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Bits and Pieces (song)
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Wikipedia article
"'Bits and Pieces'" is a song by British beat group The Dave Clark Five. The single hit number two in the UK and number four in the US, as well as being a success in other countries. It was number two or four in Australia, number one in Canada and Ireland, and number four in the Netherlands. In Germany, it reached number 20.
Lead vocals are sung by Mike Smith, who also co-wrote the song. "Bits and Pieces" is one of several Dave Clark Five songs written by Ron Ryan, rather than by Clark.[http://www.richieunterberger.com/wordpress/tag/the-dave-clark-five/ Richie Unterberger, "The Dave Clark Five PBS Special... and Beyond", 'Folkrocks', April 16, 2014]. Retrieved 22 August 2020
The song is in antiphonal style, with Mike Smith singing a solo line and the whole group responding. The drums have a very prominent part in the accompaniment. Additionally, some of the song's unique percussion was supplied by an exercise board, which two of the band members (reportedly quite intoxicated) stamped on, not always perfectly in time to the music.
Robert Christgau, writing in 1969, called the song "a wonderfully serviceable rock throwaway, raucous and meaningless, perfect for shouting into the night." 'Cash Box' described it as "a hard-hitting rocker that the boys pound out in a steady, heavy beat style."
The song's distinct stomp-like pattern has been sampled by numerous musicians.
The Dave Clark Five performed "Bits and Pieces" in an appearance on the 'Ed Sullivan Show'.
References
Category:1964 songs
Category:1964 singles
Category:Songs written by Mike Smith (Dave Clark Five)
Category:Songs written by Dave Clark (musician)
Category:The Dave Clark Five songs
Category:RPM Top Singles number-one singles
Category:Irish Singles Chart number-one singles
Category:Columbia Graphophone Company singles
Category:Epic Records singles
Category:Capitol Records singles
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