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Quicksilver Messenger Service — Who Do You Love
Album: Happy Trails
Avg rating:
7.1

Your rating:
Total ratings: 463









Released: 1968
Length: 3:33
Plays (last 30 days): 0
I walked forty-seven miles of barbed wire,
I got a cobra snake for a necktie,
I got a brand new house by the road side,
Made out of rattlesnake hide.
I got me a chimney made on top,
Made from a human skull,
Now come on, take a little walk with me,
Now who do you love?
Come on Arlene, take me by the hand,

Let me know you understand,
Who do you love? ...
Ride nine times on the midnight train
Through the fire and cold rain,
Who do you love? ...
I've got a tombstone hand in a graveyard mine,
Just twenty-two and I don't mind dying,
Who do you love? ...
Comments (106)add comment
This is one of those songs that just isn't as good when played by itself. What I mean is that you really need to listen to the whole album, rather than taking the song out of context. The album is GREAT, the song is only great.
 Nerubo wrote:
The Bo Diddley version of this song is the best.  This version doesn't do it for me.  

 
And The Doors did a nice version on Absolutely Live.  Check it out.
It's only complete when it's completed:
 
Who Do You Love? (Ellas McDaniel) - 3:32
When You Love (Gary Duncan) - 5:15
Where You Love (Quicksilver Messenger Service, Fillmore Audience) - 6:07
How You Love (Cipollina) - 2:45
Which Do You Love (Freiberg) - 1:49
Who Do You Love - Part 2 (McDaniel) - 5:51
 bam23 wrote:

Although one cannot dispute the fact that Who Do You Love is the only song from Happy Trails on the RP playlist, the fact that it comprised one entire side of the LP should be taken into account in your assessment. You should factor this into its purported significance for your argument.
 
Holy crap thanks for the warning.
 
 
 
Edit: Oh, whew, didn't play the whole thing I guess.  

 d-don wrote:


I like this version, but agree with you about BD's being the best.
 
No, you gotta hear the whole version to get all the feeling of the guitar work.


 Nerubo wrote:
The Bo Diddley version of this song is the best.  This version doesn't do it for me.  
 

I like this version, but agree with you about BD's being the best.
Cippolina has always been one of my favorite guitarists from the era.  Love his work on Gold and Silver too.
My husband's current favorite song!  He plays it all the time, especially when we are getting ready to go out for the evening!  Great choice!
The Bo Diddley version of this song is the best.  This version doesn't do it for me.  
With that weird opening I was looking for my cell phone. Thought it was buzzing on my desk.

I'm rather partial to the version of this as done by "Screamin'" Ronnie Hawkins and The Band on "The Last Waltz".  In fact, I had to briefly mute RP to see if it was as good as I remembered.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RQebygSuxgg
Ahhh, AHhhh, AHHhhhhhh,   AHHHHHHH!  {#Bananapiano}  

It is! {#Smile}

(Maybe it's just that they seem to be having such a damned fine time on stage with it.)
 rtrudeau wrote:
 

Perhaps you're not aware that this is a comment board, where people regularly express their opinions. Users here don't generally find it necessary to place the phrase "in my opinion" within each and every expression of their beliefs.

I stand by my OPINION that Quicksilver Messenger Service's first, self titled, album is far superior to their second album, Happy Trails.

Bill Goldsmith, the guru of Radio Paradise, appears to agree with me. FACT: Of the 6 songs on Quicksilver Messenger Service's first album, 4 are in the RP playlist. FACT: Only one from Happy Trails appears on the RP playlist, "Who Do You Love."

Please note that I acknowledge that it is a FACT that "Who Do You Love" appears on Happy Trails. I apologize if my original post didn't make this clear.

 
Although one cannot dispute the fact that Who Do You Love is the only song from Happy Trails on the RP playlist, the fact that it comprised one entire side of the LP should be taken into account in your assessment. You should factor this into its purported significance for your argument.
Goodness, not heard this by this band ever!

