Crimson and Clover

"Crimson and Clover" is a 1968 song by American rock band Tommy James and the Shondells. Written by the duo of Tommy James and drummer Peter Lucia Jr., it was intended as a change in direction of the group's sound and composition.

For the album, see Crimson & Clover (album).
"Crimson and Clover"
Italian single sleeve
Single by Tommy James and the Shondells
from the album Crimson & Clover
B-side
  • "Some Kind of Love"
  • "I'm Taken"
ReleasedNovember 1968 (1968-11)
Recorded1968
Genre
Length
  • 5:25 (album version)
  • 3:23 (single version)
LabelRoulette
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Tommy James
Tommy James and the Shondells singles chronology
"Do Something to Me"
(1968)		 "Crimson and Clover"
(1968)		 "Sweet Cherry Wine"
(1969)
Audio sample
"Crimson and Clover"
  • file
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"Crimson and Clover" was released in late 1968 as a rough mix after a radio station leaked it. It spent 16 weeks on the U.S. charts, reaching number one in the United States (in February 1969) and other countries. The single has sold 5 million copies, making it Tommy James and the Shondells' best-selling song. (Note: the RIAA did not award a gold record so the 5 million sales number is not officially acknowledged.)[3] It has been covered by many artists including Joan Jett and Prince.

In 2006, Pitchfork Media named it the 57th best song of the 1960s.[4]

Composition and recording

Following the release of "Mony Mony", Tommy James wanted to change direction of the group's sound, and began producing his own material. At the time, James said this was out of "necessity and ambition", wanting to move from singles into albums. He departed from the group's principal songwriters Bo Gentry and Ritchie Cordell, and was given complete artistic control by Roulette Records.

The title, "Crimson and Clover", was decided before a song had been written for it. The combination of unknown meaning came to James as he was waking up, comprising his favorite color – crimson – and his favorite flower – clover. (There is also a species of clover native to Europe called the crimson clover.) A song to fit the phrase was written by Tommy James and bassist Mike Vale, but was scrapped. His following collaboration with drummer Peter Lucia, Jr. was more successful (Lucia has said that he himself came up with the Crimson and Clover phrase while watching a high school football game between his hometown Morristown (NJ) Crimson and Hopatcong (green, or "clover")). During the song's production, Roulette Records wanted a new single, so the group agreed to release "Do Something to Me" to gain time to complete the song.

"Crimson and Clover" was recorded in late 1968 in about five hours and is one of the earliest songs recorded on 16-track equipment. Tommy James played most of the instruments, while Mike Vale played bass and Peter Lucia, Jr. played drums. The song contains a tremolo effect on the guitar, set so that it vibrated in time with the song's rhythm. Near the end of the recording, the band had an idea of utilizing the tremolo effect with vocals. To achieve this, the voice microphone was plugged into an Ampeg guitar amplifier with tremolo turned on, and the output from the amplifier was recorded while James sang "Crimson and clover, over and over".

Single release
Tommy James and the Shondells on The Ed Sullivan Show in 1969, one day before their single reached number one.

Tommy James made a rough mix of "Crimson and Clover" to show to Roulette Records executive Morris Levy for evaluation. The band was still intending to improve on the mix with ambient sound and echo. A few days later, James stopped at Chicago radio station WLS, where he had previously had a positive experience, to get their reaction. After an interview discussing the single, he was persuaded to play his copy of the rough mix off-air for WLS. Unbeknownst to James, the station recorded the song which they aired with little delay – in November 1968 – as a "world exclusive".

Morris Levy had initially pleaded with WLS not to play the record prematurely, before its release, but listener response changed his mind. Roulette Records produced a specially pressed single and shipped it to listeners who called about the song. Eight hundred copies were also sent to WLS for promotional purposes. Levy refused to let James produce the final mix he wanted, and the single was released using the rough mix, with "Some Kind of Love" as its B-Side.[5][6]

"Crimson and Clover" entered the U.S. charts on December 14, where it stayed for 16 weeks on Billboard Hot 100 and 15 weeks on Cash Box Top 100. Following a performance of the song on The Ed Sullivan Show on January 26,[7] it became number one on February 1, 1969, a position held for one week on Cash Box Top 100 and two weeks on both Billboard Hot 100 and Record World 100 Top Pops. Internationally, the song reached number one in Canada, Germany, New Zealand, Singapore, South Africa, and Switzerland. It also charted in Austria, Brazil, France, Holland, Italy, Israel, Malaysia, Mexico, Philippines, and Puerto Rico. Despite this, the song did not chart in the United Kingdom.

