can white girls sing soul music? if it weren’t for evie sands (the singer who has “silver bells in her voice,” according to the late johnny cash) and a handful of others, miss amy winehouse and her pack of throwback soul sisters (duffy, adele) might not be striking up the charts as successfully as they have. even dusty springfield cited sands as a favorite singer, so can anyone really argue with that? naturally she’s much more respected and well-known in europe than in the states.
“take me for a little while,” produced by longtime collaborator chip taylor, was her first big label single in 1965 on blue cat records. her subtle, but strong (and even a bit husky) voice infuses the tune with this soft sympathy and desperation, but also aggressiveness all at the same time.
“if you don’t want me forever… take me for a little while… so i can make you want me…”
if we’re not going to be together forever (i can feel the pain deep down in the pit of my stomach, against the walls of my heart), can i at least sleep with you tonight to try and convince you that i’m the best you’re ever gonna get?
she so achingly wants this guy to want want want and love love love her. but he keeps rejecting rejecting rejecting her. maybe if she convinces him to B-E with her for at least one night (of pleasure) he’ll be unable to ignore her advances and desire her just as much as she does him.
we all have this fantasy. most of the time the results (if the fantasy becomes a reality) are pretty devastating, which sands interprets so easily and effortlessly. if i’m going to take a nice long, warm bath in my own misery, at least i’ll be able to flip on evie’s “take me for a little while.” right?
