Back on this Tuesday, July 23, with the sixth of 22 tracks on my Amy Winehouse Mix CD. Before I start, I can’t let today pass without acknowledging that it’s the 13 year anniversary of Amy’s passing. I’ve spent a lot of time in those 13 years wondering what could have been. She’s missed every day by people around the world. I’m still thankful for the time we got with her and everything that she left us. I hope that she continues to rest in peace.
Today we have “You Sent Me Flying (Definitive Edit)”. “You Sent Me Flying” is the second track from Amy’s 2003 debut album Frank. It was released on April 3, 2004 as the B-side of the “In My Bed” single, which peaked at #60 in the UK. “You Sent Me Flying” was written by Amy Winehouse and produced, once again, by trusted collaborator Salaam Remi.
When I last wrote about this track back in February’s original Amy Winehouse Mix CD I hadn’t actually heard the “definitive edit”. The album version is nearly seven minutes long when combined with “Cherry”, a brief ode to Amy’s new guitar at the end of the track that also nearly doubles the length. I would actually prefer the two split into separate tracks, but for whatever reason they are one, so if you’re going to add them to a mix like this you’re getting both of them. Funny thing is, my complaint at the time was not about the length of the track or the inclusion of “Cherry”. If “Cherry” was its own individual track I’d probably include it on this mix CD as well because I enjoy it that much. My complaints about the album version of “You Sent Me Flying” had to do with the production. Three things specifically:
- I don’t like the piano sound. It’s too clean. Amy was a big fan of Monk. So, give me some dirty, Thelonious Monk sound on this track instead of the concert hall grand piano sound that ended up on the track.
- The drum sample was taken from the track “Hihache” by Lafayette Afro Rock Band. It’s a classic sample. A little too classic. According to whosampled.com it’s been sampled 280 times by the likes of LL Cool J, Janet Jackson, Naughty By Nature, De La Soul, Ice Cube, Public Enemy, and *NSYNC among others. This beat was a staple of 90s hip hop. It makes the song feel…generic?
- It takes too long for the beat to drop. It takes 2:33 for that “Hihache” beat to show up in the album version. I don’t dislike having to wait that long, but it doesn’t really fit this song. You spend the first minute wondering where the beat is, then the second minute forgetting about it. The next 30 seconds you’re used to the fact that it’s not there, and then it shows up. It’s unnecessarily jarring.
The changes made on the definitive edit are minor but make a huge difference. Like hearing this track again for the first time. The drums show up 36 seconds into this version. The first time I heard it I yelled, “YES!” The other changes are hardly noticeable unless you’ve listened to this song hundreds of times…which I have. The guitar is more noticeable in the mix and used more for punctuation. Also, this version clocks in at a much more reasonable 3:49. I must be some kind of arrogant bastard to sit here in my ivory tower with my keyboard and question the decisions of someone like Salaam Remi. It’s a great track. Even with these complaints I still include it on my list of Amy’s best songs. I’d love to hear someone like Dilla, 9th Wonder, or Knxwledge get their hands on this one. It’s a bit polished for my taste, that’s all. I’d like it grittier.
But enough about that. Once again, Amy’s songwriting at such a young age is shocking. She has a rare ability to know when to explain things literally and other times poetically. This song is literal, but also effective. I don’t expect a song about unreciprocated office romance to come from 20-year-old Amy Winehouse, but that’s what this is and it’s outstanding. It also makes me picture young Amy Winehouse working in an office, and I can’t imagine that went well.
The fact that these words came from a teenager who then wrote a melody and took these thoughts, feelings, and lyrics and turned them into a song is the part of this song that I can’t wrap my head around. Here’s the second verse:
“His message was brutal, but the delivery was kind.
Maybe if I get this down I’ll get it off my mind.
It serves to condition me and smoothen my kinks
despite my frustration for the way that he thinks.
And I know the truth, when it came, would be to that effect.
At least you’re attracted to me, which I did not expect.
Didn’t think you’d get my number down as such,
but I’ve never hated myself for my age so much.”
Are you fucking kidding me? Oh, by the way, the voice you hear isn’t some bullshit pop star. It’s Amy Winehouse. The woman with the coolest voice in generations. How is one person – who happens to be in her late-teens when this is being written and recorded – capable of this? It doesn’t make sense. Amy was too good for us. We were lucky to be here at the same time she was.
I haven’t seen many live versions of “You Sent Me Flying” so I don’t have to look far to find my favorite. This performance from V Fest is fantastic. Amy sounds incredible. The band is on point. There’s also a fun mystery: At about the 2:30 mark in the video Amy stops singing not only mid-verse, but mid-line. The camera is focused on the guitar and horns, who continue playing. She just stays out for a few lines and the crowd starts cheering. When she starts singing again she’s smiling from ear-to-ear and you can see the band all grinning and exchanging looks. I’d love to know what happened here. Ultimately it doesn’t matter. This version is amazing and you should watch it immediately if you didn’t already.
That’s all I have time for today. I was probably a bit harsh about the production on a track that I love, but it is what it is: A great song featuring a generational vocalist and songwriter just realizing her powers. It deserved a beat to match it. My apologies to the great Salaam Remi. I’ll be back tomorrow with more. I hope you’re enjoying your Tuesday.
mookiefantana 