Different Drum
"Different Drum" | ||||
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The Stone Poneys featuring Linda Ronstadt | ||||
from the album Evergreen, Volume 2 | ||||
B-side | "I've Got to Know" | |||
Released | September 1967 | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 2:45 | |||
The Stone Poneys featuring Linda Ronstadt singles chronology | ||||
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"Different Drum" is a song written by American singer-songwriter
The song became popular in 1967 when it was recorded by the
The Greenbriar Boys version
Michael Nesmith wrote the song in 1964, when he was looking to start performing as a singer-songwriter. "Different Drum" tells of a pair of lovers, one of whom wants to settle down, while the other wants to retain a sense of freedom and independence. Its narrator is the lover who wants to remain free, telling the other that "we'll both live a lot longer" if they part ways now. Nesmith said: "The lyrics ... had nothing to do with my personal life – I was newly married with a pregnant wife."[6]
In 1965, he shared the song with
The Stone Poneys version
The song is best known for the 1967 version credited to the
Ronstadt's version flips the gender references in Nesmith's original lyrics, replacing "girl" with "boy" when describing her lover, but still referring to him being "pretty". The Stone Poneys had intended to record an "acoustic ballad version" of the song, but producer Nick Venet opted for a more complex instrumental approach, using an arrangement by Jimmy Bond (who also played bass), guitarists Al Viola and future Eagles co-founder Bernie Leadon[13] drummer Jim Gordon, strings led by Sid Sharp, and harpsichord played in baroque style (and largely improvised during the recording) by Don Randi. As a result, Ronstadt was the only member of the Stone Poneys who performed on the record. The version that was released was the second take, with no overdubbing.[6]
The album rendition offers a different stereo mix from the hit single, including a longer harpsichord bridge.[14] Ronstadt later commented that she had been surprised and "completely confused" by the changed approach to the song, and that even years later she perceived "fear and a lack of confidence" in her performance. Nesmith, on the other hand, said that Ronstadt's performance "infused it with a new level of passion and sensuality".[14] In later live performances of the song, Nesmith would often sing the closing verse in the same singing style as the Ronstadt version.[citation needed]
Chart history
Weekly charts
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Year-end charts
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Michael Nesmith version
Nesmith later re-recorded "Different Drum" for his 1972 LP And the Hits Just Keep on Comin'. His version contains four verses, as opposed to the three in Ronstadt's version.
Other versions
The song has been covered by many artists:
- P.P. Arnold
- Pete Burns
- Skeeter Davis
- Tanya Donelly with The Parkington Sisters
- Flying Emus
- Frog Holler
- Susanna Hoffs (with Matthew Sweet)
- The Jayhawks
- Gina Jeffreys
- La Sera
- The Lemonheads
- The Lennon Sisters
- Me First and the Gimme Gimmes
- The Pastels
- The Poppy Family with Susan Jacks
- Victoria Shaw
- Carrie Underwood
- Sara Watkins
- Paul Westerberg
- Sarah White
- Micky Dolenz
References
- ISBN 978-0-226-28737-9.
- ^ Coleman, Mark; Scoppa, Bud (November 2, 2004). "Linda Ronstadt". In Brackett, Nathan; Hoard, Christian (eds.). The New Rolling Stone Album Guide. New York: Simon & Schuster. pp. 701–702.
- ISBN 978-0-571-28198-5.
- ^ "Different Drum by Linda Ronstadt". Songfacts.com. Retrieved May 28, 2022.
- ^ a b "flavour of new zealand - search listener". Flavourofnz.co.nz. Archived from the original on January 8, 2023. Retrieved May 28, 2022.
- ^ ISBN 978-1-61185-525-8.
- YouTube
- YouTube
- ^ "Too Many Girls". The Monkees. Season 1. Episode 15. December 19, 1966. NBC.
- ^ ""Different Drum" (7" vinyl single)". Capitol Records. September 1967. 2004.
- ^ Show 44 – Revolt of the Fat Angel: Some samples of the Los Angeles sound. [Part 4] : UNT Digital Library
- ^ Linda Ronstadt : Biography, Cmt.com
- ^ "Linda Ronstadt praises Minneapolis music legend". Bringmethenews.com. March 8, 2018.
- ^ a b Marc Myers, "Linda Ronstadt's 'Different Drum': She and songwriter Michael Nesmith talk about her first hit", The Wall Street Journal, October 31, 2013.
- ^ "Go-Set National Top 40, 21 February 1968". Poparchives.com.au. Retrieved May 28, 2022.
- ^ "RPM Top 100" (PDF). 3345.ca. January 27, 1968. Retrieved December 11, 2021.
- ISBN 0-89820-089-X
- ^ "Cash Box Top 100 Singles, February 3, 1968". Archived from the original on August 12, 2014. Retrieved May 16, 2017.
- ^ "Go-Set Magazine Charts". Poparchives.com.au. Barry McKay. January 2007. Retrieved July 10, 2017.
- ISBN 0-89820-142-X.
External links
- Different Drum at AllMusic
- Linda Ronstadt and The Stone Poneys live Alternate take on Different Drum