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A History of ‘Homework’ – Part 1

Worst.  Blog. Title.  Ever.

I know, I know – but I wanted to write about the Otis Rush classic and some of it’s many, many covers over the years.

Having had a single released under his own name (apparently the label’s last, although I don’t think the two are related) in 1961, Al Perkins’ luck seemed to be improving the following year when two of his songs were recorded by two different West Side Chicago guitar heroes. 

In 1960, he had sold a song, ‘I Got a Strange Feeling’ to Willie Dixon who brought it a Buddy Guy session and placed his name first on the credit. 

That version would remain unreleased for ten years, first appearing on the 1970 Chess compilation “I Was Walking Through the Woods”.

In August of 1962, Dixon brought in a new group of musicians (losing Junior Wells on harmonica and Otis Spann on piano) and cut the number again.  It was released under the title ‘When My Left Eye Jumps’ as the A-side of a single on Chess. 

Released the same month, October of 1962, was Otis Rush’s version of what is now Perkin’s best known song, ‘Homework’ * ; the A-side of the only single released during Otis Rush’s three-year tenure with Duke records.

Otis Rush: vocal & guitar / King Kolax, Sonny Turner, Murray Watson: trumpets /

Milton Bland (Monk Higgins): trombone / Johnny Board, Abe Locke: tenor saxophones /  

Lafayette Leake: keyboards / Lefty Bates : guitar / Jack Myers : bass / Casey Jones: drums

Originally released as A-side Duke single (1962) (U.S.)

Released as A-side Vocalion single (Decca subsidiary) (1966) (U.K.)

Otis Rush – Homework – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gzDJoSgaVCE

Four of the musicians on Rush’s session, Abe Locke, Lafayette Leake, Lefty Bates and Jack Myers also played on the Buddy Guy session a month earlier.

The arrangement may sound slightly “off” to those who mainly know the number from Rush’s later versions or covers by Fleetwood Mac and other “rock” bands who based their versions on the Fleetwood Mac recording. 

The sound of this record is certainly a shock for any expecting an echo of his Cobra recordings, or even the two Chess singles that preceded it.  The number is defined less by Rush’s guitar and more by the horns and Lafayette Leake’s organ.

Rush seemed to have lost any interest in the number after that, (it would be thirty-two years before he would cut the number again in the studio, and I am unaware of any live performances of the number before that) 

Perkins though was not yet ready to give up on the number, and was able to convince two different labels, a year apart to put his conviction to the test.

His first attempt saw him partnered with soul singer Betty Bibbs and released as the A-side of a single on the U.S.A. label in 1965               

Al Perkins and Betty Bibbs – Homework – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TnzbjqY0jC8

It sounds as if there was absolutely no money to produce this recording; the threadbare sound in marked contrast to the Rush original.  With so little to work with, the focus is turned on the singers as they confess their mutual infatuation.  There are some sparks when the stone strikes the flint, but the number would have needed a longer running time for the passions to build, and even then, there simply wasn’t enough kindling for the number to ever catch fire. 

Perkins took a decidedly different approach the following year; done once again as a duet, he teams up this time with the Constellation label’s A & R man Bill “Bunky” Sheppard.

A radically different arrangement, this is probably the most “age appropriate” sounding rendition of the song. 

That said, the fact that they were two middle-aged black men singing the song, pretty much guaranteed the number would never reach it’s intended audience.

Al and Bunky – Homework – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8G2czAtCX4w

In 1966, the British Vocalion label released Rush’s Duke single (again backed with ‘I Have to Laugh’) in England, coinciding with Rush’s appearances with the American Folk Blues Festival, introducing Rush and his music to a new generation in Europe.

We’ll take a look at some of the earliest covers of the song and how those in turn prompted covers by American bands, in the next installment.

* The song was co-credited to Dave Clark; he has his name on a handful songs, most famously B.B. King’s ‘Why I Sing the Blues’ but his reputation rests on his pioneering work as a record promoter, earning him the unofficial title, “Dean of Black promotion men”.  He was working promotion for Duke records at the time of Rush’s recording.

