Repost: Adventures Through The Mines Of Mellow Gold 3
It’s summer and although I should be relaxing, I’m actually ridiculously busy. Either way, that means it’s time for a Mellow Gold repost. Often, I’ll pick a Mellow Gold song at random to cover and, while researching it, find out some too-good-to-be-true tidbits. This was the first entry where it happened: I couldn’t believe what I was reading. It’s one of my favorite Mellow Gold posts. And one final note: a few months after I wrote this entry, the director of the below-mentioned documentary actually sent me the DVD - I believe it’s called "The Syracuse Cut." I haven’t watched it yet - I’m waiting until Jeff and I finally meet in person so we can endure it together - but you can be sure that’ll be covered in a future post. Enjoy!
What’s that? You want some more wussy music? You need some more wussy music? I’m here for you.
This week, we’re only going to cover one song. Why? Because the story’s so good, it deserves its own post.
Benny Mardones - Into The Night (download)
You could call Benny Mardones a one-hit wonder. But technically, you could also call Benny Mardones a two-hit wonder. And he has a pretty interesting background, too, but we’ll get to that in a minute. First, let’s talk about the song itself.
"Into The Night" did well on the charts when it was released in 1980, eventually reaching #11. It deserved to be a hit; it’s a good song. It has deep, heavy drums, dark, minor chords, a subtle piano part, ethereal backing vocals, and Mardones’ strong yet hoarse lead vocal. It features fantastic use of dynamics, and suitably builds throughout. I like some of the lyrics, as well:
It’s like having a dream
Where nobody has a heart
It’s like having it all
And watching it fall apart
And I would wait till the end of time for you
And do it again, it’s true
I can’t measure my love
There’s nothing to compare it to
I think that’s quite pretty. Of course, there’s just one problem: the opening line.
She’s just sixteen years old
leave her alone, they say
(shakes head)
(bangs head on desk)
(goes to call the cops)
(thinks better of it, hangs up)
Great. This romantic song has been ruined for me because he’s singing it to a sixteen year-old. Listen, I’m not saying that Benny Mardones likes little girls. I’m saying this song is not helping any if he’s trying to prove that he doesn’t.
Apparently, though, nobody gives a shit, and nobody gave a shit back then - because, again, the song reached #11 in 1980. And that’s not all.
In 1989, a station in Phoenix drummed up some interest in the song during a "Where Are They Now?" segment. Somehow, word got to Scott Shannon, Program Director at Pirate Radio in Los Angeles. Scott’s been running some of the biggest stations in the biggest markets for the past zillion years. Anyway, in 1989, he added "Into The Night" back onto the station’s playlist, and soon enough, stations around the country were spinning a nine year-old song. Nine years later, "Into The Night" was back on the charts, and peaked at #20.
Benny Mardones may have been a drug addict by then, but he was no fool. If you were a one-hit two-hit one hit wonder, what would you do?
You’d get your ass back into the studio and try to capitalize on the success, that’s what you’d do.
And so Benny went back into the studio, now signed with Curb Records (’cause the folks at Curb Records weren’t fools either), and re-recorded "Into The Night." The re-release appeared on his self-titled 1989 album ("known as ‘The Blue Album’ to his fans," his website says!).
I thought about offering "Into The Night ‘89" up here for download. But there really wasn’t any point. For starters, you don’t need two versions of "Into The Night." In fact, you might wind up hating me for it. And there’s really not much of a difference between the two versions. His voice has a little more wear and tear. The instrumentation is a little different - there’s suddenly an acoustic guitar and the bass has a terrible effect on it. We didn’t really need an "Into The Night ‘89," but by golly, we got it.
UPDATE 10 AM: So I go to my mailbox this morning and what’s waiting for me? A pristine, still-in-shrinkwrap copy of Benny Mardones’ self-titled 1989 release on Curb Records. Thank you to you-know-who for sending me this…(struggles to think of the right word)…CD. (Note 8/15/07: since this post, you-know-who has sent me just about every Mardones CD available. They’re sitting here at work. I see them every day. Yet I can’t bring myself to play any of them. It’s like listening to one of Meat Loaf’s albums that’s not Bat Out Of Hell.)
So since I have it right here anyway, go ahead, torture yourself. If you dare.
Benny Mardones - Into The Night ‘89 (download)
Things went downhill yet again after that for Benny Mardones, but not before he re-recorded the song another two frickin’ times: there’s "Into The Night (acoustic)" and "Into The Night (2002 Version)." The former features some lame ad-libs, and the latter has a voice that can no longer belt the other high notes. It brings absolutely nothing to the table. In fact, it takes things away from the table. Nobody bought it.
Except, that is, for the constituents of the fine city of Syracuse, NY.
Yes, you read that right.
