This week's tune is from a band that some consider to be the first punk rock group. That's a hell of a historical footnote for a band that, for the most part, had only one hit. But if you're going to have just one memorable tune, might as well make the most of it.
? and the Mysterians were formed in my current home state of Michigan (specifically Bay City and Saginaw) in 1962 by the children of migrant farm workers as a trio, playing dates throughout their adopted home. Shortly thereafter, Rudy Martinez (stage name: Question Mark) would join the band, as well as keyboardist Frank Rodriguez, and the band would land its first record deal in 1966. That same year they released their signature tune, which would eventually sell over a million copies. The band would stay together through 1969, having four more charting hit singles. For their career, ? and the Mysterians released four albums, but only their first reached the Billboard LP chart. The band has reunited, reformed in new incarnations, and done a few collaborations since their heyday, and is still performing occasionally to this day.
Fun Fact: Question Mark is something of a character, at one point in time telling interviewers that his soul originated on Mars and that he walked the earth with the dinosaurs. At this time, rock journalists have yet to refute either claim....
"96 Tears" was released as a single in 1966, and later added to their debut album. the oh so originally titled 96 Tears. The song would hit #1 (with a bullet!) on the Billboard Hot 100, and was ranked #213 on Rolling Stone's list of the five hundred greatest songs of all time. The album peaked at #66.
While I am sure there are nuances to "96 Tears" that a layman such as myself doesn't see, what strikes me most is how simple the song is: for the most part it's some of the catchiest organ playing in the history of music, simple repeated lyrics, and an incredible vocal performance by Question Mark wherein he delivers the song with bravado bordering on anger but never lets the anger overwhelm the singer's conviction that he'll have payback for his broken heart. Question Mark sings in short bursts and with a number of vocal inflections that add just the right amount of playfulness. I've noted a time or two here just how special it is when a group of musicians get together and create a once in a lifetime classic, and "96 Tears" is another case where a band stood on the shoulders of giants.
Lyric Sheet: "You're way on top now since you left me/You're always laughing way down at me/But watch out now, I'm gonna get there..."
Enjoy:
Republican = Racist
Peace,
emaycee
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