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Posted by: King Rollo 18th May 2021, 05:04 PM

Each week, I'm going to listen to the new entries in the top 40 singles chart from 60 years ago and choose one of them as my record of the week. It's still four years before I am born so most of these songs will be new to me.

18th - 24th May 1961

20. You'll Never Know - Shirley Bassey https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g7ceBVQHG5Y A string laden ballad with a powerful vocal. She can certainly sing.
36. Words - The Allisons https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8YN5NM6MZL0 A country/pop song with acoustic guitars and strings.
37. Little Devil - Neil Sedaka https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ll2uJPbPg5Q I like the drums on this and the interaction between the lead and backing vocals. The best of the runners up.

Record of the week : 29. Mother In Law - Ernie K-Doe

I'm choosing this rhythm and blues song as my first record of the week as I found the lyrics to be amusing, especially the line "She thinks her advice is the constitution but if she would leave that would be the solution". The mother in law is also compared to Satan! I like the piano solo and brass arrangement as well. The single climbed no higher than number 29 but it was a number 1 on the Billboard chart. Ernie K-Doe (Ernest Kador) came from New Orleans and had no further top 40 hits, even in his own country. He died in 2001.

Posted by: Popchartfreak 18th May 2021, 07:05 PM

should be interesting

I know La Bassey (dad is a fan so got introduced to her while at a young and tender age) and Neil Sedaka (I'm a fan, so I'd've opted for him) but the other 2 have never really registered, though I've heard of Ernie's Mother-In-Law...cue classic les dawson gag:

"bought the Mother-in-law a Jaguar for Xmas. Bit her leg off"

Posted by: Last Dreamer 18th May 2021, 07:16 PM

There are not many new entries in 1960s on each week, so maybe you can add your top 3 / top 5 favourite songs from UK top 40.

Posted by: King Rollo 18th May 2021, 08:38 PM

Well, looking at that top 40, of the ones I know, my favourite would be Will You Love Me Tomorrow by The Shirelles. There's also Runaway by Del Shannon and Blue Moon by The Marcels.

Posted by: Popchartfreak 19th May 2021, 07:19 AM

Ooh 3 classics there, no question, I knew and loved them by the time I was 15 even though I wasn't aware of them at the time, being 2 years old and all

Posted by: King Rollo 25th May 2021, 06:32 PM

25th - 31st May 1961

27. Surrender - Elvis Presley https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O3Bj9fQkvGo This will shoot up to number 1 next week but it's not one of his better known songs. Well, I don't remember it, anyway. I like the backing vocals and instrumentation.
31. Halfway To Paradise - Billy Fury https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9MTXBQp5OgI A nice tune which he sings well, augmented by some orchestration which doesn't get in the way too much.
34. Why Not Now / Can This Be Love - Matt Monro https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZgOQsOQTUDM / https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SHC8y2cRuHo I listened to both of these. They were what I expected, easy listening crooning ballads aimed at the older record buyers. I preferred the first one.
36. I've Told Every Little Star - Linda Scott https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ifgpiGs_4Js A sweet song with a child like vocal but, checking up, I see she was only fifteen years old when she recorded this so that's not surprising. I don't know why the stereo mix has her vocal only coming from the right speaker. There are no backing vocals to put on the left and most of the backing music is in the centre. Still, it's an interesting way of arranging it and this was close to my favourite song this week.

Record of the week : 38. Running Scared - Roy Orbison

The four note riff which runs through this song is very familiar to me. It starts out on the guitar but spreads to some of the other instruments. I don't know if this is the first song to use it. I know it appears in one of my favourite songs by Prefab Sprout, 'Jesse James Bolero'. As always, Roy's vocal is outstanding and there are some fine backing vocals and lush strings. It's a pity the song is only two minutes long but that was the common length in the early sixties. The single peaked at number 9 five weeks later and reached number 1 in the US.

Posted by: Suedehead2 25th May 2021, 06:52 PM

I'd find it hard to choose between Running Scared and Halfway To Paradise. Both great songs.

Posted by: Popchartfreak 26th May 2021, 07:36 AM

Runnin' Scared has the edge for me, Roy is just the greatest male vocalist in pop, but Billy Fury was my first fave pop star when I was pre-school and Halfway To Paradise is much better than the original US hit version. yay Billy! Surrender was also a known-fave of mine, though not rated that much as such critically, I like the Italian feel to it.

Posted by: King Rollo 1st June 2021, 06:08 PM

1st - 7th June 1961

36. The Battle's O'er - Andy Stewart https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0nz_aU2AhLs This has a traditional Gaelic folk sound to it. It will be 28 years before his next top 40 hit, the re-issue of 'Donald Where's Your Troosers', which I know him best for.
39. Transistor Radio - Benny Hill https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nYAMEREIT7M Years before his big number 1, Benny had a few minor hits. He uses an American accent for this novelty single with Pinky & Perky also making an unexpected contribution. It was amusing but I wouldn't want to hear it again.
40. Bells Of Avignon - Max Bygraves https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wnkj6cYDTxY And now another entertainer I remember from watching TV in the 70s. This is his 14th top 40 single but he won't have another one until 1969. Even in 1961, I think this song would have been considered old fashioned.

Record of the week : 32. Hello Mary Lou / Travelin' Man - Ricky Nelson

So there's not much competition for the title this week. It has to be this rockabilly classic, 'Hello Mary Lou', with its memorable chorus and a guitar solo by James Burton which would have sounded very modern at the time. Written by Gene Pitney, the original version was recorded by Johnny Duncan the year before. I'm not very familar with the other A side, it was OK. The single would go on to reach number 2 five weeks later.

Posted by: Popchartfreak 1st June 2021, 06:56 PM

Well there's a motley bunch apart from the fab Ricky Nelson. Much as I love Gene Pitney I think I prefer Travelin Man these days, which was the bigger chart-topping side in the USA. It's a bit non-pc these days, I guess, what with the "I get around a bit" lyrics - maybe that's why Sam Cooke rejected the song when offered it first.

Posted by: King Rollo 1st June 2021, 07:07 PM

I was a bit confused when I read that the two sides had different peaks in the US but I think it's because radio airplay counted towards their chart as well.

Posted by: Popchartfreak 2nd June 2021, 07:31 AM

Yes B sides often charted separately in the Billboard charts due to the airplay element, and often the A side got overtaken by the original B side. They merged tracks in 1969 though and listed them as double A sides jointly. The rules always end up mad as the industry changes, like the streaming/downloading albums that chart as individual tracks when it's really an album play/purchase minus the duff tracks. They aren't "hits" and the vast majority of people remain unaware of their existence for the entirety of their lives, in contrast say to the 90's when they didn;t bother releasing singles to push album sales to the max and promo'd "singles" to radio and TV to get chart positions for something you couldn't buy except on an album.

It's always about record companies using marketing tools to influence charts to their own benefit (ie cash), rather than trying to accurately and objectively reflect reality....

Posted by: King Rollo 8th June 2021, 06:16 PM

8th - 14th June 1961

33. Well I Ask You - Eden Kane https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iYMnwaS86G8 This will eventually go all the way to number 1, it will take it eight more weeks. I don't really like his vocal style or the song itself and I'm surprised it's a chart topper. He's described as a teen idol so maybe that explains the appeal. He's one of the three Sarstedt brothers. The other two will also go on to have top 3 singles.

Record of the week : 38. Take Good Care Of Her - Adam Wade with the George Paxton Orchestra and Chorus

There are just two new entries this week so I've chosen this one as the better song. It's a sad tale of someone who has lost the love of his life to someone else and the lyrics are a message to the other man. He sings it very well and the strings are luxuriant. The single didn't get any higher up the chart but reached number 7 in the US. It's been covered by many singers including Elvis Presley. This was the American's only UK hit. In the 70s, he became the first black man to host a TV game show and also had a career as an actor. He's still going at the age of 86.

Posted by: Popchartfreak 9th June 2021, 04:11 PM

Never heard that Adam Wade single before or heard of him Seems OK, sort of pseudo Johnny Mathis.

Eden Kane I saw many years ago on a tour of the 3 Sarstedt Brothers. I quite like Well I Ask You, but Forget-Me-Not is maybe a catchier hit.

Posted by: King Rollo 15th June 2021, 10:54 PM

15th - 21st June 1961

23. Pop Goes The Weasel / Bee Bom - Anthony Newley https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sj-dA2FHB0g / https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dU6993mrTE4 The first A side is a novelty song while the second is a slight improvement. He had two number 1 singles in 1960. I'm sure they must be better than these two songs.
24. Pasadena - The Temperance Seven https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D0UdkKH-0Es The follow up to their number 1 from earlier in the year. This is in the style of 1920s jazz. I thought it was going to be an instrumental but a man starts singing halfway through and it has two false endings. I like this one, I'd never heard of the band before.
27. Temptation - The Everly Brothers https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r_TuuJ31bdM This will go on to be their fourth number 1. It's perhaps not as well known as the other three. I like the guitar work on this and the vocals are very good.
32. Breaking In A Brand New Broken Heart - Connie Francis https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fw6hjCoOLlg Another act with previous number 1s, this is a country style ballad with a fantastic vocal.
33. Exclusively Yours - Mark Wynter https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eCTgbj1VyJ4 Harmless uptempo pop song with the female backing vocalists playing a big role.
39. Theme From 'The Magnificent Seven' - Al Caiola And His Orchestra https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=drE96RI9A6A And now one we all know. A classic film theme with a great combination of orchestral instruments and guitars.

Record of the week : 34. Weekend - Eddie Cochran

There were some good songs to listen to this week and I'm picking this one as the best. This is one certainly aimed at the teenage record buyers with the rock'n'roll sound and the lyrics about a typical carefree weekend. I know the song best for the cover version by The Move. This was a posthumous hit, Eddie had been killed in a road accident the year before at the age of just 21 on the way back to London from a gig in Bristol. One of the other passengers in the taxi was Gene Vincent who sustained serious injuries.

Posted by: Popchartfreak 16th June 2021, 07:35 AM

Bowie based his vocal style on Anthony Newley (see The laughing Gnome!) and Newley could write a decent song when he felt like it. I was never a fan though....

Never heard that Connie Francis track, typically Country pop of the time, seems OK, Mark Wynter was popular in our house growing up (my brother Mark loved having a popstar with the same Christian name) and this one is the jaunty Seven Little Girls Sitting In The Back Seat rewritten, also never heard it before

Pasadena I've heard before, the equivalent of a throwback to the 80's now.

Temptation is very good, Magnificent Seven classic - I've considered entering it into BJSC on more than one occasion as I wasn't sure how well-known it is these days. Got my answer now and it can be dropped!

Weekend is a goodie though, I knew it first from the Alvin Stardust minor hit cover in the 80's - Alvin was around at that time as Shane Fenton. One of the policemen who arrived at the scene of the Cochran crash became a pop star in the 60's and I'm seriously contemplating one his band's tracks for BJSC, partly cos it's a forgotten dramatic masterpiece, partly cos it's been used as the loose basis for an upcoming film - without actually being IN the film. Outrageous!

Posted by: King Rollo 16th June 2021, 01:22 PM

I was only assuming everyone on here would know the Magnificent Seven music. I might be wrong. You could try entering it, I think it might qualify from a semi-final.

I was reading up on that accident yesterday and saw that one of the policemen later became a pop star. I hope you do get round to entering his group into the contest.

Posted by: King Rollo 22nd June 2021, 10:16 PM

22nd - 28th June 1961

23. A Girl Like You - Cliff Richard and The Shadows https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rf2Cvse5ep4 Destined for the top 3, this is a mid tempo love song with simple lyrics. The Shadows' guitar playing was the best part of it for me.
31. Ring Of Fire - Duane Eddy https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VAen-9ER9Gk Not to be confused with the Johnny Cash song, this features Duane's signature twangy guitar sound along with some strings, woodwind and a choir. My second favourite this week.
32. Marcheta - Karl Denver https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e7KTWXOAsMg Not a singer I'm familiar with but I have heard of him. He's from Scotland and this is his debut in the top 40. He has a unique vocal style which is close to veering off into yodelling territory during this song.
34. Once In Every Lifetime - Ken Dodd https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0n8st2yJwvc A string soaked ballad which gives him his second hit single. His pure vocal style is not what I'd expect to hear when I've been more used to hearing him telling jokes in his own spoken accent.

Record of the week : 33. She She Little Sheila - Gene Vincent

Gene Vincent was mentioned last week as being involved in that road accident and here he is now with his seventh top 40 single. It's a catchy rock'n'roll song with his band and backing singers playing their part. The single will peak at number 22 two weeks later. Gene died in 1971, at just 36 years of age.

Posted by: Popchartfreak 23rd June 2021, 07:25 AM

The only one I recognise is the Gene Vincent track

If you think Karl Denver is veering into yodelling, wait till you hear Wimoweh (aka The Lion Sleeps Tonight) Ken Dodd's singing was old-school crooning style, sort of. Nice voice, nice songs, but I preferred his Diddymen in the early/mid 60's along with Andy Pandy, The Woodentops, Pinky & Perky, Fireball XL5 and Supercar in my pre-school days

Posted by: King Rollo 23rd June 2021, 02:02 PM

Yes, I noticed Karl Denver had many more hits to come so I look forward to hearing them. I have early childhood memories of the Diddymen as well.

Posted by: dandy* 23rd June 2021, 03:48 PM

I love the concept of this thread, I just wish it was a different decade as I always find myself struggling to maintain interest in music from the 60s - the obvious classics aside.

Posted by: King Rollo 23rd June 2021, 04:41 PM

Thanks. The music from the 70s would be more to my liking as well but I wanted to go back to a decade I wasn't very familiar with.

Posted by: King Rollo 29th June 2021, 10:39 PM

29th June - 5th July 1961

I have the week off. There are two re-entries this week but no new entries!

Posted by: Popchartfreak 30th June 2021, 03:18 PM

I'd be interested in new views of old familiar faves too, but I like that you are doing stuff I've never heard of. I've never delved deep into any charts before 1967, so I expect there be to quite a lot that's obscure to me until 1964/65 when I should start to know all the big hits and most of the middling hits, but still not know the minor hits.

There's a Scottish guy living in Hong Kong who's been reviewing every UK number one since 1952 (currently up to 1978) and it makes for fascinating & enjoyable reading someone's views who is often hearing stuff for the first time through 90's ears...

link here if anyone is interested...

https://number1sblog.wordpress.com

Posted by: Suedehead2 30th June 2021, 05:58 PM

There's something I don't recall knowing about before!

Posted by: Popchartfreak 30th June 2021, 06:41 PM

said pop star's group was a fave of mine as a boy, and when I turned 10 I got my oldest Top Of The Pops performance memory of him dressed in tight leather pants cracking a whip. I'm not sure why that has stayed with me and the rest of the show didn't.....

Posted by: Suedehead2 30th June 2021, 07:07 PM

Who could forget that whip?

Posted by: King Rollo 6th July 2021, 06:25 PM

6th July - 12th July 1961

23. Wheels Cha Cha - Joe Loss And His Orchestra https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XKxk-h6C7X4 I didn't know what this was going to be but playing it now, it's very familiar to me. This would often be played on TV variety shows in the 70s (and presumably the 60s) to accompany someone who was doing something that was supposed to be funny. Even though it's an instrumental, it has that comedic sound to it.
25. Time - Craig Douglas https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmaajbTXf04 A pleasant enough string infused pop song.
35. Moody River - Pat Boone https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=COkOmvr9c3c An American number 1 that will only reach number 18 here. The highlight was the piano playing that runs throughout the song.
37. Baby I Don't Care / Valley Of Tears - Buddy Holly https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6MNMG_5flWc / https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EdBoFm2SihI The first track was a standard rock'n'roll song but I prefer the slower flip side which has a really effective use of the electric organ.
40. Don't Jump Off The Roof Dad - Tommy Cooper https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VGdI7CXZUXc Tommy's only hit single and it will get no higher than number 40. The story here is that dad wants to end it all by jumping off the roof of his house. His children ask him not to jump, not because they will miss him, but because their mother has been planting flowers in the garden and he will make a mess. They tell him to go to the park and jump in the lake instead.

Record of the week : 27. You Don't Know - Helen Shapiro

I chose this as my record of the week before I found out it went all the way to number 1 and so it should. Her vocal on this is wonderful, especially as she has to reach some really low notes and she's only fourteen years old! She became the youngest female singer to top the chart. I'm sure I would have heard this song before but not for a while. It's the follow-up to her first single which reached number 3 earlier in the year. It sold more than a million copies.

Posted by: King Rollo 13th July 2021, 05:37 PM

13th July - 19th July 1961

29. Nature Boy - Bobby Darin https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T_eaWX2nM7s There's a lot to like here with the brass and string section, the big drum sound and those female backing vocals. The song goes back to 1947 and was also a top 30 single in the 70s for George Benson and in the 80s for Central Line which explains how I recognised the melody. I don't think I've heard this version before.
34. Old Smokie / High Voltage - Johnny and the Hurricanes https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YOMnjmolsFM / https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dDbJh5IjH0s This group is an instrumental quintet. Old Smokie is an energetic number which sounds like something Madness or Bad Manners would have had a go at in the early 80s. High Voltage is another foot tapper with the saxophone interacting with the electric organ. This is the last of their seven top 40 hits which is a shame as I would have liked to have heard more from them.
37. Romeo - Petula Clark https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQIX8aJmXo4 The lyrics are a mixture of English and French language which helped the single get to number 1 in France. This is OK but not as good as the other new entries this week.
40. The Boll Weevil Song - Brook Benton https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z5H6iwQGWl4 An update of a traditional blues song. A boll weevil is a beetle and the lyrics are a conversation between the boll weevil and a farmer.

Record of the week : 36. Stand By Me - Ben E King

The Johnny and the Hurricanes double A side would have made a great record of the week but I have to go for this classic. It's a mystery why the British record buyers didn't take to this in 1961 with the song spending just four weeks in the top 40 and peaking at number 27. It reached number 4 in the US. It would take a movie and a TV ad for jeans to propel the single to the top of the UK chart in 1987.

Posted by: Popchartfreak 13th July 2021, 06:34 PM

6th July charts I adore that Helen Shapiro record and I was mad on her when I was pre-school age. Great voice for a 14-year-old. I wish she'd record again.

Of the others, Wheels Cha Cha as you say was all over variety TV in the 60's and 70's, I swear I associate with a muscle-man on Opportunity Knocks, he kept winning for weeks and the odd-looking muscle-movements were puzzlingly bizarre and oddly unforgettable.

Pat Boone, Craig Douglas hmm yes, moving on. Elvis recorded Baby I Don't Care first for Jailhouse Rock movie, ironically since it sounds exactly like Teddy Bear, Holly's was more of a knock-off. Tommy Cooper was an amusing one, popping up on Junior's Choice in the 70's, and frankly right up to the death of Ed Stewart a few years back on his annual Xmas shows for older folk with fond memories of childhood days. Just Like That!

Posted by: Popchartfreak 13th July 2021, 06:49 PM

Bobby Darin's version of Nature Boy has all the charm taken out of it with those la la la's in the background! For iconic Nat 'King' Cole's original is just gorgeous, and the George Benson version is also classy.

Don't know the Johnny & The Hurricane's tracks, but On Top Of Old Smokie, I'm sorry, will never better the Abba version which was cheesetastic in a B side medley. Yes Abba covered an old blues song. Though I can see the Bad Manners influences a la Can Can. High Voltage is a bit nondescript.

Romeo wasn't one of Pet's classics, though it's a nice enough tune, she was very fond of the French-language songs at this stage of her career, pre-Tony Hatch swinging 60's pop.

Brook Benton had some good stuff, my fave is the mash-up with Caro Emerald "You're All I Want For Christmas". I'm sure the Boll Weevil Song was hilarious to farm workers back in the day, or kids. Not for me though.

Stand By Me is of course a timeless major classic of 1961, if not the best record of the year. It seemed really old, but classy, when it topped in 1987 when it was 26 years old. The equivalent would be something from 1995 topping the charts now....and Stand By Me is longer ago as a chart-topper than it was from release in '87

Posted by: King Rollo 13th July 2021, 07:15 PM

Yes, I thought I remembered the muscle man on Opportunity Knocks using that music. I have a vague memory of him painting a face on his tummy and moving it in and out with the rest of his body hidden in darkness.

Posted by: King Rollo 20th July 2021, 10:04 PM

20th - 26th July 1961

29. That's My Home - Mr Acker Bilk and his Paramount Jazz Band https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t3j_dn9r-jw I thought this was going to be an instrumental but, like that Temperance Seven song five weeks ago, a man starts singing quite a long way into it. I'm assuming it's Acker Bilk himself as he's listed as a singer. I thought he was just a musician and band leader. This was alright, it's in the style of 1920s/30s jazz.
39. I'll Step Down - Gary Mills https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vgo2kF6BXrg An unremarkable guitar based pop song. The lyrical theme is similar to the Adam Wade song from six weeks ago. The character in the song has lost the woman he wants to someone else so he's stepping off the ladder of love. This is the last of Gary Mills' three top 40 hits.

Record of the week : 22. You Always Hurt The One You Love - Clarence 'Frogman' Henry

Just three new entries this week and this is the best one. His vocal has plenty of personality to it and I liked the jazzy piano interlude. The song goes back to 1944 and has been recorded by many well known singers. This is the second of just two top 40 singles for Clarence, both of them reaching the top 10. He's 84 now and still performing.

Posted by: Popchartfreak 21st July 2021, 04:28 PM

Oh dear, I awas never a fan of that ragtime jazz stuff like Kenny Ball used to do, and anything that sounded like it might have come from the godawful Black & White Minstrel Show which I hated. The vocals taken out of the record and given a new backdrop would work though, def the best bit of it.

Also never heard the Gary Mills track, but it's an improvement on Acker. Neither good nor bad.

Clarence is a goodie, though. I like that song, and this is prob the best version though the original 1945 version from The Mills Brothers is quite nice. I'm amazed Clarence is still going, and also that Ryan Gosling has recorded this...

Posted by: King Rollo 27th July 2021, 06:29 PM

27th July - 2nd August 1961

20. Don't You Know It? - Adam Faith https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jkAAHz3jefk I like the keyboard sound effect but the song was not good and I didn't like his vocal. Adam started his chart career with seven top 5 placings but this will be the second consecutive release to miss the top 10.
28. Dum Dum - Brenda Lee https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9PK_T7uAb2E A good vocal performance here but it's wasted on this particular song. I liked the saxophone solo.
29. Quarter To Three - US Bonds https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZzyhogPKV54 This has a rough sound quality to it but that's how the producer wanted it to sound like. I like the rawness to this and the vivacity. It was a US number 1. I know him better as Gary U.S. Bonds which was what he was called when he had his 80s chart revival.

Record of the week : 37. Reach For The Stars / Climb Ev'ry Mountain - Shirley Bassey

Shirley Bassey is the first artist to make a second appearance since I started this thread and she gets the record of the week this time. These are both ballads with a dramatic orchestral backing and some powerful, soaring vocals. The single will get to number 1 in eight weeks time but I don't remember hearing either song before. Climb Ev'ry Mountain is from The Sound Of Music but I have never seen that film in full, at least not as an adult. I might have been subjected to it as a child one Christmas. I preferred Reach For The Stars.

Posted by: King Rollo 3rd August 2021, 06:49 PM

3rd - 9th August 1961

28. Cupid - Sam Cooke https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S28tILqie1o This would have comfortably been my record of the week most weeks but we have two strong contenders this week. Written by Sam Cooke himself, it will go on to reach number 7. This has a timeless quality to it with a great melody and the soothing trumpet playing in the background along with the strings. I'm more familiar with the Detroit Spinners' version which got to number 4 in 1980.
39. Quite A Party - The Fireballs https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O2vBKpDsfG8 A guitar and drums based instrumental. It's a bit of a foot tapper. This will be the only UK top 40 hit for the American group who I'm pleased to see are still going, although now down to one original member.
40. How Many Tears - Bobby Vee https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=brZsHe7RmWU A breezy pop song with the backing singers and musicians all sounding like they're having a great time.

Record of the week : 26. Johnny Remember Me - John Leyton

This edges ahead of 'Cupid' as there's so much to this record. A great lead vocal supported by the haunting backing vocal by Lissa Gray, the competent guitar work from The Outlaws and Joe Meek's production. The song was one of many 'death discs' banned by the BBC. It shot up to number 1 after being performed by John Leyton's rock star character 'Johnny Saint-Cyr' in the ITV drama series Harpers West One and spent three weeks there before returning for one more week at the top after being displaced by the Shirley Bassey song I featured last week.

Posted by: King Rollo 10th August 2021, 05:28 PM

10th - 16th August 1961

36. San Antonio Rose - Floyd Cramer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DnJe_qzj1ks I was expecting Floyd Cramer to be a singer but after about 30 seconds, I realised that this was going to be an instrumental. It's a run of the mill country influenced piano tune. I think the only reason it's a top 40 hit is because he's had a number 1 single in May with On The Rebound which I've listened to as well and I recognise that one. San Antonio Rose will go no higher than number 36 and he will have no more hits so he's close to being a one hit wonder.
38. What Kind Of Fool Am I? - Anthony Newley https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N2Qnp3D0G1A A second appearance by Anthony Newley and this is no better than the first one. His nine singles so far all made the top 20 but this one will stall at 36. It seems he's on the wane now.

Record of the week : 40. Girls - Johnny Burnette

By process of elimination, I'm left with this one. It's an upbeat pop song with a nifty string arrangement and some lyrics that are definitely of their time. It will only get to number 37. He's best known for You're Sixteen which was a top 3 hit earlier in the year.

Posted by: King Rollo 17th August 2021, 07:21 PM

17th - 23rd August 1961

Record of the week : 40. Baby Sittin' - Bobby Angelo and the Tuxedos

There's only one new entry this week so this automatically gets the honour. I quite liked the song so it might have had a chance even if there had been more competition. The story here is that the parents have gone out for the evening and the younger sibling has been put to bed so there is an opportunity to get the girlfriend round for some " baby sittin' ". I liked the guitar work here, the vocal only takes up about half of the song. It's a cover of a song by Myron Lee and the Caddies. It reached a peak of number 30 and was the only hit single for the British group.

Posted by: Popchartfreak 18th August 2021, 07:02 PM

Johnny Remember Me is an all-time classic, loved it as a kid, love it still. Still exciting. Cupid is the next best, Sam Cooke was amazing, a soul version of Nat 'King' Cole and a great songwriter - but I also prefer the cover version I first got to know the song by - Johnny Nash's reggae 1969 hit version, Johnny was the Sam Cooke of reggae vocally, so smooth and warm.

I also love Bobby Vee, saw him in concert on a 60's package tour in the 80's, and was astounded by how many of his records I knew and loved, having mainly been a lover of The Night Has A Thousand Eyes first and foremost aged 5 or 6. How Many Tears is sweet and Bobby let the audience pick the song he'd play next at times in his set, including this one. Shirley Bassey, my dad was a fan, he had a couple of her albums of 50's stuff and so I was well aware of her growing up. I liked Kiss Me Honey Honey Kiss Me, but her showtune covers were often showstoppers, but for the definitive version of Climb Every Mountain see the movie. Mother Superior belts it out with a passion and brings tingles down your spine. Honestly The Sound Of Music is a classic from beginning to end, and it's fun spotting which sci-fi shows the kids all ended up in (Lost In Space, Logan's Run, Spiderman to name 3 of the regular series stars)

Posted by: King Rollo 19th August 2021, 04:14 PM

OK, I might watch The Sound Of Music the next time it's on the TV.

Posted by: King Rollo 24th August 2021, 06:21 PM

24th - 30th August 1961

40. Say It With Flowers - Dorothy Squires and Russ Conway https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YiWGvEOe5kk This is not a vocal duet. Ross Conway is playing the piano. It's a ballad that Dorothy wrote herself but it belongs to an earlier era, maybe the 40s. It's her first hit single for eight years and she won't have another one for another eight years.

Record of the week : 31. Writing On The Wall - Tommy Steele

This wasn't great but better than the other new entry. There's some whistling here as well as singing and I liked the string plucking and piano part. The writing really was on the wall for Tommy Steele as this is the last of his 17 top 40 hits. He's best known for his 1956 number 1, 'Singing The Blues'. He's 84 now and was made a knight in last year's Birthday Honours.

Posted by: King Rollo 31st August 2021, 05:48 PM

31st August - 6th September 1961

22. Ain't Gonna Wash For A Week - The Brook Brothers https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NBgDeFOLHgA Britain's answer to the Everly Brothers. I liked the percussion on this one.
31. Someday (You'll Be Sorry) - Kenny Ball and his Jazzmen https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=90umtK_0zlc A lively jazz tune. The vocal and trumpet are coming out of the right hand speaker while the rhythm section are on the left.
35. Michael Row The Boat Ashore / Lumbered - Lonnie Donegan and his group https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rlvTnMZFGTg / https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FesgkXv1Th4 I'm familiar with Michael Row The Boat Ashore which goes back to the 19th century but I haven't heard this version before. The other A side was a novelty song. I can't say I liked either. This will go on to be Lonnie's sixteenth top 10 single.
38. I'm Going Home (To See My Baby) - Gene Vincent with Sounds Incorporated https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LW7kJXT2A6w Gene's previous single in June was my record of the week and this is another good one with a really strong vocal. It's his final top 40 hit.
39. Sea Of Heartbreak - Don Gibson https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A4bo4ByFhLM A country music song, it was OK with a good arrangement. It bears some resemblance to The Smurf Song and will be his only top 40 single.

Record of the week : 37. Let's Twist Again - Chubby Checker

No hesitation this week, it has to be this enduring classic which will put a smile on anyone's face. Number 37 will be its peak for the moment. I'm assuming only a few imported copies were in the shops. It will re-enter the chart in January 1962 and reach number 2 in February. Coupled with 1960's 'The Twist', it will be a top 5 hit again in 1975.

Posted by: Popchartfreak 1st September 2021, 07:37 AM

Let's Twist Again is the main classic there, by far. The Twist was never the monster UK hit it was in the USA, and the dance didn't become a national craze until 1962, spearheaded by this record, which was always more famous in the UK than The Twist. Throw in Twist & Shout, The Beatles masterpiece cover which was also huge (on EP & LP, not eligible for the singles chart) and everybody was Twisting by 1963, including my mum and 5-year-old me. It became a hit again in 1975 due to a hit dance cover by a DJ which sparked demand for the original. That was the first time I ever heard The Twist when it got occasional spins on the chart show as a change from Let's Twist Again being played twice

Posted by: King Rollo 1st September 2021, 12:04 PM

Thanks for the extra info, that explains why it didn't get any higher than number 37 at this point.

Posted by: Jade 1st September 2021, 05:49 PM

Oops I'm fashionably late to this thread but enjoyed catching up! When I was in school, ever keen for a big music project, I randomly decided one day that I wanted to listen to every new entry in the chart and got up to about 1966, I really should've kept it up back then as I had a lot more spare time but could always carry on bit by bit again someday. Anyway, that technically means that I've heard everything in this thread so far, but it was about 7 years ago so my memory definitely struggles in places my easy highlight so far is 'Johnny Remember Me' <3 I remember that song cropping up in an English project I created about songs banned from the BBC. I totally fell in love with it, Joe Meek had such an exciting production flair, with another #1 with his involvement coming up in 1962 being a big favourite of mine for the decade too. His personal life was quite shocking to find out about though Anyway, both sets of vocals of course aid its generally haunting sound too. I actually found a 'Golden #1s' vinyl in a charity shop and that song being on it sealed the deal of my purchase.

Keep up the good work

Posted by: King Rollo 1st September 2021, 06:12 PM

You did well to get as far as 1966. That's 14 years of new entries.

Yes, 'Johnny Remember Me' is certainly one of the best songs so far. I know little about Joe Meek so I'll make sure I read up on him.

Posted by: King Rollo 7th September 2021, 06:02 PM

7th - 13th September 1961

17. Wild In The Country / I Feel So Bad - Elvis Presley https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ONNGi67wTvk / https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2TyXncBBWm8 Wild In The Country is a ballad written for one of Elvis' films with just an acoustic guitar, double bass and backing singers while I Feel So Bad is more uptempo. They were both OK, I don't remember hearing either before. His last four singles have topped the chart but this one will only reach number 4.
37. Breakaway - The Springfields https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WIJe76MFS9c I knew there was a group called The Springfields but didn't realise that Dusty Springfield was one of their singers so here she is, two years before her solo career started. This is a quaint country/pop song with Dusty and the two male vocalists all singing in American accents. I listened to it before looking them up so I was assuming they were an American group. This will be the first of five top 40 hits for them.
39. Heart And Soul - Jan and Dean https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O2rVXozMOnY A doo wop song with a similarity to an earlier number 1 from year, 'Blue Moon'. The vocal harmonies remind me of The Beach Boys and the American male duo will go on to be one of the pioneers of the surf sound. The original version of this song goes back to 1938.

Record of the week : 24. Kon-Tiki - The Shadows

I wasn't sure what this was going to be from the title alone but I recognise it now although it's not as familiar to me as some of their other songs. It has their trademark guitar sound all over it and wins the record of the week honour by a narrow margin as I enjoyed the two songs at 37 and 39 and if I listened to those two a few more times, one of them might have replaced Kon-Tiki. This will be The Shadows' second number 1 single without Cliff Richard. It's named after Thor Heyerdahl's ship.

Posted by: Jade 7th September 2021, 06:10 PM

Great pick for record of the week! I love The Shadows' instrumental surf style and that extends to the Jet Harris and Tony Meehan hits too in a couple of years, two members who left. Their Greatest Hits was another favourite charity shop vinyl find for me I also didn't know that Dusty Springfield was part of a group prior to her solo fame

Posted by: Popchartfreak 7th September 2021, 06:52 PM

Can't go wrong with The Shadows, but surprisingly the only one of the others I know is the Elvis single which my dad bought and then disappeared when he lent a bunch of singles to a mate who never returned them. I learnt that lesson myself when I was 18. NEVER EVER lend records to anyone unless you are happy never to see them ever again.

Dusty's brother was in The Springfields with her, Tom, he's currently 87 and he produced/wrote songs for The Seekers after The Springfields broke up - including all of their biggest hits, and Dusty's lovely Losing You, and The Springfields' big hit the wonderful Island Of Dreams. He retired from music in 1970!

Posted by: King Rollo 14th September 2021, 06:32 PM

14th - 20th September 1961

19. Michael - The Highwaymen https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5Q9kzN2idk Just two weeks after Lonnie Donegan, we have another version of Michael Row The Boat Ashore, this time with its title shortened to Michael. I prefer this version, it's closer to the way the song would be performed in church or Sunday school. The single will go all the way to number 1 but they will have no further top 40 hits. It also topped the Billboard chart.
20. Hats Off To Larry - Del Shannon https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xk_FR3341bA Del Shannon's follow-up to his number 1, 'Runaway'. It's a good song with some innovative electronic keyboard effects.
32. Together - Connie Francis https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=leDV9qESs-c A well sung ballad with a beguiling spoken word section in the middle. This will be her ninth top 10 single.
33. True Love - Terry Lightfoot and his New Orleans Jazzmen https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kSsgNN6fj6Q Some more foot tapping trad jazz now. It's the first hit for the UK band who were from North London, not New Orleans.
35. Get Lost - Eden Kane https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OxgyjXzh8GM Another follow-up to a number 1 single. My comment will be the same as it was for 'Well I Ask You'. I don't like his vocal style.
36. You'll Answer To Me - Cleo Laine https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ke37yLx8xoY A string laden ballad with some sultry vocals. I'm surprised that this is her only top 40 single. She was made a Dame in 1997 and is now 93 years old.
37. Drivin' Home - Duane Eddy https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0FPhrZx0MeY You know what you're going to get from Duane Eddy. As well as the twangy guitar, the saxophone plays a prominent role on this one.

Record of the week : 24. Jealousy - Billy Fury

I'm picking this for its extravagant orchestral backing track and he sings the song skilfully. It was originally a tango written by the Danish composer Jacob Gade in 1925 and this version keeps to the tango style. It will go on to be Billy Fury's highest charting single, reaching number 2, and kept off the top of the chart by 'Kon-Tiki'.

Posted by: Popchartfreak 15th September 2021, 04:44 PM

Ah the wonderful Billy Fury my first fave popstar Of the ones I know well (Michael, Hats Off To Larry, Jealousy) I'd plump for Del Shannon, then Fury and probably all the others which I don;t know over Michael - it was all over the place in the 60's and it's left me with sort-of a "ewww" reaction to it. Actually, prob not last as I invariably dont like Trad Jazz, again childhood bad memories of being forced to sit through Kenny Ball on variety shows, ditto Cleo Laine. She's great, just not for me. I can't imagine not liking Connie Francis, Duane Eddy or Eden Kane records though....

The most-recent Duane Eddy track I bought was 2011's Primeval, co-written Eddy & Richard Hawley. It sounds like 1961 and also 2011.

Posted by: King Rollo 15th September 2021, 07:08 PM

I have a couple of Duane's 80s collaborations in my collection. One with the Art Of Noise which you'll know and a lesser known one with Jeff Lynne.

Posted by: King Rollo 21st September 2021, 08:08 PM

21st - 27th September 1961

After eight new entries last week, we don't have any this time, just two re-entries, so I have another week off.

Posted by: King Rollo 28th September 2021, 06:29 PM

28th September - 4th October 1961

25. Who Put The Bomp (In The Bomp, Bomp, Bomp) - The Viscounts https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-9fIbhyACU8 A great version by the British group of a well known song. The original was by Barry Mann. The version I know best would be Showaddywaddy's from 1982 which turned out to be their last top 40 single.
27. Crying - Roy Orbison https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tNdBLBleO90 This would have been my ROTW most weeks but there's something better this week. The tympani, bass guitar and marimba all play their part along with the strings and Roy's fantastic vocal. I'm surprised this peaked as low as number 25. I'm more familiar with Don McLean's version which reached number 1 in 1980.
32. There's A Hole In My Bucket - Harry Belafonte and Odetta https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AthT8kw7CIo I can only find live versions of this on youtube so I'm assuming that it was the performance at Carnegie Hall that was released as a single as that's the one that crops up the most. I certainly know the song from somewhere. It's a nursery rhyme that has its origins in Germany about 1700. This will be Harry Belafonte's final top 40 hit.
34. Granada - Frank Sinatra https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K9yV_BAuXwA A song that goes back to 1932 and has been recorded by many singers. This is the second version to chart. It's quite fast paced with a boisterous performance by the orchestra.
36. You Don't Know What You've Got (Until You Lose It) - Ral Donner https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qc6JR7oraeU A mid-tempo rock'n'roll song with a very similar vocal style to Elvis Presley. This will be the American singer's only UK hit.
38. I'm Gonna Knock On Your Door - Eddie Hodges https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QRIhld4O68c Eddie Hodges was a child actor and singer and was only 14 years old when he recorded this. I quite enjoyed it.

Record of the week : 26. Walkin' Back To Happiness - Helen Shapiro

Helen Shapiro becomes the first act to win my record of the week award twice. As with the first one, this will go all the way to number 1. She was still only 14 years old when she recorded this one. It's a catchy pop song with another remarkably controlled vocal performance. The single sold more than a million copies.

Posted by: Popchartfreak 2nd October 2021, 11:16 AM

One of my early pop song loves, Walking back To Happiness, loved it and Helen Shapiro, and I've never stopped loving either of them, head and shoulders above most of the UK pop records of the time. Still a catchy bop, woop bah oh yehhhyeh!

The barry mann version is the one I knew before Shwaddywaddy had a go, still great fun Who Put The Bomp, and Bazza along with missus Cynthia wrote: I'm Gonna Be Strong (epic song), Walking In The rain, Saturday Night At The Movies, You've Lost That Lovin Feelin' (EPIC song), Make Your Own Kind Of Music, and a huge list of other hits right up to Somewhere Out There for Linda Ronstadt & James Ingram.

Roy's Cryin' oh yes another classic! I'd also have opted for Helen Shapiro though, even though this is wonderful. I loved the kd Lang/Roy version too, but I rate the Don McLean chart-topper even more

Hole In My Bucket, talking about kiddie faves, I was OBSESSED with this record as a kid, I just couldn't get enough of it. It was played on Juniors Choice on Radio 2 for decades. I'm fond of it for old times sake, but one play every few years is enough

Granada is a song I know, but it's not one I know well or have noticed much, and the ral Donner track is new to me. Never heard of him, but he DOES sound like Elvis without the edge, so that and his looks must have sold this one.

