Yep, same thought! Only discovered her through the kiwi vampire comedy flick "What We Do In The Shadows" which used her song "You're Dead" over the opening titles. She's a brilliant song-writer.
Yes I agree she should have been a big star as she was talented as both a singer and songwriter. She even wrote several songs for Dusty Springfield her long time lover.
Norma operated on a totally different level than everyone else. She was a supremely talented artist and composer who should have gotten more publicity and adulation. RIP, Norma. You're with Dusty now. ❤
I've been on this planet for 57 years and I ever heard of this woman or any of these wonderful songs. And the first song I ever heard her sing was "Your Dead Norma Tanega" - and I really loved it and quickly jumped to this song and it is just as awesome. And now I find that she left us 13 days ago. Dang It. I miss her already. Rest in Peace Norma Tanega.
Really? All very different? OK. Can you tell me which of those CDs she sings the songs of Josquin des Prez, or Bulgarian 'throat signing' or even plays the Mongolian 'nose flute'. I can't wait to hear those. Thanks.
"Norma Cecilia Tanega (born January 30, 1939, Vallejo, California) is an American folk/pop singer/songwriter. She was a camp counselor in the Catskills when she signed to New Voice Records in 1966. Her debut single, "Walkin' My Cat Named Dog", reached No. 22 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart, but she never came close to charting there again.[1] In Canada it reached No. 3 in the RPM Magazine charts and in the United Kingdom it peaked at No. 22 on the UK Singles Chart.[2] Not overtly comedic, the tune's title lyric contributed to its success as a novelty song, but one that was quickly forgotten as a one-hit wonder. Tanega continued recording folk and folk pop material, however, including an album for RCA Records after moving to the UK in the 1970s. When she returned to the U.S., she got her Master of Fine Arts in painting and began teaching art in Claremont, California. She also began working with ceramic percussion instruments, and recorded with Brian and Amanda Ransom. She was also a member of world music ensemble Hybrid Vigor.[citation needed] During the late 1960s Tanega had a romantic relationship with singer Dusty Springfield.[3] Tanega wrote lyrics to a number of songs Springfield recorded during this period: "No Stranger Am I", "Earthbound Gypsy", "Midnight Sounds", "The Colour of Your Eyes", "Morning (Bom Dia)" and "Go My Love". They remained friends until Springfield's death in 1999. She co-wrote "Dusty Springfield" with Blossom Dearie".
Holy hell this woman's song is so going on the soundtrack of my TV series. As in right now. This f--king instant. I feel so cheated by mainstream American radio right now. How in the name of leaping blue Moses did we all manage never to hear this incredible single?
Because the radio dj's had a lot of power and they would not place this single on the playlists. This song was released as a single and did manage to reach #123 on the national Billboard record sales charts of singles releases despite its lack of promotion.
@kofola1973 After her hit, she continued recording. She went to the UK and had a relationship with Dusty Springfield which eventually ended, but they remained friends until Dusty's death. When Norma returned to the US in the early '70s,she went back to school and earned a MFA in art and became an art teacher in Claremont, California. She kept her hand in music, recording an album for RCA in 1977, and later went into world music, recording with an ensemble called Hybrid Vigor. She's 72 this year.
Just randomly clicked on the video for the song "You're Dead". Had no idea that wasn't a modern song made for the show. She's so cool! What a crime she didn't get more recognition.
God, how rare is this?!? I never dreamed I'd seen anything by Norma Tanega on youtube, much less this song. Wonder if I'll find her great "Don't Touch" from the same LP as "Walking My Cat Named Dog?" A beautiful woman and a great, underrated talent. Thank you so much for posting this!
Just discovered her today and I've been listening to all the music there is of hers on YT. I'm staggered. She is like Vashti Bunyan, Janis Ian, Nick Drake and Joni Mitchell all rolled into one. Except I think I like her music even more than any of those great talents. She is quite simply an amazing talent. How I haven't come across her before baffles me but I am pretty chuffed that I now have the rest of my life to enjoy listening to all her music.
I'm 64. I grew up listening to top 40 hits on the transistor radio...never heard of her till today! Pure 60s gold! So good, hit's all the right buttons.
Why am i hearing this, just now. This is the 3rd song I've heard by her in the last 10 minutes "Walking my Cat..." wasn't mind-blowing, but this and "Your Dead" are unbelievably great! (I can't wait to cover em'!)
I was watching the movie what we do in the shadows and I was wondering who did the song you're dead. Curiosity pays off sometimes. I had never heard of her before.
I saw this very clip playing in a movie theatre that I just started working at about two weeks ago. Haven't been able to get it out of my head since. Timeless
back in the sixties everyone was goin gto California and getting a contract. not all moved forward. I worked with a guy in Canada named Dan Yard, and he played duo with Frank Soda (Soda Pop; Toronto) and they had the place jumping. Heard his demo tape from 1968; amazing, but we had enough bands in my LA high school to put on our own "battle of the bands", enormous talent pool in those days, with real talent, not sticking your bum in the camera or abusing the English language and milking millions out of the "suckas".
This song is from the late 60s!! Why is it that more "younger people(that weren't born at the time)" know/appreciate this song. It's amazing in any "musical" era euphorically or lyrically, and they just let it slip through like it's some regular ass song😂😂😂😂😂😂 . Older generations like to think that the younger gens don't know good music, but the fact that this isn't considered a top 100 song EVER let's me know that neither did they.
Love this singer & thanks for posting THIS COOL SONG, her follow-up to "Walkin...! " Tanega had 4 singles on New Voice label U.S. 1966-67. All but 2 of those songs, A & B sides, are on her 1966 "Walkin'..." LP. She & Dusty Springfield were close in the 60s and beyond, and she wrote at least 3 songs for Dusty (1968). If anyone knows if there is an LP with "Bread" or "Run on the Run" available, or if anyone knows about an RCA LP Norma Tanega released in Europe, please advise! . DAVEDJ
Man if it hadn't been for the film "What We Do in The Shadows" I wouldn't have known about Norma Tanega. I can't believe she was doing this kinda stuff when I was only 5 yrs old going on 6. Incredible voice especially in the song "You're Dead"
This was the follow up single to "Walking My Cat Named Dog" on New Voice records (1966). Herman's Hermits were fans of hers and used to do that song live in concert. Norma Tanega grew by leaps and bounds with this single. Like Nancy Ames' "Friends And Lovers Forever" (which was out around the same time), it's smart, loaded with attitude and well written. How odd that her hit streak ended so prematurely.
I'd Kill for that Gibson SG gtr she's playing here in these videos... Damb wonder who's got it Now ? She's a Doll.. with a real nice voice too.. Great Songs also.
Her guitar work is awesome.love her 60s sunshine hippie smile.people actually had smiles .not like now.everyone looks angry today.im so glad I was 60s kid.talents like hers made us happy.
Great artist, thanks for sharing...When I listen to her songs I find some affinity with the Beatles's songs...who was first ? She might have inspired them or vice versa ? Specially this song...
My beautiful daughter qualified as a medical doctor a few days ago & is in a wonderful relationship with another girl named Louise, who recently graduated as a mechanical engineer. I am so proud of Dr Lauren Southwick & hope her & Lou share a wonderful life. A truly memorable year for a doctor to graduate 😃
Such a cool, witty song! She appearred on 'The Lloyd Thaxton Show' in an African cloth tunic and turban to sing this tune and 'Walking my cat named dog.' Her cat was an ocelot, and was for real, not just a stage gimmick!
Below is a comment stating Norma should have been a big star.." Why would she belittle herself going from goddess to giant star? She looks fun, smart, attractive a glow, crazy words she weaves into a spell.... 66 was a strange year. Any info on her post here please
My new favourite song ever. Where did she come from? How come she's not gracing Quentin Tarantino soundtracks or making new LP's with Sonic Youth? Brilliant stuff.
I'm from Vallejo, Ca born and raised. Drove/parked Lake Herman Rd and Blue Rock Springs in Vallejo California at night in 1969 when the Zodiac was creaping. (Yeah, dumb ass kid of only 15 years old... but we are invincible at that age.) But yeah, a lot has come outta Vallejo, and the surrounding San Francisco Bay Area. Naval shipyard... Yep, Mare Island closing was the start of its downfall. I miss Vallejo, but you couldn't get me back there now!!!
