Hooked On A Feeling Marie by Clive Sands: A Forgotten Gem from '69
Alright, let’s talk about Hooked On A Feeling Marie, the groovy little album by Clive Sands that dropped in 1969. This one’s got a cool mix of Pop Rock and Psychedelic Rock vibes, which honestly feels like someone took the best parts of The Beatles and Pink Floyd, threw ‘em in a blender, and hit puree. It’s like stepping into a time machine set for swinging London or some chill Dutch café—since it was released in both the UK and Netherlands. Labels like CBS and SNB Records were behind this baby, so you know they weren’t messing around.
Now, I gotta say, two tracks really stuck with me here: “Marie” and “Hooked On A Feeling.” Let’s break ‘em down real quick.
“Marie” is just straight-up catchy as hell. Like, you’ll hear it once and then BAM—it’s stuck in your head for days. Reg Guest did the arrangements, and dude knew what he was doing because there’s this lush, almost dreamy vibe to it that pulls you right in. The melody kinda floats along, but there’s also these sharp guitar riffs sneaking in that give it an edge. You can tell Clive Sands poured his heart into this one—it’s sweet without being sappy, y’know? Feels like falling in love on a summer afternoon, all giddy and warm.
Then there’s “Hooked On A Feeling,” which, fun fact, became way bigger than this album ever did (thanks partly to other artists covering it later). But hearing Clive’s original version is like finding the secret recipe before everyone else catches on. Producer Ray Singer kept things tight, giving the track this punchy energy that makes you wanna tap your feet or maybe even bust out some awkward dance moves in your living room. There’s something about the chorus—those harmonies layered over driving drums—that hits different every time. Psychedelic Rock sneaks its way in too, adding this trippy undertone that keeps you guessing.
Honestly, listening to this record feels like discovering a hidden treasure chest at a garage sale. Sure, it might not be perfect—the production has that raw late-‘60s feel, where everything sounds slightly fuzzy—but that’s part of the charm. It’s like meeting someone who’s unpolished but full of personality.
Here’s the kicker though: why isn’t Clive Sands more famous? Like, seriously. This guy had talent pouring out of his ears, yet most folks probably haven’t heard of him unless they’re deep into digging through old vinyl crates. Maybe that’s okay though—there’s something kinda beautiful about knowing you’ve found something special that not everyone knows about. So grab yourself a copy if you can find one; trust me, it’s worth it.
Oh, and hey—if you ever see me humming “Marie” while walking down the street, don’t judge. That song just stays with you.
