A passionate declaration of love and desire that still feels fresh and immediate.
The summer of 1966 was a pivotal time, a season when the carefree spirit of rock and roll was still a guiding light, and few bands captured that energy quite like Paul Revere & The Raiders. Their hit single “Hungry”, released in June of that year, was more than just another pop song; it was an anthem of youthful longing. With its driving rhythm section and Mark Lindsay‘s impassioned vocals, the track clawed its way up the charts, peaking at an impressive number 6 on the Billboard Hot 100. It became a cornerstone of their prolific year, appearing on their hugely successful album, The Spirit of ’67.
The story behind the song is a classic example of top-tier songwriting meeting raw garage rock power. Penned by the legendary Brill Building duo of Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil, “Hungry” was a departure from the band’s previous, more guitar-driven smash, “Kicks.” For this track, the focus shifted to a formidable bass line, crafted with intricate overdubbing by bassist Phil “Fang” Volk. This “lethal bass line,” as music critic Dave Marsh famously called it, became the song’s unmistakable backbone. The lyrics themselves are a straightforward, yet potent, expression of romantic desire—a feeling of being so starved for a specific person’s love that it consumes everything. It’s a feeling that every teenager who ever had a crush can remember, and it’s a feeling that, for many older listeners, brings back the vivid, bittersweet memories of first loves and endless summers. Listening to “Hungry” today is a trip back to a time when a simple, powerful rock and roll tune could say everything you needed to say.