Gimme Some Lovin’ – Spencer Davis Group – 1971 (1966).

Used in over twenty movie soundtracks, Gimme Some Lovin’ is one of the most covered songs of all time.  Originally released in 1966 it was re-released on a live album in 1971 meaning it just sneaks into seventiesmusic.

rules made to be broken – again

Okay, so I’m breaking the rules slightly for the second week in a row.

Gimme Some Lovin’ isn’t strictly a 70s song. It was released first by Spencer Davis Group in 1966. But they did release it again in 1971 on a live album. And Olivia Newton John released it on her Totally Hot album in 1978. And the Blues Brothers released it as part of their film soundtrack in 1980. So, it sort of fits in the 70s decade.

And, truth be told, I didn’t hear it on the radio this week either. I heard it in concert. But it was great!

old rockers!

So, I get this email from a local radio station. There’s a contest. Enter your name and go into the draw to win tickets to Anika Moa, Steve Winwood and Steely Dan in concert. I enter and then notice that the closing time for the contest, which has been going for almost a month, is in ten minutes time. “Fat chance I’ve got of winning,” I tell myself.

Well, twenty minutes later – I kid you not, twenty minutes – I get an email saying I won one of the five double tickets. So, off we go.

old rockers never die but their voices can…

Now, here’s the deal when you go to see a blast from the past band; you go to reminisce and remember the songs as they once were. If you expect perfection, you’re gonna be greatly disappointed.  But, if you don’t expect perfection you can have a good time.

And so it was last Friday night. Steely Dan were pretty good considering Don Fagan’s voice ain’t what it used to be – great band though.  And Don realises he’s getting older so he lets his fabulous BV girls carry a lot of the vocals.

but steve…

Having said all I’ve said about old acts not always being what they once were, Steve Winwood’s voice has survived the ravages of time. He still sounds wonderful – just like he did three or four decades ago. From the opening I’m a Man through to the closing Roll With It, he was great. His organ and guitar playing are still spot on. His band rocks!

steve…

Steve was 14 when he joined Spencer Davis Group. He also met and played with Eric Clapton at this time. When he was 20 years old he played organ on the song Voodoo Chile on Jimi Hendrix’s Electric Ladyland album.

In 1969 Steve joined the band Blind Faith. Blind Faith is always referred to as a supergroup because of the inclusion of musicians like Steve, Eric Clapton and Ginger Baker. However, they only actually released one album.

There followed a successful few years with the band Traffic before going solo in 1977.

solo steve

In 1986, Steve’s song Higher Love topped the Billboard Hot 100. He was rewarded with two Grammy’s that year – Record of the Year and Best Male Pop Vocal Performance.

gimme some lovin’ fax

• Gimme Some Loving was written by Spencer Davis, Steve and his brother Muff Winwood.
• Now very much a part of Steve’s live act, Gimme Some Lovin’ was originally performed by Spencer Davis Group.
• Gimme Some Loving peaked at #2 on the UK singles chart in 1966 and at #7 on the US singles chart.
• Gimme Some Lovin’ is ranked at #244 on Rolling Stone magazine’s list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.
• Gimme Some Lovin’ has been used in at least three television series, and six commercials.
• At least twenty movies have featured Gimme Some Lovin’ as part of their soundtrack including; Notting Hill, Good Morning Vietnam, The Blues Brothers, and The Big Chill (one of my all-time favourite movies).
• Gimme Some Lovin’ is one of the most covered songs of all time having been recorded by; The Blues Brothers, Olivia Newton-John, Chicago, Queen, The Supremes and The Four Tops, Traffic, The Grateful Dead and Hanson.
• Gimme Some Lovin’ lyrics