“They Say”
by Ritchie Marsh
1962 song
In Sky Saxon’s early “teen idol” phase he released two different recordings of the song "They Say". Both are led by a lovely little organ riff and a danceable shuffling rhythm.
The first version of "They Say" was released in 1962 on a 7″ as Ritchie Marsh, Sky’s real name. This was Sky’s third single and his only one on the Shepherd label. It backed the song “Darling I Swear That It’s True”. The wailing sax makes "They Say" positively fun, and one can hear that 25-year-old Sky is starting to loosen up and enjoy himself. Maybe this singing thing will work out for him after all. Someday – "They Say" sank without notice.
In September 1963 came a re-recording of "They Say"; this one was credited to Sky Saxon and The Soul Rockers. It was the first use of his famous new name. This version of "They Say", on a label called Conquest that Sky created just for this release and backing the tune "Go Ahead And Cry", is largely similar to the 1962 version. It can be distinguished by female singers offering frequent support behind Sky’s lines. Also setting the remake apart from the original is the wild guitar solo and the more noticeable sense of abandon from Sky. There’s a more energetic buzz to the remake; the song is still fairly unremarkable but Sky was getting closer to the persona that would bring him stardom.
A 1982 LP called Bad Part Of Town included the remake of "They Say", while a similar 1983 album called New Fruit From Old Seeds included both versions (back to back, even). Both versions also appear on the 2003 LP Sky Saxon Presents "A Starlight Date With Richard Marsh" but with heavy noise reduction technology draining the life from them. All of these LPs use original vinyl 45s as their sources.
