What (song)

"What"
Single by Melinda Marx
B-side "It Happens in the Same Old Way"
Released 1965
Genre Soul, pop
Label Vee-Jay Records
Songwriter(s) H. B. Barnum

"What" is a song and single written by H. B. Barnum, performed by Melinda Marx and released in 1965.[1] Marx, daughter of Groucho Marx was a reluctant pop singer and the high notes on "What" found her straining. She recorded only one further single before leaving musical performing which had been foist upon her by her father. [2]

Judy Street cover

In 1968 in Hollywood, California, Judy Street recorded "What", on the Strider label, as a B-side of "You Turn Me On".[2][3] The record was exported to England and it was picked up by DJs at Wigan Casino, a major nightclub in the northern soul music scene.[4] However, "What" became the track most played, going on to be a hit on the northern soul nightclub circuit and be ranked 23 of 500 northern soul singles.[4][5][6] Following a resurgence of popularity for northern soul music in England in 1977, the song was re-released,[3] and again in 1982 with a B-side by Hi-Fly.[7] Street was unaware of the popularity of the song and did not tour the UK and from 1970 until 1990 she toured with her own bands, including The Swinging Society, in the USA, singing and drumming.[8] Finally, in 2005 the popularity of "What" was acknowledged when Street did several interviews for radio, magazines and books.[4]

Soft Cell cover

A cover version of "What" by British synth-pop group Soft Cell on the Some Bizarre Records label reached number 3 in the UK Singles Chart in 1982. It was their fifth UK chart hit[9]

References

  1. ↑ "Melinda Marx – What / It Happens In The Same Old Way". Retrieved 28 August 2017.
  2. 1 2 "Sounds of the 60s — Melinda Marx, Judy Street, and the story of What — BBC Radio 2". BBC. Retrieved 28 August 2017.
  3. 1 2 "Judy Street You Turn Me On/What". www.discogs.com. Retrieved 30 September 2012.
  4. 1 2 3 "Judy Street". www.northernsoulmusic.co.uk. Retrieved 30 September 2012.
  5. ↑ Roberts, Kev (2007). The Northern Soul Top 500. Goldsoul Entertainment Limited. ISBN 9780955751905.
  6. ↑ "Northern Soul Top 500". www.rocklistmusic.co.uk. Retrieved 30 September 2012.
  7. ↑ "Judy Street discography". www.45cat.com. Retrieved 30 September 2012.
  8. ↑ Handbury, Steve. "19th July, 2008: New Judy Street Photo!". www.soulgirl.com. Retrieved 1 October 2012.
  9. ↑ "SOFT CELL — full Official Chart History — Official Charts Company". www.officialcharts.com. Retrieved 28 August 2017.
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