S.O.D. "Crimson and Clover" by Tommy James and the Shondells

3/26/2015     A composition that took the world by storm charting in 17 countries and making it to #1 in the US, Canada, Germany, New Zealand, and Switzerland.  "Crimson and Clover" was written partially to change the direction of the group's sound and for James to start producing his own material changing from singles to albums.  Pursuing this, he left the groups principal songwriters behind and was given complete artistic control by Roulette Records.  

     From his favorite color crimson and his favorite flower clover, he had the title before any music or lyrics were created. From this point James and his drummer Peter Lucia Jr. began to compose a song with James playing all the instruments except the drums and bass. After the rough mix was completed James went to WLS radio in Chicago with whom he already had a relationship with and talked about the record.  They convinced him to play the song for the radio personnel off-air, however the station was recording the song at the time which James was unaware of.  

     After that the song took off and eventually sold more than 5 million copies making it the band's biggest hit.  It was released in 1968 under the genres of psychedelic pop and rock, and garage rock.  Too many artists to mention have covered the tune including Prince, Cher, Dolly Parton and the most well-known version that's on the airwaves today by Joan Jett and the Blackhearts which went to #7 on the charts.