Care of Cell 44

"Care of Cell 44"
Single by The Zombies
from the album Odessey and Oracle
B-side "Beechwood Park"
Released November 1967
Format 7"
Recorded Abbey Road Studios, 1967
Genre Psychedelic pop, sunshine pop
Length 3:53
Label Date Records
Writer(s) Rod Argent
Producer(s) The Zombies
The Zombies singles chronology
"Friends of Mine"
(1967)		 "Care of Cell 44"
(1967)		 "Butcher's Tale (Western Front 1914)"
(1968)

"Care of Cell 44" is a single by The Zombies, from their 1968 album Odessey and Oracle. It was featured on Pitchfork Media's 200 Best Songs of the 1960s list,[1] and has since been covered by modern artists including Elliott Smith and Of Montreal.

Content

"Care of Cell 44" tells the story of a person writing to their partner in prison, as they await their release from prison.[2] Rod Argent, the Zombies main songwriter said "It just appealed to me. That twist on a common scenario, I just can't wait for you to come home to me again".[3] Given the subject matter, the music accompanying this is very upbeat and jaunty, and has been described as "the sunniest song ever written about the impending release of a prison inmate."[1] Arts journalist Matt Kivel described the music as a "sprightly piano jingle."[2] The melody incorporates multiple key changes.[2]

Reception

At its time of release as the lead single for Odessey and Oracle in 1967, the track was not a success, causing some of the tension that led to the eventual breakup of the band in December of that year. Colin Blunstone, the group's vocalist said, "I thought that 'Care of Cell 44' was incredibly commercial. I was really disappointed when it wasn't a hit."[3]

However, subsequent critical reappraisal of the album, following both the success of "Time of the Season" the following year and the album's later cult following[4][5] has led to the track becoming much more popular, resulting in several cover versions from modern artists.

Allmusic critic Matthew Greenwald calls it a "breezy, infectious pop melody" with "choral harmony breaks," and particularly praises Chris White's "melodic" bass playing.[6] He also remarks that the song shows its Brian Wilson and Paul McCartney influences but remains original.[6] Matt Kivel claims that "in three minutes and fifty three seconds The Zombies have slyly redefined the lyrical conventions of a modern pop song."[2] Music critic Antonio Mendez called it one of the sublime songs on Odessey and Oracle.[7]

Personnel

Production notes

Cover versions

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Pitchfork: The 200 Greatest Songs of the 60's". Pitchfork Media.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Kivel, M. (September 26, 2006). "Odessey and Oracle (1968)". The Michigan Daily. p. 9. Retrieved 2012-07-12.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Care of Cell 44 at Songfacts.com". Mojo Magazine. March 2008.
  4. ↑ 80) Odessey and Oracle : Rolling Stone
  5. ↑ Top 101-200 Favourite Albums Ever : The Stylus Magazine List - Article - Stylus Magazine
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Greenwald, M. "Care of Cell 44". Allmusic. Retrieved 2011-12-19.
  7. ↑ Mendez, A. (2007). Guía del pop y el rock 80 y 90: Aloha poprock (2nd ed.). Editorial Visión Libros. p. 413. ISBN 9788498215694.
  8. ↑ Elliott Smith performances: Black Cat (Washington DC) April 17, 1998, Showbox Theatre (Seattle, WA) backed by The Minders 31st May,2000
  9. ↑ Mason. S. "Chrysanthemums: Odessey and Oracle". Allmusic. Retrieved 2012-07-12.