Old Records Never Die, Ian Hunter, Short Back and Sides

Old Records Never Die is about music that touches us deeply and does not let go. Often when you hear a song it takes you to a special time or moment that you will never forget. This song was started as more of a general commentary about Elvis Presley but while recording the song in NYC John Lennon was shot while the song was being recorded at The Power Station. Hunter recognized a reporter from Channel 7 that he knew. Producer Bob Clearmountain and the musicians were stunned but Ian seized the moment and was inspired to do more while outside people reacted and were horrified with the tragedy. The assassin at The Dakota was wearing  a Todd Rundgren Hermit of Mink Hollow T-shirt when he was arrested. Hunter feels the song has a good hook, but should have harmonies on the hook. It could have been a hit and singles out the magnificent Tommy Mandel on keyboards for this track. Mandel adds that the band was walking back to The Mayflower from the Power Station at what at the time Roosevelt Hospital. They had just recorded the album version of Old Records Never Die.

Tom Mandel

Hi. I do remember that night John was shot: we were walking back to The Mayflower from Power Station - so we passed by what was then Roosevelt Hospital (now I think it's Mt. Sinai West) and heard the tragic senseless news. 

And yes, we had just recorded the album version of old records never die. 

It had had more of a live feel when we were rehearsing it, so I wonder what demos there are out there of that. . . Would be fun to hear.

There is an alternate version release as well. 

Ian Hunter On Track for Sonicbond Publishing, TheDoctorOfDigital@pm.me

Old Records Never Die

(Ian Hunter)

Sometimes you realize
that there is an end to life.
Yesterday I heard them say
a hero's blown away.
And it's so hard to lose
someone who's close to you.
Oh me, I did not see
the danger every day.
But music's something in the air,
so he can play it anywhere.
Old records never die.

Get you're healing from a song,
just when everything goes wrong.
Play it right
through the night
till morning brings you light.
And if some folk laugh at you
Let 'em all laugh they never knew.
Oh all those scenes, to me it seems
some folk never dream.
And on the wind(?) I feel a force
rebel with some other cause.
Old records never die.

Old records never die.
You can watch the waves roll by.
You can see it in their eyes.
Old records never die.
Old records never die.
You can watch the waves roll by.
The innocent cry(?)
Old records never die.
I can hear you
and I know why
old records never die.

Old Records Never Die	4:19	Originally issued on Short Back and Sides, and on the compilations The Best of Ian Hunter, From The Knees Of My Heart, Old Records Never Die, Once Bitten Twice Shy and Shades of Ian Hunter.
Old Records Never Die (alternate version)	4:18	Released on the outtakes CD Long Odds and Outtakes and on the box set version of Short Back 'n' Sides