Premiere: Daphne Lee Martin “Everybody’s Gotta Learn Sometime”

“Everybody’s Gotta Learn Sometime” has a rich history. Originally recorded by UK band, the Korgis in 1980, the track found chart success across Europe and the US. In the 90s a cover version by Yazz found success in the UK and in the 2000s a version by Zucchero & Vanessa Carlton charted in France. In the US, the most well known version might be Beck‘s cover which appeared on the soundtrack for Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. That version is what Daphne Lee Martin cites as the basis for her cover.

Daphne Lee Martin’s deep, soulful vocals gives the cover its emotional edge but the arrangement is perhaps most surprising. Beginning with acoustic guitar and piano, you may think this is going to be a stripped down, raw cover. Drums and organ are added filling out the mix. Going into the chorus, violin is added which largely gets you up to pace with Beck’s take on the song. During the chorus flourishes of trumpet appear courtesy of Danny Motta. The added horns give “Everybody’s Gotta Learn Sometime” a Burt Bacharach/Elvis Costello feel and makes Daphne Lee Martin’s version of the track a worthwhile addition to the canon.

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