Vocal impressions: Dave Clark Five - Because - sung by the man of 1000 voices

[ThePie1588]

Excellent! Loved your rendition

[themanof1000voices]

@ThePie1588 Thanks so much for listening!

[bigmarty56]

What always intrigued me about this lovely tune is the heavy drumming (in the original) behind what is essentially a grinder. I wondered why The Beatles never tried that. One day, it dawned on me---they did. Compare this tune and original arrangement with the arrangement in the Fab Four's "In My Life". Same concept, except the DC5 did it first.

[rounds1954]

Stew, what is your email?

Dwight Rounds

[avalanchebad]

Awesome choice of a cover! I'm trying to build up a vinyl collection, and the first LP I ever received was "Glad All Over." My dad got it for a birthday present, but he doesn't have a record player, so he gave it to me. I've grown to appreciate the Dave Clark Five since then. I wish more of their music was available digitally. They're missing out on some younger fans.

[themanof1000voices]

@avalanchebad Hopefully, the entire DC5 catalog will be available digitally someday. They definitely had a great sound, reminiscent of the early Beatles, that many of the younger generation will probably never have the pleasure of hearing. Glad that you are one of the rare exceptions. Thanks for listening!

[rounds1954]

Excellent. What a rare talent to imitate singers, plus Stew plays instruments also.

[themanof1000voices]

@rounds1954 Thanks so much for the nice compliment, rounds. And while it's true that I do try to play along whenever possible, more often than not, I purposely keep my instrumental contributions low in the mix and would be lost without the midi or backing tracks I use to pull it all off. Nevertheless, thank you for listening and subscribing!

[drmrboy2002]

Ok, you're not Mike. So what. No one's Mike. You're as spot on as anyone could be. Excellent job and great song!

[themanof1000voices]

@drmrboy2002 I always loved the song too and thought it a decent tribute to Mike (even if it's not one of my best vocal impressions). I appreciate the 'thumbs up', drmr!

[loestar59]

your inpressions dont sound like the they sound like some trying to do them u dont have the tone down

[themanof1000voices]

@loestar59 Coming from someone who clearly struggled to get through the third grade, I'm truly devasted you don't like my "inpressions" <--your spelling, not mine. Strange that the guy who actually wrote this beautiful song has stopped by twice to say how much he enjoyed it. Go figure...

[margi52able]

@loestar59 Do you have ears?

[blueter56]

Watched this again today. Really you did such a nice job. It's a wonderful tribute. Oh, and looking like Colin Blunstone is a good thing, singing like him is probably something you could tackle too.

[themanof1000voices]

@blueter56 Very kind of you, blue. I'll see if I can't get to attempting a Zombies cover sometime soon. As always, thanks for the comments!

[mactopolis]

Excellent vocals...I just love your rendition...it kinda brings me back to the first time as a lad hearing this beautiful song..this old guy gets a bit misty...Thanks

[themanof1000voices]

@mactopolis Thanks, Mac! This was also a favorite of mine as a lad, although I have to admit I used to think it was a Beatles song when I first heard it. I'm glad it stirred some fond memories for you when listening. I also tried to write a quick note of thanks to you for subscribing but it wouldn't let me access your channel.  (So thank you for that as well) Best, Stew

[srosenbach]

Spot on, Mike! Beautiful rendition of a beautiful song. All the best, SteveR

[themanof1000voices]

@srosenbach Thank you, Steve. Truly one of the great songs from the 60s.

[captdeau]

Nicely done Stew, keep 'em coming

[themanof1000voices]

Will do capt. I was working on a lot of new material today and should have something posted soon. Thanks for listening!

[ronvonryan]

As the writer of this song (my name is Ron Ryan and I was the ghost writer for the DC5), I think you did a great job covering this song. How about having a go at a couple more of the songs I wrote such as 'Bit's and Pieces, or 'Anyway you want it'? Or for a laugh one of the early songs I wrote like 'Do Dah', you could have some fun with that, all the best mate.

[themanof1000voices]

Thanks so much for the endorsement, Ron! It would give me great pleasure to cover another DC5 song, especially since the request comes from you. I'll work on something real soon and give you a heads up once I post it. Again, many thanks for watching and commenting on my rendition.  I'm very flattered. Cheers, Stew

[ronvonryan]

Cheers Stew, please go and have a look at my website, I can't put it on here as you tube does not allow you to put website address's on the comments, so please look up Ron Ryan on the web and that will take you to my website and you can read up about some of the Bands I have been in, and hear some of my new songs. Once again well done, you have a talent, and I wish you well, cheers, Ron.

[phillipr61]

great song!..well sung

[themanof1000voices]

It is a great song indeed with beautiful lyrics and a timeless melody that makes it hard not to sound good when singing it. I appreciate the comment and encourage you to check out my other uploads here. Thanks!

[stubbyguy]

Stew, do you know all the words to the songs by heart or do you have them listed in front of you?

I am just curious and you are very good.

[themanof1000voices]

There are a few times when I have them printed out (especially if it's a newer song or a request.) More often than not, I know the lyrics, especially to classic songs like this one. Since I try to cover as many artists as possible, I sometimes mess up the words. At least that way, no one can accuse me of lip synching. ;) Thanks for the question.

