The Zombies
Care Of Cell 44

THE REVIEW

"Care Of Cell 44" is a song from the album "Odessey And Oracle" by The Zombies from the year 1968.

I'll start right away by saying that I haven't chosen to talk about a masterpiece and probably not even a historical piece, but an excellent song that is representative of an unparalleled musical ferment in the history of rock music.

The Zombies were a great pop music group, very influential and creative but clearly overshadowed by the big names of the time like The Beatles and Beach Boys.

I don't believe the fame of certain groups was compromised by market injustices done at the time, but I simply think that the 60s of Beat and psychedelia were a great inspiration for many and gave birth to beautiful pieces including this "Care Of Cell 44". 

Obviously, it's undeniable the superiority of the minds of composers like Lennon, McCartney, and Wilson (who coincidentally were in only two groups), and it's a fact that their way of writing influenced everyone, creating a genre of imitation (not bad, on the contrary) that revolves around just two albums: "Pet Sounds" and "Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band."

Well, this piece synthesizes the compositional concept that, in my opinion, created a musical undergrowth without equal in the history of pop music but at the same time compromised the fame and importance of certain songs or bands.

"Care Of Cell 44" is a beautiful track. This is the typical piece that could be released today and leave everyone amazed. It can't be said that it's current; it is simply eternal in its beauty.

The melodic level of this song represents the musical idea of those groups in the 60s that created a timeless pop-rock. It starts right away with a piano and singing marked by English patriotism, typical British sounds, and "love" lyrics that fully embrace the concept of Beat. But from the start, you realize this song is a child of its time.

A time when "Penny Lane" by The Beatles set the standard for the concept of English song, the imagery of cross-channel traditions, and the cultural representation of that decade. Hence, you immediately feel that the goal of this song is undoubtedly to match the listening experience of McCartney's song while combining it with another release from that era: "Pet Sounds." In fact, after just forty seconds, the unmistakable "Beach Boys choruses" emerge. The vocal harmonization par excellence underscores the importance of choruses in creating this dreamlike situation typical of psychedelia!

The chorus is excellent. Original with its explosion in contrast to a calm and dreamy verse, here lies the reason that makes this song noteworthy. Propelled by this beautiful refrain, it takes an unexpected turn until the end, where choruses and instruments are in perfect harmony.

This piece adds to "Friday On My Mind" by EasyBeat, "Look At Me I'm You" by Blossom Toes, "Let's Take a Trip Down the Rhine" by Apple, and a thousand other songs like these, inspired by a continually expanding musical movement (which will even lead to progressive), that have achieved immortality.

Perhaps they are not in everyone's memory, but when discovered, one falls in love with them immediately, and one cannot help but bow before such imagination and art.