Home | Songs By Year | Songs from 1966
But It's Alright
Buy But It's Alright now from AmazonFirst, read the Wikipedia article. Then, scroll down to see what other TopShelfReviews readers thought about the song. And once you've experienced the song, tell everyone what you thought about it.
Wikipedia article
"'But It's Alright'" (aka "'It's Alright'", due to its lyrics) is a song co-written by J. J. Jackson and Pierre Tubbs that became a hit on the pop and soul charts in both 1966 and 1969.
Covered also by Wilmer and the Dukes.
Theme
The song's lyrics address the singer's girlfriend, who has broken his heart by cheating on him. But the song keeps a happy, upbeat tone due to the singer's belief in karma: "It's alright" because "you've got to reap what you sow, girl"; she will find herself cheated on as well.
History
Described as being "driven by one of the catchiest guitar hooks in the history of rock & roll and a devastating vocal performance",John Bush, [http://www.allmusic.com/song/but-its-alright-mt0002684681 Review of "But It's Alright"]; AllMusic. Retrieved 2017-09-22. the song was first released by Calla Records in 1966, as a single and on the album of the same name. Subsequent to acquiring the Calla Records catalogue, Warner Bros.-Seven Arts re-released the song in 1969, as a single and on the album 'The Great J.J. Jackson'.
The single was recorded in the United Kingdom, and was one of the first R & B hit singles to have been recorded in England.[http://www.ska2soul.net/mobile/back-tracking.html Back Tracking]; ska2soul. Retrieved 2017-08-09. The song featured some of Britain's top jazz musicians of the day, including Terry Smith on guitar, Dick Morrissey on tenor sax and John Marshall on drums.Smith and Morrissey would later co-found the successful jazz-rock band If.
When first released in 1966, the song reached number 22 on the 'Billboard' Hot 100 and number 4 on the Hot R&B Singles chart. When re-released in May 1969, they reached number 45, and remained on the charts for nine weeks.Joe Troiano, [https://joetroiano.wordpress.com/2011/05/31/j-j-jackson-but-its-alright-2/ Review of "But It's Alright"] ; Joe T's Soda Shop. Retrieved 2017-11-02. In Canada, it reached number 63. A Spanish language version of the song was also recorded by Jackson and released in 1969.[https://www.discogs.com/JJ-Jackson-Pero-Esta-Bien-No-Esta-Bien/release/5406286 Particulars of "Pero Esta Bien"/"No Esta Bien"]; Discogs. Retrieved 2017-09-29. Being Spanish versions of "But It's Alright" and "That Ain't Right".
Huey Lewis and the News version
In 1994, Huey Lewis and the News covered the song for their album 'Four Chords & Several Years Ago'. It was released as a single, which included the studio version and a live rendition of the song.[https://www.discogs.com/Huey-Lewis-The-News-But-Its-Alright/release/5095043 Particulars of "But It's Alright"]; Discogs. Retrieved 2017-09-27. The single reached number 54 on the 'Billboard' Hot 100 and number 5 on the Adult Contemporary chart. An EP CD single was released in Germany by Elektra Records.
Other cover versions
*In 1967, Brother Jack McDuff, with David "Fathead" Newman, covered "But It's Alright", as an instrumental version, on their album 'Double Barrelled Soul'. The song was also released as a single.[http://funky16corners.com/?p=5887 Brother Jack McDuff Quintet feat. David Newman - But It's Alright]; Funky16Corners. Retrieved 2017-09-27.
*Also in 1967, the song was also covered by Eddie Floyd and included on Floyd's 'Knock on Wood' album.
*In 1976 a cover was included on 'The Best of Redbone' by Redbone.
*In 1981, Australian band Jo Jo Zep & The Falcons covered the song, which was released as a single from their 'Step Lively' album.[https://www.discogs.com/Jo-Jo-Zep-The-Falcons-Security/release/2508179 Particulars of "But It's Alright"]; Discogs. Retrieved 2017-09-20. The single release included a spoken intro on one side, and the song on the other.[https://www.discogs.com/Jo-Jo-Zep-And-The-Falcons-Step-Lively/release/1807293 Particulars of 'Step Lively']; Discogs. Retrieved 2017-09-27.
References
Category:1966 singles
Category:1969 singles
Category:1981 singles
Category:1994 singles
Category:Calla Records singles
Category:Warner Records singles
Category:Huey Lewis and the News songs
Category:Jo Jo Zep & The Falcons songs
Category:1966 songs
Category:Songs written by Pierre Tubbs
Buy But It's Alright now from Amazon
<-- Return to songs from 1966