ROCK Sex was brought up to bring friends up.
The running connection this time is a song title; "Don't Bring Me Down", or variations thereof.
Who wants to be brought down? Nobody, so we all like a good defiance or uplift song on that score. Here's decades of both.
JOHNNIE DEE did an R'n'B song (which sadly I don't have a link for) that was covered by proto-garage band THE PRETTY THINGS and became a Top 10 hit in the UK.
THE PRETTY THINGS -"Don't Bring Me Down" (1964)
At the same time, THE ANIMALS asked hit-writing duo Gerry Goffin and Carole King for a song and they came up with this eternal.
THE ANIMALS -"Don't Bring Me Down" (1964)
On their first album, JEFFERSON AIRPLANE did a song called "Bringing Me Down".
Later John Lennon and THE BEATLES turned the warning to a hearfelt request.
THE BEATLES, with Billy Preston -"Don't Let Me Down" (1969)
Of a similar mind, NEIL YOUNG turned the sentiment to solace.
NEIL YOUNG -"Don't Let It Bring You Down" (live, 1971)
(Here's a luminous cover by ANNIE LENNOX.)
Another variant on the theme is this early solo track by MICHAEL JACKSON.
MICHAEL JACKSON -"Don't Let It Get You Down" (1973)
Alan Clarke and THE HOLLIES had their own angle on it.
THE HOLLIES -"Don't Let Me Down" (1974)
Meanwhile DAVID BOWIE remade the Johnnie Dee/ Pretty Things song.
And here's an empowerment anthem, "Don't Bring Me Down" by Labelle, written by New Orleans' funkmeister Allan Toussaint.
LABELLE -"Don't Bring Me Down" (1974)
In the uplift corner is the wonderful embrace of this Latin psalm by WAR, sung by keyboardist Lonnie Jordan.
WAR -"Don't Let No One Get You Down" (1975)
Paul McCartney had a second go at that same outlook with this overlooked gem, sounding like a timeless sea shanty.
WINGS -"Don't Let It Bring You Down" (1978)
Jeff Lynne, a peer and acolyte of many of these acts, topped them all with Electric Light Orchestra's smash hit.
ELECTRIC LIGHT ORCHESTRA -"Don't Bring Me Down" (1979)
Recently new songs in the "Don't Bring Me Down" relay appeared by THE SAW DOCTORS, ECHO AND THE BUNNYMEN, THE BLACK EYE PEAS, and SIA.
Hey, I'm feeling glad all over!
© Tym Stevens
See Also:
• "Don't Bring Me Down" - Ronnie Dawson > Electric Light Orchestra > Dazz Band > The Hives
• "Don't Let the Sun Catch You Crying" - Ray Charles > Gerry And The Pacemakers
• "California Dreamin'" - The Mamas and The Papas > Eddie Hazel
• "Sweet Dreams" - Squeeze > Eurythmics
• THANKSGIVING!: A Rock'n'Soul Music Player
• The Real History of Rock and Soul!: The Music Player Checklist
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