Popcorn Double Feature

sjd37 · Post by **sjd37** » Sat Jul 14, 2001 1:51 pm

In his "Take It Or Leave It" article, Roy Clough said that "Popcorn Double Feature" had a "great sound," but he couldn't figure out what it was about. Interesting point!

I think it's open to interpretation, and mine is that the song was written as a stream-of-consciousness type of social commentary. I can actually see images of airplanes, coffee cafes, and a little man holding a flag each time I listen to that song. I think it was a personal statement by the composers (Scott English and Larry Weiss), who were probably bewildered by the shapes of things around them--and some of the same issues can be raised today (e.g. "black man is your teacher, no need to be alarmed").

What are your interpretations of the rather abstract lyrics to this song? Also, any other discussions about this record would be appreciated.

royclough · Post by **royclough** » Sun Jul 15, 2001 12:07 am

Well Summed up S.J. It is interesting that you state the lyrics say "Black Man etc, for years I thought mike sang "Blind man" but you I believe, after playing the song just now are correct. However the song today in England would be banned, especially as after this verse is repeated "Not Much" is sung, today's political correctness in England would interperet this as a racial view. Scott Engish went on in 71 to have ahit with a song called Brandy later to launch Barry Manilow's career although he changed it to Mandy

sjd37 · Post by **sjd37** » Sun Jul 15, 2001 10:32 am

I never thought about it, but now that you mention it, Roy, that "not much" would also set the US ablaze with cries of racism. Personally I always thought it was meant to be a sarcastic, anti-racist remark, but it could be taken the other way as well.

This song was certainly an odd choice for The Searchers, and I for one wonder whose idea it was to have them record it. But I do agree with you, Roy: great sound!

admin · Post by **admin** » Sun Jul 15, 2001 12:14 pm

For many years, I have noted what seems to be a similarity in musical style between the Searchers' Popcorn Double Feature and a couple Beatles' recordings in 1967.

While perhaps somewhat of a long shot, I have often wondered whether the Searchers influenced the Beatles to some degree. While the similarities are difficult to describe, it may be the psychedelic quality that emerges from both the Searchers' Popcorn Double Feature and the Beatles Sergeant Pepper recording "A Day In The Life."

Tony Hatch must take credit for the musical direction of the Searchers, to some extent, in 1967 as the group was still with Pye. The Searchers released Popcorn Double Feature in January 1967 while the Beatles were recording A Day in the Life on January 19, 1967 and the Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band album was released on June 1, 1967. So chronologically at least, it would seem that it is possible that the Searchers' release could have been heard by the Beatles. The argument against this, however, is that Popcorn Double Feature, the Searchers 14th single to be released, did not chart. I would love to hear your comments with regard to these ramblings.

admin · Post by **admin** » Sun Jul 15, 2001 12:46 pm

There is also a resemblance between "Popcorn Double Feature" and the Bealtes' "I Am The Walrus" recorded between November 24, 1966 and November 7, 1967 and released November 27, 1967. Again, could "Popcorn Double Feature" have influenced "I Am The Walrus?"

royclough · Post by **royclough** » Mon Jul 16, 2001 10:18 am

I am afraid Peter I can't subscribe to your views on this one, the single as I recall here in England received so little airplay, in fact I don't ever recall hearing the song on Radio.
In Britain Radio 1(The Beeb's answer to the pirate stations that the government forced off air) did not start till Sept 67, so act's relied on Radio Luxembourg or the pop tv shows of the time, by the time Popcorn was released the downward spiral had begun. I personaly doubt that The BEATLES everheard this release

admin · Post by **admin** » Mon Jul 16, 2001 1:00 pm

I confess it a long shot Roy with regard to the likelihood that the Beatles heard it. Nonetheless, it does have a similar sound to me, in parts, which in the balance may be purely coincidental.

einar · Post by **einar** » Tue Aug 21, 2001 6:31 am

Personally I don't care much for "Popcorn". Honestly, I doubt it influenced John Lennon! But
the song WAS mentioned in a not too previous issue of MOJO (had the WHO on the cover). This was a "psychedelia" theme issue. The song was listed as a good example of time-typical early psychedelia music. Maybe not a very tight reference, this. But I remember finding it quite honorable (for Searchers) that it was picked.

Einar

royclough · Post by **royclough** » Tue Aug 21, 2001 7:10 am

Welcome to the forum Einar, always good to see new names, the more the merry, for along time in the mid to late seventies(What I like to refer to as The Missing Years for the Searchers) I began to despair of finding another avid like myself and through Peter's great site, I have discovered a whole new way of , according to my wife, wasting my time.

Strange I agree to see The Searchers linked with Psychedelia but in a article I wrote I did mention that a song they wrote called Crazy Dreams, the "B" Side of Secondhand Dealer last Pye Single, was more in keeping with that era and probably should have been a "A" Side

einar · Post by **einar** » Tue Aug 21, 2001 11:02 pm

Roy! Both Secondhand Dealer and Crazy Dreams were in my opinion well crafted, self-penned songs. The latter far to be preferred to "Popcorn", psychedelia concerned. This relates to the tunesmithing and instrumental/vocal performance. It's not easy to take the lyrics very seriously. Seem "forced" to me. Hard to believe that these "crazy dreams" thoughts really messed around in any of the Searchers' heads (who wrote it, again?)!

Einar (levelheaded)

jjr · Post by **jjr** » Wed Aug 22, 2001 5:54 pm

Einar,

"Crazy Dreams" was, I believe, written by John

royclough · Post by **royclough** » Thu Aug 23, 2001 8:44 am

Forgive my plug, but in my article Searchers Sing Searchers I mention that McNally/Pender are credited with the song "Crazy Dreams" on the actual single, later compilations over the years credit Pender/McNally or just McNally.

According to Frank Allen on a site by M Deneger John McNally wrote the song but John is quoted as writing a number of songs credited to McNally/ Pender/Allan or McNally/Pender or McNally only during the Pye years.

admin · Post by **admin** » Thu Aug 23, 2001 9:31 am

Roy: There are, I suppose, numerous examples of songs written by one person and credited to others. The Lennon-McCartney song-writing team is but one illustration of this. I have never really understood the utility of this (outside of perhaps a partnership with financial gains) and wonder if it was to promote other group members' song writing ability that they may not have had. By the way nice article!