Chart history

Legacy

Album version
Main article: Crimson & Clover (album)

Based on suggestions from radio stations, Tommy James and The Shondells chose to create a longer version of "Crimson and Clover" for the album. The first two verses were copied without lead vocals and overdubbed with guitar solos by Shondells guitarist Ed Gray using steel guitars and fuzz guitars. During tape copying a slight speed error was inadvertently introduced. This resulted in a small drop in pitch during the new guitar solo sections, which went unfixed.[26][27] The album, also titled Crimson and Clover, was released in January 1969 and reached a peak of #8 on the Billboard 200.[28]

CD and single re-releases

The version of "Crimson and Clover" on the 1991 Crimson and Clover/Cellophane Symphony CD is the same as the original album version; however, digital technology was used to fix the speed and pitch error mistake made in 1968. The CD booklet states that "Crimson and Clover" is now as it was "meant to be heard," and that Tommy James is "very satisfied" with the reissue of the recordings in CD format.

The reissue single of "Crimson and Clover" (Roulette Golden Goodies GG-72) was also pressed with the longer album version although the label still shows the original single version playing time of 3:23.

Cover versions
"Crimson and Clover"
Song by Joan Jett and the Blackhearts
from the album I Love Rock 'n Roll
B-side"Oh Woe is Me"
ReleasedApril 1982
Genre
Length3:14
LabelBoardwalk
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)

Joan Jett and the Blackhearts cover version

Joan Jett and the Blackhearts covered "Crimson and Clover" on their debut LP in 1981. In 1982, they reached #7 on the Billboard Hot 100 with their rendition (in a slightly enhanced AOR/single mix), their second-highest charting hit in the U.S.[29] They also reached #4 in Canada and #6 in Australia, in addition to charting in parts of Europe. It also features the non-album song "Oh Woe Is Me", featured on certain editions of her album I Love Rock 'n Roll.

Chart history

Other covers and interpretations

"Crimson and Clover" has been covered by many other artists, some of whom have charted with the song. Patrick Samson reached #1 in Italy with the 1969 cover (with alternative lyrics) "Soli si muore". Other artists who have covered or interpreted the song include Aguaturbia (1969), The Uniques (1969),[36], The Snake Corps (1990)[37], Sielun Veljet (1991), Bobby Conn (1995), Spanish Fly (1995, #89 on Billboard Hot 100),[38] Deadsy and Cher (1999), Dolly Parton on Those Were the Days (2005), Prince on Lotusflower (2009), Broken Bells (2010), Lissa Schneckenberger (2013)[39], Teho Teardo and Blixa Bargeld (2014) and A. G. Cook (2020). The song has also been covered in German, as Tränen der Liebe, by Henner Hoier in 1976. The song has also been covered in Italian, as "Soli si muore", by Michele e i Michelangeli in 1969, in the album "Ritratto di un cantante"[40] and Patrick Samson[41].

