BATTLE OF THE BANDS: “Needles and Pins”

Battle of the Bands 1 Minute

"Needles and Pins" was a song written by Jack Nitzsche and Sonny Bono in the early ’60’s. The most popular version is by The Searchers in 1964, but it’s been done several times by other artists as well, inncluding these two…

Jackie DeShannon

Jackie DeShannon’s 1963 version was the original recording. It reached #1 in Canada but only #83 in the US.

The Ramones

The Ramones recorded "Needles and Pins" for their 1978 album Road To Ruin.

So, there are the contestants. Here are your instructions, if you’d like to join in the judging.

  1. Listen to the two songs.
  2. Decide which song you like the best.
  3. Vote for your favorite by leaving me a comment with your choice. If you feel like telling us why, feel free.
  4. Then, visit the other participants and vote in their Battles:

I’ll tally the votes and announce the winner next Friday, April 8 at noon Eastern, so be sure and get your votes in to me by then.

The lines are now open. Good luck to Jackie and the Ramones!

Published by John Holton

Internet disc jockey, lover of old TV (especially the commercials), inveterate wise guy.

Published

14 thoughts on “BATTLE OF THE BANDS: “Needles and Pins””

  1. Pingback: The Seventh Anniversary of The Week That Was – The Sound of One Hand Typing

  4. Can I go a la carte here? Take the Ramones’ version and overlay Jackie’s voice, that would be an easy winner for me. (Like the Petty/Nicks version Sharon posted in the comments!)

    As it stands, my toes tapped way more with the Ramones, so they get my vote.

    Liked by 1 person

  5. Oh..give me Jackie any day with her unique voice and style of the music. The Ramones started to irritate me after a bit. The Canadians must love her.

    Liked by 1 person

  6. The Ramones version was better than I expected–they sounded more like a sixties band doing this and it’s better than what I’ve usually heard by them.

    I’ve got a Jackie de Shannon CD with this song on it. Her version sticks with me better. I vote for Jackie.

    Arlee Bird
    Tossing It Out Battle of the Bands

    Liked by 1 person

  7. JOHN ~

    Hokey-Smoke! DeShannon versus The Ramones — now there’s an unusual match-up!

    Both of us are using early ’60s Pop songs in this round of BOTB.

    Much to my surprise, I find myself voting for The Ramones. I guess I prefer the slightly faster pace and the slippin’ an’ a-slidin’, get-under-your-desk-in-4th-grade rhythm.

    (Yeah, I know that last sentence seems nonsensical. But it took me a lot of years & drink to learn how to write stream-O’-consciousness, and I’ll be derned if I won’t keep up with it from time-to-time.)

    ~ D-FensDogG
    STMcC Presents BATTLE OF THE BANDS

    Liked by 1 person

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