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Homework by Fleetwood Mac

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Blues Jam at Chess, Chicago, with Fleetwood Mac Album December 5, 1969

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Homework written by Dave Clark [US] , Al Perkins [US1] English

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Who Wrote That Song? If You’re Not Sure, Here’s How to Find Out

Who wrote that song? It’s a common question that a quick search doesn’t always cover. Here’s how to find out who wrote a song and more.

It can be challenging to find out who wrote a particular song sometimes. Fortunately, there are a variety of repertory databases you can search to find out who wrote a song, published, performed it, and more. Some of the databases on this list are aimed at music professionals but still contain a comprehensive search function for general use.

https://www.allmusic.com/advanced-search

AllMusic has a lot of filters, and it contains an excellent database if you’re looking for general information about a song, album, or artist. It can be tricky to navigate compared to some of the other databases on this list. Still, it’s one of the best for most users seeking information who aren’t necessarily in the music industry.

https://www.songfile.com/public-search

Songfile offers some results under its public search option, but most of its information requires membership to access. Songfile is a database designed for someone looking to license music and credit accordingly, rather than a general knowledge database.

https://www.sesac.com/repertory/search

An invitation-only performance rights organization, SESAC (originally the Society of European Stage Authors and Composers) has a robust public database you can access for free. SESAC was initially founded in 1930, making it the second oldest performance rights organization in the United States.

BMI (Broadcast Music Inc.)

https://repertoire.bmi.com/

The largest music rights organization in the US, BMI deals in music licensing. While BMI’s services require membership, their database can be accessed publicly, including information in the ASCAP database below.

ASCAP (ACE Repertory)

https://www.ascap.com/repertory#/

The ACE Repertory is a searchable database containing musical works licensed under ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers) and BMI. You can search both databases via its SongView service or one of them individually. ASCAP was founded in 1914, making it the oldest music copyright collective in the country.

CCLI (Christian Copyright Licensing International)

https://us.ccli.com/

Though primarily for licensing Christian music and media in churches, schools, and other organizations, CCLI boasts a wide array of publishing partners. It features a searchable database and a song licensing service called SongSelect.

https://jaxsta.com/

A comparatively newer service founded in 2015 by a husband and wife team in the music industry, Australian-based Jaxsta is making waves as a credible source for finding out who played what role on a song. The content owners supply Jaxsta with its database rather than crowdsourced information.

Behind The Meaning of “Hallelujah” by Leonard Cohen

Jacob Uitti

Updated: 

Lyrically, is there a more beautiful song than “Hallelujah”?

Videos by American Songwriter

Written by the Canadian-born poet-songwriter-performer Leonard Cohen and released on his 1984 album Various Positions , the song has earned global significance. But that is for several reasons.

The Story of the Song’s Fame

The story of the song’s fame and impact has as much to do with Cohen as it does with several other notable musicians and performers, namely John Cale, Jeff Buckley, and Rufus Wainwright.

Of course, it’s important to start the conversation about “Hallelujah” with its lyrics. Cohen, who is considered one of music’s greatest poets, writes expertly and exquisitely about the human condition, about love and sadness and remorse and hope in the track. It’s because of these themes that the song has since become timeless.

Years after its initial release, “Hallelujah” was covered prominently by Cale, Buckley, Wainwright, and more (see below). And after Cohen’s death in November 2016, the song experienced another resurgence. His passing, at 82 years old, marked the first time “Hallelujah” appeared in the Billboard Hot 100 song charts.

Composition

The song was originally written by Cohen in 12/8 time, which recalls gospel music and, as such, early rock and roll songs. Cohen wrote the track in C-major and its chord progression—C, F, G, A-minor, F—match the meta-lyrics in the tune. Namely, “Goes like this, the fourth, the fifth, the minor fall, the major lift.”

Like some other notable hits of the past, including Bob Dylan’s “Like a Rolling Stone,” Cohen wrote dozens of stanzas for the song before landing on the final version. He wrote something like 80 drafts of the song. It’s even rumored that during one writing session at the Royalton Hotel in New York, Cohen was reduced to sitting on the floor in his underwear and banging his head on the floor.

The song, which includes several obvious Biblical references, utilizes the single word, “Hallelujah,” as its chorus. It’s exultant but it’s also a song about the dark side of humanity and of our most cherished trait: love. Love, though desired and cherished, is not only blissful. As Cohen writes, “It’s a cold and it’s a broken hallelujah.”

