THE GREATEST RECORD EVER MADE: The First Cut Is The Deepest

From my book The Greatest Record Ever Made! (Volume 1).

An infinite number of tracks can each be THE greatest record ever made as long as they take turns. Today, this is THE GREATEST RECORD EVER MADE!

P. P. ARNOLD: The First Cut Is The Deepest

Written by Cat Stevens

Produced by Mike Hurst

Single, Immediate Records [U.K.], 1967

We will fail. That much is inevitable at some point. No matter how hard we try, how good our intentions or how ruthless our execution, even if we have successes here, there, and nearly everywhere, we will eventually fall short of our goal. This fate is assured, and no feel-good sentiment can mitigate that fact. We will fall. We will fail.

And even when we fail, still we'll try to love again. 

"The First Cut Is The Deepest" is well-known via hit covers by Rod Stewart in 1977 and Sheryl Crow in 2003. Each of these is, really, a good record on its own, though neither is within hailing distance of the version recorded by the song's author, Cat Stevens. And no version--no version--is within light years of the beguiling, seductive, flawless original release by P. P. Arnold.

Like most American pop fans, my introduction to this Cat Stevens composition was delivered by Rod Stewart in 1977. I liked Stewart's record, but then my girlfriend played Stevens' version for me. Whoa! Instant fave rave, and I eventually scored my own copy on a double-album compilation called Hard-Up Heroes. I don't know how long it was before I realized that Stewart had omitted a line from the chorus, and everyone else has likewise skipped the same line after that. All versions include When it comes to being lucky, she's cursed/When it comes to loving me, she's worse, but then Rod and Sheryl Crow and all other punters leave out But when it comes to being loved, she's first, which strikes me as a pretty important line. That's how I know! 

For many years, I thought Cat Stevens released the first version of his own song, but P. P. Arnold's exquisite rendition actually predates Stevens' record. I say P. P. Arnold is also considerably prettier than either Stevens or Stewart, but that's me. Even if we close our eyes and just listen to her absolute mastery of every syllable, every nuance of longing and regret, hope and fear, it's clear that P. P. Arnold's standout performance of "The First Cut Is The Deepest" is The Greatest Record Ever Made.

P.P. Arnold had been an Ikette, singin' and shakin' behind Ike and Tina Turner. She left the Ikettes while in England in 1967, and began a solo career. She was encouraged by Mick Jagger, and she had a relationship with Steve Marriott, then the lead singer of the superb British Mod combo the Small Faces. She would work with the Small Faces, singing backup on their classics "Tin Soldier" and "Itchykoo Park," while Marriott sang on her 1968 single "(If You Think You're) Groovy."

Arnold's first single was "The First Cut Is The Deepest." Yeah, her first single was The Greatest Record Ever Made. Maybe that's an intimidating way to start one's solo career, but her subsequent catalog is also loaded with distinctive and timeless track, The first cut is the greatest. That's how I know.

If you like what you see here on Boppin' (Like The Hip Folks Do), please consider a visit to CC's Tip Jar. You can also become a Boppin' booster on my Patreon page.

My new book of short stories Guitars Vs. Rayguns!! Short Stories And Other White Lies is out now, and you can get autographed copies of the new book and my previous book The Greatest Record Ever Made! (Volume 1) directly from me. You can still get my previous previous book Gabba Gabba Hey! A Conversation With The Ramones from publisher Rare Bird Books, OR an autographed copy here. If you like the books, please consider leaving a rating and/or review at the usual online resources.

I compiled a various-artists tribute album called Make Something Happen! A Tribute To The Flashcubes, and it's pretty damned good; you can read about it here and order it here. 

This Is Rock 'n' Roll Radio with Dana & Carl airs Sunday nights from 9 to Midnight Eastern, on the air in Syracuse at SPARK! WSPJ 103.3 and 93.7 FM, streaming at SPARK stream and on the Radio Garden app as WESTCOTT RADIO. You can read about our history here.