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No Matter What (Badfinger song)

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Wikipedia article




{{Infobox song

| name = No Matter What

| cover = NMW.jpg

| alt =

| border = yes

| caption = Cover of the 1970 UK single

| type = single

| artist = Badfinger

| album = No Dice

| B-side =

| released = (US)
(UK)

| recorded = May 1970

| studio =

| venue =

| genre =

| length =

| label = Apple

| writer = Pete Ham

| producer = Mal Evans

| prev_title = Come and Get It

| prev_year = 1969

| next_title = Day After Day

| next_year = 1971

| misc =

}}

"'No Matter What'" is a song originally recorded by Badfinger for their album 'No Dice' in 1970, written and sung by Pete Ham and produced by Mal Evans.

Recording



As a demo, "No Matter What" was originally recorded at a slower tempo by Ham on acoustic guitar (as heard on the posthumous Ham solo CD '7 Park Avenue'). A group demo version, played at the same tempo as Ham's acoustic demo, was recorded by Badfinger on April 18, 1970 with Mal Evans producing. The song was recorded again in a rockier fashion, at a faster tempo, by the band in May 1970 at Abbey Road Studios and it was this version that appeared on the album and single.

Although the song and recording was a favourite of Badfinger's shortly after it was completed, the hierarchy at Apple reportedly was not inclined to release it in any format. It was not until Al Steckler, the American director of Apple in New York, heard the tape in August 1970 and considered it a strong entry by the band, that it was remixed by engineer/producer Geoff Emerick and slotted for the upcoming LP and as a single release.

This song is also noted for its false ending, after the final chorus, where, after a short pause, the last line is repeated twice before the final ending chord.

Release



In the United States (October 12, 1970), Canada, The Philippines and a few other countries the single was released with the Tom EvansPete Ham song "Carry On Till Tomorrow", the theme song for the movie 'The Magic Christian', as the B-side. This was an edited version of the recording that appeared on Badfinger's previous album, 'Magic Christian Music'. In all other countries, the single was backed with the Tom EvansJoey Molland song "Better Days", which also appeared on 'No Dice'.

Reception



It was the band's first UK Top 10 single to be composed by Badfinger, reaching number 5 in the UK in January 1971. In the US it peaked at number 8 on the 'Billboard' Hot 100. In South Africa it topped the charts. The band also scored with "Come and Get It", number 4 in the UK in January 1970, which was composed by Paul McCartney, and "Day After Day", number 10 in the UK in January 1972.

'Cash Box' described the song as sounding "as though it might have come from a '65 Beatles LP" with "bright vocals and strong instrumentals."

The song is notable for being one of the first successful records associated with the power pop sound, using all of the elements attributed to the genre. A subsequent single released by Badfinger, "Baby Blue" ('Billboard' number 14, 1972), along with several album tracks in a similar vein, succeeded in categorizing the band themselves as power pop. This song is ranked number 1 on VH1's "20 Essential Power Pop Tracks That Will Be Stuck In Your Head Forever".

Personnel



Badfinger version

* Pete Ham lead vocals, rhythm guitar

* Joey Molland lead guitar, backing vocals

* Tom Evans bass, backing vocals

* Mike Gibbins drums

Def Leppard version

* Joe Elliott lead vocals

* Phil Collen guitar, backing vocals

* Vivian Campbell guitar, backing vocals

* Rick Savage bass, backing vocals

* Rick Allen drums

Chart performance



Weekly charts



Year-end charts



References




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