Care of Cell 44
Encyclopedia
"Care of Cell 44" is a single by The Zombies
, from their 1968 album Odessey and Oracle
. It was featured on Pitchfork Media
's 200 Best Songs of the 1960s list, and has since been covered by modern artists including Elliott Smith
and Of Montreal
.
, the Zombies main songwriter said "It just appealed to me. That twist on a common scenario, I just can't wait for you to come home to me again". Given the subject matter, the music accompanying this is very upbeat and jaunty, and has been described as, "The sunniest song ever written about the impending release of a prison inmate."
, the group's vocalist said, "I thought that "Care of Cell 44" was incredibly commercial. I was really disappointed when it wasn't a hit."
However, subsequent critical reappraisal of the album, following both the success of "Time of the Season
" the following year and the album's later cult following has led to the track becoming much more popular, resulting in several cover versions from modern artists.
Production notes:
The Zombies
The Zombies are an English rock band, formed in 1961 in St Albans and led by Rod Argent, on piano and keyboards, and vocalist Colin Blunstone. The group scored a UK and US hit in 1964 with "She's Not There"...
, from their 1968 album Odessey and Oracle
Odessey and Oracle
Odessey and Oracle is the third studio album by British pop rock band The Zombies, released on 19 April 1968 by Date Records. It is among the most critically acclaimed albums of popular music.-Album information:...
. It was featured on Pitchfork Media
Pitchfork Media
Pitchfork Media, usually known simply as Pitchfork or P4k, is a Chicago-based daily Internet publication established in 1995 that is devoted to music criticism and commentary, music news, and artist interviews. Its focus is on underground and independent music, especially indie rock...
's 200 Best Songs of the 1960s list, and has since been covered by modern artists including Elliott Smith
Elliott Smith
Steven Paul "Elliott" Smith was an American singer-songwriter and musician. Smith was born in Omaha, Nebraska, raised primarily in Texas, and resided for a significant portion of his life in Portland, Oregon, where he first gained popularity...
and Of Montreal
Of Montreal
Of Montreal is an American rock band from Athens, Georgia. It was founded by frontman Kevin Barnes in 1996, named after a failed romance with a woman "of Montreal." The band is one of the bands of the Elephant 6 collective...
.
Content
"Care of Cell 44" tells the somewhat uncommon story of a person writing to their partner in prison, as they await their release from prison. Rod ArgentRod Argent
Rod Argent is an English rock musician and a founding member of the 1960s English pop group The Zombies and the 1970s band Argent....
, the Zombies main songwriter said "It just appealed to me. That twist on a common scenario, I just can't wait for you to come home to me again". Given the subject matter, the music accompanying this is very upbeat and jaunty, and has been described as, "The sunniest song ever written about the impending release of a prison inmate."
Reception
At its time of release as the lead single for Oddesey and Oracle in 1967, the track was not a success, causing some of the tension that led to the eventual breakup of the band in December of that year. Colin BlunstoneColin Blunstone
Colin Blunstone is an English pop singer-songwriter, best known as a member of the pop group The Zombies, and for his participation on various albums with The Alan Parsons Project.-Biography:...
, the group's vocalist said, "I thought that "Care of Cell 44" was incredibly commercial. I was really disappointed when it wasn't a hit."
However, subsequent critical reappraisal of the album, following both the success of "Time of the Season
Time of the Season
"Time of the Season" is a song by The Zombies, featured on their 1968 album Odessey and Oracle. It was written by keyboard player Rod Argent and recorded at Abbey Road Studios in August 1967.-Song information:...
" the following year and the album's later cult following has led to the track becoming much more popular, resulting in several cover versions from modern artists.
Personnel
- Colin BlunstoneColin BlunstoneColin Blunstone is an English pop singer-songwriter, best known as a member of the pop group The Zombies, and for his participation on various albums with The Alan Parsons Project.-Biography:...
– vocals - Rod ArgentRod ArgentRod Argent is an English rock musician and a founding member of the 1960s English pop group The Zombies and the 1970s band Argent....
– organ, piano, keyboards, Mellotron - Paul AtkinsonPaul Atkinson (guitarist)Paul Atkinson , born Paul Ashley Warren Atkinson, was a pop guitarist in the legendary pop/rock band The Zombies. Born in Cuffley, Hertfordshire, and educated at St Albans School, he later became an artists and repertoire executive, discovering and signing such bands as ABBA, Bruce Hornsby, Mr...
– guitar - Chris WhiteChris White (musician)Chris White was the bass guitarist and songwriter with the 60s British Invasion band The Zombies.Although born in Barnet, Hertfordshire, he was brought up in Markyate where his parents owned a village shop...
– bass - Hugh Grundy – drums
Production notes:
- Geoff EmerickGeoff EmerickGeoffrey Emerick is an English recording studio audio engineer, who is best known for his work with The Beatles' albums Revolver, Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, The Beatles and Abbey Road...
– engineer - Peter Vince – engineer
Cover versions
- The late Elliott Smith performed "Care of Cell 44".
- Matthew SweetMatthew SweetSidney Matthew Sweet is an American alternative rock/power pop musician. He was part of the burgeoning Athens, Georgia music scene in the early and mid-1980s before gaining commercial success during the early 1990s...
and Susanna HoffsSusanna HoffsSusanna Lee Hoffs is an American vocalist, guitarist and actress. She is best known as a member of the all-female pop band The Bangles.-Early life:...
covered the song on Under the Covers, Vol. 1Under the Covers, Vol. 1Under the Covers, Vol. 1 is the first collaboration between alternative rock artist Matthew Sweet and Bangles singer Susanna Hoffs. Released by Shout! Factory in 2006, the album contains 15 cover versions of favorite songs from the 1960s and 1970s. The album was a result of their mutual love for...
.