Tonight the Jukebox spins The Zombies, a tragically underrated group. They're overshadowed by some of their more famous 60s British invasion brethren, but their sound was incredible. In honor of Undead Week, I present The Zombies.
First up their best known hit, She's Not There. In the context of their group name (and Undead Week) "Please don't bother tryin' to find here/she's not there..." takes on a new meaning. Her eyes are open ("clear and bright") but she's not there. Perhaps she's a....zombie???
Second, The Zombies cover the classic pop tune "Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow", originally recorded by The Shirlles (historic for being the first #1 pop hit by an all girl group). This pattern of a guy band covering an all-girl pop group, particularly a Motown one, has precedent in the British invasion (think The Beatles covering Please Mr. Postman). The Zombies show their jazzy influence on this one. The great existential question of will you still love me tomorrow is heightened during a zombie apocalypse by the possiblity that one's lover may be turned into a zombie the next day--leaving them want to eat you rather than love you.
The rest of our selections come from The Zombies' groundbreaking album Odessey and Oracle (released 1968). While it definitely shows the influence of psychedelic pop rock of the era ("The Summer of Love"), it also moves in unique directions. Directions that were not immediately appreciated--the album did not do well and led to the breakup of the band. It has since come to be considered a classic (Rolling Stone ranked it #80 on the 500 Best Albums of All Time). It is now considered a cult classic--fitting for a group named after the Undead.
I Want Her She Wants Me:
Next up Friends of Mine:
Next the creepy and anti-war Butcher's Tale about World War I (with the sound of a zombie-like horde at the beginning):
Last, The Zombies' other great hit: Time of the Season. With the ultra-classic beginning riffing. A song so often used to represent the zeitgeist of the late 60s. A good question for a zombie: "What's your name/Who's Your Daddy?" (i.e. who bit you?):
