Reconnecting with The Sixties with a Little Bit O’ Soul

I love the 1960’s. The golden era if you will. Daily, I hear songs that I have not heard in 15 years and fall in love with them again.  I will have to thank Sirius 60’s on 6 and Turntable.fm for their 60’s activation strategies.  It is almost like these networks expedite a destiny that was just meant to happen.

Enter recent reconnection with a Mansfield, Ohio Garage Rock quintet, The Music Explosion: “A Little Bit O’ Soul.”

This killajam was written by legendary songwriters John Carter and Ken Lewis in 1967. Carter’s contributions include: Herman’s Hermits “Can’t You Hear My Heartbeat“(1965) and Peter & Gordon “Sunday for a Tea” (1967). Ken Lewis displayed his creative penmanship on cuts like Brenda Lee “Is It True?” (1964) and provided backing vocals for The Who’s first single “I Can’t Explain” (1964).  Carter’s “Can’t You Hear My Heartbeat” matches “Little Bit O’ Soul” as his highest position at #2 on The Billboard Top 100. To near the top you need a message. Oh boy, do we have one.

This song sticks out to me because of the vibe it offers:

Now when your girl is gone and you’re broke in two


You need a little bit o’ soul to see you through


And when you raise the roof with your rock’n’roll


You’ll get a lot more kicks with a little bit o’ soul

Basically, these cats are saying that the perfect remedy for a break up is positive energy and blasting rock n’ roll. The positive energy that this message spews is something that we all need to embed in ourselves not only during times of relationship woes, but in the day-to-day grind.

Parking Ticket? Little Bit O’ Soul. Bad hangover? Little Bit O’Soul. Typo on an email to the Executive staff? Little Bit O’ Soul. Shampoo in your eyes? It’ll be cured with a Little Bit O’ Soul

What a memorandum and what a song.  Carry it with you and enjoy life with a smile on your face.

The Ramones, Grunge era, and even current acts like Sonny & the Sunsets must pay gratitude for these gospel throwers.  Thanks for the message Music Explosion. THANK YOU!

The Music Explosion – Little Bit O’ Soul

 The Ramones – Sheena is a Punk Rocker

Nirvana – In Bloom

 Sonny & The Sunsets – Too Young to Burn

Written by Brett McGrath