Gary (U.S.) Bonds - Copy Cat

Gary (U.S.) Bonds began his recording career in 1960 for the Legrand label. He made a string of records for the label, including several that made the national charts. His huge hits "New Orleans" and "Quarter To Three" are about his best known and are both rock and roll classics. But perhaps nothing else he did was wilder or any better than his 1962 single, "Copy Cat".

The song clips along at breakneck speed, with a clobbering beat and Bonds' most intense, shouted delivery. And while it's not as crudely recorded as "Quarter To Three" (what else could be?) "Copy Cat" is pretty lo-fi in its own right, with Bonds' vocal surely pushing the needle far into the red. The sax break goes a mile a minute and we're quickly back for the next verse. And, while we're at it, the female backing chorus, as opposed to the norm, is most excellent here and doesn't detract from the proceedings one iota. Man oh man, this thing just smokes!

"Copy Cat" is also pretty notable for its lyrics. The song is about the "copy cat" recording artists of the day. Bonds lays it on pretty thick,

"Hey, little copy cat
I think you ought to know that
Copy cats just don't last long
And they'll soon have to go"

"Well, I said, yeah
Yeah, yeah, little copy cat
Why do you copy me
Why can't you find
A style of your own
And, baby, just let me be"

"I said, yeah, yeah, yeah
Little copy cat
Just who do you think you are
You copy everything I do
Right down to my Jaguar"

He then goes on to call out a couple of the big stars of the day during the chorus,

"I'm talkin' 'bout Chubby
I'm talkin' 'bout Bobby
Now what'd I say"

Chubby would, of course, be Chubby Checker, who based his career on aping the great Hank Ballard, beginning with his mega hit version of Ballard's "The Twist" in 1960. There were a lot of guy's named Bobby around at the time but, based on the balance of the lyric, Bonds must mean Bobby Darin, who charted with a version of Ray Charles' all-time classic, "What'd I Say" in early 1962. Towards the end, Bonds name checks Leon, Freddie and Curtis. I'm not exactly sure to whom he was referring in those cases. Any theories?

Gary (U.S.) Bonds was always as much a rock and roller as he was an r&b artist. He obviously influenced Bruce Springsteen, who helped bring him back into the fold in the 1980's. Another set of pupils were the New York Dolls, who had a go at his "Seven Day Weekend". They also seemed to lift the chorus of "Copy Cat" for their "Who Are The Mystery Girls". At least it sounds that way to me. Anyhow, "Copy Cat" is a great, great song and, while not his most common 45 for Legrand, shouldn't set you back much dough when you do locate a copy.