We’ve got a weird one this week…not the song itself…but the way it all came together.

In 1967, Tommy James and the Shondells were working on their classic hit “I Think We’re Alone Now,”which is a Great song in its own right…when producer Bo Gentry accidentally inserted a master copy of the  song backwards on his reel-to-reel tape player. 

Now Instead of stopping and correcting the mistake, Tommy and the group let it play through, and were  impressed with the  the reverse chord progression. SO impressed, they decided to use that progression on another song.

Singer-Songwriter Ritchie Cordell–who was also Tommy’s producer…was up to the task, and wrote “Mirage,” a Great Song that sounds similar to “I Think We’re Alone Now,–and now you know why.

“Mirage” climbed to #10 on The Hot 100 in 1967–and although it’s not one of Tommy’s’ biggest hits, you’ve got to admit it’s got a Great Backstory. You can compare the songs below! Just click the links…

“Mirage”

“I Think We’re Alone Now:”

==Mike Cook