According to the Benny Mardones bio:
Benny disappeared everywhere - everywhere, that is, but Syracuse, NY. With the help of fans like Tommy Nast, then program director at local station 94 Rock, Benny’s music was constantly on the air in Syracuse. In 1983, he played a legendary concert at Longbranch Park with more than 10,000 people in attendance. BennyMania took hold in upstate New York. In 1985, Benny played four sold-out shows at the 3,500-seat Landmark Theater. At his peak in Syracuse, Benny would draw 24,000 fans to a show at Weedsport Speedway.With all his records out of print, local promoters released two "Syracuse Only" records. These included "Unauthorized" and "American Dreams," each of which sold over 18,000 copies in Syracuse. Benny’s sales topped even new releases by performers like Bruce Springsteen.
You know, when I was 17 and on the search for colleges to attend, I was wavering between a few schools. Syracuse University was one of them. They did a lot to sell me on their school. They said nothing about Benny. Had I known that living in Syracuse would have put me square in the middle of BennyMania…well, shit. Fuck the $35,000+ per year tuition. The chance to get Unauthorized and maybe even get it signed? Worth it all, my friends.
So what’s Benny been up to lately? Well, recentlly - just today, actually - he won two awards! Yes, he won the JasonHare.com Award For Worst Album Title AND Worst Album Cover:
Well, he just beat out this guy for my Favorite Awful Title With The Word "Love" In The Cover. I’m not even going to dignify the bandana with a comment. Maybe my wife said it best when she asked, "Is that a woman?"
I know you’re either thinking this story can’t get any better or when will he fucking shut up about Benny Mardones? Either way, here’s the ending. I’ve saved the best for last.
Benny has a new documentary, entitled (are you ready for this?) Into The Night: The Benny Mardones Story. And according to the cast page, it features such "characters" as Benny himself! Benny’s Mom! Roy Orbison! Wayne Newton! Richie Havens! And this guy!
I am not making this up. I didn’t even put that text on the picture. I swear.
I can’t possibly think of anything else to add - but I’m sure you might, so please feel free to contribute in the comments! And with that, I bid you a very - very - wussy goodbye. See you Friday for CHART ATTACK! and next week for more Mellow Gold!
August 15th, 2007 at 5:28 am
Of all the Mellow Gold posts, this one was the one for the time capsule. And as for "Let’s Hear It For Love", is it me or does that cover photo look like it was snapped at a jailhouse concert? "My name is Benny! Not Bon Jovi! Sure, I’d love to see some of the outsider art you’ve made from carving toothbrushes!" DwD
August 15th, 2007 at 6:14 am
There are loads of hits about 16-year-olds: "Sweet Little 16"; "Only 16"; "You’re Sixteen", to name but a few.
And Syracuse University is Lou Reed’s alma mater. I doubt if he’s a Benny fan.
August 15th, 2007 at 10:59 am
"In 1983, he played a legendary concert at Longbranch Park with more than 10,000 people in attendance."I love how on artists official bios everything is always ‘legendary.’ I can’t imagine him drawing that many fans. Perhaps he was opening for someone else?If he’s already done 4 versions of this song….could the 2007 techno version by DJ Sammy be far behind? Hey it worked for old Bryan Adams & Roxette songs!
August 15th, 2007 at 2:58 pm
The Legend of Benny Mardones, "Well, I shot a man (a dirty look) in Long Branch just to watch him cry." He didn’t. He laughed. Then Benny cried. Then Benny recorded "Into The Night 2007 - Tearjerker Edition". DwD
August 15th, 2007 at 7:30 pm
I was at a CD store in downtown Chicago last month and the pictured CD was laying on the counter when I was checking out. I made some comment about not realizing Mardones was still recording. Then I commented that he kind of looked like Bon Jovi. The store clerk quckly responded, "He looks like Bon Jovi’s mom". That about says it all.
August 15th, 2007 at 11:10 pm
[…] Jason phones in his Mellow this week, but it’s still golden. Learn more than you ever wanted to know about Benny Mardones. […]
August 16th, 2007 at 8:15 am
Actual girls’ shirt: http://www.warriorrecords.com/benny/t-girlsspagetti.jpg.
He’s moved the flag scarf to his wrist, and he’s starting to morph in to Hillary Clinton: http://www.warriorrecords.com/benny/benny4.jpg. Maybe it’s a New York state thing.
August 16th, 2007 at 1:37 pm
Another quality blast of mellow gold.
Now, I know you’ve done Orleans before, courtesy of the search button, but when the sun came out for 5 minutes today here in the frozen Northern wastes of Scotland, the two tunes I couldn’t get out of my head were;
“Still The One” by Orleans and “How Much I Feel” by Ambrosia
Amazing what a bit of sunshine can do for you.
August 16th, 2007 at 2:56 pm
I was just reading the "Let’s Hear it For Love" review on All Music (yes I had some time to kill) and it appears that the title track is a duet between Benny & Eddie Money.
August 16th, 2007 at 8:04 pm
The ultimate pervert of Rock Songs award goes to Mellow Gold Pioneer Gary Puckett backed with the Union Gap. Gary had Teenage Trilogy I believe..Young Girl, shit I forgot the rest of them…but they was all about teenage girls.
