Hand me down 2sdaY: “The Dark End of the Street”// Aloe Blacc//Flying Burrito Brothers//Percy Sledge//MMJ

If you’re familiar at all with the music that I write about, you should know that I will take every opportunity possible to bring up Gram Parsons, soul music and/or My Morning Jacket. After a long dry spell, luck finally wiped some dirt on my welcome mat and brought me a great reason to mention all three. Folks, meet the undeniably soulful track,”The Dark End of the Street.”

“The Dark End of the Street” was written by songwriter/producer Dan Penn and Chips Loman, a session player at Phil Spector’s Gold Star Studio. It landed in the hands of original performer, James Carr, as a trade for a hotel room.

I think it stands amongst “Stand By Me,” “When A Man Loves a Woman,” and “Sussudio” as a song with eternal ‘single’ appeal. Fabulously written, chillingly soulful, and incredibly honest. I can’t think of another song about adultery that has been so applauded or covered as many times as “The Dark End of the Street” has been.

Since it has been covered so many times, there are a ton of great versions out there. Out of all of them, the first three are my favorites. The final one, covered by Aloe Blacc, is the best of the recent versions that I’ve heard and can be found on a Carhartt comp titled, The Dark End of the Street! Enjoy! Happy tuesdaY!

Percy Sledge- The Dark End of the Street

The Flying Burrito Brothers- The Dark End of the Street

My Morning Jacket- The Dark End of the Street

Aloe Blacc & The Grand Scheme- The Dark End of the Street