On the record
By Casey Gillis on Jun. 26, 2008
By Bradford Brady and John Maron
Q: In the movie “27 Dresses,” there’s a song that starts with a line that sounds like, “Sometimes I go out by myself and look across the water.” It is sung by a woman. Can you identify the song for me?
A: The song is “Valerie,” and can be found on Mark Ronson’s 2007 album, “Version.” Ronson is currently one of music’s top producers. He was born in England but moved to the U.S. when he was 8 years old. As a young man, he began experimenting with mixing music and became famous around New York City. He released his first album, “Here Comes the Fuzz,” in 2003. The release led to jobs producing songs for artists like Sean Paul, Macy Gray, Lily Allen and Amy Winehouse. His production of Winehouse’s “Back to Black” album earned him three Grammy Awards in 2007. When Ronson was recording his second album, which includes new versions of recent British hits, he called Winehouse. It is her voice you hear singing the soulful version of the Zutons’ Top-10 U.K. hit from July 2006. Ronson and Winehouse’s “Valerie” almost topped the U.K. charts, peaking at No. 2 in October 2007.
Q: I recently heard that the producer known as Danger Mouse produced Beck’s new album, “Modern Guilt.” I’ve also heard other references to Danger Mouse. Who is Danger Mouse, and how did he get his name?
A: The real Danger Mouse is the hero of the British cartoon series of the same title that ran in the U.K. from 1981 to 1992. The human Danger Mouse is actually Brian Joseph Burton, the New York-born songwriter/performer/ producer who rose to prominence in 2004 with the underground release of his “Grey Album,” which was a mashup of the Beatles’ “White Album” and Jay-Z’s “Black Album.” It became an Internet sensation, all the more so because EMI, the record company that owns the rights to the Beatles’ material, refused to give Burton permission to sample the Beatles’ songs. However, his work came to the attention of Damon Albarn, lead singer of Blur, who tapped Burton to produce the second album for Gorillaz, his side project. Burton also is a member of Gnarls Barkley, a project he formed with singer Cee-Lo Green. Their 2006 single, “Crazy,” from the album, “St. Elsewhere,” was the first song to hit No. 1 in Britain based on Internet
downloads.
Q: After the death of John Lennon, a band released a version of Lennon’s “Jealous Guy.” I would love to hear it again. Can you help me find that song?
A: Originally included on Lennon’s “Imagine” album in 1971, “Jealous Guy” was recorded by Roxy Music after Lennon’s death and became their only U.K. No. 1 hit. In the U.S., it was a live version of this song that was frequently played on the radio. The song can be found on many Roxy Music compilation albums.
What’s the name of that song? Where are they now? What does that lyric mean? Send questions to
or visit http://www.music
ontherecord.com. Brady and Maron are freelance music writers based in Raleigh, N.C.
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