Put that Thing Away - "Shapes of Things"

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It is often considered as the first popular psychedelic rock song. It’s on the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s list of 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll. We’re talking, of course, about The Yardbirds’ 1966 hit, “Shapes of Things.” Recorded in three different U.S. studios during a U.S. tour, “Shapes of Things” saw the band moving away from their blues-oriented sound into psychedelic pop music. Much has been made of guitarist Jeff Beck’s use of feedback on his solo, which is thought to have influenced the playing of both Jimi Hendrix and Paul McCartney. The song captures a young man trying to navigate the turbulent 60’s, a man intent on changing both himself and the world, according to vocalist Keith Relf’s biographer, David French. Jeff Beck later reworked the tune into a harder-rocking version, with Rod Stewart on vocals. David Bowie did a Yardbirds-based cover on his 1973 album, Pin Ups, while Irish guitar hero Gary Moore had a minor hit with his 1984 Jeff Beck-based cover (Bowie’s version was not released as a single.) Fun Fact: “Shapes of Things” was the first song actually composed by The Yardbirds to chart; their previous singles were either blues covers or songs written by outsiders. Link is to a video of the band performing the tune from French television: