Today’s classic song of the day is “Cool Jerk.” It was originally released by a group called the Capitols in April of 1966; it rose to #7 on the Billboard Hot 100, #5 on the Cash Box Top 100, and #2 on Billboard’s Hot Rhythm & Blues Singles chart.
“Cool Jerk” was written by Don Storball, one of the Capitols. (He played guitar and sang backup.) The other members of the group were Samuel George (lead vocals and drums) and Richard Mitchell (keyboards and backup vocals). They were a Detroit-based group, formed in 1962 as the Three Caps, who lasted only until their big hit left the charts. They didn’t have any other hits, but “Cool Jerk” was one hell of a one-hit wonder, a real dance jam. You can’t listen to it without grooving along to that hip bass line.
Here’s an interesting thing about “Cool Jerk.” Even though the Capitols were a Detroit group, “Cool Jerk” wasn’t a Motown song. Even though it was a Motown song. Let me explain.
The Capitols were signed to Detroit-based Karen Records, which had no affiliation with Berry Gordy’s Motown Records. However, when it came to record “Cool Jerk,” Karen Records’ owner Ollie McLaughlin booked time at Detroit’s Golden World Studios on March 14, 1966, and contracted with members of the Funk Brothers to play on the date. (The Motown musicians often moonlighted on other sessions for extra cash.) The Funk Brothers on this recording included Eddie Willis on guitar, Johnny Griffith on piano, and Bob Babbitt on bass. That’s why this single has a very distinct Motown sound, even if it isn’t officially a Motown release.
Interestingly, after the success of “Cool Jerk,” Motown bought Golden World Studios and turned it into Motown Studio B. So there’s that.
A decade and a half later, the Go-Go’s decided to record a cover of “Cool Jerk” for their 1982 album, Vacation. They also re-recorded it for their 1990 compilation album, Greatest. Neither version was released as a single but the song still got a lot of radio play and was a feature of their live performances.
And here’s your daily bonus video of the day, the Go-Go’s music video for their 1990 remake of “Cool Jerk.” The video’s kind of cool, in a 1990 kind of way, but I still like their 1982 version better.