I'm Gonna Knock On Your Door I know from the Little Jimmy Osmond hit cover in 1974, and which I like as long as I don't hear it too much. The original is as jolly.

Posted by: King Rollo 2nd October 2021, 06:44 PM

I was wondering which one you'd prefer out of the Roy Orbison and Helen Shapiro songs so I'm pleased to see you agreed with me. I've just had a listen to Don McLean's version of Crying as I haven't heard it much since 1980 and yes, it's just as good, if not better, as the original.

I thought Barry Mann's name was slightly familiar. Those are some good songs that's he's co-written.

Posted by: King Rollo 5th October 2021, 06:31 PM

5th - 11th October 1961

25. Wild Wind - John Leyton https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-bcCjhpADbo This has a similar sound to 'Johnny Remember Me' with the haunting female backing vocals still present but it's not as good. It will come close to being another chart topper, climbing all the way to number 2.
29. Muskrat / Don't Blame Me - The Everly Brothers https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1AgMEkuuIMk / https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-Aak4-SMig Don't Blame Me is a ballad while Muskrat is more uptempo. I preferred Muskrat which had a nifty rhythm running through it. The Everly Brothers' last two singles got to number 1 but this one will only reach number 20.
34. Hard Hearted Hannah - The Temperance Seven https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tWm3qP1Kp8c The Temperance Seven are back with their trad jazz and this one about a "a gal who loves to see men suffer" is a little slower paced than 'Pasadena'.
36. My Boomerang Won't Come Back - Charlie Drake https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cUuID6Rz1FU This novelty song, produced by George Martin, is the only one of this week's new entries I think I've heard before. It would have been another regular on Juniors' Choice and will be the last of Charlie Drake's four top 40 hits.
37. Bless You - Tony Orlando https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iLCrxcF_8L8 Tony Orlando is just 17 years old here. It will be ten years before he appears in the top 40 again, going on to have two number 1 singles with his group Dawn. Bless You is a decent midtempo pop song with some sweeping strings.
38. Amor, Amor - Ben E King https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CFJkxc-89zE Compared to 'Stand By Me', this is a big disappointment. It will be his last top 40 hit until that one returns in 1987.

Record of the week : 26. Sucu Sucu - The Laurie Johnson Orchestra

I've chosen this instrumental which starts out with the bongo drums and then uses many different instruments with the main hook being played by the brass section. The original version was recorded by Tarateño Rojas in 1959. This version became popular after being used as the theme tune to the ITV spy series 'Top Secret'. It peaked at number 9. Laurie Johnson wrote many other TV theme tunes, most notably The Avengers, Animal Magic and This Is Your Life. It will be 36 years before he appears in the top 40 again with the theme from The Professionals. He was made an MBE in 2014 and is now 94 years old.

Posted by: Popchartfreak 5th October 2021, 06:51 PM

Sucu Sucu is an example of one of the many popular 60's instrumentals that I knew well in the 60's and still know well, and had no idea what they were called or who they were by! I really like this track, and yet had not connected the title Sucu Sucu (which I'm aware of) with the jaunty melody (which I know well)

Wild Wind is a decent record, but as you say, no Johnny....

Never heard either of those Everly songs.

Charlie Drake was indeed a regular Junior's Choice fave with My Boomerang Won't Come Back. When I was 4 or 5 I thought it was very funny, and loved Charlie Drake. I liked him all the way through to being 13 and Puckwudgie - and then I went right off him as he became very "Last decade" and I wasn't 5 years old anymore. Poor Charlie!

Bless You and Amor Amor - both have done much better...

Posted by: King Rollo 12th October 2021, 06:26 PM

12th - 18th October 1961

33. Sucu Sucu - Nina and Frederik https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AFyT_s-eohw We now have a vocal version of Sucu Sucu by the Danish duo. It was alright but not as good as the instrumental last week. Nina and Frederik's biggest hit was Little Donkey which got to number 3 the year before.
38. Sucu Sucu - Ted Heath And His Music https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rmdVUEUHS84 And here is another version. We are back to the song as an instrumental now but again not as good as Laurie Johnson's version. When I first started looking at old singles charts in a book I bought in the early 80s, I thought that this might be the same Ted Heath that went on to lead the Conservative Party, especially as he was also a musician but I later discovered that it's a different Ted Heath. He released over 100 albums which explains why his Sucu Sucu sounds as if it was recorded fairly quickly in a factory produced manner. This is the last of his nine top 40 hits, the first of which was in January 1953 so chartfridays will get round to that one on his thread soon. Two more versions of Sucu Sucu charted at this time but both of them failed to reach the top 40.

Record of the week : 39. A Tribute To Buddy Holly - Mike Berry and the Outlaws

I can't pick Sucu Sucu again so this was always going to be my ROTW out of the three new entries but I do think think it's the best one this week. It's the same Outlaws who backed John Leyton on Johnny Remember Me and Joe Meek is on production duties. The single peaked at number 24 and ended up being banned by the BBC for being too morbid. I know Mike Berry for his top 10 hit in 1980, The Sunshine Of Your Smile, and his role as Mr Spooner in Are You Being Served, replacing Mr Lucas. He is now the only surviving member of the regular cast.

Posted by: Popchartfreak 16th October 2021, 10:01 AM

at all the Sucu sucu's, who knew?!

Ted Heath I also thought was the same PM I had no idea how he found the time to go sailing and do band records

Tribute To Buddy Holly easily the best track, it still holds up as an early UK-based goodie. And I didn't realise Nicholas Smith had also died from the cast of Are You Being Served?

Posted by: King Rollo 16th October 2021, 07:24 PM

Yes, we sadly lost Mr Rumbold a few years ago.

Posted by: King Rollo 19th October 2021, 07:12 PM

19th - 25th October 1961

22. When The Girl In Your Arms Is The Girl In Your Heart - Cliff Richard https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6sWLhpCa21M A ballad from the film 'The Young Ones' which Cliff sings very well but it's a bit too subdued for my liking. The film hasn't been released yet but the single will still get to number 3.
26. Mexicali Rose - Karl Denver https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ohBXpn7mxAw I said I was looking forward to hearing more from Karl Denver and this did not disappoint. The song wasn't great but his unique vocal style made it a worthwhile listen.
40. Let's Get Together - Hayley Mills https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UH7pIQc6vuQ This was short and sweet, only 85 seconds long. The fact that she's out of tune most of the time only adds to the song's charm. It sounds like a young girl being made to do a turn in front of the family after Christmas dinner. Hayley Mills was a child actress and this is from the film 'The Parent Trap'.

Record of the week : 31. You Must Have Been A Beautiful Baby - Bobby Darin

There isn't a standout this week but I'm choosing this one as I liked the jazzy/rockabilly instrumentation and his vocals. The song was written in 1938 and has been recorded by many artists but this is the only version to chart in the UK, peaking at number 10 and giving Bobby Darin his sixth top ten single.

Posted by: Popchartfreak 20th October 2021, 07:15 PM

You Must Have Been A Beautiful baby was a famous song in the 60's and 70's mostly through nostalgia TV spots but I don't know the Bobby Darin version. He was cool though, I remember him dying far too young when I was in my teens.

I adored Hayley Mills as a kiddie she was in so many Disney films I loved like That Darn Cat and Swiss family Robinson, and Let's get Together sounds like she just made it up and chucked it out in one take. I still find it charming, though. Plus, she gave birth to Kula Shaker. That's a good thing!

Karl Denver not one I know but it sounds like you'd expect it would sound, sort of sub-Frank Ifield in a yodelling country style. It's almost as if Vic Reeves Pub Singer is singing it....

Not one of Cliff's best, happily he didn't do it last night at his Big 80 Tour in Bournemouth, and he did do The Young Ones which sounds fab still, love the Shadows guitar. Cliff's original Fender (the first in the UK he said, google says he bought it for hank marvin) was also there being played on stage. I imagine the insurance is quite high for that one. Still sprightly, and Cliff did great versions of Wired For Sound, Devil Woman, Miss You Nights, We Don;t Talk Anymore, Summer Holiday, Move It!, Dreamin', and a great version of Marvin, Welch & Farrar's forgotten Marmaduke (that's The Shadows, more or less, in a post-hits revamp, and including You're The One That I want songwriter & Olivia Newton-John-producer). I was the youngest there. (I'm lying actually, but at least one of the audience was carried out unconscious after 3 songs, and being fairly sprightly for my age too I managed to exit the building fairly quickly ahead of the generally less able-bodied audience to beat the traffic and without missing anything at all of the show). That concludes my review!

Posted by: King Rollo 20th October 2021, 10:23 PM

I'm pleased to hear that Cliff is back on the road after all he's been through in the last few years. I'm sure he would have received a rapturous reception when he came out on stage.

I knew who Hayley Mills' father was but I didn't know her son was Kula Shaker.

Posted by: Popchartfreak 21st October 2021, 10:15 AM

Yes, his fans are pretty enthusiastic and he's still got women adoring him and shouting out to him. Though I did get amused and he smiled when they shouted out a bit of The Young Ones ad lib to Living Doll when he sang it.

Posted by: King Rollo 26th October 2021, 06:30 PM

26th October - 1st November 1961

19. Hit The Road Jack - Ray Charles https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SrnWp5O0DEs The first top 20 hit for the blind singer. The backing singers take on most of the vocals here with the often repeated chorus. This will be an American number 1. Great song, but the standard is high this week.
31. Big Bad John - Jimmy Dean https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KnnHprUGKF0 Another good one, this country hit was played a lot on the radio in the 70s. Big Bad John saves the lives of 20 miners by holding up some timber to prevent a tunnel collapse but perishes himself before they can come back to rescue him. The single will climb as high as number 2.
38. Take Good Care Of My Baby - Bobby Vee https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=awNqLO6auQA A nice little pop song written by Carole King and Gerry Goffin and, like the other new entries so far, a US number 1.
39. The Time Has Come - Adam Faith https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t_C3hctd1xA This is the first new entry today that I haven't heard before and it's much inferior to the other three.
40. I'm A Moody Guy - Shane Fenton and the Fentones https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QYSlU-QsMog The first hit single for the future Alvin Stardust. His real name was Bernard Jewry. I like the big echoey production on this one and there's some fine guitar playing from the Fentones.

Record of the week : 27. Take Five - The Dave Brubeck Quartet

When I saw this on the list, I thought it was likely to be an instrumental that I would immediately recognise and I was correct. It's been used a lot on film and TV but I probably haven't heard the full five and a half minutes too often. The saxophone part is the most well known. It disappears after two minutes leaving just the repeated piano hook interacting with the drums before the saxophone returns for the final minute. This will peak at number 6 in three weeks time and is certainly different to most of the songs that reached the top 10 in the early 60s. It was originally released in 1959 but wasn't a hit anywhere until 1961. The single was actually only three minutes long but all the youtube clips are the full album version. Dave Brubeck died in 2012 at the age of 91.

Posted by: Popchartfreak 28th October 2021, 07:03 PM

well there's a classic batch (plus Adam Faith not at his best)! Alvin was from near mansfield, my birthplace, so a local fave and 50's rocknroll remained popular there right through to the 80's.

Big Bad John is anthem I loved as a little kid, cos of the story and cos his name was also John. I still am fond of it, but it's not quite up to the other 3. Ray Charles Hit The Road Jack was a record my dad bought, so I grew up with it, and it's still great. Bobby Vee's Take Good care Of My Baby is even better - the song is fab anyway, and Bobby Vee was one of the best of the teen idols of the time, starting out after Buddy Holly died in the plane crash, and in his style to start with. I caught him in concert in the 80's and he was surprisingly good with a large back catalogue of great songs. I'm sure I've said that before, but the memory isnt what it was...!

So, in conclusion I prob agree with Take Five as the pick of the week, it was great when it was always being used on TV spots in the 60's and beyond, and it's very much the acceptable face of Jazz. The unacceptable face of Jazz being Kenny Ball & co, who I had to endure his records on many a TV show despite actually liking Kenny Ball.

Posted by: King Rollo 2nd November 2021, 07:01 PM

2nd - 8th November 1961

4. (Marie's The Name) His Latest Flame / Little Sister - Elvis Presley https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=59pOE3OmUi8 / https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lWWZSu4e5cI This is certainly the highest new entry we've had since I started this thread and it will jump to number 1 next week and stay there for four weeks. His Latest Flame was first recorded by Del Shannon while Little Sister is an original. I know His Latest Flame which is OK but I think I prefer the lesser known Little Sister which had some great guitar work running through it.
37. The Mountain's High - Dick and Deedee https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KDujuqesIO8 The sound quality on the first youtube clip wasn't good so I listened to this stereo one which is a bit better but the comments say it's supposed to have this tinny sort of sound to it. I'll give it a 'quite good' rating for being unusual. It will go no further than number 37 and will be the only UK hit single for the American duo.
39. Stars And Stripes Forever / Creole Jazz - Mr Acker Bilk and his Paramount Jazz Band https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VUTci_4V8Mw / https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=55y9sofx_II Stars And Stripes Forever was written in 1896 and is the official National March of the USA and now over here turned into a football chant. Both of these are in the jazz band style, I think I preferred Creole Jazz with its lengthy piano solo.

Record of the week : 36. Runaround Sue - Dion

No doubt that this is the best single this week, a really catchy rock'n'roll/doo-wop number with a fantastic vocal from Dion (DiMucci) who co-wrote the song. It will peak at number 11 and reach the top of the Billboard chart. My familiarity with the song is down to the cover version by Racey which was a top 20 hit in 1980.

Posted by: King Rollo 9th November 2021, 06:42 PM

9th - 15th November 1961

39. More Money For You And Me - The Four Preps https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ElmjvDjHSHc This is a recording of a live performance and is a medley of songs but with the lyrics changed so The Four Preps seem to be an American version of The Barron Knights. I only know two of the seven songs featured so most of the humour here is lost on me.

Record of the week : 23. Moon River - Danny Williams

Only two new entries this week but this is still a worthy ROTW. He sings this ballad really well and I like the lush orchestration and the backing vocals. Danny Williams was born in South Africa but was based in the UK for most of his career. Moon River was first sung by Audrey Hepburn in the film 'Breakfast At Tiffany's' which has only been in the cinemas for a month so this record is clearly cashing in on the demand for the song and it will go on to be the Christmas number 1. Danny Williams will go on to have more top 40 hits in 1962 so we will hear from him again.

Posted by: dandy* 9th November 2021, 09:59 PM

Just popping in to say that I love Take Five, it’s definitely my most played of all of the songs to feature so far

Posted by: King Rollo 9th November 2021, 10:14 PM

Yes, it does have a timeless quality to it.

Posted by: Popchartfreak 13th November 2021, 02:50 PM

Runaround Sue is a great record, despite the Racey cover ( ) but my preference is His Latest Flame, I love that song and the beat. Little Sister is pretty good too, esp the guitar you mention. Never heard that Dick & Dee Dee track before, but it's got a certain appeal to it.

Moon River is a classic song, though bizarrely when I grew up it was always associated with Andy Williams - who as a singer is hard to beat, I guess why he managed to nab so many covers being bigger than other versions.

Posted by: King Rollo 16th November 2021, 06:12 PM

16th - 22nd November 1961

18. Tower Of Strength - Frankie Vaughan https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4HzCiqtqxC4 This will go on to be the number 1 single between the Elvis and Danny Williams records. He certainly belts it out with plenty of vigour. It's more than four years since Frankie's first no.1, The Garden Of Eden. His last four chart hits all failed to reach the top 20 so this is a bit of a resurgence for him.
26. The Savage - The Shadows https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m2W3HJbf7Go An instrumental with the Shadows unmistakable sound to it but not one of their best tunes and it will only get to number 10 which at the time was quite a low chart position for them.
27. Midnight In Moscow - Kenny Ball And His Jazzmen https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BbrXHMYAz-E The hugely popular Russian song, 'Moscow Nights', written in the early 50s, is given the jazz treatment here. I vaguely recognise the main melody. I've also had a listen to the Red Army Choir's version which is much more preferable to this one.
35. Bambino - The Springfields https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_yiRoBx0zyU The second hit for The Springfields. There's a lot going on here with the strings, the Spanish sounding brass section and the vocal harmonies with Dusty prominent. A version of the song by Dalida with different lyrics spent 45 weeks at number 1 in France in 1956/57.
36. Runaround Sue - Doug Sheldon https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l2LPHAZ_YJc The debut top 40 hit for the English singer is this cover of the Dion song from two weeks ago. It's much inferior.
37. Everlovin' - Ricky Nelson https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UqoAMxbT0gY A cover of The Crescents' song from 1959. It passed me by, a poor follow up to Hello Mary Lou.
38. Fool Number One - Brenda Lee https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IlEpXgF6H1o A very mature vocal on this country ballad by the 16 year old.
40. Tomorrow's Clown - Marty Wilde https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XH9iyusj-YY Lyrically, this is in similar territory to the Brenda Lee song. I like the strings and drums on it. His daughter Kim is celebrating her first birthday this week.

Record of the week : 25. This Time - Troy Shondell

Nothing stands out this week but I think I enjoyed this one the most with a nice Spanish guitar intro that immediately got my attention followed by an impressive vocal and a great piano solo about two thirds of the way in. It was a top 10 hit in several countries but only got to number 22 in the UK where it was the only hit single for the American singer. It's a cover of a Thomas Wayne song from 1958. Tommy James and the Shondells, who recorded the original versions of I Think We're Alone Now and Mony Mony, are named after Troy Shondell. He died in 2016.

Posted by: Popchartfreak 17th November 2021, 04:51 PM

Not a lot to pick from for so many new entries - I'd go for Frankie vaughan myself for sheer gusto, just over Ricky Nelson. The only ones I already knew were Tower Of Strength & Midnight In Moscow

Posted by: King Rollo 23rd November 2021, 07:47 PM

23rd - 29th November 1961

31. You're The Only Good Thing (That Happened To Me) - Jim Reeves https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E6daM_JEfLU Jim Reeves' second top 40 hit is a country style ballad with some strings and female backing vocals. I like his vocal on this and can understand his popularity.
34. I'll Get By (As Long As I Have You) - Shirley Bassey https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HL4ILFa4VwY Another powerful vocal from Shirley Bassey with orchestral accompaniment. The song goes back to 1928 and has been recorded by many singers.
35. I Love How You Love Me - Jimmy Crawford https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HL4ILFa4VwY The only top 40 hit for the singer from Sheffield, it's a ballad with some acoustic guitar, strings and female backing vocals. The original version of the song was by the American girl group, The Paris Sisters, and was one of the first singles to be produced by Phil Spector. Jimmy Crawford is still alive, having survived a serious motor accident in 2005.

Record of the week : 29. Let True Love Begin - Nat King Cole

It's ballads all the way this week and this is the best one. I like the production with several musical instruments being used but none of them getting in the way of Nat's wonderful vocal. He had twelve top 10 hits from 1952 to 1957 but only one more since then and this one will go no higher than number 29.

Posted by: King Rollo 30th November 2021, 07:20 PM

30th November - 6th December 1961

25. My Friend The Sea - Petula Clark https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rqmfzK-GOfw A pleasant enough nautically themed song. Petula had a number 1 back in February with a song called Sailor. Looking at the lyrics to both songs, this could be interpreted as being a sequel to Sailor, I don't know if it was intended to be.
36. The Way You Look Tonight - The Lettermen https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zSsTguCePLk A cover of the Oscar winning song from 1936 when it was sung by Fred Astaire in the film Swing Time. I like the vocal harmonies and piano on this version. It will be the American group's only top 40 hit.
38. My Sunday Baby - The Dale Sisters https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bB3Dc7Sq-KA A catchy pop song. The sparse arrangement allows the vocals to shine. The three Yorkshire sisters' real name was Dunderdale. You can understand why that name was shortened. This was the second of their two hit singles.
39. The Coffee Song - Frank Sinatra https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zTbJBnkRkFo Frank originally recorded The Coffee Song in 1946. This is a new version for the first album released on his own label, Reprise Records, which is still going. His swing band are in good form here.
40. I Understand (Just How You Feel) - The G-Clefs https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IdNJ-_rtvl8 This has two singers singing different melodies at the same time with the melody from the original 1954 Four Tunes song being combined with Auld Lang Syne. I think the idea worked, I quite enjoyed it. It will be the only hit for the G-Clefs.

Record of the week : 32. Stranger On The Shore - Mr Acker Bilk with The Leon Young String Chorale

I'm choosing this classic chilled instrumental which combines Acker Bilk's clarinet so well with the strings. It was originally called 'Jenny' after his daughter but the title was changed after it was used as the theme to the BBC drama serial 'Stranger On The Shore'. It will go on to reach number 2, being kept off the top of the chart for three weeks by Cliff Richard's 'The Young Ones'. It spent 52 weeks in the top 40 and is still the biggest selling instrumental single in the UK, a record it will surely hold forever.

Posted by: Sausage Rollo 7th December 2021, 06:44 PM

7th December - 13th December 1961

31. Jeanie, Jeanie, Jeanie - Eddie Cochran https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8lbupJntm-Q Another posthumous release. This one is from 1958. All the typical rock'n'roll ingredients are here but nothing to make it memorable.
32. Toy Balloons - Russ Conway https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dayNrARFRUA I think most of Russ Conway's hits were piano instrumentals but this one has a children's choir coming in halfway through. They sound like they come from one of the posher schools.
37. So Long Baby - Del Shannon https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=03bunhSRoUc Del Shannon's third top 10 single from the year. I'm not sure what musical instrument is making that extraordinary sound from 1.17 to 1.33 but it was undoubtedly the highlight of the song.
39. Charleston - The Temperance Seven https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qPfuC3J7e0Y The Temperance Seven are back with their fourth and final top 40 hit. Sixty years later, the band are still performing. The Charleston is a tune that many people will think of first if they are asked to name a song from the 1920s.

Record of the week : 35. September In The Rain - Dinah Washington

I'm going for this lounge jazz number with lovely strings and some great vocals from Dinah Washington. The song was written in 1937 and was first heard in the film 'Melody For Two'. It's her only top 40 single, she came close to a second in 1992 when her version of Mad About The Boy reached number 41 after being used in a Levi's ad. Known as "Queen of the Blues", she died in 1963 aged just 39 after taking the wrong combination of prescription drugs.

Posted by: Popchartfreak 8th December 2021, 12:02 PM

3 greatchoices there, love dinah washington and nat king cole and stranger on the shore is still lovely.

Some of the also rans are of interest but outclassed by those 3!

Posted by: Sausage Rollo 14th December 2021, 06:12 PM

14th - 20th December 1961

11. Johnny Will - Pat Boone https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hvr9Y24Mv54 A country/pop song where the protagonist is trying to raise the cash to take the girl to the dance. If he can't, Johnny will. The single will peak at number 4, becoming Pat's first top 10 hit since 1958.
30. Don't Bring Lulu - Dorothy Provine https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y9cfoc4WyGk It's that time of the year for novelty songs. Don't Bring Lulu is a Dixieland jazz song from 1925 and this version is by the American actress Dorothy Provine. It will be her only top 40 hit.
31. Tall Dark Stranger - Rose Brennan https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ssHxlFpDgBY This starts quite slowly with the Spanish guitar but then speeds up with brass instruments, swirly strings and a lively vocal performance by the Irish singer.
35. Mrs Mills Medley - Mrs Mills https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OoxdnbF2_mg Occupying both sides of the single, this honky-tonk piano medley of tunes goes on for six minutes with some of it sounding out of tune. It will be her only top 40 single but she will go on to be a regular guest on light entertainment TV shows in the 60s and 70s.

Record of the week : 27. Let There Be Drums - Sandy Nelson

A drums based instrumental with some surf style guitar thrown in. I know the song quite well as Bev Bevan released a version in 1976 as his first solo single, he was also one of 20 drummers to contribute to a charity recording of the tune this year and he's named his forthcoming autobiography 'Let There Be Drums'. This will go on to reach number 3, giving Sandy Nelson his second top 10 single.

Posted by: Sausage Rollo 21st December 2021, 06:55 PM

21st - 27th December 1961

21. I'd Never Find Another You - Billy Fury https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Vy8uipRYYI Another good song from Billy Fury with any array of different musical instruments being used. It will be his third consecutive top 5 hit.
24. Happy Birthday, Sweet Sixteen - Neil Sedaka https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2jKx0NSNGEQ I think I've heard this one before. It's a frothy pop song which will give Neil his highest chart position of number 3 for the second time.
27. Multiplication - Bobby Darin https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8x-NZ7TaoT0 Another male pop song now but this one is more towards the swing genre with good use of piano and drums.
33. The Night Is Young (And You're So Beautiful) / There Goes That Song Again - Gary Miller https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1LvcvGLW6ws / https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6jqehKDOqf8 Gary Miller's final top 40 single. All his others were from 1955 to 1958 which explains why both these songs sound so dated for 1961. I didn't like either of them. Fact of the day : he sang 'Aqua Marina', the closing credits song at the end of episodes of Stingray.
34. King Kong - Terry Lightfoot and his New Orleans Jazzmen https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rzWqvS9nXi0 Another jaunty jazz instrumental. I'm not sure why it's called King Kong. It doesn't make me think of a giant gorilla.

Record of the week : 40. The Lion Sleeps Tonight (Wimoweh) - The Tokens

While I know Tight Fit's version well, I don't think I've heard this version of the song too often. The structure is quite similar and some very high notes are reached here with the vocals. The song goes back to South Africa in 1939 and has been the subject of protracted songwriting legal disputes. The Tokens' version will peak at number 11, their only top 40 hit in the UK, and reach the top of the Billboard chart. One of their founding members was Neil Sedaka who we've already heard from today. He left the group in 1958.

Posted by: cider man 21st December 2021, 07:00 PM

Never heard of the singer buy know the song by Elvis and Daniel ODonnell.

Posted by: Popchartfreak 27th December 2021, 01:02 PM

I was a big kiddie fan of Don't Bring Lulu, Dorothy Provine was star of US TV show The Roaring 20's which pushed this single and led it to become a staple on Juniors Choice radio show, but her shining moment of immortality is as the serene moral centre of the manic epic all-star big-budget comedy extravaganza It's A Mad Mad Mad Mad World. Brilliant film, so many top notch performances.

If Neil Sedaka's on the list, I'll opt for him - Happy Birthday Sweet Sixteen is a goodie, albeit of it's time. Seen Neil a couple of times, and always engaging and flawless vocals with an amazing back catalogue of songs - not least, these days, Amarillo! Yes, Neil gave it away to Tony Christie....oops!

Posted by: Sausage Rollo 28th December 2021, 06:49 PM

28th December 1961 - 3rd January 1962

30. Baby's First Christmas - Connie Francis https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=goPi1z4HzkM The first and only Christmas song to make the top 40 this year. It's a saccharine ballad as I expected when I saw the song's title.
34. Goodbye Cruel World - James Darren https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_vQN-zWELWg Not a suicide song, it's about joining a circus. The high pitched bit at the start (and later on), to the tune of 'Entrance Of The Gladiators', is not being played on a musical instrument. It's a synthesized recording of a woman's voice. I didn't know such a recording technique was possible at this time.
37. I Cried For You - Ricky Stevens https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sM3hMoBZbFs If I heard this on the radio and didn't know who it was, I wouldn't be able to tell if it was a man or a woman singing. I liked the orchestral flourishes in the background. This will be the English singer's only top 40 hit.

Record of the week : 26. Run To Him - Bobby Vee

Lots to like here with the lead vocal, the strings, the drums and the backing vocals and the way it builds up towards the end. Part of it reminds me of Close To You by The Carpenters. It will reach number 6 and give Bobby Vee his fifth consecutive top 10 single. The song will be kept off the top of the US chart by last week's ROTW, The Lion Sleeps Tonight.

Posted by: Popchartfreak 30th December 2021, 02:47 PM

Run To Him is a goodie, Bobby Vee had quite the run of great singles back in the day, his Greatest Hits is well worth a listen.

James Darren was a big fave of mine in the 60's. Not for his records though, he was the handsome star of The Time Tunnel, jaunting through time on adventures lost in time and space. Then he came back in the 90's on Deep Space 9 as a crooner hologram. never heard Goodbye Cruel World before, and it's a lot livelier than I was expecting from his DS9 output!

Posted by: Sausage Rollo 30th December 2021, 07:21 PM

I liked the other two singles by him I've heard so far so I might do that.

Posted by: King Rollo 4th January 2022, 07:04 PM

4th - 10th January 1962

31. The Language Of Love - John D Loudermilk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c5eSr06fQRc It's always good to hear a harpsichord being used in a pop song. I didn't like the rest of it, there were too many dooby dooby doos. This was the American singer's only top 40 hit but he went on to write many hit singles for other singers and groups.
38. Come Along Please - Bob Wallis and his Storyville Jazz Band https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-OAub2odT1s Some more trad jazz now, I hope we see an end to this style of music in the chart soon. We won't be hearing from this particular group again, at least.
39. Can't You Hear The Beat Of A Broken Heart - Iain Gregory https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=leA2yFtVYdk A decent pop song written and produced by Joe Meek. This will be Iain Gregory's only hit single. He will go on to become a potter, sculptor and painter.

Record of the week : 36. Son, This Is She - John Leyton

And here we have another Joe Meek production. This performance must have been filmed just before or after the Iain Gregory one as all the backing singers and musicians are in the same positions. The song's protagonist is told by "a voice from above" that "this is she" after meeting a girl he instantly falls in love with. I think John Leyton is only the second act so far to win my ROTW title twice. As with 'Johnny Remember Me', the backing vocals and production complement the lead vocal very nicely. After a number 1 and number 2 with his first two singles, this one will only reach number 15.

Posted by: King Rollo 11th January 2022, 07:09 PM

11th - 17th January 1962

26. Walk On By - Leroy Van Dyke https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8QlqQA8CyjE Nothing to do with the Dionne Warwick song, this is a country tune. It spent 19 weeks at number 1 on the US country chart, a record it held until 2013, and was named by Billboard magazine in 1994 as the biggest country single of all time, based on sales, plays, and weeks in the charts. It doesn't sound like anything that special to me.
27. The Twist - Chubby Checker https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pHGXwQeUk7M Having only got to number 49 in 1960, this has been re-issued after Let's Twist Again has returned to the chart. While I enjoyed it, I don't think it's as good as Let's Twist Again.
29. Your Ma Said You Cried In Your Sleep Last Night - Doug Sheldon https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qrD9kQtA9ws As with his previous single, Runaround Sue, this is a cover of someone else's recent hit. I like the rhythm running through this, it foreshadows the beat music that will arrive soon. A couple of the youtube comments mention Bits And Pieces by the Dave Clark Five and I can see how that could be sung over this.

Record of the week : 1. The Young Ones - Cliff Richard and The Shadows

It has to be this classic. With pre-orders of half a million, it goes straight in at number 1, the first single to do so since It's Now Or Never by Elvis in 1960. It's Cliff's fifth number 1, spending six weeks at the top of the chart.

Posted by: King Rollo 18th January 2022, 05:25 PM

18th - 24th January 1962

19. Forget Me Not - Eden Kane https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A94evtK0iz4 I continue to be unimpressed by Eden Kane's output. This will go as high as number 3 but it was not very memorable.
26. The Comancheros - Lonnie Donegan https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g9Qq4g7dx0Y Lonnie goes for the Latin American sound this time. It didn't quite work for me.
33. Lonesome - Adam Faith with John Barry and his Orchestrahttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YexmTQciQKI A plodding ballad. The strings were the only saving grace.
34. Small Sad Sam - Phil McLean https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cX4BfrSWK8Q This is a parody of Big Bad John by Jimmy Dean which was featured three months ago. The character here is the opposite, a selfish and cowardly man. You would certainly need to hear the first song to appreciate this one fully. Phil McLean was a radio DJ from Cleveland, Ohio.
35. The Peppermint Twist - Danny Peppermint and the Jumping Jacks https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BpoTlUbcWWE The only hit single for the American group, cashing in on the twist craze. I won't be surprised if we have more new entries with the word 'twist' in the title. The song was OK.
37. What A Crazy World We're Living In - Joe Brown and the Bruvvers https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ztwzf4sROcY A live recording sung with his cockney accent and lots of screaming girls. It's a chirpy song which I quite enjoyed. He's the father of Sam Brown.

Record of the week : 21. Crying In The Rain - The Everly Brothers

I don't think I've heard this before. I'm much more familiar with Aha's fine cover version from 1990. I always thought that it was an Elvis song, I was probably getting it mixed up with Crying In The Chapel. As ever, the vocals are very good, complemented by the drums and guitars. The single will peak at number 6, their last top 10 hit until 1965.

Posted by: King Rollo 25th January 2022, 09:22 PM

25th - 31st January 1962

27. D Darling - Anthony Newley https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Awv7ffh5u8 This wasn't too bad. He still has that similarity to David Bowie in his voice. The theme of the lyrics is that many of the words are preceded by their initial letter.
29. Jeannie - Danny Williams https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kP4HhTfb6oc A quick follow-up to his no.1 which is still in the top 20. His vocal is just as good here but the song is not as memorable, it's another ballad with backing singers and strings.

Record of the week : 37. He's Old Enough To Know Better - The Brooks Brothers

This isn't a standout but it's the best of today's three offerings. It has a fast pace to it with an enthusiastic drummer. It's the third of five top 40 hits for Geoff and Ricky Brook, the UK's answer to the Everly Brothers.

Posted by: Popchartfreak 29th January 2022, 09:42 AM

No argument with any of your picks in the latest batches, though I also like Forget Me Not and The Twist. a-ha did Crying In The Rain, Fat Boys The Twist, The Young Ones The Young Ones, none of them quite as well as the originals (prob) and I don't know The Brooks Brothers

Posted by: King Rollo 1st February 2022, 09:45 PM

1st - 7th February 1962

12. Can't Help Falling In Love / Rock-A-Hula Baby - Elvis Presley https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vGJTaP6anOU / https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q_vDhDRnrew The first of these is very well known. I like the arrangement with the piano, guitars and backing singers, it's very well put together. The other side is not half as good. This will go on to spend four weeks at number 1, Elvis' tenth chart topper.
30. Little Bitty Tear - Burl Ives https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ljPwTGfEf4M A decent enough country ballad, the first of two top 40 hits.
33. Don't Stop-Twist! - Frankie Vaughan https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1wQsyYCJflI I said I expected more songs with the word 'twist' in the title and I didn't have to wait long. There's a lot of crowd noise on this but it doesn't sound like the rest of it is recorded live, perhaps the screaming girls were just added on.
37. Norman - Carol Deene https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=quYXce2Sd_8 A first top 40 single for the English singer, covering a song that reached no.3 in the US for Sue Thompson. It's a fairly good pop song with just brass instruments and drums being used.

Record of the week : 28. Wimoweh - Karl Denver

I was expecting this to be a version of The Lion Sleeps Tonight and there are traces of the melody in there but he's definitely doing his own thing with it with an extraordinary yodelling performance. He would have needed a good lie down after his exertions here. There was some good guitar work on this as well. The single will peak at number 4.

Posted by: Popchartfreak 3rd February 2022, 10:55 AM

Elvis and Karl are decent enough, Frankie Vaughan was quite the hit with the ladies of the time and was always on TV variety shows, though I dont know the song, but my fave is Burl Ives. He was a the jolly & big friendly man of US movies like Summer Magic, a Hayley Mills Disney flick all but forgotten these days, but his song Ugly Bug Ball was big with us kiddies of the 60's and 70's, and A Little Bitty Tear was sort of the 2nd fave if Juniors Choice got fed up playing Ugly Bug Ball. Bizarrely he makes the US top 10 every christmas these days with a song that was unknown in the UK until streaming era. If Buble hadnt nicked it, I'm guessing Holly Jolly Christmas would end up charting here too like other ancient US xmas staples that never meant anything before but now also streaming chart every xmas.

Posted by: Jade 3rd February 2022, 11:17 AM

I was introduced to 'Don't Bring Lulu' a few months ago because my favourite couple on the latest series of Strictly did a (very impressive!) Charleston routine to it - since then it periodically gets stuck in my head. Speaking of the charleston... hello 'Charleston', too that was unsurprisingly wheeled out on Strictly this year too, I went to the tour a couple of weekends ago and the couple who performed that replicated it live, a fun crowd-pleasing piece of music.

Happy to see John Leyton doing well in this! I've been reading a book called 'The Legendary Joe Meek: The Telstar Man' because I kept finding out new things about his story that increased my curiosity and wanted to find a comprehensive retelling - and I've just got to the part where John's career is taking off. Found out that he recorded a version of 'Tell Laura I Love Her' as well but of course it was Ricky Valance who got the big hit, with 'Johnny Remember Me' instead being the break-through. I like his voice but the haunting backing on a lot of his songs is a big draw too.

'Stranger On The Shore' is stunning I remember reading that it was the first British recording to hit #1 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 (so, rock era onwards), with 'Telstar' swiftly following - what a time for instrumentals! I think you may be right that it will forever remain the biggest selling.

Posted by: King Rollo 3rd February 2022, 09:03 PM

Yes, Stranger On The Shore and Johnny Remember Me are certainly two of my favourites from 1961.

Posted by: King Rollo 8th February 2022, 06:25 PM

8th - 14th February 1962

21. Little Bitty Tear - Miki and Griff https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7QmU7f7u2p0 A second version of the song that came up last week. Miki and Griff were a British married couple and this was their first top 40 hit since 1959. They do the song in the same country style as Burl Ives. I would have liked Miki (the female half) to have been given a few lines but only Griff has a solo part with the rest of the song being sung by both of them together.
31. Pianissimo - Ken Dodd https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YvGMCypq1t4 Ken Dodd's third hit. He sings it well with a nice orchestral backing but it's dated even for 1962.
36. It's A Raggy Waltz - The Dave Brubeck Quartet https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsGSxbAB3qk Another jazz instrumental from Dave Brubeck. I enjoyed it but it's not in the same league as Take Five.
38. Peppermint Twist - Joey Dee and the Starliters https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7WIvZu4dPQQ This is the original version of a song that appeared a few weeks ago and Joey Dee is the one that wrote it. There are some nifty dance moves in this performance. The single will only get to number 33 but it was an American number 1. It seems the group are still going.

Record of the week : 39. Walk Away - Shane Fenton and the Fentones

I'm picking this one as I liked the production. It has that echoey Joe Meek sound to it but it's not on the list of records produced by him so I think someone else is responsible. It's the second top 40 hit for the future Alvin Stardust and will peak just one place higher than its new entry position.

Posted by: Popchartfreak 9th February 2022, 01:06 PM

I'm aware of Peppermint Twist as a huge US hit, but don't really know any of these. I'll always support Alvin as a pick though, he grew up in Mansfield (where I was born), the closest Mansfield has ever come to producing a pop star...

Posted by: King Rollo 15th February 2022, 06:16 PM

15th - 21st February 1962

29. March Of The Siamese Children - Kenny Ball and his Jazzmen https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6GNKBLQX8nU I know this tune well from The King And I. Kenny Ball speeds it up and gives it the jazz band treatment. It's not as good as the original but quite enjoyable. It will get to number 4.
30. Softly As I Leave You - Matt Monro https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nx_ktGU3-tQ A standard orchestral ballad. The song originated in Italy in 1960. There's quite a long list of well known singers who have recorded versions of it.
34. Tonight - Shirley Bassey https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wuyqwBppBvg Another musical number now, this one is from West Side Story. Shirley Bassey's version is the only one to be a chart hit. Not surprisingly, she sings it very well.
38. Hole In The Ground - Bernard Cribbins https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yShvgXZQBTs I remember this as a regular song on Junior Choice. Produced by George Martin, it concerns a dispute between a workman digging a hole and an interfering man in a bowler hat who ends up being buried in the hole. It's the first of three top 40 hits for Bernard.

Record of the week : 33. Tell Me What He Said - Helen Shapiro

Helen Shapiro gets her third ROTW award with this one. It's not quite as good as her two number 1 singles but still another great vocal performance from the 15 year old who starts with just a piano accompaniment before the song opens up with the drums, strings, saxophone and backing singers. The song was originally recorded by the American singer Ginny Arnell in 1960. This version will spend three weeks at number 2.

Posted by: Popchartfreak 15th February 2022, 06:30 PM

nice batch there, and Helen Shapiro deservedly on top, though I loved (and still greatly enjoy) Hole In The Ground as a kid. Tonight is a great song, quite probably the best hit song named Tonight (and there's been loads of 'em) possible exception The Rubettes forgotten doo-wop wannabee, while Kenny ball's version of Siamese Children is his most tolerable record.

Posted by: King Rollo 22nd February 2022, 07:38 PM

22nd - 28th February 1962

34. Lessons In Love - The Allisons https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b8aOmg7nl6k I listened to the wrong version of this first. It was only when I read the youtube comments that I realised that it was a much later re-recording. I was wondering why the keyboard part sounded so modern. So I have now played the 1962 version which is much more basic and not half as good. The song was first recorded by Jeri Lynne Fraser in 1961. Cliff Richard also did a version for The Young Ones film. This is the last of the Allisons' three hit singles.
37. Lesson One - Russ Conway https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ECsBKRhaULQ This gets off to a false start which I'm assuming is supposed to represent someone learning the piano. It then moves on to the usual energetic Russ Conway piano tune.
40. I'll See You In My Dreams - Pat Boone https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wl7eZYnoiT4 A ballad with double bass, brass, strings and acoustic guitar. I didn't like it much. The song goes back to 1924.

Record of the week : 31. The Wanderer - Dion

It's an easy choice this week with this classic. It was actually a B side but took off after American radio DJs started playing it instead of the A side, 'The Majestic'. The single will peak at number 10 and then return to the chart as a re-issue in 1976, reaching number 16. Status Quo also had a top 10 hit with their version in 1984. This will be Dion's last top 40 single in the UK but he's still going strong and released an album as recently as November last year.

Posted by: Ring Kollo 22nd February 2022, 07:52 PM

I wonder were Level 42 inspired by this song when they created their 1986 hit single of the same name!

Posted by: King Rollo 22nd February 2022, 08:18 PM

The Level 42 song was the first thing that came to mind when I saw this on the list.

Posted by: Popchartfreak 23rd February 2022, 05:14 PM

Dunno about level 42, not sure they were old enough to be aware of Lessons In Love (I'm not!) by The allisons!

Likewise don;t know the other two records, but I do know the song I'll See You In My Dreams - Joe Brown always does it live, just him and a ukelele, and it's always fab (worth a youtube), he's terrific in concert, a real muso and entertaining, and yet he barely does any of his hits to boot. I had a crush on Pat Boone as a boy, in Journey To The Centre Of The Earth, but thankfully I'd never heard any of his awful records - just Speedy Gonzales, which was great to anyone that liked Warner Brothers Mexican mouse...now banished as a stereotype, presumably cos no Mexicans live in small holes, run super-fast and joyously shout Ariba, Ariba! when a cat comes near.

The Wanderer is brilliant. Loved it in 1976 when it was re-issued. I was aware of it before then, but it had never really registered much with me. Dion is still good, I bought a couple of his recent tracks, more like ballad Springsteen these days than pounding pop boy-about-town.

Posted by: King Rollo 1st March 2022, 06:20 PM

1st - 7th March 1962

20. Wonderful Land - The Shadows https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S1dmBUBu9P4 One of the best Shadows songs, a big contender for my record of the week but I've gone for something else. It was written by Jerry Lordan who also wrote Apache and will spend eight weeks at number 1.
30. The 'Dr Kildare' Theme - Johnnie Spence https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nl-7DKZVKjU I've never watched Dr Kildare but I do recognise this tune. I like the orchestral arrangement with the sweeping strings.

Record of the week : 35. Theme from 'Z Cars' (Johnny Todd) - Johnny Keating

It's instrumentals all the way this week. Z Cars was still being shown in the 70s so I know this iconic theme tune very well, or at least the first 50 seconds which is how far it got on TV. It then starts jazzing up before returning to a reprise of the main theme for the last 30 seconds. It's based on a traditional folk song called 'Johnny Todd' from around 1900. Everton FC have also used this music to walk onto the pitch to for many years. The single will peak at number 8.

Posted by: Popchartfreak 2nd March 2022, 06:41 PM

3 iconic tunes there - but Z Cars was too drab for my tastes as a TV show, though like Dr Kildare you couldn't avoid it on the TV. No choice! For my money it's The Shads every time, adore that one, it's a million-seller in my top 900 entirely as an oldie, with no "sales" from my non-charts of the time (still 6 years away!)

Posted by: Jade 2nd March 2022, 06:46 PM

Love The Shadows too - can't go wrong with any of their chart toppers really

Posted by: Ma Rollion 8th March 2022, 07:36 PM

8th - 14th March 1962

29. Never Goodbye - Karl Denver https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gWcv3bTZlKU It's only a few weeks since Wimoweh entered the chart and it's still climbing (from 5 to 4) but here is another Karl Denver single. I think it could be explained by the fact that Never Goodbye was entered into A Song For Europe so they've put it out now. It will not be chosen as the UK entry. Karl puts in another great vocal performance but the song itself wasn't special.
37. Twistin' The Night Away - Sam Cooke https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jSoPeZMHMf4 A lively rhythm and blues song and one of the earliest hit singles to feature the group of session musicians who would become known as the 'Wrecking Crew'. I like this one.
39. Walk With Me My Angel - Don Charles https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6uSAw2Ez1vs This has the trademark Joe Meek production running through it and a very good lead vocal by the singer from Hull who was 6 feet 4 inches tall. It will be his only top 40 hit.

Record of the week : 28. Dream Baby - Roy Orbison

A fairly simple arrangement gives centre stage to Roy's fantastic vocal and the song's memorable chorus. We also have some female backing vocals. This will peak as high as number 2.

Posted by: Popchartfreak 8th March 2022, 07:43 PM

Bad luck for the great Sam Cooke to come up against the timelessly brilliant Roy Orbison - though neither track is their very best, their not-very-best is better than the competition.

Posted by: Ma Rollion 15th March 2022, 07:24 PM

15th - 21st March 1962

29. Please Don't Ask About Barbara - Bobby Vee https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UqJnjy2ZyXg This is slower than the Bobby Vee songs I've heard so far. I liked the production with the guitars, strings and drums but it wasn't as good as the others. The British public agreed, with this only reaching number 29 after his first five singles had all been top 10 hits.
32. Letter Full Of Tears - Billy Fury https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-N8-q1KcrO8 The same could be said for this one which only got to number 32 after his last three singles all reached the top 5. As always, it's a great vocal from Billy but not a standout song.
37. Fanlight Fanny - Clinton Ford https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9_g0MIuoEzw A song that goes back to 1935 when it was recorded by George Formby. It's about a nightclub dancer who likes a drink and a bit of shoplifting. The word fanny has been used as slang since the 1830s so there is a bit of double entendre going on here with some of the lyrics. We won't hear from Clinton Ford again until 1967.

Record of the week : 34. Town Without Pity - Gene Pitney

Before I did some research, I thought that this had a cinematic sound to it and I have now discovered that it was from the film of the same name and was nominated for an Oscar. It's a second hit single for Gene Pitney, who puts in a good vocal performance, peaking at number 32.

Posted by: Popchartfreak 15th March 2022, 08:50 PM

Right choice there, Gene Pitney's career about to go into overdrive with some decent start-ups setting up his classics

Oh that George Formby was a naughty lad! I've always had my wonders about The Bee Gees otherwise lovely song Fanny Be Tender With My Love - Granted they'd been living in Aus where Fanny was a common name then, but they were also British and would have known t'other meaning.

Posted by: King Rollo 22nd March 2022, 08:06 PM

22nd - 28th March 1962

24. Hey! Little Girl - Del Shannon https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f0Z23bNY5io This is a good song but the verse section sounded too similar to Runaway to make it a contender for ROTW. It will peak at number 2.
29. Love Me Warm And Tender - Paul Anka https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wVs9KAanCdA A decent mid tempo song, I liked the drums and brass instruments on the backing track. This will be his last hit until 1974.
40. Lone Rider - John Leyton https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wVs9KAanCdA He still has the Joe Meek production and the female backing singers but this one is not as good as his previous three singles and it will go no higher than number 40.

Record of the week : 25. Hey! Baby - Bruce Channel

Well, this is more familiar to me than I was expecting. It's the original version of the song that DJ Otzi took to number 1 in 2001. I'm not sure if I knew that was a cover, I'm sure it would have been mentioned at the time but if it was, I've forgotten about it. This has a bluesy sound to it with good use of the harmonica. The single will reach number 2 and also top the US chart. Bruce Channel co-wrote the song in 1959 and performed it in concerts for two years before he got round to recording it. It will be six years before his next top 40 hit.

Posted by: Popchartfreak 23rd March 2022, 07:42 PM

Hey baby is a great record. Bruce Channel's Keep On was a huge fave of mine when I was 10. DJ Otzi is a candidate for the worst-ever number one, if only for ruining a great song.

Posted by: Jade 23rd March 2022, 07:54 PM

Oh yes I was surprised to discover that 'Hey Baby' was a cover - I think I only found that out last year. The cover does bring back childhood memories (Butlins/Haven type discos, being one of the songs they chose for music player toys in Spanish McDonalds etc.) but I do prefer the original, the harmonica definitely stands out in a good way.

'Lone Rider' is pretty Joe Meek-by-numbers with the charging production and haunting additional female vocals (even one of his fellow big-hitters The Tornados are the backing band), so it's up my street, but agreed that it's not quite as good as the previous John Leyton hits.

Posted by: King Rollo 29th March 2022, 05:45 PM

29th March - 4th April 1962

29. What Kind Of Fool Am I? / Gonna Build A Mountain - Sammy Davis Jr https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FmV7EaZatwU / https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yIcj7xdRtok Two big band standards. He sings them well but it's not my sort of thing. This is his first top 40 hit since 1956.
30. Drums Are My Beat - Sandy Nelson https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hZCGMP126-4 Another drum based instrumental. Sandy has sadly passed away since his last single, Let There Be Drums, earned my record of the week title. This one isn't as good.
34. Brazilian Love Song (Andorhina Preta) - Nat King Cole https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FjQglD22edA This is much more uptempo than you would usually expect from a Nat King Cole song. It has a South American sound to it with some backing vocals in what I assume to be the Portuguese language.
38. Theme from 'Z Cars' (Johnny Todd) - Norrie Paramor And His Orchestra https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RztEiTWAXTk Another version of this to hit the chart. This time it's given the marching band treatment. Norrie Paramor was the producer on the Shadows and Cliff Richard records.

Record of the week : 25. When My Little Girl Is Smiling - Craig Douglas

A pleasant pop song which he sings well. I also like the guitar plucking and the strings on this. The song was written by Gerry Goffin and Carole King and first recorded by The Drifters. That version will chart soon along with a third one so I look forward to hearing them. This version will peak at number 9, giving Craig Douglas his sixth top 10 single.

Posted by: Popchartfreak 30th March 2022, 04:50 PM

cover versions very much a thing back in those days, and any Goffin/King is going to be sheer quality - but The Drifters for me anyday. I prob wouldve gone for Sammy Davis Jr cos we loved Sammy in our house Mind you we also loved Nat but I dont know that one and What Kind Of Fool is a good song. If you want Sammy in hippie showtune soul jazz groove, I'd suggest this one (I've considered this one from time to time as a worthy BJSC entry guaranteed DNQ )....

Posted by: King Rollo 30th March 2022, 05:35 PM

Oh yes, that was a good Sammy Davis song. I liked all the vocal harmonies on it. It would pick up some points but, yes, probably a DNQ.

Posted by: King Rollo 5th April 2022, 05:22 PM

5th - 11th April 1962

21. The Maigret Theme - Joe Loss And His Orchestra https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JdYorcWVWPM This is not a theme tune that I remember hearing before. The programme ran from 1960 to 1963. It's mainly piano and brass instruments, there don't seem to be any strings on this.
24. When My Little Girl Is Smiling - Jimmy Justice https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k0ebwNIYwtM Another version of this song appears just a week later. This one will reach number 9, the same position as the Craig Douglas one. I liked the use of the harpsichord on the intro but overall this is not as good.
28. Young World - Ricky Nelson https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KSz1WafWmCw A decent mid-tempo ballad. Glen Campbell plays guitar on this one.
39. Her Royal Majesty - James Darren https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WpnUrnG5ee0 This is about an ex girlfriend, not the Queen. There's a marching brass band production to keep to the theme of the lyrics.

Record of the week : 31. When My Little Girl Is Smiling - The Drifters

We now have the original version of this to add to the two others in the chart. As is usually the case, the original is the best. Charlie Thomas sings the lead. As well as backing from the other Drifters, there are also some female backing vocals and a good contribution from the string section. This will go no higher than its new entry position.

Posted by: Popchartfreak 6th April 2022, 12:42 PM

outrageous that original versions tended not to do as well in the 60's due to availability issues - US acts couldnt just pop over to promote, so UK acts hoovered up the TV spots.

Maigret was quite well-known once upon a time, its quite nice, and any track with Glen on Geetar is going to have something to recommend it. As for James Darren, Time Tunnel crush, and Vic Fontaine Deep Space 9 is enough to give it a chance. So I did! Actually it's aching for a drag duet pisstake version....that would be fun

Posted by: King Rollo 12th April 2022, 06:52 PM

12th - 18th April 1962

25. The Party's Over - Lonnie Donegan https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VtKG5cGPhEM This was a much slower pace than I'd normally expect from a Lonnie Donegan song. It dragged on a bit too much.
26. Slow Twistin' - Chubby Checker https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=34MUbqpCzxA Another twist themed song from Chubby Checker. This time he has help from the uncredited Dee Dee Sharp. It's not as good as the previous two.
35. It's All Over Now - Shane Fenton and the Fentones https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-U3pw7j_b0 Their third top 40 hit. It's not an early version of the Rolling Stones song. It was OK but they won't be getting their second ROTW award.
37. Wonderful World Of The Young - Danny Williams https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AbbOmIILiYY Another Danny Williams ballad with grandiose strings and backing vocals. His namesake Andy recorded the original version.

Record of the week : 29. Speak To Me Pretty - Brenda Lee

Nothing really stands out this week but I think this is the best song and there are not too many records with female vocals at this point in time. I liked the saxophone solo coming from the right speaker while the backing vocals were coming from the left one. Brenda is not calling someone pretty, the correct word should be prettily but if only two syllables are required, the correct grammar is often sacrificed. This will go as high as number 3 which will end up as her highest chart position.

Posted by: Popchartfreak 13th April 2022, 12:31 PM

I'd go with Brenda Lee too, she always had an edge to her vocals that wins me over, and the song's not bad.

Amazingly, to me, she is 6 years into her chart career by 1962, and is still only 17 years old! Not even an adult, and is currently 77 years old and has the pleasure of seeing herself chart every christmas with a 60-year-old record...

Posted by: King Rollo 19th April 2022, 06:18 PM

19th - 25th April 1962

34. Love Letters - Ketty Lester https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txahSHR2Jb8 Most weeks, this would have won my ROTW award. There's a wonderful vocal from Ketty here and a sparse piano arrangement with some drums and double bass. The original version goes back to 1945. It will be her only top 40 hit, reaching number 4, which was the same chart position attained by Alison Moyet's version in 1987.
38. Everybody's Twisting - Frank Sinatra https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wuba14wUPbg Frank Sinatra comes in with his comments on the Twist craze with his usual big band sound.
40. King Of Clowns - Neil Sedaka https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p7hrnMzqEJ8 I liked this one. There's plenty going on with the guitar on the left speaker, the backing vocals on the right and the strings and xylophone in the middle along with a good lead vocal from Neil.

Record of the week : 31. Nut Rocker - B Bumble and the Stingers

This piano based foot tapper is one of my favourite number 1 singles from the first ten years of the chart, taking the melody from part of Tchaikovsky's 1892 ballet The Nutcracker. B Bumble and the Stingers were American session musicians. After the success of Nut Rocker in the UK, they released a few more singles based on classical tunes but had no more chart success until a re-issue reached number 19 in 1972.

Posted by: Popchartfreak 20th April 2022, 12:02 PM

I bought Nut Rocker in 1972 with my pocket money, went mad on it for a while, and was amused it ended up as the Here's Friday/weekend theme tune on 21st century Radio 1. I even took it to the End Of Term bring-your-own-record in day for Music, as I thought the teacher might be impressed with it being a Beethoven thing. I am still fond of it but think I'd opt for Love Letters these days. Neil Sedaka is always quality, too, though it's not one I know as well as his others of the period.

Classical music was very much a thing in 1972 in music lessons at school, and the Nutcracker Suite was an ancient (to me) 80 years old. So, a bit like teaching schoolkids all about Glen Miller, Louis Armstrong...and Frank Sinatra these days!

Posted by: King Rollo 26th April 2022, 07:09 PM

26th April - 2nd May 1962

35. Big Man In A Big House - Leroy Van Dyke https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=07FHQc7GnGQ The second and final hit from Leroy Van Dyke. It's about a teenager who leaves home with dreams of owning a big house with a big fence. After working hard for a while, he gets in with the wrong crowd and ends up in his big house with a big fence but it's a prison!
37. Ave Maria - Shirley Bassey https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HIWfp8mCd6M This is all very spectacular with the orchestra and a big choir and there's no doubt she has the voice to do the song justice but I'm not sure if I'd want to listen to it again. The song itself goes back to 1853.

Record of the week : 36. Cutty Sark - The John Barry Seven And Orchestra

In a week of few new entries, I've chosen this instrumental from John Barry who was well known for his film scores. It's a jazzy tune, not unlike 'Take Five' from last year, with the clarinet centre stage supported by the brass section. It will peak just one place higher.

Posted by: King Rollo 3rd May 2022, 06:31 PM

3rd - 9th May 1962

32. Let's Talk About Love - Helen Shapiro https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tz4814UXmS8 I don't think this is as good as her previous singles and the record buyers agreed with me. After four top 3 hits, this one will only reach number 23.
39. Don't Break The Heart That Loves You - Connie Francis https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQxdvSApcTM As always with Connie Francis, the vocal is very good but the song is a bit dated for 1962. While it will get to number 1 in the US, this will go no higher than 39 here, breaking a run of 19 consecutive top 30 singles since her debut in 1958.

Record of the week : 36. Last Night Was Made For Love - Billy Fury

As with last week, there are just three new entries and this was the best one. He sings it well and there are some good orchestral flourishes. This will be Billy's fourth top 5 single, reaching number 4.

Posted by: King Rollo 10th May 2022, 07:10 PM

10th - 16th May 1962

16. Good Luck Charm - Elvis Presley https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0gx4kPDW0w This will go on to spend five weeks at number 1 but it's not one of Elvis' better known songs and also not one I particularly like myself.
20. Do You Want To Dance - Cliff Richard and the Shadows / I'm Looking Out The Window - Cliff Richard with the Norrie Paramor Orchestra https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gZTzNd938hg / https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GvbOs0ApXhA As you might expect from a Cliff Richard double A side single, there is an uptempo song on one side and a slushy ballad on the other. I preferred the first one. These are both covers of songs from the late 50s. Cliff will lose the chart battle with Elvis with this spending three weeks at number 2 behind him.
23. As You Like It - Adam Faith with John Barry and his orchestra https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7WtDXej56eU A pleasant enough pop song. It will be Adam's ninth top 5 single.
35. Lonely City - John Leyton https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-anx5-zLoig Another John Leyton single, his fifth in nine months. This is a bit better than the last one that only got to number 40 and will return him to the top 20.
37. Caterina - Perry Como https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hK9Ae9DsWuc An easy listening song in which Caterina seems to be accused of putting it about. Perry Como has been a chart regular since its inception but this is the last we will hear from him until the 70s.
40. Johnny Angel - Patti Lynn https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ISmD4Vvkmfg This tale of unrequited love was the only hit single for the English singer. Shelley Fabares' version just missed the top 40 in April but was an American number 1.

Record of the week : 36. Ginny Come Lately - Brian Hyland

A very good ballad with strings, acoustic guitar and backing singers. There seem to be two main vocals, I'm assuming he's been double tracked in two different keys. This is Brian's third top 40 hit but his first since 1960. It will spend four weeks at number 5. The song he is best known for will be coming later in the summer.

Posted by: Popchartfreak 13th May 2022, 08:26 AM

No quibbles with any of those picks of the week there, though I quite like Elvis' and have a strange fondness for the US version of Johnny Angel in the same way I love Frankie Avalon's Beauty School Dropout in Grease. Tuneful charming cheese, albeit the Grease song was intentional nostalgic cheese.

Posted by: King Rollo 17th May 2022, 06:16 PM

17th - 23rd May 1962

28. I Don't Know Why - Eden Kane https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n58D4R2-_PM I'm still not warming to Eden's vocal style but the song, which goes back to 1931, was alright and had a big climax to it. Just one more hit to come but that won't be until 1964.
29. Come Outside - Mike Sarne with Wendy Richard https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pnTQT9Wbjk4 This novelty song will go on to replace Elvis at number 1. It does have a certain charm to it but not enough to be record of the week. Wendy Richard was 18 years old when this was recorded and had already appeared on a couple of TV programmes.
34. Lover, Please / You Know What I Mean - The Vernons Girls https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7CE87umi6xI / https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4AQetjiHvy8 These songs have an amateur sound to them but I think that's the idea as they were presented as girls next door who worked for Vernons Pools. They started out in the late 50s as a choir but they are now down to a trio.
40. Clown Shoes - Johnny Burnette https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zNay_f2zaJ0 An OK country/pop song. This will be the last of his five top 40 hits. He sadly died in a boating accident in 1964.

Record of the week : 36. Unsquare Dance - The Dave Brubeck Quartet

Dave Brubeck gets his second ROTW award. I've heard this instrumental before. I think most of us have, without knowing what it's called or who it's by. Gradually speeding up, it uses double bass, piano, a snare drum and hand claps. Peaking at number 14, it will be the last of his three hit singles.

Posted by: Popchartfreak 18th May 2022, 07:38 AM

Come Outside for me, I was 4 and I was MAD on that record, I absolutely loved it. I will never not love it, quaint, period-piece and tuneful, amusing. And it got Wendy onto Are You Being Served and then Eastenders, so she did alright out of it

Posted by: King Rollo 24th May 2022, 07:06 PM

24th - 30th May 1962

24. Green Leaves Of Summer - Kenny Ball And His Jazzmen https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eFvVD8bYycU This will be Kenny's third consecutive top 10 single. I liked the stereo mix here with the main brass instrument melody coming from the right speaker and the rhythm section coming from the left.
27. A Picture Of You - Joe Brown and the Bruvvers https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EE-EFKv1qn8 A fairly good pop song. It was actually the B side of the single and got as far as number 2, giving Joe his highest chart position.
33. Funny Way Of Laughin' - Burl Ives https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UpNTj5YAFH0 The second of Burl Ives' two hits and he manages to include the title of the first one, 'A Little Bitty Tear', in the lyrics. There's plenty of personality in his vocal.
35. Besame Mucho - Jet Harris https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h3NQhHBSsw4 Jet Harris has left The Shadows and this is his first solo single. There are some really low notes on his bass guitar here. It's not an instrumental, there are some backing vocals.
36. Jezebel - Marty Wilde https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0UDgWMZOBgE There's a Wild West sound to this one and the rhythm track reminded me of Peter Gunn. It's a cover of a Frankie Laine song from 1951.

Record of the week : 25. How Can I Meet Her? - The Everly Brothers

There isn't a standout this week but I think this was the best one. It's about 'the prettiest girl in town' who's stuck up and in love with herself. However, the person in the song still wants to know her phone number and address. The vocals are very good and there is a great harmonica solo. We have an unofficial video for the song featuring Judy Garland. The single will peak at number 12.

Posted by: Jade 24th May 2022, 07:21 PM

This was how I discovered it my mind was blown that "the Radio 1 song" was actually a #1 hit back in the day. It's great fun anyway!

Will need to check out that Jet Harris song.

Posted by: Popchartfreak 26th May 2022, 08:15 AM

I dont know that Everly song, seems OK! My preference is for Joe Brown though, nice tune and I loved Joe as a kid, he still does it in concert and is still loveable. Plus he's Sam Brown's dad. Jezebel is a well-covered tune, plus Marty is Kim Wilde's dad. Burl Ives is another kiddie fave singer beloved of Disney movies and Ive always liked Funny Way Of laughing. Kenny Ball is not one I recognised till I played it at which point it sounded vaguely familiar from long long long ago. Like something I've not heard for nearly 60 years but definitely had heard a few times once upon a another lifetime ago Dont know the Jet Harris version (I thought) of the standard Besame Mucho but now I hear it that might explain why I was such a fan of a 1973 version by European classical experimentalists Apollo 100's fab version, which keeps the twangy guitar and the chorus hook but drops the sung bits for a more rounded catchy production. I knew I knew the tune from somewhere but knew not where exactly. Puzzle solved, thanks!

Posted by: Popchartfreak 26th May 2022, 08:22 AM

I like to think I was ahead of my time going mad on Nut Rocker during Glam Rock but had to wait 40 years to be justified I just found out this year why it was reissued in 1972 - Emerson lake & Palmer did it live in concert and got a US minor hit out of it!

Try this very-Jet-Harris cover version:



Turns out they are British! Makes sense, I just assumed they were European as they were bigger outside the UK....

Posted by: King Rollo 31st May 2022, 06:44 PM

^^^
I think I prefer that version.

31st May - 6th June 1962

34. Swinging In The Rain - Norman Vaughan https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VAG1RiA82tw This is a version of Singin' In The Rain. "Swinging!" was one of Norman Vaughan's catchphrases from Sunday Night at the London Palladium which he hosted. There are some comedic spoken sections and backing vocals by children. I quite enjoyed listening to it. This is the first version to chart. As well as Mint Royale's 2005 number 1, Sheila B Devotion will have a hit with it in 1978.

Record of the week : 29. Deep In The Heart Of Texas - Duane Eddy

Only two new entries but this is still a worthy winner. As well as the twangy guitar, we have drums, hand claps, a brass and woodwind section, and some "yee-haw"s. It would certainly be ideal for a barn dance. The first version of the song had lyrics and was recorded in 1941 by Ted Weems and His Orchestra with a vocal by Perry Como. Duane's version will peak at number 19.

Posted by: Popchartfreak 2nd June 2022, 11:02 AM

I remember Norman vaughan on TV a lot, but I'll stick with Gene Kelly I think

I know the Texas song and Duane is always good, so no prob with choosing that one over Rain!

Posted by: King Rollo 13th June 2022, 04:49 PM

7th - 13th June 1962

38. Soldier Boy - The Shirelles https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1NYw83uAQig When I looked at the list of new entries, I expected this to be my record of the week based on their their last hit, 'Will You Love Me Tomorrow', but it was a big disappointment. It's not quite a ballad but has a slow pace to it and the vocals sound a bit laboured. There's also quite a long country sounding instrumental break in the middle of the song. This will be a US number 1 but will only reach number 23 here.
40. Theme from 'Dr Kildare' (Three Stars Will Shine Tonight) - Richard Chamberlain https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JzERsd8ZmRg We had the instrumental in March, now we have a vocal version from the star of the programme. This will chart three places higher at 12 but I think I preferred the original version.

Record of the week : 32. A Little Love A Little Kiss - Karl Denver

And so it's another ROTW award for one of my favourites, Karl Denver. After a guitar based intro, his unmistakeable vocal comes in. There's also a fine xylophone solo in the middle of the song. The xylophone is actually present throughout most of the record. Karl's first four hits all reached the top 10 but this one will peak at number 19.

Posted by: Popchartfreak 13th June 2022, 05:32 PM

Yes that Karl Denver is unexpectedly decent in a quiet week for options. Richard Chamberlain, nah! I had to watch a lot of Doctor Kildare as a kid, so it would be a no from me just for that! And The Shirelles Soldier Bpy has never been a radio staple. I was also a bit disappointed when I heard it for the first time, though the name has lived on - The Boys TV show, and a stripper on the London scene to name but 2. I would have asked Soldier Boy for an autograph but he didn't have a pen handy that I could see...

Posted by: King Rollo 18th June 2022, 06:59 PM

14th - 20th June 1962

18. Sharing You - Bobby Vee https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pv3XxKVW2dI It seems polyamory isn't just a 21st century thing. According to the lyrics of this song, it was going on 60 years ago. Written by Gerry Goffin and Carole King, the song was alright.
26. Far Away - Shirley Bassey https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Nlk4L0GRB0 Another great vocal from Shirley on this ballad with an orchestra and choir added to give it some drama. The song was written by Lionel Bart for his musical Blitz!
30. Ain't That Funny - Jimmy Justice https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YqSknNpKVXM Just looking back at my review of his first single, I see I noted the harpsichord on the intro and this one has it as well. Nothing much else to say here, it was an OK pop song which I won't remember soon.
34. English Country Garden - Jimmy Rodgers https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EUyxCP5Rvco I know this tune very well. It goes back as far as 1728 and is often used for Morris dancing. This version also makes good use of the harpsichord. It will be the last of Jimmy Rodgers' five top 40 singles and will give him his highest chart position, number 5.
36. Stranger On The Shore - Andy Williams https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OlN3mQpBngs Acker Bilk's version is currently at number 11 in its 29th week on the chart and we now have a satisfactory vocal version from Andy Williams which gives him his first UK hit since 1957.

Record of the week : 35. Orange Blossom Special - The Spotnicks

I've chosen this fast paced guitar instrumental from the Spotnicks. I know the tune already as I have an ELO live album from 1974 which includes Mik Kaminski playing it as his violin solo turn. The song was written in 1938 by Ervin T Rouse to be played on the fiddle and had some lyrics about a luxury passenger train called the Orange Blossom Special. The Spotnicks were a Swedish group and this will be the first of four top 40 singles for them, spending three weeks at number 29.

Posted by: Popchartfreak 19th June 2022, 04:48 PM

Sharing You I know, not one of Bobby Vee's great tracks but it's OK, Shirl's is new to me, Lionel Bart wrote some songs of my childhood, we had an EP of songs from the musical Oliver! Food Glorious Food, As Long As He Needs Me, I'd Do Anything, Consider Yourself, Got To Pick A Pocket Or Two, Oom-Pah-Pah are all great songs. Shirley did a version of As Long As He Needs Me. She should have done another song from Oliver! instead of this.

Jimmy Justice is another I dont know. S'alright-ish. Jimmy Rodgers and English Country Garden is one I always liked a lot. I'd prob have opted for that one just for old time's sake. Never heard Andy Williams' version of Stranger On The Shore, but Andy could do no wrong for me up to about 1974, loved his TV show and vocals. This is passable but Acker Bilk any day. Never heard The Spotniks' record, but it is good and it's interesting.

Posted by: King Rollo 21st June 2022, 06:24 PM

21st - 27th June 1962

34. Yes My Darling Daughter - Eydie Gorme https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SVFzILoKWns A cover of a song from 1940 by Dinah Shore. The melody is derived from a Ukrainian folk song. Here, it's given a 1920s jazz sound. The highlight was certainly at the end when Eydie holds a long note which seamlessly turns into a siren. This is her first hit single since 1958.
37. Follow That Dream (EP) - Elvis Presley https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zD0xsv2BHFw I don't think this is an official release. Good Luck Charm is still at number 1 and this EP will only get to number 34. I only listened to the title track which was an uptempo song with the drums, piano and backing singers all making good contributions.
38. Don't Ever Change - The Crickets https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yFRirLor8n8 This will be the Cricket's highest charting single without Buddy Holly, reaching number 5. Another Goffin/King composition, it was a good pop song, I liked the piano part.

Record of the week : 16. I Can't Stop Loving You - Ray Charles

An easy decision this week, this is one of my favourite number 1 singles from the early 60s. The backing singers play a huge part in this as well as the strings, the piano and Ray Charles' fine lead vocal. The backing vocals came from the Randy Van Horne Singers who also performed the theme songs for many Hanna-Barbera cartoons including The Flintstones and Top Cat. The original version was recorded by its writer, Don Gibson, in 1957. As well as spending two weeks at number 1 here, it will top the Billboard chart for five weeks.

Posted by: Popchartfreak 22nd June 2022, 03:14 PM

I know of the song Yes My Darling Daughter, but have never actually heard it. Very jazzy. Eydie for me will forever be a childhood rave fave singer of I Just Want To Stay Here. Love it still.

Don't know the Elvis track either but it's not bad at all. Undoubtedly an EP of tracks from his latest film. EP's were big in the 60's, LP's were hugely expensive to the average pay packet, EP's filled the gap between the albums and singles and you got 4 tracks for your money - I still have a few dad bought. They sold pretty well till they got booted out of the singles chart. Notably The Beatles would have had many more hits like Twist & Shout if EPs were eligible for the official chart.

The Crickets hit is one I know and like very much, but it's just not in the same league as Ray Charles. What a corker! Topped my charts as an oldie in 2001. My mum and dad both loved this one, we had a Ray Charles EP (Hit The Road Jack) and so did I, and still do. Country Soul is what it is.

Posted by: King Rollo 28th June 2022, 07:38 PM

28th June - 4th July 1962

35. Our Favourite Melodies - Craig Douglas https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p0N7jTomKUg Many of the singles I've been reviewing are mentioned in the lyrics of this one. The person in the song doesn't want to hear them on the radio or when he passes the record store as they remind him of the girl he's split up with. We have a rarity for chart geeks here, this will be the fourth consecutive single by Craig Douglas to reach a peak position of number 9.
37. Conscience - James Darren https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=43U5QTfJT2o An interesting one here, it's about a philanderer who wants to take a girl out (and to bed, it's insinuated) and then break her heart. His conscience then comes in and tells him to treat her with respect. That part is in a slower tempo and has a flute playing so I'm giving the song a good review based on it being a bit different in structure to most of the pop songs in the chart at this time. This is the last of James Darren's four top 40 hits but as Popchartfreak has mentioned, he will appear in some sci-fi programmes later on.
39. Drummin' Up A Storm - Sandy Nelson https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8QLOUTEIFpo We also say goodbye to Sandy Nelson with the last of his drum based instrumental hits.
40. Old Rivers - Walter Brennan https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MDYsw4t2rAI An emotional country ballad about an old farmer which is spoken by Walter Brennan, rather than sung. This will be a top 5 single in the US. At the time, he was the oldest living person to have a top 40 hit over there. He is also one of only three male actors to win three Academy awards. They were all for best supporting actor.

Record of the week : 22. Here Comes That Feeling - Brenda Lee

In a good week for new entries, I'm choosing this one based on another great lead vocal from Brenda, supported by a string section, a double bass and a faster piano break. It will be her third top 10 single, peaking at number 5.

Posted by: Popchartfreak 1st July 2022, 08:19 AM

The only one I know is the Walter Brennan oddity, he was hugely popular as a wizened cowboy (usually) in films back in the day, and I especially loved him in a now-forgotten Disney kids film, The Gnomemobile.

Brenda Lee is a good choice, she's always decent quality, and this is rather nice.

Posted by: King Rollo 5th July 2022, 05:42 PM

5th - 11th July 1962

25. Palisades Park - Freddy Cannon https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OXz0L7K4Fo4 A rock'n'roll song with fairground sound effects. It was quite good. It's the last of Freddy's six top 40 hits. Chartwise, he's best known for interrupting the long run at number 1 in the albums chart for South Pacific. It was number 1 for 70 weeks until his album, 'The Explosive Freddy Cannon', replaced it for one week. The soundtrack album then returned to the top of the chart for 17 more consecutive weeks.
32. Ya Ya Twist - Petula Clark https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=emokAXEZaMg Another song sung in the French language by Petula Clark, this time it's an uptempo dance record. The original version, called 'Ya Ya', was by Lee Dorsey.
35. Al Di La - Emilio Pericoli https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wk5NJvos7Co It's off to Italy now for this decent ballad. It's a cover of the Italian Eurovision song from the previous year which finished in 5th place.
36. I Remember You - Frank Ifield https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rgm0KNICGcU A country style ballad with some yodelling. It will go on to spend seven weeks at number 1, selling more than a million copies. The original version dates back to 1941.
37. Adios Amigo - Jim Reeves https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l7BtqvnKJEY A country style ballad with some whistling.
38. Tears - Danny Williams https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y3BJcjKADJI Another well delivered orchestral ballad from Danny Williams. This will be the last we hear from him until 1977.

Record of the week : 40. The Crowd - Roy Orbison

Another fantastic vocal from Roy here with good use of the piano and strings and a dramatic climax to the song. The record buying public were not so keen on this one and it will stall at number 40.

Posted by: Popchartfreak 6th July 2022, 03:53 PM

Palisades Park is a goodie, Frank Ifield is a kiddie fave of mine, the singer and the song, and still sounds good, and Petula is cute-ish. Roy, well it's Roy, nobody gonna argue with that choice. That said, my heart is still with I Remember You, I'm 4 years old again, watching Fireball XL5 and Bill & Ben on telly...

Posted by: King Rollo 13th July 2022, 06:23 PM

12th July - 18th July 1962

30. I'm Just A Baby - Louise Cordet https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rw5lStAKoCw A decent little pop song with some lyrics that are of their time. Her godfather was the Duke Of Edinburgh due to her family's connection to the Royal Family. This will be her only hit single.
32. Johnny Get Angry - Carol Deene https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jPSLdKGcO9g The second hit for Carol Deene this year, there will be one more to come. Here, she wants her man to have a bit more backbone. I liked the use of the xylophone. It's a cover of a Joanie Sommers song from the same year.
39. It Keeps Right On A Hurtin' - Johnny Tillotson https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jPSLdKGcO9g A sad country ballad. It's Johnny's first top 40 hit since his number 1 from January 1961, 'Poetry In Motion'.
40. Speedy Gonzales - Pat Boone https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4s2AMKPHnE I think I've heard this one before. It will get to number 2, giving Pat his biggest hit since 1958. The highlight is certainly the repeated female lalala bit.

Record of the week : 21. Right Said Fred - Bernard Cribbins

Well, it has to be this classic novelty single about three men trying to move a large item of furniture and taking numerous tea breaks. Produced by George Martin, it was another single played regularly on the 'Juniors Choice' radio show in the 70s. It will reach number 10, giving Bernard his second top 10 hit of this year and giving a future group, who will have a number 1 single, their name.

Posted by: Popchartfreak 14th July 2022, 11:48 AM

Awww still love Right Said Fred and still love Bernard Cribbins. It has a period charm, and of course it's George Martin so what's not to love anyway. Amazing to think he will be hitting the world of music with an avalanche in about 4 months time....

Speedy Gonzales was also a kiddies fave of the 60s, but is regarded as a bit racist these days because it had a Mexican cartoon mouse as the focus from the Warner Brothers cartoons. Even if that were true (which it isn't, it's a cartoon for kids who loved Speedy Gonzales) it's still the best thing by far that Pat Boone did. So that kind of sets the bar pretty low, admittedly...

Posted by: King Rollo 19th July 2022, 06:21 PM

19th - 25th July 1962

23. Little Miss Lonely - Helen Shapiro https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VWcaW2t6Z5Y A ballad from Helen Shapiro. The stereo mix has the rhythm instruments on the left, the strings and backing singers on the right and her vocal in the centre. It's another fine vocal as I've come to expect now. She's still only 15 years old but this will be not only her last top 10 single but the last time she reaches the top 30.
28. Cindy's Birthday - Shane Fenton and the Fentones https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=np1W7DVT0Gk A colour video for this one. It was made for video jukeboxes which were set up in pubs and clubs but they didn't really catch on. A good pop song, this will be Shane's last top 40 hit until his 1973 reinvention as Alvin Stardust.
37. Breaking Up Is Hard To Do - Neil Sedaka https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2M584bP_FeE This is one I've certainly heard a few times. We seem to have a choir of Neil Sedakas with the lead vocal double tracked in different keys and he does his own backing vocals as well. It will be a US number 1 and the last of his seven UK top 10 hits.

Record of the week : 36. Let There Be Love - Nat King Cole with George Shearing

A good standard of new entries this week with the Neil Sedaka song unlucky to miss out but I've gone for this classic. It's only right that George Shearing gets equal billing as the piano playing makes the song just as much as Nat's vocal. The song was written in 1940 by Lionel Rand and Ian Grant. This is the only version to chart, peaking at number 11.

Posted by: Popchartfreak 20th July 2022, 11:38 AM

I like all of these tracks, it's amazing to think Helen's career was pretty done as a chart act at 16! Blame The Beatles! All was swept aside in the aftermath. Cindy's Birthday was referenced a lot when Alvin Stardust was setting up My Coo Ca Choo - but Ive never heard it before! My second fave of the 4, ahead of Nat King Cole. I love Nat but never been that fussed about Let There Be Love. Neil Sedaka for me, I loved The Partridge Family identi-cover in 1972 and then also the re-issue hit of Oh Carol, and then he went and did a ballad version in 1975 after his big singer-songwriter successes like Laughter In The Rain

Posted by: King Rollo 20th July 2022, 05:58 PM

Yes, a lot of singers are having their last big hits at this point. It will be interesting to see how chart music evolves in 1963. I did think you would pick the Neil Sedaka song as your favourite.