[How4gospel]

hey great job thanks for puttung it on love the song you do a good job on it

[themanof1000voices]

Glad you liked it. Thanks so much for listening!

[markathickory]

Wow!!! I really loved your cover. I was nuts about this song when I was a kid. Still love it. Thanks alot..you made me love it more!

[themanof1000voices]

My pleasure, Mark. This song, like most classics, never gets stale for me, whether hearing it or singing it.  Thanks for your nice comments!

[latour90]

One of the best rock singers of all time. Ya did good.

[themanof1000voices]

Thanks. Got plenty of other great rock voices covered on my other posts. Feel free to browse and comment if the spirit moves you.

[BigChiefLtd]

Wonderful tribute to a very deserving singer who, several years after his pasing is still sorely missed.

This too, was my favorite track by the DC5. They also did two different songs called "Everybody Knows." Odd that a group would record two different songs by the same name, but they did and both of them were great songs.

Again, nice tribute. Well done!

[themanof1000voices]

Thank you , Chief!

[STUDIOCHINCHAN]

That was/is a fantastic song, one of my favorites. Very nice tribute, thanks.

Cheers from Belgium

Eric - Studio ChinChan

[themanof1000voices]

Thanks, Eric. It's always been one of my favorites too although I used to think it was a Beatles song when I first heard it as a child. Great to hear from a fellow musician from Belgium. I'd love to get over there (and the surrounding areas) someday since that's where my ancestry is rooted. Peace, Stew

[mamamialove]

Beautiful job..

[themanof1000voices]

Thank you, mama. I checked out your rendition and thought the same thing.  Hard to go wrong with this wonderful song. I never tire of hearing it or singing it either. Peace...

[brucemooney]

Great sounding tribute of a timeless song from the 60's. Keep up the good work. I would like to know what you use for your background music?

[npenciso]

liked it,its good! sounds quite the same..

[themanof1000voices]

Thanks! That's the goal. Coming from someone who seems to really like the DC5, I'm especially pleased you like it.

Stew

[ian0194]

thankyou so much you wonderful man............brought a lump to my throat and a tear to my eye......not just mike but all our sixties heroes who are no longer with us.............theres been quite a lot lately whove contributed to our fantastic musical heritage.peace and happiness my friend..ian.

[themanof1000voices]

You're very welcome, Ian. And thank you for the extremely nice comments! It's always sad to hear about the passing of great artists/musicians but at least we are fortunate enough to still enjoy the beautiful songs they leave behind. Glad this one hit a poignant note with you! Peace, Stew

[blueter56]

Very very nice. I was at the 2005 tribute show and found this because I thought you might be Colin Blunstone....you look a little like him.

[themanof1000voices]

Thank you. Not sure if looking like Colin is a good or a bad thing (since I don't recall what he looks like).  Very very glad (all over) that you enjoyed my cover thought. :)

[zippy830]

Very Nice Tribute. You certainly honored him well.

[themanof1000voices]

Thanks very much. Glad you enjoyed it.

[rdevicsaint]

Excellent tribute, your vocals are spot on.

[mitch629]

nice tribute...great song!

[themanof1000voices]

Thanks for saying so, Mitch. And no argument-- the song itself is a classic!

[RareMusicVideos]

Mike didn't sing with an overly obvious British accent. It's a common mistake made by Americans imitating British singers. Nice version though.

[themanof1000voices]

Thanks. Very perceptive. Often times, you'll find impersonators embellish or go one step further on a voice to give it a little extra flavor. Rich Little, for instance, used to add a bit more stammer in his speech when he'd imitate someone like Jimmy Stewart (more than Jimmy might have actualy spoken with). But I do agree with what you're saying and appreciate the comment. Stew

[RACINGBOY]

nice cover of my favorite song...great voice ....

[themanof1000voices]

Cool. It's my personal favorite of theirs too. Really glad you liked it. Thanks! Stew

[Sue145]

If I close my eyes, you do sound amazingly like Mike...would love to hear you do "Whenever You're Around" or "When" (still trying to find that one, used to have it, they keep taking it off of youtube whenever I find it!) ;) Susie

[themanof1000voices]

Those are two of my favorites from DC5 also. I've never covered either one but hopefully can find time to do so in the future. Still working on a fairly long list of bands I've not had an opportunity to get to yet (ie. Grateful Dead, Dylan, Orbison, Police, Skynyrd, Pearl Jam and a whole slew of others). My primary goal is to sound as close to the original artists as possible so I guess I did OK in this case. I appreciate your comments and your good taste in music. ;)  Stew

[annie482000]

50s - 70s is my favourite music era. "Because" is one of my favourite DC5 tracks. Mike "Boomer" Smith had a powerful voice - just listen to him belting out on "Glad All Over" and "Bits & Pieces", just to name a few.

Stew, your rendition of "Because" is pretty good!

