Blackberry Way by The Move

Album: Shazam (2007 reissue) (1968)

Charted: 1

License This Song

lyrics

Songfacts®:

This was written by band frontman Roy Wood. That's Richard Tandy on the harpsichord, and Trevor Burton on bass, who apparently was put off by the dreary nature of this song and left the group soon after. We hope it won't bring you down to point out that several members of The Move eventually went on to form Electric Light Orchestra.
"Blackberry Way" is often cited as an "answer song" to the Beatles' "Penny Lane." It has similarity with "Penny Lane," only with much darker lyrics and a melancholy mood. The bridge is lifted from the intro of Harry Nilsson's "Good Old Desk." When it was put to him in an interview, Roy Wood admitted the influence of "Penny Lane" on this song. He said: "I suppose it could have been. We were all very influenced by what The Beatles were doing because they were the best songwriters around."
Collectors won't want to miss Shazam - its cover art features cartoon art of the band as comic-book superheros, Each with a letter on their chest spelling out M-O-V-E - and lotsa '70s hair.
The Move is one of the most successful bands to have never made a showing across the pond in the US. They can't all be part of the British invasion! >>
Suggestion credit:
Edna, who you can find on our forums

Comments: 5

Les from FranceBlackberry Way was the title track to a film I watched as a kid in the ABC kids cinema club. That was back in the early 60's. The film was about a lot of hippies taking over a furniture store but cannot remember the name of the film and it does not seem to be listed in any website about the song and the Move.
Bengan from SwedenYes. Blackberry Way was included as a bonus track on some of the remastered records. 2007 and 2016.

Esoteric Recordings ECLEC 22538
Esoteric Recordings ECLEC 2539
Salvo SALVOCD012
Edward Pearce from Ashford, Kent, EnglandAn alternative mix of Blackberry Way was included on the 2007 reissue of Shazam.
Zabadak from London, EnglandThe band's only number one in the UK.
Ed from Canton, OhGet your songfacts straight. Blackberry Way was not on the Shazam album. It was released as a single in December 1968 and the Shazam album was released in 1970. But you are right, the Shazam cover is pretty cool - it has the 60's feel all over it.

see more comments

More Songfacts:

I SwearAll-4-One

"I Swear" was a #1 country hit for John Michael Montgomery before All-4-One made it a #1 pop hit.

I Won't Back DownTom Petty

"I Won't Back Down" is a very personal song for Tom Petty. "I thought it wasn't that good because it was so naked," he said.

MargaritavilleJimmy Buffett

"Margaritaville" is a state of mind, but it's most associated with Key West, Florida, where Jimmy Buffett moved when he was 24.

Don't Let The Sun Go Down On MeElton John

Recording "Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me," Elton John was frustrated and sang the line "don't discard me" with an exaggerated American accent, which is why is sounds strange.

Cult of PersonalityLiving Colour

"Cult of Personality" by Living Colour incorporates speeches by John F. Kennedy, Malcolm X and Franklin D. Roosevelt.

Street HassleLou Reed

Lou Reed's 11-minute "Street Hassle" features a spoken part by Bruce Springsteen.

Editor's Picks

Stephen Christian of AnberlinSongwriter Interviews

The lead singer/lyricist for Anberlin breaks down "Impossible" and covers some tracks from their 2012 album Vital.

Emilio Castillo from Tower of PowerSongwriter Interviews

Emilio talks about what it's like to write and perform with the Tower of Power horns, and why every struggling band should have a friend like Huey Lewis.

Art Alexakis of EverclearSongwriter Interviews

The lead singer of Everclear, Art is also their primary songwriter.

Graham Bonnet (Alcatrazz, Rainbow)Songwriter Interviews

Yngwie Malmsteen and Steve Vai were two of Graham's co-writers for some '80s rock classics.

They Might Be GiantsSongwriter Interviews

Who writes a song about a name they found in a phone book? That's just one of the everyday things these guys find to sing about. Anything in their field of vision or general scope of knowledge is fair game. If you cross paths with them, so are you.

Who's Johnny, And Why Does He Show Up In So Many SongsSong Writing

For songwriters, Johnny represents the American man. He has been angry, cool, magic, a rebel and, of course, marching home.