Posted by: King Rollo 26th July 2022, 05:25 PM

26th July - 1st August 1962

31. Once Upon A Dream - Billy Fury https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o9htILXevbM This is from the film 'Play It Cool' and we have a clip here of Billy singing it in the departure lounge at Gatwick Airport. I recognise the man who played the next door neighbour in the 70s sitcom 'Sykes'. Shane Fenton and Helen Shapiro, who both had new entries last week, also appear elsewhere in the film, playing themselves. The song itself is an unremarkable ballad.

Record of the week : 29. Things - Bobby Darin

Just the two new entries this week. I'm not a big fan of this song but it's better than the other one. The backing singers contribute quite a lot and I did like rhythm track in the background. This will go all the way up to number 2, Bobby's second single to peak at that position to add to his two number 1s from 1959. Robbie Williams and Showaddywaddy are among the acts to have recorded cover versions of 'Things'.

Posted by: Popchartfreak 29th July 2022, 07:44 AM

Things is OK, one I've always quite liked but never loved. I didn't know I knew the Billy Fury song till I heard it just now, and it's one I like. Apparently Norrie paramour wrote and produced it - the man who held the record for most number one singles as producer till George Martin overtook him (Norrie did Cliff, Shadows, Helen Shapiro etc). Makes sense I like it as I was in full-on "I love Billy Floory" mode aged 4

Posted by: King Rollo 2nd August 2022, 07:24 PM

2nd - 8th August 1962

28. Guitar Tango - The Shadows https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2K_EBJggcPQ A Latin American sound to this one, it's certainly suitable for a tango dance. It's a cover of a French song from 1961 and will give the group another top 5 hit.
33. Gotta See Baby Tonight - Mr Acker Bilk and his Paramount Jazz Band https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pfdM4gEI29I Stranger On The Shore is still in the top 20 after 36 weeks on the chart. In the meantime, Acker Bilk has already seen the follow up single, 'Frankie And Johnny', stall at 42 but this one does a little better. It's his familiar brass jazz sound with some vocals.
38. That Noise - Anthony Newley https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DxzQZWadOfk A novelty song about an unidentified noise. This will be the last of Anthony's twelve top 40 singles which included two number 1s.

Record of the week : 40. Vacation - Connie Francis

A lively pop song to herald the start of the summer holidays. The main hook is the word vacation spelt out as letters and there's a good saxophone solo. The single will peak at number 10. It's not quite goodbye to Connie as well. She will have one more hit but we will have to wait until 1965 for that one.

Posted by: Popchartfreak 10th August 2022, 03:43 PM

Vacation the only one I know here, it's pretty jolly. The Shadows tune is one I turn out to know (as is so often the case with these instrumentals from the early 60s) even though I don't know I know it

Posted by: King Rollo 11th August 2022, 06:47 PM

9th - 15th August 1962

23. Roses Are Red (My Love) - Ronnie Carroll https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lJaFxN8N1-4 A country style ballad. The verses are short so there's time for several choruses. It's the Irish singer's first hit since 1960 so this is the first time I've come across him.
25. Roses Are Red (My Love) - Bobby Vinton https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8rjPC7-JMUM And now we have the original version. It has been number 1 in the US for the last four weeks. I think I prefer this one as his vocal delivery of the song is much better than Ronnie's. It will only peak at number 15 while Ronnie's cover will reach number 3.

Record of the week : 32. Sealed With A Kiss - Brian Hyland

There's no doubt this week. I've always liked this song. I know it well as it was a top 10 hit in 1975 after being re-issued. It will reach number 3 in its first chart run. The vocals, the song's melody, and the use of several different musical instruments make it a standout. The original version was recorded by The Four Voices in 1960 while Jason Donovan's 1989 cover will go all the way to number 1. This is Brian's second ROTW award. He has one more top 40 single to come this year.

Posted by: Popchartfreak 12th August 2022, 07:02 AM

Sealed With A Kiss is still a great record and I also got to love it in 1975's long hot summer. Bobby Vinton's version of Roses Are Red is better but his classic wont pop up till 1990 - Blue Velvet should have been a UK hit. Ronnie carroll was most known for Windmill In Old Amsterdam, a Juniors Choice fave for years. "I saw a mouse where, there on the stairs, a little mouse with clogs on, well I declare going clip clippity clop on the stairs". Classic, they dont write em like that anymore...

Posted by: King Rollo 17th August 2022, 07:00 PM

16th - 22nd August 1962

26. Dancin' Party - Chubby Checker https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PHfxA4GWfjE Chubby Checker releases a single without the word 'twist' in the title but it is included in the lyrics. It sounds very like 'Under The Moon Of Love' and you could easily sing that over this if you wanted to.

Record of the week : 35. Peter And The Wolf - The Clyde Valley Stompers

With little opposition, this version of Prokofiev's 'Peter And The Wolf' done in a trad jazz style takes the award. I did find this performance to be entertaining. The group were formed in Glasgow in 1952 but disbanded just a year after this hit the charts. It will peak at number 25 and will be their only top 40 single. The Russian composer wrote the piece in 1936 so it's only 26 years old at this point.

Posted by: Popchartfreak 18th August 2022, 08:15 AM

Ooh Trad Jazz not for me I'm afraid, had to suffer years of it on TV courtesy Kenny Ball and others, but I do love the original tune. Dancin Party was also a big hit for Showaddywaddy as per Under The Moon Of Love, and I think I prefer Dancin Party of the 2.

Posted by: King Rollo 23rd August 2022, 05:43 PM

23rd - 29th August 1962

26. Main Title Theme from 'The Man With The Golden Arm' - Jet Harris https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vBu3zSbvd4I There are some low guitar notes here and good use of the brass and woodwind section. The film was from 1955 so this is a cover version. It's the last of two solo singles for Jet Harris, he will team up with Tony Meehan next year.
27. The Ballad Of Paladin - Duane Eddy https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NSagjIc3slk A similar sound to this one which is also a cover of a theme song, in this case, it's the 50s TV show 'Have Gun - Will Travel'. I like the orchestration on this and prefer it to the Jet Harris tune.
29. So Do I - Kenny Ball And His Jazzmen https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dt-9TVIrLz8 Some more trad jazz now with vocals. It's an adaptation of a French song from the early 40s called 'Bel Ami'.
33. Welcome Home Baby - The Brook Brothers https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rMUfEwA18Js The fourth of five hits for the brothers is a decent enough pop song.
38. (Girls Girls Girls) Made To Love - Eddie Hodges https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GrTeeTtMtOc I thought I remembered this child singer. He had his first hit about a year ago. This time his father is giving him advice about girls.

Record of the week : 21. Pick A Bale Of Cotton - Lonnie Donegan

A difficult decision this week as nothing really stands out but I'm going for this one as I enjoyed the tambourine led rhythm and the vocal interaction between Lonnie and the backing singers. Looking through the youtube comments, it seems many Americans remember singing it in elementary school. The song dates back to 1933 with later cover versions like this one changing the lyrics to avoid any racial slurs. Peaking at number 11, it will be Lonnie Donegan's final top 40 hit.

Posted by: Popchartfreak 26th August 2022, 09:23 AM

Yes, nothing much to praise this week! Have Gun Will Travel was being repeated on Singapore TV in 1969/70 and mum and dad were fans of the show and Richard Boone. I quite liked it too. Duane Eddy is always OK by me.

Bel Ami has a different thing spring to mind in the gay world, but it's Kenny Ball so I'll give it a miss oops!

Eddie Hodges will be referenced by Little Jimmy Osmond's cover in 1974, but not this song sadly. I rather enjoy I'm Gonna Knock On Your Door.

Pick A Bail Of Cotton, of course it goes without saying, will never be bettered by anyone as ABBA recorded it as part of a medley B side. yes, Abba did a cover version. That sounds like I've made it up, but I haven't! I bought it, I played it a lot, I danced around in my bedroom to it. At least until the On Top Of Old Smokey bit comes in. I wish they'd stuck it into the Voyage show just to watch everyone's jaw hit the floor

Posted by: King Rollo 28th August 2022, 12:35 PM

I've just had a listen to Abba's version and yes, it's a good one.

Posted by: King Rollo 30th August 2022, 08:23 PM

30th August - 5th September 1962

27. Some People - Carol Deene https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z1u8KNUot0I The last of Carol's three top 40 hits is about the negative perception of some older people towards the younger generation. It's a cover of the theme song from the film of the same name. Her vocal here is a bit ragged and the recorder was a bit annoying.
34. She's Not You - Elvis Presley https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dr3Chk8Cg8s This will another number 1 single for Elvis but not one I like so he's still waiting for his first ROTW award.
36. Will I What? - Mike Sarne with Billie Davis https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FAY3cUgo89s Mike Sarne's follow up to his number 1 has a similar theme to it. Once again, he's trying to chat up a cockney sounding girl who finally gives in after some early reluctance. This one will only get to number 18. Billie Davis will have some hit singles of her own to come.
38. What Now My Love? - Shirley Bassey https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=csBLsfe7jNs A cover of a French song from 1961 based on Ravel's Bolero. As you'd expect from Shirley, it's powerful vocals and a big orchestral production.

Record of the week : 31. Spanish Harlem - Jimmy Justice

It's the original 1960 version by Ben E King that I know well but that one was never a hit in the UK, and this one has a very similar arrangement and the lead vocal is almost as good so it wins the award. The song was written by Jerry Lieber and Phil Spector. This will be the last of three hit singles for Jimmy Justice who is still alive.

Posted by: Popchartfreak 31st August 2022, 04:52 PM

TBH Spanish Harlem is almost impossible to ruin, I've loved versions by Ben E King, Mamas & The Papas, Aretha Franklin, and this one is fine too.

Old people having a go at young people? They used to say that in Roman times, that young people were surly and rude and never as well behaved as the older generation. People have such short memories, I know my generation was at least as "bad" as ones since (and probably worse)

Not one of Elvis' best, Billie Davis is an ex-Singerpurear BJSC of mine (and just missed the final) with her 1968 track, so this is fine by me, and Shirl is always Shirl...

Posted by: King Rollo 6th September 2022, 06:15 PM

6th - 12th September 1962

17. It'll Be Me - Cliff Richard and The Shadows https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hgnsTNiO5w0 An uptempo song from Cliff that will get to number 2. I'm not too familiar with this one, it was OK. Jerry Lee Lewis recorded the original version in 1957.
19. Don't That Beat All - Adam Faith with Johnny Keating and his orchestra https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c8DLVZbegsI A tenth top 10 single for Adam, I liked the fiddle playing and there's a harp in there too.
40. Teenage Idol - Rick Nelson https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q2xeL2_eSUY A ballad about how lonely life is like for a popstar who is always on the road with no chance of finding that special person. Just looking at his wiki page, I see he had a girlfriend at the time whom he married in 1963 so these lyrics are not autobiographical.

Record of the week : 36. Telstar - The Tornados

And of course, it has to be this ground breaking instrumental single. There are some vocals at the end but I think we can still count it as an instrumental. Written and produced by Joe Meek, it's that electronic keyboard sound that makes the record much more futuristic compared to others from this era. It will spend five weeks at number 1 and also top the Billboard chart, making the Tornados the first British group to have a number 1 single in the US. Worldwide, it will sell about 5 million copies.

Posted by: Jade 6th September 2022, 06:20 PM

I absolutely love 'Telstar'! the clavioline sound takes that infectious melody to another dimension, I can't imagine how it must've sounded at the time.

Posted by: Popchartfreak 7th September 2022, 07:01 PM

Ricky Nelson knew all about being a teen idol - he'd been the pinup star of his mum and dad's sitcom The Adventures Of Ozzie & Harriet (I missed the first-run in the 50's but caught it in later decades) from a very young age, along with his brother. Ricky got the music career though.

But, yes it's The Tornadoes and Telstar, which wipe the floor with almost any competition in 1962. It sounded like the future - and I agree Jade, it takes it to a new Dimension, for me the only comparable sound I'd heard like that was the Doctor Who theme tune (which I also loved to bits, being spooky-sounding, unearthly, and me obsessed with the show from day one - I've posted school-book reviews of the show and drawings I did when I was 6 ). My dad bought this single in 1966 when he bought our first record player after returning from serving in Aden, and I played it to death for years. The B side JUngle Fever is also pretty good, and in the same vein as Telstar!

Posted by: King Rollo 13th September 2022, 06:35 PM

13th - 19th September 1962

24. Sheila - Tommy Roe https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oDWM3bLEB3M The first hit for the American singer, this will reach number 3 and also top the US chart. I liked the drums and the guitar strumming and there's a Buddy Holly influence on his vocal.
34. Reminiscing - Buddy Holly https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fp4vYthXm_s I mentioned Buddy Holly without noticing that he was up next with another posthumous release. The highlight was the saxophone solo played by the song's writer, King Curtis.
36. Cry Myself To Sleep - Del Shannon https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-l_1UB2p13o Del's fifth hit and the first one not to reach the top 10. He reaches some very high notes during the song.
38. Rocket Man - The Spotnicks https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XVvGKZklugE A second hit for the Swedish guitar group. The first one was my ROTW and I like this one as well. It's based on the Russian folk march "Polyushko-polye". They are still in their spacemen outfits.
39. Sweet Little Sixteen - Jerry Lee Lewis https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P2mgUMaXg1Y Jerry's cover of the Chuck Berry song from 1958. The best part was the fast paced piano solo. It reminded me of something and I see now that Brian Wilson used the same melody for 'Surfin' USA' and was forced to give away the royalties from that song.

Record of the week : 25. The Loco-Motion - Little Eva

Like last week, it's an easy decision as another classic enters the chart. Written by Gerry Goffin and Carole King, the song was intended for Dee Dee Sharp but she passed on it, leaving the way clear for Carole's babysitter, Eva Boyd, who had recorded the demo. It will get to number 2 and will also be one of two versions of the song to be a US number 1, the other one being by Grand Funk Railroad in 1974. Kylie Minogue's version will reach number 3 there and number 2 in the UK.

Posted by: King Rollo 20th September 2022, 05:16 PM

20th - 26th September 1962

28. It Started All Over Again - Brenda Lee https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YMsU1P7_njE This is not as good as the last few chart hits by her. I liked the clarinet solo.
33. Puff - Kenny Lynch https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=timNJ0WTMXc A first appearance for Kenny Lynch but not his first hit which was back in 1960. The scraping string sound on this was interesting. I know him best for his comedy in the 70s.
35. Your Tender Look - Joe Brown and the Bruvvers https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PUXVIoXwe8U A decent song with acoustic guitar and some female backing singers. His last single got to number 2, but like his first three, this one will peak in the thirties.

Record of the week : 23. You Don't Know Me - Ray Charles

No standout this week but this was the best of the four new entries. Another great vocal from Ray while the strings and double bass were very calming. It's a cover of a 1956 song by Eddy Arnold who co-wrote it with Cindy Walker. It will peak at number 9.

Posted by: Popchartfreak 21st September 2022, 05:36 PM

Sheila is a great little record, and Tommy Roe would be the first record I ever bought with my own money in 7 years time The Locomotion, though, no question its still genius fun and was a hit all over again in 1972.

Ray Charles is pure class, and wow at that Kenny Lynch track, never heard that before, I really like it the weirdness and Kenny was a TV fave throughout the 60's and some of the 70s, though more of a comedian general entertainer by then. Oh, and the laptop sound system just went Puff while that was playing, it finally finished it off

Posted by: King Rollo 27th September 2022, 06:10 PM

27th September - 3rd October 1962

34. Ramblin' Rose - Nat King Cole https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mae_NJ_12sc I like this one, I think I've heard it before. Reaching number 5, it will be Nat's highest charting single since 1957.
36. A Forever Kind Of Love - Bobby Vee https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q0QEGXu2ETM A good pop song with the highlight being Norrie Paramor's orchestration recorded at the Abbey Road studio.
37. Blue Week-end - Karl Denver https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QfBZieqJ2EE Another remarkable yodelling performance by Karl. I'm not sure if the hyphen in weekend was necessary.
38. Lonely - Mr Acker Bilk with the Leon Young String Chorale https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WyYTgUl2gLE This is the third single put out while Stranger On The Shore continues its long run in the top 40. It has the same combination of clarinet and strings.

Record of the week : 24. It Might As Well Rain Until September - Carole King

A wonderful song, one of the best so far from 1962. It was written by Carole King and Gerry Goffin for Bobby Vee who we've already heard from today but Carole's demo version was so good, the record company decided to release it as a single. While only reaching number 22 in the US, it was a number 3 hit over here. After a few follow-up singles failed to chart, she went back to song writing. Her time as a singer/songwriter will come in the 1970s with a string of hit albums.

Posted by: Popchartfreak 28th September 2022, 04:38 PM

Utter classic that Carole King song, greatest female songwriter of the 60's bar none, not even close. She did the music, husband Gerry the lyrics. So good it was a hit again in 1972 after the global massive sales of Tapestry and outsold the singles off the follow-up album despite being a decade old. I bought it cos I loved it as a kid and as a teen.

Bobby Vee is always good, and Nat King Cole was a pretty well known song back in the day but not so much these days.

Posted by: King Rollo 4th October 2022, 06:02 PM

4th - 10th October 1962

Record of the week : 40. Devil Woman - Marty Robbins

There's only one new entry this week so this one automatically gets the award. Marty Robbins was an American country singer and there is a country tinge to the song but the guitar sounds certainly bring to mind somewhere more tropical. The person in the song has strayed with the devil woman but his wife Mary has forgiven him and taken him back. This is Marty's first top 40 hit since 1960 and it will reach number 5.

Posted by: Chopfartpeak 7th October 2022, 03:02 PM

Mum & dad loved Marty Robbins, so it's nice to see this get a walk-through to record of the week, certainly one of his better tracks

Posted by: Pting Rollo 11th October 2022, 05:57 PM

11th - 17th October 1962

22. Venus In Blue Jeans - Mark Wynter https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kgoH5S5AvZE Mark Wynter's fifth hit single and his most successful, reaching number 4. The subject of the song is a "teenage goddess from above" and the "eighth wonder of the world". It's a cover of an American hit by Jimmy Clanton although the original was a Bruce Bruno B side.
25. Sherry - The Four Seasons https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e6LqC9_iBBA I know this one well. It's the first hit for the group with Frankie Valli reaching some very high notes. A number 8 hit in the UK and an American number 1.
30. If A Man Answers - Bobby Darin https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2EzZEcYYJ9o Another hit for Bobby Darin, this one will miss the top 20. When he rings his girlfriend, he will end the relationship if a man answers the phone. I liked the guitar solo.
37. Send Me The Pillow You Dream On - Johnny Tillotson https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2EzZEcYYJ9o A country style ballad. He's no longer with the girl so he wants her pillow as a memory. If you miss out Sherry, we have a trilogy going on here with the lyrics. The original version goes way back to 1949.

Record of the week : 21. Let's Dance - Chris Montez

This is a great foot tapper. I love the way the drums and the electric organ combine here. It sadly didn't make the top of the chart, spending four weeks at number 2. It will be a top 10 hit again in 1972. It was the first hit single for the American singer whose real name is Ezekiel Montañez.

Posted by: Pting Rollo 18th October 2022, 06:21 PM

18th - 24th October 1962

19. Swiss Maid - Del Shannon https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SO3CT_Il8eg This will go as high as number 2 but I don't think I've heard it before. As there is a Swiss theme, he fits in a bit of yodelling. It's not as good as I was expecting from a Del Shannon single. The song's writer, Roger Miller, recorded the original version in 1961.
35. The Pay Off (Amoi De Payer) - Kenny Ball and his Jazzmen https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WgcemSUqWs4 Another instrumental hit for the group. Unlike the last four, it will fail to make the top 20. The clarinet is prominent here and Dave Jones gets a separate credit on the record.

Record of the week : 32. Bobby's Girl - Susan Maughan

An easy decision this week with this enduring pop song from the English singer. It's a cover of Marcie Blane's US number 3 hit from the same time. This version will reach the same position on the UK chart and both singers will have no more top 40 singles with Susan's follow-ups charting at 41 and 45. She is now 84 years old and living in Eastbourne.

Posted by: Pting Rollo 25th October 2022, 06:27 PM

25th - 31st October 1962

16. Lovesick Blues - Frank Ifield https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O9NIJ9yQS5E Frank Ifield's second number 1 single, this will spend five weeks at the top of the chart. Once again, it features some yodelling. I don't see the appeal of this one at all. The song goes back to 1922 but this version is based around Hank Williams' update of it from 1949.
28. Oh, Lonesome Me - Craig Douglas https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4rXae5Ug098 An energetic country song with plenty going on instrumentally. I quite liked it. The original was by Don Gibson in 1957.
37. Because Of Love - Billy Fury https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gmXzXdKUxTw This song has already been recorded by Elvis but not released yet. It's from his 'Girls! Girls! Girls!' movie which is out in November so it's quite a canny move from Billy Fury's record company to steal a march on him and Billy does sound a lot like Elvis on this one.
38. He Got What He Wanted (But He Lost What He Had) - Little Richard https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A9Jy2tUFQjc Little Richard's first hit since 1959. His distinctive vocal style is here but the song itself wasn't great and this will go no higher than 38.
40. Keep Away From Other Girls - Helen Shapiro https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y9Hazw6DcV8 Helen has finally turned 16. The song had a decent chorus to it. The single will spend three weeks at number 40. Looking at Jimwatts' helpful thread in the Charts Forum, I see it's the first single to do that. It won't happen again until 1977.

Record of the week : 30. No One Can Make My Sunshine Smile - The Everly Brothers

No standouts this week so I've chosen this one for the vocal harmonies, the song's melody and the musical arrangement which includes piano, guitars and drums. It will be the brothers' 19th top 40 single, peaking at number 11.

Posted by: JaDevil Woman 25th October 2022, 06:30 PM

Belated appreciation for 'Let's Dance'! The organ on that one is really standout.

The vocals on 'Sherry' and 'Lovesick Blues' are both pretty jarring there are quite a few songs I do enjoy by the Four Seasons at least, but can't get past Frank Ifield’s yodelling at all

Posted by: King Rollo 1st November 2022, 06:30 PM

1st - 7th November 1962

31. Ever Since You Said Goodbye - Marty Wilde https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FXBKhxVnJLs A decent pop song, I liked the guitar intro. This will be the last of his eleven top 40 singles but he's far from finished. With a charting album in 2020, he has the distinction of UK chart success, either as a singer or a songwriter, across eight consecutive decades.
33. Sun Arise - Rolf Harris https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lwtnBm8glPE Recorded in 1960 but not released in the UK until now, this is the first of the two George Martin produced singles to enter the top 40 this week. With its Aboriginal sound, it's certainly a bit different. It's his first hit since 1960 and will reach number 3. I heard that after he was arrested, he started singing this song in the police station as he was more comfortable with his stage persona than being himself.
39. Must Be Madison - Joe Loss And His Orchestra https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DVAG15XS5sE An unremarkable easy listening orchestral tune. We will have to wait another two years for his final hit single.

Record of the week : 32. Love Me Do - The Beatles

I was expecting this a few weeks ago as my book of hit singles showed it entering the chart on 11th October but I didn't know it spent its first three weeks at 49,46 and 41. The single will go down to 37 next week and then take a further seven weeks to reach its peak position of number 17 so the Beatles didn't exactly take the chart by storm at this stage. Listening to it now, it's the bass guitar as well as the more obvious harmonica than stand out. The 20th anniversary re-issue will take the single to number 4.

Posted by: Jade 1st November 2022, 06:43 PM

The Fab Four making a splash in the chart now 'Love Me Do' is pretty basic but charming all the same. I agree that the harmonica, played by John, is a standout feature.

Posted by: Popchartfreak 1st November 2022, 08:06 PM

ooh crikey a blitz of charts!

Love Venus In Blue Jeans (though its dated a lot) as dad had the single and my little brother loved it too (cos he shares the name Mark). Sherry would be my pick from that week I think, Ive seen Frankie Valli and Jersey Boys and it comes over well, but then again so does Chris Montez, a top 3 for me in 1972 when it was a hit again.

Oh and there's more! Bobby's Girl was my first-ever pop-song-I'm-mad-on, I couldnt get enough of it aged 4 and 5. I sang along to it quite happily oblivious of the gender. Still do. Susan maughan was a powerhouse vocal, like she was demanding to be bobby's girl, not like weedy Marcy Blane fawning for it.

The Everly's get a freebie pass, in a week with not much standing out, and then everything changes the following week. Yes it's an epic week as the fabulous Sun Arise brings ethnic aboriginal sounds to the charts. Still Rolf's 2nd-best record. Marty Wilde almost had another hit in 1968 with the big radio fave Abergavenny, but he had to wait for son Ricky for a next crack at pre-teenypop stardom in 1972 and his oldest daughter Kim to turn 18 for Kids In America and much much more. Ricky & Marty masterminded/wrote Kim's still-fabulous career. Saw her a few weeks ago again. Marty's due again soon too on tour.

Oh, yes, that little Scouse combo. Love Me Do. Whatever happened to them? Showed so much promise with this catchy charming debut, and then...nothing much.....

Posted by: King Rollo 8th November 2022, 07:06 PM

8th - 14th November 1962

27. Love Me Tender - Richard Chamberlain https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nPYMUrs-jXI A dreary, unnecessary cover version. The harmonica was the best bit.
38. Warmed Over Kisses - Brian Hyland https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=63ts5t244_o Brian's last two singles both won my ROTW award. This one isn't in the same league. Excluding re-issues, it will be his last top 40 hit and he's still only 19 years old.
39. (Dance With The) Guitar Man - Duane Eddy https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6gk85_TIT_w I enjoyed this one. There are some vocals by The Rebelettes but they are kept to the right speaker with Duane's guitar in the centre and the drums coming from the left. This will be his fourth top 5 single.

Record of the week : 24. The James Bond Theme - The John Barry Orchestra

It has to be this one, of course. If you played this to anyone in the world, it's very likely that they would know what it is. It was written by Monty Norman for the first James Bond film, Dr. No, and has been used somewhere in all the subsequent films. John Barry's claims to be the writer of the theme have been dismissed in court. The single will peak at number 13 which is five places lower than Moby's remix in 1997.

Posted by: Jade 8th November 2022, 07:13 PM

What a legendary piece of music! I quite enjoy the aforementioned Moby version too

Posted by: Popchartfreak 9th November 2022, 07:54 PM

No argument there, James Bond theme is timeless and evocative. Still. I do love that Duane Eddy track though, and his next Rebelettes hit was still 13 years in the future! Shame to be a pop-has-been at 19, Brian setting up later trend-followers like Tiffany - but they all do all right in the nostalgia tours when they get older so it all works out fine. Richard Chamberlain was TV heart-throb Dr. Kildare, a sort of Robson & Jerome of his day. Only he could sing a bit.

Posted by: King Rollo 17th November 2022, 07:22 PM

15th - 21st November 1962

27. Desafinado - Stan Getz and Charlie Byrd https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DzKTrVLu1ww A saxophone based instrumental. It's from an album called 'Jazz Samba' which is a good description of its sound. It's the sort of thing you might hear in an elevator or while you're on hold to a call centre.
33. Little Black Book - Jimmy Dean https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9oQyNlYPNVU A chirpy country song with a prominent harmonica. We last heard from him a year ago with 'Big Bad John' and this will be his last top 40 hit.
34. It Only Took A Minute - Joe Brown and The Bruvvers https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNsUT_J9zAM Joe's fourth hit of the year, this one will get to number 6. It was OK, the backing singers contributed quite a lot.
38. Limbo Rock - Chubby Checker https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zSGB09ktsy0 Chubby has finally had enough of the twist and has moved on to the limbo. I liked this, especially the percussion. This is the first vocal version of the song. It will reach number 2 in the US but the British are not so keen, only number 32 here.
39. My Love And Devotion - Matt Monro https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ONkBH8HokcM Old fashioned orchestral ballad. Doris Day's original version was a new entry on the second week of the UK chart in 1952.

Record of the week : 37. Can Can '62 - Peter Jay and The Jaywalkers

An excellent version of the familiar can can tune which dates back to the 19th Century. It never stands still for more than 10 seconds with a full range of instruments being used, all held together by Joe Meek's production. Peaking at number 31, it was the only hit single for the group who went on to support the Beatles on their November/December 1963 tour. They split up in 1966. Assuming their wiki page is up to date, Peter Jay is still alive and owns and manages the Yarmouth Hippodrome.

Posted by: Popchartfreak 19th November 2022, 04:22 PM

Ooh I know Desafinado without realising it. Nice tune. Not as epic as Girl From Ipanema though. Turns out I also know Limbo Rock without knowing I know it, though not this version. I must have known the instrumental version or a cover version from a film or something. Can Can is just so famous, but its the Bad Manners version I know best! This is OK.

Joe brown is one I know I like. So I'd plump for Joe or Desafinado.

Posted by: King Rollo 22nd November 2022, 06:55 PM

22nd - 28th November 1962

27. The Main Attraction - Pat Boone https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ntrqkN2SvKo This is the theme from a film that Pat starred in. As it was based in a circus, we have the appropriate sound effects. It's the last of his 26 top 40 hits which started in 1955. He's still alive, aged 88.
33. If Only Tomorrow - Ronnie Carroll https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A2Zxg6tBBjM An awful ballad that will go no higher than number 33.

Record of the week : 40. Next Door To An Angel - Neil Sedaka

The bar was set low this week so it's an easy decision. This does sound quite a lot like his last hit, Breaking Up Is Hard To Do, with the multi-tracked vocals, but it's still a good song. The single will peak at number 29. Excluding a re-issue, we won't hear from him again until 1973.

Posted by: Popchartfreak 22nd November 2022, 07:56 PM

Very easy decision there! Pat Boones daughter and neil sedakas daughter will both feature on future us hits i think, or at least on neils records for one of em. Ronnie carroll will never top windmill in old amsterdam for me.

Posted by: King Rollo 1st December 2022, 06:49 PM

29th November - 5th December 1962

26. Return To Sender - Elvis Presley https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=On43YAy17zQ This is certainly one of Elvis' better songs but a ROTW award still eludes him. The song's writers, Winfield Scott and Otis Blackwell, came up with the idea for the lyrics after a demo for another song they sent to a record company was returned to them with the words "return to sender" stamped on it. This will go on to be the Christmas number 1.
34. We're Gonna Go Fishin' - Hank Locklin https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PBUuw0TRy3I An uptempo country song about preferring to take a girl fishing than dancing. I enjoyed it. His last top 40 hit was in 1960 and we will have to wait another four years for the next one.

Record of the week : 30. Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree - Brenda Lee

So I've chosen this Christmas classic. It was recorded in 1958 when Brenda was only 13 years old. She sounds a lot older. It will be her third top 10 single of the year, peaking at number 6. In 2021, it managed to beat that position by reaching number 5.

Posted by: Popchartfreak 2nd December 2022, 09:34 AM

Well it has to be Brenda doesn't it? Still not out of the question that it gets to top the UK charts one day, and more popular now than it ever was in the 60s through the 90s. We went out for our works christmas drinks yesterday in a large temporary Town-based German-themed Xmas-decked wooden lodge and it was playing as we went in. Still making memories 64 years on!

Posted by: King Rollo 8th December 2022, 07:18 PM

6th - 12th December 1962

18. The Next Time / Bachelor Boy - Cliff Richard and The Shadows https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ndvKhV1zWH0 / https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5VB1ea37fKA Both sides are from the film 'Summer Holiday' which will be out in January. The Next Time is a ballad with the Norrie Paramor Orchestra while Bachelor Boy is more uptempo. Both are quite good, little did Cliff know at the time that he would remain a bachelor boy. This will spend eight weeks in the top 2 with three of them at number 1.
34. Heartaches - Patsy Cline https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y_svCiBlBbg Despite the subject matter of heartaches, this is quite a fast paced song. The original version goes back to 1931. It will be her only top 40 hit until a re-issue of Crazy in 1990. She was killed in a plane crash in March 1963.
36. Always You And Me - Russ Conway https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=blyoUdeKyCA Another piano tune from Russ but he speaks some lyrics in this one. It reminds me of the no.1 single, If by Telly Savalas but it's not as bad. I liked the orchestral part and opera style female backing vocal. This will be the last of his eighteen top 40 singles, including two number 1s.
38. Desafinado - Ella Fitzgerald https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UiOVouZEFEQ We had an instrumental version of Desafinado three weeks ago and now here's a vocal version. As you'd expect, she sings it very well. This is her first hit single since 1960.
40. Baby Face - Bobby Darin https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VSIVwN0cvns I certainly know the song, which goes back to 1926, but not this version. I liked the lengthy instrumental break.

Record of the week : 31. Like I Do - Maureen Evans

This uses a familiar melody but I wouldn't be able to name it. After some research, I see it's the Dance Of The Hours from the opera La Gioconda, composed by Amilcare Ponchielli. I probably know it from being used in various comedy TV programmes from the 70s. It was also used in the Disney film, Fantasia. I haven't heard this pop version with lyrics before. There's a very good vocal from the Welsh singer here. The song was first recorded by Nancy Sinatra earlier in 1962. This will be Maureen Evans' biggest hit, reaching number 3. She is still alive, aged 82.

Posted by: Popchartfreak 9th December 2022, 08:30 AM

Like I do is fun, but I know the tune best from the brilliant kiddie comedy record Hello Muddah Hello Faddah from Alan sherman, a Junior's Choice fave well into the 70's. I didnt know the fabulous Nancy Sinatra recorded Like I Do first!

My top choice has to be The Next Time - at the time I loved bachelor Boy, dad bought that single around 1966 as an oldie so I grew up with it and saw Summer Holiday at the cinema more than once in the 60's, the double decker bus was iconic, but now I'm older it's the gorgeous ballad that grabs me, one of Cliff's best tracks of the 60's.

Heartaches is decent, and baby face was covered by millions, Little Richard notably, but there was also a 70's disco instrumental version that springs to mind.

Posted by: King Rollo 9th December 2022, 08:14 PM

I had forgotten about Hello Muddah Hello Faddah. That's probably where I know it from as well.

I didn't know Nancy Sinatra was recording as early as 1962. Her version of Like I Do got to number 2 in Italy. I suppose they knew the opera tune well over there.

Posted by: Sausage Rollo 15th December 2022, 07:02 PM

13th - 19th December 1962

24. Dance On! - The Shadows https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZIdvak91fs Another evocative instrumental from the Shadows and another number 1. It was written by the three members of the pop group The Avons. A vocal version by someone else will hit the chart in eight months so I look forward to hearing that.
36. Baby Take A Bow - Adam Faith https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_q7tLex8f5M A twee love song, this is Adam's 14th hit single and will be the first not to make the top 20.
38. Go Away Little Girl - Mark Wynter https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hU8NIMmzQ5Y A good arrangement on this one with harmonica, guitars and strings. Written by Gerry Goffin and Carole King, it's one of only nine songs to be a US number 1 for two different acts, in this case, Steve Lawrence and Donny Osmond. The original recording was by Bobby Vee.
39. Susie Darlin' - Tommy Roe https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nNN7jhuQr_Y A melancholic song from Tommy Roe, a cover of a 1958 single by Robin Luke.

Record of the week : 40. Up On The Roof - Kenny Lynch

The second Goffin & King written song this week has a great melody with lyrics about escaping a crowded city by climbing the stairs of a building to the roof. Kenny Lynch's version is similar to the original by The Drifters which wasn't a hit in the UK. It will peak at number 10. A 1995 cover by Robson & Jerome will reach number 1 as part of a double A side.

Posted by: Popchartfreak 15th December 2022, 09:28 PM

Go Away Little Girl is fab goffin and king - tho i prefer bobby vee or donny's version. My brother was mad on mark wynter and i was mad on kathy kirby. Speaking of, i needed to remind myself of Dance On snd its an oh yeah THAT tune know it well moment. Great record. Dont know the adam or tommy roe songs but both are fun. Tommy foing his best buddy holly almost 7 years before Dizzy became the first record i bought with my own pocket money.

Up On The Roof. Genius song. One of those songs that make bad singers sound good its just indestructible. See Light My Fire for another one. Kenny Lynch was fab. Our house loved Kenny in everything he did!

Posted by: Sausage Rollo 20th December 2022, 06:29 PM

20th - 26th December 1962

25. Your Cheating Heart - Ray Charles https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SRVDQ1UQb1M A well sung ballad with strings, piano and double bass. It's a cover of a Hank Williams song from 1952.
32. Me And My Shadow - Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis Jr https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e5hXtGkzZ9k Two giants of swing music combine with this version of a song written in 1927. It will be the last of Sammy's eight top 40 singles.
34. Island Of Dreams - The Springfields https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3vIPpRAVdrg It's a year since we last heard from the Springfields. This is a good song with a fine vocal from Dusty. It will reach number 5.
38. Gossip Calypso - Bernard Cribbins https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yKNYOh8iK6g This is the third and final novelty hit for Bernard Cribbins, once again produced by George Martin. It's about some gossiping women and isn't as good as his other two singles.

Record of the week : 40. He's A Rebel - The Crystals

There's no doubt it has to be this one, the future of pop. Some great vocals, percussion and a saxophone solo. It's not the first UK hit for Phil Spector but it is the first one since I started in May 1961. The Crystals don't actually sing on this, they were touring the east coast at the time. Phil Spector was in a hurry to record the song in Los Angeles as he knew Vikki Carr was about to release her version so another girl group, The Blossoms, recorded it but the single was still released under the name of The Crystals and topped the US chart. In the UK, it got to number 19.

Posted by: Sausage Rollo 27th December 2022, 06:31 PM

27th December 1962 - 2nd January 1963

36. The Madison - Ray Ellington https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fWywgmizUoY An OK jazzy, big band song. The Madison was a dance which was popular at the time. This was the only hit for the Londoner who was a regular guest on the Goon Show.
39. Dear Lonely Hearts - Nat King Cole https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xTfg-svL7NA It's time to bid a fond farewell to Nat King Cole who appeared at number 3 on the very first chart. This will be the last of his 29 top 40 hits over the ten years. Some re-issues will return him to the chart in the 80s and 90s. This particular song isn't one of his best.

Record of the week : 40. Jingle Bell Rock - Chubby Checker and Bobby Rydell

It's not a great week for new entries but I think this is the best one and I might as well pick a Christmas song. The more well known 1957 version by Bobby Helms is at number 14 on the current 2022 chart. This cover is not as good and will go no higher than number 40. It's Chubby's fourth top 40 hit of the year and Bobby's first since 1960.

Posted by: King Rollo 3rd January 2023, 06:42 PM

3rd - 9th January 1963

31. Don't You Think It's Time - Mike Berry & The Outlaws https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j2jK8bMj3K0 An upbeat pop song produced by Joe Meek. It will be Mike's biggest hit, reaching number 6.
33. Up On The Roof - Julie Grant https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=meWwt1t6DKs So we have another version of this now. It's slightly faster than the Kenny Lynch version and has more of a pop sound to it, a good effort. This is the first hit for the singer from Blackpool.
40. Keep Your Hands Off My Baby - Little Eva https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=51M46WNOYEI My last three records of the week have all been new entries at number 40 but that run does not continue as this one misses out. Like The Locomotion, it was written by Goffin & King. Her vocal stands out but the song itself isn't as good.

Record of the week : 32. Let's Go - The Routers

So today I learned that this is where the 'clap-clap, clap-clap-clap, clap-clap-clap-clap' used in sports events originates. It's always followed by a two syllable chant, it could be "Arsenal", "England" or, in this case, "Let's Go". The rest of the record has a surf sound to it with guitars, drums and a great saxophone solo. It was the only hit for the American group and will peak at number 32. Some of the Routers were also part of the Wrecking Crew who played on many other hit records.

Posted by: Popchartfreak 3rd January 2023, 07:12 PM

Doh! The fab Island Of Dreams and Your Cheatin' Heart have the misfortune to clash with He's A Rebel, which is fabulous! Gene Pitney song, what a talent and singer!

Me & My Shadow was a TV staple on variety shows back when, and I dont know any of the Christmas week new entries, I'd prob go for Nat just because it's him but Chubby Checker still enjoys a good bit of self-promo.

The January ones I also don't know but The Wrecking Crew were legendary session men in the 60's, 2 Goffin & King songs, and a Joe Meek production just says "class" to me. Mike Berry only had to wait until 1980 for another big hit after his early run, though he did make my personal charts in early 1975 covering Don't Be Cruel. It's more of a reinvention than an Elvis cover and I'm just playing it now for the first time in 48 years off youtube yeah still like it, and the Billy Swan version which was about the same at that time.

