Then He Kissed Me - The Crystals
Song of the Day #3
Apple Music link: https://music.apple.com/us/album/then-he-kissed-me/382736253?i=382736552
I will say that I honestly have not heard much from the Crystals before today. My tastes when it comes to pre-60s music generally run towards R&B, blues, and rock and roll, and compared to those three scenes, most pre-60s pop music just hasn't aged very well. Yet, such is the magic of Phil Spector's production style that this song immediately moved me to tears despite my lack of taste in this depersonalized, manufactured era of pure pop music. Say what you will about Spector (and he was an absolutely horrible human being), there are few producers who can take ordinary songs to whole new levels of emotionality while still leaving such a distinctive stamp on everything they touch
I think part of the magic of his early style is the percussive sound behind all of the songs. Almost all classic Spector-produced pop songs have this huge, bombastic drum sound that gave each song sound unbelievably huge, almost regal quality to them, almost like the kingdom of heaven was coming to your doorstep. Unlike most overly sappy arrangements that plague a lot of pre-60s and especially Motown pop, Spector didn't just slap on an orchestral arrangement or a loud drum sound because he thought it would be palatable to the masses: he was creating idealistic mini-universes with these songs that operate on a whole different spiritual plane than practically anything else in the pure pop sphere. Spector's production FORCES you to take his songs seriously, and in the end, that's why songs like this one have aged so well.
Though, I will say this one is not just production style over songwriting substance: it has a gorgeous melody, one where the verses are just as mesmerizing as the chorus, and the buildup to that chorus is absolutely cathartic. I bet this song could have been a hit without Phil's production, but with his arranging genius, this song becomes a timeless masterpiece. It must have very deeply shaken the foundations of the young Brian Wilson, whose cover on Summer Days was not just faithfully recreating the spirit as much as he was channeling his sincere love for this song itself. And hey, if there is a pop producer who should blow your mind, it should be someone like Phil Spector.
No comments:
Post a Comment