The Black Keys has released a second track from its upcoming album Ohio Players. The song is a cover of Memphis soul legend William Bell's “I Forgot to Be Your Lover,” the only non-original track on the 14-song set. The group's Dan Auerbach says he and Keys mate Patrick Carney decided to take it on during sessions at the vintage Valentine Studios in Los Angeles:
“We were in there doing some recording and Pat suggested it. I'm sure, like, being in that space, y'know, had a lot to do with that decision, but it's always been one of our favorite songs and we had Tommy there and we had Kelly Finnigan, who sings harmony and plays the Hammond. So it was like, 'Yeah, let's do that. This'll be fun.'” :26
Auerbach is referring to Tommy Brenneck, another guitarist who's part of several track son Ohio Players.
Bell released “I Forgot To Be Your Lover,” which he co-wrote with Booker T.Jones, in 1968 and had a Top 10 hit on the Billboard Hot Rhythm & Blues Singles chart with it. Billy Idol revised the song as his 1986 single “To Be a Lover,” and it's been sampled by Jaheim and Dilated Peoples.
Ohio Players, the Black Keys' 12th studio album, comes out on April 5th. It features collaborations with Beck and Noel Gallagher, among others. “I Forgot to Be Your Lover” was preceded by another single, “Beautiful People (Stay High)” in January.
