I wouldn’t say “Ya Running, but I’ll Getcha” is a great song, but it has gotten stuck in my head over the last few days, so I guess you’d have to call it successful in that way at least. The similarity to “Run for Your Life” is really quite striking, but it appears to have been a case of parallel evolution.
Up next is a song that Lou Reed noticeably does not get a songwriting credit on; the label lists only Sims/Vance/Philips, with the customary fourth name omitted. Maybe it was written during one of Lou’s trips to the ER? In any case, I am told that he did play guitar on it — you make up your own mind:
Whereas “Soul City” was a Motown wannabe, this is more in a Phil Spector vein. It’s credible enough; you could hear it on an oldies station without batting an eyelash.
Very little is known about Spongy & the Dolls, who apparently existed only for this one single. (I don’t think that’s them in the video.) “Really Really etc.” is the B-side; the A-side was called “It Looks Like Love,” and for some reason is not on YouTube. They’re asking $60 for the single and so, no… we will not be going there. It’s not relevant anyway. Moving on!
I’m afraid Spongy’s voice is too low in the mix. But that might be a good thing. These songs are giving me a glimpse into the music business, things I never suspected.