Jerry Goldstein’s Two Pop Worlds
Jerry Goldstein connects two distinct pop worlds, from writing "I Want Candy" for The Strangeloves to co-writing "Low Rider" with War.
Tracklist
- I Want Candy — The Strangeloves
- Sorrow — The McCoys
- Sorrow — David Bowie
- Low Rider — War
Transcript
I Want Candy — The Strangeloves
Jerry Goldstein appears twice on the Songwriters Hall of Fame’s 2027 nominee list: once with Bob Feldman and Richard Gottehrer, and once alongside War’s songwriters. Stereogum calls him the first songwriter nominated twice in a single year. Goldstein, Feldman and Gottehrer wrote together as FGG and were bandmates in the Strangeloves. Their hit “I Want Candy” makes that first nomination easy to place: the songwriting trio is also the band you’re about to hear. Hear I Want Candy by The Strangeloves.
Sorrow — The McCoys
This time, the songwriters from the Strangeloves aren’t the band on the record. Goldstein, Bob Feldman and Richard Gottehrer wrote “Sorrow,” and the McCoys recorded it. Their version appears on Hang On Sloopy. Hear Sorrow by The McCoys.
Sorrow — David Bowie
David Bowie recorded “Sorrow” after the McCoys, taking the FGG song to another voice. His recording appears on PinUps in the 2015 remaster edition. You’ve heard the McCoys’ version; how does Bowie’s recording strike you? Hear Sorrow by David Bowie.
Low Rider — War
Jerry Goldstein’s other nomination brings us to War, the funk-rock group behind “Low Rider.” Stereogum says he produced all the band’s albums and co-wrote its songs, though he was never a member. The Songwriters Hall of Fame lists “Low Rider” among the songs for his nomination alongside War’s songwriters. You’ve heard his work with FGG; now hear what he made with different collaborators. How far apart do those two worlds feel to you? Hear Low Rider by War.