You Didn't Have To Be So Nice

We're taking a brief breather from snarling garage rock and the mean minor third to get a little gentle  this week: three versions of The Lovin' Spoonful's 1965 smash, "You Didn't Have To Be So Nice." The original is a "like" song, instead of a played-out love song, featuring sweet harmonies, chimes, autoharp glissandos - but if that all sounds too soft, then Joe Butler's drums will keep you rocking (1:51).  We do actually get into the garage to listen to Rasputin and the Monk's charmingly inept take on the tune from 1966 (40:45). The drums thud,  the singer sounds like Kermit the Frog, and the backing vocalist warble off-key. It's great!! Even more ridiculous is The Glass Menagerie's version from 1968 (1:00:48). A slow, syrupy arrangment & overwrought singing really mess up the spirit of the song, but this means we have fun talking about how terrible it is. Now go upon your quiet way!!