45 RPMs 44: Devo ~ (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction

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Fifty-five years ago today, on June 6, 1965, The Rolling Stones released their single, (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction, in the United States and once again, as they say, the rest is history.       

Twelve years later, my very favorite version of the song was released by the American new wave band Devo with their rendition of (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction as a single in 1977 (links below). It was initially a self-produced recording on their own label Booji Boy Records. The song was re-recorded with Brian Eno as producer for their first album, and that version was also released as a single in 1978, this time by Warner Brothers Records, after it was played for approval by Mick Jagger. Steve Huey of AllMusic stated that the cover version "reworks the original's alienation into a spastic freak-out that's nearly unrecognizable". The Devo version of the song was featured in the 1995 Martin Scorsese epic crime film Casino.         
 
However, Mark Mothersbaugh of Devo, plunking on a home-kitted Telecaster taped up with a frequency pedal, whose scrawny, delicate body must be protected from the world’s harmful rays by goggles and a billowing yellow Tyvek radiation suit, makes a more convincing argument as a person thwarted by both love and capitalism. He has become an acomplished composer of film scores.      

But the San Francisco new wave band, The Residents had released their version of (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction a year earlier in 1976 (links below). Perhaps this was the inspiration for Devo.    

This recording is a Japanese pressing released by Warner Bros. Records a year and a half later in November of 1978.   

Devo ~  (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction
45 rpm record front cover

The quirky music video for the song and several others from this album received significant airplay on the newly formed television channel, MTV. A notable feature of the video was dancer Craig Allen Rothwell, aka Booji Boy and Spazz Attack (link below).      

        

Devo ~  (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction
45 rpm record back cover

Britney Spears also covered  (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction; it is a sexy and highly produced but pretty wimpy version (link below).          

         

Devo ~  (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction
45 rpm record sleeve

Devo formed in 1973. Their classic lineup consisted of two sets of brothers, the Mothersbaughs (Mark and Bob) and the Casales (Gerald and Bob), along with Alan Myers. The band had a No. 14 Billboard chart hit in 1980 with the single Whip It, the song that gave the band mainstream popularity.         

Devo ~  (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction
45 rpm record

The name Devo comes from the concept of 'de-evolution' and the band's related idea that instead of continuing to evolve, mankind has actually begun to regress, as evidenced by the dysfunction and herd mentality of American society.             

Devo ~  (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction
45 rpm record

          

Tracklist:

Side 1:

A - (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction, written by Mick Jagger-Keith Richard* - 2:28

Side 2:

B - Uncontrollable Urge, written by Mark Mothersbaugh - 2:15

Companies, etc.

    Phonographic Copyright (p) – Warner Bros. Records Inc.
    Made By – Warner-Pioneer Corporation

Credits:

    Producer, Artwork By [Graphic Concept] – Devo

Notes:

White label promo with insert in Japanese and English.

Both 見本盤 (translation: "Sample Disc") and 見本品 (translation: "Not For Sale") printed on labels.
Barcode and Other Identifiers

    Matrix / Runout (Side A label): P-343W1
    Matrix / Runout (Side B label): P-343W2
    Matrix / Runout (Side A runout): P-343W-1 1-A1
    Matrix / Runout (Side B runout): P-343W-2 1-A1
    Price Code: ¥600           

                    

Devo ‎– (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction
Label: Warner Bros. Records ‎– P-343W
Format: Vinyl, 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo
Country: Japan
Released: Nov 1978
Genre: Rock
Style: New Wave, Synth-pop
      
           

           

Viewfinder links:                    

        
Devo        

Brian Eno       
(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction lyrics        
Mick Jagger    
The Residents     
The Rolling Stones        

           

Net links:                    

            

A Pop Life ~ How Devo made a classic its own           

AV Club ~ It’s easy to believe Devo can’t get no “Satisfaction”                    

     

YouTube links:                    

            

Devo ~  (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction        
Devo ~  Uncontrollable Urge         
The Residents ~  Satisfaction          
Britney Spears ~  (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction                       

Rolling Stones ~  (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction  (Official Lyric Video)       
           

                    

    

           

    

      
      
Styrous® ~ Saturday, June 6, 2020       
   

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