Posted by: King Rollo 13th January 2023, 06:28 PM

10th - 16th January 1963

22. The Lonely Bull (El Solo Torro) - Tijuana Brass https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6uqPBZncL5Q A Spanish sounding instrumental with the trumpet being played by Herb Alpert.
28. Globetrotter - The Tornados https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UJsvcyfESd8 This is not as good as Telstar but I enjoyed it. It sounds like they're using sleigh bells but it's a bit late for Christmas.
35. Just For Kicks - Mike Sarne https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=to9A1nJoCgM Mike Sarne's third hit and this time there is no female spoken part. This one's about his motorcycle and wanting to get a bird up on his bike.
39. Funny All Over - The Vernons Girls https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UAH1z9ebn6A The second and final top 40 hit for the Liverpool employees. I thought I'd already heard more than one song from them. This one was dreadful, it's about getting funny all over every time someone called Billy is seen.

Record of the week : 24. Coming Home Baby - Mel Torme

This sounds like a black man singing so I'm surprised to find out he was white. It's a very soulful vocal performance with jazz instrumentation, backing vocals by the Cookies and a stylish electric organ solo in the middle. The song was first recorded as an instrumental in 1961 but this is the first version with vocals. He only had two hits with the first one way back in 1956. This one will peak at number 13.

Posted by: fiesta 13th January 2023, 06:56 PM

The b-side of the Mel Torme hit, Right Now some of you may recognise as it was a hit for The Creatures in 1983.

Posted by: Popchartfreak 13th January 2023, 07:26 PM

The Creatures version of Right Now is amazing (aka Siouxsie & Budgie of The Banshees), and Mel Torme was around quite a lot in the 80's as his jazz stylings became cool again. I'd opt for that track here (or The Tornados).

The Tornados could never top telstar, but Joe Meek productions always worth hearing. Herb Alpert always great with or without trumpet, though some of the Tijuana Brass can get samey and annoyingly upbeat. But, hey Bacharach;s This Guy's In Love vocal version is brilliant, disco-era 70's comeback fab and 80's Jam & Lewis/Janet Jackson dance stormers, the man is a legend - plus he owned A&M - Janet jackson, carpenters, among many big acts he spotted and signed up.

Vernons (football pools) better known as one of The Pearls, the one who married Joe Brown (mum to Sam Brown), the one who married Marty Wilde (and mum of Kim and Ricky Wilde).

Posted by: King Rollo 20th January 2023, 06:19 PM

17th - 23rd January 1963

32. Ruby Ann - Marty Robbins https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fgey3pWcCYc A fairly standard country song, the guitar solo in the middle was the highlight. This will be Marty's last hit single. He will go on to be a NASCAR driver.
37. It's Up To You - Rick Nelson https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vP0wSJcRa6s A decent bass guitar driven mid-tempo song with some trumpet playing thrown in.
39. Don't Hang Up - The Orlons https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dvfBsFj6Nts This is all a bit messy with a man with a deep voice, a woman with a high voice and the main female singers in between. It's a fun song, though, and I quite enjoyed it. It will be their only UK hit but they had three top 5 singles in the US and they're still going as a group after 63 years.
40. All Alone Am I - Brenda Lee https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ae942o_pCVs Another impressive vocal performance from Brenda on this ballad with harpsichord and strings. The original version was from a 1960 Greek film.

Record of the week : 12. Diamonds - Jet Harris and Tony Meehan

An instrumental from the two former Shadows. The highlight is certainly Tony Meehan's drum solo. Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones also played on the record. This will spend three weeks at number 1.

Posted by: Popchartfreak 20th January 2023, 06:28 PM

I always forget the tune to Diamonds but its one I know well from days of being 5 and it popping up on telly. So many 60s instrumentals I know but dont know I know!

Brenda Lee track is a goodie, t'others dont ring a bell but i alwsys like Ricky Nelson.

Posted by: King Rollo 26th January 2023, 06:51 PM

24th - 30th January 1963

14. Little Town Flirt - Del Shannon https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQLQp8drUf4 An OK pop/rock song with the female backing singers making a big contribution. I already knew the song as an ELO cover version is one of the bonus tracks on the CD re-issue of Discovery.
16. Some Kinda Fun - Chris Montez https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9jVpS0swk5U This is a good follow-up to Let's Dance which it bears many similarities to. There's good use of the stereo sound with the electric organ on the right and the drums and guitars on the left.
18. Big Girls Don't Cry - The Four Seasons https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CemblK8T5n4 I know this one well, Frankie Valli's falsetto combines effectively with the deeper voices of the other singers. It will top the Billboard chart but only reach number 13 in the UK.
22. Sukiyaki - Kenny Ball And His Jazzmen https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MfkjskIT_IY A Japanese song by Kyu Sakamoto done in the trad jazz style. The original will chart in the summer, I predict it will be much better than this version.
29. Wayward Wind - Frank Ifield https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=puLdyvepTu4 A country song set in the Wild West with some yodelling. The original version goes back to 1956. This will be a third number 1 for Frank, making him the first UK act to have three consecutive number 1 singles.
32. A Taste Of Honey - Mr Acker Bilk with the Leon Young String Chorale https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D0lBqEJ5BCc Another calming clarinet instrumental with a fine string arrangement. This will be Acker's last hit until 1976.
34. Charmaine - The Bachelors https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O3P4jqi1Y9w A new group from Ireland who we'll be hearing much more from but they can't be described as being cutting edge. This cover of a song from the 1920s is certainly aimed at the older record buyers.
38. My Little Girl - The Crickets https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JxoGaNPcU9g Clocking in at under two minutes, this a good pop song with the piano combining well with the drum rhythm.
40. Loo-Be-Loo - The Chucks https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JcTBre0dVGc This was a fun song which I enjoyed. The lead singer has quite a raspy vocal style. I can find very little information about the group. They were from Liverpool and this is their only hit single.

Record of the week : 33. Please Please Me - The Beatles

I don't think there have been as many as ten new entries in one week since I started this thread but The Beatles still come out on top. As with their first single, the harmonica is prominent along with guitars, drums and some great harmonies. The single will top the NME and Melody Maker charts but not the Record Retailer chart which is the one that is now considered to be the official chart. Frank Ifield and Cliff Richard will both prevent them from getting their first number 1 single.

Posted by: Popchartfreak 26th January 2023, 07:17 PM

Well, as the greatest pop music act of all-time it would be hard to argue against Please Please Me being pick of the week, especially as they wrote originally as a Roy Orbison-esque dramatic ballad. And my fave band of all-time.

And yet....Big Girls Don't Cry is SO catchy and joyous and criminally under-appreciated in the UK (Presumably cos the Four Seasons just didnt get any TV appearances while the rest of 'em - bar Del Shannon and Chris Montez) were popping up everywhere on the 2 channels. I certainly know Charmaine and Wayward Wind inside out and fondly think of both (dad had Wayward Wind as a single in 1966). Little Down Flirt is a goodie. Sukiyaki is far and away the best record though, but not Kenny Ball's version! I entered the song into the BJSC contest way back when in the only version that counts.

Posted by: Brer 27th January 2023, 10:16 AM

Today I learned Kyu Sakamoto's wasn't the only version of 'Ue O Muite Arukō' (to use its actual title rather than the random unrelated Japanese word that was chosen to market the song in the West) that charted.

Posted by: JulianT 27th January 2023, 11:47 PM

Please Please Me
That one never grows old for me whereas some of the early Beatles singles I can kind of live without hearing again.
This thread is definitely going to be very useful for me if and when I reach 1961 in mine!

Posted by: Jade 27th January 2023, 11:57 PM

Belated appreciation for 'Diamonds' I was instantly hooked as soon as I heard it for the first time during my first ever marathon of all the #1s, glad it came out on top for you.

Of course happy to see The Beatles popping up again too! My height of appreciation for them is the more psychedelic eras but this is a good'un from the earlier singles.

Posted by: King Rollo 31st January 2023, 08:03 PM

31st January - 6th February 1963

29. Loop-De-Loop - Frankie Vaughan https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJL7FJtozm4 This is another version of the song by The Chucks we had last week with a slightly different title. I much preferred their version, this one is more like a chaotic pub singalong. The original is actually by an American called Johnny Thunder with the chorus based on a 19th Century children's song.
32. The Alley Cat Song - David Thorne https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OygcAq3FFzA A swing style song with the female backing singers providing the meows. It will be the American singer's only hit.
40. What Now - Adam Faith with Johnny Keating and his orchestra https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RdMO3zeqjDc This would work better as an instrumental as I find Adam's vocal to be irritating on this one. The instruments used include a tuba and a theremim.

Record of the week : 39. Walk Right In - The Rooftop Singers

I'm going with this interesting piece of folk/pop, a cover of a 1929 country song. There's plenty of acoustic guitar strumming with one female singer harmonising with the two males. It will reach number 1 in the US this week so I've looked at Telsorrow's review and he gave it 6 out of 10 which I'm inclined to agree with. In the UK, it will peak at number 10, the group's only hit single. They split up in 1967.

Posted by: King Rollo 7th February 2023, 04:20 PM

7th - 13th February 1963

26. Hava Nagila - The Spotnicks https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEPnzfyG-2o A third hit for the Swedish group and this will be the only one to make the top 20. The tune originated in Israel and this version keeps that Middle Eastern sound, it's quite good.
32. Blame It On The Bossa Nova - Eydie Gorme https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7XpWOBEZLEs A Latin flavoured pop song which I enjoyed and was close to getting the ROTW title today. Eydie didn't like it and deliberately put in a below par performance in the hope that it wouldn't get released but it was and gave her a top 10 hit in the US. Over here, it will spend four consecutive weeks at number 32. There's still plenty of personality in her vocal and the electric keyboard solo was an interesting diversion.
37. Tell Him - Billie Davis https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r2hUS7EBTUA We last heard Billie Davis with Mike Sarne and this is her first solo hit. It's the second week in a row we have a cover of a song first recorded by Johnny Thunder. It's a good pop song but her vocal is quite ragged in places.

Record of the week : 30. The Night Has A Thousand Eyes - Bobby Vee

I know this one already and it gets the award, a good pop song with a memorable chorus and string arrangement. I thought that this clip might be from a film but it's a promo video made for the video jukeboxes set up in bars and restaurants that I've mentioned before. It will peak at number 3, the last of Bobby Vee's seven top 10 singles, he has one more minor hit to come.

Posted by: Popchartfreak 7th February 2023, 05:37 PM

Walk Right In is a catchy old song that stuck with me as a kiddie, still like it and an easy win for that week. Never knew it was that old the song though!

Next week is much fabber, Bobby Vee totally love The Night Has A Thousand Eyes - one I knew and liked as a kid, but one I grew to love even more when I rediscovered it in the 70's and especially the 80's. Crackin' tune.

Tell Him is a good record, it was a hit in 1974 for Glam Rock band Hello, so for me that's the original version, but Billie Davis' is quite cute too. Eydie Gorme will be doing an all-time fave for me, one I still love to bits. Not this one though, not familiar with it but the song I know. S'OK.

Ditto The Spotnicks version of Hava Nagila - dont know it, but they are good, the song is good and the vocal versions were everywhere in the 60's. A romp! I always thought Hava Nagila was from Fiddler On The Roof, but it isn't it's from 1918 and was made famous by Harry Belafonte (THAT'S why I know it so well!) and Glen Campbell also recorded it, bet he did the finger-plucking manic guitar version of Dick Dale's surfer instrumental version...

Posted by: King Rollo 14th February 2023, 07:53 PM

14th - 20th February 1963

26. That's What Love Will Do - Joe Brown and The Bruvvers https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FCDUvqnrMDQ A pleasant pop song with acoustic guitars and an unexpected Spanish guitar solo. This will go as high as number 3.
33. Queen For Tonight - Helen Shapiro https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=of-gmKmKfe0 Another good vocal from Helen but the song was just average and the backing vocals were annoying.
34. Like I've Never Been Gone - Billy Fury https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJ8-cQ6lEaY An Elvis style mid-tempo ballad. It's a cover of a Chase Webster song and will give Billy his first top 3 hit since 1961.
37. I Saw Linda Yesterday - Doug Sheldon https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YGMv5hzbbGQ I was trying to think what song this reminded me of and then saw Runaround Sue on his list of previous singles, that's the one. He's trying to recreate it here. This will be his last top 40 hit. He became an actor and novelist and is still alive, aged 86.
40. Hey Paula - Paul and Paula https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ogYVuITwJOE For Valentine's Day, we have this soppy love song. Their real names are Ray and Jill. It's another American number 1 single that I haven't heard before.

Record of the week : 36. Boss Guitar - Duane Eddy and The Rebelettes

Nothing really stood out this week so I have to go for Duane Eddy who is always good value. As well as the distinctive guitar, we also have some fine drumming and backing vocals and a joyous saxophone solo. One of the youtube comments says it's Darlene Love singing in the last twenty seconds of the record. This will peak at number 27.

Posted by: Popchartfreak 16th February 2023, 09:00 AM

The only ones I know from the time are Paul & Paula and Joe Brown, both of which I like, though Joe's has probably weathered better. Joe was and still is great, and touring and always worth a ticket - his hits he tends to breeze through as he doesnt need them to make a great concert, but they dont hurt either!

I dont recognise that Duane Eddy track at all (just played it) but I expect I heard and liked my heroes Helen Shapiro and Billy Fury at the time. Doug Sheldon means nothing to me, never heard of him!

Posted by: King Rollo 21st February 2023, 05:48 PM

21st - 27th February 1963

38. Hi-Lili Hi-Lo - Richard Chamberlain https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h9_whtCO5e0 A plodding ballad. The original dates back to 1952 and this version sounds as if it's from that era as well.
39. From A Jack To A King - Ned Miller https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vJEs2uM7zaM A country ballad with the guitar as the only instrument and some backing vocals. The single wasn't a hit when first released in 1957 but it does much better this time, spending three weeks at number 2. It will be his only top 40 hit.

Record of the week : 27. Summer Holiday - Cliff Richard and The Shadows

With little opposition, Cliff gains another ROTW award. The song has a fairly simple arrangement but it's one that everyone knows and can relate to if they've been on holiday. It will spend two weeks at number 1 before being replaced by The Shadows for one week and then go back to the top spot for one more week.

Posted by: Popchartfreak 21st February 2023, 07:27 PM

Ned Miller's OK, but Summer Holiday is a childhood anthem with memories of seeing it at the cinema and dreams of bunking off in a double-decker round the world when we got older. Some actually DID do exactly that, but not me sadly. It's not the massive favourite these days except to those that were kids then, but I still love the simple tune. Plus, the film had Una Stubbs in it.

Posted by: King Rollo 28th February 2023, 07:27 PM

28th February - 6th March 1963

34. Cupboard Love - John Leyton https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJvEhLF4Ns4 This is not a song about making love in a cupboard which would not have been acceptable in 1963, nor is it about a love for cupboards. The person in the song seems to think the girl only wants him for his money and is telling her that his cupboard is bare except for his love for her so she's his cupboard love.
38. Trouble Is My Middle Name - The Brook Brothers https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Elmo5uXQYA An OK ballad with strings and backing singers. This will be the last of their five top 40 hits.
39. The Pied Piper (The Beeje) - Steve Race And His Group https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fk_3_M_kzpE This is a cheery instrumental that would put a smile on anyone's face. It would be suitable for a 60s TV sitcom maybe. It will be his only hit single but he did have a long career as a presenter on TV and radio.

Record of the week : 40. Saturday Nite At The Duck-Pond - The Cougars

A piece from Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake (which explains the song's title) is given the rock treatment in this instrumental. There's some great guitar playing and energetic drumming. The single was banned by the BBC for being "a travesty of a major classical work". Some airplay on Radio Luxembourg helped it reach number 33. It was the only hit for the Bristol group who disbanded in 1964.

Posted by: Popchartfreak 28th February 2023, 07:41 PM

No sense of humour, the toffy-nosed BBC, in those days doing their best to keep the oiks at bay. The Cougars is the only I know and it's great fun If classical music is fine for selling products, it's fine to be used as musical inspiration....

Posted by: jimwatts 28th February 2023, 10:24 PM

Thanks for explaining what that John Leyton song is about it came to my attention as it spent 4 weeks at its #22 peak (still the joint record). Although as Johnny Remember Me is the only song I actually know by him, I'd have believed it to be about anything...

Posted by: King Rollo 1st March 2023, 11:56 AM

I hadn't noticed that, it's only three weeks since we had the Eydie Gorme song which spent four weeks at number 32, also a joint record.

Posted by: King Rollo 7th March 2023, 07:35 PM

7th - 13th March 1963

18. One Broken Heart For Sale - Elvis Presley https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5JtDuDTtWKs This will be a relative failure for Elvis. Excluding EPs, his last five singles have been number 1s and it's more than five years since a single by him missed the top 5 but this one will only reach number 12. I can see why, there's nothing special about this song and it's only 90 seconds long.
25. Foot Tapper - The Shadows https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9zw9t6BfgGw This is certainly a foot tapper with the drums in particular standing out. It will be the last of the Shadows' twelve number 1 singles.
35. My Kind Of Girl - Frank Sinatra with Count Basie https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GphVjN5NXWA I was expecting a vocal duet but I see Count Basie is a musician and bandleader. I like the way there is a pause after each line for the band to react to the last word with an appropriate sound. This is three times the length of the Elvis song but I didn't get bored of it, there was an entertaining instrumental break in the middle, it's one of the best Frank Sinatra songs I've heard.
37. Say Wonderful Things - Ronnie Carroll https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UfsjmWR2VYg This is the UK's Eurovision entry and it will finish in 4th place. It's the second year in a row that Ronnie has represented the UK. He is still the only person to do that. It has a good chorus so I can see how it did quite well. This will be the last of his six top 40 hits.
38. In Dreams - Roy Orbison https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dqkVP95yEBw I know the song title well so I was expecting this to be more familiar to me than it turned out to be. I'm sure I must have heard it before but I don't remember it. Anyway, it's another faultless vocal from Roy with a large range of notes that few singers can reach, very close to a fourth ROTW award for him.
39. Town Crier - Craig Douglas https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TrmAIFRu1QE A good lively pop song with chiming bells at the start and throughout. This is the second singer today we won't see again. It's the last of his ten top 40 hits. He is still alive, aged 81.

Record of the week : 30. Rhythm Of The Rain - The Cascades

Some big names this week but I'm going for a one hit wonder by an American group. It starts and ends with rain sound effects. In between, there is a good lead vocal and backing harmonies and a solo played on the celesta which is a type of keyboard instrument. What makes this stand out for me is the spacey production which uses the stereo sound so well, I think this is the remastered version so it's probably better than the record would have sounded in 1963. It peaked at number 5 and was the only hit for the Cascades who kept going until 1975. A cover version by Jason Donovan was a top 10 single in 1990.

Posted by: Jade 7th March 2023, 07:40 PM

Oh great choice, I'm a fan of 'Rhythm Of the Rain' too I didn't know that the instrument played in it is called the celesta but I've always appreciated that part of it.

The melody of 'Foot Tapper' is now stuck in my head just from reading its title

Posted by: JulianT 7th March 2023, 07:51 PM

I absolutely love In Dreams so I expect that will be my winner when I get to this point - so dramatic! Rhythm Of The Rain is really nice though.

Posted by: fiesta 7th March 2023, 07:52 PM

Rhythm of the rain is a good song. On the NME chart they also made number 25 with Shy Girl in the June of this year. Mark Wynter will cover it.

Posted by: King Rollo 7th March 2023, 09:53 PM

I look forward to seeing what you make of all these 60s songs when you get there.

Posted by: Popchartfreak 9th March 2023, 07:20 PM

In Dreams is Roy's gem of many finest moments, total classic and one of my all-time fave songs. Rhythm Of The Rain is fab, I had it on a compilation album in the early 70's and it still sounded great. Jason couldnt ruin the song, either. Foot Tapper is a goodie, Brian Matthews closed his Sounds Of The 60's show on it for many a year, and Say Wonderful Things isn;t bad either. Frank's is OK.

Posted by: King Rollo 14th March 2023, 05:58 PM

14th - 20th March 1963

26. Let's Turkey Trot - Little Eva https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SKRmoIDLxNU A catchy party song with good contributions from the backing vocalists (The Cookies). The turkey trot was a dance which was popular in the early part of the century which explains the reference to 1910 in the lyrics. This will be the last of Little Eva's three top 40 hits.
32. Brown-Eyed Handsome Man - Buddy Holly https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kHmoO_a4dDw Recorded in 1957, this is a cover of a Chuck Berry song from the year before and will go as high as number 3. It's a good rock'n'roll tune with some fine guitar work.

Record of the week : 39. How Do You Do It? - Gerry and The Pacemakers

So another well known Liverpool group make their chart debut this week. Gerry Marsden's lead vocal really stands out here and the piano and drums are much more prominent than the guitars. Written by Mitch Murray, the song was first recorded in 1962 by The Beatles and might have been their first single but they wanted to release one of their own songs instead. How Do You Do It? will spend three weeks at number 1.

Posted by: Popchartfreak 14th March 2023, 07:30 PM

I like Buddy's track but it has to be Gerry - I loved this record at the time, it's hard to accept I knew it when it was new and that was 60 years ago! So glad The Beatles didn't release it though, Gerry got a career off it, and Love Me Do was much better.

Posted by: Jade 14th March 2023, 07:40 PM

Great pick! I remember hearing The Beatles' version via Anthology and I actually prefer the Gerry and the Pacemakers take on it, there's a bit more gusto in the vocal delivery I think.

Like John says it all worked out well for both of them.

Posted by: King Rollo 21st March 2023, 06:57 PM

21st - 27th March 1963

31. The Folk Singer - Tommy Roe https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-sRLC6W2Cuo The folk singer drops Sarah Jane after becoming famous because she's too plain. He then loses his voice and his career but after meeting her again and thinking she's no longer plain, he gets his voice back and can sing again, but only to her. He got off lightly here, I was expecting her to have married someone else but it seems the songwriter wanted a happy ending.
32. Robot - The Tornados https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=78CTDaR-4sw The Tornados' third single retains their distinctive sound and they have made a bizarre video for it set in a woodland area.
36. Mr Bass Man - Johnny Cymbal https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZr8iReEqMQ A fun song with Blue Moon type bass vocals from the backing singer and from Johnny himself when he joins in. This will be his only hit.
38. Good Golly Miss Molly - Jerry Lee Lewis https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EhSpPSBuqrw A cover of the 1958 Little Richard song done in the same rock'n'roll style so a bit unnecessary. We will have to wait another nine years for Jerry's last hit single.

Record of the week : 29. The End Of The World - Skeeter Davis

This is a wonderful discovery. I thought the melody was familiar when I listened to it and that's because Sonia did a cover version in 1990. Skeeter Davis' vocal here is excellent and the piano and strings add to the quality. She was a country singer so there's a slight country twang to the guitar part. The only part I'm not sure about is the two spoken lines. While this will reach number 2 in the US, it will only get to number 18 here, her only UK hit single. Sonia's version will also peak at number 18.

Posted by: Popchartfreak 21st March 2023, 07:30 PM

I've always loved End Of The World since I heard it sometime in the early 70's with probably a hazy memory of knowing it first time round. Co-incidentally I popped onto Youtube last night and they kindly thought I would enjoy watching Mud sing End Of The World in 1974 glamrock heyday. I did. They know me so well! I rather liked the Sonia version too. The original is still the best though.

I saw Tommy sing this in the late 80's and I didn't really recognise it but my mum did, and oddly it wasn't on his Greatest Hits CD. That was the first CD album I ever bought, and Dizzy was the first single I ever bought with my pocket money. It's quite pleasant but it's no Dizzy.

Robot sounds a lot like The Folk Singer here , but the Tornadoes are always sounding like nothing else. Mr Bass Man is one I like, and Jerry Lee I seldom rate unless his balls are on fire. I'll stick with The Swinging Blue Jeans or Little Richard...

Posted by: King Rollo 21st March 2023, 08:31 PM

As you've mentioned it, I've had a look at Mud's performance and it was a pretty good version of the song.

I've now corrected the youtube link for the Tornados song, it should go to the right one now.

Posted by: Popchartfreak 22nd March 2023, 08:00 PM

Thanks Rollo, playing it now...and it's not a tune I recognise! More fairground waltzer than pioneering...

Posted by: King Rollo 30th March 2023, 05:30 PM

28th March - 3rd April 1963

28. So It Will Always Be - The Everly Brothers https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8cQHuVc4uoU Good harmonies but the song was too slow and ponderous.
36. Can You Forgive Me - Karl Denver https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQwJrapmBUA It's been six months since we've last heard from Karl Denver, I've missed him. The unique vocal style is still there and this one has some good guitar and piano accompaniment.
37. Don't Set Me Free - Ray Charles https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oz3djvp3IU8 Another good vocal by Ray Charles and I'm really impressed by the backing singer, Margie Hendrix. The jazz band also elevate the sound of the song.
38. Say I Won't Be There - The Springfields https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dLQogdxCQfo Another folk/pop song from The Springfields and they're keeping with the fake American accents.

Record of the week : 35. Can't Get Used To Losing You - Andy Williams

This is the best of the five, a song I know quite well (not to be confused with Can't Take My Eyes Off You which is still five years away). The plucking rhythm makes it stand out along with the song's melody. Andy's vocal is double tracked in two different keys all the way through. It will peak at number 2, his biggest hit since his 1957 number 1, Butterfly. A cover version by The Beat will get to number 3 in 1980.

Posted by: fiesta 30th March 2023, 06:09 PM

can't get used to losing you is a proper earworm. Williams has the definitive version, but the Beat version is good too.

Posted by: Popchartfreak 31st March 2023, 01:38 PM

Ooh yes I love that record from Andy (and also the Beat cover), always been a fave from little John days onwards.

Oddly I don't know any of the others! Ray Charles will be the top tune I expect...

Posted by: King Rollo 4th April 2023, 06:19 PM

4th - 10th April 1963

30. Count On Me - Julie Grant https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cUa_r7uvsYo A breezy pop song written by Tony Hatch, this will be the highest charting of her three hits.
35. Losing You - Brenda Lee https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KGwvAwYy0u4 Another flawless vocal from Brenda on this ballad with prominent brass instruments as well as the strings.
37. Code Of Love - Mike Sarne https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kYAD_7qsfBI This will be the last of Mike Sarne's four hits and he's keeping to the same subject. The code of love is a guidebook on what to do when meeting girls. He went on to be an actor and director and is still alive, aged 82.
39. Our Day Will Come - Ruby and The Romantics https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qw9RVjEN9OI This is a great discovery with lots going on. The lead and backing vocals, the spacey organ effects, the xylophone and the bossa nova rhythm all make this sound timeless. While only reaching number 38 here, it will be an American number 1. Amy Winehouse's cover version in 2011 will get to number 29.

Record of the week : 23. Walk Like A Man - The Four Seasons

It has to be this classic but only by a small margin over the Ruby song which I hadn't heard before. Frankie Valli's falsetto vocal is woven around the deeper voices to great effect here. This will also be a US number 1 while peaking at number 12 in the UK. Divine will have a top 30 hit with a cover in 1985.

Posted by: Popchartfreak 5th April 2023, 07:07 PM

2 jolly ditties, a Brenda Lee goodie and 2 top notch classics: I love Walk Like A Man (and The Divine version is hilarious) and even more so since watching Jersey Boys 2 or 3 times on stage - The Four Seasons were under-rated in the UK, but not in the States happily. But my enduring love for Ruby & The Romantics stays fresh, it was a song I always loved - it was much-covered during the 60's even if it didnt chart high - and I even charted it in my personal charts around 1975 on one of its re-issues following (co-incidentally) Frankie Valli getting a disco-era cover US hit with it. Neither charted in the UK, boo! I charted them both, Frankie's version was great, and so was Amy Winehouse's.

Posted by: Jade 5th April 2023, 07:10 PM

'Our Day Will Come' is my favourite from this lot I think! Amy's version was the first I knew but I discovered the original in time, a really classy song in either iteration.

Posted by: King Rollo 11th April 2023, 05:10 PM

11th - 17th April 1963

30. Nobody's Darlin' But Mine - Frank Ifield https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0g0d39J2f-U A forgettable country ballad, the only aspect of this I liked was the way the stereo mix was arranged with the double bass and acoustic guitar on the right, the strings and backing singers on the left and the lead vocal in the centre. Number 4 will be a relative failure for Frank as his last three singles all reached number 1.

Record of the week : 34. Fireball - Don Spencer

Only two new entries this week so it will have to be this one. It's the theme music to Gerry and Sylvia Anderson's TV series Fireball XL5. I don't remember it being repeated in the 1970s, probably because it was filmed in black and white, so I haven't seen it. I'm more familiar with Thunderbirds, Joe 90 and Stingray. This song was played at the end of each episode, it's not dramatic enough for the opening, just a standard pop song really but with an innocence in the lyrics that would make it suitable for a children's TV programme. The single will peak at number 32, the Australian's only top 40 hit. Now 82 years old, he seems to have devoted most of his career to children's TV and music.

Posted by: Popchartfreak 11th April 2023, 05:43 PM

Fireball XL5 was a massive fave of mine, robots, space-ship and a handsome puppet male lead with an exotic name, and a theme tune that was fabulous to singalongajohna. I liked Frank too, but this was my fave TV show till Doctor Who debuts the day after the Kennedy assassination and I turned just like that

For the record I still think a valid TV show will contain one or all of the above qualities: space ships, handsome heroes, robots or time-travel, and a great theme tune....they say your tastes and personality is fixed by age 5. Pretty much right!

Posted by: King Rollo 18th April 2023, 05:15 PM

18th - 24th April 1963

31. He's So Fine - The Chiffons https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rinz9Avvq6A I know this one, it's the doo-langs from the backing singers that make it stand out. I was already thinking of My Sweet Lord by George Harrison before I read the page for the song which mentions that there was a long running plagiarism case brought against him which he lost.
37. Some Other Guy - The Big Three https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o7gWDMWC7Zc This is the next Merseybeat group with the first of their two hits. It's OK but the chorus wasn't very strong, leaving the guitar solo as the highlight.
40. My Little Baby - Mike Berry and The Outlaws https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vTMrTpedNtU A pleasant Joe Meek produced pop song with lots of "oo-pa-pa"s. It will be his last hit until his 1980 revival.

Record of the week : 23. From Me To You - The Beatles

George Harrison has the consolation of winning this particular battle with the Chiffons. Paul and John share the lead vocals here and the harmonica plays its part again. It's a fairly simple song but the memorable melody is enough to turn it into their biggest hit so far. It will spend seven weeks at number 1.

Posted by: jimwatts 18th April 2023, 08:11 PM

From Me To You is one of my favourite chart hits up to this point. The vocal delivery and the way they swoop through the middle eight seems to encapsulate the excitement of the era, even if it was still only a small indication of what they would go on to accomplish.

Posted by: Jade 18th April 2023, 08:18 PM

I'm a fan of both of the bookends in your ranking today! I somehow had never made the 'My Sweet Lord' connection but now cannot unhear it

Posted by: Popchartfreak 19th April 2023, 04:19 PM

Poor George, My Sweet Lord is way better than He's So Fine, though The Chiffons were great, He's So Fine is good, and they have one major classic fave still to come for me.

But, yes it's all about From Me To You, part of my childhood, a tune that takes me back in time. Not one of my fave Beatles tracks, it has to be said - too much competition for that! - but still an essential record.

Posted by: fiesta 19th April 2023, 06:33 PM

The Chiffons later did their own version of My Sweet Lord
https://youtube/YlTnwUXGx6k

Posted by: King Rollo 25th April 2023, 05:57 PM

25th April - 1st May 1963

31. Scarlet O'Hara - Jet Harris and Tony Meehan https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H2ePG1LWGIM A busy record with orchestral instruments and backing singers added to the guitars and drums. It's not as good as their chart topper, 'Diamonds', but will go as higher as number 2. Jet Harris didn't actually play on this, Joe Moretti played the lead guitar.
34. Young Lovers - Paul and Paula https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uKv0dBiIaqk The second of their two hits (the first one is still in the top 30). It's another soppy love song.

Record of the week : 38. Two Kinds Of Teardrops - Del Shannon

No standouts this week but this is my favourite. Del Shannon puts in a charismatic lead vocal supported by the backing singers and it's a good catchy tune. It will be his seventh top 10 single, peaking at number 5.

Posted by: Popchartfreak 26th April 2023, 05:06 PM

don't know any of those (though I may know the tune to Scarlett if I hear it - just checked, and I don't, but rather like it) and I'll opt for Del too!

Posted by: King Rollo 2nd May 2023, 06:34 PM

2nd - 8th May 1963

28. Casablanca - Kenny Ball And His Jazzmen https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mxIsUOvh598 The usual Kenny Ball jazz sound with a slight Moroccan influence to suit the song's title.
38. My Way - Eddie Cochran https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-pTP1xFegvg A decent rock'n'roll tune recorded in 1959. Excluding later re-issues, it will be the last of his posthumous top 40 hits.
39. Woe Is Me - Helen Shapiro https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZRoWPZ-SQU This will be the third single from Helen in a row not to make the top 30. Again, it's a good vocal but the song wasn't great. The backing track was a bit different with hand claps, finger clicking and the drums being played with hands rather than drumsticks.
40. Just Listen To My Heart - The Spotnicks https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uE5S2R6r_G0 An enjoyable guitar instrumental with good use of the drums. The original vocal version was by Frank Ifield. This will be the last of the Swedish group's four hits.

Record of the week : 37. Pipeline - The Chantays

An intriguing instrumental track with guitars, electric keyboard and drums which comes under the surf rock genre but it also sounds quite psychedelic to me and something I'd expect to hear in the late 60s so it's ahead of its time, there's a bit of a Doors sound to it. It will be the American group's only hit, reaching number 4 in their own country and number 16 in the UK. I'm pleased to see that The Chantays are still going today.

Posted by: Popchartfreak 2nd May 2023, 07:09 PM

Pipeline a fab easy winner there. I actually dont know the other ones at all!

Posted by: King Rollo 15th May 2023, 06:01 PM

9th - 15th May 1963

21. Lucky Lips - Cliff Richard and The Shadows https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RuxaCwZkWbM If you have lucky lips, you will never be alone. A strange concept to base a song lyric around. This will be the first Cliff single to miss the top 3 since March 1961. The original version was by Ruth Brown in 1956.
37. If You Gotta Make A Fool Of Somebody - Freddie and The Dreamers https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_IQBItHhEPA The first hit for the Manchester group. I can see some potential but it all sounds a bit disorganised to me. James Ray recorded the first version in 1961.
39. Little Band Of Gold - James Gilreath https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JuGBZf2nir4 The only hit for the American singer. It has a country sound to it but also some trumpet playing which was the highlight for me.

Record of the week : 17. Do You Want To Know A Secret? - Billy J Kramer and The Dakotas

Just two months after the release of the Beatles' debut album comes a cover version of one of the tracks. I didn't really want to give the award to this one but it's a weak field this week. It's a good song and the Liverpool group make a competent job of it even if they don't stray too much from the arrangement of the original. It will spend two weeks at number 2 behind its writers' other single 'From Me To You'.

Posted by: Popchartfreak 16th May 2023, 06:06 PM

Freddie & The Dreamers for me and some kiddie-pleasing antics from Freddie garrity, he was short and fun for kids of my age. Of the 3 that's the only song I knew at the time, though I've come to know Do You Want To Know A Secret and it's nice enough - Billy J Kramer wouldnt have long before he became my absolute fave for a short while. I was easily distracted by great pop stars on the telly and a fab tune.

Posted by: Jade 16th May 2023, 06:18 PM

Happy to read that you enjoyed 'Pipeline'! I remember discovering that when browsing through 60s charts about a decade ago and was shocked that I managed to pull it out of my brain as a PopMaster answer last year, one of my most satisfying moments to date when playing it is a standout instrumental for sure.

I quite like 'Scarlett O'Hara' too but agree it's not as fab as their chart-topper 'Diamonds'.

Posted by: King Rollo 18th May 2023, 04:42 PM

16th - 22nd May 1963

39. Casanova / Chariot - Petula Clark https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E7jAiwMQwSE / https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RK--XOF3OUY I'm used to Petula Clark singing in French but she goes into German for Casanova. I didn't like that one but Chariot was much better with its sweeping strings and a soaring vocal. She was back to French for that one.

Record of the week : 28. When Will You Say I Love You - Billy Fury

Just the two new entries this week so it's another song that probably wouldn't get my award in a busier week. It's a love ballad which he sings well and the piano plays a significant role. It will peak at number 3 and be the last of his four top three singles.

Posted by: King Rollo 23rd May 2023, 05:54 PM

23rd - 29th May 1963

21. Take These Chains From My Heart - Ray Charles https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sVu4e_SIvlQ This cover of a Hank Williams song from 1952 was very close to earning my award this week. The piano solo, the strings and Ray's lead vocal all stand out. It will be the last of his four top 10 singles.
30. Harvest Of Love - Benny Hill https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ePLWa-KdXY A farmyard based novelty song, I quite enjoyed it. This is Benny's third hit and the last one until his number 1 in 1971.
34. Out Of My Mind - Johnny Tillotson https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DtE6MMfb4A8 A below par country ballad, it will be his final top 40 hit. He's still going and released an album of new songs last year.

Record of the week : 29. Another Saturday Night - Sam Cooke

I chose this one over the Ray Charles song as the chorus has been stuck in my head since I listened to it earlier today. It's about someone who has found a job in a new town but has not found a girl to spend his money on each weekend. It will be Sam's seventh hit, peaking at number 23. A cover by Cat Stevens will reach number 19 in 1974.

Posted by: Popchartfreak 23rd May 2023, 06:27 PM

Not onebof my fave Sam Cooke tracks that one prob due to the cat stevens cover which just got on my nerves them and now.

Ray Charles for me out of this batch classy!

Posted by: King Rollo 1st June 2023, 05:26 PM

30th May - 5th June 1963

22. I Like It - Gerry and The Pacemakers https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aoRcpbsD-Vk A catchy tune but it's my least favourite of their three number 1 singles. It will spend four weeks at the top of the chart.
29. Forget Him - Bobby Rydell https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AMTHt0R6WeA A fairly good mid-tempo song from the American singer. It will be the last hit for him, most of the previous ones were before I started this thread. He died last year.
33. Falling - Roy Orbison https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U3E18QXWX3s Another solid Roy Orbison song with the usual fine lead vocal, supported by the strings and backing singers.
40. Foolish Little Girl - The Shirelles https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d23r20z2DO4 I like the vocal harmonies on this one, the standard is high this week. It will be the last of their three top 40 hits.

Record of the week : 39. (Ain't That) Just Like Me - The Hollies

Another new group emerges as beat music starts to take hold. This has a pacy, driving rhythm with the bass and lead guitars and drums all playing their part. It's a cover of a song by The Coasters from 1961. The debut single by the Manchester group will reach number 25.

Posted by: Jade 1st June 2023, 05:54 PM

It feels like the sound of the 60s is well and truly here now with groups like Gerry and The Pacemakers and The Beatles hitting the top spot.

Posted by: Popchartfreak 4th June 2023, 09:27 AM

Well, there's a Hollies track I've never heard Hmmm. I can see The Coasters whimsical style in it, not sure it works as Beat Group. I rate Roy's Falling a lot, and Forget Him I don't know - playing it now. Tony Hatch song how did an American teen idol get hold it?! Hmmm, also. Still, at least they named the school after him in Grease. Overall though, I'm still fond of I Like It - it was part of my life at that time, I loved Gerry Marsden and it brings waves of nostalgia when I very occasionally hear it in a way that the Beatles stuff doesn't so much cos they've never really gone away. It could get very irritating if it was on the radio a lot though!

Posted by: King Rollo 6th June 2023, 06:50 PM

6th - 12th June 1963

34. Ice Cream Man - The Tornados https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SkOYs4EOe60 This will be the last top 40 hit for the Tornados. It keeps to their familiar sound so each single is making less of an impact.
35. Bo Diddley - Buddy Holly https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RUEKu2nOLCw It was Bo Diddley himself who recorded the original and this cover by Buddy Holly is from 1956. The guitar playing really stands out and this was close to my award this week. For a song from the mid 1950s, it's way ahead of its time.
40. He's The One - Billie Davis https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e7b7__XbEb8 I don't like her vocal on this one, the record would only have to be speeded up slightly to sound like Pinky and Perky. We will have to wait another five years for her last hit single.

Record of the week : 27. Atlantis - The Shadows

I wasn't sure if I knew this, looking at the song title, but I recognise it now. It's certainly one of my favourites by them. A great tune with the strings and female backing vocals being used to great effect to widen the scale of the record. It will spend two weeks at number 2.

Posted by: Popchartfreak 7th June 2023, 04:58 PM

Atlantis not familiar to me, shock! Playing it I dont remember it at all and it seems a bit lacklustre compared to other biggies. Ice Cream man I have heard before, I quite like it. Bo Diddley launched a thousand copycats, most of which I prefer actually, oops! Buddy does a decent job though. Billie Davis one of my BJSC flops with her last hit, actual early rapping (though it would never be called that it pretty much is, and she wasn't the first to do it either) and its way better than this one.

Posted by: King Rollo 13th June 2023, 05:34 PM

13th - 19th June 1963

30. Shy Girl - Mark Wynter https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZrXTk11Xzs A nondescript ballad from Mark that will only reach number 28, well short of the top 10 placings for his last two singles.
35. Lonely Boy Lonely Guitar - Duane Eddy https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sg7lAZiKVYY The female backing singers play a big part here, interacting with Duane's guitar sounds. This is his nineteenth top 40 hit and his last until 1975.
40. It's Been Nice (Goodnight) - The Everly Brothers https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lHatkPi9qe0 The lyrics here are about a date ending sooner than the man would like, he doesn't want to hear the words of the title. The song was OK.

Record of the week : 37. Don't Try To Change Me - The Crickets

Nothing really deserves my award this week with these four acts past their best but this was marginally my favourite. It's a decent, piano led, country style ballad with a good vocal by Jerry Naylor. According to a youtube comment, Bobby Vee and Glen Campbell are on backing vocals. The single will go no higher than its new entry position.

Posted by: King Rollo 20th June 2023, 07:23 PM

20th - 26th June 1963

26. Welcome To My World - Jim Reeves https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tOCCvN8YDuc A country style ballad with some gorgeous strings, this will be his first top 10 single.
34. It's My Party - Lesley Gore https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mIsnIt1p978 This would win the award most weeks but we have two classics today. It goes straight into the chorus and never lets up. The lead and backing vocals combined with the brass section and drums add up to a fantastic pop song. I didn't know that Quincy Jones was the producer, 20 years before he got round to Thriller. This will be an American number 1 but it will be an 80s cover version that will top the UK chart.
35. Rondo - Kenny Ball And His Jazzmen https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ogiZDsYjzk The hits keep coming for Kenny Ball. This is another cheery tune with a good clarinet solo in the middle.
36. Indian Love Call - Karl Denver https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDA22K0q36M And the hits keep on coming for Karl as well. This is another great demonstration of his wide vocal range.

Record of the week : 37. Da Doo Ron Ron - The Crystals

There's a link to one of the other new entries here, Phil Spector recorded It's My Party with The Crystals after hearing a demo of the song but Lesley Gore's record company managed to get her version out to the radio stations first. Instead, this is the new release by The Crystals and it beats It's My Party by a comfortable margin for me. The wall of sound is in full effect here with the saxophone solo and the drums standing out. It's one of my favourites from the thread so far. It will spend six weeks in the top 10, peaking at number 5.

Posted by: Popchartfreak 21st June 2023, 04:28 PM

I echo the comments about the 4 choices and approve picking The Crickets - Bobby Vee and Glen Campbell is reason enough for anyone!

Welcome To My World is a familiar 60's pleasant record, as ever with Jim's vocals, but oh drat 2 girl teen classics to choose from: I love the Wall Of Sound of The Crystals' classic, and it was a hit all over again in 1974 - but the song was never one of my top tunes, though I've always liked it. It's My Party, though, Lesley Gore strops brilliantly, "it's My party and I'll Cry If I want To"! The line about nobody knowing where her Johnny had gone might suggest she was not a fan of teenage pregnancy till it turns out to be her boyfriend she's talking about....

Posted by: King Rollo 27th June 2023, 06:09 PM

27th June - 3rd July 1963

22. Bobby Tomorrow - Bobby Vee https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JMN0s4veLwg In this song, Bobby is always told "tomorrow" when asking for a date and doesn't want to wait. It's not as good as some of the others I've heard by him and will be the last of his ten top 40 hits. He died in 2016.
23. Confessin' (That I Love You) - Frank Ifield https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=loehD7RAvcc The fourth and final number 1 single for Frank. It's a cover of an American song from 1930. I liked the harmonica part but not much else.
31. You Can Never Stop Me Loving You - Kenny Lynch https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LaDn6epsENQ I like the string arrangement on this and the drums but I won't remember the song for too long.
39. Swing That Hammer - Mike Cotton's Jazzmen https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jeDHovf2xjE A curious instrumental with exhalation sounds. I liked the drum solo. It will be the only hit single for the band.

Record of the week : 30. Hey Mama - Frankie Vaughan

The five this week didn't reach the standard from last week but this was my favourite. There's a rhythm to it, good use of guitars, and a decent vocal. In the song, he tells his mother he's found his love and she starts crying because it means he will be leaving home. It will be his 25th top 40 hit, peaking at number 21.

Posted by: Popchartfreak 27th June 2023, 07:22 PM

Ooh not a classic week, I agree, I'm not that familiar with any of them, just Frank's and Bobby's ring a bell, but I'm liking the Kenny Lynch record. I may be biased for all 3 acts.

On balance I'd opt for...Frank Ifield - as that brings back vague pangs of nostalgia for a number one record that's had virtually no radio plays since it fell out the chart, and def the one I would have liked most at the time. Quite enjoyed it actually havent heard it in decades....

Posted by: King Rollo 4th July 2023, 06:25 PM

4th - 10th July 1963

27. (You're The) Devil In Disguise - Elvis Presley https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhW6t4rEJwU Another number 1 single for Elvis, spending just one week there. It's one of his better songs, the tempo of the chorus is much faster than that of the verses.
33. Nature's Time For Love - Joe Brown and The Bruvvers https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QX1XV1ypJcY This is alright but there's nothing here to make it stand out.
35. Sukiyaki - Kyu Sakamoto https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rbTsG9jrJsU A charming Japanese song with excellent use of the brass instruments and strings and also some whistling. Worldwide, it's the 18th best selling single of all time with 13 million copies sold. It was an American number 1 and a DNQ for Singerpurear nine years ago.
38. Ain't That A Shame - The Four Seasons https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_hqVoQRqd9o A cover of a Fats Domino song from 1955. It's not as good as their better known first three hits and will go no higher than its new entry position.

Record of the week : 39. Sweets For My Sweet - The Searchers

'Ue o Muite Arukō' was close to getting the award but I'm going with one I'm more familiar with, a great pop song with a catchy chorus. It was the debut single for the Merseybeat group and spent two weeks at number 1. The original version was released by The Drifters in 1961. A later cover by C J Lewis will be a top 3 hit in 1994.

Posted by: JulianT 4th July 2023, 07:04 PM

Sukiyaki will be getting a big score from me! Sweets For My Sweet not so much.

Posted by: King Rollo 4th July 2023, 07:08 PM

I think you're likely to catch up and overtake me before I get to next week's new entries.

Posted by: Popchartfreak 5th July 2023, 06:33 PM

Kyu Sakamoto for me, loved it back then, still love it, haunting tune and beautifully exotic-sounding, and was it really 9 years ago in BJSC? Surely not! OMG!! Seems like about 4 years ago. I was sad when he died in an airline disaster in the 80's (along with a lot of other people), and still think young Kyu was so cute with a lovely voice. Then Elvis not far behind, one the great record's of Elvis chart-topping pop period. One I still enjoy a lot. The Searchers was one I knew and liked back then, and dont know the Joe Brown track - not one he does in concert as far as I can recall...! S'OK though. And a rare mis-step from The Four Seasons - they didnt need knock-off covers, they had a terrific songwriter in the band. This one not featured in Jersey Boys!

Posted by: King Rollo 11th July 2023, 06:08 PM

11th - 17th July 1963

19. Twist And Shout - Brian Poole and The Tremeloes https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iA-LMH5Fm00 This is a decent attempt at the song but not as good as the Beatles' version from a few months earlier. It's the first hit for the Dagenham group.
36. Faraway Places - The Bachelors https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PGo1dtPWKtU A dreadful version of a song from 1948, it will go no higher than this position.
37. Walkin' Tall - Adam Faith https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lZg6nv9Vd9Q A cheerful ditty from Adam. It sounds like there's a duck quacking in the background, I'm not sure what type of musical instrument is making that noise.

Record of the week : 30. It's Too Late Now - The Swinging Blue Jeans

The award goes to the second group this week to make their chart debut. The Swinging Blue Jeans were from Liverpool and this is an original song, written by their guitarist, Ralph Ellis. There are some good vocal harmonies here, a promising start. The single will peak at number 30.

Posted by: JulianT 11th July 2023, 06:29 PM

I’ll be able to comment on this thread knowledgeably from now on! Not a stellar selection but Swinging Blue Jeans definitely the best and Adam Faith second.

Posted by: Popchartfreak 12th July 2023, 06:46 PM

A'll go wit' da Blue Jeans too, la. I was only 3 years away from being a Scouser by accent if not birth.

Posted by: King Rollo 18th July 2023, 06:27 PM

18th - 24th July 1963

30. I Wonder - Brenda Lee https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ynqF9kM2WVc Another great vocal from Brenda on this piano led ballad with strings and backing vocals. The song was first recorded by Private Cecil Grant in 1944.
32. The Cruel Sea - The Dakotas https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1lj7HXgE61s This will be the group's only hit without Billy J Kramer. There's some good guitar work here with regular tempo changes.
36. By The Way - The Big Three https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Czj3T-icqaQ The second hit for the Merseybeat group but also their last. It was OK but there was nothing to make it stand out.
37. The Good Life - Tony Bennett https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJ82mHBtrc8 Tony's first hit since January 1961, I know this one, one of his signature songs, I think.
40. One Fine Day - The Chiffons https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KvyOqKhKWQ4 The Chiffons' follow-up to He's So Fine, so it's another "fine" song. I like the piano here (played by co-writer Carole King), the chorus and the saxophone part, it's the runner-up this week.

Record of the week : 39. If You Wanna Be Happy - Jimmy Soul

This is a great discovery, a really infectious, upbeat song from the American singer giving out advice to marry an ugly woman as she won't break your heart and she'll cook your meals on time. Based on a Trinidadian song from 1934, it was a US number 1 single but will go no higher than 39 in the UK. It will be his only top 40 hit, he died in 1988, at the age of 45.

Posted by: JulianT 18th July 2023, 06:34 PM

Yep we’re in agreement again and I really enjoyed discovering the Jimmy Soul track.

Posted by: Popchartfreak 19th July 2023, 04:12 PM

I like I Wonder, track 4 on my Very Best Of Brenda Lee CD. Nice.

The Cruel Sea doesn't ring a bell, but it's not bad.

The Big Three had big expectations at the time, but never really made it. I can see why, just nothing special.

The Good Life may be my fave Tony Bennett track, class ballad.

One Fine Day is wonderful, that gets my vote over Tony bennett, Jimmy Soul a fun 3rd place over Brenda. All 4 are records I would choose to listen to again, say in a week or two. The other 2 not so much.....

Posted by: King Rollo 25th July 2023, 06:18 PM

25th - 31st July 1963

25. Theme From The Film 'The Legion's Last Patrol' - Ken Thorne And His Orchestra https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=439FTpfIl8Y You can tell this is from a war film with the military sounding drum pattern. The trumpet solo was the highlight. This will go as high as number 4, the only hit for the English composer.
28. I'll Never Get Over You - Johnny Kidd and The Pirates https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ZdHpeDEveQ The first top 40 hit since 1960 for the British group who had a number 1 single in that year. It's a decent song with a fairly lengthy guitar solo.
34. True Love - Richard Chamberlain https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L3q6UiWlNr8 One of five versions of the song to be top 40 hits and surely the worst, it was really dreary. Plenty of acting roles to come but this is the last of his four hit singles.
38. Go Go Go - Chuck Berry https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EX7hIj32FcI It's more than five years since Chuck Berry was last in the chart and he returns with the same sort of 50s rock'n'roll sound which is partially explained by the fact that the song was actually recorded in 1961.
39. Come On Home - The Springfields https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c8Z60SKDojg The last of the Springfields' five hits before Dusty flies the nest and her vocal was the best part about it.

Record of the week : 29. Wipe Out - The Surfaris

An easy decision this week with this instrumental well ahead of the rest. It's a fantastic combination of guitars and drums which has endured through the decades since. When first released in the US, it was the B side on the group's single, 'Surfer Joe'. A wipe out is a fall from a surfboard. It will peak at number 5 and be the only hit for the Californian band. A cover version by the Fat Boys and the Beach Boys will take the song to number 2 in 1987.

Posted by: JulianT 25th July 2023, 07:08 PM

Easy choice there

Posted by: King Rollo 1st August 2023, 06:42 PM

1st - 7th August 1963

19. In Summer - Billy Fury https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xrpVMM6dz84 A light pop song about the current season, it got off to a shaky start with the irritating dummy dums from the backing singers but got better as it went on with a nice piano solo in the middle. It will be Billy's third consecutive top 5 hit and his seventh overall.
26. So Much In Love - The Tymes https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zsGy-ndBhUc I was aware the Tymes had some hits years before their number 1 but hadn't heard them before. This one was a US number 1 for the group. It's mainly acapella with just a light drum sound and bass guitar. There were some skilled vocal harmonies.
32. Come On - The Rolling Stones https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_iAQVGOzj4M So this is where the Rolling Stones make their entrance with a cover of a Chuck Berry song from 1961. I liked the harmonica sound and it's a good debut single but there will be much better to come. The song's title was repeated too many times.
37. 18 Yellow Roses - Bobby Darin https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VzS3P8A_Epk A ballad with a Latin American flavour to it. The twist at the end is it's from the point of view of the girl's father, not her ex. Bobby has only one more hit single to come but we will have to wait another three years for it.

Record of the week : 34. Bad To Me - Billy J Kramer and The Dakotas

A song written by Lennon & McCartney specifically for their fellow Merseysider. He comes through with a good lead vocal supported by the guitars. It's a fairly simple arrangement and not a huge favourite of mine but the best of today's bunch. The single will spend three weeks at number 1.

Posted by: Popchartfreak 7th August 2023, 10:30 AM

Ken Thorne means not a jot to me as I play it now. Johnny Kidd is a familiar tune and sounds fairly decent and of its time, but I wouldn't be fussed about buying it. Richard Chamberlain, dont need to play it I know it will be very soppy, and I will stick with Bing/Grace Kelly's duet or the George Harrison version or the Elton & Kiki version. Chuck Berry's Go Go Go isn't one I've heard before, think he was touring the UK in '63 to explain the random hit. Certainly not memorable in any way! The Springfields' is the best of lacklustre bunch of supporting acts to the very easy winning Wipe Out.

In Summer is one of my fave Bully Fury songs, liked it as a kiddie, still do. Bad To Me is a good Beatles song, but it's not close to Beatles singles quality, Come On is fine as a Stones "hello" and way better than Chuck Berry's actual then-current single. The Tymes' was a song I knew about for years after You Little Trustmaker hit in 1974, but didn't get to hear. Doo-wop tunefulness I can hear hints of in Billy Joel's The Longest Time pastiche. quite nice but I will stick with Trustmaker or Ms Grace. Bobby Darrin's sounds like a mid-50's country ballad leftover, and out of step with the times.

Posted by: King Rollo 8th August 2023, 06:53 PM

8th - 14th August 1963

34. I'm Telling You Now - Freddie and The Dreamers https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1mu7MPJRNHU This will be the group's biggest hit, reaching number 2. The chorus will stick in my head but otherwise it's nothing special. It will reach the top of the US chart after a re-release in 1965.
36. You Don't Have To Be A Baby To Cry - The Caravelles https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UkHCoLXmXp4 A charming little song with dreamy vocals and minimal instrumentation. It's a cover of a Moon Mullican song from 1950 and will be the only top 40 hit for the English female duo.
38. Just Like Eddie - Heinz https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=otAiRNxZbDk A tribute to Eddie Cochran, this has a good stomping rhythm to it. Produced by Joe Meek, it's the first solo hit for the former Tornados member.
39. Blue Girl - The Bruisers https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pJxNVvryPHE Tommy Bruce and The Bruisers had a top 3 hit in 1960 and The Bruisers are back now with their own single. This has a lot more going on than the Freddie and The Dreamers song so I'll put it ahead of that one.

Record of the week : 35. Only The Heartaches - Houston Wells and The Marksmen

It wasn't an easy decision this week and the Caravelles were close but I'm going for this one. I wouldn't normally pick a country song but there's a real depth to the lead vocal here and Joe Meek's echoey production elevates the record's sound. It's about life in a goldmining town. The English singer's real name was Andrew Smith and this will be his group's only top 40 single, peaking at number 22. After a falling out, the Marksmen tore up his return ticket home during a trip to Ireland and removed him from the band.

Posted by: JulianT 8th August 2023, 10:40 PM

Belatedly I agree with Bad To Me as the pick from last week - that’s a great pop song.

This is the first time since I’ve been following closely that I’ve very much disagreed with the winner - find Only The Heartaches very drippy but also the melody’s a carbon copy of “The Homing Waltz” by Vera Lynn.

I’d go for The Bruisers of that bunch.

Posted by: Popchartfreak 9th August 2023, 07:00 PM

5-year-old me shouts out I'm Telling You Now as ROTW. 20-something me thinks Heinz. The other 3 are new to me. The Caravelles is OK, Blue Girl is pretty good actually, and the Houston Wells song sounds like El Paso to me in parts. It's an oddity to be sure and these days there would be a massive legal case going on if it had been a hit as the Estate of Marty Robbins sues for a slam dunk case, as opposed to 3 random notes someone strung together on an obscure flop from 40-odd years ago that no-one has ever heard of. (Hi Dua Lipa)

I think I'll go for The Bruisers!

Posted by: King Rollo 15th August 2023, 05:06 PM

15th - 21st August 1963

36. I'll Cut Your Tail Off - John Leyton https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dTEqVWC69fs This will be the last of John's seven top 40 singles and it's surely the worst with lyrics about putting a girl over his knee and making her wail as a punishment for flirting with other boys. He's still alive, aged 87.
37. Christine - Miss X https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RhT3hsgeFXw This is a bit of an oddity, some piano playing interspersed with innuendo laden lyrics. It was banned by the BBC but I think that was more down to the fact that 'Christine' is Christine Keeler who was the subject of the Profumo affair which was going on at the time. Miss X was Joyce Blair, brother of Lionel.
39. Surf City - Jan and Dean https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nFeUEfpN_yc A unfinished song written by Brian Wilson which he gave to Jan and Dean because he had lost interest in it, preferring the song which is coming next. It has all the hallmarks of a Beach Boys record and will be the first surf song to top the Billboard chart.

Record of the week : 34. Surfin' USA - The Beach Boys

I liked both of the surf songs but I'm going with this one. It was the organ and guitar breaks towards the end put it in front of Surf City. The vocal harmonies that they will come to be known for are already in full effect here in their first UK hit. Chuck Berry was later added as a song writer as the melody is very similar to his song 'Sweet Little Sixteen'. The single will go no higher than number 34. Surf City didn't do much better (26) so the record buyers in the colder UK are perhaps not so keen at this point to listen to songs about sunny California.

Posted by: Jade 15th August 2023, 05:23 PM

Oh wow 'Sukiyaki' was sent to BJSC? if 9 years ago then that was slightly before my time. Well... justice for that DNQ

Some great surf songs popping up recently with 'Surfin USA' and 'Wipeout'! May have to give the latter a play as the Fat Boys' version is the last one I heard, thanks to the #2 singles sessions

Posted by: Popchartfreak 15th August 2023, 06:46 PM

Well that's a selection of two halves, 2 terrible records and 2 surf classics. Still Jan & Dean for me, but only just. Neither did well in the Uk charts cos we'd had one of the worst modern winters ever, we were snowed in in rural Norfolk, and August was wet and miserable and cold, and September not much better. And we didnt have central heating in those days so...

Actually, I dont recall hot summer days until, ooh, I left the UK for Singapore in 1969! I can vouch for 1975 being a scorcher though, and 1976 more than any.

And Jade, yes, Sukiyaki t'was me, I was interested to see what a younger generation would make of it, and was half expecting to get hardly any points at all, but a few brave souls liked it a bit

Posted by: King Rollo 22nd August 2023, 06:28 PM

22nd - 28th August 1963

25. It's All In The Game - Cliff Richard https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2OalhV8dexM Cliff's version of the Tommy Edwards number 1 from 1958. There's a purity to his vocal here and I like the harp melody but I got bored of it halfway through. It will be the only single by him to reach the US top 40 in the 1960s.
27. Dance On - Kathy Kirby https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eEuskVNDlR8 Kathy's first hit is a vocal version of the Shadows' number 1 from earlier in the year. She puts in a good vocal, supported by a cheerful brass section and a 19 year old Jimmy Page on guitar.
33. Still - Karl Denver https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tltrpiUUqcw Karl is a bit more restrained this time, combining well with the backing singers. I liked the Italian style guitar playing.
38. Acapulco 1922 - Kenny Ball And His Jazzmen https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sxgNV4UOKRY This is the third year in a row that Kenny has managed four top 40 hits and this cover of a Herb Alpert tune has the same predictable jazz band sound.

Record of the week : 36. I Want To Stay Here - Steve and Eydie

Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme were a married couple. Both of them have had previous solo top 10 hits. They combine well here with this song about not wanting to go out because they have everything they want at home. The production is kept simple, it's just a tuneful melody well sung which is good enough this week to take the award. The single will peak at number 3 and be the last hit for either singer.

Posted by: JulianT 22nd August 2023, 06:32 PM

Fully in agreement this week - I Want To Stay Here is lovely

Posted by: King Rollo 29th August 2023, 06:21 PM

29th August - 4th September 1963

37. Two Silhouettes - Del Shannon https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZsXXepVV-WE The backing singers combine well with Del's lead vocal here but the song wasn't that great and it will miss the top 20. His previous three singles had all made the top 5.
39. I Want To Stay Here - Miki & Griff https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bPjlGs5DzBU A second version of this song comes into the chart a week later. It's very similar but not quite reaching the same standard. It will be the last of the duo's three top 40 singles.
40. Whispering - The Bachelors https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yo9xvVThziM This is one of more than 700 versions of the 1920 song to be recorded and the first of two to make the UK chart. They've kept to the 1920s sort of sound with the vocals to the fore and a minimal instrumental backing.

Record of the week : 12. She Loves You - The Beatles

Not much doubt this week, with one we all know. The vocal harmonies, drums and guitars all contribute to a bigger sound than on their previous releases and, of course, there's that basic, chanting, singalong chorus. This is my favourite by them so far. It will spend four weeks at the top of the chart, returning to that position for a further fortnight seven weeks later and will go on to be the best selling single by anyone in the 1960s. Beatlemania has fully taken hold now.

Posted by: Jade 29th August 2023, 06:26 PM

'She Loves You' personifies fan hysteria more than any other record for me! I'm so used to the extra noise of screaming audiences when watching performances of it, especially when they shook their heads I think 'Please Please Me' is my favourite of their songs to appear so far but can definitely understand why this one was so huge.

Posted by: jimwatts 29th August 2023, 07:38 PM

She Loves You is one of my Beatles favourites, and not just up to that point - the excitement is still tangible all these decades later.

Posted by: Roba. 29th August 2023, 08:24 PM

Can't really deny that 'She Loves You' is among their best songs!

Posted by: Popchartfreak 30th August 2023, 06:40 PM

I like the Cliff version of Its All In the game, and Kathy's Dance On, but it's all about Steve n Eydie for me, then and now. Love it to bits. Dusty did a good Pet Shop Boys' produced version in 1990, too. Never heard that Karl Denver track before, it's not as shrill as a lot of his records can be, but "STILL" isn't much of a hook! Borders on the annoying. Kenny Ball is also one that didn't ring a bell, but now I play it I recognise the tune - quite nice actually. I may have to start revising my low opinion of Kenny, there's a fair number of decent hits in his repertoire that I'd blanked on.

Well, She Loves You, a cultural phenomenon, a great pop record, and an easy win there! The others I have no memory of, the Del Shannon one seems quite nice, but lacking the urgency of his classics. Miki and Griff is a nice version of a classic song - but it's just not Steve n Eydie, lacks the oomph of their version. Whispering wasn't quite what I was expecting, but it's not far from their very retro style and nostalgia-based appeal to older music fans of the time. It's OK, and doesn't sound like a century-old song!

Posted by: King Rollo 5th September 2023, 05:51 PM

5th - 11th September 1963

38. Searchin' - The Hollies https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eqzV2zKQ8Ow A cover of a Coasters song from 1957 which reached number 30. This version will get to number 12. They put on American accents to suit the song's lyrics. I preferred their debut single from May.
40. Still - Ken Dodd https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1KnIePL8WYM We had Karl Denver singing this two weeks ago and now comes Ken Dodd with a slower version. The backing vocals and strings were very soothing, that's the best I can say about this one. The original was by Bill Anderson earlier this year.

Record of the week : 35. Wishing - Buddy Holly

Nothing really deserves the award this week but this is the best of the three. I can't find much information on the song, it was recorded at some time in the 1950s. The guitar arrangement was certainly the highlight. This will peak at number 10, the last of Buddy's six solo top 10 singles.

Posted by: JulianT 5th September 2023, 09:50 PM

One of Buddy’s weaker hits but still the best of the 3

Posted by: Popchartfreak 6th September 2023, 07:06 PM

Well it was never gonna be a Ken Dodd pick for anyone I think!

Oddly, I'd opt for The Hollies, it's a better song, and pretty decent version. Buddy's is nice but after 4 years of dredging through his catalogue, releases were not amongst A Grade Holly.

Posted by: King Rollo 12th September 2023, 06:24 PM

12th - 18th September 1963

16. Applejack - Jet Harris and Tony Meehan https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JSE2RKF5NXs A Latin style instrumental with some brass and piano as well as the guitar and drums, it was OK. It will be the last of the three hits under the Harris & Meehan name with all of them making the top 5 but, like the second one, Jet Harris didn't play on it, his name is there just to help it sell.
34. Frankie And Johnny - Sam Cooke https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iqscpuCogRE Sam Cooke's version of a song that goes back to the early part of the 20th Century and is based on a real murder with Frankie shooting the unfaithful Johnny. Apart from re-issues, this will be his last top 40 hit and it's just a year before he gets shot dead himself by a woman whose surname is Franklin.
36. If I Had A Hammer - Trini Lopez https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y7INpfQEPkE A first hit for the American singer which will reach the top 5. I'll put it second out of the four, handclaps are used throughout for the rhythm as well as the drums. The song was first recorded by The Weavers in 1950.

Record of the week : 33. Do You Love Me - Brian Poole and The Tremeloes

An energetic version of the Contours' song from the previous year (written by Berry Gordy Jr.) with Brian Poole putting all he has into the lead vocal, helped by the backing vocals and drums. The group's previous hit, Twist And Shout, is still in the top 20 but this one has been put out ahead of schedule to get in front of another English band whose own version is coming soon. It will go on to spend three weeks at number 1.

Posted by: Popchartfreak 13th September 2023, 12:47 PM

Applejack isn't familiar to me at all, but it's OK. The other 3 I knew as songs (Frankie & Johnny in the Elvis version) and liked all 3, but these days I'd go for the Contours version of Do You Love Me and If I Had A Hammer is the one I'd rather hear of the 4.

Posted by: King Rollo 19th September 2023, 05:27 PM

19th - 25th September 1963

28. Hello Muddah! Hello Faddah! - Allan Sherman https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XLKcfmf4GS4 Back in December 1962, my ROTW was Like I Do by Maureen Evans and now we have another song using the tune from Ponchielli's 'Dance Of The Hours'. It's a novelty song about summer camp which I remember from Junior Choice in the 70s but haven't heard since so it was good to hear it again for some nostalgia but not one I would want to return to.
31. It's Love That Really Counts - The Merseybeats https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B7L-rdRqm3k Another Liverpool group emerge with an OK song about there being no need to spend money on a girl as it's love that really counts.
32. Shindig - The Shadows https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xMP4LP0hcjE An uptempo guitar tune from the Shadows which was alright but not as memorable as some of their others and it will break a run of eleven consecutive top 5 singles (including the ones with Cliff) when it peaks at number 6.
33. Hello Heartache, Goodbye Love - Little Peggy March https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wK5YV-8CMEo A busy record with the percussion and rhythm on the left and the strings and backing vocals on the right adding to a spirited lead vocal from the 15 year old American singer who still holds the record for the youngest female artist to have a US number 1 single. That was with 'I Will Follow Him' which will not chart in the UK. This one will be her only hit. I think it's my second favourite from today's batch.
36. Hello Little Girl - The Fourmost https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CzYK2U1xhmU Our second new group of the week and another one from Liverpool. The song is one of the earliest ones written by John Lennon, way back in 1957. There are some high pitched vocals at the start but things soon settle down. The whole track is sung in harmonies, there's no conventional lead vocal.
40. No One - Ray Charles https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_yavMiTRUL4 A solid offering from Ray Charles with a good jazzy contribution from his band. Connie Francis was the first to record the song in 1960.

Record of the week : 22. Then He Kissed Me - The Crystals

It's three out of three for The Crystals with another outstanding song. The Wrecking Crew and the Phil Spector wall of sound production are in full effect here and there's a fine lead vocal by Dolores Brooks. The single will spend two weeks at number 2.

Posted by: JulianT 19th September 2023, 05:36 PM

Then He Kissed Me is glorious and very much the highlight of that group!

Posted by: Popchartfreak 20th September 2023, 10:32 AM

The Crystals' is a classic no question there and top choice, but I have nostalgic love for Allan Sherman (in the US Hall Of Fame as a key cultural recording, still played to summer camp kids). Great tune and whimsical lyrics. Hello Little Girl is a decent track I got on a box-set vinyl 60's oldies 4-record set in the 70's/early 80's.

The Merseybeats is plodding! The Shadows tune comes back to me now, not one of their greats. Peggy March Ive never heard, but I Will Follow Him is a top notch Sister Act 60's classic. This one is enjoyable. Ray Charles is never bad. No One is big band blues soul and I rather like it! 3rd fave of the bunch.

Posted by: King Rollo 26th September 2023, 06:02 PM

26th September - 2nd October 1963

25. The First Time - Adam Faith and The Roulettes https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l1O0LBsXcQ4 This is the first of four hits with the Roulettes as Adam's backing band and it's a good upgrade to his sound, the drummer makes a great contribution. It will go top five.
37. Everybody - Tommy Roe https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lyz16NhfDSk A straightforward song which would work well live. This will be his last top 40 hit until 1969.

Record of the week : 17. Blue Bayou / Mean Woman Blues - Roy Orbison

Either of these songs is good enough to take the award. I did prefer Blue Bayou with the harpsicord combining so well with the harmonica and he co-wrote it. Mean Woman Blues is a cover of an Elvis Presley song from 1957 and has more of a traditional rock'n'roll sound to it. As ever, his vocals on both songs are excellent. The single will peak at number 3.

Posted by: Popchartfreak 28th September 2023, 07:53 PM

Blue bayou is a great, not that familiar with the cover it wasn't on his greatest hits that I recall back in the day! Everybody was on the first CD album I bought in 1988ish and it's a goodie, Tommy had lots more US hits to make up a proper Hits collection. My first ever record purchase is still 6 years in the future - that would be Dizzy

Posted by: King Rollo 4th October 2023, 06:30 PM

3rd - 9th October 1963

28. Somebody Else's Girl - Billy Fury https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=crdHZPhkS0s An emotive string-laden ballad. His last three singles all reached the top 5 but this one will only get to number 18.
29. Memphis Tennessee - Dave Berry and The Cruisers https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pIoIxd706lo Dave Berry's first hit is a cover of the Chuck Berry song from 1958. He has quite a high pitched vocal style.
34. Sally Ann - Joe Brown and The Bruvvers https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GVHcHfhTLSo This is a group effort with the Bruvvers singing most of the lines along with Joe. It will be his last top 40 hit until 1967.

Record of the week : 27. I (Who Have Nothing) - Shirley Bassey

Nothing stood out this week but this is the best one. It has a dramatic vocal from Shirley, backed by an orchestra. The original Italian version was from 1961 with Ben E King recording the first English language cover in the same year as this one. Most of the covers seem to be by male singers so the lyrics are adjusted for Shirley's version to be sung from a female perspective. The single will be her ninth top 10 hit, reaching number 6.

Posted by: JulianT 4th October 2023, 08:11 PM

Most of Shirley’s hits don’t do a whole lot for me but I (Who Have Nothing) is brill - just the right level of drama without becoming turgid.

Posted by: Popchartfreak 5th October 2023, 03:53 PM

ooh I rate that Billy Fury song, thinking it's probably one I heard at the time, deserved better than 18!

Memphis Tennessee, err, Chuck Berry thanks Dave. I saw him in concert in the 80's so I expect he did this one. The only one I loved of his was The Crying Game.

Also seen Joe Brown 2 or 3 times, but Sally Ann doesnt ring a bell. He prob doesn't do it in concert - not his finest work!

Shirley, dad had the 50's album, not 60's stuff, and I (Who Have Nothing) I associate with Tom Jones circa 1970, so not that familiar with this one. It's a great diva song, and she's quite restrained on this, surprisingly not OTT - Tom's is way more OTT.

Posted by: King Rollo 10th October 2023, 06:21 PM

10th - 16th October 1963

25. Let It Rock / Memphis Tennessee - Chuck Berry https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nh9c6drdYGg / https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w5ezeUM6c74 Just a week after Dave Berry's cover of Memphis Tennessee, we have Chuck Berry's 1958 original. He puts in quite a restrained vocal on it. I'm less familiar with Let It Rock (from 1960) which has a great fast paced tinkly piano accompaniment. This will be his first UK top 10 single.

Record of the week : 22. You'll Never Walk Alone - Gerry and The Pacemakers

Just two new entries this week but we have a worthy winner. This is possibly the best lead vocal on a number 1 single up to 1963 and it's supported by a stirring piano and strings arrangement. The cover of a song from the 1945 Rodgers and Hammerstein musical 'Carousel' will spend four weeks at the top of the chart making Gerry and the Pacemakers the first act to reach number 1 with their first three singles.

Posted by: Popchartfreak 11th October 2023, 08:38 AM

Gerry's classic is still spine-tinglingly classic and definitive, no question. Chuck's oldies double A obv out to support a tour in the UK, Memphis Tennessee is OK, but I've never really been a massive fan of Chuck's, though I recognise his importance and influence.

Posted by: King Rollo 17th October 2023, 05:16 PM

17th - 23rd October 1963

33. Do You Love Me - The Dave Clark Five https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ay6gWYPagWk A first hit for the London group. Brian Poole and the Tremeloes' version is number 1 this week so sales of this version, which was recorded first, are affected and it will only reach number 30. I don't think it's as good anyway.
34. Pretty Thing - Bo Diddley https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7AnLBeshpEs This was recorded in 1955, I like the rawness here, I'd imagine it was recorded in one take. A good bluesy tune with the harmonica standing out.
35. Miss You - Jimmy Young https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ABucmDpEo2k Jimmy's first top 40 hit since 1957 and also his last. He hasn't updated his sound, it's a piano and strings ballad that belongs in the 1950s. The original version goes back to 1929.
37. I'll Take You Home - The Drifters https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80Dxu0hiuow I enjoyed this one a lot, it never really stood still with different instruments being introduced as it went along such as a banjo and a trumpet. The strings and the backing vocals also supported the lead vocal very well.
39. The Girl Sang The Blues - The Everly Brothers https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Mm75BZFkmc There's a good pace to this one led by the drums and piano.
40. Fools Rush In - Rick Nelson https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BeJOh-N-TEA An uptempo country style tune which he sings well. The song goes back to 1940 and has been covered many times including Bow Wow Wow in the 80s and more recently by Disclosure.

Record of the week : 32. Be My Baby - The Ronettes

And of course it has to be this three minutes of pop perfection, probably the best record of the week since I started this thread. All its components are excellent but I'm going to pick out the drum rhythm and sound as my favourite part. It will reach a peak position of number 4.

Posted by: Popchartfreak 17th October 2023, 06:52 PM

Be My Baby would win against almost any competition from the 60's, and certainly any up to this point! Perfection.

Fools Rush In is a lovely track, still like it a lot, I'll take the original US version of Do You Love Me - and I speak as someone who grew up with The Trems & Dave Clark 5! Oops! The Drifters are always good in the 60's, less so in the 70's when they became clones of their own history based in the UK with UK songwriters. That was when they were at their most successful here!

Posted by: King Rollo 24th October 2023, 05:43 PM

24th - 30th October 1963

25. Mule Train - Frank Ifield https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_xzNdJfV3t8 Frank reaches some high notes on this cover of the Buz Butler song from 1949 with some whip cracking sound effects. His run of top 5 singles comes to an end with this one only reaching number 22.
29. Sugar And Spice - The Searchers https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hTlctBe8jME Another catchy pop song from the Merseybeat group and this one will go to number 2.
33. Bossa Nova Baby - Elvis Presley https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W0hTGwSME_U Taken from Elvis' latest film 'Fun In Acapulco', this has an interesting organ riff and mariachi band accompaniment.
34. Guilty - Jim Reeves https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MXMjE1yjrSM A sleepy country style ballad which was a bit of a chore to listen through.
40. Love Of The Loved - Cilla Black https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZcmFc1E-ffU Cilla's debut single was written by Lennon and McCartney but it's a false start for her with the song stalling at number 35. There are just drums and brass instruments on this one and an undisciplined vocal.

Record of the week : 28. Blowing In The Wind - Peter, Paul and Mary

Bob Dylan won't appear here until 1965 but we do have a cover of one of his early songs by the American folk trio. Their vocal harmonies are a pleasure to listen to and the lyrics are very fitting to what was going on in America during the 1960s. The single won Grammy awards for Best Folk Recording and Best Performance By A Vocal Group. It will peak at number 13.

Posted by: Popchartfreak 24th October 2023, 06:54 PM

I don;t have to play any of these for a change hooray! Mule Train was my fave at the time, though not these days! Peter Paul & Mary's cover was very well known in the 60's, not so sure these days, but it was always pleasant, tho I much preferred Leaving On A Jet Plane in 1970. Sugar & Spice was catchy and one I knew, Bossa Nova Baby is prob my fave these days though, love that rhythm and I have memories of the cliff-diving scenes in Fun In Acapulco from seeing it at the cinema, and later on TV (mum adored Elvis till the day she died). My younger brother's first-ever bought record was Fun In Acapulco/I Think I'm Gonna Like It Here cos we all loved the film and Elvis - this was later in 1969, Australian edition, so I'm peeved that wasn't a UK single too.

Jim Reeves is never bad, golden vocals can make anything sound decent, and Cilla's Love Of The Loved is a fave of mine, it's just so catchy and upbeat and herald's my forthcoming monster love for Cilla. "undisciplined vocal" Given she was checking coats in at the Cavern not that long before getting signed up, I forgive her....

Posted by: JulianT 24th October 2023, 07:07 PM

I think “undisciplined” is quite a kind description!

Bossa Nova Baby for me too - a rare Elvis highlight among quite a lot of rubbish Elvis put out in this period.

Posted by: King Rollo 31st October 2023, 05:36 PM

31st October - 6th November 1963

34. Sweet Impossible You - Brenda Lee https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=87FrhEma9d8 A good vocal here from Brenda but the song wasn't up to much and the backing singers and brass section were just going through the motions.

Record of the week : 30. Sue's Gotta Be Mine - Del Shannon

A quiet week with just two new entries and I preferred this one. Del uses his falsetto very well, supported by the backing singers and some fine drumming. He wrote and produced the song as well. The single will spend two weeks at its peak position of number 21.

Posted by: Popchartfreak 1st November 2023, 11:03 AM

Never hard that Del Shannon track before. he'd obviously being paying a lot of attention to The Four Seasons hits.....!

Posted by: King Rollo 7th November 2023, 08:09 PM

7th - 13th November 1963

23. Don't Talk To Him - Cliff Richard and The Shadows https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0UW1U3W4uc0 With the music written by Bruce Welch and lyrics by Cliff himself, this is one of his better 60s singles which he sings very well.
28. Maria Elena - Los Indios Tabajaras https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y4dljMqW31g A soothing classical guitar instrumental from the Brazilian duo which I enjoyed. Recorded in 1958, it will reach the top 5 and be their only hit.
30. Secret Love - Kathy Kirby https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=raFNi16uNsY Opening and closing with a dramatic drum roll, this is the Doris Day number 1 from 1953 updated in a 1960s pop style. Kathy puts a lot of welly into her vocals.
34. I'll Keep You Satisfied - Billy J Kramer and The Dakotas https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q0QD9SWEcjE A third top 5 hit for this group and another Lennon/McCartney songwriting credit. It was decent enough.
40. Busted - Ray Charles https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L2YOqZBSE6w A jazzy big band arrangement of a Johnny Cash country song. It didn't stand out for me.

