The Rolling Stones' Connection (with lyrics)--one of their best songs ever

By Jack Brummet
20th Century Music Editor

This has always been one of my very favorite Rolling Stones songs.  I had almost forgotten about it, when I heard it again in the movie and soundtrack of "Shine A Light."   Keith Richards usually sings it when it pops up in concert with the Stones, or the X Pensive Winos.



Connection
by Jagger/Richards


Connection, I just can't make no connection.
But all I want to do is to get back to you.


Everything is going in the wrong direction.
The doctor wants to give me more injections.
Giving me shots for a thousand rare infections
And I don't know if he'll let me go


Connection, I just can't make no connection.
But all I want to do is to get back to you.
Connection, I just can't make it, connection
But all I want to do is to get back to you.


My bags they get a very close inspection.
I wonder why it is that they suspect on.
They're dying to add me to their collections
And I don't know if they'll let me go


Connection, I just can't make no connection.
But all I want to do is to get back to you.
Connection, I just can't make no connection.
But all I want to do is to get back to you.
---o0o---

The Knickerbockers, one hit wonders and shameless Beatles imitators

The Knickerbockers were Jersey Boys, and one hit wonders (and, as such appeared on the Nuggets compilations). They sounded like a British invasion band in their top 20 hit in early 1966 with "Lies."

We mostly remember the tune today because it is so shamelessly derivative of early Beatles, down to the spot-on imitation of John Lennon... on the lead vocal and the Paul McCartney-style whoops ahead of the guitar solo and later in the song. I think we all liked the tune, because back then two Beatles albums a year just weren't enough.


---o0o---

Sly and the Family Stone - Stand! (A YouTube slideo)

This is a great video of one of the great rock and sould bands of the '60s. Sly & The Family Stone were one of the first integrated rock bands, with people in a range of hues. They gave a lot of hope and inspiration. And they flat out played great music.

Stand

In the end you'll still be you
One that's done all the things you set out to do
Stand
There's a cross for you to bear
Things to go through if you're going anywhere
Stand
For the things you know are right
It s the truth that the truth makes them so uptight
Stand
All the things you want are real
You have you to complete and there is no deal
Stand. stand, stand
Stand. stand, stand
Stand
You've been sitting much too long
There's a permanent crease in your right and wrong
Stand
There's a midget standing tall
And the giant beside him about to fall
Stand. stand, stand
Stand. stand, stand
Stand
They will try to make you crawl
And they know what you're saying makes sense and all
Stand
Don't you know that you are free
Well at least in your mind if you want to be
Everybody
Stand, stand, stand
---o0o---

Get Together Music Video by the Youngbloods (with Stephen Stills and Jackson Brown)

Here's a vid of the great 69ish Get Together by The Youngbloods. I went to a few rock festivals, and the best by far was the Sky River Rock Festival, where I saw the Youngbloods, Wishbone Ash, Delaney and Bonnie (w/ Eric Clapton as a guitar sideman), Jimmy Witherspoon (I remember vividly his smoldering "Soledad"), and The Buoys. This really is a tired hippie anthem, but I still have a soft spot for it. I've never heard a better version than the one they released as a single.


---o0o---

The Younger Generation: John Sebastian's completely baked but loving ruminations & tune at Woodstock

---o0o---

Neil Young/Stephen Stills talk about Buffalo Springfield (with lyrics to Young's Bufflo Springfield Again and a video of For What It's Worth)

Stephen Stills and his on-again off-again long-time bandmate Neil Young reminisce about the days of Buffalo Springfield. The last video is a promotional film for For What It's worth.

Interview Clip One:



Interview Clip Two:



Interview Clip Three:



Buffalo Springfield play For What It's Worth from a 1967 promo video:



Buffalo Springfield Again
By Neil Young


Used to play
in a rock 'n' roll band,
But they broke up.
We were young and we were wild,
It ate us up.
Now I'm not saying
who was right or wrong.

Looking out on a big green lawn,
Girls and boys
Playing in the afternoon sun,
Life's a joy
I heard an old song
playing on the radio.

Buffalo Springfield again.

I'd like to see those guys again,
And give it a shot.
Maybe now we can show the world,
What we've got.
But I'd just like to play
for the fun we had.

Buffalo Springfield again.
Buffalo Springfield again.
---o0o---