Cohen references the stories of Samson and Delilah from the Book of Judges, singing, She cut your hair . He also talks about King David and Bathsheba: Now I heard there was a secret chord that David and it pleased the Lord and You saw her bathing on the roof, her beauty and the moonlight overthrew you.

Looking to love, specifically, Cohen writes beautifully:

Well, maybe there’s a God above As for me all I’ve ever learned from love Is how to shoot somebody who outdrew you But it’s not a crime that you’re hear tonight It’s not some pilgrim who claims to have seen the Light No, it’s a cold and it’s a very broken Hallelujah

Often, he’s saying, when in a relationship, it can feel more like a competition, to win instead of to appreciate. This stanza warns against this common behavior in people. Do better, Cohen seems to say, even when it’s hard, dark, and cold.

Other Cohen Renditions

Reportedly, following the song’s release in 1984, Cohen took it on the road and sang it for fans during his live shows. These performances, however, often contained more or different lyrics. Presumably, Cohen was working out the song live, like many artists tend to do, before ultimately landing on the final version, even though there was already a version on record.

One rendition, by golden-voiced singer Wainwright, replaces the Cohen phrase “holy dove” with his own “holy dark.” And Canadian singer-songwriter Allison Crowe sings, “holy ghost.”

Perhaps above all else, this shows that even the most perfect songs are up to human, creative and artistic interpretation.

Significant Covers

To date, there are more than 300 known versions of the song, with likely thousands more done by hobbyist musicians and local bands.

Bob Dylan was one of the first to perform Cohen’s song in concert. Since then, artists like Brandi Carlile, Regina Spektor, Willie Nelson, Pentatonix, Bono, Bon Jovi, and many more have performed the track. And Chester Bennington sang it for Chris Cornell’s funeral .

But the few that everyone knows are done by Wainwright, Cale, Buckley, and singer k.d. lang. Each performer puts their own spin on the tune, providing a sense of ultimate forlorn, hope, joy, or curiosity.

Cale was the first to record a cover version, doing so in 1991 on his album I’m Your Fan , a Cohen tribute album (check out his HERE ). His rendition offers more melody and musicality than Cohen’s signature drier version does. It also gives off a rock and roll feel.

Cale’s 1991 version incorporated lyrics that Cohen had only performed live. Cale had seen Cohen sing the song live and asked him for examples of the original drafts. Cohen reportedly faxed Cale 15 pages of lyrics and Cale says that he “went through and just picked out the cheeky verses.”

Piggybacking off of that, Buckley took the torch and added his drippy, delicate vocals to the song. This, perhaps more than any other, has become the most popular version (though it wasn’t an immediate hit and Buckley died in 1997 before it became one). Buckley’s recording has more than a hundred million views on YouTube, alone. It appeared on his seminal 1994 album, Grace .

For her part, lang has said that the song, for her, is about “the struggle between having human desire and searching for spiritual wisdom. It’s being caught between those two places.” And former Barenaked Ladies frontman Steven Page, who sang the track at Canadian politician Jack Layton’s funeral, said the song is “about disappointing [other] people.”

Wainwright’s version brought the track to another level. He recorded it for the 2x-platinum soundtrack to the popular movie Shrek (though Cale’s version appears in the movie).

Cohen’s Thoughts on All the Covers

In a 2009 interview with CBC Radio, Cohen talked about the number of covers of the song. He said he found their vastness “ironic and amusing,” given that his record label at the time refused to release the song when he’d first written it.

Cohen said, “I was just reading a review of a movie called Watchmen that uses it and the reviewer said, ‘Can we please have a moratorium on “Hallelujah” in movies and television shows?’ And I kind of feel the same way… I think it’s a good song, but I think too many people sing it.”

But Cohen seemed to contradict himself, saying in 2012 while promoting his album, Old Ideas — “There’s been a couple of times when other people have said can we have a moratorium please on ‘Hallelujah’? Must we have it at the end of every single drama and every single Idol ? And once or twice I’ve felt maybe I should lend my voice to silencing it but on second thought no, I’m very happy that it’s being sung.”

Photo: Sony Music Publishing

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The Meaning Behind The Song: Annabelle’s Homework by Alec Benjamin

The Meaning Behind The Song: “Annabelle’s Homework” by Alec Benjamin

Understanding the depth of “annabelle’s homework”.

