Another popular, much recorded song with the crooners, 'Answer Me' started off life in Germany as "Mütterlein". English lyrics were provided in 1953 and David Whitefield's version was actually an early example of the BBC banning a record (this time on religious grounds - the opening line originally went "Answer me, oh Lord", a plea to the Almighty for an explanation as to why his woman has left him. This was subsequently re-written and re-recorded by Whitfield so that the question is addressed directly to the woman herself), though this didn't stop it getting to number one, so good on Dave for sticking it to 'the man' - even the Sex Pistols didn't manage to do that much.........and that's abut as far as my praise is going to stretch - Whitfield's version of 'Answer Me' is a horrible affair with his quivering tenor aiming for Covent Garden Opera House but finds itself more suited to barking on a fruit stall in the market outside. Dave chews up the lyrics like the hammiest character actor, his tongue lolling over the syllables as if they were oversized gobstoppers - even the arch vibrato of Bryan Ferry showed more restraint when he recorded a version of this. In Whitfield's hands, 'Answer Me' is shot through with a dribbling insincerity that leaves me not believing a single word that leaves his mouth. It's a good song that deserves its popularity, but there are far better versions than this out there.
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