THE SEARCHERS - “Needles And Pins”
(1st February 1964)
That slight increase in tempo on “she will see just how to say please - and get down on her knees” - the sudden enthusiasm in “hurtin’ her! hurtin’ her!” - in this song there’s a hint of whitened knuckles, tightened expressions, a savage quality that’s surprising and discomforting. At the same time the band are playing with a lightness and control that makes the surges of quickened anger that bit more effective - and the sounds they’re drawing out of their guitars are nothing short of lovely. How can something so delicate be so bitter? 6
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FT's Doctor Mod on July 31st, 2006
Oh, but those lyrics are simply the usual sentiments of disappointed romanticism. And if you want to hear the wrath that hell hath none like, try the original Jackie DeShannon version.
FT's bramble on September 7th, 2006
Cher did a version that was a carbon copy of Jackie de Shannon’s phrasing. Still I think the Searchers have the definitive Needles and Pinsa version