Yesterday the Impressions told us “It’s All Right” and today J.J. Jackson reinforces that positive sentiment with today’s classic R&B song of the day, “But It’s Alright.” Released on Calla Records in 1966, “But It’s Alright” reached #22 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #4 on Billboard’s Hot R&B Singles chart. The song was rereleased in 1969 on the Warner Bros.-Seven Arts label and peaked again at #45 on the Hot 100.
“But It’s Alright” was written by J.J. Jackson and Pierre Tubbs. Recorded in England, it features a hooky rhythm guitar lick played by Brit jazzer Terry Smith. Other British jazz musicians, including saxophonist Dick Morrissey and drummer John Marshall, provided the rest of the instrumental backing. The song, thanks to Smith’s driving rhythm guitar and a great arrangement, is infectious.
The song is about a guy who’s been dumped by his girl but assures her that’s it’s alright:
You don’t know how I feel
You’ll never know how I feel
Oh, when I needed you to come around
You always try to bring me down
Oh, but I know, girl, believe me when I say that
You are surely, surely gonna pay, girl
But it’s all right, all right, girl
You can hurt me, but it’s all right
Because of the similar titles, it’s easy to get “It’s All Right” and “But It’s Alright” confused. Here’s how to tell them apart:
- “It’s All Right” was released by the Impressions in 1963. “But It’s Alright” was released by J.J. Jackson three years later, in 1966.
- “It’s All Right” was recorded in Chicago and released on the ABC-Paramount label. “But It’s Alright” was recorded in England (although it doesn’t sound like it) and released (initially) on the small NYC-based Calla label.
- “It’s All Right” is in a rolling 12/8 time. “But It’s Alright” is an uptempo 4/4 number.
- While both songs feature a horn section, “It’s All Right” has call-and-response background vocals while “But It’s Alright” has none. Instead, it features a groovy little glockenspiel part.
Once you hit the Play button it’s easy to tell the difference.
Jerome “JJ” Jackson was a Bronx-born soul belter. He recorded for a variety of different labels (and was bigger in England than in the U.S.), but “It’s Alright” was his only big hit. He stopped recording in 1975 but still performed on various oldies circuits for a number of years. He’s still around today, aged 81.
And for your daily bonus video of the day, here’s Huey Lewis and the News’ very faithful 1984 cover of “But It’s Alright.” Their version reached #54 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #5 on Billboard’s Adult Contemporary chart. It’s alright.
