One of the most attractive new songs All Of The Good Ones Are Taken featured an infectious chorus and heartfelt sax from Clarence "The Big Man" Clemons of the E Street Band. Similar to Springsteen's work this track is one of several in the Hunter oeuvre that has emerged substantially different in more than one version: in this case, a fast and a slow version. The slow version was the first and Ian wanted it for the album but CBS objected to its release as a single. The fast version was the record company's idea. It was written quickly but the original was lost and Ian couldn't get the groove for the song back. His wife warned him not to do the fast version and she is correct the slow version makes it. Ian thinks that he missed out on a hit with the song. It very well could have been a smash since its a great track.
Similar to the dilemma with Just Another Night and The Other Side of Life on You're Never Alone with a Schizophrenic ideas were bandied about whether to do the songs fast or slow. On the studio album the lively, up-tempo version began as the first track and the slow version closed out the effort.
The feeling is bittersweet--lost love--the feeling at the end of a romance, that's it.
Both versions are available on the All Of The Good Ones Are Taken LP. The song was originally an album track and a single A-side. There is also a live version from the Strings Attached work which Hunter feels is the best version of the song.
Furthermore, we have the treat of a clever fully produced music video for the effort as well. The video is a spoof on the actor Dudley Moore in 1981's comedy Arthur. Most of Ian's work did not benefit from much in the way of production and marketing but this song received stellar treatment. The promo video was a superb marketing tool of the time converting Hollywood visuals into a three-minute rock expression. The 385-pound late Captain Haggerty from his School for Dogs and television's Mr. Clean helped Ian through the shoot with his encouragement. During the Central Park boat scene the boast was sinking under the Captain's weight covering their feet in water and water logging the cassette needed for the lip synching. Hunter was soaked for the limousine scene and the diner shot required 4 am timing so they could open up for business that morning. Ian says he's not sure how good it was but it is a bit of a lost classic and a proper marketing tool of the day. In 1984 the clip was nominated at the first-ever MTV Video Music Awards.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ati0xSkX-t8
All Of The Good Ones Are Taken
(Ian Hunter)
Girl-things ain't been goin' too good for me
Girl-I'm living in the middle of a mystery
You're the only one that can turn me on
'N' now that you're gone I said
Girl-I'm livin' in the middle of your memory
Girl-You're still the figure in my favorite fantasy
I know you know
That's the way it goes
And still my love grows-I said
All o' the good, all o' the good ones are taken
All o' the good, all o' the good ones are taken
I'm hangin' around with my head in the air
Watchin' the lovers go by
I had a lover-but she never cared
All you could say was goodbye
Maybe I was mistaken
Maybe I got it wrong
But all of the good ones are taken from now on
'N' girl-I'm livin' in the middle of a broken dream
I said girl-all this fallin' in love ain't like it seems
Out in the rain-can't you feel my pain
Again 'n' again 'n' again 'n' again 'n' again
All of the good, all o' the good ones are taken
Maybe I was mistaken-maybe I got it wrong
But all of the good ones are taken in my song| All Of The Good Ones Are Taken (fast version) | 3:42 | Originally an album track and a single A-side. The album track was originally issued on All of the Good Ones Are Taken, also on the compilations Gold, Once Bitten - the CBS Collection, The Journey and The Singles Collection 1975-83. |
| All Of The Good Ones Are Taken (slow version) | 3:48 | Originally an album track and a single B-side (to Somethin's Goin' On). The album track was originally issued on All of the Good Ones Are Taken. Also available on the compilations Once Bitten Twice Shy, The Singles Collection 1975-83 and The Very Best of Ian Hunter. |
| All Of The Good Ones Are Taken (live 29/30th January 2002) | 3:31 | This live version (recorded Sentrum Scene, Oslo Norway) was released on Strings Attached. |
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