Tommy Roe “Jam Up Jelly Tight” / “Moontalk”

As per a previous Tommy Roe review, “Dizzy” was my favorite 45 and is one of my fav songs to this day—but I don’t remember even having this record—yet here it is. I knew the song, “Jam Up Jelly Tight” from the “12 In A Roe” compilation (one of my first LPs), but there are at least four songs on that record I like better than this one (including “Dizzy,” “Jack & Jill,” “Hooray for Hazel,” and “Sweet Pea”)! This is a fine bubblegum pop song, but some of the lyrics always bugged me, like, “I said the first day I met you, someday I’m gonna pet you.” Ewww. Don’t need that! Also, jam and jelly? A little on the graphic side. Still, both of these songs have excellent production and fine playing from, I presume, studio musicians, who I can’t find credited, (Though—if I’m remembering correctly—I tracked down the “Dizzy” credits to the “Wrecking Crew”—so that’s a guess—but I don’t know). Anyway, I figured this would be a quick, low-wordcount (for a change) review, with a dismissible B-side. I should have known better, really (I’m a sucker for “Moon” songs)—but I didn’t expect it to be a crazy rabbit hole.

Somehow, I never heard this B-side, “Moontalk,” until now! I don’t ever remember hearing this anywhere. It’s a terrific, catchy, pop song, written by Tommy Roe, about the moon landing—which was the year this record is credited—1969. Interesting lyrics. There’s a short phrase that sounds like Latin to me—what can that be? But I listen more closely, and I think it’s: “Lunar gossip.” (Which makes sense.) It sounds like the lyrics are referencing the event already having happened, “The headlines in the papers” and “Armstrong was the first.” But then… I have to be a wise guy and go rooting around on the internet—see if I can find anyone discussing this song. I didn’t dig deep enough, but I did see several versions on YouTube—listen to one—and… it’s an entirely different song! Well, it’s the same song, but it’s a completely different version—a crazy, psychedelic folk/pop rendition with insane background vocals that almost overwhelm the lead vocals. Also, tape played backwards, whatever that’s called—“backmasking.” (Maybe he’s saying, “It’s a hoax, it’s a hoax!” Ha.)

How is this! I thought this wasn’t even an album track. So, I look up the discography, and this earlier, more bizarre version—“Moon Talk” (two words)—was on an album that came out in 1967. Which is weird, considering that Armstrong line, so I listen more closely, and this one says: “Wondering who’ll be first” —instead of “Armstrong was the first.” So that makes sense, after all. And thinking about it, I figured that he first recorded it referencing the Space Race, or Moon Race, and then, after the actual moon landing, decided to re-record it—with that slight change of lyrics. I love that crazy, earlier, psychedelic version, just because of how weird it is, but the newer version is actually a better song, I think—just because the production and studio musicians are so good. Or… maybe not—kinda torn—I’m half and half (blame it on the moon). Either way, it’s a great song (or, two great songs), neither of which you ever hear. (You can find both versions on YouTube.) I’m wondering if there were other Space Race novelty songs—I’m sure there were. (I wonder if this one was in influence on the “Please Mr. Kennedy” song in Inside Llewyn Davis.)

Now… one more thing. The fact that the song connected with me so strongly makes me wonder if I did hear it before, somewhere. And this gets me wondering, now, if they included this song in a movie I recently saw, Fly Me to the Moon (2024)—a rom-com about the moon landing—it would have fit perfectly, because Tommy Roe works timeless romance in with the contemporary, larger-than-life event: “Spacemen they have been there / on that lovelight as it hangs there.” And: “I just hope with people there / It won’t affect the young / Who for many centuries / Have fell in love beneath that moon above.” The movie did have a fine, mostly R&B soundtrack. This song would have been perfect for the after credits song (that is, the song that plays after the song that comes up when the credits start—and then takes you to the end of the credits). Of course, no one would have heard it—since no one (and I mean no one—since Dave Monroe passed away) stays until the end of the credits. Still, I wish—it would have made this an even deeper cut than it already is.

8.30.24