Not sure how to rate... oh damn... err...err.. Yes, a 7!
Wow, haven't heard this in decades.  Takes me back to freshman year in college.  Wonder if I have that scratchy old vinyl somewhere?
 paulmack wrote:

As someone noted below - you love this song which is from the second album which you pan. Better get your facts straight, at least. Personally, I would not pass my opinion off as fact - as you do here - but my opinion is that Trails was better.
  

Perhaps you're not aware that this is a comment board, where people regularly express their opinions. Users here don't generally find it necessary to place the phrase "in my opinion" within each and every expression of their beliefs.

I stand by my OPINION that Quicksilver Messenger Service's first, self titled, album is far superior to their second album, Happy Trails.

Bill Goldsmith, the guru of Radio Paradise, appears to agree with me. FACT: Of the 6 songs on Quicksilver Messenger Service's first album, 4 are in the RP playlist. FACT: Only one from Happy Trails appears on the RP playlist, "Who Do You Love."

Please note that I acknowledge that it is a FACT that "Who Do You Love" appears on Happy Trails. I apologize if my original post didn't make this clear.



 rtrudeau wrote:
I wore the grooves off of Quicksilver's first album Quicksilver Messenger Service back in the day. Most of the songs from the first album appear on their Greatest Hits album Sons of Mercury and on Bill's playlist.



Their second album, Happy Trails, wasn't nearly as good. So I guess I'd call them a one-album wonder.

Thanks for the blast from the past, Bill.
 
As someone noted below - you love this song which is from the second album which you pan. Better get your facts straight, at least. Personally, I would not pass my opinion off as fact - as you do here - but my opinion is that Trails was better. What an amazing live band - they didn't know how good they were, I don't think.

 scraig wrote:
This couldn't suck any harder. Was this recorded at a karaoke bar?
 

Evidently there are a few here who disagree. Just scroll down. Then go away.
 jools wrote:
Prefer Juicy Lucy version as it much, much dirtier!!
 
Maybe, but it doesn't have John Cippolina and Gary Duncan playing guitar - one of the trippiest duos ever. And, well, all my young adulthood memories are attached to this one. And, Bill, you should just go ahead and play the long version - the short one leaves all the best parts out - edit out the drum solo if you wish but play the rest, please. I'm begging here.


This couldn't suck any harder. Was this recorded at a karaoke bar?
Prefer Juicy Lucy version as it much, much dirtier!!
 That_SOB wrote:


This was out around the same time Hendrix released "Purple Haze, "
Vanilla Fudge . "Get Out My Life"   The Doors "Back Door Man"
Not to mention The Zeppelin, Cream,Otis Rededing, Van the Man
and the Stones..... and the young folk think we have no idea
what good music sounds like.......{#Moon}
 
believe me, they know—-they always tell me they feel like they don't have anything really cool happening—-I always say, "Well, you have the technology innovations, that's kinda interesting."

 rtrudeau wrote:
I wore the grooves off of Quicksilver's first album Quicksilver Messenger Service back in the day. Most of the songs from the first album appear on their Greatest Hits album Sons of Mercury and on Bill's playlist.



Their second album, Happy Trails, wasn't nearly as good. So I guess I'd call them a one-album wonder.

Thanks for the blast from the past, Bill.
  I do not have my copy here at work, but I am certain that this song (not the stupidly shortened version here) was on Happy Trails. So, please explain how it is that you diss happy trails while praising the selection of this song, eh?


 That_SOB wrote:


This was out around the same time Hendrix released "Purple Haze, "
Vanilla Fudge . "Get Out My Life"   The Doors "Back Door Man"
Not to mention The Zeppelin, Cream,Otis Rededing, Van the Man
and the Stones..... and the young folk think we have no idea
what good music sounds like.......{#Moon}
 




This was out around the same time Hendrix released "Purple Haze, "
Vanilla Fudge . "Get Out My Life"   The Doors "Back Door Man"
Not to mention The Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, Cream,Otis Redding, Van the Man
and the Stones..... and the young folk think we have no idea
what good music sounds like !!! Rock on kiddies.......{#Moon}

Now we're talkin'! QMS rocked my world! Check them out on archives.org.
 rtrudeau wrote:
I wore the grooves off of Quicksilver's first album Quicksilver Messenger Service back in the day. Most of the songs from the first album appear on their Greatest Hits album Sons of Mercury and on Bill's playlist.



