Que Sera Sera (album) explained

Que Sera Sera
Type:	Album
Artist:	Johnny Thunders
Cover:	Que_Sera_Sera_Johnny_Thunders.jpg
Released:	December 1985
Recorded:	March – August 1985^[1]
Studio:	Tin Pan Alley Studios, London; West 3 Studios, Acton, London
Genre:	Garage rock, punk rock, alternative rock
Label:	Jungle
Producer:	Johnny Thunders
Prev Title:	Hurt Me
Prev Year:	1984
Next Title:	Copy Cats
Next Year:	1988

Que Sera Sera is the fourth studio album by Johnny Thunders, former lead guitarist of the New York Dolls and The Heartbreakers, released in December 1985.^[2] Unlike previous efforts So Alone and In Cold Blood, only one song on the album features members of his former bands,^[3] and relies largely on the reggae-influenced^[4] rhythm section of session musicians Keith George Yon and Tony St. Helene,^{[5] [6]} nicknamed the Black Cats, and also features contributions from Dr. Feelgood guitarist Wilko Johnson,^[7] long-term collaborator Patti Palladin,^[8] and members of Hanoi Rocks.^{[9] [10]}

The original 1985 release of the album had ten songs. On later pressings, other songs from the sessions were added, "Que Sera, Sera", "Cool Operator (Black Cat Remix)" and Thunders' own remix of the opening track, "Short Lives", which replaced the original mix as opener of the album. "Que Sera Sera" was first released as a single (7" & 12"), backed with Thunders' remix of "Short Lives". "Tie Me Up" was earlier released as B-side to the Johnny Thunders & Patti Palladin single, a cover of Elvis Presley's song "Crawfish" in 1985.

Track listing

All tracks composed by Johnny Thunders; except where indicated

1. "Short Lives" (Thunders, Patti Palladin) 3:09
2. "M.I.A." 2:47
3. "I Only Wrote This Song for You" 2:32
4. "Little Bit of Whore" 2:27
5. "Cool Operator" (Thunders, Keith George Yon, Tony St. Helene) 6:18
6. "Blame It on Mom" 3:42
7. "Tie Me Up" (Thunders, Patti Palladin) 3:11
8. "Alone in a Crowd" 2:40
9. "Billy Boy" 3:00
10. "Endless Party" (Thunders, David Johansen) 2:41
11. "Que Sera, Sera" 3:41
12. "Short Lives" (original mix) 3:16
13. "Cool Operator" (Black Cat Remix) 5:49

Personnel

• Johnny Thunders - guitar, vocals

Black Cats

• Keith George Yon - bass
• Tony St. Helene - drums

with:

• Wilko Johnson - guitar on 5 & 10
• Michael Monroe - saxophone, harmonica
• John Perry - guitar, keyboards, backing vocals on 1, 3, 4, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12.
• Patti Palladin - vocals
• Nasty Suicide - guitar on 1
• Stiv Bators - backing vocals on 10
• Dave Tregunna - backing vocals on 10
• Pedro Ortiz - percussion on 7
• J.C. Carroll - mandolin, accordion
• Billy Rath - bass on 7
• Jerry Nolan - drums on 7
• Henri-Paul Tortosa - guitar on 7
• John "Irish" Earle - saxophone on 7
• Judd Lander - mouth organ on 7
• St. Theresa School Choir - "child abuse" on 11

Technical

• John McGowan, Ken Thomas - engineer
• Nina Antonia - liner notes
• Leee Black Childers - photography

References

1. Web site: Johnny Thunders- Que Sera Sera. Discogs. 29 July 2024.
2. Web site: 80's. greeninconline. 29 July 2024.
3. Web site: Johnny Thunders- Que Sera Sera. Discogs. 29 July 2024.
4. Web site: Johnny Thunders – Que Sera, Sera Resurrected (Jungle Records). Midnight To Six. 29 July 2024.
5. Web site: Keith George Yon Songs, Albums, Reviews, Bio. Allmusic. 29 July 2024.
6. Web site: Tony St Helene Songs, Albums, Reviews, Bio. Allmusic. 29 July 2024.
7. Web site: Wilko Johnson: Punk Rock Patient Zero 1947-2022. Rock and Roll Globe. 29 July 2024.
8. Web site: Patti Palladin Discography. Discogs. 29 July 2024.
9. Web site: Michael Monroe. hanoi-rocks.net. 29 July 2024.
10. Web site: Nasty Suicide Songs, Albums, Reviews, Bio & More. Allmusic. 29 July 2024.
11. Book: Lazell, Barry . Indie Hits 1980-1989 . Cherry Red Books . 1997 . September 5, 2014 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110608045508/http://www.cherryred.co.uk/books/indiehits/t.htm . June 8, 2011 .