T-Neck Award #2: Best Non-Hit Single

Spoon, “You Got Yr. Cherry Bomb”

With the exception of Feist's "1234," Spoon’s infectious confection “You Got Yr. Cherry Bomb” was the catchiest “alternative” record of the year. But unlike the Canadian chanteuse's iPod jingle, "You Got Yr. Cherry Bomb" received virtually no mainstream airplay.

“Cherry Bomb” is also the latest in a grand tradition of white-rocker takes on the Motown sound, with a tight 4/4 beat, pulsating bass, tambourine, vibraphone, great charts and tons of studio reverb.

As with so many other things, the idea of aping the House of Gordy began with the Beatles. “Drive My Car” from Rubber Soul was conceived as their version of Motown via Liverpool. Following in the Fabs wake were Elvis Costello’s Get Happy LP, the great Jam single “A Town Called Malice” and the English Beat’s cover of the Smokey Robinson classic “Tears of a Clown.”

As Rock Turtleneck reported in 2007, Spoon’s album Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga is a delight from start to finish. You are highly encouraged to purchase it from your favorite digital or brick-and-mortar retailer. Congratulations, fellas on winning the prestigious Rock Turtleneck T-Neck award. In celebration, a new-wave Motown primer:

YouTube: Spoon, "You Got Yr. Cherry Bomb" (Charming Homemade Video by aussiethetenor)


mp3: Spoon, “You Got Yr. Cherry Bomb,” Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga
weight:bold;">mp3: Elvis Costello & the Attractions,"High Fidelity," Get Happy
mp3: The Jam, "Town Called Malice," Snap!
mp3: The English Beat, “Tears of a Clown,” I Just Can’t Stop It
mp3: The Beatles, “Drive My Car,” Rubber Soul
mp3: Smokey Robinson & the Miracles, "Tears of A Clown,"Classic Sounds of the Motown Era