I Can Take You To The Sun

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“I Can Take You To The Sun”
Single by The Misunderstood
B-side Who Do You Love
Released December 1966
Format 7"
Recorded Philips Studio, London 1966
Genre Psychedelic music
Label Fontana Records (UK)
Writer(s) Rick Brown and Tony Hill
Producer Dick Leahy
The Misunderstood singles chronology
"You Don't Have to Go"
(1966)		 "I Can Take You To The Sun"
(1966)		 "Children of the Sun"
(1968)


"I Can Take You To The Sun" is a psychedelic rock song that was composed and recorded by The Misunderstood at Philips Studio in London in 1966. The song is considered a psychedelic music classic[1].

The single was released to critical acclaim but the band was forced to break up shortly thereafter when the singer and song writer was drafted into the Vietnam War[2][3].

Lyricist for the song, singer Rick Brown, has said he wrote this tune as a love song addressed to his (then) girlfriend, Tanny, urging her to join the psychedelic quest[4]. The recording was produced by Dick Leahy of Fontana Records.

The critical response to the single was immediate and long-lasting. In a recent release of early BBC Top Gear shows, host John Peel introduces the song with the comment, "This is to my mind the best popular record that's ever been recorded"[5]. Peel would later rank the song as his #3 song for 1966 in his "Peelenium" (Greatest Songs of the 20th Century) list[6]. Record Collector Magazine, in a July 1999 article wrote, "The Misunderstood were a band of immense talent (. . .) Without apologies, the Misunderstood single stands (. . . ) as one of the most powerful and best psychedelic singles ever released."

The Misunderstood in London in 1966
The Misunderstood in London in 1966

[edit] Musical Recognition

  • In his "Peelenium" (Greatest Songs of the 20th Century) John Peel lists Brown's song for 1966, as follows, PEELENIUM 1966: 1. Leonard Cohen - The Sisters of Mercy, 2. The Beatles - And Your Bird Can Sing, 3. The Misunderstood - I Can Take You To The Sun, 4. Jimi Hendrix - Red House, 5. Otis Redding - Try a Little Tenderness[7].
  • "I Can Take You To The Sun / Who Do You Love" was included in "100 Greatest Psychedelic Records", a 2004 book published by UK's Record Collector Magazine[8].
  • In September 2004, Rolling Stone Magazine called the Misunderstood, "the American Yardbirds".
  • In a recent release of early John Peel "Top Gear" shows on BBC he is recorded as saying on air, "This ("I Can Take You To the Sun" by The Misunderstood) is to my mind the best popular record that's ever been recorded"[9][10][11].
  • Hartbeat! magazine #20: "Top 100 Singles" - lists The Misunderstood.
  • British music critic Nigel Cross lists the Misunderstood twice, at third and fourth places (ahead of their mentors, The Yardbirds). [12].
  • Mojo's "100 Greatest Psychedelic Classics" lists The Misunderstood in 1966[13].
  • Ptolemaic Terrascope's Top 100 Albums lists The Misunderstood[14].

[edit] References

  1. ^ Unterberger, Richie (May 1998). Unknown Legends of Rock n Roll. Backbeat Books. ISBN 978-0879305345. 
  2. ^ "Unknown Legends of Rock'n'Roll" Weblink. Retrieved on 2007-06-28.
  3. ^ (2003) Ugly Things (Music) Magazine by Mike Stax No. 21. 
  4. ^ (2003) Ugly Things (Music) Magazine - No. 21. 
  5. ^ "John Peel Quote" (Nov. 8, 1968). Top Gear (BBC Radio). 
  6. ^ Peelenium List. Retrieved on May 13, 2008.
  7. ^ Peelenium List. Retrieved on May 13, 2008.
  8. ^ Record Collector Magazine’s 100 Greatest Psychedelic Records: Web link. Retrieved on 2008-01-06.
  9. ^ Unterberger, Richie (May 1998). Unknown Legends of Rock n Roll. Backbeat Books. ISBN 978-0879305345. 
  10. ^ Record Collector Magazine, et al. (2004). "100 Greatest Psychedelic Records". Record Collector Magazine. 
  11. ^ "John Peel Quote" (Nov. 8, 1968). Top Gear (BBC Radio). 
  12. ^ Hartbeat! magazine Top 100s Weblink. Retrieved on 2007-02-18.
  13. ^ Mojo Weblink. Retrieved on 2007-02-18.
  14. ^ Terrascope Top 100 Albums Weblink. Retrieved on 2007-03-14.

[edit] External links