Revisiting five iconic Smithereens riffs, Jim Babjak tweaks the melody to avoid resembling "You Really Got Me" and potential legal issues. He shares insights on the equipment used and behind-the-scenes tales for each riff.
The Smithereens guitarist Jim Babjak offers insights into the origins and equipment used for five iconic riffs from the New Jersey-based band. In an exclusive interview, Babjak discusses the creation and evolution of these riffs, as well as the guitars and amplifiers he employed to produce them.
A Girl Like You
"Co-founder Pat DiNizio initially conceived the opening riff, but Babjak contributed to some of the chords. There is an F chord in the mix, although Babjak is unsure of its formal name, and he performs an unconventional move with the E minor. The solo is entirely Babjak's creation. He played it on the demo, as the song was intended for Cameron Crowe's Say Anything. The lyrics reflect this, with DiNizio singing, "I'll say anything" at the end.
"To achieve a heavier sound, Babjak sought a Les Paul, which he hadn't used before. He refrained from performing guitar store demonstrations, feeling self-conscious about them. While recording in California, Babjak acquired a 1975 Les Paul that he still owns."
Drown in My Own Tears
"The distinctive chord with the pinky on the E and B frets is notable. Babjak drew inspiration from Del Shannon's use of this chord in Runaway. For the riff that begins the song, Babjak keeps his pinky on the E and B while moving his other fingers.
"Around this time, Babjak purchased a new SG with regular humbuckers. He later replaced these pickups with P90s. Although Babjak appreciates the guitar, he suggests that a 1967 or '68 SG would have been superior."
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Blues Before and After
"The riff bears a resemblance to The Kinks' You Really Got Me, but with a heavier edge. Babjak explains it as "The Kinks meets AC/DC." To avoid sounding too much like You Really Got Me, Babjak had to modify the riff during rehearsals. Mike Mesaros' basslines helped to finalize the arrangement.
"Babjak used the same SG that he employed for Drown in My Own Tears and the same Marshall amplifier. In the music video, though, Babjak is seen playing a Rickenbacker due to an endorsement with the company."
Only a Memory
"Babjak composed the riff during a soundcheck in Madrid during the band's first tour. The riff sparked the creation of an entire song. After returning to the United States, DiNizio wrote the lyrics, which were different at the time.
"The band rehearsed and developed the parts before recording the song. Babjak used his SG for the rhythm, but he played the riff on a Stratocaster. The Stratocaster delivered a superior tone for the part, and producer Don Dixon added an effect to enhance its uniqueness."
Top of the Pops
"Capitol Records desired another hit similar to A Girl Like You. The Smithereens complied, aiming to replicate the success of All Day and All of the Night by the Kinks. Capitol even insisted on a click track, though Babjak objected to it.
"The demo was recorded, but the lyrics were not yet finalized. The song is in the key of A, the same as A Girl Like You. To differentiate the two songs, Babjak incorporated an acoustic guitar beneath the electric on the opening riff. The electric guitar was the previously acquired Les Paul, while the acoustic was a Guild D-50."
- In the creation of "A Girl Like You," Jim Babjak contributed some chords to the riff, including an E minor and an F chord that he isn't formally sure of its name.
- For "Drown in My Own Tears," Babjak employed a new SG guitar with regular humbuckers, later replacing the pickups with P90s.
- The distinctive chord in "Blues Before and After" is attributed to Del Shannon's use of this chord in Runaway, and Babjak used the same SG guitar and Marshall amplifier as he did for "Drown in My Own Tears."
- "Only a Memory" was originally composed by Babjak during a soundcheck in Madrid, with lyrics added later by DiNizio. The riff was played on a Stratocaster for a superior tone, while the rest of the song was played on his SG.
- "Top of the Pops" was prompted by Capitol Records' desire for another hit like "A Girl Like You." The demo was recorded with acoustic guitar beneath the electric on the opening riff, using a Guild D-50 acoustic guitar and the previously acquired Les Paul electric guitar.
