do," is another excellent original, reflecting Darin's unparalleled command of almost every musical form. This wailin' blues number could easily stand right alongside the work of Howlin' Wolf or Willie Dixon. Darin executes an agile turn of phrase as he flips his "drinkin'/thinkin'" refrain upside down on the second pass. His blues harp playing is, as always, brilliant.

WHERE TO FIND THESE SONGS

“We Didn't Ask To Be Brought Here” and "Funny What Love Can Do" appear on the following CDs:

As Long As I’m Singing: The Bobby Darin Collection

Dream Lover: Bobby Darin Sings

Bobby Darin: Sings The Shadow Of Your Smile/In A Broadway Bag (Remastered)

Bobby Darin, The Singles: You Must Have Been a Beautiful Baby/Sorrow Tomorrow

BOBBY DARIN: YOU MUST HAVE BEEN A BEAUTIFUL BABY (Charted at #5)/SORROW TOMORROW (ATCO 6206; 1961)

Considering the immense amount of talent behind Bobby Darin's recording of "You Must Have Been a Beautiful Baby", it was no doubt destined to be a top ten smash. Lyrics by the great Johnny Mercer, music by the incomparable Harry Warren, a typically ingenious arrangement by Jimmie Haskell, and a thrilling vocal from Darin all come together to knock your socks clear across the room. Bobby's "Whoa, you know, you know, you know you know!" intro sends shivers straight up the spine. He could do that better than any performer before and after, and he's still doing it.

"Sorrow Tomorrow", written by Brill Building legends Doc Pomus and Mort Shuman, is a rhythmic lost love ballad, also arranged by Mr. Haskell. Here both Darin and Haskell show a different side. Darin's lamenting vocal seems to come straight from the Country Music Hall of Fame, while Haskell's arrangement is a fun and fascinating hybrid of pop, rock and country -- not rockabilly necessarily, but something completely his own. Very cool.

WHERE TO FIND THESE SONGS

"You Must Have Been a Beautiful Baby" appears on the following CDs:

As Long As I'm Singing: The Bobby Darin Collection

Best of Bobby Darin, Vol. One: Splish Splash

Bobby Darin: Definitive Pop

Dream Lover: Bobby Darin Sings

Bobby Darin: Greatest Hits (Import)

Twist with Bobby Darin

Ultimate Bobby Darin

Very Best of Bobby Darin

"Sorrow Tomorrow" appears on the following CDs:

Bobby Darin: Things and Other Things

Bobby Darin: Rock Island Line/Timber 45 on Ebay

There's a copy of Bobby Darin's debut single from 1956, "Rock Island Line"/"Timber," up on Ebay.

Here's a link to the listing:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=170138611741

HA CHA indeeeed!