Try To Understand

While some might see Lulu as an exemplar of cherubic innocence, one listen to "Try To Understand," written by the boss songwriting duo of Lori Burton & Pam Sawyer (see Episode 70) will clear up that misconception (1:27). This song is from the POV of a player, a female Casanova who's trying to keep her main man and her side piece (but which is which?) ... a big production, a "Bacharach stack" of grand pianos and Lulu's booming vocals make this a beautifully bombastic track!  Little Hank comes along next and makes the song smooth and soulful, with great backing vocals, trumpet, and vibraphone (50:12). Playful and sultry, but still not to be trusted. In the psychedelic year of '67, Sweden's The Nashmen drenched the song in flangey phasing and it's very atmospheric and cool (1:13:25) The fourth and final flirtation comes from Canada's confusingly monikered British Modbeats, who make the song even softer and strummier (1:35:23). From loud to lullaby ... we love 'em all!!