Today’s classic song by a Gary, Gerry, or Jerry of the day is “This Little Girl” by Gary U.S. Bonds. It was included on his 1981 comeback album, Dedication, then released as a single that went to #11 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #7 on the Cash Box Top 100 charts.
“This Little Girl” was written by the Boss himself, Mr. Bruce Springsteen. The backing musicians for this and the other Dedication tracks were the E Street Band—Little Steven Van Zandt and Bruce Springsteen on guitars, Roy Bittan and Danny Federici on keyboards, Clarence Clemons on sax, Garry Tallent on bass, and Mighty Max Weinberg on drums. Backing vocalists included Misters Van Zandt and Springsteen, along with the likes of Ben E. King, Chuck Jackson, and Ellie Greenwich. Horns were by La Bamba and other members of the Asbury Jukes.
The result of this collaboration was an album that famed critic Dave Marsh called “one of the most successful comeback albums in rock & roll history.” It included several songs by Springsteen (“This Little Girl,” “Your Love,” and “Dedication”), one by Little Steven (“Daddy’s Come Home”), one each by Jackson Browne, Bob Dylan, and Lennon and McCartney, and a few others (including the album’s second single, “Jole Blon”) thrown in for good measure. It was a rollicking, rocking mix of New Jersey rock and classic R&B. If you don’t own it, you should.
Gary U.S. Bonds first hit the charts way back in 1960. His ’60s-era hits included “New Orleans,” “Quarter to Three,” “School is Out,” and “Dear Lady Twist.” His career stalled when the British Invasion changed the sound of popular music forever, and he spent the next several decades languishing in obscurity.
Bruce Springsteen had long been a fan of Mr. Bonds, frequently covering “Quarter to Three” in concert. Sometime around 1979 or so Bruce introduced himself to Bonds when the older gent was playing in an Atlantic City cocktail bar called the Hanger. Bruce asked if he could sit in with Bonds’ band and Bonds said okay, even though he (surprisingly) didn’t know who Springsteen was. The crowd knew, however, and went wild. Afterwards, the Boss offered Bonds a song he’d been working on during sessions for The River. That song became “This Little Girl” and the offer extended to include two other tunes, studio time to record them, and the use of the E Street Band.
The result was a big comeback single, two albums (1981s’ Dedication and 1982’s follow up, On the Line), and a true career resurgence. Bonds has released three more albums since then and continues to perform today at age 84.
