The Song That Will Never Go Away (Thankfully)

I blathered a few months ago HERE how much the Vertebrat's indie classic Left in the Dark means to me:

But that even seems right; it appears that once every coupla years the Vertebrats "reunite" to give the fans what they want. But as awesome as that is (mostly, letting people who came of age in the very early 80's a chance to relvie some memories), the fact is that long after Ken's gone, and the Vertebrats are gone, and 100 years from now, that fucking song will roll on. It is what's best about rock 'n roll: it's insistence that it's about you, by you, and for you. Martians will land here and walk into a bar, and someone will be doing a cover of Left in the Dark. Bank on it.

And HERE'S an interview with Ken Draznik, who wrote the song, talking about the incredible life of it's own the song has taken, marching on throughout the years and covered by band after band (mentioned: DT and the Shakes!)  Incredible. It's great to hear so many versions in the audio interview.

Thousands of records come out every year, and most disappear without a trace. The fact that so many people keep recording "Left in the Dark" shows that there is something special about the song. But it still faces long odds in the crowded marketplace of all that music. Draznik, who works for the Riddell sporting-goods company, says he isn't getting rich from royalties. But he is excited about reuniting this weekend with fellow Vertebrats Matt Brandabur, Roy Axford and Jim Wald.

 Here's the DT version, from their debut lp HITS:



And the Replacements' version from The Shit Hits the Fans, which probably did more to make the song famous than anything else, other than it making my TOP FITTY LIST!.



And of course the amazing original: