Pino Palladino: The Story Behind “Wherever I Lay My Hat” Bass Line

“Wherever I Lay My Hat (That’s My Home)” was first recorded by Marvin Gaye in 1962. Twenty-one years later, Paul Young released his version, which went on to become a major hit thanks in large part to Pino Palladino and his fretless bass.

In this video, Pino tells the story behind the song, as do others who were there. I found it interesting that Pino quoted Stravinsky in this piece. One of Pino’s influences, Jaco Pastorius, did the same thing.

Two things about this knocked me out. The first was Pino’s admission that he can’t read music.

The second was when Pino said that when he first heard the song on the radio, he was embarrassed because “all musicians are the same… we all think we’re rubbish” and that “I’ll never get any other gigs.”

Of course, that track turned out to be far from that, and one that caused Pino’s career to take off.

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Share your thoughts

  1. Great post. Considering how much of a wonderful and influential player he is there is a real lack of content on Pino Pallidino out there. Wish someone would record a full length interview with him. I couldn’t help but notice one mistake though, there is a picture of the Dire Straits 1985 Live Aid concert implying that he played there. To my knowledge Palladino has never played with Dire Straits.

  2. The first time I heard Paul Young was with this song, and though it’s a good cover of the Marvin Gaye original and Young’s raspy voice is quite soulful, what really caught my ears was the bass line. It does make the song stand out, what a great bass player Mr. Palladino is.

  3. A great bass line. Great tone. It could have so easily been lost in the mix, so hats off to the engineer!

  4. All that talent and yet a humble fellow. Palladino is paramount.

  5. Anyone know what program this is from?

  6. Mike

    Pino absolutely makes Gary Numan’s album, “I Assassin”…

  7. Ed

    Have known Pino for many many years and he is and always has been a gentleman, totally unassuming, nothing grandiose about him. In fact the entire Palladino family are lovely and I’ve been privileged to have them as family friends. When my late father and his late father got together it was always hilarious.