Their second album, Happy Trails, wasn't nearly as good. So I guess I'd call them a one-album wonder.

Thanks for the blast from the past, Bill.
 
It was all about seeing them live. Funny I wore mine out too.

Hoodoo your love.
do who you love
"Me" likes this cover - sorry that you don't.  Not sure whose God is unhappy - but I can live with that!!
Me and God love this song.
I wore the grooves off of Quicksilver's first album Quicksilver Messenger Service back in the day. Most of the songs from the first album appear on their Greatest Hits album Sons of Mercury and on Bill's playlist.



Their second album, Happy Trails, wasn't nearly as good. So I guess I'd call them a one-album wonder.

Thanks for the blast from the past, Bill.
 vit wrote:
I have to disagree. In GT's rendition he actually sounds like he could handle 47 miles of barbwire. QSM comes across in this song like they could handle an avocado salad. No passion for the bluff behind the words. Put simply, the song requires bluster to succeed, and these guys don't seem to have it.
 

lwilkinson wrote:
Well said. George Thurogood's version can't hold a lick to this one by QMS which, unlike Thurogood's version, has some soul instead of frantic guitar slamming and vocal screaming. Sometimes I think that one of the biggest departures from the music of 30 to 40 years ago was that back then it was genuine musical effort instead of today's over commercialized "I don't know what to write so I'll copy something from 40 years back and mangle it so I can have an album filler".
I have to disagree. In GT's rendition he actually sounds like he could handle 47 miles of barbwire. QSM comes across in this song like they could handle an avocado salad. No passion for the bluff behind the words. Put simply, the song requires bluster to succeed, and these guys don't seem to have it.
Man does this take me back. WOO-HOO
I like it with that Bo Diddley beat!
bam23 wrote:
I must agree with those who want to hear, if only occasionally, the full version. Sure it is a piece from a period in time and space (especially in space), but the rawness and life of the performance are captured so well. About 4 decades later, it stands up well.
Well said. George Thurogood's version can't hold a lick to this one by QMS which, unlike Thurogood's version, has some soul instead of frantic guitar slamming and vocal screaming. Sometimes I think that one of the biggest departures from the music of 30 to 40 years ago was that back then it was genuine musical effort instead of today's over commercialized "I don't know what to write so I'll copy something from 40 years back and mangle it so I can have an album filler".
I think I'd rather hear the Jesus and Mary Chain version. Alas that the ears around here are too tender for the Chain's loving feedback caresses.
I must agree with those who want to hear, if only occasionally, the full version. Sure it is a piece from a period in time and space (especially in space), but the rawness and life of the performance are captured so well. About 4 decades later, it stands up well.
I like this version compared to the more commonly played George Thurlgood one.
That was one cool shift fron the Who.
SUPPER'S READY! Walrus_Gumbo wrote:
How about the full length Beatles, "Revolution #9". That should test your patience!
This is a trip in the "Way Back" machine
Man, what a groove. John Cipollina, yes sir. Should have put on the extended version, Bill, which goes about half an hour.
bluedot wrote:
yeah! and while you're at it, bill, how about "thick as a brick," " tales from topographic oceans," "the lamb lies down on broadway," "a plague of lighthouse keepers," or maybe a live extended version of "in a gadda da vida?" anyone else have any ideas? actually, bill seems to stick to songs of fairly conventional length most of the time...
How about the full length Beatles, "Revolution #9". That should test your patience!
So long time ago! I haven't listened to this song for 3+ decades. Still some magic in this composition. I will pull the large black crepe from the crib and dust it off for a full play. The thing is that one can recognize the old artists personal style within seconds. I don't believe you could do it with today's production which is all about the same beat.
