The Dovers-What Am I Gonna Do? 1966

[johnnys1977]

My oldest brother sent me this record before he shipped out for Vietnam. It was the last thing I would ever receive from him.

A few years later I lost it when our house trailer burned down. Ironically I was in Vietnam at the time.

[TheSunbau]

I really like the song. It reminds me of the mid 60s and I don´t understand why The Dovers was one of national top bands. But, there are many bands that did not reach all the way up. Listen for example to THE ZETTLERS and the tunes "Skinnie Minnie" and "Beautiful Delilah". The recordings were made 1965. An incredible output and a bloody drive.

[11xzxzxz]

Yeah .. She had everything I wanted my love to be but all she ever wanted was to be set free .. Well she did request that I could die just once or twice.

Oh come on baby what am I gonna do with you when I am dead?

Not to put Jim Messina down but this is his best work. Who is that wonderful woman?

[garageband66]

@11xzxzxz Actually she is a daughter of a friend of mine that was kind enough to loan me some shots she did of herself with her own camera. She really just fit the thing I was looking for.

[11xzxzxz]

@garageband66 OK Understood. Some live inside this song and others are better for film...like her.

[garageband66]

@11xzxzxz Well she does live inside the song after all, she is/was the muse. And she does get to brag and show her many friends her legacy, I guess.

[11xzxzxz]

@garageband66 I understand. Just a little mad she doesn't write me no mo. she's so cute.

[garageband66]

@11xzxzxz She is that.

[11xzxzxz]

@garageband66 But don't let he head swell the band is where it's AT.

[11xzxzxz]

Could be the best song on Psychedelic Nuggets . I know it wouldn't be the choice of most but it is a stirring evocative and especially demented song and so I fell for it, esp the demented part.

Glad they keep the keyboards in and didn't go all out rock.

[TheDiggum]

This dang near makes me wanna cry, like "Walk Away Renee" and "Sit down I think I love you". We were so young and the songs were so beautiful...

[dancing0being]

Best of garage rock. Classic melodies and super feelings. Hard to make today.

[123tgw]

I'll simply repeat what someone else said of 'What Am I Gonna Do?' ... I want to live inside this song.

Absolutely love this. The wall of sound thing, the superb, rich harmonies and the lovely tune, with that genius and strange high-pitched keyboard riff over the top.

I'll love this 'till I die

123TGW. 16-4-10

[garageband66]

@123tgw You feel as I do. Why weren't The Dovers a national success?

[123tgw]

@garageband66 ... Can't imagine why they didn't make it big (I'm English btw), although there are so many talented artists and bands for whom it just didn't happen for whatever reason. Sad, but they have left us this true gem for posterity. Probably my favourite 60s 'sound' song.

[TheMichiganStatement]

so  sick

[corubi]

one of the best songs ever

[garageband66]

It would not be the first time that a producer moonlighted with another firm. I believe it was "rumoured" that Messina was the engineer. Being that only a few singles exist other than the recent Misty Lane release which I am not sure where they got the masters to do that, any guess as to the authenticity will be debated for some time.

[chasebizzy]

Animal Collective samples the keyboard part on their latest single.

[garageband66]

Have not heard that. What is the name of the single?

[euroeric24]

actually, the song is by atlas sound, but noah lennox (panda bear) is featured on the song. it's called "walkabout" off the yet to be released LP "Logos"

[curtisc3]

Its actually Atlas Sound and Panda Bear that sample it, but yes! Very good single.

[johnnyeatsmonkeys1]

Atlas Sound actually collaborated with Panda Bear from Animal Collective for Atlas Sound's new album.

[Matmos]

Not Animal Collective, but Atlas Sound with Noah Lennox and the title is Walkabout.

[chefmuscle]

where could I get the lyrics to this?

[garageband66]

Nothing is available through the web. Perhaps Misty Lane Records may have them on their LP of The Dovers.

[garageband66]

We did what we believed the lyrics to be but there is no sheet music available either.

[garageband66]

Baby what am I gonna do

Baby what am I gonna do

With you, with you

Oh how my eyes can say

For the girl who took my love away

Now she left me all alone,

I have no one to call my own

Baby what am I gonna do

Baby what am I gonna do

With you, with you

[garageband66]

She had everything I wanted my love to be But all she ever wanted Was to be set free Baby what am I gonna do Baby what am I gonna do With you, with you Well just what do I have to do To get your sweet loving from you? Do I have to die just once or twice, To keep you for the rest, the rest of my life?

[garageband66]

All of my life

You were 17

I still feel the same way

Well nothing in this world

Will make me change my way

Baby what am I gonna do

Baby what am I gonna do

With you, with you

Have altered the 1st verse a bit to say "What can I say...."

[pecul1arways]

nice montage

[garageband66]

Thanks for the comment it is one of my personal faves.

[groovymovie84]

i just heard a cover of this song today! definitely not as good as this version but it was playing when i walked by Hollister in the mall weirdly enough

anyone know who did the cover? just curious

[garageband66]

Have not heard it but I am not surprised. Back in the day especially on the west coast this was among a handfull of songs any self-respecting band was expected to play like Louie, Louie, etc.

