But It's Alright Explained

But It's Alright
Cover:But_It's_Alright_-_J.J._Jackson.jpg
Type:single
Artist:J. J. Jackson
B-Side:"Boogaloo Baby"
Album:But It's Alright
Released:1966
Genre:Soul
Length:2:55
Label:Calla
Producer:Lew Futterman

"But It's Alright" (aka "It's Alright", due to its lyrics) is a song co-written by J. J. Jackson and Pierre Tubbs that became a hit on the pop and soul charts in both 1966 and 1969.

Theme

The lyrics address the singer's girlfriend, who has broken his heart by cheating on him. But the song keeps a happy, upbeat tone due to the singer's belief in karma: "It's alright" because "you've got to reap what you sow, girl" and she will find herself cheated on as well.

History

Described as being "driven by one of the catchiest guitar hooks in the history of rock & roll and a devastating vocal performance",[1] the song was first released by Calla Records in 1966, as a single and on the album of the same name. Subsequent to acquiring the Calla Records catalogue, Warner Bros.-Seven Arts re-released the song in 1969, as a single and on the album The Great J.J. Jackson.

The single was recorded in the United Kingdom, and was one of the first R & B hit singles to have been recorded in England.[2] The song featured some of Britain's top jazz musicians of the day, including Terry Smith on guitar, Dick Morrissey on tenor sax and John Marshall on drums.[3]

When first released in 1966, the song reached number 22 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 4 on the Hot R&B Singles chart.[4] When re-released in May 1969, they reached number 45, and remained on the charts for nine weeks.[5] In Canada, it reached number 63.[6] A Spanish language version was also recorded by Jackson and released in 1969.[7]

Huey Lewis and the News version

In 1994, Huey Lewis and the News covered the song for their album Four Chords & Several Years Ago. It was released as a single, which included the studio version and a live rendition.[8] The single reached number 54 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 5 on the Adult Contemporary chart.[9] An EP CD single was released in Germany by Elektra Records.

Other cover versions

Notes and References

  1. John Bush, Review of "But It's Alright"; AllMusic. Retrieved 2017-09-22.
  2. http://www.ska2soul.net/mobile/back-tracking.html Back Tracking
  3. Smith and Morrissey would later co-found the successful jazz-rock band If.
  4. Book: Whitburn, Joel . Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-2004. Joel Whitburn . 2004 . Record Research . 281.
  5. Joe Troiano, Review of "But It's Alright" ; Joe T's Soda Shop. Retrieved 2017-11-02.
  6. Web site: RPM Top 100 Singles - July 7, 1969.
  7. https://www.discogs.com/JJ-Jackson-Pero-Esta-Bien-No-Esta-Bien/release/5406286 Particulars of "Pero Esta Bien"/"No Esta Bien"
  8. https://www.discogs.com/Huey-Lewis-The-News-But-Its-Alright/release/5095043 Particulars of "But It's Alright"
  9. Book: Whitburn, Joel . Top Adult Contemporary: 1961-2001. Joel Whitburn . 2002 . Record Research . 145.
  10. http://funky16corners.com/?p=5887 Brother Jack McDuff Quintet feat. David Newman - But It's Alright
  11. Web site: www.allmusic.com. allmusic.com. November 30, 2022.
  12. https://www.discogs.com/Jo-Jo-Zep-The-Falcons-Security/release/2508179 Particulars of "But It's Alright"
  13. https://www.discogs.com/Jo-Jo-Zep-And-The-Falcons-Step-Lively/release/1807293 Particulars of Step Lively