The Things That I Used to Do
The Things That I Used to Do is a blues song written by Guitar Slim (aka Eddie Jones) and his 1953 recording of it in New Orleans, was arranged and produced by a young Ray Charles.[1] It was released on Specialty Records in 1954 to become a bestseller. It was one of the biggest sellers in the label's history and stayed on the rhythm and blues charts for 42 weeks.[2]
Since Guitar Slim was a blues artist, Specialy Record's Art Rupe figured that his appeal would be limited to the Southern rural audience. However, urban R&B stations in the North picked up the song, pushing it into a national hit. As a result, Guitar Slim became in great demand as a performer and played on the stage of the Apollo Theater.[2]
Song
Ray Charles's arrangement and piano accompaniment emphasizes the religious tone of intense but philosophical regret in the singer's voice, giving the song a gospel-influenced feel. Like Fats Domino, Guitar Slim's voice has a less adult sound than does that of the typical blues shouters of the time and his lyrics are less explicitly sexual.[3]
Legacy
The song was a huge success, greatly influencing rock and roll by demonstrating the commercial success of using content that appeals to white listeners and by the effectiveness of its gospel feel.[3] It has become a standard due to Guitar Slim's distinctive guitar figuring and the rising and falling melody.[4] It has been listed by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as one of the 500 songs that shaped rock and roll.[5]
The song has been covered by many artists, including those listed below.
- Albert Collins
- Stevie Ray Vaughan[6]
- Junior Parker
- Chuck Berry
- Big Joe Turner - (1977)
- Elvin Bishop and The Grateful Dead in performance only - (1969)[7]
- G. Love and Special Sauce - (1994)
Buddy Guy Luther Allison Jimi Hendrix (Studio Outtakes Volume Two - 1969)
Notes
- ^ "Black History - Ray Charles". Retrieved 2006-11-05.
- ^ a b "Guitar Slim (Eddie Jones)©2002JCMarion". Retrieved 2006-11-05.
- ^ a b Gillett, Charlie (1996). The Sound of the City: The Rise of Rock and Roll ((2nd Ed.) ed.). New York, N.Y.: Da Capo Press. pp. p. 139-140, 170. ISBN 0-306-80683-5.
{{cite book}}:|pages=has extra text (help) - ^ Watrous, Peter (1990). "A Young Blues Guitarist Intent on Modernization". New York Times. Retrieved 2006-11-05.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|month=ignored (help) - ^ "500 Songs That Shaped Rock". Retrieved 2006-11-05.
- ^ "Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble". Retrieved 2006-11-05.
- ^ "Sung by Elvin Bishop with the Grateful Dead on 8 June 1969". Retrieved 2006-11-05.
External links
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