What (song) explained

What
Type:single
Artist:Melinda Marx
B-Side:It Happens in the Same Old Way
Released:June 1965
Genre:
Label:Vee-Jay
Producer:Norman B. Ratner
Prev Title:The East Side of Town
Prev Year:1965

"What" is a song and single written by H. B. Barnum, performed by Melinda Marx and released in 1965.[1] Marx, daughter of Groucho Marx was a reluctant pop singer and the high notes on "What" found her straining. She recorded only one further single before leaving musical performing which had been foist upon her by her father.[2]

Judy Street cover

In 1968 in Hollywood, California, Judy Street recorded "What", on the Strider label, as a B-side of "You Turn Me On".[2] [3] The record was exported to England and it was picked up by DJs at Wigan Casino, a major nightclub in the northern soul music scene.[4] However, "What" became the track most played, going on to be a hit on the northern soul nightclub circuit and be ranked 23 of 500 northern soul singles.[4] [5] [6] Following a resurgence of popularity for northern soul music in England in 1977, the song was re-released,[3] and again in 1982 with a B-side by Hi-Fly.[7] Street was unaware of the popularity of the song and did not tour the UK and from 1970 until 1990 she toured with her own bands, including The Swinging Society, in the US, singing and drumming.[8] Finally, in 2005 the popularity of "What" was acknowledged when Street did several interviews for radio, magazines and books.[4]

Soft Cell cover

What
Type:single
Artist:Soft Cell
Album:Non Stop Ecstatic Dancing
B-Side:....So
Released:11 August 1982
Recorded:1982
Genre:
Length:
  • (7" version)
  • (12" version)
  • (album version)
Label:Some Bizzare
Producer:Mike Thorne
Prev Title:Torch
Prev Year:1982
Next Title:Where the Heart Is
Next Year:1982

English synth-pop/new wave duo Soft Cell released a cover of the song in July 1982 as the only single from their remix album Non Stop Ecstatic Dancing. It became their fifth UK top-10 chart hit, peaking at number 3 on the UK Singles Chart.

Track listings

7"

  1. "What!" – 2:52
  2. "....So" – 3:45

7" (US)

  1. "What!" – 2:52
  2. "Memorabilia" – 5:22

7" (Canada)

  1. "What!" – 2:52
  2. "A Man Could Get Lost" – 4:05

12"

  1. "What!" – 6:15
  2. "....So" – 8:45

Personnel

Charts

Chart (1982)Peak
position
Israel (IBA)[9] 10
US Bubbling Under Hot 100 (Billboard)[10] 1

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Melinda Marx – What / It Happens In The Same Old Way. . 1965 . 28 August 2017.
  2. Web site: Sounds of the 60s — Melinda Marx, Judy Street, and the story of What — BBC Radio 2. BBC. 28 August 2017.
  3. Web site: Judy Street You Turn Me On/What. 1968 . www.discogs.com. 30 September 2012.
  4. Web site: Judy Street. www.northernsoulmusic.co.uk. 30 September 2012.
  5. Book: Roberts, Kev. The Northern Soul Top 500. 2007. Goldsoul Entertainment Limited. 9780955751905.
  6. Web site: Northern Soul Top 500. www.rocklistmusic.co.uk. 30 September 2012.
  7. Web site: Judy Street discography. www.45cat.com. 30 September 2012.
  8. Web site: Handbury. Steve. 19th July, 2008: New Judy Street Photo!. www.soulgirl.com. 1 October 2012.
  9. Web site: Israel Singles Charts 1987-1995. www.ukmix.org. 26 July 2017 . 13 December 2020.
  10. Bubbling Under the Hot 100. Billboard. 67. 18 September 1982. 13 December 2020.