THE POPPY FAMILY - "That's Where I Went Wrong" (1970)

[waterman9465]

The "Jazzier" version stinks...

[schmon01]

This song is so haunting. The melody and Susan's voice are very beautiful. It was popular when I was in high school, and I loved it from the first time I heard it.

[MrMkayultra]

betrayed by a man. This song by Susan speaks volumes about domestic violence.

[Glinkaism1]

A most awesome song. The utterly drop-dead fantastic percussion!!! & the sweetened orchestration, singer, lyrics and choir.

This song has been running through my head for some time. So finally I Googled "This bus is awful cold" and up popped this song!

Thanks Google and YouTube!

A GEM!!! Cheers!

[TheLegendaryTim]

Susan is a great Facebook friend . Very nice and cmplementing. Love her voice, it about breaks my heart when I hear her sing a sad song!

[charlyW34]

Miss Susan Pesklovich, later married to Terry Jacks, is simply the most underrated female vocalist ever from Canada. She should be on our money!

[MrTrashcan1]

@charlyW34 Actually her last name was Pesklevits.

[charlyW34]

@MrTrashcan1 Thanks for the correction. Apologies to Susan!

[LHCisco]

Anyone else think that they were listening to Rilo Kiley when they first heard this song? If Susan wasn't one of Jenny Lewis' influences I'd be shocked.

[stiffspiff]

@LHCisco Totally. I would go as far as to say that rilo kiley is a complete and total rip off of the poppy family. The musical structure, and ESPECIALLY jenny's whiny singing style, I am certain that she listened to the poppy family and tried to emulate the way she sung as closely as possible.

[Greasydawg]

Well Mr Trashcan, you've done it. IDK how. But you've found the original. The song was re-recorded and of course it's been remastered. Easiest way to tell is the "jazzier" guitar on the later version.

[MrTrashcan1]

@Greasydawg Nope, that's not it. The jazzier guitar recording was the Canadian version. The one I posted was the US version. Both were produced at the same time. The Canadian version sounded more "country." I guess they figured it wouldn't fly in the states.

[68Jaguar420G]

@MrTrashcan1 Okay, any chance of posting the Canadian aired version. From memory I can't tell any difference so I guess it is time to wake up one of the old turntales and play the vinyl again. Thanks for posting this version though. She is a great voice from the past, never received enough air play or recognition.

[yrthwyndandfyre]

No, she's not related to Terry Jacks. She was his wife.

[chygwelanmeneth]

Excellent enunciation by Susan. Very nice song - love the change of key. Thank you for posting.

[NoIDidunt10]

I had forgotten all about this song untill I heard it on the Sirius70s weekly countdown for 1970 today.I liked this song even better than Which Way You Going,Billy.I was 9 years old in 1970 but listened to pop/rock radio stations all the time

[dietzs]

I remember listening to this as a teenager (through the heartbreaks that phase of life brings) and no matter where I go, whether on train, bus or plane, I sing this song quietly to myself. During my last flight someone a row ahead heard me and smiled because he remembered it too. 40 years of "What's your name" :) No other (and I mean no other) song has stayed with me like this one. Thanks for the post. I am adding to my favorites.

[figbat1]

@dietzs .............greetings dude................i love this song too..............johnno told me you wanted that gossip from their '69 san fran tour...........it has been posted on "jenny morris she has to be loved nzoz1989".........just press "see all" to find my 3 hidden comments. regards

[leafyutube]

Of course they're great. They're CANADIAN!!!

[annikastarr]

Is she related to terry jacks?

[MrTrashcan1]

@annikastarr She is his ex-wife.

[chasjohn57]

Thanks for posting this, I first this on CKLW & then the local stations picked up on it. It put me on "Happy Island"

[bulchit48]

I hadn't heard this since i was kid, i heard it on classic hits radio.

[The3rdMind]

Everything is Nothing ANYMORE!

[funinsun01]

Beautiful job Mr. Trashcan1. I agree with phillyblizzard. Plus, your video has the best quality of sound, also. 

