Shoe-less In America Part Two: Sandie Shaw

SANDIE SHAW-Girl Don't Come/I'd Be Far Better Off Without You U.S. Reprise 0342 1965

This was Sandie Shaw's second U.S. 45 (we profiled her first here) which was launched in February 1965. It was also the closest she ever got to a U.S. hit (#42), her highest and only charting U.S. release in February 1965 . It reached #3 back home in the U.K. where it was originally a B-side to "I'd Be Far Better Off Without You" (Pye 7N 15743 December 1964) but was flipped. "Girl Don't Come" along with it's predecessor "There's Always Something There To Remind Me" were included on her debut untitled U.S. LP (Reprise R 6166) issued in tandem with this.

THE coolest/hottest Sandie Shaw pic you'll ever see.

Both sides were produced and penned by Chris Andrews who would supply her with the bulk of her material. "Girl Don't Come" is one of my fave tunes by her no doubt helped by it's dreary, somber musical backing that's as bright and sunny as a torrential mid-day downpour on Clapham Common.  Sandie's voice is perfect for it and it all works having this almost dreamy and sultry feel to it perfectly suited for a bleak b&w "kitchen sink" film from the same period.  The flip side, "I'd Be Far Better Off Without You" is okay, it's not terrible but it has far too many tempo changes to make it really listenable more than once.  The chorus is catchy but it's one of the most disjointed mid Sixties pop songs that you're likely to hear!!

Sandie in New York 1965

Both sides can be found on the recent deluxe CD reissue of her debut U.K. LP "Sandie" and on an old but faithful double CD "The Pye Anthology: '64-'67 Complete Sandie Shaw ".

Watch Sandie lip sync "Girl Don't Come" on "Ready Steady Go":

 

 Hear "I'd Be Far Better Off Without You": 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wCxIBt5yeQI