Record of the week : 39. You Were Made For Me - Freddie And The Dreamers

This is such a happy song, it has to get the award, especially when I see the comical dance moves in this performance. The single will spend four weeks at number 3 in December, a third top three hit for the Manchester group.

Posted by: JulianT 7th November 2023, 10:13 PM

I love that Freddie And The Dreamers track but unusually my winner would actually be Cliff this time - Don’t Talk To Him is one of his very best I think.

Posted by: crazy chris 7th November 2023, 10:59 PM

Always been one of my fave Cliff tracks since buying 40 Golden Greats many years ago.

Posted by: Popchartfreak 8th November 2023, 12:08 PM

Yes I agree, love the Freddie song (lil John was a big fan of Freddie and the dances) and one of Cliff's best early 60's songs. My fave though was Kathy Kirby, mad on her, throw in a Doris Day song belted out, what's not to love for a 5-year-old?

Billy J. another fave pop star, but not one I remember from the time, but I like it these days anyway. Busted is a decent record, and Maria Elena is the only one I need to remind myself of every time - and yes it's a tune I rate, lovely. So that's a full-house of positivity from me, yay!

Posted by: King Rollo 14th November 2023, 07:03 PM

14th - 20th November 1963

32. It's Almost Tomorrow - Mark Wynter https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HfZzQf5taZc A mediocre cover of the Dream Weavers' 1956 number 1.
35. Deep Purple - Nino Tempo and April Stevens https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_KwIYxXDLMA A sweet duet from the siblings, with added harmonica parts, which will be the 100th Billboard number 1. April's spoken parts in the second half came about because Nino forgot the lyrics while they recorded the demo and they were kept in for the final recording.
37. What Do Ya Say - Chubby Checker https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OiMKSm0UMTI This will be the last of Chubby's nine 1960s hit singles and it has the sort of chorus that will stick in my head, I quite enjoyed it.

Record of the week : 34. Red Sails In The Sunset - Fats Domino

Nothing stood out this week but I'm going for this nautically themed song from the New Orleans singer. He sings it well, supported by the piano, drums and female backing singers. The song goes back to 1935 and has been covered by many well known singers. It will go no higher than number 34 and will be the last of his sixteen top 40 hits.

Posted by: Popchartfreak 15th November 2023, 09:41 AM

Well my initial reaction is "Deep Purple" all the way, love the tune, liked Donny & marie's cover, and I charted Ray Stevens version as an album track in 1975, a sort of ragtime/country uptempo yodelling effort. Let's test that theory with a play of the rest:

Well, It's Almost Tomorrow writers probably have a copyright claim on 60's kiddie song Puff The Magic Dragon, clearly ripping the tune off, but the latter is a way better record! Chubby was a Twistin' fave in the early 60's and this is OK but nothing special. From Chubby to Fats, yes this is the best of the three, but I stick with Deep Purple as best song.

Posted by: JulianT 15th November 2023, 10:07 AM

The lovey Deep Purple for me too!

Posted by: King Rollo 21st November 2023, 07:29 PM

21st - 27th November 1963

27. From Russia With Love - Matt Monro https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YwLXDv6jXr4 The theme to the second James Bond film is a suitably dramatic ballad with Matt holding the last note for an impressive twelve seconds.
32. I Wanna Be Your Man - The Rolling Stones https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NbTtP6j-oyg The Stones's second single is an improvement on the first one. The raw guitar sound really stands out, a precursor to the way the instrument will be played in the years to come. Written by Lennon and McCartney, the Beatles' own version will follow soon on their second album.
39. If I Ruled The World - Harry Secombe https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UpzCM1aitHw Written for the 1963 musical 'Pickwick', this version will give the Welsh singer his first hit single since 1955. He uses an operatic style and holds the last note for ten seconds, a good effort, but not as long as Matt Monro this week.

Record of the week : 38. Glad All Over - The Dave Clark Five

It has to be this infectious pop song with its foot stomping beat. It's also quite unusual to hear a saxophone used as part of the backing rhythm rather than in a solo. The group's second top 40 single will have a rocky chart run, moving up and down the top 10 a couple of times before finally reaching number 1 on the 16th of January.

Posted by: Roba. 21st November 2023, 08:48 PM

'Glad All Over' is quite good!

Posted by: JulianT 22nd November 2023, 09:10 AM

I’m not a massive fan of Glad All Over - I’d probably go for From Russia With Love in fact

Posted by: Popchartfreak 22nd November 2023, 10:12 AM

Glad All Over was def my fave at the time and its still foot-stomping fun. Older me would prob rather hear From Russia With Love or If I Ruled The World, both are tunes. Harry's version of the latter is still the most powerful, though Tony Bennett's was good, but a shout-out to the late Andy Hallet, Lorne in the series Angel (Buffy spin-off) and his version in the final very dark episode of the show.

Posted by: King Rollo 28th November 2023, 06:36 PM

28th November - 4th December 1963

29. Stay - The Hollies https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GynWfSa3Abg A wild, fast paced cover of the Maurice Williams US number 1 from 1960. A lot of singers have had a go at the song so I know the tune well.
31. Money - Bern Elliott and The Fenmen https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_BlMaqvy4rw The Beatles have just done a cover of this which was part of my album review last week and now comes another version from the Kent band. They've done a reasonably good job with it.
32. Hungry For Love - Johnny Kidd and The Pirates https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yued-JfoUSE This will be the last of the group's six top 40 hits and it didn't impress me. Johnny lost his life in a car accident just three years later.
40. Yesterday's Gone - Chad Stuart and Jeremy Clyde https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ql9AKqMcsdY A pleasant song with acoustic guitars. The addition of strings and then brass kept it interesting. Peaking at number 37, it will be the English duo's only hit but they will do much better in America where they will have eleven top 100 singles.

Record of the week : 25. I Only Want To Be With You - Dusty Springfield

There's a clear winner this week with a song we all know. As well as a great vocal and melody, there is also the attempt to match the Spector wall of sound with the orchestra and big drum sound. Dusty and her team were looking for the right song to start her solo career and they found it with this one. It will spend three weeks at number 4, the same peak position achieved by the Bay City Rollers and The Tourists with their later cover versions.

Posted by: JulianT 28th November 2023, 08:46 PM

Dusty was in a bit of a league of her own in the charts at that point.

Posted by: Popchartfreak 29th November 2023, 10:26 AM

Dusty any day for me, icon, and a massive tune that was a hit again twice in the 70's, and again in the 80's, none of the covers any good, bar The Tourists' decent cover aka Annie Lennox & Dave Stewart (& co).

Stay is a decent cover, but prefer Jackson Browne's 1978 hit. Money, it's The Beatles for me, always has been, Hungry For Love never heard in my life (that I recall). It's no Shakin' All Over. Chad & Jeremy never caught my attention in the 60's till they turned up on Batman (!) circa 1967 in the UK. If any act was proof that the US had gone Britpop-mad and would buy any old piece of tat that looked Swinging 60's London, it's them. That and the 2 godawful music hall oldies Herman's Hermits monster number ones that didnt even get a UK release they were so bad. I'm lookin' at you I'm Henry The VIIIth I Am, I Am! And that was very much part of the 60's music scene in the UK even though it wasnt a single. Went down well on The Good Old Days TV show, I expect.

Posted by: Sausage Rollo 5th December 2023, 05:51 PM

5th - 11th December 1963

10. I Want To Hold Your Hand - The Beatles https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v1HDt1tknTc This is the first Beatles single not to win my ROTW award. I still like it but there's something better this week. It's the first song by them recorded using four-track equipment and you can tell, the production is better adding to what is already a well written pop song. It will spend five weeks at number 1 and also launch the group in America.
24. Dominique - The Singing Nun https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EO7cD6qmydo An interesting acoustic guitar song from the Belgian nun, her only hit. It contains six verses and six choruses with the backing nuns doing most of the work on each chorus. Reaching number 7 here, it will be an unlikely US number 1.
28. Geronimo - The Shadows https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dyQkFOPuMbI This is well put together with strings, brass and backing vocals as well as the familiar guitar sound. It will be the first single by them to miss the top 10.
34. Steptoe and Son At Buckingham Palace (Parts 1 & 2) - Wilfrid Brambell and Harry H Corbett https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yD-Jk5BrQ84 A recording of their eleven minute sketch at the Royal Variety Performance. Albert has gone to the Palace to collect some rag and bones. I don't think the BBC sitcom it was based on was a particular favourite of my parents as I don't remember seeing much of it. This sketch wasn't that funny but the audience sound like they enjoyed it.
35. Swinging On A Star - Big Dee Irwin https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZOPlv0qJPQM I've heard this a few times a long time ago so I'm guessing it was played a bit on Junior Choice in the 70s. It's a fun song (originally from a 1944 Hollywood film) aiming for the Christmas market like many of this week's new entries. Little Eva makes an uncredited contribution.
36. I Can Dance - Brian Poole and The Tremeloes https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tNPs_OIqDoI One for the dancefloor now with plenty of energy. While their first two singles reached the top 5, this will only get to number 31.
37. All I Want For Christmas Is A Beatle - Dora Bryan https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vq0ncaMfAbs A terrible novelty record by the English actress putting on a comedy accent.
38. Country Boy - Heinz https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xxCKF__E9ag I like the stretched out guitar sound at the start but the rest of the song didn't live up to that promise.

Record of the week : 33. Twenty Four Hours From Tulsa - Gene Pitney

I'm choosing this classic by Gene Pitney, written by Bacharach and David. It's a story of a man who is one day away from home and decides he prefers a girl he meets outside a motel to the girl he is driving home to and will never go home again. There's great use of the strings, piano and brass instruments here. The single will peak at number 5 in January.

Posted by: Jingle Jules 6th December 2023, 01:31 AM

Ooh yes I do still love I Want To Hold Your Hand, but Gene just pipped The Beatles in mine too.

Love Dominique as well.

Posted by: Popchartfreak 6th December 2023, 10:03 AM

Ooh very close for me - dad bought I want To Hold Your Hand so it's part of my childhood, but so was 24 Hours From Tulsa, and Gene was fabulous. Gene edges it, I think, and a shout-out to This Boy B side of Hand, in my current charts cos it's never charted before and it's added to 62-66 Red album.

Dominique is lovely, great tune, tragic story of The Singing Nun. Geronimo isn;t one the Shads classics, Steptoe & Son were never funny and I had to sit through them. Swinging On a Star is delightful, one I liked as a kid. Dora Bryan was a 60's fave, but yeah not great here. The Trems sounding suspiciously exactly like Do You Love Me. Oh dear. Heinz also a disappointment, it's no Just Like Eddie. that backing dur dur vocal was a mistake. Surely if its about country boys it should be done in a Cornish accent..

Posted by: Sausage Rollo 12th December 2023, 06:19 PM

12th - 18th December 1963

Record of the week : 30. Not Too Little, Not Too Much - Chris Sandford

With all those new entries last week, there is little room for anything else and this is the only new song to make it in. Chris Sandford was an actor in Coronation Street. His character, Walter Potts, had a storyline where he was snapped up by a talent agency and this was the single he released. It was a hit in the storyline and now it's a hit in the real world, peaking at number 17, so it's an 'Every Loser Wins' for the 1960s. His vocal range is limited and the song is fairly basic but the chorus is one that will stay in my head for a while. Unlike Nick Berry, Chris Sandford had no further hits. He now writes books on fly fishing so he's a real life J R Hartley.

Posted by: Popchartfreak 13th December 2023, 10:43 AM

How bizarre! They had actual future pop star Davy Jones in Corrie (Ena Sharples grandson) who could actually sing - exhibit one, Daydream Believer - and didn't bother with him!

Posted by: Sausage Rollo 21st December 2023, 05:53 PM

19th - 25th December 1963

25. Kiss Me Quick - Elvis Presley https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vVABGbg20vI This has already been available as an album track for 18 months so I'm not sure why it's been released as a single now. There's a good rhythm to the song but nothing else noteworthy.
35. We Are In Love - Adam Faith and The Roulettes https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6UTQE9sl33g Adam's second release with his new backing band and they've given him a more contemporary sound, this was OK.
37. Walking Alone - Richard Anthony https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J5eLPF30toE A first hit for the French singer. Recorded at Abbey Road, there's a big scale to it with the strings and a siren like backing vocal. The second best of today's batch.
38. What To Do - Buddy Holly https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EmNNUX85rk8 What To Do was already a hit in 1961 but this is a new version. There were some neat guitar licks.
39. Run Rudolph Run - Chuck Berry https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YiadNVhaGwk An original Christmas song which has been covered by many artists since. Recorded in 1958, it sounds a lot like Johnny B Goode or Roll Over Beethoven.

Record of the week : 27. Hippy Hippy Shake - The Swinging Blue Jeans

A lively Merseybeat song gets the award this week. The singer puts everything into his vocal and there's a great guitar interlude. The group's second top 40 hit will go as high as number 2. The song was written and first recorded by the 17 year old American, Chan Romero in 1959.

Posted by: Rockin Roba 22nd December 2023, 07:09 PM

A grand pick there!

Posted by: Popchartfreak 23rd December 2023, 10:34 AM

Hippy Hippy Shake is an energetic obvious pick for me here too, but I dont really know the rest much so here we go playing 'em:

Kiss Me Quick, ah film soundtrack Elvis, it's OK but like most of his film songs, disposable fluff. Adam's never heard that I recall, and yes obviously moving into Merseybeat-inspired sounds, but the song is formula copycat without the energy or class.

Never heard of Richard Anthony, nice production, but fairly unmemorable. No idea which version I'm listening to for the Buddy Holly hit, but this is an album track or B side being flattered to keep the hits coming. Run Rudolph in the actual charts this week thanks to streaming playlist positioning and people leaving them on for longer than they usually would in the run-up to Christmas. It sounds much like the usual Chuck Berry sound, but not quite as good. he was probably on tour in the UK with The Beatles or something.

Posted by: Sausage Rollo 26th December 2023, 06:07 PM

26th December 1963 - 1st January 1964

39. From Russia With Love - John Barry Orchestra https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zOfY_DhhTg Matt Monro's vocal version is still in the top 40 and now we have the instrumental version which was used on the opening credits. It's not the most memorable of Bond themes. This is John Barry's eighth top 40 hit in four years, we will have to wait another eight years for the last one.

Record of the week : 35. Kansas City - Trini Lopez

I can tell from the crowd noises that this is a live version of the song. It's a decent rhythm and blues tune with the harmonica combining well with the guitars in the instrumental break. The more well known covers are by The Beatles (on their fourth album) and Wilbert Harrison (a US number 1). The original from 1952 was by Little Willie Littlefield. I don't think I know any of those so the song was unfamiliar to me. Trini Lopez's last single reached the top 5 but this one will peak at number 35.

Posted by: Popchartfreak 27th December 2023, 10:44 AM

Co-incidentally I was watching The Dirty Dozen yesterday and hadn't realised Trini Lopez was in it! If I Had A Hammer is fab, but this cover isnt one I warm to, never been a fan of the song. John Barry for me. Though not as much as The Persuaders obv

Posted by: King Rollo 2nd January 2024, 07:07 PM

2nd - 8th January 1964

32. I'm In Love - The Fourmost https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dLbrGDxa9o8 A second hit for the Merseybeat group and, like the first, it's a Lennon/McCartney composition. The whole song is sung in harmony by the group and they make a good job of it but there's nothing exceptional here.

Record of the week : 37. Do You Really Love Me Too (Fool's Errand) - Billy Fury

It's still that time of year in which we get just a few new entries and this is the best of today's pair. Billy puts in a good vocal, supported by the backing singers, strings, drums and a repeated guitar riff. The song was first recorded by the American singer, Barbara Chandler, a few months ago. Billy's version will get to number 13.

Posted by: Popchartfreak 3rd January 2024, 02:14 PM

I turned 6 and have no memories of ever hearing either of these

I can see why Paul & John gifted that song, and Billy has the edge, nice strings and twangy guitar though the song is nothing exceptional.

Posted by: King Rollo 9th January 2024, 07:14 PM

9th - 15th January 1964

29. As Usual - Brenda Lee https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XuJFjAsKMRk A sad ballad about not getting over someone leaving which she sings well, accompanied by piano and strings. It will be her fourth top five single.
37. There! I've Said It Again - Bobby Vinton https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YLAhVU0NOm0 Another well sung ballad with a xylophone and harpsicord amongst many instruments being used. The original version is from the 1940s. It's his second hit, reaching number 34 here but going all the way to number 1 in the US. We will have to wait another 27 years for the third one.
38. Don't Blame Me - Frank Ifield https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eMmGXzRrpU0 A country style ballad with effective use of the harmonica. This one goes even further back, to the early 1930s. It will give Frank his sixth and final top 10 hit.

Record of the week : 40. Baby, I Love You - The Ronettes

Hot on the heels of Phil Spector's Christmas album comes the second hit single for the Ronettes. It's another excellently produced recording with the Wrecking Crew making a great contribution. Only the lead singer, Ronnie Bennett, was present so Sonny & Cher and Darlene Love all help out on backing vocals. I'm most familiar with the Ramones' cover (also a Phil Spector production) from 1980 which got to number 8. At the time, I didn't know it was a cover. I don't think I've heard the Ronettes' original before. It will spend twelve weeks in the top 40, peaking at number 11.

Posted by: Popchartfreak 12th January 2024, 06:22 PM

Yes, The Ronettes for me too, over Brenda Lee which is sweet. The other two I also quite like. Baby I Love You topped my chart in a very Spector-y self-produced cover from Dave Edmunds in early 1973, so I love the song already, though The Ramones (spector-produced) cover was a tad too fun-cartoony for me, I liked the emotion of the earlier versions.

Posted by: King Rollo 18th January 2024, 06:45 PM

16th - 22nd January 1964

23. I'm The One - Gerry and The Pacemakers https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HYzUSiV7g18 This is the first self-penned release by the group and it's a good upbeat pop song. It will break the run of chart topping singles but a number 2 position is nothing to complain about.
35. Whispering - Nino Tempo and April Stevens https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f4jX1FQHQC8 I didn't expect a song called Whispering to start with whistling but that's what happened. The rest of it was OK, better than the Bachelors' version we had a few months ago. As with their first single, they've kept to April speaking some of the lyrics in the second half.
39. All My Loving - The Dowlands https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IwMAL6-m2Fo The only hit for the Bournemouth group is this cover of the Beatles song. It has a slightly slower pace to it and is a pale imitation of the original despite Joe Meek producing it.

Record of the week : 26. Needles And Pins - The Searchers

I'm putting this just ahead of 'I'm The One'. I don't regard it as an essential 60s number 1 but it's solid enough. The original version was recorded by Jackie DeShannon in 1963. This one will spend three weeks at the top of the chart.

Posted by: JulianT 18th January 2024, 07:01 PM

I really like Needles And Pins-uh! Definitely ROTW.

Posted by: Roba. 18th January 2024, 07:46 PM

'Needles and Pins' is great. There's a few versions of those floating about which are equally as good imo!

Posted by: Popchartfreak 20th January 2024, 11:40 AM

Needles and pins for me too. Coulda been a sonny and Cher debut if sonny hadn't given it away.

I'm the one is fun though, Gerry still charming the nation!

Posted by: King Rollo 23rd January 2024, 05:32 PM

23rd - 29th January 1964

29. I Think Of You - The Merseybeats https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pcQtsIYwZgo A gently paced song with a cha cha rhythm and good use of guitars. It will be their biggest hit, reaching number 5.
38. Fever - Helen Shapiro https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iN7MXv6Gum0 This will be the last of Helen's ten top 40 hits. The voice is still there and this is a fair version of the song. I was distracted by some of the drumming, especially the bit at 31 seconds. Helen is now 77 years old and part of a Christian music trio called Hebron. They are playing in Romford on Thursday if you're in that part of the world, admission is free.
39. Song Of Mexico - Tony Meehan https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P02CPc9Rh74 This will be the drummer's only solo hit and it has a fairly straightforward drum pattern so he's not really challenging himself here. There's still plenty of guitar added on with strings and backing singers.
40. Diane - The Bachelors https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q4opYhQAAao This country tinged ballad flies in the face of the current music scene and will go all the way to number 1, a first chart topper for an act from the Republic of Ireland. It did nothing for me.

Record of the week : 27. 5-4-3-2-1 - Manfred Mann

There's no doubt this week, it has to be this one with its chugging harmonica part going throughout the song and the simple refrain. Written for the TV programme 'Ready Steady Go!', it will be the first hit single for the London band, appropriately peaking at number 5.

Posted by: Popchartfreak 23rd January 2024, 07:15 PM

Yes, heard 5-4-3-2-1 rather a lot on Ready Steady Go with the fab Cathy McGowan, last seen knitting on the side of the stage on a Top Of The Pops Smiths performance. Great to hear Helen Shapiro is still singing, and Fever is a great song, though Peggy Lee for me is the definitive.

The Merseybeats is a nice one, Tony Meehan the tune rings a bell now I hear it - or maybe it reminds me of something, quite like it actually. I'm gonna have to go with Diane for my pick though, I know it's dated MOR bland ballad, but nostalgia is strongest in this one for me and its a decent song.

Posted by: Jade 23rd January 2024, 07:29 PM

I've fallen a bit behind but will jump back in now! I think 'Song Of Mexico' is my favourite of that week, love The Shadows and Tony's work in the duo with Jet Harris, nice that he snuck in a totally solo chart placement too. Nothing too out of the ordinary from him indeed but his style is pretty irresistable, enjoyable jazzy elements here.

'5-4-3-2-1' is good too - my introduction to that song was the reworked version that the Spice Girls sang to endorse the birth of channel 5

Posted by: King Rollo 30th January 2024, 05:25 PM

30th January - 5th February 1964

30. For You - Rick Nelson https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQF0t2Zowtw A song that goes back to 1932 when it was first recorded by Bing Crosby but this version certainly makes it sound like it belongs in the 1960s, there's a nice echo sound effect on the vocal. It will be the last of Ricky's sixteen top 40 hits. He sadly died in a plane crash aged just 45.
36. My Special Dream - Shirley Bassey https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Bwnuhv1q5M Another ballad with a big vocal from Shirley.
37. Poison Ivy - The Paramounts https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zK8kJWKxSVo This has already been a hit in 1959 for The Coasters but it's the terrific 1980 version by The Lambrettas that I'm familiar with. The Paramounts also do the song justice. I don't think there are too many chart hits about STDs. It will be the only top 40 single by the group but some of them will be part of Procul Harum later on.

Record of the week : 40. Louie Louie - The Kingsmen

This seems to be years ahead of its time and a big influence on the alternative rock music that followed it all the way to the punk rock era. It will reach number 2 in the US but it seems the British public weren't yet ready for this type of music and it will peak at number 26. The original 1956 version was by Richard Berry. This was the only top 40 single for The Kingsmen who are still going.

Posted by: JulianT 30th January 2024, 10:11 PM

Louie Louie is brilliant! I love the way the vocals are so indistinct that he almost sounds drunk. My favourite thing that’s come up here for a bit.

Posted by: Popchartfreak 31st January 2024, 09:14 AM

Louie Louie easily the top tune here, garage classic. The Ricky Nelson song is nice, though, and I never knew Poison Ivy was about STD's! Naive me just saw Batman villain Poisin Ivy The Shirley song is what one might expect it to sound like. Pity.

Posted by: King Rollo 6th February 2024, 07:14 PM

6th - 12th February 1964

22. Candy Man - Brian Poole and the Tremeloes https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-2Lx_DesFY A cover of a Roy Orbison B side. I like the lead vocal here and there are a few pauses when everything stops.
23. I'm The Lonely One - Cliff Richard and the Shadows https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SY4VCwRmB3Y There's plenty of energy in this uptempo song with the drums and hand clapping setting a good pace. It will only reach number 8, Cliff's lowest chart peak since 1959.
33. Boys Cry - Eden Kane https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zGumxJy9SiE On the subject of boys keeping their feelings to themselves, this will be the last of Eden's five hit singles with all of them reaching the top 10. As well as appearing in different Star Trek series, he has continued to sing.
40. Eight By Ten - Ken Dodd https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jquNT2ik6Jo A rather gloomy ballad from Ken, the girl has left him and all he is left with is a picture of her in a frame that measures eight by ten.

Record of the week : 28. Anyone Who Had A Heart - Cilla Black

It has to be this huge ballad with a powerful vocal from Cilla and a dynamic Abbey Road production from George Martin. I particularly like the bassoon solo in the middle where the song quietens down. It just got in to the chart ahead of Dionne Warwick's original and spent three weeks at number 1, going on to be the best selling single of the 1960s by a female artist.

Posted by: Popchartfreak 7th February 2024, 10:29 AM

I like the Eden Kane track and I'm aghast I didnt spot older Eden in all those Trek TV shows!! It's not as if I didn't see him in concert around that time too

It's no contest for Cilla though, a massive kiddie fave that I adored and still adore. Love Dionne, seen her in concert and she mentioned Cilla when she sang her good version, a legend and all that, but Cilla everytime.

Posted by: King Rollo 14th February 2024, 08:51 PM

13th - 19th February 1964

There are no new entries this week so I have the week off.

Posted by: Popchartfreak 15th February 2024, 05:54 PM

ah well, have a bonus replacement chart for that week in 1964 in the USA instead:

The Beatles still on top with I Want To Hold Your Hand, You Don't Own Me at 2 for Lesley Gore, and more Beatles at 3 (She Loves You), Dusty doing it in the USA banging in at 27 with I Only Want To Be With You which has already been reviewed in these pages and I'm excluding it, and highly unexpected songs higher up from Cliff Richard (It's All In The Game at 25), Louie Louie, garage classic dropping to 23, and Surfin' Bird dropping to 15 for the Trashmen.

Unlike the UK there are loads of top 40 entries that flopped in the UK: no links as I dont imagine will want to hear them....!

Navy Blue - Diane Renay

Girl upbeat pop along the lines of Bobby's Girl but with an unexpected riff half-way through not a million miles away from The Tornadoes. Never heard of it before, or her, but I rather like it actually!

See The Funny Little Clown - Bobby Goldsboro

Never knew Bobby was hitting this early in the States, almost a mild bossa nova rhythm for this gentle ballad, and rather nice too. Always enjoyed Bobby's vocal style.

Good News - Sam Cooke

The great Sam didn't have long left before he was murdered, but this is one that didn't crop up on his Greatest Hits so I don't know it. Upbeat soul, more Twistin The Night Away (but not as memorable) than A Change Is Gonna Come. It's OK.

I Love You More And More Ever - Al Martino

The original UK chart-topper debutante was still charting in the USA 12 years on. Sounds like a 1952 ballad, not much of interest.

Oh Baby Don't You Weep - James Brown

James Brown well en route to Soul Brother Number One, but not as funky as later tracks, more Ray Charles-ish in a JB stylee. It's mildly pleasant but nothing special, and James already sounding like Red Dwarf's Cat in the miaows. Or vice versa.

Abigail Beecher - Freddy Cannon

Ah, always enjoy Freddy cannon tracks, and another that's new to me, upbeat rockabilly fun, not quite up to his well-known hits, but pretty decent all in all.

Going Going Gone - Brook Benton

Brook never had much success in the UK sadly, his smooth crooner tracks in the Nat 'King' Cole vein are pretty cool from the viewpoint of 6 decades in time. This is no exception.

So which is the best? Well, Dusty Obv, but of the rest? I'm going to ignore street-cred and opt for this one, cos it's the one I enjoyed the most, and I like the instrumental bit and verses (I wouldnt say it has a chorus at all) just over Bobby Goldsboro and Freddy cannon.



Cooler folk check out Brook Benton, Sam Cooke and James Brown....

Posted by: King Rollo 15th February 2024, 07:35 PM

Oh yes, that's a cute little song. I haven't heard of her either.

I know all the the other singers but not those particular songs.

Posted by: Popchartfreak 16th February 2024, 05:50 PM

Goodo Turns out it's a Bob Crewe co-write he of Four Seasons producer/co-writer/ Music To Watch Girls By fame, and Diane was 17 lyrically pining for her beau abroad. Let's hope he's not In The Navy in a 1979 sort of way for her!

Posted by: King Rollo 20th February 2024, 07:09 PM

20th - 26th February 1964

27. Nadine (Is It You) - Chuck Berry https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1M9XdkUk298 Chuck Berry has come out of jail after a one and a half year sentence so this is his first new music since 1961. I enjoyed the lyrics about pursuing a woman around a town but never catching up with her.
30. Stay Awhile - Dusty Springfield https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=skQWcBBjyA8 Dusty's second solo single is OK but not up to the standard of 'I Only Want To Be With You'. The producer is trying to recreate the Spector sound with the drums, strings and backing vocals.
33. Borne On The Wind - Roy Orbison https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_75Bb1pcXUI This is my second favourite of the week, another great vocal from Roy backed by acoustic guitars, strings and backing singers.
36 Let Me Go, Lover - Kathy Kirby https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yO4CDWZ2WrQ This was a hit for four different singers in 1955 and now we have a more up to date version. It was alright, the backing band were kept busy.
37. My Baby Left Me - Dave Berry and The Cruisers https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KqL71rZjb2s One of many covers of the 1950 song. He makes a decent job of it.
40. Um Um Um Um Um Um - Major Lance https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V4hd8IiNjGk The only hit for the American singer is a well crafted soul record with the brass section making a good contribution.

Record of the week : 19. Bits And Pieces - The Dave Clark Five

I'm going for this foot stomper. I remember it was the theme tune for the Bits And Pieces quiz on the Radio 1 Roadshow where people had to identify about ten songs from snippets that lasted a few seconds for each song. I would always play along at home during the school holidays. It will spend three weeks at number 2.

Posted by: JulianT 20th February 2024, 07:54 PM

I’d be choosing Roy this week

Posted by: Popchartfreak 21st February 2024, 02:18 PM

yeah I like all of these, Chuck Berry less bothered about chasing women in his older days, more into video technology, but still into tax avoidance. I'd prob have gone for Dusty if Bits And Pieces hadn't been there, stomping great fun that this 6-year-old liked and 66-year-old still likes. I will prob avoid stomping my feet to it in case the bones shatter... Dave Clark 5 got the Pet Shop Boys cover treatment (not this one though) which is a rare honour. I used to love Bits & Pieces the radio 1 clips quiz, piece of piss for me usually, unlike these days when I can rarely get more recent stuff in time or at all.

Roy is an icon too, wish I'd seen him live, though I did get to see dave Berry, his version of the Elvis song is OK, but it's the Slade mash-up cover from 1977 that I know best. Kathy Kirby always had that belting out vocal on upbeat fun, my fave pop star of the time. Major Lance is a goodie too.

Posted by: King Rollo 29th February 2024, 03:14 PM

27th February - 4th March 1964

20. Over You - Freddie and The Dreamers https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zq1qbzDNDy0 The fourth single from this group is pleasant enough and well sung. The first three all made the top 3 but this one will only reach number 13.
26. I Love You Because - Jim Reeves https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qit_HikDGxU I know this one quite well. It's one of the better country ballads I've heard, the lovely harp sound made it stand out for me. The original version was by Leon Payne in 1949.
34. Little Children - Billy J Kramer and The Dakotas https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SJBq7HY46oI Little children are getting in the way when he's trying to snog their older sister is the gist of this one. Looking at Julian's thread, he doesn't like it at all while John loves it. I'm on the fence about halfway in between. It will spend two weeks at number 1.
39. Just One Look - The Hollies https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rCJc-J7edks Their fourth hit and the best one so far with its strong chorus. My second favourite this week, it will peak at number 2. Doris Troy recorded the first version the previous year.
40. You Were There - Heinz https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ZlbImPr1uM This was well put together but I won't remember it for long.

Record of the week : 29. Not Fade Away - The Rolling Stones

I picking this as it's so different from what else was in the chart around this time. I like the rhythm that goes through the song created by the handclaps as well as the drums, excellent use of the harmonica and Mick Jagger's raw lead vocal. A cover of the Crickets' song from 1957, it will peak at number 3 and really establish the Stones as a top chart act.

Posted by: JulianT 29th February 2024, 03:24 PM

Agree Not Fade Away is a really striking cover and top of the pile.

Posted by: Popchartfreak 29th February 2024, 05:14 PM

I like all of these but the charm of Little Children runs deep for this former-6-year-old! Best way to get kids out the house was to give us sixpence to go to the cinema down the road for saturday morning matinees and a singsong! Jim's is still honey-sweet and warm, Fred's is tuneful fun, The Hollies' is catchy, and Not Fade Away is Bo Diddley-esque mature rock. Heinz has turned out to be a bit surprising, I watched the Joe Meek film last week (which seems to have taken liberties with lots of the now-dead folk backstory) but Heinz comes over as a bit of a dick and Meek as very mentally ill. It's very DARK!

Posted by: King Rollo 5th March 2024, 07:25 PM

5th - 11th March 1964

32. It's An Open Secret - The Joy Strings https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0pFu5PKf_Cg We start off with a Salvation Army group but this has more of a folk/pop sound rather than the brass band I was expecting. They even appeared on Ready Steady Go.
36. Theme For Young Lovers - The Shadows https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SfjQYpV0tCM Taken from the latest Cliff Richard movie, Wonderful Life, this is another decent Shadows tune but not essential.
38. I Love How You Love Me - Maureen Evans https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0yoi-vTmB78 A drippy version of a love song which was first recorded in 1961 by a Phil Spector produced girl group called the Paris Sisters. It will be the last of Maureen's four top 40 hits.
40. A Fool Never Learns - Andy Williams https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ieD8ZUIBzFM This is quite a buoyant mid-tempo song with the backing band playing their part. It won't go any higher than number 40.

Record of the week : 28. That Girl Belongs To Yesterday - Gene Pitney

I like the big production on this with the drums, piano and orchestra and he has the powerful vocals not to be overwhelmed by it. The song was written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards. This week, it's one place below Twenty Four Hours From Tulsa which is on its way down the chart. It will eventually peak at number 7.

Posted by: Popchartfreak 6th March 2024, 10:28 AM

Gene all the way today, not surprisingly for me, but The Shads nice tune is in the vein of Wonderful Land without the sweeping strings and melody. Don't know any of these bar Gene's, the Andy Williams song is jolly enough. Andy does ballads or drama though, "jolly" doesnt quite cut it. Maureen Evans, turns out I do know the song after all, who knew! It's a great tune, but ti seems a little too laid-back from the version I know. Cue Google. and I'm still none the wiser - so many versions! I assume it's the original US hit version I know, but it could be Bryan Ferry, Billy Fury, Glen Campbell too....

which leaves the Joy Strings. Inspired by another song I can't place either, I'd say. Pass, though it's 50 years this week since Olivia Newton John sang and name-checked the Sally Army Band for Eurovision's UK entry.

Posted by: King Rollo 12th March 2024, 07:21 PM

12th - 18th March 1964

29. Tell Me When - The Applejacks https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lANf_yLTtNE The first Brumbeat group to make a breakthrough. This is a very good, catchy debut single from them. It's quite unusual to see a female guitarist as part of a beat group.
32. My World Of Blue - Karl Denver https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_flYVnLafdc Another really strong vocal from Karl even if he's a bit more restrained this time and I like the piano interjections in between each line.
36. I Wonder - The Crystals https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQuOvw3brz4 The fourth and final hit for the Crystals. The previous three all won ROTW awards but the melody on this one sounds too similar to 'Da Doo Ron Ron' to make it a clean sweep. The wall of sound production is still fantastic here.
38. Move Over Darling - Doris Day https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xMEM6fLCf38 A great string soaked ballad from Doris, her first hit since 1958 but also her last one. Co-written by her son, it will reach number 8, the same position attained by Tracey Ullman's 1983 cover which I'm more familiar with.

Record of the week : 39. World Without Love - Peter And Gordon

Any one of today's five would have made a good winner but I'm going for this charming little ballad with its vocal harmonies and electric organ instrumental break. The song was written by Paul McCartney when he was just sixteen years old. Peter Asher was the brother of Paul's girlfriend in 1964, Jane. The single will spend two weeks at number 1.

Posted by: Popchartfreak 13th March 2024, 10:27 AM

OOh some faves here, I love the Peter & Gordon track, a def flashback to 1964 for me, but my heart belongs to Doris. Love her, and love this movie theme song - the film is a feel-good fave romp with James Garner who remarries after Doris is declared dead following a plane crash - but she was actually just stranded on a tropical for 7 years, and her kids have grown older. Doesnt sound like a feelgood plot, sounds like a tragedy, but it's a fab lighthearted romp regularly on TV back in the day which kept the theme alive (and a hit again in the 80's).

Tell Me When is fun track, liked that one when it cropped up on a box set 60's various artists compilation I bought in the early 80's. Never heard the Karl Denver track before s'OK, never heard the Crystals single either, and rather good it is, sounds a bit christmassy (obv) but I think I prefer it to Da Doo Ron Ron, which always came over a bit kiddie chant to me, even as a kiddie, this one's not irritating and gels better as a melody. I need to get a copy!

Posted by: JulianT 16th March 2024, 08:12 AM

Many of Peter & Gordon’s covers weren’t up to much but A World Without Love is gorgeous.

Posted by: King Rollo 19th March 2024, 05:44 PM

19th - 25th March 1964

28. I Believe - The Bachelors https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f9OctcNfHPE A unnecessary cover of the well known song, I don't like their vocals on it. This will go all the way to number 2.
31. If He Tells You - Adam Faith and The Roulettes https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8yN7iIlwb3Q Adam continues to try and keep up with what's doing well musically and this is his third single with the Roulettes but it's not as good as the first two and will miss the top 20.
39. Good Golly Miss Molly - The Swinging Blue Jeans https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jHk1081Unmk This cover of the Little Richard song sounds too like Hippy Hippy Shake part 2. The highlight was the busy instrumental break.

Record of the week : 29. Viva Las Vegas - Elvis Presley

After three years of this thread, Elvis finally gets his first ROTW award with this homage to Sin City. I like the fast paced, rhythmic backing track in particular. The single will peak at number 17, the third by him in a row to fall short of the top 10. A re-issue will do a little better, reaching number 15 in 2007. I still prefer the ZZ Top cover version from 1992.

Posted by: Popchartfreak 20th March 2024, 11:20 AM

Love Viva Las Vegas, one of Elvis' best 60's movie tunes (admittedly not an enormously long list of highlights) and I also liked the ZZ Top cover. The film meant nothing to me, though, the only Elvis films I associate with the 60's were Fun In Acapulco and Speedway, so I do rather like the songs from those too.

The Bachelors' I quite liked back in the day, but they are pretty dreary by and large, including I Believe, the Adam faith is nothing much, and Good Golly Miss Molly was a record dad bought so got to hear it a lot in the mid-60's, though never a favourite as such, but I liked it.

Posted by: King Rollo 26th March 2024, 05:42 PM

26th March - 1st April 1964

8. Can't Buy Me Love - The Beatles https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h3WJiqc_bEs This is OK but not one of my favourites from their early years. The guitar solo is the best bit. It will spend three weeks at number 1 and go on to be the fourth best selling single of the 1960s.
28. My Boy Lollipop - Millie https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N7lCJg3WoSc This is a fun record by the sixteen year old with an early type of ska sound and that harmonica solo. It's a cover of a 1956 song by Barbie Gaye.
35. Mary Jane - Del Shannon https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_zDwzRw9Th8 Not one of his best songs, it sounds a bit out of date for 1964. It will go no higher than this position.
38. New Orleans - Bern Elliott and The Fenmen https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Hb_lY2K_wc The last of their two hit singles, it's a lively rocker with the rest of the band echoing each line of the chorus after the lead singer.

Record of the week : 37. Everything's Alright - The Mojos

I knew the first two songs well but I'm choosing one I've never heard before. It starts off slowly with a soulful lead vocal and then really gets going into the chorus with the group vocals ascending up through the musical scales. After that comes the rollicking piano solo. This was a good discovery. The group were from Liverpool and this was their second single and first top 40 hit, peaking at number 9.

Posted by: JulianT 26th March 2024, 05:47 PM

The Mojos track is really good and different. Not sure it tops the first two for me but an interesting pick certainly.