[SonOfOuranos]

Just listening I said to myself, self...they sound Canadian...and wow...they are! Canada has the best!

[Bo618]

FANTASTIC SONG thanks

[kristykrunt]

Love it ! Thanks for posting this !

[Multi1628]

LOVE THIS SONG - LOVE SUSAN JACK'S VOICE HERE - THANK YOU FOR POSTING THIS FESTIVE SONG - DAVEDJ

[phillyblizzard]

Introspectively, regardless of what she has done or may do, after all these years I could never do this to the woman in my life.

[phillyblizzard]

Mr Trashcan1, Excellent image selection for your slide show tribute to this Poppy Family song. Thanks for this.

610 WIP, would that previousely have been WEEZ? When I was 15 my favorite Christmas gift was a cassette recorder/AM/FM radio. On New years day 1971, I recorded portions of "The Hit's of 1970" on WEEZ, this one was played and was one of my personal favorite songs that year along with Roger Miller "They Call it the South" and "The Tom Green County Fair". Remember them?

[MrTrashcan1]

@phillyblizzard Thank you for your kind words. WEEZ was 1590 out of Chester. I never even heard of it until you mentioned it--had to look it up. WIP is the oldest station in Philly that still retains the same call letters and frequency as it had when it went on the air, which was in 1922. And I don't remember those songs, but thanks for mentioning them--I'll check them out. Nice to hear from another Philadelphian from my generation.

[wolfeshadow1313]

Great song, great video. Susan has a voice that catches at your heart. Thanks for posting.

[Helivz]

@wolfeshadow1313 I couldn't agree with you more. This is real talent; she's got class, charisma, charm and a sense of wholesomeness, unlike the garbage thats out there today. Even many youth of today will testify that music of yesterdecades is of much better quality.

[LumberjackFingers]

For those of you that have thought you have heard two versions of this song, take heart, you are not crazy. There is the version that was originally released in Canada, and later they were in Nashville and dubbed an additional guitar part into the song and that is the version that was released in the states. I read it on the liner notes Good Times Lost CD.

[Tonithenightowl]

This song came up in my trivia game and I couldn't remember it till I heard it. Then it all came back to me. Great song . Wonderful lead vocalist.

[wolfeshadow1313]

Susan has such a great voice, as well as being a very good looking lady. Glad you posted this, it brings back memories of high school.

Thanks

[MrBuckwilliam]

i love it :)

[mikeyfzz]

I remember this song love it I was like eight years old then,great voice.

[ben58862]

Unforgetable unique voice

[johnny10301968]

At 0:22 is that one of the Olsen sisters?

[9284vr]

My second favourite Poppy Family song behind "Billy"-masterpiece-should have been a much bigger hit.

[zbaby82]

Susan had a great voice!

[shoprat17]

I've got this same version on a London single somewhere.

[Boelcke1916]

This is a wonderful song. One of my favorites.

[wigl]

Thanks Mr. Trashcan for posting this video. I am from Austria, and I heard this song may times in my dancing school. It is a fabulous Quickstep and I remember wonderful hours with my former girl friend dancing to this wonderful music. I also enjoy the text!

[wigl]

Thanks Mr. Trashcan for posting this video. I am from Austria, and I heard this song may times in my dancing school. It is a fabulous Quickstep and I remember wonderful hours with my former girl friend dancing to this wonderful music. I also enjoy the text!

[GuinnevereB]

Well, no, this great song doesn't sound like she's running from abuse...just an unfaithful husband/boyfriend who broke her heart. She's praying for sleep so she can forget the heartache for awhile, and telling a stranger on the bus about it. (I seem to be an irresistible "ear" for the lovelorn or the troubled stranger on buses and planes, so I can relate to this song.) I've heard another singer covering the song, and they're both great, but Susan Jacks has a certain "something" in her voice. =)

[yosoytacoseasoning]

lol at theses facepalms

[unklewink]

It is a pretty good song. Why do some people think it's about abuse? I don't hear anything in the lyrics that specifically points to, or even hints of that theme. The guy just isn't that into her as the saying goes. If anybody thinks he's beating on her, that's just something they are reading into the song.

