2.18.24

I was going to write about this one a couple nights ago, but my brain and heart developed plans with other songs. So here it is on a chilly, windy Sunday evening.

Back on Thursday I wrote about Pet Shop Boys’ remake of Always On My Mind, a twist on an oldie that is equal parts heartfelt and bombastic. It’s the sort of remake that is its own thing will staying true to the original.

Groovy Kind of Love is the same sort of deal. Phil Collins made the song his own without losing the heart at core of the original, as originally recorded by Dianne & Annita.

The duo released the song in 1965 on the One by One EP. Later that same year, Mindbenders recorded their version. (Cool fact: lead vocals on the Mindbenders version are done by Eric Stewart, who would later go on to be part of 10cc.) These two versions of the song hold up on their own, though I prefer Dianne & Annita’s original recording. Mindbenders’ take is a bit stutter-steppy and mechanical at times. As a kid, the drumming reminded me of the sound of a hay baler at work.

Anyway, jump ahead to 1988, and Phil Collins – one of the kings of ‘80s pop – recorded it for the soundtrack to Buster, a romantic crime dramedy Collins also starred in.

The first time I heard the song, it was on the car stereo. My family was on the way back from a day of Sunday driving. I was in the backseat, drifting in and out of sleep. I loved Phil Collins, and hearing the DJ talk up the single was enough to wake me all the way up.

At first, I thought it was sort of schmaltzy, but as he sang, I was drawn into the lyrics and quiet, sweeping sound of the music. The next week, the video was on NBC’s Friday Night Videos.

We didn’t have cable or satellite, so that late-night show was my version of MTV. I’d set the VCR to record the show, and I’d watch it first thing when I got home from barn chores on Saturday morning. Then I’d rewatch it Saturday night and Sunday morning and on and on.

The thing is, though, I didn’t care about the video. I mean, I liked it fine, but it didn’t hold my interest the way other videos did. It was the song I was interested in, and I’d play it over and over. Listening with my eyes closed, letting the gentle notes of the piano wash over me.

Collins’ version of Groovy Kind of Love is something of a forgotten gem these days. Odds are, you’ll hear Mindbenders’ version in the wild before you’ll hear his. Which is a shame.

After all, it’s a groovy kind of song.

When I’m in your arms

Nothin’ seems to matter

My whole world could shatter

I don’t care