Blue Eyed Soul Music

The song was written by Tommy James, Eddie Gray, and Mike Vale. It has a soft swaying tempo to take us into a world of peace, harmony, and good brotherhood. Stories vary as to the inspiration, as it were, for the song. Some, including James, say the references are Biblical and are about the divine light of God and a new world order (i.e., from the Book of Revelation, Book of Isaiah, and the Book of Ezekiel). Others have thought it contains drug references to crystal meth or some blue-colored LSD tablets that were going around at the time. “Crystal Blue Persuasion” was a big hit for Tommy James & The Shondells, going to #2 on the U.S. Billboard hot 100 in 1968. It is also on their 1969 Crimson and Clover album.

There have been numerous cover versions of the song, including those by Tito Puente, Joe Bataan, The Heptones, Morcheeba, Concrete Blond, and John Wesley Harding. The song has also appeared in films,TV, and commercials. It was used in an episode of Breaking Bad titled “Gliding Over All,” where Walter White expands his crystal meth business overseas.

Here are the lyrics to “Crystal Blue Persuasion” by Tommy James and The Shondells:

Look over yonder
What do you see?
The sun is a-risin’
Most definitely
A new day is comin’, whoo-hoo
People are changin’
Ain’t it beautiful, whoo-hoo
Crystal blue persuasion

Better get ready
Gonna see the light
Love, love is the answer, whoo-hoo
And that’s all right
So don’t you give up now, whoo-hoo
It’s so easy to find Just look to your soul (Look to your soul)
And open your mind

Crystal blue persuasion
Mm-hmm
It’s a new vibration
Crystal blue persuasion
Crystal Blue persuasion
Maybe tomorrow
When he looks down
On every green field, whoo-hoo
And every town
All of his children
In every nation
There’ll be peace and good
Brotherhood
Crystal blue persuasion
Yeah

Crystal blue persuasion, aha
Crystal blue persuasion, aha
Crystal blue persuasion, aha (Oh)
Crystal blue persuasion, aha
Crystal blue persuasion, aha
Crystal blue persuasion, aha
Crystal blue persuasion, aha

If you are interested in reading about and listening to other songs by Tommy James and The Shondells, please click here for “Crimson and Clover,” “Hanky Panky,” and “Mony Mony.”

Check Out The Groove Pad for More 1960s Music

The Pass the Paisley Groove Pad is a resting stop, a place to chill out and listen to the featured song on the stereo. If the mood strikes you, click on the juke box to access and listen to the 50+ free online songs there. The TV has several channels, with selections updated twice a week. Every now and then, Pass the Paisley hosts an all-request of 1960s and 1970s songs for a Be-In at the juke box in the Groove Pad. Keep on truckin’. Hope you enjoyed “Crystal Blue Persuasion” by Tommy James and The Shondells.