U.W.

[skipstreet]

@unklewink I don't know what it is about but in the song she talks about trusting him and she knows it's not his fault. That's where she went wrong.

[Marlandsusan1]

I would love to find a karaokee version, w/just the music

[bozomahoney]

pure vocals

[jimnewton59]

sounds like an early version of the smiths...excellent

[Marlandsusan1]

Best song to me of susan Jack's music, thanks loven it!!!!

[namur1962]

Who wouldnt want Susan Jacks (guy in the song) ??

[NEWTVIC]

i remember listenting to this song on that Grayhound going to Jump School, it was raining and I never forgot the song and it was over 25 years before I heard it again. When I did I was 17 all over again- Thanks for posting

[a93gmc]

What a beautiful crystal clear voice and a great song, brings back a lot of memories of the 70's .Have also heard 2 different versions over the years. I still hear it played on Toronto radio stations sometimes. I saw the Poppy Family at the Canadian National Exhibition in about 1972. I was only 14 and I loved Susan Jacks.

You did a great job on the video Mr Trashcan. Thanks for posting this song.

[MrTrashcan1]

@a93gmc Thank you very much. I agree that it's a great song. Performed and produced well, and the music itself has wonderful chord sequences.

[GANNAMEDE]

@a93gmc .......... Such a small world, I also saw this group at the CNE, I thought it was 70 or 71 but it could well have been 72. I've been a million miles since then but will never forget those fabulous days!

[GANNAMEDE]

@GANNAMEDE ......... By the way, Susan has a website and is very easy to talk to. I've had several exchanges with her. Lovely person!

[stevekf4]

smooth

[Manwithjeep]

What the hell happened to the tempo around 0:40?

[bozomahoney]

@Manwithjeep ► I don't hear anything different at 40 seconds...

[wilkes85]

Whoa I never heard this version before! It's really nice.

[MrTrashcan1]

@wilkes85

What other version have you heard?

[brian6078]

@MrTrashcan1 Hi MrTrashcan1,wilkes85 is probably talking about the U.S.A. record release and the Canada release.This one is the U.S and has them little guitar riffs and the Canadian record doesn't.

[les284]

Wow, I remember this..........haven't heard it in 40 years.

[psnow1959]

Great song!!! Brought back memories of my youth. Thanks Susan and Terry!!!

[NEWTVIC]

man i looked for this song for man 30 years? i remember meeting a girl on a trailways bus going to Ft. Bragg with fresh jump wings and a transistor radio

[jar82356]

This song was popular in Cincinnati, OH back in the early 70's on WSAI. Until I found it on You Tube, I thought that Linda Ronstadt was the original singer, and I kept looking for it by her. Thanks for putting it on here!

[electronmusicjunkie]

Wouldn't also be surprised if FAMOUS 56 WFIL spun it aswell. Thought this video was neat too but sad. Before seeing it I too had the same photos in my mind for portions of some of the lyrics.

[MrTrashcan1]

Wibbage maybe, 56 doubtful. I have a friend who has got to be the ultimate authority on WFIL. He has enough memorabilia for a museum and has listened. He doesn't know the song, so I doubt it was played. And I know WABC in NY didn't play it, because I was at camp in the Poconos that summer when it was released (8/8/70), the station was on 24/7, and it was not played.

[electronmusicjunkie]

For awhile, I couldn't find a nice mint copy of the song to replace my sister's scractched unplayable copy . Doubt it if London Recs. ever reissued it. Did eventually find mint original copies at the old Hatboro Music Shop in Hatboro,Pa. in the 90s and found a mint reissue on the Canadian "Underground" label at the Berlin Farmers Market in NJ.

[electronmusicjunkie]

I always liked this song too but reading one of the other responses about 610 WIP and WPEN 950 playing it here in Philly, maybe at the time of its release. I never heard this song on the Philly airwaves but wouldn't be surprised if WIBBAGE 990AM played it since my late Sister had this song in her box of 45s which is how I got turned onto it and she listened to tthat station when I was little.

