I usually feature original artists or songwriters in the featured image for the Friday Cocktail Hour. There’s an exception to every rule, especially when it involves Mick Jagger and my favorite reggae artist Peter Tosh. Tosh is not as well-remembered as his former bandmate Bob Marley and I’m trying to help keep his name alive.
There’s another reason not to feature the songwriters. Don’t Look Back was written in 1965 by Smokey Robinson and Ronald White of The Miracles. Oddly enough, Smokey never recorded this song per his usual practice with songs written for other Motown artists.
We begin with The Temptations:
It’s featured image time. Jagger liked Peter Tosh’s music as much as I do. He was eager to boost his career, so they cut this song together. They called it (You Gotta Walk And) Don’t Look Back. Lengthening the title was an odd move: short and snappy titles not only rock, they rule.
Let’s go acapella with The Persuasions:
Teena Marie makes her FCH debut with a rousing version of Don’t Look Back:
The late, great David Lindley. Say no more.
Let’s slow jam with Youssou N’Dour:
It’s girl group time with The Sugababes:
Finally, Phil Collins cut the Robinson-White classic on an album with a nostalgic cover showing the young Phil with a full head of hair.
As to instrumentals, I’ll let Jeff Probst speak for me:
That’s it for this week. Let’s drink to all the delivery people harried by the holiday rush. It’s what Otis and Smokey would want. Never argue with them.
