ROCK Sex is back showing how pop culture links up.
Here's how the Bubblegum Pop hit "Sugar Sugar" turns into sultry Soul.
ARCHIE, the popular comic book character, had a cartoon series in the late '60s. To stay hip with the youth, the cast formed a band and performed songs throughout the show in the tradition of The Monkees.
Beyond all absurdity, they scored a #1 hit that gets in your head and never goes away.
The vocals were actually sung by Pop journeyman Ron Dante, with a bit of an all-star cast of studio stalwarts, including Girl Group scribe Elle Greenwich and Country star Ray Stevens.
THE ARCHIES -"Sugar, Sugar" (1969)
Wilson Pickett had an incredible knack for covering other folk's songs and surpassing the original.
First off, he was Wilson Pickett. And secondly he was usually backed by the Stax Records house bands or the Muscle Shoals bands.
Here's another sterling example of Wicked Pickett taking ownership of a song.
WILSON PICKETT -"Sugar Sugar" (1970)
Other unlikely but interesting versions were done by Bob Marley, Kurt Russell (yes, the actor), Sinn Sisamouth, Gladys Knight And The Pips, The Germs, BIG YOUTH, Praga Khan (Lords Of Acid), and Cornershop!
You have to admit, the song is too catchy, it's got a swing in it, and the lyrics are subversively kinky.
Oh sugar, pour a little sugar on it honey
You are my candy girl
And you've got me wanting you"
(They may have also had an influence on Def Leppard's "Pour Some Sugar On Me".)
© Tym Stevens
See Also:
• "Time Is Tight!" - Booker T > The Clash > Elvis Costello > Squeeze
• "I Thank You" - Sam And Dave > ZZ Top
• The Real History of Rock and Soul!: The Music Player Checklist
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