The Enfields — “I’m for Things You Do”: Brace for the Obscure (60s rock)! — March 19, 2024

THE GREATEST SONGS OF THE 1960s THAT NO ONE HAS EVER HEARD

1,149) The Enfields — “I’m for Things You Do”

Did this ‘66 B-side, a “wonderful rocker” (On the Flip-Side, https://ontheflip-side.blogspot.com/2012/03/song-of-week-enfields-she-already-has.html) by a Wilmington, Delaware band, inspire Tom Hanks’ “That Thing You Do”? Only Gump knows for sure, but I do know that the Enfields’ number is such sophisticated and classy garage rock that I file it under “three car garage.”

Of “I’m for Things You Do”, Keithgordon620 writes:

[An a]wesome song, one one of the best of it’s type ever made. The melody is perfect, and even the understated harmonies. The lyrics tailor made. Gives me goosebumps, as I drift back in time to the daze of the 60’s.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qIcSkgF0TLo

The single, “‘She Already Has Somebody/I’m For Things You Do’ was a #4 local smash and perhaps the[ Enfields’] finest moment on vinyl. Very similar to the Dovers’ [see #386, 866] material from around the same time”.  (Jason, https://therisingstorm.net/the-enfields-friends-of-the-family/)

“The ENFIELDS were hands down the TOP local Delaware band at the time, their orginals were strong & at battle of the bands shows they blew away the competition.” (Anonymous, https://psychedelic-rocknroll.blogspot.com/2009/03/the-enfields-friends-of-family-enfields.html) Beverly Paterson writes that:

[The] band[] . . . featured the enterprising handiwork of singer, songwriter and guitarist Ted Munda. Founded late in 1964, the Enfields enjoyed a good deal of regional acclaim until their demise in 1967. Shortly after the band splintered, Ted formed Friends Of The Family. . . . Signed to the Richie label, the Enfields proceeded to lay down four singles for the local operation. Molded of soft, breathy vocals, chiming guitars and tugging breaks, cuts like “She Already Has Somebody” and “I’m For Things You Do” reflect a strong Zombies influence. . . . Not your average garage bands, but armed with a garage band heart and attitude, the Enfields and Friends Of The Family pushed boundaries by adding a touch of maturity and sophistication to their material. . . . with unconventional but catchy melodies, progressive arrangements, and inspired singing and playing . . . .

https://somethingelsereviews.com/2012/06/19/forgotten-series-ted-munda-the-enfields-friends-of-the-family-1993/

On the Flip-Side tells us that “The frontman and songwriter, Ted Munda, was apparently still in high school when he penned She Already Has Somebody as well as it’s top notch Flip-Side, I’m For Things You Do.” (https://ontheflip-side.blogspot.com/2012/03/song-of-week-enfields-she-already-has.html) Richie Unterberger adds:

In 1966, this Wilmington, DE, group released one of the best garage rock singles, “She Already Has Somebody,” a moody, melodic original on par with the best efforts by the Zombies. Led by guitarist, singer, and songwriter Ted Munda, they were popular in their region and totally unknown elsewhere, releasing a few singles on a tiny local label. . . . [T]he group’s output stands considerably above the norm of the hundreds of other comparable American regional garage bands of the time, due primarily to Munda’s fine melodic songwriting, heavily influenced not only by the Zombies but by the Beatles and Beau Brummels. In 1967, Munda formed Friends of the Family, who explored jazzier and more progressive directions, resulting in some interesting material.

https://www.allmusic.com/artist/the-enfields-mn0001727051#biography

We’ll, what about “That Thing You Do”?! Ted Munda commented on YouTube that:

[A n]ote on the Post about doing a Screen play like “That Thing You Do, by Tom Hanks. When I was in LA doing the songs for Smokey Robinson I worked as a songwriter for Producer George Tobin who found Tiffany, Produced Smokey,Natalie Cole, Robert John (Sad Eyses). The other song writers included Gary Goetzman. Gary Goteztman become a Movie Producer and did Silence of the Lambs, and “Philadelphia” with Tom Hanks and produced That Thing You Do. He told me, as we were friends, that he used the Enfields’ history and pictures to show Tom Hanks the idea for “That Thing You Do”, that Hanks supposedly wrote. I was told he did not actually write it. “The Wonders” came from “The Enfields” . . . . That Thing You Do” came directly as a rip off of my song with the Enfields “I’m For Things You Do”. They even had me go in a recording studio and re-record,” I’m For Things You Do”. I received NO credit for any of this, so welcome to Hollywood!

http://www.oldwilmington.net/nostalgia_archive/nostalgia_archive_53.htm

Tom, what say you?

Munda also mentions that:

[Our manager] Vince Rago had NOTHING to do with [“She Already Has Somebody”]. He was our crooked Manager. I wrote the entire song and called it” SHE ALREADY HAS”. When the record came out his name was on it and he said it was because he changed the Title to “SHE ALREADY HAS SOMEBODY”( which was already IN the original Lyric). This was the beginning of us not trusting Vince. Another bit: we were offered a Record Deal by LAURIE RECORDS but our parents nixed it at the time because of Vince Rago. The record label’s second choice: “THE ASSOCIATION” . . . . That was the point where The Enfields could have had wide exposure but…fate was not on our side!

https://ontheflip-side.blogspot.com/2012/03/song-of-week-enfields-she-already-has.html

I have added a Facebook page for Brace for the Obscure 60s Rock! If you like what you read and hear and feel so inclined, please visit and “like” my Facebook page by clicking here.

Pay to Play! The Off the Charts Spotify Playlist! + Brace for the Obscure 60s Rock Merchandise

Please consider helping to support my website/blog by contributing $6 a month for access to the Off the Charts Spotify Playlist. Using a term familiar to denizens of Capitol Hill, you pay to play! (“relating to or denoting an unethical or illicit arrangement in which payment is made by those who want certain privileges or advantages in such arenas as business, politics, sports, and entertainment” — dictionary.com).

The playlist includes all the “greatest songs of the 1960’s that no one has ever heard” that are available on Spotify — now over 750 songs. The playlist will expand each time I feature an available song.

All new subscribers will receive a Brace for the Obscure 60s Rock magnet. New subscribers who sign up for a year will also receive a Brace for the Obscure 60s Rock t-shirt or baseball cap. See pictures on the Pay to Play page.

When subscribing, please send me an e-mail (GMFtma1@gmail.com) or a comment on this site letting me know an e-mail address/phone number/Facebook address, etc. to which I can send instructions on accessing the playlist and a physical address to which I can sent a magnet/t-shirt/baseball cap. If choosing a t-shirt, please let me know the gender and size you prefer.

Just click on the first blue block for a month to month subscription or the second blue block for a yearly subscription.