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Tuesday, February 5, 2013

Tribute to Reg Presley: THE TROGGS - ANYWAY THAT YOU WANT ME

Sadly, the only thing that could end Reg Presley's role as lead singer of The Troggs (a position that he held proudly since 1964) was lung cancer; Reg was diagnosed in January 2012.

I can only imagine what it would be like to create the type of cultural milestone that is "Wild Thing"; a song that took on many lives beyond its first one- a massive hit and a massive influence on garage rock and punk. As for their influential proto-punk sides, "I Want You" was even greater, as it oozed attitude, raw power and SEX. The Troggs (hailing from rural Andover in South England) didn't wanna hold your hand, they wanted YOU.

The Troggs did progress beyond their caveman like beginnings, culminating in their last massive hit, the amazing "Love Is All Around"- a song that conveys tenderness in a way that is so simple, so real that it will certainly live on (albeit in a quieter way) just as long as "Wild Thing" (my wife and I performed an acoustic version of it at our wedding that you can check out here.)

I first heard "Anyway That You Want Me" when Spiritualized covered it in 1990, and a few years later heard both the Troggs version, as well as Evie Sands equally amazing take of this Chip Taylor number (Chip also wrote "Wild Thing").

It's an incredible song, and Reg's vocal delivery is so genuine, so authentic, that it easily ranks among his best performances (as well as a highlight of the entire British invasion era).

from 1966...

THE TROGGS - ANYWAY THAT YOU WANT ME

1 comment:

Marc said...

This is great -- thanks for posting it! I'd somehow never heard the Troggs' version before.

Marc