Screamin' Jay Hawkins - I Put A Spell On You (1960)

El carismatico Screamin' Jay Hawkins logró fundir la imaginería tribal con los tópicos del terror filmico y el R&B más lacerante. Su biografía personal está trufada de extraños sucesos, repleta de amores turbulentos y de familias desestructuradas, de sorprendentes aventuras y patéticas desventuras. Capaz de lo mejor y de lo peor, protagonizó shows de terrorífica factura visual (que iniciaba surgiendo de un ataud auténtico), donde en muchas ocasiones se cruzaba la mera puesta en escena con otros elementos imprevisibles (metidas de pata garrafales y peleas legendarias sucedidas en pleno escenario). Tal como reza el dicho, fue genio y figura hasta la sepultura.
Dotado de un talento inmarcesible desde temprana edad, se dió a conocer con este tenebroso e inmortal himno R&B "I Put a Spell on You", que aterrorizó en 1956 a la muy impresionable y conservadora juventud americana de la época. Esos espeluznantes sonidos guturales debían sonar realmente perturbadores(aún a día de hoy, causan escalofrios), máxime si tenemos en cuenta que la primera intención de Screamin´ era grabar una balada. El tema fue censurado en muchas emisoras de radio de la época, lo cual no impidió que se convirtiera en un gran éxito de ventas y en un tema de culto.
"I put a spell on you" ha conocido multitud de versiones, pero de todas ellas, siento especial predilección por la rendición que hizo Manfred Mann, aunque la recreación de Them en 1965 no se queda atrás.
Esta actuación televisiva, donde Screamin' Jay Hawkins y despliega todo su encanto y parafernalia visual, se conjuró en los estudios británicos de Granada TV, a principios de los 60.

[@elmorris1978]

Imaginate el miedo que sentia la gente en esos tiempos, el escenario, hawkins y una melodía que solo da soledad y un terror increible

[@patrickwashington3868]

I loved this song by this Man of many talents. My late Uncle Robert Montgomery use to laugh out loud whenever I would play this song in La Shar's Lounge back in the day oldies but goodies Sundays. Hiuston, TX. 3rd
Ward. Memories. We definitely was the hottest Juke Joint behind TSU on Ennis & Blodgett St. Fo Reel! 💯✔

[@Tonithenightowl]

I was under the impression this was an old R&B tune and I could have sworn Cab Callaway did a version. This version is primo. This guy is nuts and has the voice to go with it. Can scream without getting on your nerves and that takes more talent than you think lol. Wilson Picket is another who could. Great song

[@eivindgjengstjohansen9625]

He was drunk during the recording session it was supposed to be a love ballad with a slow tone and due to the commercial success of the single he decided to go along with it

[@tonithenightowl1836]

@@eivindgjengstjohansen9625 Ahh, well being drunk would explain it but the record company approved it so they went their gut, too. I remember reading he also fathered over 70 children so he must have done well with the ladies, too. :o)

[@ukfm]

Filmed in Manchester UK, 1965

[@rildofontenele1833]

O arquétipo para toda a performance teatral, dentro do rock n roll, incrível como isso é tão atual até hj, dada a influência para outros artistas que o tiveram como referência.

[@fatwalrus1213]

i like the way he makes weird noises

[@MothraBlues]

Awesome! A true original. Thanks heaps for posting! :)

[@shaniquo3900]

Adelantado a su época

[@davidbeta8969]

Si señor!

[@larsjonny]

AMAZING!!!!!!!

[@d.rose.5]

awesome!!!!!!!

[@db44gs]

Wow was this really filmed in 1960?? I've seen this clip before but i never knew how old it was, i thought maybe it was from the late 60's or early 70's. Thanks for clearing it up!

[@mkzhero]

the song pretty good but this laugh just killed me. especially in the studio version.. After hearing it i rofled about 2 minutes

[@kinkman07091979]

I haven´t got the exact date of the broadcast, but i´m almost secure that it was early 60s (1962-63 as late).
Thanks for adding your commentary!

[@904whitney]

I will sing this

[@marcelline7]

trop bien

[@bpabustan]

The father of Shock Rock

[@arezotti]

Супер+++

[@ukfm]

July 1965

[@hassana22]

awesome song,I wonder if he's still alive ?

[@nonamej1591]

Screamin' Jay" Hawkins (July 18, 1929 - February 12, 2000)

[@ukfm]

Jay hawkins wrote this. All the rest are cover versions

[@bigmcchickenmcsloppyjerky]

even this guy is better than Justin Boobie.