written by Neil Sedaka & Phil Cody

1975 was an important year for David Foster. He was in his mid-twenties and was quickly becoming one of the most important keyboard players on the LA session scene. That year he participated to countless projects including albums for big names like George Harrison, Bobby Womack and Barbra Streisand.

Foster’s playing also started being featured on hit singles like Helen Reddy’s “Ain’t No Way To Treat A Lady,” Gary Wright’s “Dreamweaver” and Harrison’s “You.” He also played clavinet on Neil Sedaka’s #1, “Bad Blood.” That song marked the first time that Foster’s name appeared on a #1 single on Billboard’s Hot 100. “Bad Blood” is a catchy pop tune co-written by Sedaka with Phil Cody that especially benefits from the appeal of Elton John’s familiar harmony vocals. It was #1 for three weeks and certified gold thus becoming the most successful commercial single of Sedaka’s illustrious career. That song and its parent album, “The Hungry Years,” were both released in the US by Elton John’s Rocket Records label. “Bad Blood” also presents a stellar line-up of musicians to support the two singer’s superior performances. The back-up band included Foster with other absolute giants like Nigel Olsson on drums, Lee Sklar on bass, Steve Cropper and Dean Parks on guitars plus the noteworthy work on flute by John Horn. “The Hungry Years” was also a good success reaching #16 on the albums chart. It included another couple of good songs with Foster on keyboards, the opening track, “Crossroads” and “Lonely Night (Angel Face).” Sedaka and Foster worked together years later on a couple of interesting projects for the singer’s daughter, Dara.
In 2010 Sedaka released a new album entitled, “The Music Of My Life.” It was a good reminder of the veteran singer/songwriter’s uncommon ability to write and sing fine pop music. It presented many of his classic plus new material. Among the new songs there was a track entitled “Do You Remember,” a latin tinged song produced by his old friend David Foster.

Listen

[audio:https://www.fozfan.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/bad_blood.mp3|titles=Bad Blood|artists=Neil Sedaka]

Lead Vocal & Acoustic Piano: Neil Sedaka
Harmony Vocal: Elton John
Clavinet: David Foster
Guitar: Steve Cropper & Dean Parks
Bass: Leland Sklar
Drums: Nigel Olsson
Shaker & Tambourin: Milt Holland
Flute: Jim Horn

Produced by Neil Sedaka & Robert Appere

Lyrics

It coulda been me but it was you
Who went and bit off a little bit more than he could chew
You said that you had it made, but you been had
The woman no good, no how, thinkin’ maybe the blood is bad

Bad (ba-a-ad) blood (blo-o-od)
The woman was born to lie
Makes promises she can’t keep
With the wink on an eye

Bad (ba-a-ad) blood (blo-o-od)
Brother, you’ve been deceived
It’s bound to change you mind
About all you believe

>From where I stand, it looks mighty strange
How you let a woman like that treat you like small change
I don’t understand what you’re lookin’ to find
The only thing bad blood do is mess up a good man’s mind

SPOKEN: Hear me talkin’ now

Bad (ba-a-ad) blood (blo-o-od)
The bitch is in her smile
The lie is on her lips
Such an evil child

Bad (ba-a-ad) blood (blo-o-od)
Is takin’ you for a ride
The only good thing about bad blood
Is lettin’ it slide

Doo-ron, doo-ron, di di, dit, dit, ron-ron
Doo-ron, doo-ron, di di, dit, dit, ron-ron
Doo-ron, doo-ron, di di, dit, dit, ron-ron
Bad blood, talkin’ ’bout bad blood

Doo-ron, doo-ron, di di, dit, dit, ron-ron
Doo-ron, doo-ron, di di, dit, dit, ron-ron
Doo-ron, doo-ron, di di, dit, dit, ron-ron
Bad blood
SPOKEN: Here we go

Bad (ba-a-ad) blood (blo-o-od)
The bitch is in her smile
The lie is on her lips
Such an evil child

Bad (ba-a-ad) blood (blo-o-od)
Is takin’ you for a ride
The only thing good about bad blood
Is lettin’ it slide

The only good thing about bad blood
Is lettin’ it slide

“21 At 33” was Elton John’s first release of the eighties. The cryptic title simply referred to the fact it was his 21st album at 33 years of age. The UK superstar, coming from the disaster of his 1979’s disco album “Victim Of Love,” rebounded quite well with this new recording that saw him moving in an elegant pop direction. “21 At 33” also witnessed the comeback of his lyricist, Bernie Taupin, who co-wrote a few good moments. The cream of the top L.A. session players appeared on the album along with some very special guests like The Eagles.

“21 At 33” was a good success on the charts and produced a big worldwide hit single with the classic ballad “Little Jeannie.” Among the album’s standout cuts is “Give Me The Love,” co-written by John with singer/songwriter Judie Tzuke that close the album. The song is a slick, up-tempo soul/pop jam with one truly irresistible groove. The mood of the song is clearly influenced by the full, refined sounds of Stevie Wonder and Earth, Wind & Fire. The classy atmosphere is enhanced by the great strings arrangement courtesy David Foster and horns arranged by Jerry Hey of Seawind fame. Around this same time frame these two talented gentlemen enriched many songs with their top-notch arrangements for people like George Benson, Earth, Wind & Fire and Quincy Jones. Thanks to Foster and Hey “Give Me The Love” sports a very good jazzy orchestral break with a piano solo played by the superstar. Bill Champlin, Carmen Twillie and Venette Gloud support Mr. John to add deep, soul feeling to the final mix. “21 At 33” was the first chapter of a new successful season for Elton John that brought him many more artistic and commercial triumphs.

Listen

[audio:https://www.fozfan.com/archives/clips/give_me_the_love.mp3|titles=Give me the love|artists=Elton John]

Lead Vocals: Elton John
Piano: James Newton-Howard
Overdubbed Piano: Elton John
Drums: Alvin “Red” Taylor
Electric Guitar: Steve Lukather
Bass: Reggie McBride
Congas: Lenny Castro
Horns: Jerry Hey, Larry Hall, Larry Williams, Bill Reichenbach
Backing Vocals: Bill Champlin, Carmen Twillie & Venette Gloud
Strings Arrangement by David Foster
Horns Arrangement by Jerry Hey
Produced & Arranged by Clive Franks & Elton John

Lyrics

You’ve been crying, and I’m crazy about you
I’ve been lying, and hanging you up, `cause
I’m deep on the inside, but flash on the outside
I am the thunder, and you are my lightning

Give me the love, baby, give me the key to your heart
Give me the love, baby, give me the key to your heart
Give me the love, give me the key to your heart
Months of watching, and hours of hoping
That you’d want me, when you see me again
For I am an eagle, but my wings are all tied up
You got the power to fly me again

You’ve been trying to build walls all around you
But you’re lying, `cause I’ve already been through
And I’ve seen you trying to capture that feeling
But you’re chasing what you’ve never believed in

Tell me you love me, tell me you need me