Media Usage

Chords and samples

Mentions and tributes
  • The song is credited as inspiring the film Cherries and Clover.
  • The Joan Jett cover of the song is mentioned in Less Than Zero by Bret Easton Ellis.
  • The Joan Jett cover is mentioned in the Greenlandic novel "Crimson" by Niviaq Korneliussen.
  • The band The Dandy Warhols references 'Crimson and Clover' in their song 'Styggo'. The opening lyrics of the song read: 'Crimson and Clover are taking on over'.
  • The band Jimmy Eat World references this song in "A Praise Chorus" on their album Bleed American. Near the end of the song, they repeat the words "crimson and clover, over and over" several times.
  • The band Kings of Leon mention the song in "California Waiting" (from their debut album Youth and Young Manhood), in the line "Crimson and Clover pullin' overtime".
  • The band Ducktails references this song by name in "Surreal Exposure" on their album St. Catherine.
  • Elliott Smith sings "the radio was playing Crimson and Clover" in the song "Baby Britain" on his album XO. He also sings "His running love of Crimson and Clover" in the previously-unreleased song "Bottle Up and Explode (Alternate Version)" released in the Either/Or Expanded Edition released in 2017.
  • The band American Hi-Fi mentions "crimson and clover" in the song "The Breakup Song" on their album The Art of Losing – "Its over, all over. Just like in Crimson and Clover".
  • Metric mentions "crimson and clover" in the song "Siamese Cities" off the Static Anonymity EP.
  • SF Spanish Fly covered the song, a reggae version in 1995 (No. 89 Billboard Hot 100). SF Spanish Fly is a duo group featuring John "Milo" Pro and Octaviano Silva from San Francisco, California.
  • Liz Phair sings, "crimson and clover – soon he's taken over all my senses now" in the song "Johnny Feelgood".
  • On Hawk Nelson's album Letters to the President in the song "First Time", "Crimson and Clover over and over" is mentioned.
  • Referenced in "Automaton" by the Pernice Brothers "Something came over me, crimson, not clover-leafed"[44]
  • In the 1980s, the Clover Department Store used a version of the song in television and radio ads during the Christmas season with the changed lyrics: "Christmas at Clover...Over and Over." This version was sung by a chorus of children.
  • Janelle Monáe uses similar tremolo vocals and musical style in a nod to "Crimson and Clover" on "Mushrooms & Roses" off her 2010 debut album, The ArchAndroid
  • In the game Fallout 3, Eulogy Jones has two bodyguards named "Crimson" and "Clover" as a reference to this song.
  • On Veronica Falls's self-titled debut, "crimson and clover" is mentioned in the song "Come On Over".
  • Tanya Stephens rocks the melody in her roots and riddim feminist anthem "Think it Over".
  • The Pretty Reckless sing "Crimson and clover, sugar and salt, Bittersweet and it’s all your fault" in their song "Void and Null" from "Demo & Live (2009 - 2012)" album.
  • Green Day mention "Crimson and Clover" in two songs from their 2012 album, ¡Dos!, in "Lady Cobra" ("Her black heart beats crimson and clover;") and "Nightlife" ("I'll be the devil on your shoulder saying 'Hey boy, come over' My black heart beats crimson and clover").
  • Gregory Pepper and His Problems sings "Sing it over and over, crimson and clover" during the chorus of his song, "Note to Self".
  • Johan sing "Write me a song of Crimson and Clover" in the title song of their album Pergola.
  • Gabrielle Calvocoressi mentions the Joan Jett cover of the song in her poem "Late Twentieth Century in the Form of Litany."
  • Lana Del Rey repeats the phrase "Crimson and Clover, honey" towards the end of her song "Venice Bitch" from 2018. The section starts with "Back in the garden. We're getting high now, because we're older. Me, myself, I like diamonds. My baby, crimson and clover" and is followed by "Over and over, honey" just like in the original song.
  • Bob Dylan incorporated the song title into re-worked lyrics of his own song, "When I Paint My Masterpiece" during his concert performances in 2018 & can also be seen in his own handwriting for his art project "Mondo Scripto."
  • The Wrens mentioned a "Crimson and Clover" 8-track tape in their song "Per Second Second" from the 2003 album The Meadowlands.

Background music
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gollark: anrak_irl
gollark: Maybe I just click "yes the government should do this" too much without thinking "wait, that would cost a lot of money".

