This might be the most important song in rock and roll. Originally improvised by Ray Charles' band at a show in 1958, the song acted as a seed for the most influential groups in transforming rock; the Beatles, the Stones, the Beach Boys, etc. It's been covered by everyone from Nancy Sinatra to Johnny Cash, but it's origin is definitively Ray Charles, and he closed every concert with it for the rest of his career.
Being too young to know any of this, I was mystified by this version by John Mayall and the Bluesbreakers with Clapton. It sounded strangely familiar, and then it even rips right into the riff from Daytripper (another monumental song). So who is the real owner of that riff? Apparently the unique guitar lick is attributed to Lennon, who came up with the song with Paul while they were working on Rubber Soul in 1965, one year before the release of the Bluesbreakers' album. Seeing as Day Tripper was not a hit until 1966 though, is it possible that it could have been reached the ears of Eric Clapton, who was already personal friends with the Beatles, and been pilfered before that song was pressed? Regardless, I love this version and it got me farther into the blues and its intertwining history. The song, the album, and this band have epic connections to the world of rock. Stay tuned
Ray's version:
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