Alec Benjamin’s heartfelt track, “Annabelle’s Homework,” delves deep into the challenges faced by a young girl named Annabelle. Benjamin’s lyrics paint a vivid picture of her struggle, allowing listeners to connect with and empathize with her story. The song beautifully captures the vulnerabilities and hardships that come with growing up, resonating with individuals from all walks of life.

Table of Contents

Through his poignant storytelling, Benjamin highlights the pressures faced by young people in the modern educational system. “Annabelle’s Homework” taps into the universal experiences of feeling overwhelmed, misunderstood, and lonely amidst the demanding expectations of society. The song serves as a reminder that behind each individual’s façade lies a world of emotions and struggles.

The Importance of Understanding the Lyrics

Understanding the lyrics of “Annabelle’s Homework” is essential to fully grasp the song’s meaning. Each line in the song delves into specific aspects of Annabelle’s life, providing valuable insight into the challenges she faces. As listeners, we can dissect the song to uncover significant themes and messages, allowing us to appreciate the sincerity and raw emotions it embodies.

Frequently Asked Questions About “Annabelle’s Homework”

1. what inspired alec benjamin to write “annabelle’s homework”.

Alec Benjamin drew inspiration from his own experiences and observations of the struggles faced by students in contemporary education systems. He crafted “Annabelle’s Homework” with the intention of shedding light on the pressures and complexities of academia.

2. Is “Annabelle’s Homework” based on a true story?

While the song reflects the broader experiences of many students, it is not based on a specific true story. However, the feelings and struggles depicted in the song are undoubtedly real and relatable to countless individuals.

3. What emotions does “Annabelle’s Homework” evoke?

Listening to “Annabelle’s Homework” can evoke a range of emotions, including empathy, nostalgia, and a sense of understanding. The relatable nature of the song often resonates with listeners, allowing them to connect with Annabelle’s journey on a deep emotional level.

4. How does “Annabelle’s Homework” address mental health?

The song subtly touches upon the impacts of academia and societal pressures on mental health. It highlights the toll that excessive expectations can take on students, emphasizing the need for empathy and support when it comes to tackling mental health challenges.

5. What is the significance of the title, “Annabelle’s Homework”?

The title holds symbolic meaning, representing the weight carried by individuals like Annabelle as they navigate through their educational journey. Homework serves as a metaphor for the responsibilities and burdens placed upon students, offering a glimpse into the overwhelming nature of academic life.

6. How has “Annabelle’s Homework” been received by fans and critics?

“Annabelle’s Homework” has garnered widespread acclaim for its relatability and lyrical depth. Fans appreciate Alec Benjamin’s ability to capture universal emotions, while critics applaud the song’s authenticity and the artist’s storytelling prowess.

7. Are there any other songs similar to “Annabelle’s Homework”?

Several songs resonate with similar themes and emotions as “Annabelle’s Homework,” such as “High School” by Kelsea Ballerini and “Stressed Out” by Twenty One Pilots. These tracks explore the struggles faced by young individuals in modern society and can serve as powerful companion pieces to Benjamin’s song.

8. How does “Annabelle’s Homework” connect with Alec Benjamin’s other works?

“Annabelle’s Homework” aligns thematically with many other compositions by Alec Benjamin, which often touch upon personal struggles, emotional vulnerability, and societal pressures. His songs, including “Let Me Down Slowly” and “If We Have Each Other,” consistently resonate with listeners, allowing them to form a meaningful connection.

9. Can the message of “Annabelle’s Homework” be applied to other areas of life?

While the song primarily addresses the challenges faced by students, its underlying message can be extrapolated to various aspects of life. “Annabelle’s Homework” encourages empathy, understanding, and the recognition of one another’s struggles, serving as a reminder to approach every situation with compassion.

10. How has “Annabelle’s Homework” impacted the music industry?

While it may be challenging to measure the precise impact of a single song, “Annabelle’s Homework” has certainly left its mark on the music industry. Through its relatable storytelling and emotional resonance, the track has solidified Alec Benjamin’s position among the ranks of talented, introspective artists in the industry.