I do believe Gary was a true Mellow Gold Pioneer possibly tripping upon it in 1968. The Civil War Uniforms however told another tale…
It is my opinion that the true beginning of Mellow Gold could be traced back to the post war 1940’s when the Fender Rhodes was invented. Now I know the sax has been around forever..But you cant deny that the Mellow Gold Instrument of choice is the Fender Rhodes in all it’s swirling glory.
August 16th, 2007 at 8:08 pm
Fender Rhodes as THE Mellow Gold instrument? That’s quite a bold statement! So the question is…were there any 1940s songs that utilized it in a Mellow fashion? I don’t even recall off-hand what the earliest MG entry is here, but I doubt it goes back past ‘71.
August 17th, 2007 at 9:29 pm
A very bold statement indeed. I can’t name a record from the 40’s containing this insrtument, but I suppose it was invented by Mr Rhodes because he was sick of hauling around a Grand Piano. It was most likely invented to "sound" like a piano but ended up being it’s own original sound.
Check out the movie "Ray" for a peek at a very vintage Rhodes Piano ..almost looks like a b-3 organ. Ray is playing his first record in a club. You can hear those mellow Tines (tuning forks) clinking through his jazzy sound.
Jason..Your site here rules. I take it the 80’s for you were the 70’s for me( I got 10 Years on you I suppose) . I heard the sounds of the Rascals, The Four Seasons, and the Archies in my crib but I was thrust upon the smooth sounds of Mellow Gold via The A.M. radio of the 70’s. NY was flush with the stuff..and I heard a lot of Fender Rhodes…Lets See
Brandy, Just the Way you Are ( Fender Rhodes through a phaser.. Yummy) Babe by Styx.Thats the foundation for a Mellow Gold Record..
Of course as we came into the 80’s the Rhodes was cast aside for the new sound…The Midi Piano sound. You know the sound "Ballad Keys" on any Roland or Kurzwiel keyboard..Utilized on Luthur Vandros, Peabo Bryson, and Richard Marx Records…or was that the Yamaha CP 10. Would that be post Mellow Gold? Did Mellow Gold end in 80-81? Did Hall and Oates change the course of MG when they brough GE Smith into the band? ( G.E. RULED)
I agree with the year 1971 ..but now I’m curious..Where the hell did it come from?
Oh Yeah..Looks Like Michael Mac is the man here..He’s a huge Fender Rhodes Guy..I know he sat around a rack of synths in the 70’s, but all ten of them fingers were workin’ the Rhodes
Again, I enjoy your Chart’s. They do bring back memories.
Thanks
August 27th, 2007 at 6:07 pm
Speaking of Gary Puckett (thanks krl66!)…this is a true story. I was in college. My girlfriend and I had just…uh…gotten some, as you young folk would say, when she burst into "This Girl Is A Woman Now!"
She later saw Gary Puckett at an oldies show and reported she found him "disturbing."
If Steely Dan is still touring, it might be worth catching them just to hear the words "And on the Fender Rhodes, Donald Fagen!" I’m just sayin’.
October 5th, 2007 at 10:50 am
Maybe you should try listening to his music instead of looking at his picture. Once again it shows that America is concerned more with appearance than substance. He is a great song writer and performer who has survived without the major record labels behind him for over 25 years. He donates to many causes (9/11, Parkinsons, etc) and cares about his fans. Listen to his albums and try to tell me he isn’t as good or better than Eddie Money or Bruce Springsteen or other acts of his genre. He had a 3.5 octave voice range, how many other rock stars have that range?
October 5th, 2007 at 10:56 am
Hey…are you from Syracuse?
October 5th, 2007 at 12:21 pm
I live in the Detroit area and grew up in Canton, Ohio.
And yes, Meatloaf does suck.
December 15th, 2007 at 1:23 pm
I loved him then! & I love him now! NO ONE PUTS ON A BETTER SHOW THEN BENNY! & It’s fine that you all don’t want to listen! I’ll keep him all to myself! Your the ones that are missing out! To bad for you! I’m Forever Hypnotized!
January 8th, 2008 at 10:22 pm
All this whining from a guy who has to wear a miners hat to find his dick in order to piss.
March 3rd, 2008 at 4:56 pm
I am a recent convert to the amazing music of Benny Mardones although I certainly knew and loved Into The Night both times it was a hit. I think Let’s Hear It For Love is just as wonderful as all of Benny’s other material. The only reason that Benny is not a national superstar - and he should be - is that the folks who were responsible for promoting him did a lousy job.
Drug addictions in rock music seemed to be the norm. That shouldn’t have even been an issue.
Have you seen his performance at the tribute to Roy Orbison? ‘Cause there is precious little footage of him performing - what an awesome voice!!!
Nobody - and I mean nobody - puts passion into their music the way Benny does. There isn’t one song on any of his albums or CDs that isn’t fantastic. I cannot say that for any other artist.
Benny isn’t hard on the eyes either even at 61 years old (and he’s got the better part of two decades on me). If I were a single woman I’d be showing up at his next show at Turning Stone and making it my business to meet him. (I must agree about that particular picture though. It’s not the best one I’ve seen of him.)
So, K Mc, I totally agree with you. I hope you don’t mind sharing. LOL