For Record Store Day on Black Friday, November 29, 2019, Cheap Trick was releasing a limited edition 7″ Single of a new song and limited to only 1,500 copies. It was a RSD First Release which means they were going to release it again sometime and wasn’t exclusive, but it didn’t stop me from picking it up. The funny thing is it said it was a new song off it’s latest album which actually didn’t come out until 18 months later, but I am okay with that as I love my 7″ Singles. The song was “Gimme Some Truth” which is a of course, not really a new song as it is a cover of the John Lennon classic. But I guess it is new to Cheap Trick.

The B-Side is a live version of a song that was truly on their latest album at the time which was their Christmas album called ‘Christmas Christmas’. The studio version is on the album and this is live which is cool as the song is the Wizzard cover of “I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday” written by Roy Wood. Well, Roy Wood is featured on this live version from the band. How cool is that!! And the packaging was great as I like the Uncle Sam on the cover and then on the back is the Cheap Trick logo morphed in to the Union Jack. Cheap Trick was always called the American Beatles and with covering a Lennon song, we get the British side of them as well.

A-SIDE:

The A-Side is the John Lennon song “Gimme Some Truth” which the band keeps to the original concept of the song while trying to make it their own. It isn’t as punked out as I would’ve liked but there is a punk edge to it. It feels restrained and like they were holding back. I would’ve liked to have seen them turn it on its side, ramp up the energy and tempo and go for it. Otherwise, we just have an okay cover of a decent track. So, I will admit I’m not blown away by it, but I’ll still take it add to the collection gladly.

B-SIDE:

The B-Side is a live version of “I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday” which features the writer of the song, the great Roy Wood. Roy comes out and speaks to the crowd and then leads the opening verse to the song with Cheap Trick playing as backup and joining in on the chorus. It is a great Christmas track and a lot of fun. It has the glam rock feel to it and with Roy joining them it makes it extra special. Overall, a really cool track with Cheap Trick as the backup band basically.

And there you have it. A great little piece from Black Friday Record Store Day in 2019. I love finding cool 7″ singles and this is definitely one to add to the collection. Now let’s get back to the album reviews as we are down to only two left in the series.

UP NEXT: OUT TO GET YOU!: LIVE 1977 (2020)

The Cheap Trick Collection Series:

1. Cheap Trick (1977)
2. In Color (1977)
3. Heaven Tonight (1978)
4. Cheap Trick at Budokan (1978)
5. Dream Police (1979)
6. Found All The Parts (1980)
7. All Shook Up (1980)
8. One On One (1982)
9. Next Position Please (1983)
10. Standing on the Edge (1985)
11. “Tonight It’s You” (1985) – 7″ Single (Bonus Edition)
12. “Mighty Wings” (1986) – 7″ Single (Bonus Edition)
13. The Doctor (1986)
14. Lap Of Luxury (1988)
15. “The Flame” (1988) – 7″ Single (Bonus Edition)
16. “Ghost Town” (1988) – CD Single Promo (Bonus Edition)
17. Busted (1990)
18. Woke Up With A Monster (1994)
19. Sex, America, Cheap Trick (1996) – Box Set
20. “I Want You To Want Me” (Alternate Version) (1996) – 7″ Single (Bonus Edition)
21. Cheap Trick (1997)
22. Cheap Trick at Budokan: The Complete Concert (1998)
23. Music For Hangovers (1999)
24. Special One (2003)
25. Rockford (2006)
26. The Latest (2009)
27. The Epic Archive, Vol. 1 (1975-1979) (2015)
28. The Epic Archive, Vol. 2 (1980-1983) (2015)
29. The Epic Archive, Vol. 3 (1984-1990) (2015)
30. Bang, Zoom, Crazy…Hello (2016)
31. We’re All Alright! (2017)
32. Christmas Christmas (2017)
33. Are You Ready? Live 12/31/1979 (2019)
34. “Gimme Some Truth” (RSD Black Friday 2019)