You know, some singers’ voices are made for great soul/pop, and Paul has one of those voices. I’ve just rediscovered this song that I have been trying to remember for years. When I heard that bass intro, I knew I hit the right one. This is the one that I have been trying to remember since the 1980s.
Paul Carrack is one of those musicians whose career reveals a series of classic moments in pop and rock history. How Long with Ace. Tempted with Squeeze. The Living Years with Mike + the Mechanics. And in between all that, he made a great power-pop-soul album of the early ’80s: Suburban Voodoo. One reviewer called it “a Nick Lowe album with Carrack singing,” and that is not a bad thing! He and Paul Rodgers get the call when an artist needs a special vocalist.
This song is from that album. Carrack hits the pop-soul sweet spot. It was produced by Nick Lowe; it has that Nick Lowe tight rhythm section, jangly guitars, and Lowe’s knack for making a record sound both edgy and polished. Carrack, for his part, gives a vocal performance that makes you wonder why the song wasn’t all over the charts in the early ’80s. It was written by Paul Carrack, Nick Lowe, and Martin Belmont.
The music was supplied by Nick Lowe and his Cowboy Outfit. It included Lowe on bass, Martin Belmont on guitar, Bobby Irwin on drums, and of course, Paul Carrack on keyboards and lead vocals. The contrast on this album works well. You have Nick Lowe still bringing a little pub rock influence along, backed with Carrack’s smooth voice.
The song peaked at #37 on the Billboard 100 and #20 on the US Rock Mainstream Charts. The album peaked at #78 on the Billboard Album Charts in 1982.
I Need You
Don’t need a RollerOr a LimousineI don’t need my pictureIn a magazineDon’t need approvalFrom a chosen fewI tell you what I do needI need you.
Don’t need no fixturesOr feelings of homeI’m so unfurnishedI’m on my ownDon’t need remindingWhen the rent is dueTell you what I do needI need you
I need youLike a fly needs a planeI need youLike a ball needs a gameI need youLike a pool needs a cueI need you, need you, need youI need you
I don’t need no covered kissesTo comfort meI don’t want no washed up dishesSoft-soaping meDon’t need no CinderellaIn high-heeled shoesI tell you what I do needI need you
Da da da daDa da da daDa da da da da da da daOoh lala la laI need you
I need youLike a fly needs a planeI need youLike a ball needs a gameI need youLike a shot needs to shootI need you, need you, need youI need you
I need you, need you, need youI need you
Said I want youI need youI need you, need you, need youI need youWell I wantI want youI need you
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