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I always thought Concrete Blonde had one of the coolest band names. There’s so much in that name: strength, solidity, fragility, color, contrast, and poignancy. Fueled by the power of Johnette Napolitano’s vocals, the band gained popularity in the early 90’s as radio tried to keep up with the brewing alternative music scene.
Concrete Blonde got their start in 1986 when Napolitano and guitarist James Mankey were signed to IRS records off of the strength of their EP under the bandname Dream 6. Legend has it that Michael Stipe of REM suggested the name “Concrete Blonde” because of the dichotomy of Napolitano’s writing: hard rock with pensive lyrics. Well, when Michael Stipe says something, I guess you should listen because the name stuck and we’re all better off for it.
Their biggest hit, “Joey,” was off of their 1990 album, Bloodletting. I remember purchasing this record, thinking that I was the coolest cat on the block because it had something to do with vampires… and EVERYBODY knows that vampires are cool… I mean, wouldn’t it be the cat’s pajamas to be a teen vampire like those dudes in that Twilight movie?
Yeah, I got a lot of chicks just by flashing this Cd around. That’s not exactly true… not all of it, just all the words between “Cool,” and “That’s.” (did you really bother to follow that???)
“Joey” hit the top 20 on the Billboard charts and remains a classic. Napolitano still sounds incredible when she sings this song… her voice always sounded like a cross between Ann Wilson and Linda Perry… throw in a touch of Alison Moyet and Martha Davis and you got it.
I’ve always dug this song and when it came on the radio today, I couldn’t help but come straight home and write about it.
Contrary to popular belief, the song is NOT about “Joey” from Friends, or “Joey” from Gimme A Break, or “Joey” from Blossom (say… the same guy, right?), nor is it even about someone named “Joey.” Napolitano has stated that the lyrics are about former Wall of Voodoo guitarist, Marc Moreland. Moreland passed away from liver failure in 2002.
The lyrics are absolutely painful to read, as they tell of one’s love with an alcoholic.
So I don’t say it anymore
I just stand by and watch you
Fight your secret war.
The “secret war” is referring “alcoholism” here, but that exact word is never used in the song. Napolitano does sing the lines ” And if you’re somewhere out there / Passed out on the floor,” at the end of the second verse, but that’s really the only indication that the song is about alcoholism.
I know that Johnette has stated that “Joey” is, in fact, about alcoholism, and the music video features a guy fighting off the temptation to take a drink, but it’s interesting that she never mentions that word in the song… there’s a scene in the video where the guy crushes what looks to be a bottle of pills… so maybe the song’s about an addiction of some sort and not specifically “alcoholism.” Any other theories out there?
Anyhow, the thing I love about the lyrics are the expressions of love Napolitano uses: “If you’re hurting, so am I,” and “When you said I scared you, well I guess you scared me too,” are things I think we’ve all said to our loved ones before… I guess I never realized how powerful those statements are until I thought about it JUST NOW.
The way she sings, “Ohhhhhhhhh Joey, I’m not angry anymore,” has got to be one of the most heart-wrenching vocal performances ever captured on tape. If you want to skip right to that part in the song, fast forward to 3:36 in the original Concrete Blonde version.
CHILLS, man… CHILLS.
I acquired an acoustic performance of “Joey” this last year, and revisiting it has been just as rewarding as hearing the original again. This version was recorded on June 6, 2007 and features Napolitano alone with just her guitar and impressive vocal chords.
The emotional pauses she slips in are VERY effective, as well as her varying tempo. It’s as if she’s giving a dramatic reading of her own song. Take a listen and feel your heart fall to the floor at 1:06… VERY cool performance.
And if you’re STILL not impressed… according to Songfacts.com:
WOW. If I were in a cab on the way over to a recording session, I’d probably write lyrics like:
I really miss my baby, I should probably up and call her.
But I can’t reach my cell phone cuz it’s back inside the trunk
Maybe we can stop and get it when I need to take a dump.”
That’s the best I can do.
Kind sir, you are NO Johnette Napolitano.
Buy Concrete Blonde on Amazon
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Buy Johnette Napolitano on Amazon
Buy Johnette Napolitano on iTunes
Your Dig-It Downloads:
Download: Joey (original version)
Download: Joey (Johnette Napolitano live from XRT Studios, 6/6/07)
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I don’t think I’ve ever heard that song before. What a voice! What emotion!
I never really paid attention to the lyrics of this song or what they meant before…I’ve sung along without even thinking about what I was singing. lol. Man, what a subject.
The delivery of the acoustic version here really made me listen to what she’s actually singing…more than the original, I think. Maybe cuz it’s less poppy or something. I dunno. But I dig both!
Yes, she’s got a GREAT voice… full of depth and dynamics. I’m glad you dig it!
I love the acoustic version because it does bring out the lyrics more… the original is just a classic to hear, though. I’ve always dug the band, and the Bloodletting album is SUCH a killer record. Glad you remember this ditty!
I absolutely LOVE this song!! Always have!!! Thank you!
Thinking for the best band name is hard to think about. Sometimes when you've been having a gig that will be the time when you think like asking “how about this?” then all has been agreed without noticing it.
I've known a few bands that have come up with their name 5 minutes before show time. It's a fun process if you take time to do it, but in the end, I tend to agree that the spontaneous ones are sometimes the best.
I'll never understand names like “Anal Cunt” or “Dying Fetus,” though… they just seem like names to shock for sake of shock.
Concrete Blonde is a peerless name for a band. I don't know them much but I heard some of the songs including “Joey” and “Caroline”. For me this a good band and nice if they'll be active again.
Concrete Blonde is a peerless name for a band. I don't know them much but I heard some of the songs including “Joey” and “Caroline”. For me this a good band and nice if they'll be active again.