10
Okay Bill, I dare ya! Dare you to just once, play the full length 25 minute+ version. Come on, come on I dare ya.
From the opening drone I knew... QSMS were the soundtrack of the SanFran 60's... I loved every minute of it, lived on the corner of Haight/Ashbury, the Diggers were my crew. Yeah.
The Haight.... the Summer of Love... yeah man, takes me right back. Sure I was only six at the time, but with just a slight assist from Quicksilver and their awesome album art, I remember parts of it all quite well.
My boyfriend's favorite love song. "They don't make it like *this* anymore."
WonderLizard wrote:
Oh, give it to me sweetly, Magnolia. These it's difficult to tell if "Magnolia Thunderpussy" refers to a band, a record store in Ohio, or a brew pub on Haight St., the site of the esteemed Ms. Thunderpussy's wonderful desserts, especially Marty's Montana Banana, rumored to be modeled after Marty Balin's member, but that's just a rumor. She was and is the original. Great history lesson, BTW: Quicksilver playing Diddley; a Virginia folkie playing English nursery rhymes in a blues idiom; and Mellencamp doing Johnson and Wanchic's incredible guitar work.
I thought I'd stumbled into the Spam Poetry forum for a second. In any case, my favorite version of "Who Do You Love".
Shades of Link Wray (may he rest in peace).
passsion8 wrote:
When I was in 9th grade back in the 70's, I was put up to showing how"cool" I was by some upperclassmen. I went in to the local hardware store, that also doubled as our town's music store, and stuffed 5 albums up under my sweater. Didn't even look who they were. They ended up being: Bloodrock Steeleye Span - Below the Salt Gentle Giant Amazing Blondel & Quicksilver Messenger Service - Happy Trails All (minus the Bloodrock) proved to influence me in immeasurable ways, including veering away from top 40 pop, especially the latter. I think it didn't leave my turntable for weeks - stunning CalRock from that era. I just bought the CD last month. FYI: As for the upperclassmen, 2 ended up spending 2 years in prison for theft and one died in a cocaine rubout in Florida. I got the cool tunes, one of the guys girlfriends, and turned my back on crime.
If you *had* to steal, you were too darned lucky. QMS was amazing, Steeleye Span was so great, and I am quite vexed that after all this time I only discovered Amazing Blondel last week! That album is worth a mint, probably. I only know what I read on AMG, have never heard them, but know I love them. I have not seen a price lower than $25 for any of their recordings!
Just too cool! End of the damn discussion!!!
When I was in 9th grade back in the 70's, I was put up to showing how"cool" I was by some upperclassmen. I went in to the local hardware store, that also doubled as our town's music store, and stuffed 5 albums up under my sweater. Didn't even look who they were. They ended up being: Bloodrock Steeleye Span - Below the Salt Gentle Giant Amazing Blondel & Quicksilver Messenger Service - Happy Trails All (minus the Bloodrock) proved to influence me in immeasurable ways, including veering away from top 40 pop, especially the latter. I think it didn't leave my turntable for weeks - stunning CalRock from that era. I just bought the CD last month. FYI: As for the upperclassmen, 2 ended up spending 2 years in prison for theft and one died in a cocaine rubout in Florida. I got the cool tunes, one of the guys girlfriends, and turned my back on crime.
Oh, give it to me sweetly, Magnolia. These it's difficult to tell if "Magnolia Thunderpussy" refers to a band, a record store in Ohio, or a brew pub on Haight St., the site of the esteemed Ms. Thunderpussy's wonderful desserts, especially Marty's Montana Banana, rumored to be modeled after Marty Balin's member, but that's just a rumor. She was and is the original. Great history lesson, BTW: Quicksilver playing Diddley; a Virginia folkie playing English nursery rhymes in a blues idiom; and Mellencamp doing Johnson and Wanchic's incredible guitar work.
Best concert band i've ever seen. Have seen them all. Gotta play the long version.
Personally, that was plenty long enough for me.
Govi wrote:
