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‘I don’t think it’s going to do well’: the Zutons on Valerie – and Mark Ronson on covering it with Amy Winehouse


‘It’s about a makeup artist I met in Florida called Valerie Star, who had legal bills. When I played it to the band, they all went, “Oh, that’s good.” And I thought, “It is, isn’t it”’

When I first heard the Mark Ronson/Amy Winehouse version I told them: “I don’t think it’s going to do very well, because we just had a massive hit with it and lightning doesn’t strike twice.” But it did. I felt such a bond with her and said: “I’d love it if there’s any way for you to be on my record.” Much of Back to Black was made in New York, but she hadn’t actually met the Dap-Kings, who played on it. The day we cut Valerie, Amy was in her ballet shoes and I remember her walking down the middle of Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn looking so carefree and peaceful.

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