Nimoy's Maiden Wine Song and Nancy Sinatra

[ZapBrannigan]

I just heard the Nancy Sinatra / Lee Hazlewood song "Summer Wine" (1967) for the first time, and I think Leonard Nimoy's song "Maiden Wine" (heard in "Plato's Stepchildren") was modeled on it, or written as a tribute to it. Whichever, it was clearly a huge, unacknowledged influence on the Nimoy song.

"Summer Wine" [SPOILER ALERT] is about a man who is seduced by a woman who gets him drunk and robs him. Or, as I believe, the woman is just a metaphor for booze itself, and that's what "robs" him, as alcohol abuse can ruin people.

"Maiden Wine," as we all know, uses wine as a metaphor for what women have that heartless men just want to get hold of. And it's not just the general concept that Nimoy appears to have played with to write his awful Spock song. In "Summer Wine," every refrain of the lyric concludes with "Oh, summer wine" -- in the same manner and pretty much the same musical notes as Nimoy singing "ahh, bitter dregs."

Someone should have noticed this years ago, that "Maiden Wine" had such a strong and obvious influence.

 

[The Old Mixer]

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In "Summer Wine," every refrain of the lyric concludes with "Oh, summer wine" -- in the same manner and pretty much the same musical notes as Nimoy singing "ahh, bitter dregs."

That part does sound distinctly similar.

 

[Neopeius]

That is interesting. Not as close as General Savage's theme from 12 O'Clock High and Kirk's theme, but there could definitely be some inspiration.

And count me among the folks who kind of likes that song. And the episode, for that matter!

 

[ZapBrannigan]

And count me among the folks who kind of likes that song. And the episode, for that matter!

I like the Nancy Sinatra song better. The narrative is unusual, and the instrumental backing is sensational.

 

[J.T.B.]

I always get a kick out of Lee Hazelwood. His voice has the tonal subtleties of an air horn.

 

[Neopeius]

I like the Nancy Sinatra song better. The narrative is unusual, and the instrumental backing is sensational.

We can like both! Thank you for bringing the song to my attention. I will probably put it on KGJ when it's appropriate.

 

[johnnybear]

How many years do you have to wait, Neo? Three..?
JB

 

[Neopeius]

How many years do you have to wait, Neo? Three..?
JB

Yep. It is currently December 28th, 1964. In fact, as we speak, I am looking at a memo that Gene Roddenberry wrote about the special effects screening in the first pilot. Such are my Godlike powers!

 

[johnnybear]

Hmmmm! Why are you fifty five years back in time instead of say fifty?
JB

 

[Neopeius]

Because 50 years is too recent, and 60 years is too far back. 55 years ago is our world through a sepia filter.