[ ]   [ ]   [ ]                        [ ]      [ ]   [ ]
Badfinger — No Matter What
Album: The Best of Badfinger
Avg rating:
7.2

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1346









Released: 1970
Length: 2:54
Plays (last 30 days): 0
No matter what you are
I will always be with you
Doesn't matter what you do, girl
Ooh girl, with you

No matter what you do
I will always be around
Won't you tell me what you found, girl
Ooh girl, want you

Knock down the old grey wall
Be a part of it all
Nothing to say, nothing to see, nothing to do
If you would give me all
As I would give it to you
Nothing would be, nothing would be, nothing would be

No matter where you go
There will always be a place
Can't you see it in my face, girl
Ooh girl, want you

Knock down the old grey wall
Be a part of it all
Nothing to say, nothing to see, nothing to do
If you would give me all
As I would give it to you
Nothing would be, nothing would be, nothing would be

No matter what you are
I will always be with you
Doesn't matter what you do, girl
Ooh girl, with you
Ooh girl, you girl, want you
Ooh girl, you girl, want you
Comments (171)add comment
This and “Go All The Way” by Raspberries have a similar feel. Both great songs!
Good tune! Brings back memories!
Just had to raise it from a 9 to a 10.  Could be the puff and the G&T.  More likely because it's such a feckin brilliant song .  Godlike. 
 Punkysoup wrote:
 

Was he ever prosecuted? What an evil person.  
Truer words were never spoken.


Stan Polley burn in hell if there is such a place.{#Fire}
 
Did this album have just this 1 song? Lol...
 wtango wrote:
Just realized- the cover "girl" looks like Pete Ham!
 
I guess that's why her look says, "Hope you're sure you want to do this".
Just realized- the cover "girl" looks like Pete Ham!
Absolutely love this song. To quote David Bowie, "To Be Played At Maximum Volume". Vocals, leslie organ, rockin' sound. Fab.
 Propayne wrote:
First class power pop.

Love it. 
 
Was just going to type this exact same thing!
 john_m_hopkins wrote:
...So much for "free-market economics"...
 There's evil people everywhere.

 Propayne wrote:
First class power pop.

Love it. 
 
Indeed!
The world needs more Power Pop!
Louder!
 On_The_Beach wrote:

. . . Badfinger had signed a disastrous management contract with Stan Polley, one which eventually not only bankrupted the group but ultimately tore it shreds. Even as they followed up the Top 10 'Come and Get It' with a trio of subsequent Top 20 hits in 'No Matter What,' 'Day After Day' and 'Baby Blue' into 1972, members of Badfinger were barely scraping by financially.
Even their best intentions went awry. When Badfinger's initial contract with Apple expired, they ostensibly left for the promise of more money at Warner Bros. But Polley's cut only grew. "It was such a great time that I never really paid attention to contracts and stuff," Molland told Reuters in 1997, "and just kind of blindly trusted the business people we had."
Later confirmed to be associated with the mob, Polley had already established a holding account from which he drew out a monthly stipend for each band member. Polley allegedly became increasingly brazen, as the group became more profitable.
The Warners deal amounted to $3 million for six albums, over three years, but Badfinger saw precious little of it, reportedly subsisting on regular $1,000 allowances. Matovina, author of 'Without You: The Tragic Story of Badfinger' and an estate adviser for two of Badfinger's late members, said that Polley was even skimming off the songwriting royalties, which included Ham's 'Without You,' a huge hit in 1971 for Harry Nilsson.
Then came the doomed 'Wish You Were Here,' which arrived just as Warner Bros. became suspicious of this financial set up. The label ordered an audit for an account that was supposed to hold approximately $600,000 of advance money in escrow, only to discover that the account had been emptied. Warner Bros. entered into legal proceedings against Badfinger, promptly removing 'Wish You Were Here' from store shelves at a point when it was initially selling some 25,000 copies a week.
"It killed the album outright," Molland told Rolling Stone in 1989. Worse still, "it broke up the band, and Pete died six months later."
- ultimateclassicrock.com
 

...So much for "free-market economics"...
 unclehud wrote:
For some reason -- drunken stupor, probably -- I had this at a 3.  That was a mistake.
 
Redemption at last.

Healed!
 On_The_Beach wrote:

. . . Badfinger had signed a disastrous management contract with Stan Polley, one which eventually not only bankrupted the group but ultimately tore it shreds. Even as they followed up the Top 10 'Come and Get It' with a trio of subsequent Top 20 hits in 'No Matter What,' 'Day After Day' and 'Baby Blue' into 1972, members of Badfinger were barely scraping by financially.
Even their best intentions went awry. When Badfinger's initial contract with Apple expired, they ostensibly left for the promise of more money at Warner Bros. But Polley's cut only grew. "It was such a great time that I never really paid attention to contracts and stuff," Molland told Reuters in 1997, "and just kind of blindly trusted the business people we had."
Later confirmed to be associated with the mob, Polley had already established a holding account from which he drew out a monthly stipend for each band member. Polley allegedly became increasingly brazen, as the group became more profitable.
The Warners deal amounted to $3 million for six albums, over three years, but Badfinger saw precious little of it, reportedly subsisting on regular $1,000 allowances. Matovina, author of 'Without You: The Tragic Story of Badfinger' and an estate adviser for two of Badfinger's late members, said that Polley was even skimming off the songwriting royalties, which included Ham's 'Without You,' a huge hit in 1971 for Harry Nilsson.
Then came the doomed 'Wish You Were Here,' which arrived just as Warner Bros. became suspicious of this financial set up. The label ordered an audit for an account that was supposed to hold approximately $600,000 of advance money in escrow, only to discover that the account had been emptied. Warner Bros. entered into legal proceedings against Badfinger, promptly removing 'Wish You Were Here' from store shelves at a point when it was initially selling some 25,000 copies a week.
"It killed the album outright," Molland told Rolling Stone in 1989. Worse still, "it broke up the band, and Pete died six months later."
- ultimateclassicrock.com
 
Oh no, how tragic! :(
Pure songwriting  and arranging genius.
Maybe the most underappreciated... and star-crossed... pop band ever. Thank you for keeping BF in rotation, RP... make it heavy!
Pure pop heaven stuff.
 Proclivities wrote:

This preceded McCartney's formation of Wings, but I think he wrote a few songs that Badfinger recorded for the "Magic Christian" soundtrack, including "Come and Get It".  Some of these guys appeared on George's and Ringo's solo albums though.
 
Not that they needed Paul to write anything for them. This song clearly demonstrates that they'd cracked his code! {#Lol}
{#Dancingbanana_2}
 neotrogg wrote:
Stan Polley burn in hell if there is such a place.
 
. . . Badfinger had signed a disastrous management contract with Stan Polley, one which eventually not only bankrupted the group but ultimately tore it shreds. Even as they followed up the Top 10 'Come and Get It' with a trio of subsequent Top 20 hits in 'No Matter What,' 'Day After Day' and 'Baby Blue' into 1972, members of Badfinger were barely scraping by financially.
Even their best intentions went awry. When Badfinger's initial contract with Apple expired, they ostensibly left for the promise of more money at Warner Bros. But Polley's cut only grew. "It was such a great time that I never really paid attention to contracts and stuff," Molland told Reuters in 1997, "and just kind of blindly trusted the business people we had."
Later confirmed to be associated with the mob, Polley had already established a holding account from which he drew out a monthly stipend for each band member. Polley allegedly became increasingly brazen, as the group became more profitable.
The Warners deal amounted to $3 million for six albums, over three years, but Badfinger saw precious little of it, reportedly subsisting on regular $1,000 allowances. Matovina, author of 'Without You: The Tragic Story of Badfinger' and an estate adviser for two of Badfinger's late members, said that Polley was even skimming off the songwriting royalties, which included Ham's 'Without You,' a huge hit in 1971 for Harry Nilsson.
Then came the doomed 'Wish You Were Here,' which arrived just as Warner Bros. became suspicious of this financial set up. The label ordered an audit for an account that was supposed to hold approximately $600,000 of advance money in escrow, only to discover that the account had been emptied. Warner Bros. entered into legal proceedings against Badfinger, promptly removing 'Wish You Were Here' from store shelves at a point when it was initially selling some 25,000 copies a week.
"It killed the album outright," Molland told Rolling Stone in 1989. Worse still, "it broke up the band, and Pete died six months later."
- ultimateclassicrock.com
Stan Polley burn in hell if there is such a place.{#Fire}
 kcar wrote:
Wasn't Paul the big promoter for Badfinger? They sounded a lot like Wings...
 
This preceded McCartney's formation of Wings, but I think he wrote a few songs that Badfinger recorded for the "Magic Christian" soundtrack, including "Come and Get It".  Some of these guys appeared on George's and Ringo's solo albums though.
 vanillagorilla wrote:
Some great pop tunes under the wing of George Harrison from this Apple label band, my fave is Day after Day

 
Wasn't Paul the big promoter for Badfinger? They sounded a lot like Wings...
Some great pop tunes under the wing of George Harrison from this Apple label band, my fave is Day after Day
 ..just read a bit.  {#Yes}   I did not know  fraserji wrote:
Awesome song from one of the most tragic bands of all time. 

 


Badfinger's best song is probably better than the Beatles' worst song...for what that's worth.
 LPCity wrote:

As in I "wonder" what happened to the Oneders?

 
Exactly!  glad someone got that reference {#High-five}
Awesome song from one of the most tragic bands of all time. 
Pivotal. Moment.
Has this been remixed or remastered?  There is a lot more left / right stereo isolation than I remember hearing ...
 lizardking wrote:
This song always reminds me of the "Oneders" song "That Thing You Do"

 
As in I "wonder" what happened to the Oneders?
 ...what about Baby Blue, or Day after Day {#Ask}   scraig wrote:
the best of Badfinger = this one song

 

I can't believe how good the guitar sound is on this. Blows away anything modern.
 Stefen wrote:


I had no idea.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Badfinger 

 

Another one dead at 27.
This song always reminds me of the "Oneders" song "That Thing You Do"
The greatest!!!
no dice was a great album! rip p hamm
Lovin me some Badfinger this hot summers arvo.
Nice follow from "Maybe I'm Amazed"...it's a 1970 "TWO-FER"!
 Propayne wrote:

Not sure if you are kidding or not - darn tragic story

 

I had no idea.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Badfinger 
This sounds much better than it did all those years ago. Has it been remastered?
 grahamdillabough wrote:
Great song.  Haven't heard it in ages.

Whatever happened to these guys? 

 
Not sure if you are kidding or not - darn tragic story
Great song.  Haven't heard it in ages.

Whatever happened to these guys? 
One of my very favorite classic rock songs ever!

For some strange reason, this song became popular again around 1980 (about 10 years after it came out) when I was living in Mpls.  I started hearing it in regular rotation on the radio, in live music clubs between sets, and at parties.

 

But I wasn't complaining, as I think it's still great 35 YEARS AFTER THAT!


 Proclivities wrote:

They were not a manufactured band and I don't recall ever hearing them regarded as copycats but they may have been regarded as "proteges" for The Beatles, especially since they were on Apple Records and some of their recordings were produced by Paul McCartney and George Harrison.  They wrote almost all of their own tunes (including this song, "Baby Blue", "Day After Day", and "Without You" - which was a massive hit for Harry Nilsson) and had little in common with The Monkees, whom they were much more cool than.  

 
Wow, did not know they wrote "Without You"! That was huge for Harry. IIRC, it was also used for a deodorant commercial (seriously). 

"Copycats" wasn't the best choice of words. I do remember the general sense amongst radio DJs and my peers that Badfinger sounded a lot like the Beatles and Wings. Badfinger as "proteges", yeah; almost like a side-project for Paul. For years I thought "Come  and Get It" was McCartney or Wings (looks like Paul did write the song and pushed Badfinger to record it exactly like his demo). 

Apparently that pigeonholing wasn't fair at all to the band. They did put out some good music and their run ended way too soon. 
Whoah, the ringing, clanging, massively cranked guitar sound of Back in the Day! All over the radio; remembering this in summers past
All good people out there - do yourselves a favor and listen to the Badfinger album titled 'Straight Up'.
A sonic treat for the ears and brain!! {#Cheers} 
Rock and Roll at its best!
..awwwhhh...classic  !!!   {#Clap}  {#Daisy}
 Proclivities wrote:

They were not a manufactured band and I don't recall ever hearing them regarded as copycats - they may have been regarded as "understudies" for The Beatles, especially since they were on Apple Records and some of their recordings were produced by Paul McCartney and George Harrison.  They wrote almost all of their own tunes (including this song, "Baby Blue", "Day After Day", and "Without You" - which was a massive hit for Harry Nilsson) and had essentially nothing in common with The Monkees, whom they were much more cool than.  

 
Love me some Badfinger but also some Monkees (speaking of Harry Nilsson).

