Sorrow

Album: Gold: British Invasion (1966)
Charted: 4
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This was originally recorded by The McCoys as the B-side to their 1965 single "Fever," their follow up to their #1 hit "Hang On Sloopy.
  • The song was written by Richard Gottehrer, Jerry Goldstein and Bob Feldman, who had three US hits in the mid 1960s as The Strangeloves including "I Want Candy." The trio also wrote and produced the Angels 1963 US chart-topper "My Boyfriend's Back." Gottehrer went on to become a partner in Sire Records and produced albums for the Go-Go's and Blondie.
  • After a series of hits as the Merseybeats, two of the band left, leaving frontman and guitarist Tony Crane and rhythm guitarist Billy Kinsley. The duo re-christened themselves The Merseys and they recorded this song for their first single using top UK session musicians (Jimmy Page on guitar, John Paul Jones on bass, Jack Bruce on stand-up bass, Clem Cattini on drums). This was their only hit and Kinsley embarked on a solo career before forming Liverpool Express in the mid 1970s. Among Liverpool Express' UK hits were "You Are My Love," which is said to be one of Paul McCartney's favorite love songs. Kinsley and Crane re-formed the Merseybeats in 1993.
  • The Merseys' record company rejected the original take of this song, but the second version took the duo into the UK Top 10. Tony Crane said in Mojo magazine September 2008: "We were sure the first version was a hit, it was marvellous. The second version had more of a live feel and brass, so we came away a bit confused that we'd had a hit."
  • David Bowie recorded this on his 1973 covers album Pin Ups. Released as a single it went to #3 in the UK.

Comments: 2

  • Davoid from Melbourne, AustraliaThe Merseys' version added the 'bowed bass' string intro by Jack Bruce which was also used by David Bowie for his version.
  • Dave from Calgary, CanadaThe opening line of Sorrow, "With your long blonde hair and your eyes of blue," appears in the Beatles song It's All Too Much.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

We Will Rock You (To Sleep): Pop Stars Who Recorded Kids' Albums

We Will Rock You (To Sleep): Pop Stars Who Recorded Kids' AlbumsSong Writing

With the rise of Kindie rock, more musicians are embracing their inner child with tunes for tots - here, we look at pop stars who recorded kids' albums.

Jimmy Webb

Jimmy WebbSongwriter Interviews

Webb talks about his classic songs "By the Time I Get to Phoenix," "Wichita Lineman" and "MacArthur Park."

Richard Marx

Richard MarxSongwriter Interviews

Richard explains how Joe Walsh kickstarted his career, and why he chose Hazard, Nebraska for a hit.

Phil Hurtt ("I'll Be Around")

Phil Hurtt ("I'll Be Around")Songwriter Interviews

Phil was a songwriter, producer and voice behind many Philadelphia soul classics. When disco hit, he got an interesting project: The Village People.

Jon Foreman of Switchfoot

Jon Foreman of SwitchfootSongwriter Interviews

Switchfoot's frontman and main songwriter on what inspires the songs and how he got the freedom to say exactly what he means.

Sam Hollander

Sam HollanderSongwriter Interviews

The hitmaking songwriter/producer Sam Hollander with stories about songs for Weezer, Panic! At The Disco, Train, Pentatonix, and Fitz And The Tantrums.