For today’s classic song of the day, let’s take a trip back to the psychedelic sixties and the song “Crystal Blue Persuasion.” The single, by Tommy James and the Shondells, was released in June of 1969 and went all the way to #2 on both the Billboard Hot 100 and the Cash Box Top 100.
Tommy James wrote “Crystal Blue Persuasion” along with collaborators Eddie Gray and Mike Vale. He said the song was inspired by reading the Bible:
“I took the title from the Book of Revelations [sic] in the Bible, reading about the New Jerusalem. The words jumped out at me, and they’re not together; they’re spread out over three or four verses. But it seemed to go together, it’s my favorite of all my songs and one of our most requested.”
To be more precise, the lyrics appear to come from the Book of Ezekiel, which mentioned a blue light that represented the presence of God, along with bits from the Book of Isaiah and the Book of Revelation (singular). Or maybe it was just a drug thing. (There was a particular strain of blue-colored LSD making the rounds at the time.)
Unlike Mr. James’ previous tracks, “Crystal Blue Persuasion” wasn’t as hard edged and had a more mellow vibe. It almost has an early Rascals feel, with its prominent organ and bongo backing. (Yeah, it feels more than a little like “Groovin’” to me.)
Tommy James formed his first band in 1959, when he was just twelve years old. That band, the Echoes, changed its name to the Shondells in 1964 and got signed by the Niles, Illinois-based Snap Records label. One of their first recordings, a cover of Jeff Barry and Ellie Greenwich’s “Hanky Panky,” became their first bit hit in 1965, leading to the group being signed to the much larger Roulette Records. Additional hits followed for Tommy James and the Shondells, including “I Think We’re Alone Now,” “Mirage,” “Mony Mony,” “Gettin’ Together,” “Crimson and Clover,” and “Sweet Cherry Wine,” and, as a solo artist, “Draggin’ the Line” and “Three Times in Love.”
Tommy James is still out there today, most notably as the host of Gettin’ Together with Tommy James, a weekly show on SiriusXM satellite radio. He’s currently 78 years old.
For today’s daily bonus video of the day, here’s a music video that was made several years after the fact for “Crystal Blue Persuasion.” Groovy, baby.
