I Couldn't Care Less - who-did-it-first?

[M.T. Wallet]

[Sorry I re-post some questions from the old forum that remained unanswered]

I got two versions of the song by

-the Run-A-Bouts (Manel - on High in the midsixties vol. 5) '66?
-the Couriers (on Destination Frantic vol. 3) '67?

any more information from Michigan?

 

[MopTopMike]

I do not have the Destination Frantic comp Vol 3, but it could be a mistake, if the song is exactly the same as the Run-A-Rounds version (not the Run A Bouts).
I'm not aware of any remakes.
The Run A Rounds tune "I Couldn't Care Less" was an original song written by two group members.

 

[M.T. Wallet]

first, sorry for the miswritten bandname
here's the Couriers version (the sleeve says "unreleased"...)
http://hiddenpage.free.fr/11 - Couriers - I Couldn't Care Less.mp3

vs.

 

[MopTopMike]

Hey, that's pretty good (Couriers version)
It is either:
1 A pre Run Arounds group calling themselves the Couriers
2 - a local group from Michigan who decided to cut a version,
3 - given the 'clean' fidelity' a modern '80s or later group recording a throwback sounding version, with "fake details" to make it appear authentic.
I've never interviewed the guys in the Run-A-Rounds, maybe Mike or Chris know?

 

[M.T. Wallet]

#3?!
do you mean it did already happened that 80s recordings appear on that kinda comp?
(it's been released on "Zone 66" ; don't have a clue about that label)
I mean credited as a 60s band?
(not as Echo & the Bunnymen on the Pebbles #1)

 

[mikael]

This is what the "Where You Wanna Go" comp liner notes says

The Couriers
Little is know of this band, except for the recordings of these two classic tracks in 1967. Mixed in stereo, “I Couldn‘t Care Less” was also done by another Michigan garage band, The Run-A-Rounds(East Detroit) and issued on the Manel label, with slightly altered lyrics.
Discography:

I Couldn’t Care Less/Just Tell Me-Unreleased, recorded-1967

 

[M.T. Wallet]

thanks mikael ; I had read that too; it sounded quite "vague" to me and the Couriers' version sound rawer than the Runarounds' then I had a doubt... but as MTM said the credits are unquestionable, I think the case is closed; thanks anyway!

 

[cmiri19]

[Sorry I re-post some questions from the old forum that remained unanswered]

I got two versions of the song by

-the Run-A-Bouts (Manel - on High in the midsixties vol. 5) '66?
-the Couriers (on Destination Frantic vol. 3) '67?

any more information from Michigan?

 

[cmiri19]

I am Chuck Mirisciotti. I was the singer for the Run a Rounds. We were brought the songs, I Couldn't Care Less, and I Can't Take You Back, by Gary Roy, the manager of the Couriers. We played with them at a battle of the Bands and won. Mr. Roy then approached us later with the offer to have us record the songs for Manel Records. The studio was on Grand Blvd in Detroit. Danny Dallas was the engineer. Mr. Dallas engineered a lot of local bands including Bob Segar at United Sound studios. Have you heard the version done by The Untamed Youth on Norton Records?
Album is Youth Runs Wild.

 

[Mr.Segment]

Hi Chuck! Welcome to the forum. The Run a Rounds disc is a personal favorite. Cool to hear the story.

 

[greenfuzz]

Hi Chuck! Welcome to the forum. The Run a Rounds disc is a personal favorite. Cool to hear the story.

I second this.

 

[mgs100]

The Couryers from Detroit performed and cut the 45 record of the original songs "I Couldn't Care Less" and "Just Tell Me" in 1967. Both songs were created and composed by Tom Valente (Lead Guitar and Vocals) with the poems written by Gary Roy. Gary was to promote our record for us only, but took a different direction without our knowledge. Mike Flaherty (Rythym Guitar) , Jim Coppess (Bass Guitar) and myself, Mike Schweickert (Drummer) completed the group. The Couryers performed for four years across the Metropolitan Detroit area with a good local following. The YouTube video of the Couriers (sic) is from our recording session.

 

[Michael W]

The Couryers from Detroit performed and cut the 45 record of the original songs "I Couldn't Care Less" and "Just Tell Me" in 1967. Both songs were created and composed by Tom Valente (Lead Guitar and Vocals) with the poems written by Gary Roy. Gary was to promote our record for us only, but took a different direction without our knowledge. Mike Flaherty (Rythym Guitar) , Jim Coppess (Bass Guitar) and myself, Mike Schweickert (Drummer) completed the group. The Couryers performed for four years across the Metropolitan Detroit area with a good local following. The YouTube video of the Couriers (sic) is from our recording session.

Hi Mike - do you have a link to the youtube video of the Couryers in the studio? Would like to see that. I searched but nothing came up.

 

[mgs100]

Hi Michael,
Only our audio with a still picture of another group is on YouTube listed under Couriers (sic). Just found out about this a few days ago and trying to correct. Thanks.

 

[tjv69]

Hey everyone, this is Tom Valente and "I Couldn't Car Less" and "Just Tell Me" are my songs. I had written them when I was 14, arranged them with my band , the Couryers, and the recording that's out there is one that was made in a home basement recording studio (I think the guy's name was Brian Dombrowski). After 45 years, I was completely surprized to find out that " I Couldn't Care Less" has a video and is on a 60's gagage band album. Never knew!
I still have a rock & roll band playing in the Detroit area and now I'm thinking of rearranging and recording these tunes. After all, they ARE my tunes.
Thanks for your positive comments on the song.

 

[Michael W]

Hi Michael,
Only our audio with a still picture of another group is on YouTube listed under Couriers (sic). Just found out about this a few days ago and trying to correct. Thanks.

Ahh - I misunderstood the original text - I thought there was video footage of the group in a recording studio. Do any of you guys have group photos from that era?

 

[Shopgrl0]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vb7PWXlMTdE&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Check out the former Couryer's Band members Tom Valente and Mike Schweickert - cover of The Beatles Saw Her Standing There!!!!

 

[paul messis]

I couldn't care less - Influenced my own track '(If I Go Away) Would You Still Cry For Me?, it's my homage to the Run-A-Rounds in a way.


thanks for the information on the song, cos it's a personal favourite of mine too.

 

[Lindsay S]

I couldn't care less - Influenced my own track '(If I Go Away) Would You Still Cry For Me?, it's my homage to the Run-A-Rounds in a way.

thanks for the information on the song, cos it's a personal favourite of mine too.

The Couriers were the first to record the track I couldn't care less. If you google search "the couryers garage band," a picture should appear of the individual four band members.