Right Now (Herbie Mann Song) - The Creatures (Siouxsie) Version

The Creatures (Siouxsie) Version

The Creatures aka singer Siouxsie Sioux, recorded a cover version of "Right Now" in 1983. It was released as a single in July and their version later peaked at number 14 in the uk singles chart.

The song was co-produced by Mike Hedges. The Creatures recorded it with a brass section and timpanis, like a sixties band.

Their version started with a distinct introduction with Siouxsie clicking her fingers to mark the tempo. She also added the "palala pam pam" that she sings before the arrival of the congas. These special arrangements were not present in the initial version by Mel Tormé; they were created by The Creatures.

Pussycat Dolls would later record another version of "Right Now" with this distinct introduction arranged by Siouxsie and her partner Budgie.

In 1983, this single of the Creatures was hailed by critics.

Melody Maker's Paul Colbert said in his review, "The Creatures slipped through an unlocked back window, ransacked the place and left with the best ideas in a fast car. Like all the greatest criminal minds they strike without a warning and only they know the plan. We have to piece the clues into a cover story. From the earliest seconds of 'Right Now' you know you're on shifting ground. Siouxsie baba da baping away to the noise of her own fingers clicking until Budgie barges in with congas on speed. Christ which way is this going? The one direction you don't expect is a vagrant big band coughing out drunken bursts of brass in a Starlight Room of it's own making. Budgie and Siouxsie - the Fred and Ginger of the wayward world."

Number One's Paul Bursche also shared the same of point of view and wrote, "A big blast of 60s swing laced with a deft 80s touch sung by none other than the graceful - Siouxsie? Releasing a cover version of Mel Torme's classic is about the most alternative thing The Creatures could have done. And it works. The siren really sounds great as layer after layer of multi - tracked voice get going. And wait for the video. A gold plated hit for sure."

The video was directed by Tim Pope. Siouxsie appeared in it recovered by a golden powder.

As the single was a huge success (it had stayed ten weeks in the charts), Siouxsie and the Creatures also made an appearance at BBC's Top of the Pops.