Roxyrama Cover Versions

These Foolish Things

Released in 1973, Ferry's first solo album was entirely composed of cover versions, and Ferry's solo career started within a year of Roxy Music's breakthrough first album. Ferry and Roxy released three albums in this year. Many other artists were influenced to return to their record collections and release albums made up of previously-released songs, such as David Bowie's 'Pin-Ups' and John Lennon's 'Rock and Roll.'

The album is a diverse collection of fities and sixties covers with the addition of the 1930's title track. Most were faithful reproductions of the originals but several were startlingly re-arranged by Ferry in a way that has become a notable facet of his work. Although Ferry didn't really cover the jazz songs he is said to prefer, it is fair to say that the choice of tracks probably reflected his listening preferences in his formative years during the 1960's.

In a sense, this was the beginning of a cycle which went full circle when Ferry returned to the period for the As Time Goes By. It's a mark of Ferry's confidence in his own songwriting abilities that he didn't take the profitable and predictable route of exploiting the TV friendly possibilities this style of lounge-bar crooning could hold.

A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall

Bob Dylan

The first single and standout track on the album was this extraordinary recreation of Bob Dylan's harsh indictment of the spread of nuclear energy. Ferry's voice is at his most theatrical, set against a choppy driving background, and the version is streets apart from Dylan's one-man-and-his-guitar anthem. Backed by an energetic promo video, one of the earliest then available, this song reached the top five in Britain, and was a major hit in many countries, notably in Australia. Lyrics for A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall

River Of Salt

Brown / J&B Zackary

This sweet song was one from Ferry's record collection, in fact he described himself at the time as 'probably the only person in England with a copy of this.' US vocalist Kitty Lester was best known in Britain for her 1962 top-five hit 'Love Letters'. Lyrics for River Of Salt

Don't Ever Change

Goffin / King

After Buddy Holly's tragic death in 1959, his backing band, The Crickets continued to record, taking this poppy tune, written by the legendary writing team of Gerry Goffin and Carole King, to number 5 in the UK charts in June 1962. Ferry originally intended including another Goffin/King composition 'Will You Love Me Tomorrow' on These Foolish Things' before switching to this song. The other song eventually appeared much later in his career, on the album 'Taxi'. Lyrics for Don't Ever Change

Piece Of My Heart

Berns / Ragavoy

This Motown song was popularised in the US by Aretha Franklin's little sister Erma.The song however didn't chart in the UK until 1992, when it was promoted as the music accompanying a jeans commercial. Ferry has on a number of occasions sucessfully sung songs originally intended from a female perspective. This one works well. Lyrics for Piece Of My Heart

Baby I Don't Care

Lieber / Stoller

Ferry's version is faithful to the Presley original down to the 'crash, bang, boom' ending. Presley's version, crafted by the songwriting tean of Jerry Lieber and Mike Stoller, only grazed the UK charts, reaching number 18 in February 1958 as one of the filler tracks on the 'Jailhouse Rock' EP. Ferry has stated his appreciation of Elvis a number of times, and has recorded several songs popularised by The King. Lyrics for Baby I Don't Care

It's My Party

Wiener / Gold / Gluck Jr.

This is a strange one. Lesley Gore took this song about being jilted at a birthday party to number 9 in the UK charts in the summer of 1963. Ferry reproduced the lyric, intended for a female, in a campy and theatrical performance. The song later hit number 1 in the UK in 1981with a revised version by Dave Stewart (not the Eurythmic) and Barbara Gaskin. Lyrics for It's My Party

Don't Worry Baby

Wilson / Christian

Another well-known song from the Beach Boys, which surprisingly never charted in the UK, and which was treated in respectful fashion by Ferry. Faithful to the original other than the absence of those familiar close-harmony voices. Lyrics for Don't Worry Baby

Sympathy For The Devil

Jagger / Richards

Another oddity. Ferry took Mick Jagger and Keith Richards' homage to the Horned one and gave it a different spin. Ferry vocal doesn't have the same swagger that the original did, but the inspired arrangement builds to a dramatic climax. Lyrics for Sympathy For The Devil

The Tracks Of My Tears

Robinson / Tarplin / Moore

Another Motown classic, co-penned by the great Smokey Robinson, was given the Ferry treatment. The original charted for Smokey and the Miracles in the Summer of '69. Ferry's voice lacked the plaintive quality of the original (whose wouldn't?) in one of 'These Foolish Things' less memorable moments. Lyrics for The Tracks Of My Tears

You Won't See Me

Lennon / McCartney

Bryan Ferry's appreciation of the Beatles is well documented, and cover versions of their songs have punctuated his solo career. This song is well chosen, for it provides a highly suited vehicle for Ferry's talents. Lyrics for You Won't See Me

I Love How You Love Me

Kolber / Mann

Mann's ballad provided minor hits for Jimmy Crawford, Maureen Evans and Paul and Barry Ryan during the Sixties. Ferry' s campy performance is somthing of an oddity, but works surprisingly well. Lyrics for I Love How You Love Me

Loving You Is Sweeter Than Ever

Hunter / Wonder

Motowners The Four Tops took this Stevie Wonder song to number 21 in the UK charts in 1966. Ferry vocal sounds uncomfortable on one of 'These Foolish Things' lesser moments. Lyrics for Loving You Is Sweeter Than Ever

These Foolish Things

(Maschwitz / Strachey)

Ferry returned to the pre-rock era of the 1930's to find this beautiful song, which was performed in faithful crooner style. An inspired choice of song, wonderfully interpreted by a singer who knows his limitations. The piano arrangement is beautifully intricate. Lyrics for These Foolish Things

Last Updated: 24 March 2008