The Smithereens were always huge fans of The Beatles. “Only a Memory” features an intro inspired by George Harrison’s brilliant “I Want to Tell You.” The band released a song by song remake of “Meet the Beatles!” in 2007 called “Meet the Smithereens,” in 2008 they released an album of Beatles’ B-side songs, and in 2014 they released a song by song recording of The Beatles February 11, 1964 concert in Washington D.C., their first concert in the United States.
The Smithereens carry the Beatles legacy forward through beautiful power pop, and gentle, introspective ballads driven by DiNizio’s sometimes ethereal, sometimes bluesy voice.
“Blue Period” is off their masterful 1989 album “11” (as in “this amp goes to 11!“), and it starts with a simple cello introducing what is sure to be a sad song.
Though drums play along, it is the chunky cello that keeps the time while an acoustic guitar keeps the momentum. Dinizio’s voice is melancholy. We hear a generation of pop ballads in this one song. Smokey Robinson crying tears of a clown. John Lennon crawling off to sleep in the bath. Mick Jagger just sitting and watching as tears go by.
Harmonizing with DiNizio throughout the song is Belinda Carlisle, former lead singer of the Go-Go’s. Giving shape and color to his sadness. Relieving some of the loneliness. Reminding us we are never alone in our blues, no matter how long the period. Along comes the bridge, and we hear a harpsichord, directly inspired by the beautiful harpsichord solo in “In My Life” by The Beatles.
At the end of the song comes a sense of realization and resolution. All good things must come to an end. Love. Happiness. Relationships. This is just a period of sadness, and just like the relationship, the blue period will end. From: https://glickmanonline.com/2017/12/20/a-generation-of-pop-songs-in-a-blue-period/
