Stiff Records Week – Nick Lowe – Halfway To Paradise

How cool was it that Motörhead and Nick Lowe were labelmates? That shows you the diverse talent in Stiff Records. 

I’m going to wrap it up this week with some Nick Lowe. This was his second and last single for Stiff Records. You know what? I don’t think I’ve ever heard a Nick Lowe song I didn’t like. I was going to include The Damned and Lene Lovich this week but they will be coming soon. A blogger named Warren asked about Lene Lovich and I will have a post on her in the coming weeks…thank you Warren for the suggestion. I already had today’s posts written. 

Listening to this song and I’m struck by backup vocals going on. He paints a sound picture with layers of backups with a simple musical structure. Yes…I get really excited by power pop (hence the blog’s name) done right and Lowe does it right. When you listen to this song…it fits in so well with Lowes catalog that I would have thought he wrote it. But this is some Brill Building brilliance here made better by Lowe. Simple yet so likable.

Carole King and Gerry Goffin wrote the song. Tony Orlando first recorded it in 1961, peaking at #39 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and Billy Fury recorded it as well. This Lowe version was later included as a bonus track on re-releasing his 1978 album, “Jesus of Cool.” 

I hope you enjoyed this week and these posts might have introduced you to a new song. I have a new appreciation for this record label…what they were able to do and the talent they found. In the middle of disco, Led Zeppelin, reggae, Pink Floyd, and other types of music…Stiff Records made a home for these different type of artists to flourish…thank you all for reading.

And remember Stiff Records… If it ain’t stiff it ain’t worth a f***

A short bio on Nick Lowe talking about his career I thought you might like. Have a great weekend!

Halfway To Paradise

I want to be your loverBut your friend is all I’ve stayedI’m only halfway to paradiseSo near, yet so far away

I long for your lips to kiss my lipsBut just when I think they mayYou lead me halfway to paradiseSo near, yet so far away, mmm

Bein’ close to you is almost heaven (heaven)But seein’ you can do just so muchIt hurts me so to know your heart’s a treasure (treasure)And that my heart is forbidden to touch, so

Put your sweet lips close to my lipsAnd tell me that’s where they’re gonna stayDon’t lead me halfway to paradiseMmm, so near, yet so far away

Oh, uh, oh so near, yet so far awayYeah, yeah so near, yet so far away

…

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Author: Badfinger (Max)

Power Pop fan, Baseball, Beatles, Alternative music, old movies, and tv show fan. Also anything to do with pop culture in the 60s and 70s... I'm also a songwriter, bass and guitar player. Not the slightest bit interested in politics at all.

25 thoughts on “Stiff Records Week – Nick Lowe – Halfway To Paradise”

  3. That’s a rare tune you played? As you said it was not on an album. It certainly demonstrates Lowe’s ability to not just cover a song but put his own stamp on it. Thanks again for the invitation Max it was a great week.

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  5. Pingback: Stiff Records Week – Nick Lowe – Halfway To Paradise – MobsterTiger

  9. Good song, of course it helps that it was a King & Goffin song… it’s hard, but not impossible, to mess those up. Tony Orlando recorded it in 1961? Who knew he went back so far. Anyway, good topic of the week Max!

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  10. I just listened to the Billy Fury version, and Lowe really does take it to another level. It is a good well written song but Nick streamlines it.

    (Lowes ‘Stoplight Roses’ is on regular play for me nowadays. I thought it was one of your recommendations but if it was one of Daves or Randys or someone else in the loop, my apologies. It is one hell of a song IMHO.)

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