In conclusion, “Annabelle’s Homework” stands as a mesmerizing piece that offers listeners a window into the struggles faced by young individuals. Alec Benjamin’s lyrics and heartfelt delivery allow the song to transcend its initial narrative, providing solace and understanding to anyone who has felt burdened by societal expectations. The honesty and relatability of “Annabelle’s Homework” ensures its place as a timeless testament to the universality of human experiences.

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Story Behind the Song: Blake Shelton, ‘Home’

In 2005, Michael Buble  released "Home" as a single. The singer wrote the song with Alan Chang and Amy Foster-Gillies, and it became a No. 1 hit on the  Billboard Adult Contemporary chart, and went platinum. Country fans, however, became familiar with the tune when Blake Shelton  released it as a single in 2008; his version went on to hit No. 1 on the  Billboard Hot Country Songs chart.

Below, Chang and Foster-Gillies tell The Boot about how the song came to be.

Alan Chang:  [Buble] had the first few lines of the song written when he came to soundcheck one day. He was expressing the sentiment we've all felt, of wanting to be home after being gone for a long period of time.

When I first heard what he had to say, I felt it might be too much of a complaint, especially since it was about being stuck in Europe, where we happened to be; I thought to myself, "Oh, great, complain about being stuck in Europe." But I thought, basically, it was a good idea, so I figured I'd just go with it and try to come up with music that would fit that theme.

[A few months later], Michael was doing a guest appearance on the [TV] show [ Las Vegas ], and I was there with him, and there was a piano in the room where we were waiting in between takes for the show. So I sat down at the piano, and we worked on it again, and my part of it came together. Then we sent it on to Amy.

Amy Foster-Gillies: My dad [singer-songwriter David Foster] introduced me to Michael before he was even signed to a record deal. I was living in Los Angeles at the time, so we became fast friends; he stayed at our house, and he helped host my daughter's fifth birthday party.

He's such a good human being, and he promised me that any success that he had, he would include me. I just thought to myself, "Yeah, sure." But he did! The first opportunity he had to write an original song, he called me and asked me to help out.

Just like Alan said, when I first heard the song, I thought it was about bashing Europe, too. I knew it shouldn't be like that, because he goes to Europe a lot. So I really wrote the lyrics about just the difficulties of being away from home. I think it worked out really nice and balanced between sort of longing to be home but still knowing there is a gratefulness about where he is.

This story was originally written by Vernell Hackett, and revised by Angela Stefano.

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Annabelle’s Homework

Annabelle’s homework lyrics.

How to Format Lyrics:

• Type out all lyrics, even repeating song parts like the chorus
• Lyrics should be broken down into individual lines
• Use section headers above different song parts like [Verse], [Chorus], etc.
• Use italics ( <i>lyric</i> ) and bold ( <b>lyric</b> ) to distinguish between different vocalists in the same song part
• If you don’t understand a lyric, use [?]

To learn more, check out our transcription guide or visit our transcribers forum

Alec Benjamin talks about his affection for Annabelle, a girl he goes to school with. Alec desperately tries to get her attention and have her fall in love with him, going as far as doing her homework for nearly a month. Unfortunately for Alec, she doesn’t want love and sees him as an accessory to getting her work done. Despite knowing that Annabelle’s used guys in the same way before, Alec’s infatuation leads him to do it anyway.

Find answers to frequently asked questions about the song and explore its deeper meaning

In his Billboard breakdown of Narrated for You , Alec shared:

This song is about learning the difficult lesson that you cannot buy love. I wrote this song about a time when I did somebody’s homework just to win their affection and ended up getting my heart broken.

In an interview , Alec Benjamin explained:

Annabelle is a metaphor for […] the person in your life […] where you kinda learn you can’t buy love.

Whatever you buy them, their feelings won’t change how anticipated.

Still, the story is based on a real person.

I thought Annabelle was a pretty name […]. [But] the person I am referring to in this song is not named Annabelle.

• Danish Translation

• 1. If We Have Each Other
• 2. Water Fountain
• 3. Annabelle’s Homework
• 4. Let Me Down Slowly
• 6. Boy In The Bubble
• 8. Gotta Be A Reason
• 9. Outrunning Karma
• 10. If I Killed Someone For You
• 11. Death Of A Hero

Genius is the world’s biggest collection of song lyrics and musical knowledge