music

The Jerrys Drop New Single “Think for Myself”

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The Jerrys have released a new single, “Think for Myself,” their first new music since last year’s full-length Ready or Not. Fans of power pop will like this one, complete with big guitars, handclaps, and attitude.

I’m not a big fan of people thinking for me, so once I decided on a song title, writing the rest was easy. Each of us has our own life, and each of us gets to make our own decisions. While writing “Think for Myself,” I kept recalling Eric Burdon singing “It’s my mind and I’ll think what I want,” and I thought, yeah, that’s me. Don’t push me.

I’m happy to say that after a short absence, Robert Porche has rejoined me and Jim Losby on the new single. Both Robert (drums, backing vocals) and Jim (bass guitar) have appeared on numerous recordings of The Jerrys, and we’re working on more releases for 2023 and beyond.

Listen to “Think for Myself” below.

“Think for Myself” is out now.

The Jerrys – “Love Me Now and Leave Me Never” (LISTEN)

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Last month, The Jerrys released “Alicia,” the first single from their upcoming album Ready or Not, due out 5/4. Today, the band is putting out the album’s second single, “Love Me Now and Leave Me Never,” a Bond-inspired spy rocker.

I’ve always enjoyed watching spies on the screen, and I wanted to know what it would sound like if my band did a Bond movie theme. After creating a fictional movie title, everything fell into place, including using a sitar (I always loved that sitar in the Bond-like intro of the soundtrack version of The Beatles’ “Help!”). The lead guitar solo is a tribute to Johnny Rivers’ solo in “Secret Agent Man,” an old favorite of mine. I was encouraged throughout the writing process by listening to several really bad Bond movie theme songs.

Listen below.


Also, in case you missed it, a new lyric video for “Alicia” was released a few weeks ago, and you can check that out below as well.

Get ready. Or not. Ready or Not is out 5/4.

The Jerrys Share New Single, “Alicia”

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The Jerrys will release their new album, Ready or Not, on May 4 and they just shared the first single, “Alicia,” a power pop homage to the real-life Alicia.

As a teenager, I wrote a song about my girlfriend Alicia dancing to the record player. To fit the lyric, I used her first name, but no one knew her by that name and The Shadows of Knight and others had already made the name a hit anyway, so I ditched the idea. Decades later, I returned to writing a song about Alicia, even spelling out her name and singing about her dancing when the music’s streaming. For the record, though, she’s my wife this time around.

Listen to “Alicia” below.

Ready or Not is out 5/4.

Books I Read in 2020

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When I say I read a handful of books in 2020, I mean it. I only read five books in 2020! Here’s the list of books I read or reread during a very busy year:

  • Buddhist Suttas for Recitation: A Companion for Walking the Buddha’s Path (Bhante Gunaratana)
  • Post Office (Charles Bukowski)
  • Revolution in the Head (Ian McDonald)
  • What Why How: Answers to Your Questions About Buddhism, Meditation, and Living Mindfully (Bhante G)
  • Hawk: I Did It My Way (Ken Harrelson)

Despite the small list, I love to read (I even wrote a song about it), and I plan to read more books in 2021.

My Top 10 Favorite Songs With Horns

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Horn

The other day I got that feeling again―that feeling I get when I hear a song that features killer horns. I can’t describe it and won’t waste time trying, but this time it happened when Spotify served up one of my all-time favorite horn songs, “Draggin’ the Line” (Tommy James), followed by another song with horns, “Time Won’t Let Me” (The Outsiders). So many feel-good songs use horns! Here are my top ten faves in alphabetical order:

  • “98.6” (Keith)
  • “Bend Me Shape Me” (The American Breed)
  • “Don’t You Care” (The Buckinghams)
  • “Draggin’ the Line” (Tommy James)
  • “Good Morning Good Morning” (The Beatles)
  • “Got to Get You Into My Life” (The Beatles)
  • “Happy Together” (The Turtles)
  • “Make Me Smile” (Chicago)
  • “Susan” (The Buckinghams)
  • “Uptight” (Stevie Wonder)

Narrowing the list to ten was no small task, as there are so many good tunes to choose from, but there you have it. I’ve loved these songs for decades, yet they remain as fresh today as when I first heard them. Give them a listen, see what you think!

