Dusty 45's: Bobby Curtola - You're Not a Goody Goody; The Yardbirds - Heart Full of Soul

I finally got around to trying out a few dusty old 45’s tonight. I started with a single by Canada’s own Bobby Curtola called You’re Not a Goody Goody. 

 

 

 

Since his big hit single Fortune Teller (which sold 2.5 million copies) hit the charts in 1962, Bobby Curtola, one of the early leaders in Canadian Rock and Roll, was a true teen idol that had some amazing accomplishments:

- Being honoured with the Order of Canada.

- Having a successful Las Vegas performing career which spanned over two decades.

- Performing on the Love Boat in the Caribbean and Mediterranean for twelve years starting in 1990.

- Having a lifelong dedication to many charities.

You’re Not a Goody Goody was not one of Bobby’s biggest hits, but it sure is a catchy tune. Even though it was released in 1964, it still has the teen idol sound that became so well known in the 50’s.

 

 

The B Side, Far Away Heart, is a typical teen idol mushy song. It didn’t do much for me but I think he was just recording what the fans of the era wanted to hear.

After reading up on Bobby it’s great to see that he is still somewhat active in music and is playing at least a handful of shows each of the past few years.  

 

 

 

Next on the turntable was Heart Full of Soul, a single by the Yardbirds released in 1965.

1965 saw a shift in the Yardbirds’ lineup when Jeff Beck replaced Eric Clapton on lead guitar. A distinctive feature in this song is Beck’s Fuzz Box guitar, one of the earlier uses of this type of distortion.

The B Side, Steeled Blues, sounds like the name suggests. A standard blues riff backing a tingy slide guitar with some deep blues harmonica. It showcases a great instrumental and is a nice choice for a B-side.

Heart Full of Soul was written by Graham Gouldman prior to his career as bass player and vocalist for 10CC (a band which wouldn’t be formed for another 7 years) began. Gouldman also wrote their first major hit For Your Love earlier that same year (prior to Beck joining with Clapton on guitar).

This is such an early rock song with this fuzzy distorted guitar… yet its lyrics are like a ballad. It’s a song of begging for a second chance. Check out these lyrics:

Sick at heart and lonely, deep in dark despair
When you want her only, tell me where is she where?
And if she says to you, that she don't love me
Just give her my message, tell her of my plea
And I know, if I could have her back again, I would never make her sad
I got a heart full of soul I got a heart full of soul
She's been gone such a long time, longer than I can bear
But if she says she wants me, tell her I'll be there

And I know, if I could have her back again, I would never make her sad
I got a heart full of soul I got a heart full of soul
Sick at heart and lonely, deep in dark despair
When you want her only, tell me where is she where?
And if she says to you, that she don't love me
Just give her my message, tell her of my plea
And I know, if I could have her back again, I would never make her sad
I got a heart full of soul I got a heart full of soul
I got a heart full of soul!

This is a great early rock song which had handful of bands cover it over the years including Rush, Dokken and Chris Isaak.