Bits and Pieces

For the 1985 film, see Bits and Pieces (1985 film). For the 1996 film, see Bits and Pieces (1996 film).
"Bits and Pieces"
Single by The Dave Clark Five
from the album Glad All Over
B-side "All of the Time"
Released February 1964
Format 7"
Genre Pop rock, Beat
Length 1:59
Label Columbia DB 7210
Epic 5-9671
Capitol 72148 (Canada)
Writer(s) Dave Clark, Mike Smith
Producer(s) Adrian Clark
The Dave Clark Five singles chronology
"Glad All Over"
(1964)		 "Bits and Pieces"
(1964)		 "Can't You See That She's Mine"
(1964)

"Bits and Pieces" is a song by 1960s quintet The Dave Clark Five. The single hit number two in the UK and number four in the US. The song was a success in other countries too. It was number two in Australia[1] and number one in Canada[1] and Ireland.[2] It reached number four in the Netherlands.[3] In Germany it only reached the 20th place though.[4]

Lead vocals are sung by Mike Smith, who also wrote the song. The song is in antiphonal style, Mike Smith singing a solo line and the whole group responding. The drums have a very prominent part in the accompaniment.

Robert Christgau, writing in 1969, called the song "a wonderfully serviceable rock throwaway, raucous and meaningless, perfect for shouting into the night."[5]

Cover versions

The Jax, better known as Buster, released a cover version as a single in 1980.

The Supremes recorded two Dave Clark Five songs, "Bits and Pieces" and "Because", on their 1964 album A Bit of Liverpool (ignoring the fact The Dave Clark Five came from Tottenham instead of Liverpool).

The song was covered on the 1979 live album The Suicide Commandos Commit Suicide Dance Concert by The Suicide Commandos.

There is a cover by Joan Jett and the Blackhearts on their 1981 album I Love Rock 'n' Roll.

The Toasters covered the song on their 2007 album One More Bullet.

The song was parodied as "Boots and Blisters" in "Call Up the Groups" by The Barron Knights. With Dave Clark’s consent drummer Dave Ballinger played Clark’s drum kit at the recording session.[6]

Dusty Springfield’s "Bits and Pieces" (1980) is a different song.

References

  1. 1 2 DC5 Worldwide Discography.
  2. ↑ List of number-one singles of 1964 (Ireland).
  3. ↑ Hit singles in the Netherlands, 1964.
  4. ↑ Hit singles in Germany, 1964.
  5. ↑ http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/bk-aow/dcfive.php
  6. ↑ John Tracy in the booklet accompanying the 1999 cd sampler The Barron Knights.
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