[MrTrashcan1]

Yes, it was only played at the time of its release for maybe a month or so. Then, gone into the trashcan of oblivion forever. If you weren't tuned in to MOR radio at that time, you would never know the song.

[electronmusicjunkie]

Probably most likely WIP and WIBG. When this song was released, it was before my time since I can only remember as far back as 1973 but some things before that. My late Sister who has the 45 listened to WIBG and my parents always had WIP on in the car. I was born in late Oct. of 1966.

[MrTrashcan1]

My reference to WPEN may may have perplexed you. You may not have been aware that beginning in 1970 and up to about '74, WPEN switched to MOR format to compete directly with WIP. They called themselves the New 95. Stole DJ's Tom Brown and Chuck Daugherty from WIP, and with them a fair amount of their audience. My mother loved Tom Brown and hated Dick Clayton who replaced him on WIP. OTOH, I thought Clayton was a riot.

[electronmusicjunkie]

I don't recall the original comment in regards to WPEN AM. I first discovered AM950 when they went oldies in the mid 70s. Before that I only recall listening to WFIL, WIBG, WIP, and WCAU AM. On the FM side it was the oldies on WCAU 98.1FM.

[gabrielle931]

very ,very good 10stars!!!

[nanlisa]

Hard to believe that this song came out 40 years ago. Seems like only yesterday that I was listening to this song on the radio.

Let's jump up 40 years later. The girl in the song is probably on her way to either the Jerry Springer, Maury, or Steve Wilkos shows. It's the same typical story, She loves the guy and hoping that he'll change; and she confronts the guy on right there on national television.

[electronmusicjunkie]

Most likely cursing and ready to beat the fool up.

[nanlisa]

I was 12 (going on 13) when this song first came. Haven't heard it in such a long time.

[cherylinreno]

Though I was young in this era, I don't recall this song, but I rather like it. And the photo's are so exact and poignant! Well done!

[peskylisa]

lovely song, but rather sad!

[toddwindyhill]

About a lady trying to the escape physical abuse of her boyfriend/partner/spouse......­..closely note the self-blame......typical, and SO, SO tragic and sad..............take note guys!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[JORGEPSOUSA911]

I love the vocal arrangements in this song. This song is a breath of fresh air, both lyrically & musically!

[mikeletz]

Still a beautiful song after all these years!

[lucinagorizia]

I've been looking for this song for a lifetime!! I'm 54...I knew some of the words but just could never find the title or who sang it. Now i finally know. I love it !! Listen to "which way you goin' billy" by the poppy family too. Same story with this song. I'm so glad i finally found them both. they're both great songs !!

[LumberjackFingers]

Don't feel sad, I took me that long to remember who recorded it, The Poppy Family CD is available.

[bruisingbruins]

@lucinagorizia hey check out judy collins someday soon 1969. if you love this song, you'll proabaly love this one as well.

[BlindSided182]

@lucinagorizia I know what you mean, when I was a kid, my mother always played the the poppy family's music, and I loved their music, it does bring back memories doesn't it?

[funinsun01]

@lucinagorizia I finally found it about 3 years ago. That store has gone out of business. Paid $30 for a cassette-not made on cd-because it had to be special ordered. I'm in a small town, so, if you have a music store where you live, ask if they can special order it. Though they don't flaunt it, most music stores will special order if you pay for it in advance.

[foreilly1958]

I've never heard this one before. I suspect that it could grow on a person, but probably not on me.

It is very depressing both in lyrics as well as musical style. And there is clearly a place for that.

This seems almost to be the type that a teen in angst who had grown up might have written.

Best regards,

Francis J. O'Reilly

[Steinbaugh10]

I was 14 at the time this came out and I thought it was a great song!

[gilliangirl1]

Thank you so much for uploading this. I haven't heard it in years. I used to (and still do) love this song. Now, if I can only find the guitar chords.....

[MrTrashcan1]

Thank you. I don't know the finger positions, but I can list the chords for you if you want. Send me a private message if you like. This song is particularly beautiful because of the fast harmonic rhythm.

