Song spotlight: "I'm Catching Hell."

Sure, you can go to Stereogum or Pitchfork Media for your news about the musics. But today, we'd like to talk to the ladies...

Actually, we'd like to spotlight one song. Actually, we'd like to spotlight a bit of one song. This wonderful song moment was brought to our attention way back in our college days, and we listen to it every time we need a little cheerin' up. It's the beginning of a song pricelessly titled "I'm Catching Hell," as spoken/sung by an utterly coked-up Natalie Cole. We know it from a fantastic Natalie Cole collection entitled The Natalie Cole Collection, and we highly recommend grabbing copy if you see one for less than 5¢.



Now, because this site is hosted for free, we can't link a respective mp3 of the tune. No matter, really. Just imagine some terrible 1970s pre-fab slow R&B followed by a husky voice saying, not speaking, these timeless words (yes, this qualifies as a "speech song," one of those glorious tunes in which the artist decides it's necessary to speak, rather than sing, an important refrain)...

Tonight, I, I just want to talk to the ladies. Oh fellas, you're cool! But girls...

If you've got a good man, you'd better keep him.

Oh I know you're saying right now, what does she know?

Who is she to tell me about my situation?

Well, I don't know your situation,

But whatever it is, you should try to stay together.

You know that big argument that you had the other night? Remember?

Well, today it's not nothing! Just don't let him leave you honey,

'cause then you'll find out that it wasn't those real big things you loved about
him,

It was the real small things. Go on and laugh, but it's true!

You know, things that you've seen a thousand times around the house

But never paid any attention to, like helping with the groceries

And helping in the yard and painting and repairing and—huh!—payin' the bills.

But you know now, all I have is memories and regrets.

I could have given our love a chance to grow but no

I had to challenge it and be heard!

Let me tell you something...

That female liberation stuff, I don't know, sometimes I don't think it's worth it

And I'm really feeling, feeling kind of bad y'all...