Poor Side of Town (Johnny Rivers song)
Encyclopedia
"Poor Side of Town" is a song by Johnny Rivers
that reached number one on the Hot 100 and on the RPM
Canadian Chart in November 1966.
style.
The melody is a soulful version of California-based pop, with some strong folk elements as well. Marty Paich
provided the song's string arrangement.
In his 2006 live album Eels with Strings: Live at Town Hall
, Mark Oliver Everett
(better known as Eels
) recorded an acoustic version of the song backed by a mini orchestra.
Johnny Rivers
Johnny Rivers is an American rock and roll singer, songwriter, guitarist, and record producer. His styles include folk songs, blues, and revivals of old-time rock 'n' roll songs and some original material...
that reached number one on the Hot 100 and on the RPM
RPM (magazine)
RPM was a Canadian music industry publication that featured song and album charts for Canada. The publication was founded by Walt Grealis in February 1964, supported through its existence by record label owner Stan Klees. RPM ceased publication in November 2000.RPM stood for "Records, Promotion,...
Canadian Chart in November 1966.
Song
It was a very important record for Johnny Rivers and represented a change of his initial music (characterized by a Go Go sound), that provided him with his early hits and acclaim. With "Poor Side of Town", Rivers moved into the pop-soulSoul music
Soul music is a music genre originating in the United States combining elements of gospel music and rhythm and blues. According to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, soul is "music that arose out of the black experience in America through the transmutation of gospel and rhythm & blues into a form of...
style.
The melody is a soulful version of California-based pop, with some strong folk elements as well. Marty Paich
Marty Paich
Martin Louis "Marty" Paich was an American pianist, composer, arranger, producer, music director and conductor....
provided the song's string arrangement.
In his 2006 live album Eels with Strings: Live at Town Hall
Eels with Strings: Live at Town Hall
-DVD track listing:#I Heart NY#"Theme from Blinking Lights"#"Going to Your Funeral Part 2" – 1:53#"Dust of Ages" – 2:06#"In the Yard, Behind the Church" – 3:12#Ladies of EELS...
, Mark Oliver Everett
Mark Oliver Everett
Mark Oliver Everett is the lead singer, songwriter, guitarist, keyboardist and sometime drummer of the independent rock band Eels...
(better known as Eels
Eels (band)
Eels is an American indie rock band formed by singer/songwriter Mark Oliver Everett, better known as E...
) recorded an acoustic version of the song backed by a mini orchestra.
Personnel
- Lead Vocals by Johnny RiversJohnny RiversJohnny Rivers is an American rock and roll singer, songwriter, guitarist, and record producer. His styles include folk songs, blues, and revivals of old-time rock 'n' roll songs and some original material...
. - Background Vocals by The BlossomsThe BlossomsThe Blossoms were a backing group from California. They had a recording career in their own right and were to the American West Coast what The Sweet Inspirations were to the East Coast and The Andantes were for Motown.-Early years:...
: Darlene LoveDarlene LoveDarlene Love is an American popular music singer and actress. She gained prominence in the 1960s for the song "He's a Rebel," a #1 American single in 1962, and was part of the Phil Spector stable that produced a celebrated Christmas album in 1963....
, Fanita James, and Jean King. - Written by Johnny RiversJohnny RiversJohnny Rivers is an American rock and roll singer, songwriter, guitarist, and record producer. His styles include folk songs, blues, and revivals of old-time rock 'n' roll songs and some original material...
and Lou AdlerLou AdlerLou Adler is an American record producer, manager, and director.-Life and career:Adler was born in Chicago, Illinois in December 1933, and raised in East Los Angeles. In 1964, Adler founded and co-owned Dunhill Records. He was President of the label as well as the chief record producer from 1964...
.