[ftmgriff]

May have been the new Atlas Sound (AKA Bradford Cox from Deerhunter).

New single Walkabout (a collaboration with Panda Bear from Animal Collective) features a sample from this.

[BJORT]

I love the dovers!

[garageband66]

You're in fine company.

[madarch52]

again 5 stars and favourited.

[garageband66]

Again, I thank you for the view.

[madarch52]

your welcome

[NcicHit]

I have liked "The Dovers" since I bought "Pebbles 2."  Finding a Dovers record is like trying to find gold on the moon.

[garageband66]

Ebay has them from time to time.

[NcicHit]

I guess I should search for that EP more often. I have all their stuff on a CD but I like records better, just to say you have it. I really like this group after hearing them on Pebbles 2. This like the Squires they should have been bigger.

[markborox]

One of my favourite band of all time! Criminal that they never made it,they should of been huge! Tim Granada as far as I'm concerned is one of the great lost geniuses of the 60's. I managed to get a compilation of their 4 singles a few years ago on an Italian label Misty Lane records. It's called 'We're not Just Anybody' and is absolutley brilliant! Each song a classic. Everyone I play it to is instantly hooked on the band. By the way, cute girl in the video! Is she your girlfriend garageband?

[garageband66]

"Sigh!" No.

[pernicketty]

Have to agree with you about this song. Ever since I bought those early Pebbles volumes way back I've been in love with it. There weren't too many US garage bands doing this kind of polished jangly pop but one other that springs to mind is the Rogues. Their song "You better look now" is another great favourite of mine and I think it also fits that description.

[garageband66]

Like the Rouges too and it would have been nice to had gotten more from them and the Dovers before they moved on.

[dominiccarter77]

Hey dude. Did these guys not release an album? Really enjoyed that song! I'm hooked too! Just starting to get into American 60's garage bands,really getting into The Seeds. Blues Magoos. the Deakins. The Individuals. Anything similar would appreciate any bands you may know of. Think the Dovers have a great sound! I want more,i want more!lol!

Regards.

[garageband66]

As I understand it, they put out 4 singles that never caught on nationally but regionally they were huge and have an even bigger following since then. No, no album.

[dominiccarter77]

Thanks squire. Loving The Dovers. Man,a guy could fall in love to this tune!

Regards.

[garageband66]

I have adopted it in a set with a few guys I have played with off and on. Nothing concrete though, live music has taken a huge hit with the economy like it is.

[ly776]

You should check out the 4 CD Nuggets set - Artyfacts from First Psychodelic era from Rhino records. It has this Dovers tune and a ton of other great 1960's garage punk. Electric Prunes, Music Machine, Blues Magoos, to name a few. Favorite is this along with Blackout of Gretely perhaps the greatest 60 song you never heard of.

[garageband66]

Got some of the nuggets but the Rhino version includes many never relased on prior compilations. It's quite a hefty price tag in Borders, Barnes and Noble, I have not priced it anywhere else.

[TheDiggum]

OMG! Gonn! The Dovers! You are absolutely right on all counts. The Nazz, too. Mojo Men. Anyone who doesn't know this music needs to hear it and anyone who does needs to own it.

[chuckdee121]

Fantastic! I think group managed to get records out on Warner Bros. but failed to chart. Why? Because the record industry was, is and always will be a tough nut to crack. But, isn't it great the Dovers tried???

[garageband66]

Regional acts always found it hard to crack the national scene. It usually depended on how well they were promoted.

[garageband66]

Music will always last forever if we keep it alive. Well, "Good music" does. So , yes it was VERY great they tried.

[PAULADDIE]

all the dovers material burned in there recoring studio when it burned down. it was the only recordings.. they had . it was now't to with there record label been a tough nut to crack

[IDLERACER]

I think it's pretty safe to say that the opening electric 12-string riff was heavily inspired by the Beatles' "What You're Doin'"

[garageband66]

What music of any merit back then didn't borrow off somebody? How many Beatle soundalikes? Beach Boys? The Four Seasons? ANY Motown group?

[pcsbeat]

4 sure!

[craviola880]

WONDERFUL!! Just love the tune, and my regards. At least we have it on "Nuggets"; sure would like to hear the rest.

[garageband66]

Greedy record labels! I wonder just how many great tunes are sitting on the dusty back rooms of record companies?

[craviola880]

No doubt. When I think of all the lost oppurtunities; the great bands that are glossed over or forgotten, the stuff that sits in vaults, the greed, all the undiscovered "Lennon & McCartneys", etc, it breaks my heart.

[chuckdee121]

That voice, oh dear Lord, that fantastic voice!!!

[progpunk76]

Great tune. I'm pissed that I missed out on buying that 10" with all the singles on it!

[GollyMcCry]

It`s still available in some shops

[progpunk76]

Do you know where, I google it and can't find anywhere that I can order it that has it in stock.

[garageband66]

I am aware of many CD compilations and a couple of albums available but that 10" is no longer in print. You'd have to be lucky enough to get it used or at an overstock distributor. Try reverse importing it from Japan. I get stuff from there every so often.

[GollyMcCry]

Love this song. Thanks for posting.

[garageband66]

You are welcome! It's one of my more mellow favorites of this era! I have designs on incorporating it with a band soon.