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Listen to this track by pioneering funkateers Sly & the Family Stone with their 1973 take on a song made famous by Doris Day of all people, “Que Sera Sera”, as taken from their album Fresh
When I first heard this, I thought it would be a kind of throwaway track, not to be taken too seriously. But, in the end I think it’s really effective. Rose Stone’s vocal delivery is perfect, a little on the sad side which reflects the undercurrent of the lyrics. And Sly’s arrangement, and his own vocal asides, make it into something of a bluesy lament. This tune would be the last of the Family Stone’s songs to feature bass guitar übermench Larry Graham, who had a pretty major falling out with Sly and would later form his own band, Graham Central Station. His work alone on this track should make anyone who cares about bass playing to take notice. Graham would later work with Prince, who owed a thing or two to the Family Stone himself.
This song is a marvel, even without Sly’s hazy, slow-jam gospel groove. Speaking of happy songs that aren’t really happy, surely this is the granddaddy of them all. A child asks her mother what the future may hold, hoping for happiness and fulfillment. Instead of offering her child the hope that things will work out, she tells her child effectively that the future is a tyrant that doesn’t let anyone in on its plans, and we’ve no right to expect anything we hope for. And the most cynical mum in the world award goes to…
That this was a signature tune for perky poster girl Doris Day who sang it in the remake of Hitchcock’s The Man Who Knew Too Much, and was in fact the theme of The Doris Day TV show, is even more incredible. The show’s ;ast season roughly corresponded to the release of this record, starting its run in 1968 (around the same time as Sly & the Family Stone rose to fame) and ended in 1973. Maybe Sly was a fan, since it would be the only cover version to appear on any of his records. Anything’s possible – whatever was, was.
For more information about past and present incarnations of Sly & the Family Stone, check out the official Sly & the Family Stone website.
Enjoy!
The Delete Bin 
that was cool. Didn’t know of the song before. thanks.
You’re welcome, Morgan. It’s good, isn’t it? They take an unexpected turn and choose a song way outside of their usual oeuvre, and make something of it without the now-fashionable “we did it for the irony” safety net. It’s actually one of my favourite cover versions by anyone.
It’s really too bad that Sly, and his band as a result, took their trip to the wilderness. I don’t know. Maybe, as they say, it was just their time.
Cheers for comments!