References
  1. Kim Cooper; David Smay (2001). Bubblegum Music is the Naked Truth. Feral House. ISBN 978-0-922915-69-9.
  2. Crimson and Clover at AllMusic
  3. Creswell, Toby (2007). 1001 Songs, page 842. Hardie Grant Publishing. Retrieved 2012-02-27.
  4. "The 200 Greatest Songs of the 1960s: Part Four: #60–21", Pitchfork Media, August 17, 2006
  5. "WLS Airs Premiere of 'Crimson and Clover'", Billboard magazine, 30 Nov 1968, p.55
  6. James, Tommy (with Martin Fitzpatrick), Me, the Mob, and the Music: One Helluva Ride with Tommy James and the Shondells, New York : Scribner, 2010. ISBN 978-1-4391-2865-7
  7. "The Ed Sullivan Show: Episode Guide: Season 22, Episode 15: January 26, 1969: Tommy James & the Shondells, Shirley Bassey, George Hamilton Episode Recap", TV.com
  8. "Austriancharts.at – Tommy James and the Shondells – Crimson and Clover" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved June 23, 2018.
  9. "Ultratop.be – Tommy James and the Shondells – Crimson and Clover" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved June 23, 2018.
  10. "Ultratop.be – Tommy James and the Shondells – Crimson and Clover" (in French). Ultratop 50. Retrieved June 23, 2018.
  11. "Item Display – RPM – Library and Archives Canada". Collectionscanada.gc.ca. Archived from the original on 2012-10-16. Retrieved 2012-02-10.
  12. "Offiziellecharts.de – Tommy James and the Shondells – Crimson and Clover". GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved October 11, 2018.
  13. "Dutchcharts.nl – Tommy James and the Shondells – Crimson and Clover" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved June 23, 2018.
  14. Flavour of New Zealand, 16 May 1969
  15. "SA Charts 1965–March 1989". Retrieved 5 September 2018.
  16. "Spanishcharts.com – Tommy James and the Shondells – Crimson and Clover" Canciones Top 50. Retrieved June 23, 2018.
  17. "Swisscharts.com – Tommy James and the Shondells – Crimson and Clover". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved June 23, 2018.
  18. "Tommy James Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
  19. "Cash Box Top 100 Singles, February 1, 1969". Archived from the original on December 22, 2018. Retrieved December 22, 2018.
  20. "RPM Top Singles of 1969". Library and Archives Canada. RPM. Retrieved 24 December 2017.
  21. "Top 20 Hit Singles of 1969". Retrieved 2 September 2018.
  22. Swiss Year-End Charts, 1969
  23. Musicoutfitters.com
  24. "Cash Box Year-End Charts: Top 100 Pop Singles, December 27, 1969". Archived from the original on January 25, 2019. Retrieved December 22, 2018.
  25. "Billboard Hot 100 60th Anniversary Interactive Chart". Billboard. Retrieved 10 December 2018.
  26. "Crimson & Clover and Cellophane Symphony". Angelfire.com. Retrieved 2012-01-05.
  27. Me, the Mob, and the Music: One Helluva Ride with Tommy James and the Shondells
  28. Tommy James and the Shondells, Mony Mony Retrieved February 7, 2015
  29. Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, "Crimson and Clover" Chart Position Retrieved February 7, 2015
  30. Joel Whitburn's Top Pop Singles 1955–1990 - ISBN 0-89820-089-X
  31. "Cash Box Top 100 Singles, June 26, 1982". Archived from the original on June 3, 2015. Retrieved December 22, 2018.
  32. Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992. Australian Chart Book, St Ives, N.S.W. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
  33. "Item Display - RPM - Library and Archives Canada". collectionscanada.gc.ca. Archived from the original on 2016-08-11. Retrieved 2018-12-22.
  34. Musicoutfitters.com
  35. "Cash Box Year-End Charts: Top 100 Pop Singles, December 25, 1982". Archived from the original on July 11, 2018. Retrieved December 22, 2018.
  36. "Internet Archive Wayback Machine". Web.archive.org. 2009-10-26. Archived from the original on 2009-10-26. Retrieved 2012-01-05.
  37. {https://www.discogs.com/The-Snake-Corps-More-Than-The-Ocean/master/89086}
  38. Spanish Fly, "Crimson and Clover" Chart Position Retrieved February 7, 2015
  39. https://secondhandsongs.com/performance/352582/versions
  40. https://secondhandsongs.com/performance/352582/versions
  41. it:Patrick Samson#Singoli
  42. Greene, Jayson. "Dum Dum Girls, "Lord Knows."".
  43. Murray, Noel. "Jarvis: Jarvis Cocker".
  44. "Pernice typically smart, sad". The Star. Toronto. December 21, 2006. Retrieved April 30, 2010.
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