Annie :D

[themanof1000voices]

Thanks, Annie. I am also a big fan of classic rock and have always loved this particular DC5 song. I hope you'll check out some of my other uploads here on youtube since I do cover a lot more material, much of it from the 60s and 70s. I've got more coming if I can ever find the spare time and will be including tunes from the 50s as well as more current hits. Again, thank you for your comments and for listening! Stew

[albertodf1234]

great to see people don't forget about Mike ...DC5 forever !!!!!!

[themanof1000voices]

Amen to that, Albert! Thank you for the comment. I hope you enjoyed the cover of this classic song of theirs. Stew

[liftdoctor]

Nice rendition ! R I P Mike Smith !

[themanof1000voices]

Glad you liked it, Doc. Thanks for saying so.

Stew

[Slade909]

I sent Mike an email when he was in the hospital. I just wanted to let him know how much his music meant in my life. I am tremendously saddened at his death. I wish I could have known him for no other purpose than being a friend. He will be missed.

[themanof1000voices]

Yes, he will Slade. As the great musicians of that golden age we call the British Invasion pass away (Smith, Harrison and so on), we are at least so fortunate to live in a time where technology allows us to look back and listen and still enjoy all the wonderous songs they created. I'm sure Mike was smiling as he read your email, knowing that you and so many others will forever keep his memory and his music alive in your/our hearts. Peace.  Stew

[johnlorican]

I missed the British Invasion (I was three years old in 1964), but this period of music ('64-'66) is my favorite period of popular music.  It's truly amazing the number of great bands and great songs that were made during that era. I feel the DC5 were very underrated. Their stage presence, although somewhat 'wooden,' is great and, along with the Beatles, possessed the best iconic image for bands of that era. Their songs are STILL great to listen to and sing along.

[themanof1000voices]

It's my favorite time period too, John. So much great music in such a short time, and most all of it so positive, filled with messages of love and happiness. Some of the bands may have seemed a bit 'wooden' but I'd rather see a genuine smile on their faces than cheap theatrics or antics that distract from the music itself. Thanks for the comments! Stew

[johnlorican]

I definitely agree. By 'wooden,' of course, I meant the rigid synchronization of the band's movements - and I have no problem with it; it was part of their style. The surviving members of the DC5 gave great speeches at the R & R Hall of Fame ceremonies last week, which somebody put up on YouTube recently. All three were very thankful, honored and gentlemanly in their comments. It was nice to see - and confirmed my perceptions that the DC5 were genuinely nice guys.

[MattMonroFan]

I am a good friend of Ron and I agree with him you have captured this song to perfection well done

Gary (aka PG)

[themanof1000voices]

Thanks so much, Gary! Far from perfection from me but glad all over that you thought it was close. ;)  Stew

[waffenss43]

Nice, well done.

Some class, taste & love.

You put it all together!

[themanof1000voices]

Really happy that you liked it. It's comments like yours that keep me going with a smile on my face. No one pays me to do this--it's the positive feedback that makes it worthwhile. Music is a great release for me, particularly when it's a beautiful song like this one. I'm grateful for your nice words. Stew

[quattrone427]

Great job....How did you get the backing vocals and other instruments?....Were they all programmed into your keyboard?

[themanof1000voices]

Thanks! I use different means for different occasions to do this but ultimately would prefer using a live band each time. Jon Anderson of Yes was the one who turned me on to using midi tracks to pump in various instruments & backing vocals. Other times, I'll have musicians join me to supplement whatever I need to sound more like the original. When all else fails, I'll even go so far as to use a totally pre-recorded track like karaoke if it broadens my ability to cover everyone I want to cover.

[quattrone427]

Thanks, Stew....where else can I find your work on this site?

[themanof1000voices]

You can either type "the man of 1000 voices" into the search area here on youtube or just click the area that says "more from this user" to the right of the screen where you watch the video playing. A menu will then appear that will list most everything else I have posted here. I've got plenty more to come in the months ahead and also try to take requests. Thanks for asking! Stew

[ronvonryan]

I think you did a very good job, and as some-one who Knew Mike well (I wrote some of the Bands songs, including this one), well done. Ron Ryan.

[themanof1000voices]

Wow, coming from you Ron, I have to say I'm extremely flattered. Because is my favorite song of the Dave Clark Five so let me return the compliment by saying that you're a tremendous songwriter. My rendition could have been better but I rushed to get this posted as soon as I heard about Mike's passing. As you are his friend, I'll send along my condolences in addition to my sincere thanks for your comments. All the best. Stew

[brucester777]

nice job as always, Stew.

[themanof1000voices]

Thanks, Bruce.  Glad all over that you thought so. ;)

[Imintosomethinggood]

I love this old song!! You did an excellent job and sounded a lot like the original. Very nice! Could you please do a Hermans Hermits song someday? Thank you.

[themanof1000voices]

Thanks for the nice words! As 'the man of 1000 voices', it's always my intent to sound as much like the original artist as possible so I'm glad you thought so. Personally, I think I could have done even better but, given Mike's very recent passing, I rushed to get it on here. I'll be happy to include the Hermans Hermits in a future upload. Always been a fan of theirs and have met Peter Noone on many occasions. A great guy! Thanks for the comments. Stew