On the record for July 3, 2008
By Mark Bailey on Jul. 03, 2008
Q: I remember that, sometime during the ’80s, a band released a remake of the ’60s psychedelic hit, “Pictures of Matchstick Men.” Can you tell me the name of the band who did the remake, and what (has) happened to them since?
A: The original song was the 1967 debut single for the British band, Status Quo, which, according to the band’s Web site, has managed to record more hit singles (63) in Britain than any other band, and trail only the Rolling Stones in the number of hit albums (32) on the U.K. album charts. Although only two original members remain, guitarists/singers/ songwriters Francis Rossi and Rick Parfitt, the band nevertheless celebrated its 40th anniversary last year. Tensions within the band led them to disband in 1990 following the release of “Key Lime Pie.” Two members, singer/guitarist David Lowery and guitarist Johnny Hickman, formed the band Cracker, while guitarist David Immerglück joined Counting Crows. In 2000, several ex-bandmembers reunited to compile and release the rarities album, “Camper Van Beethoven is Dead. Long Live Camper Van Beethoven.” In 2002, they released a cover version of the entire Fleetwood Mac classic, “Tusk.” In 2004, the band released “New Roman Times,” its first original album since “Key Lime Pie.” A compilation of the band’s greatest hits is due this summer.
Q: In the new BlueCross BlueShield television commercial, a song is featured that sounds like Oasis. What is the name of the song?
A: You have good ears because the song is indeed by Oasis. It is “A Bell Will Ring” from their 2005 album, “Don’t Believe the Truth.” Written by guitarist Gem Archer, it is one of only a handful of Oasis songs not written by Noel Gallagher. Archer joined the band in late 1999 after the departure of Paul “Bonehead” Arthurs.
Q: My favorite Rolling Stones song is “Stop Breaking Down” from “Exile on Main Street.” It is listed as a “traditional” song. How old is it?
A: “Stop Breaking Down” was recorded by the legendary blues musician Robert Johnson in 1937, just one year before his mysterious death at the age of 27. It is often referred to as “Stop Breaking Down Blues.” In addition to the Stones, the song has been recorded by artists like Eric Clapton and The White Stripes. Allegedly, Keith Richards first heard the song when Brian Jones, the Stones’ guitarist from the time they formed until 1969, played him a Robert Johnson album in the early ’60s. Written during a time when copyrighting songs was not always done, the song is sometimes listed ‘as “traditional.” On “Exile on Main Street,” all five Stones are listed as “arrangers” rather than songwriters.
—What’s the name of that song? Where are they now? What does that lyric mean? Send questions to or visit http://www.musicontherecord.com. Brady and Maron are freelance music writers based in Raleigh, N.C.
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