More Quicksilver, and how about some Great Society, Mystery Trend, Amazing Charlatans, Sons of Adam, Lee Michaels, Blue Cheer, Big Brother and the Holding Company, Loading Zone, Paul Butterfield Blues Band (with Mike Bloomfield), Country Joe and the Fish, Cream, Joy of Cooking, Sopwith Camel (Steppenwolf), Pentangle, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Moby Grape, Pretty Things, Seeds,...? And I'll think about how good the Banana Mana tasted that could be delivered in the middle of the night by Magnolia Thunderpussy's all night ice creamery.
Good list. I second the motion.
DITTO what mikey said! Yeah! Play the entire frelling thing! You seem to have no problem playing entire sides of Beatles albums......
There are some of us for whom this song was a seminal experience (older folks!), and playing anything less than the original, full album side bastardizes that. You're not on commercial radio ferchrissakes. Play the whole thing!
More Quicksilver, and how about some Great Society, Mystery Trend, Amazing Charlatans, Sons of Adam, Lee Michaels, Blue Cheer, Big Brother and the Holding Company, Loading Zone, Paul Butterfield Blues Band (with Mike Bloomfield), Country Joe and the Fish, Cream, Joy of Cooking, Sopwith Camel (Steppenwolf), Pentangle, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Moby Grape, Pretty Things, Seeds,...? And I'll think about how good the Banana Mana tasted that could be delivered in the middle of the night by Magnolia Thunderpussy's all night ice creamery.
I listened to the long version enough times to practically know it by heart, and from the first time I heard the 'radio-friendly' short version I felt it was a travesty. I understand those who don't 'get' this song, because most of what makes it great is lost in the edited version. The album it came from originally, 'Happy Trails', has a bunch of great stuff on it that's shorter, if you don't want to dedicate the 20-some odd minutes to the full version of 'Who Do You Love'...
labkpr wrote:
Although I do appreciate the varied sounds and genres reproduced so faithfully at RP (whether I like them or not), this is pure crap and needs to be obliterated from the line-up. Of course, that's just my opinion.
my sentiments exactly!
Although I do appreciate the varied sounds and genres reproduced so faithfully at RP (whether I like them or not), this is pure crap and needs to be obliterated from the line-up. Of course, that's just my opinion.
bluedot wrote:
yeah! and while you're at it, bill, how about "thick as a brick," " tales from topographic oceans," "the lamb lies down on broadway," "a plague of lighthouse keepers," or maybe a live extended version of "in a gadda da vida?" anyone else have any ideas? actually, bill seems to stick to songs of fairly conventional length most of the time...
how 'bout the 45 minute Midnight Hour off Fallout From The Phil Zone?
sharkartist wrote:
Bill, I gotta agree. I mean yeah, a half hour song might prove to be too much for the average Mohican but you're not dealing with your average Mohicans here! Surprise us from time to to with the unedited version <-o<
yeah! and while you're at it, bill, how about "thick as a brick," " tales from topographic oceans," "the lamb lies down on broadway," "a plague of lighthouse keepers," or maybe a live extended version of "in a gadda da vida?" anyone else have any ideas? actually, bill seems to stick to songs of fairly conventional length most of the time...
:daisy.gif: :goodvibes.gif: :daisy.gif: :goodvibes.gif: Where's my bean bag chair? Belay that request - I want to be able to get up sometime later today. :oops: - Riff
strangeloops wrote:
Maybe I'm too young to get into the hippie groove, but to me this is no match for covers by George T. or even The Jesus and Mary Chain. (Anyone heard that one? Like a 45 at 33 1/3 but hard as nails.)
Its The Doors cover off of Alive She Cried that really does it for me. I've seen Bo Diddley do this live (and George T. for that matter), but Jim seems more authentic somehow...
Generally I can get into the hippie groove without too much prodding but this version of the song just didn't do it for me. There are much better versions out there. That being said Jam bands are a good thing and I would love to see more of them in rotation here at RP, including live Dave Matthews and Phish. strangeloops wrote:
