In the 19th edition of COVERS (2023), Black Pumas delivers a compelling rendition of “Ain’t No Love In The Heart of The City,” originally performed by Bobby Bland.
“Ain’t no love in the heart of the heart of the city / Ain’t no love in the heart of town…” Ah, it’s time to get cozy and totally cover up! In COVERS, we highlight a musician or band covering songs by another musician (likely a popular musician). COVERS focuses solely on the musician who covers, as opposed to the original/most famous performer. It is open to both established musicians and musicians who may not be as well-known. In the 19th edition of COVERS (2023), Black Pumas delivers a compelling rendition of
“Ain’t No Love In The Heart of The City”, originally performed by
Bobby Bland.
“Ain’t no love and it sure is a pity / Ain’t no love cause you ain’t around..” Oh, the plight of love!
“Ain’t No Love In The Heart of The City” perfectly captures how love – the loss of the person you once had and no longer have – can make you blue. Historically, this “Ain’t No Love In The Heart of The City” is a blues/R&B gem, hence why love pain is an ideal theme. Notably, this cover version appears as the 11th and final track on the second disc of
Black Pumas (Deluxe Edition). In the
Grammy-nominated Black Pumas’ hands, “Ain’t No Love In The Heart of The City” sounds natural, preserving the sanctity of the original
.
Black Pumas vocalist
Eric Burton captures the bluesy, soulful vibes, singing with incredible expression and nuance. He seeks to emulate
Bobby “Blue” Bland who originally sung this
Michael Price and Dan Walsh penned record, but he is NOT copycatting. Burton’s runs are tasteful and definitely sell the depressed lyrics (“And now that you’re gone / Oh, the sun don’t shine / From the city hall to / The country line”). Notably, he takes risks at the end as the record fades out, which is a very prudent artistic/musical move. Besides the respectable vocal take, the production and sound successful recreate this often sampled gem. The musical cues from the era it originally hails are firmly in place – electrifying rhythm section and biting, colorful horns. Covering a gem of this caliber and making it your own is tough, but in the hands of Burton and guitarist/producer
Adrian Quesada, they do a nice job.
Black Pumas •
Black Pumas (Deluxe Edition) •
ATO •
2020
Black Pumas, “Ain’t No Love In The Heart of The City”: Covers No. 19 (2023) [
: Brent Faulkner /The Musical Hype; ATO; Paul Brennan from Pixabay; Sdf Rahbar on Unsplash]