John Forgot To Sing - Pete Ham & Tom Evans (Iveys) (Badfinger)

[StanKindly]

wow

[saurian11]

Such a Beautiful song!!! Just listen to the vocal harmonies of Pete and Tom...I first heard this gem on a Pete Ham website a few years ago, and finally someone has put it on YouTube...Thank You!!!!

[comicbookinker]

Again, thank you for giving us access to these gems. Another one that makes me sad at what we lost.

[rothr]

Correction, I got it now, you put this out just in time for Easter which makes much more sense - the Christian element is unmistakable, and its an amazingly 'uplifting' performance too ;)

[rothr]

Thanks Dan, unless you somehow came across this recently you show incredible restraint, waiting for this perfect time of Prince William and Kate's wedding to let it fly. It fits so nicely with the imagery of regalia on everyone's mind. FYI, there are some great people at this site who could benefit from knowing the loving Badfinger fans that follow you: rock and roll tribe.com

[billtown2]

This song is just so beautiful. The song sounds like a celebratory religious event. Who is John? My guess (and it’s only a guess) is perhaps Pete used the name John as a tribute to his older brother. Maybe Pete heard a story in his youth about his older brother being too nervous to sing in church. Ham wrote about his mother and father, why not his brother, John. The song has so much mystery to it. Thanks to Dan Matovina for finding, restoring and releasing these gems to the public!!!

[HummingBirdJazz]

Haunting Lyrics in this demo....what a great tribute ballad. Not a hymn or holiday tune. I am feeling like this demo was about appreciation of a fallen soldier or maybe just a premonition of John Lennon's death in 1980. (John Forgot to Sing) I am haunted by the last lyric, John began to sing...John Lennon's music carries on to this day... Such a tragic story...Pete Ham died in 1975, before John and Tom Evans followed Pete's footsteps in 1983, after John. RIP my dearhearts.

[powerpopsmith]

I wonder what inspired this. Is it Jesus coming to town and John is John the Baptist, who finally became inspired to spread Jesus words? It's just magnificent. I wish Pete and Tom were here to talk about their songs. It's obvious Joey Molland knew nothing about Pete's lyrics and what they meant. Dan Matovina's book gives a lot of insights, but some are mysteries. Badfinger made me get into lyrics. Head First is amazing.

[billbadford]

@powerpopsmith My guess is it's Pete's attempt at a church-based hymn. It's also possible some of the lyric is gibberish. I've noticed the words in some of Pete's songs appear to be chosen for their sound rather than their meaning, like "Name Of The Game".

I recall reading that McCartney's line "the movement you need is on your shoulder" was gibberish and he wanted to change it in "Hey Jude", but Lennon loved the sound of it and convinced him to keep it.

[powerpopsmith]

@billbadford No way this is gibberish. Every part makes sense with the previous. It;s just, Who is, John? If you look up John The Baptist, this seems to make sense to a degree. Name Of The Game - In the book it says the chorus is Pete's quandry of his failing relationship with a girlfriend names Beverley. "Don't refuse me" is "accept our break-up" - and "Don't confuse me" is " By pushing on me, you keep bringin my old feelings back in the picture" I'm sure other sections related to something.

[classicvideogems]

What a beautiful tune! Makes me miss these guys even more, if that's even possible. Stan Polly was truly a heartless bastard for driving Pete to end his life. It's so sad that Tom followed suit years later - at least we know they are reunited in heaven now along with Mike, making wonderful music again!

[montydaman1]

Beautiful. Songs like this make you wonder what they would have been doing if still here today! Pete and Tom were so fantastic together. I miss them more than any other missing musicians with exception of George Harrison and John Lennon! Badfinger with Pete and Tom in mind were my second most faorite band and always will be!

[PattieLNoah]

A great recording...

[JohnNiemsMusic]

Nice to always find new tunes I never heard by these two so talented BADFINGER MEMBERS!

[ceterceter]

If this is a demo in their home studio (as I read in the book on Badfinger) , I am, as usual, astounded by the vocal abilities of Pete and Tom. The subtle different harmonies.... absolutely amazing song and performance. It started for me when my uncle dug out his Apple promo film of Badfinger. Now I'm full-fledged fanatic fan of this incredible band. Pete is the most unpublicized major musical talent of the 70s. But being nice, humble, honest & kind doesn't pay-off in rock'n'roll, does it?

[catoohey]

I have always loved the sincerity in Pete's voice with anything he sings.....

And his songs always touch the heart.... just beautiful!

[1856gazoo]

A treasure, such an amazing song, like its some kind of special homecoming :)

[ZarkonZeus]

Thanks for putting this up, Dan! Hope it gets released one day.

[Kristenbillick]

This brought a tear to my eyes - what a loss of these two great men - kind souls

[56jensen]

• So S w e e t

Many Thanks for posting.