The Jerrys Set to Make New Music

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After a year that left little time for creative pursuits, The Jerrys have begun making new music and plan to release a new album of original songs. While it’s too early to set a release date, a single will be released from the album in early 2021. Until then, check out past releases, including The Jerrys at WZRD, last year’s full-length album featuring songs recorded live in the studio at WZRD Chicago 88.3 FM.

Upcoming Live Album, The Jerrys on Instagram, More

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As summer nears, here’s a quick update on my band and the live album to be released in the coming weeks:

  • Production and postproduction work have been completed for a new live album. The Jerrys at WZRD will consist of ten songs recorded over four separate performances recorded live in the studio at WZRD Chicago 88.3 FM. I’m currently working on the album art and will post the final track listing when that is available. The album will be released in early summer.
  • I began recording for a new single by The Jerrys. I like where it’s going, and I’m enjoying making it. There’s no release date at this time.
  • The Jerrys are now on Instagram, so be sure to check out The Jerrys on Instagram. You can also visit The Jerrys’ Facebook page or follow The Jerrys on Twitter.
  • On May 16, I performed a set with The Jerrys at Rabid Brewing in Homewood, Illinois. It was the first time we played out this year, as well as our first time at that venue (photo). Later that evening, I played solo with a borrowed guitar before being joined on stage by others, including Robert Porche.

For the record, since starting this post I wrote another tune and will begin recording that one soon. There’s always more music on the way!

New Single: Everything Goes

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Everything Goes single cover

A new single by The Jerrys, “Everything Goes,” is now available as a free download. Give it a listen!

 

Everything Goes

Nothing ever the same
that’s how things go
You’re not even who you
were a picosecond ago
You can’t step in the same
river twice and all that
No past, no future,
now is where it’s at
Everything goes
Everything goes

In the blink of an eye
the morning is noon
One minute it’s March
and next thing
it’s already June
Time and tide wait for no man
and all that biz
No then, no later,
now is all there is and
Everything goes
Everything goes

At the end of the day
time doesn’t know
Who’s still hanging around:
it stays and the people go
Time flies and life’s too short
and all that stuff
Don’t waste your time cause
life is short enough
Everything goes
Everything goes
And everyone knows
Everything goes

Words and music ©2018 by Jerry Schwartz
All instruments and vocals by Jerry Schwartz

My Dad and His Love of Music

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My dad

My dad passed away last month, and rather than list facts here—that he was born in Kentucky to a German sharecropper and his wife, that he grew to be a successful man with a wife and six children, etc—I mention his love of music. I am grateful to my dad for many things, but I am most grateful for the love of music that he passed along to me.

In the earliest days of our family, Dad had an electric guitar and amplifier, and he enjoyed playing for fun. We watched Johnny Rivers on television and listened to Duane Eddy records on the stereo, and Dad thought Chuck Berry was the greatest. When I was six, he taught me to play “Secret Agent Man,” “What I Say,” and the Bonanza theme song on guitar, and I played those songs over and over. He sold that guitar one day and never played again, but he bought one for me soon after, and I’ve been playing ever since.

I recall the times Dad drove me and my musical equipment around to practices. I remember him taking a vacation day to watch my band play in a school talent show. I hear him singing as he walked through the house, and when I’m enjoying a tune, I tap my foot like he always did. I think of my dad every day, especially when I play guitar. Life’s better with music. Dad taught me that.

Starting the New Year With a Bang!

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I started my new year off with a bang. Literally. I bought a new drum kit over the holidays: a Pearl Roadshow 5-piece fusion drum set in charcoal metallic. You’ll note the smaller tom is missing, with the larger tom in its place–I packed the smaller one away. I only wanted a four-piece kit, but the included hardware, cymbals, and throne made this set the one to get, and I’m glad I did. Nice!