"Funkier Than a Mosquito's Tweeter" is a song written by Alline Bullock, sister of Tina Turner. It was first released by Ike & Tina Turner on their 1970 album Workin' Together with Tina Turner and the Ikettes on vocals.[2] Mosquita's was the original spelling of Mosquito's, but after jazz singer Nina Simone released her version in 1974, most subsequent releases of the song have used the latter spelling including Ike & Tina Turner reissues.
| "Funkier Than a Mosquita's Tweeter" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by Ike & Tina Turner | ||||
| from the album Workin' Together | ||||
| A-side | "Proud Mary" | |||
| Released | January 1971 | |||
| Recorded | 1970 | |||
| Genre | Funk[1] | |||
| Length | 2:40 | |||
| Label | Liberty Records | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Aillene Bullock | |||
| Producer(s) | Ike Turner | |||
| Ike & Tina Turner singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
"Funkier Than a Mosquita's Tweeter" was produced by Ike Turner and released as a B-side single to "Proud Mary" on Liberty Records in January 1971. This song is a scathing assessment of an unidentified man, opening with "you're nothin' but a dirty, dirty old man."[3]
The song was used as the title for Ike & Tina Turner's 2002 compilation album Funkier Than a Mosquito's Tweeter.
Nina Simone version
editNina Simone began performing a rendition of "Funkier Than a Mosquito's Tweeter" in 1971.[4] She recorded her performance at New York's Philharmonic Hall in July 1973.[5] It was released on her 1974 live album, It Is Finished, on RCA Records.[6] Her version differs greatly from the original, using "special rhythmic effects on a variety of African and Eastern instruments."[7] Simone's rendition has since become a classic and the best known version of the song.[8] It is regarded as one of her best vocal performances.[9] "Her voice cracks with exasperation, alluding that the predator she sings about might well be the good ol' US of A," observed Julianne Escobedo Shepherd for Pitchfork.[10] Alex Deley at DJ D-Mac & Associates wrote, "Simone manages to transform the song into something even greater than the original, really digging deep and pulling out the righteous, accusatory essence of the song."[6] A remixed version was released on the 2006 compilation album Remixed & Reimagined.[3]
References
edit- ^ Rolling Stone Staff (24 May 2023). "Tina Turner: 15 Essential Songs". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 24 May 2023.
Turner demolishes the rumbling funk rhythm with her voice, and when she sings "You're nothin' but a dirty, dirty old man"...
- ^ Funkier Than A Mosquita's Tweeter on YouTube
- ^ a b ""Funkier Than a Mosquita's Tweeter": Cover Songs Uncovered". The Pop Culture Experiment. February 20, 2017.
- ^ Elwood, Philip (1971-04-26). "Nina Lifts Up Her Audience". The San Francisco Examiner. p. 27. Retrieved 2024-01-04.
- ^ Hampton, Sylvia; Nathan, David (2004). Nina Simone: Break Down & Let it All Out. Sanctuary. p. 81. ISBN 978-1-86074-552-2.
- ^ a b "Song of the Day: Nina Simone "Funkier Than A Mosquito's Tweeter"". DJ D-Mac & Associates. May 13, 2019.
- ^ "Sounds". Ebony: 30. December 1974.
- ^ Adelekun, Emmanuel (April 21, 2018). "Discover the originals of 7 well-known break tracks spun by DJs worldwide". Red Bull.
- ^ "SONG OF THE DAY Nina Simone – Funkier Than a Mosquito's Tweeter (LIVE)". The Listening Post Blog. February 26, 2017.
- ^ "Nina Simone: Her Art and Life in 33 Songs - Page 3". Pitchfork. 15 May 2017.