Put on the soundtrack for Head last night and that album is very cool. 
 kcar wrote:

IIRC Badfinger was regarded as copycats or a manufactured band like the Monkees and so not as cool. But they put out some great hits. The lead singer could really bring it. 

 
They were not a manufactured band and I don't recall ever hearing them regarded as copycats but they may have been regarded as "proteges" for The Beatles, especially since they were on Apple Records and some of their recordings were produced by Paul McCartney and George Harrison.  They wrote almost all of their own tunes (including this song, "Baby Blue", "Day After Day", and "Without You" - which was a massive hit for Harry Nilsson) and had little in common with The Monkees, whom they were much more cool than.  
Critics thought they wouldn't be able to follow up McCartney penned 'Come and Get It', so how best to respond? Release this brilliant example of power pop written by the super talented Pete Ham.
 Art_Carnage wrote:
McCartney's attempt to build his own version of the Beatles.

 
IIRC Badfinger was regarded as copycats or a manufactured band like the Monkees and so not as cool. But they put out some great hits. The lead singer could really bring it. 
 leafmold wrote:

Weren't they produced by Harrison?

 
Signed to the Beatle label, Apple - Believe famed Beatles engineer Geoff Emerick produced this album.

Harrison and Todd Rundgren produced Straight Up - another excellent Badfinger album.
Great stuff.  Lots of tragedy in this band too....Sad.
YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Great to hear this
song again. Best of badfinger. Jeugdsentiment
For some reason -- drunken stupor, probably -- I had this at a 3.  That was a mistake.
I've always loved this group and esp. this song. Thanks for playing it!
 rpdevotee wrote:
COOL!  I love the Beatles!!
Oh...huh?  Wait...never mind... 
 
Weren't they produced by Harrison?
Super classic pop. 
COOL!  I love the Beatles!!
Oh...huh?  Wait...never mind... 
Super power pop.
There is no bad finger. This one is good though.
Just heavy enough, extremely melodic, nice slide solo, perfect length "get in, do your thing, get out".

Plus, it really takes me back to '73, sitting in my room playing this crackly 45 on my turquoise blue Sears record player with the penny taped to the tonearm. 
Great song w/ a nice Buffalo Springfield ending.
 lemmoth wrote:

Without You
Come and Get It
Day after Day

  add Baby Blue to this list


Saw these guys in 1973 (?) at the local college ... when I was a couple years away from attending.  The two students that introduced them ended by shouting, "Badfinger," and extending their middle fingers at the audience.  Scandalous!
 Art_Carnage wrote:
McCartney's attempt to build his own version of the Beatles.
 
this is gross
i rated it a 7 before.  whatever

 scraig wrote:
the best of Badfinger = this one song
 
Without You
Come and Get It
Day after Day

 sirdroseph wrote:

Ummmmmm.........ok. It's working! It's working!{#Stupid} I am too stupid to understand what you are saying, but I am sure it is purty smart. I am also sure that you can go fuck yourself.
 

No call for your last sentence .
the best of Badfinger = this one song
 Art_Carnage wrote:

Well, you win some sort of award for the stupidest, and most irrelevant reply anyone has ever made to one of my posts. Wear your dunce cap with pride. Eventually, someone will explain to you what it means.
 
Ummmmmm.........ok. It's working! It's working!{#Stupid} I am too stupid to understand what you are saying, but I am sure it is purty smart. I am also sure that you can go fuck yourself.


In my all-time top 10 - A perfect pop record!
 sirdroseph wrote:

{Pointless clip removed}

 
Well, you win some sort of award for the stupidest, and most irrelevant reply anyone has ever made to one of my posts. Wear your dunce cap with pride. Eventually, someone will explain to you what it means.


First class power pop.

Love it. 
 Art_Carnage wrote:
McCartney's attempt to build his own version of the Beatles.
 



Still have this LP!
Excellent!!!!
 PeeBee wrote:
I think that is 100% correct...it could have been a great Beatles song. {#Stupid}

 
peter_james_bond wrote:
Sounds like it was written by Paul McCartney.
 

 
No - written by Pete Ham -  Come and Get It was by Paul

Tragic story these lads

McCartney's attempt to build his own version of the Beatles.
Man, I love this!
I always liked this Badfinger song. I'm glad it's on your playlist. 
Love this, man!
ALL RIGHT!  I LOVE THE BEATLES!!
Ohh...uh oh, okay, never mind... 
{#Stupid} 
 tom-kenna wrote:
Perfect Pop Song! Produced by Todd Rungren I think.
 
