Left in the Dark

I've blathered on & on over the decades about how much The Vertebrats' Left in the Dark means to me (start here, you're welcome very much), so I was thrilled to stumble on this (2003?!?!?😡) article about the mysterious & persistent genius of the song:

“Left in the Dark” wasn’t a radio hit or a gold record.

Its composer, Ken Draznik, hadn’t earned a penny in royalties from the 1979 song.

And yet, the song seems to have a life of its own, surprising Draznik as it surfaces again and again in versions by other rock musicians.

After Draznik recorded it with his Champaign rock group, the Vertebrats, “Left in the Dark” was played by two of the most influential bands of the ’80s and ’90s, the Replacements and Uncle Tupelo.

“Left in the Dark” was also recorded by Australia’s Screaming Tribesman, as well as DJ & the Shakes and the Swales.

And now, none other than the flamboyant queen of grunge rock, Courtney Love, has recorded “Left in the Dark.” Love, the former lead singer of Hole, plans to release her version soon, said her producer, Jim Barber.

Sadly, I remember the excitement at the time about Courtney Love recording the song, meaning a windfall of cash finally for my email buddy Ken Draznik, but at the last moment Love pulled it from the album. Which probably, in the end, seems more right anyway. Somehow. I guess.

Great to see one of my all-time favorite compilation albums getting some love❤️🎸!!! Also, "DJ & the Shakes" got an LOL 🤣🤣🤣🤣

WHERE IS THE 10-PART DOCUMENTARY SERIES THIS SONG DESERVES?!?!?!!?!? 😡