Maybe I'm too young to get into the hippie groove, but to me this is no match for covers by George T. or even The Jesus and Mary Chain. (Anyone heard that one? Like a 45 at 33 1/3 but hard as nails.)
my department head's favorite band....guess that means I can crank this up. oh wait. she's gone home....
oldslabsides wrote:
oh wow...i think that brought up some residual mescaline....cool
That sure sums it up.
MrBoyo wrote:
Longer version PLEASE.
Yeah. What he said. This was a live recording. It has a portion where the only sound is some rythmic hand-clapping by the audience, over some lite rythmic plucking of apparently the strings on their guitar headstocks or something. Anyway, it's cool and Iv'e never heard anything else like it live or on record.
That instrument at the beginning sounds like the 'creatures' from The Village, by M. Night. A 6.
Longer version PLEASE.
PIGPEN RULES!!!!!!
And while you're all out checking out other versions try the one by Donovan
oldslabsides wrote:
...i think that brought up some residual mescaline....
and check out that early Rick Griffin cover art - take that, taggers!
oh wow...i think that brought up some residual mescaline....cool
hippie wrote:
One of my favorite Quicksilver somgs :) but come on Bill, play the long version for christ sake, that was just a teaser and old us old hippies can't take that
Bill, I gotta agree. I mean yeah, a half hour song might prove to be too much for the average Mohican but you're not dealing with your average Mohicans here! Surprise us from time to to with the unedited version <-o<
Sweet, nice choice for a Sunday post Vaventine morning.
It'd be nice to hear the whole, half-hour version. Especially with the rythmic clapping sequence...
Maybe I'm too young to get into the hippie groove, but to me this is no match for covers by George T. or even The Jesus and Mary Chain. (Anyone heard that one? Like a 45 at 33 1/3 but hard as nails.)
I think I just had a Flash Back Good times 8-<
Not bad for a re-make, the original is still better. But not as good as peppered beef jerky.
Not quite \"What About Me?\" but it\'ll do for the time being!
OOOH YESSSS!!!! Except you need to play the long version.
I was somehow babtized w/ this as a very young teen (12) in Ft. Worth, Texas. I\'ll never know how that happened, but hearing it here is SOOOO COOL!!!!
Ah, Happy Days, Happy Trails! I once saw John Cippolina guesting with a Welsh band called \'Man\' back in the Seventies. They did a version of this song, which was more like \'Who Do You Think You Are Kidding?\' More QSM, please.
Love Quicksilver. How about some Bo Diddley now.
Too quick and abbreviated....make it longer.
OH MY GOD!!! I haven\'t heard this in 30 years!
The George Thorogood version, while amazing, simply pales to this. Reason #4560 why we don\'t have radio in my house anymore. Just RP running through the server all the time!
Originally Posted by Patterned: Pales in comparison to the original, sorry.
Sorry for you. I'm afraid -- this is the real thing. What a fantastically tight lead guitar! And outstanding rhythm complement.
Too bad you don\'t have the fullout version. Is the one you played today \"live?\" And, I apologize for sounding stoopid, but I listened at (too) low volume, on computer speakers. Was that Pigpen singing? I know Cippolina played with the Dead, just wondering if Pigpen sat in for this one. :D
Man, I think I died and went to Bo Diddley heaven!
Well, I guess we\'re just going to have to get you that Happy Trails CD, aren\'t we?
One of my favorite Quicksilver somgs :) but come on Bill, play the long version for christ sake, that was just a teaser and old us old hippies can\'t take that
Hot damn!! Quicksilver!! Ok, I\'m showing my age, but more please!
This is very cool! I also really LOVE the George Thoroughgood and the Destroyers version. THAT would rock RP\'s house!
I know, AC, this makes me crazy too. I hadn\'t realized how much this song takes me back to a much YOUNGER time, but no sooner does it establish its old familiar merry groove than it is gone. Alas. Alack. I mourn its passing, there\'s so much more there.