Following on from the foolish protagonist in The Divine Comedy’s song yesterday, we take on foolishness from the other perspective - the fooler, rather than the fool. Bobbie Gentry is best known for her Ode To Billie Joe, but this, from her 1970 album Fancy, is a terrific cover version of George Jackson’s song from the previous year. Funky, dark and uncompromising, it is underpinned by a fantastic deep sax, brass and orchestral setting, expressing the hard lessons taught by the narrator’s father about relationships. It’s not merely a cynical song of manipulation, but also one fuelled by passion and hurt. And in a new move for Song of the Day, let’s also listen the Jackson’s original, and see how they compare from the male and female perspectives.
Bobby Gentry:
George Jackson:
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