[gilliangirl1]

Private message sent! :-)

[lancelot1953]

Thank you Mr. Trashcan, I studied in Montreal in the 70's. I taped it from CFQR-FM Mtl including the DJ Jimmy Tapp telling the listeners about this group. Thank you so much for bringing so many nice memories to the community.

Ciao, L

[Loviekinz]

I like this song, it's sad tho =(

[JayKol914]

Just bought it a couple of weeks ago, Trashcan. Absolutely love it!

[JayKol914]

There are two versions of this song, although it's not that easy to tell them apart. I believe one has more of a country flavor than the other (i.e., guitar work is slightly different). This version here sounds like the one that was played on U.S. radio.

[MrTrashcan1]

Yes, this was the US version. The Canadian version is included on the CD, "A Good Thing Lost."

[electronmusicjunkie]

When I got a reissue copy on the YNderground Label out of Canada, I could of sworn it sounded different than the original US London pressing. The other night I heard this tune being played on AM740 out of Toronto. Going to have to play both 45s again to find out .

[barblee47]

What are you talking about The Canadian version?

[LumberjackFingers]

The Canadian lacks the nice guitar rifts in it. Those were added later in Nashville.

[brian6078]

@LumberjackFingers -really ;thats is a long way to go for a few guitar rifts?,but than anything is possible.

[JayKol914]

I always loved this song, but never knew who sang it. Now that I know, I love it even more!

[countrygirlcct]

i like which way you goin billy alot better cuz its about my dad. i mean i like this song to but...

[vinylsingleman]

Thanks for posting this. Weren't both Susan and Terry Jacks great at singing with that tinge of desperation in the voice? And the accompanying pictures fit perfectly. Thanks.

[Lizzpear]

@vinylsingleman Terry Jacks's singing could be questioned......

[havarotti]

thanx 4 posting...I love this song!!

[1940limited]

I remember this song well and always liked it better than Which Way You Goin' Billy? even though that was the bigger hit. I bought both 45s at the time and still have them! Thanks!

[stormruston]

Still makes me sad, still hurts on a undefinable level. Still makes me feel good.

[spvc1968]

The Canadian version of this song is much better. The music is much smoother and cleaner.

[gary56victor57]

What are you talkin about? What Canadian version, The Poppy Family are Canadian, aay. This is original 45rpm version, & f**kin awesome at that.

[thepuffinboy]

there are two versions on their lone cd release

[nanajanamike]

Another great one I missed during your absence.The debate will go on,but I like this one better than "Which Way",still a great song!

[sipes13]

Thanks for this.

[gary56victor57]

This beautiful pop gem was the followup to their #2 pop smash, "Which Way You Goin' Billy" in 1970, but this tune only got to #29, (which was sad, because I really think this was a really great tune). I love Susan Jacks, her vocals are warm & heartfelt, thanks Poppy Family for such great songs. Cheers from Gary in PA USA

[1940limited]

I totally agree with you. This was the better of the two songs and I don't know why it didn't get more air time and wasn't a bigger hit. I still remember the first time i heard it on the radio. I went right out and bought the 45. My tastes often tend to be a little out of the mainstream so maybe that's why I like this song better!

[bill195711]

I remember when this song came out. I had this huge crush on this girl that never panned out. This song says it ALL!

[WHOOSIERNANA]

This was the flip side to Which Way You Going Billy, I still love it now as much as I did as a child.  Thanks for the pictures and graphics you put with it, they're awesome.

[MrTrashcan1]

Thank you very much. No, this was not the flip side of Billy--not on the original 45. You may have had an "oldies" re-release. The original flip side to this was "Shadows On My Wall."

[1940limited]

You're 100% correct! "That's Where I Went Wrong" was it's own single but didn't get nearly as far up the charts as" Which Way You goin' Billy?" Honestly, I like "That's Where I Went Wrong" much better!

[electronmusicjunkie]

The flip of Billy was "Endless Sleep" which didn't have Susan Jacks singing on it but some male singer. Maybe Terry Jacks? Not sure.