Todd produced most of "Straight Up", replacing George Harrison when he suddenly split to do the Concert for Bangladesh.
 smehan55 wrote:
Good gawd! Great to hear this old pop tune again. Thanks Bill.
 
{#Jump}  {#Sunny} {#Dancingbanana_2} {#Music}
I think that is 100% correct...it could have been a great Beatles song. {#Stupid}

 
peter_james_bond wrote:
Sounds like it was written by Paul McCartney.
 

 tom-kenna wrote:
Perfect Pop Song! Produced by Todd Rungren I think.
 
Actually, the producer was Malcolm Frederick "Mal" Evans, long time friend and employee of the Beatles. He discovered Badfinger, also know as The Iveys, in 1968 and he suggested that they sign with Apple Records. Wiki his name, his life was very interesting, being in an inner circle to one of the most talented bands every, the Beatles.

{#Sunny}


 peter_james_bond wrote:
Sounds like it was written by Paul McCartney.
 
they were signed to Apple Records

Sounds like it was written by Paul McCartney.
i thought they were under the tutalage of the beatles.
Perfect Pop Song! Produced by Todd Rungren I think.
 ed wrote:
Before that it was used in, MAGIC CHRISTIAN, starring Peter Sellers and Ringo Starr.
 
I don't think this song was in that film.  "Come and Get It" and I think 2 other songs were, but not this.  Great songs though.


Sounds great this morning!     {#Jump}
No.
jhorton wrote:
Wow, this sucks just as bad as I remember it sucking.....

Nahhh — it's a good song! Well performed!

What really sucks is the story I just read about Badfinger (the Wikipedia entry above): the two sucides, and a certain Stan Polley! Blimey.


Wow, this sucks just as bad as I remember it sucking................

Good solid 1. 
 squidish wrote:
Isn't that Marc Bolin in drag on the cover??
 
ummm. . . well. . . maybe, but it didn't stop me from ogling. . .

{#Shifty}

 ghcollins86 wrote:
AWESOME!!!!! X's "Blue Spark" into Badfinger's "No Matter What"!!!!! F***ing GENIUS!!!! Thank you Bill!!!
 
Second that.  And I'm stunned neither track rates at least a 7 here.  {#Stupid}

10 from moi!

squidish wrote:
Isn't that Marc Bolin in drag on the cover??
Wow, I think I'm in love.
AWESOME!!!!! X's "Blue Spark" into Badfinger's "No Matter What"!!!!! F***ing GENIUS!!!! Thank you Bill!!!
LaurieinTucson wrote:
Second that.
Amen. Can really hear their pals the Beatles in this tune.
This song was used quite effectively in the wonderful movie Outside Providence.
Good gawd! Great to hear this old pop tune again. Thanks Bill.
Ahhhh, it came in a great era of great music. Not all were winners but its the amalgam of that music that made the time special.
E_A_D_G wrote:
Seminal brit power pop. Tried a bit too hard to be like their mentors. Tragic end.
Uneven quality of work, tender spirits; almost got to see them in a tiny bar in Morgan City, Louisiana but they got busted! Too late now. This is a great album the rest of which should be played over and over.
squidish wrote:
Isn't that Marc Bolin in drag on the cover??
Oh my god! I was just gonna post, "Hot chick on the cover!".
betterdaze wrote:
I doubt I'd like to hear this over and over as I did a few decades ago, but not having heard it for a loooong time, I'm enjoying hearing it again.
Second that.
Guitar riff segue of the day (X - Blue Spark). Nicely done William.
Seminal brit power pop. Tried a bit too hard to be like their mentors. Tragic end.
squidish wrote:
Isn't that Marc Bolin in drag on the cover??
Yes ... and hey, this is not an earlyish UK pop soundalike..it's the real thing and I like it
eastcoast wrote:
what was their signifigance that made them popular?
They were signed by The Beatles to the Apple label and McCartney wrote the song "Come And get It" for them. It was their first hit.
MylenerHead wrote:
I'm grooving in my chair!
yep, me too!!
I doubt I'd like to hear this over and over as I did a few decades ago, but not having heard it for a loooong time, I'm enjoying hearing it again.