Finding a new path and a piece of himself
The end of the 1960s was a tumultuous time, and nowhere was that more apparent than in the ever-shifting landscape of pop music. For Mark Lindsay, the charismatic frontman of the raucous and revolutionary band Paul Revere & the Raiders, the world was changing fast. The psychedelic rock and garage-pop that had defined their early hits like “Kicks” and “Hungry” was giving way to softer, more introspective sounds. As the band began to fracture, Lindsay, with the encouragement of Columbia Records, decided it was time to embark on a solo journey, not as a rock and roll rebel, but as a sophisticated adult vocalist. He was looking to extend his musical tastes, not abandon them, and a new song on his solo debut album, Arizona, would prove to be a gentle, yet powerful, step in that direction.
The song, simply titled “Something,” was not the driving, high-energy tune fans had come to expect. Instead, it was a gorgeously arranged, deeply emotional ballad. Released in 1970 on the Arizona album, this track was a cover of an incredibly famous song—the George Harrison composition originally recorded by The Beatles. Harrison’s version had been a massive hit, and for Mark Lindsay to tackle it was a testament to his ambition and musical maturity. It showcased a different side of the man, a vulnerable and soulful voice that could hold its own against one of the most iconic songs of its generation. The album, Arizona, which also featured the successful title track, peaked at number 36 on the Billboard 200, a respectable showing for a solo debut. This success, however, would be eclipsed by a different Bacharach and David penned song that Lindsay would release a year later called “Something Big”, which graced the Billboard Hot 100 at number 43. But it was this early attempt at a Harrison classic that truly hinted at Lindsay’s potential as a solo artist.
For those of us who grew up with the Raiders, hearing Mark Lindsay sing something so tender was a revelation. We were used to the energetic stage presence, the revolutionary war uniforms, and the defiant lyrics. “Something” was the sound of a musician shedding an old skin and revealing a deeper, more reflective side. It was a song that spoke of love in a way we hadn’t heard from him before, a hushed and personal confession that felt both intimate and universal. It felt like watching an old friend grow up, and in many ways, we were. This song, buried on a solo album, became a secret handshake for fans who were ready to move on from the garage-rock scene and embrace a more contemplative era of music. It’s a song that, even today, evokes a sense of quiet reflection and the feeling of a sun-drenched afternoon spent with someone special, a beautiful, bittersweet memory of a time when everything felt possible.