Posted by: Popchartfreak 28th March 2024, 10:59 AM

Gotta be Can't Buy Me Love, easy for me, even though My Boy Lollipop was a massive obsession at the time. Dad bought Can't Buy Me Love so it was part of my childhood, and that scene in Hard Day's Night is reason enough to love it. Still fond of Millie.

I have heard the Mojo's track on 4-disc vinyl box sets of 60's tracks I bought, but still not a fave sadly having just played it. Del Shannon's is new to me, I rather like it, trots along nicely. New Orleans is also not one I've heard before, though the song was slightly familiar to me by 1972 when Harley Quinne did the definitive version for me. This is decent enough, lively and party atmosphere, which is what is called for.

Posted by: King Rollo 2nd April 2024, 05:18 PM

2nd - 8th April 1964

Record of the week : 40. Juliet - The Four Pennies

This is the only new entry this week so it automatically gets the award. I don't think I would have picked it if there had been more to choose from. It's a bit stodgy and laboured. I'm surprised it made it all the way to the top of the chart. It's the first top 40 hit for the Blackburn group, there will be four more to come from them.

Posted by: Popchartfreak 3rd April 2024, 09:13 AM

It's the tune that did it. This was another obsession of mine as a 6-year-old, that melody just got in my head and wouldnt leave. 60 years on it hasnt dated well at all, extremely old-fashioned. I'd like to see a modern arrangement in case the melody still works but the lyrics would need to go too...

Posted by: King Rollo 9th April 2024, 06:34 PM

9th - 15th April 1964

30. Mockin' Bird Hill - The Migil Five https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wHkVCn1RzBE A cover of a song from 1951 but its roots can be traced back to 1915. The repeated "tra-la-la, tweedlee dee dee" gets a bit irritating, the most noteworthy thing about it is the ska style arrangement.
37. Gone - Shirley Bassey https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLjVUixcBA4 This is what I've come to expect from her by now, a powerful vocal accompanied by dramatic orchestration.
39. Only You (And You Alone) - Mark Wynter https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ODOT4W97q0E A lightweight country style version of the Platters' song. It will be the last of his nine top 40 hits. He's still alive and, up until recently, still performing.

Record of the week : 34. Hi-Heel Sneakers - Tommy Tucker

I enjoyed this one a lot. It's a raw blues song from the Afro-American singer/songwriter with the electric organ combining well with the guitar. Peaking at number 23, it will be his only hit. He died in 1982.

Posted by: Popchartfreak 10th April 2024, 08:56 AM

Turns out I know 2 of these already, Hi Heel has def been in films and TV or ads over the years, a good blues track that sounds about 20 or 30 years older than 1964. Like it. Mockingbird is another well-known ancient track that sounds older than 1964, the roots back to the start of the century makes sense, but the ska rhythm is pure 60's. I'm always going to be more biased towards ska sounds and its fun.

Gone is not one I recall, but nicely dramatic Shirl at play here. Dad loved Shirley Bassey. I think the arrangement is better than the song though. Mark Wynter was my little bruv's fave, partly due to the name and dad buying Venus In Blue Jeans - and this song is much-covered, have to admit I've never been a huge fan of it - The Platters' original is a bit plodding, Ringo's ditto if less in your face, so I quite like the more upbeat, speeded-up treatment here.

Posted by: JulianT 10th April 2024, 09:02 AM

Hi-Heel Sneakers is a lovely blues track - definitely the best here. I also said Mocking Bird Hill was a bit grating when I reviewed it.

Posted by: King Rollo 16th April 2024, 05:42 PM

16th - 22nd April 1964

20. Don't Throw Your Love Away - The Searchers https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4zsndPQhWLI This will go on to be the group's third number 1 single. It does have a chorus that will stick in your head but not much else to make it a contender this week. The original version was by the American group, The Orlons.
27. Think - Brenda Lee https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y3DnBKZS-7Q A nice ballad with piano, strings and backing singers. As usual (the title of her last hit) she puts in a fine vocal.
29. Hubble Bubble (Toil And Trouble) - Manfred Mann https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y3RFHTrdVJk An enjoyable, fast paced rhythm and blues style song with the harmonica playing a big part.
39. Baby Let Me Take You Home - The Animals https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CrQ4UGIPphk An impressive debut single by the Newcastle band. There's a lot going on. As well as the main melody, there's a slowed down part in the middle with the lyrics virtually spoken and then a frantic coda at the end.

Record of the week : 31. Don't Let The Sun Catch You Crying - Gerry And The Pacemakers

This is a gorgeous ballad, well sung by Gerry, with a tender accompaniment from the orchestra. The group wrote it for Louise Cordet who had toured with them but after her version failed to chart, they recorded the song themselves. It will peak at number 6.

Posted by: JulianT 16th April 2024, 05:52 PM

Alas I was the only voter for Don’t Let The Sun Catch You Crying in the #6 poll - it’s beautiful

Posted by: Popchartfreak 17th April 2024, 08:32 AM

I think I missed that poll, I've always loved that Gerry song right from being a lil kiddie - though I also loved Don't Throw Your Love Away even more at the time. I know all these and like them all, but I'd also go with Don't Let The Sun as top pick. I'm considering going to see The Searchers on their final tour if I can get organised enough to book!

Posted by: King Rollo 23rd April 2024, 05:32 PM

23rd - 29th April 1964

24. Don't Turn Around - The Merseybeats https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RFlCLzShIkA Their third hit is solid enough, the most memorable thing being the twinkly piano part between the lines on the chorus.
33. Tell It On The Mountain - Peter, Paul and Mary https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Zdb8fZafq4 A folk song that goes back to 1909, they've changed some of the lyrics to suit the civil rights movement but in my head I'm hearing "we're on the march with Ally's army" from the 1978 World Cup song as there's a repeated line in this song with the same tune as that one. It will be six years before we hear from Peter, Paul and Mary again.
37. A Little Loving - The Fourmost https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q-RQm2fpvfI This is a fairly standard piece of Merseybeat music, nothing to really make it stand out. It will be their biggest hit, though, reaching number 6.
39. If I Loved You - Richard Anthony https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WmmdD_gU35w I thought this sounded like 'You'll Never Walk Alone' before I found out it's from the same Rodgers and Hammerstein musical, 'Carousel'. The piano and strings arrangement is quite similar. He sings it very well, it's my second favourite this week.
40. Stand By Me - Kenny Lynch https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qb1zz5S8lX0 This doesn't stray too far from the original so not really worth more than one listen. It will only move up one more place.

Record of the week : 25. Walk On By - Dionne Warwick

It has to be this classic, written by Bacharach and David, which has stood the test of time. I like the piano and trumpet in the first half, giving way to the strings towards the end and, of course, a fine vocal from Dionne. It will reach a peak of number 9, lower than it deserves.

Posted by: jimwatts 23rd April 2024, 06:37 PM

'Walk On By' is one of the all-time greats - much covered (and sampled) but Dionne's version has never been bettered.

Posted by: Popchartfreak 24th April 2024, 09:23 AM

Walk On By is an immense classic, and one of my standard "go to" records to wallow in self-pity to when getting dumped or feeling sorry for myself. It's oddly helpful in getting it out of one's system. Perfection.

A Little Lovin' is a little catchy OK number, known it since the 70's, Tell It On The Mountain I def knew in the 60's and had no idea it'd been a hit, the Richard Anthony Ive never heard before, prefer the others. The Merseybeats rung no bell till I played it and the tune sounds familiar, the second best song here for me, and one I'd enjoy hearing some more!

Posted by: King Rollo 30th April 2024, 05:57 PM

30th April - 6th May 1964

25. Angry At The Big Oak Tree - Frank Ifield https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9mLAxxr5grk Some carved initials on the tree are reminding him of his ex is the explanation for the song title here. Frank's time of chart dominance is over and it will be minor hits from now on with this one only reaching number 25.
30. Constantly - Cliff Richard https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Ei7XEUQRy0 An English language version of an Italian song from 1958. There's some nice orchestration here but otherwise it's a fairly mundane ballad.
32. The Spartans - Sounds Incorporated https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3sGOR1mrh20 The first hit for an instrumental group from Dartford. It's quite good, with the guitars and drums being augmented by some woodwind and brass.
36. Gigliola Cinquetti - Non Ho L'età Per Amarti https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ISuVYX6RYXQ I recently saw this singer on the re-showing of the 1974 Eurovision Song Contest, marking the 50th anniversary of Abba's win. She finished 2nd for Italy but I didn't know she had won the contest ten years before with this entry. She was only sixteen and the song is about being too young to go out with someone. It's a well sung ballad, starting with acoustic guitar and piano and then some strings come in, a worthy winner.
38. I Will - Billy Fury https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YuJc-aq9A9U Billy's cover of a song from 1962 is a decent enough ballad with strings and backing singers.
39. Baby It's You - Dave Berry https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vLzg_3Tdt84 Another cover now, this time a 1961 song by The Shirelles which was better known in the UK for the Beatles' version. I liked the piano part in the middle but not much else.

Record of the week : 31. It's Over - Roy Orbison

Another easy decision with one of Roy's best songs appearing this week. A soaring vocal is supported by that constant drum beat as well as the strings and backing vocalists. The single will spend two weeks at number 1, four years after his first chart topper.

Posted by: Jade 30th April 2024, 06:19 PM

Gigliola Cinquetti's Eurovision winner is one of my favourites, such a gorgeous song that and France Gall's 'Poupée de cire, poupée de son' are definitely my ultimate stand-out champions of the 60s (Serge Gainsbourg was involved with that one *.*). Her 2nd placer (fair play being blocked by ABBA indeed ) was fairly good too but not quite as magical as that first attempt!

Posted by: Popchartfreak 1st May 2024, 09:55 AM

Arghh a dilemma - In Dreams is peaking with angst-classic It's Over, memories of dad singing flawlessly along to this one, but then I adore Gigliola's too. I think Roy has to edge it, but both are personal classic faves. Si/Go was also fab and if ABBA hadnt been around she would have won twice way before Johnny Logan.

Dave Berry's cover of Baby It's You I've never heard, that I recall, but the Shirelles version is the one for me. Saw Dave Berry in the 80's. This is OK. Loved Billy Fury and I Will is one of his best ballads, really good though I know best the Ruby Winters 1977 hit version (which actually came out in 1973 and flopped).

The Spartans is a new one on me! I wonder if it's a movie theme cover, think there was a film of that name around that time (330 Spartans apparently). Constantly fits in with the Italian theme (Gigliola) and it's a song I half-know from the time but never noticed much, it's quite nice. Oddly-titled Frank Ifield song rings no bell, and washes over me now. They should have made it uptempo, it might have worked better.

Posted by: King Rollo 7th May 2024, 05:37 PM

7th - 13th May 1964

35. Can't Buy Me Love - Ella Fitzgerald https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ymTwboFgT0 I didn't expect Ella Fitzgerald to be covering a Beatles song but here she is. This is done in the big band style and is a good reworking of the song. It will be the last of her five top 40 hits.
36. You're The One - Kathy Kirby https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2dRud1Qcv58 This is an old Mexican song and Kathy's version keeps that Latin American rhythm and some dramatic orchestration. She holds a note on "meeee" for a long time.
37. The Rise And Fall Of Flingel Blunt - The Shadows https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g9SSw6o3sOY A slight change of direction for the Shadows with more of a bluesy sound to this one. I also liked the drums on it.

Record of the week : 30. You're My World - Cilla Black

I'm going for the song I know already. Although Cilla's vocal is a bit ragged in places, there's no denying it's very powerful. George Martin's Abbey Road production is also very effective. The cover of an Italian song by Umberto Bindi will spend four weeks at number 1, reaching the top of the chart before last week's choice, 'It's Over', which will wait for three weeks at number 2 behind it.

Posted by: Popchartfreak 8th May 2024, 04:47 PM

You're My World was an obsession for me at the time, what a song! Cilla was fab and the record still does it for me, takes me right back to being 6 years old. As does Kathy Kirby, my pop idol of that time - but I remember her more than I do her hits - but playing this now it's got that exciting swirling strings-driven movies soundtrack vibe to it, and it sounds familiar to me. A forgotten gem, I could do with hearing this again!

Can't Buy Me Love is one I know, never been that bovvered by this cover though, and as always with instrumentals I'm never sure if I know it or not until I play it as I never knew the titles. Flingel Blunt I presume is not rhyming slang long before Gareth H, James Bl and Jeremy H, and it totally rings no bell at all. Give me Kathy Kirby anyday!

Posted by: King Rollo 14th May 2024, 05:59 PM

14th - 20th May 1964

34. Someone, Someone - Brian Poole and The Tremeloes https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AyIeWaf0Wtw This is a drippy ballad and I'm surprised it will go as high as number 2. It's a cover of a Crickets B side from 1959.
39. Suspicion - Terry Stafford https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TUe7dMi2uLA The only hit for the American singer is an Elvis cover version. He does a good job with it, helped by some "ooh hoo"s from the backing singers. This has the distinction of being the single at number 6 on the Billboard chart in the week that the Beatles held the top 5 positions.

Record of the week: 26. No Particular Place To Go - Chuck Berry

A rock'n'roll classic here, the music is fitted in between each line of the lyrics with the addition of a marvellous instrumental break halfway through and an outro. It will be Chuck Berry's biggest hit so far, reaching number 3.

Posted by: Popchartfreak 15th May 2024, 03:23 PM

I think No Particular Place To Go is my fave Chuck Berry record. The other 2 I need to hear again so here I go...

When Elvis had a fan 1977 hit with Suspicion it was noticeably better than all of his 70's records dating back 5 years - it seemed vaguely familiar to me yet hadn't been a hit, and dad seemed to know the song. Terry Stafford explains why. It's not top-notch next to the original but pleasant enough. Someone Someone is mildly pleasant, but again I'd stick with the original Buddy Holly...

So yes, Chuck for me too!

Posted by: JulianT 15th May 2024, 05:16 PM

No contest there - No Particular Place To Go is brill!

Posted by: King Rollo 22nd May 2024, 06:26 PM

21st - 27th May 1964

25. I Love You Baby - Freddie and The Dreamers https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lcxMkkq-PK4 A cheery song with some rather basic lyrics. It will be the second single in a row from them not to make the top 10.
37. My Guy - Mary Wells https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5uCCOm_IUzU A Motown classic, written and produced by Smokey Robinson, with some great contributions from the brass section. It's very close to winning the award this week. My Guy will be the only UK hit for the 21 year old singer (also returning to the top 20 in 1972).
39. Walking The Dog - The Dennisons https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bovrr-RlMBc Listening to this without any information, I thought that the singer was a black American so I'm surprised to find out this is a Merseybeat group. The singer certainly has a powerful soul voice. There's also plenty of cymbal action from the drummer who is none other than Clive Hornby who went on to play the role of Jack Sugden in Emmerdale for 28 years. This cover of a Rufus Thomas song will be the only top 40 hit for the Dennisons.
40. Don't Let The Rain Come Down - Ronnie Hilton https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lySUIBrDsIE A seventeenth hit for Ronnie but it's his first of the 60s. I found this tale of a crooked man in a crooked house to be an entertaining listen, it's a cover of a song by the Serendipity Singers which is based on a 19th Century nursery rhyme.

Record of the week : 31. Shout - Lulu and The Luvvers

I'm putting this ahead of My Guy as it's such an exuberant pop song with Lulu putting in an infectious vocal performance which is more like a rock singer rather than a pop singer. She was only fifteen at the time. The song was written and first recorded by the Isley Brothers in 1959. Lulu's version will peak at number 7 and she will take the song back to the top 10 in 1986 with a re-recording.

Posted by: Popchartfreak 23rd May 2024, 10:24 AM

Shout edging it over My Guy for me too. Seen Lulu do it live 20 years ago and she could still belt it out then, and a track I knew as a kid and liked, but it grew in stature into the 80's with that sub-standard cover, which I ignored and bought the original instead. They were competing in the chart, until Gallup did something sensible and combined the sales for chart purposes, so she got a top 10 out of it again. My Guy is another I knew and liked as a kiddie but it was the 1972 re-issue that reminded me it was a great record and Motown classic.

Ronnie Hilton's Windmill In Old Amsterdam was a huge chart-topping fave for me (if I'd been compiling them then) and this song is not quite so obsessive but I really love this song too. Playing it now and havent heard it in decades! Suddenly I'm 6 again! The version that got the radio plays on Juniors Choice was The Serendipity Singers, though, and that's the one I remember.

Freddie was on TV all the time, good value for kiddies, but this one isn't great, oops! No memory of this at all. The Dennisons much more blues-ey, and better, the song is well-known but this version is new to me, and I rather like it!

Posted by: King Rollo 28th May 2024, 07:42 PM

28th May - 3rd June 1964

32. Can't You See That She's Mine - The Dave Clark Five https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DEiTd4Dmpwg Another good rocker from this group but not as memorable as Glad All Over and Bits And Pieces. The melody bears some similarity to 'I Saw Her Standing There'.
37. Stop Look And Listen - Wayne Fontana and The Mindbenders https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=30nFJsjDCNA A first hit for this Manchester band. Wayne has quite a strong, distinctive vocal style with the others providing backing vocals. It's a promising debut.
38. I Love Being In Love With You - Adam Faith and The Roulettes https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ObY0sNmXE9s This will be the last of the four singles with the Roulettes as a backing band. It's a below average love song which will only reach number 33, his lowest chart peak so far from the singles that made the top 40.
40. You've Got Love - Buddy Holly and The Crickets https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FbsP8zx_t4k Another old Buddy Holly tune, this one's from 1957 and is not one of his better songs.

Record of the week : 18. Here I Go Again - The Hollies

I'm not mad about this but it's the best of today's five new entries. There are some good vocal harmonies with the verses as well as the chorus being sung as a whole group. It's their fifth top 40 hit and the first to be an original song. It will peak at number 4.

Posted by: Popchartfreak 29th May 2024, 09:14 AM

Here I Go Again the only one I know here, and it's decent enough - never been a Hollies fave of mine but it's fine. So let's go with the others now...

Dave Clark 5: ooh yes very Beatles-ey, that's not going to be a co-incidence. Romps along quite nicely, like the sax break.
Wayne Fontana & The Mindbenders: Much better stuff in the future for them, but it's nice enough. Spot Eric Stewart of 10CC and singer of I'm Not In Love in the photos...
Adam Faith: singalong fluff, but he's dropped his earlier vocal staccato twangs for a more orthodox style.
Buddy Holly: Raiding the jukebox archives getting a bit harder by this stage. If he hadnt died he would have certainly been doing better stuff than this.

Posted by: King Rollo 10th June 2024, 05:02 PM

4th - 10th June 1964

29. Ramona - The Bachelors https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zutOKV7UTFc A ponderous country style ballad with a repeated three note piano part in between most of the lines. The cover of a movie theme from 1928 will be another top five hit for the group.
32. Hold Me - PJ Proby https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2w5AQX2WrB4 A first hit for the British based American singer. I liked the harmonica burst which followed a quiet start to the song. After that, it's a rumbustious pop/rock tune with the drums in particular standing out. This song goes back almost as far as Ramona with a more restrained original version from 1933.
37. Hello, Dolly - Louis Armstrong https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cy1na9qA5y0 This is the only one today I'm familiar with. It's certainly a good song within its genre but not really my cup of tea. It will give Louis a US number 1 single (ending a 14 week run for the Beatles with three different songs) and two Grammy awards.
39. Nobody I Know - Peter and Gordon https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-HthX8gQZw A wholesome acoustic guitar ballad with a nice melody to it. The follow-up to their number 1 single is another Paul McCartney composition.

Record of the week : 34. You're No Good - The Swinging Blue Jeans

I'm picking this one for a good lead vocal, a standout chorus and the backing from guitars and drums. It's all well put together. The song was first recorded by Dee Dee Warwick (Dionne's sister) and was brought to the group's attention by Sue Johnston who was going out with the drummer. It will peak at number 3.

Posted by: JulianT 10th June 2024, 11:09 PM

Love “You’re No Good”!

Posted by: King Rollo 13th June 2024, 06:34 PM

11th - 17th June 1964

28. Hello, Dolly - Frankie Vaughan https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hAM3n4VMKpI A swing version of the song which adds nothing to it. Frankie has hit the top 40 every year since 1954 but it will be three years before we hear from him again.
33. Hello, Dolly - Kenny Ball And His Jazzmen https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BwQOGF1AwdA This is the better of this week's versions but it would have worked better as an instrumental rather than yet another vocal one. It's the last of Kenny Ball's thirteen top 40 hits, spread across four years. He died in 2013 but his band continue to perform.

Record of the week: 29. Bama Lama Bama Loo - Little Richard

It's an open goal for Little Richard when he's only up against the Hello Dolly covers. This is a new song, not a re-issue, and it's full of energy with a typically zesty vocal from him. The song will peak at number 20, the last of his fifteen top 40 singles.

Posted by: Popchartfreak 17th June 2024, 03:27 PM

I'm not familiar with the Peter & Gordon track, very P&G, not one of Macca's great giveaway's though, and The bachelors Romona doesnt ring a bell either and is very Bachelors. Both fairly inoffensive as is the Swinging Blue jeans cover of You're No Good. Hello Dolly was everywhere in the 60's, never off the telly in various versions - Barbra Streisand's version was almost as good as Louis', which was pretty iconic and one I always liked from being 6 onwards really. My fave track though is PJ proby's Hold Me, a fave of my mum and Aunty Norma was ol PJ, and a great version in 1981 from BA Robertson & Maggie Bell. Rockin'!

Frankie Vaughan's cover of Hello Dolly was on TV the most out of any version, but I never liked it as much as Louis Armstrong's. Still don't. Kenny Ball ditto. So many versions! So by default it's Little Richard for me too. His organist Billy Preston met the Beatles in Hamburg on tour with Little Richard, his boss. Cue a guest spot on Get Back, signing to the Apple label and a 70's jazz-funk star...

Posted by: King Rollo 18th June 2024, 05:13 PM

18th - 24th June 1964

29. Ain't She Sweet - The Beatles https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e1FSRMfNtLU A Beatles recording from 1961 resurfaces. It's not really relevant to what they're doing in 1964 and not many people were fooled into buying the single just because their name is on it and it will only get to number 29. The original version of the song goes back to 1927.
31. Dimples - John Lee Hooker https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oohisfAUUF0 This is the sort of timeless blues song that would not be out of place in any decade, it was actually recorded in 1956. It will be another 28 years before he has his next hit single.
32. Like Dreamers Do - The Applejacks https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CZht2aytzmA The group's second hit is a pleasant enough pop tune which was written by Paul McCartney in 1959.
34. Near You - The Migil Five https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Or23WIZW3-s Another second hit and this one will sadly be the Migil Five's last. It has the same sort of early ska sound as Mockin' Bird Hill. An enjoyable listen. The group carried on until 1971.
35. Why Not Tonight - The Mojos https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4x-KA02mcls And this is a second hit as well. The Mojos' first one got my ROTW award. This is not as good but it had a brisk tempo and is a decent follow-up attempt.
37. I Won't Forget You - Jim Reeves https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aA2NSXKWIqw A straightforward country ballad which will really take off, spending fifteen weeks in the top 10, but I think that's more down to what will happen to him at the end of July than the quality of the song.

Record of the week : 40. Chapel Of Love - The Dixie Cups

No standouts this week but I'm choosing this mid-tempo girl group song which I've heard a few times. Although Phil Spector co-wrote the song, he did not produce this version so it has a fairly sparse production with some brass instruments as the most prominent feature. The first hit for the New Orleans group, it will peak at number 22 and go all the way to the top of the Billboard chart.

Posted by: Popchartfreak 19th June 2024, 08:20 AM

Ain't She Sweet is a famous song, but the Beatles version isn't. Can't say I have ever been fussed by this. Dimples didnt ring any bells till I played it, it's good. John Lee Hooper's 90's comeback was amazing. Like Dreamers Do is pretty catchy, a good choice from Macca to donate it, if anything it should have done better than 32.

The Migil Five is one Ive never heard, sounds pretty decent too. Odd week when a Beatles recording (albeit an oldie) isn't even close to being Record Of The Week. The Mojos' is prob the least of the bunch, a bit daft-sounding. Jim Reeves, impossible to separate from events of the time, and a good song. So that leaves me also opting for Chapel Of Love, one I've always seemed to know, but never noticed until I bought a budget various artists vinyl album with it on in the late 70's.

Posted by: King Rollo 25th June 2024, 09:03 PM

25th June - 1st July 1964

33. Kissin' Cousins - Elvis Presley https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3cj8vKae4Wk The title track from Elvis' latest film, the message here is it's alright to kiss a distant cousin because we are all children of Adam and Eve. His last three singles failed to make the top ten but this one will just creep in at number 10.

Record of the week : 31. House Of Rising Sun - The Animals

Only two songs this week but I'm sure I would have picked this if there were ten. There's a fabulous, soulful vocal from Eric Burdon combined with the guitar arpeggio and Alan Price's memorable electric organ part. Unusually for this part of the decade, the song is more than four minutes long. It's without doubt one of the best chart hits from the first half of the 1960s and will spend one week at number 1, returning to the top 30 in both 1972 and 1982. The origins of the song are uncertain with the writing credit being listed as "traditional".

Posted by: Popchartfreak 26th June 2024, 08:46 AM

Ooh that Kissin' Cousins lyric sounds like an attempt to justify in-breeding, which as we all know is not healthy for many reasons (and Adam & Eve didn't exist, or else we would all just be 8 billion in-bred idiots - can't possibly be more than in the millions I'd say, just look for areas where marrying close or distant relatives is a thing )

House Of The Rising Sun is classic, full stop. I always liked it, but it took me a few decades to love it and recognise the genius in the arrangement and vocal.

Posted by: King Rollo 2nd July 2024, 05:55 PM

2nd - 8th July 1964

31. On The Beach - Cliff Richard and The Shadows https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iYFqH4kJ6Oo A song for the summer, this remastered version is crystal clear with the guitars on the left and the backing vocals on the right. Taken from his new film, 'Wonderful Life', it's one of his better songs from the mid 60s.
37. Love Me With All Your Heart - Karl Denver https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iEHij5ifXes A cover of a Spanish language song and it keeps that Latin American sound. There is no yodelling but it's another big vocal from Karl. Sadly, this is the last of his eleven top 40 hits. He died in 1998.
38. Tous Les Garcons Et Les Filles - Francoise Hardy https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3b2xjx7M5CY The first hit for the French singer who died this year. It spent fifteen weeks at number 1 in France and is a charming song with an uncluttered production.
39. Sweet William - Millie https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BX_tBZyMhOU The follow-up to My Boy Lollipop is in a similar style but her vocal is more irritating this time and it will only reach number 30. There will be no more hit singles for her.

Record of the week : 25. It's All Over Now - The Rolling Stones

It has to be this rhythm and blues classic from the Stones with some fine guitar work in the middle and at the end. Written by Bobby and Shirley Womack, it was first recorded by The Valentinos whose version the Stones heard on their first US tour and they wasted no time recording their cover in Chicago. It will be their first number 1 single.

Posted by: King Rollo 9th July 2024, 06:35 PM

9th - 15th July 1964

30. Wishin' And Hopin' - The Merseybeats https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8pO82q6k1RU A song originally recorded by Dionne Warwick and then a US top 10 hit for Dusty Springfield. I don't know either of those versions. This one had some nice organ bits and an unexpected tempo change halfway through.
34. (They Call Her) La Bamba - The Crickets https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_UJh7bfMzBQ I wasn't expecting the Crickets to come up with a version of La Bamba but here it is. They've done quite a good job with it. This will be their last top 40 hit, they will continue performing all the way through to 2016.
38. Call Up The Groups - The Barron Knights with Duke D'Mond - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aiXsHEyZeFU The kings of pop parody who I know well from their later 70s singles. This is a live recording and a mildly amusing send up of The Searchers, Freddie and the Dreamers and The Beatles.

Record of the week : 18. I Just Don't Know What To Do With Myself - Dusty Springfield

And this is why Dusty's version of Wishin' And Hopin' wasn't released in the UK, she already had this one ready to put out. Written by Bacharach and David, it's a powerful ballad with a soaring vocal and an effective, heavy drum sound. The original recording of the song was by Tommy Hunt in 1962. Dusty's cover will reach number 3, her biggest solo hit so far.

Posted by: Popchartfreak 10th July 2024, 08:51 AM

I missed last week's oops, been a very hectic and stressful week, sorry!

Cliff's is one I recall from the time, mildly liking, it's still OK. Karl Denver playing now, as it dont ring a bell, and ahhh yes I do know the tune, and it's one I like. Old-fashioned but it's quite sweet and love the "with every beat of your heart" hook. Francoise Hardy was quite a cult fave beyond the 60's, but I don't remember Tous Les garcons at all, though I know of it. Quite nice. Sweet William is very much My Boy Lollipop Part 2, and I dont recall it from the time - I was MAD on My Boy Lollipop and Millie! I do recall Swinging On A Star, but not this one, though there's a colour video clip I've seen since. Fun.

On the whole though, gotta give to the Stones too, even though it was a bit too rough to get noticed by me at the time it's a rock classic.

Posted by: Popchartfreak 10th July 2024, 10:04 AM

Wishin' & Hopin' is a great song, but this version aint in the same class as Dusty or Dionne, they are perfection, this is perfunctory, though the song still shines through in parts. La Bamba is also a version I dont know (as above) and it's a novelty hearing English lyrics. I will stick with Spanish language Ritchie or Los Lobos on the whole.

The Barron Knights, one hearing or viewing is basically all anyone needs to hear. It's quite well done, obv, but it's not funny as such, it's all about the accuracy of the sounds/singing. The Searchers are on here tomorrow for their last tour, maybe I'll pop along if there are seats still free.

Dusty's, though, was my fave record of that time, loved that song, gloriously melodic, classy and Dusty is the UK's greatest interpreter of songs, she constructed every nuance carefully and brilliantly and made it look effortless. The absolute best, it's not even close. I'm a bit of a fan, from 6-year-old little John onwards, and still adore this track, waves of spine-tingling nostalgic emotion sweep over me when I hear it and I get the same feelings I had as a kid....

Posted by: King Rollo 16th July 2024, 06:17 PM

16th - 22nd July 1964

3. A Hard Day's Night - The Beatles https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=70QfHtKdh_0 Number 3 is a very high new entry position but with the Beatles being so popular now, it's not a surprise. The opening guitar chord has become the song's most enduring feature and the rest of it shows their steady improvement but not quite enough to get my award in a strong week for new songs. Taken from the group's first film, the single will spend three weeks at number 1.
22. Someday We're Gonna Love Again - The Searchers https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gUehZ7elW-U A number 11 peak for this is a relative failure after three chart toppers and a number 2 hit. It was OK but not as memorable as their previous songs.
26. Tobacco Road - The Nashville Teens https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M8FEczdTTCA A first hit for the Surrey band is this cover of a John D Loudermilk song from 1959. It's another strong contender for this week's winner, I like the way it slows down every time it gets to "road" and speeds up when the piano comes in and then there's that great bassline.
30. Do Wah Diddy Diddy - Manfred Mann https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uc0x7xOap4I And if that wasn't enough, we have another well known song here. A catchy chorus combines well with the guitars, organ, drums and not forgetting those maracas. First recorded by The Exciters, this version will top the charts on both sides of the Atlantic.
36. The Ferris Wheel - The Everly Brothers https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oTUr4iExvsc The distinctive harmonies are still there and the drum sound is making me think of Native Americans.
38. I Found Out The Hard Way - The Four Pennies https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbjqfS0Q_OM The follow-up to their number 1 single, 'Juliet', is a decent effort with a good lead vocal.

Record of the week : 32. I Get Around - The Beach Boys

So, by a small margin, I'm favouring the Beach Boys over the Beatles. The swirling vocal harmonies and various guitar effects make this one my favourite of the week. It will spend five weeks in the top 10, peaking at number 7, and be their first Billboard number 1 single.

Posted by: Popchartfreak 17th July 2024, 08:55 AM

I don't know the Searchers track, presumably not a cover version this time hence the lower chart position. It's OK. Ditto The Everly's Ferris Wheel, a bit plodding though. The Four Pennies' also doesnt ring a bell, it's no Juliet melody-wise, but it's the best of these three.

So on to the classics. Do Wah Diddy Diddy, bought it on a K-Tel compilation in 1973, seen the Manfred's do it 3 times at least, and it's fun singalong. Tobacco Road is a stomper, and a great record, in a normal week an easy ROTW. But it's not a normal week - it's Beatles vs Beach Boys, the premier 60's bands of the UK vs USA. Hard days Night was def the one that meant most to me at the time, not least due to the film, and the fabs were improving with each new release. I Get Around was the arrival of Brian Wilson & co as a chart force - played it to death in 1976 when I got the 20 Greatest Hits...but on the whole it's The Beatles that takes me back in time to 1964 so that gets my pick.

Posted by: JulianT 17th July 2024, 02:03 PM

Ooh 3 great songs but I think for me Beatles > Nashville Teens > Beach Boys

Posted by: King Rollo 23rd July 2024, 08:56 PM

23rd - 29th July 1964

31. It's Only Make Believe - Billy Fury https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kqdbUgvmKYg Billy's last three singles have all failed to reach the top 10 so he's gone with a tried and tested song this time and it will give him a top 10 hit. It is, however, a fairly mediocre cover version.
33. I Should Care - Frank Ifield https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BINBxc6iqEg And, like Billy Fury, Frank Ifield is soldiering on. This one is a cover of a song from 1944 which includes some musings about counting sheep to get to sleep.
38. From A Window - Billy J Kramer and The Dakotas https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YYh-rWI0MpE This will be the first single by the group not to reach the top 5 but it will scrape into the top 10. Written by Paul McCartney, who joins in on the prolonged last word, it's a pleasant enough song with a pure lead vocal and a nifty drum beat.

Record of the week : 35. The Girl From Ipanema - Stan Getz and Joao Gilberto

A clear winner this week, it's this smooth and sultry bossa nova tune with an uncredited vocal by Joao's wife, Astrud, who only received $120. There's a Christmas tree here as this clip is from a film released in December and set at Christmas time. It is estimated that the song is second only to 'Yesterday' as having the most recorded versions. This one will only go as high as number 29.

Posted by: Popchartfreak 24th July 2024, 09:08 AM

I was mad on Billy Fury but this cover passed me by at the time. Glen Campbell's version is the definitive, accept no other not even the original. Frank was also a fave, sadly passed away the other week, but this isn't one I think of when I think of classic Frank. It's OK but not essential. Billy J certainly used to live in this area in Boscombe, might still do for all I know - there's a history of Merseyside folk moving there over the last 40 years. The song? Never heard it before as far as I can recall! S'OK.

Girl From Ipanema easily wins, indeed, it's a classic. It was famous at the time and over the years since. The dreamy melody was ingrained in evoking some vague 60's vibes every time I heard it, like an old familiar friend. Love it.

Posted by: King Rollo 30th July 2024, 07:10 PM

30th July - 5th August 1964

39. Happiness - Ken Dodd https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4a5vaIsaxB8 I know this well from his 70s TV show. I can't remember whether it was the theme tune or he sang it at the end. I don't dislike it, the backing singers joining in on the chorus makes it a bit messy. The country singer, Bill Anderson, wrote and recorded the original version.
40. Hurt By Love - Inez Foxx https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aNHjMICHKxM The first hit for the American singer, accompanied by her brother Charlie. She delivers a really raspy vocal here, a good soul record suitable for the dancefloor.

Record of the week : 34. Have I The Right - The Honeycombs

This is already one of my favourites from the mid 60s, a big foot stomper. The London band's name was a pun based on their drummer Honey being a hairdresser. It's certainly unusual to see a 60s group with a female drummer. The Joe Meek produced song will go all the way to number 1, it was his idea to make the members of the group stamp their feet on the wooden stairs to his studio with microphones fixed to the banisters with bicycle clips. The group will have a few more hits but nothing on this scale.

Posted by: Popchartfreak 1st August 2024, 12:57 PM

Happiness is one I knew well as a kid and teenager and always quite liked, Ken was a better comic than record singer, but Have I The Right I really discovered in 1973 on a 60's K-Tel compilation I bought, and it's stompingly good. Hurt By Love Ive never heard before, it's r 'n' b/funk and decent enough.

Posted by: Jade 1st August 2024, 01:09 PM

'I Get Around', 'The Girl From Ipanema' and 'Have I The Right?' are a brilliant trio of ROTW choices all are so distinctive in their own way, from bossa nova to stomping.

Posted by: King Rollo 6th August 2024, 07:02 PM

6th - 12th August 1964

28. It's For You - Cilla Black https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oS9FWSU07Cc A Lennon/McCartney song which they wrote specifically for Cilla. Her vocal is a bit inconsistent here, better on the verses than the chorus. It won't be a third consecutive chart topper, just reaching number 7 this time.
35. Spanish Harlem - Sounds Incorporated https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=__c6Edu9tzA An instrumental version of the song with the melody being played on guitar, flute and saxophone before the guitar returns at the end. The flute part was the best bit. It will be the second and final hit single from them.
36. Handy Man - Del Shannon https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KysbG4AlGDY A cover of a Jimmy Jones song from 1959, Del Shannon sings it in the style of the Beach Boys backed up by his distinctive electric keyboard sound.

Record of the week : 25. You'll Never Get To Heaven (If You Break My Heart) - Dionne Warwick

Written by Bacharach and David, this is an understated song with a gorgeous orchestral arrangement and a well judged vocal from Dionne. It will reach a peak position of number 20.

Posted by: Popchartfreak 7th August 2024, 09:09 AM

Bacharach vs Beatles here... not an easy choice, but Dionne's version of You'll Never Get To Heaven I didnt really get to hear until after the Stylistics tainted the song a bit in 1976 (UK hit version), so it's Cilla for me. The Beatles TV special she sung it on was fab and it's a great song. Cilla vs Dionne was quite the thing from Dionne's point of view at the time (and when I saw her in concert reflecting on her back catalogue she still whimsically mentioned Cilla a fair bit) but truth to tell for me Cilla's versions of Anyone Who Had A Heart and Alfie are the definitives, and It's For You is up there with her best.

Spanish Harlem is probably the best song of the bunch though, amazing when done by Ben E. King or the definitive version from Aretha, but this is more muzak when it needs soul not pretty tinkling. I know the Jimmie Jones hit, a really good record of it's time, and don't recall ever hearing this before. It's done Del stylee and it's fairground-ish fine, prob suits the waltzer most.

Posted by: King Rollo 13th August 2024, 06:56 PM

13th - 19th August 1964

21. The Crying Game - Dave Berry https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4c9W2-uGvQQ Dave Berry's fourth hit and certainly his biggest so far, reaching number 5. It's a wistful ballad with a slight echo applied to his vocal. I'm more familiar with Boy George's 1992 cover version.
27. As Tears Go By - Marianne Faithfull https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GFYTHnmRl6U Another ballad and this is ROTW worthy but it's a strong batch this week. A charming vocal is backed by well arranged oboe and strings. A first hit for her, written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards.
31. Thinking Of You Baby - The Dave Clark Five https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9S8qEB_Cadc A fast paced song here to get everyone on the dancefloor. It's from the same film, 'Get Yourself A College Girl', as The Girl From Ipanema which we had a few weeks ago. It will only reach number 26.
35. She's Not There - The Zombies https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2hXBf1DakE Another great single that could have won this week's award, it has a more sophisticated sound compared to songs from the other British groups at this point in time. Only reaching number 12, it has endured to this day. Surprisingly, the group from St Albans will have no further top 40 hits under this name but Rod Argent and Colin Blunstone will both have some more.
40. How Can I Tell Her - The Fourmost https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YtwgqCIf8YQ The group's fourth hit will be the first to miss the top 20. The marching rhythm was the most noteworthy aspect but it's the weakest of today's six.

Record of the week : 34. You Really Got Me - The Kinks

And so it has to be this landmark record, probably the first one to have such a prominent guitar riff. I love how it gradually gets more frenzied as it goes along. The London group's first two singles flopped but this one will spend two weeks at number 1.

Posted by: Popchartfreak 14th August 2024, 08:23 AM

Tough week! Worst to best, Dave Clark 5 is one I don't know and it's nothing special, The Fourmost I also don't know but it's quite good, I like the marching rhythm picking up pace. I saw Dave Berry at a 60's multi-act concert in the late 80's or early 90's, and I realised I knew The Crying Game, def the best song in his list of hits, but I much-preferred the Boy George cover (with production-assist from Pet Shop Boys). Marianne Faithful was so cool in '64/'65, and this was my fave of hers, to be honest I liked it more than any Rolling Stones record to date (still do, until we get into 1965). She's Not There was one of those songs I didnt notice much but it became well-known by the time Santana had their hit with it in 1977. The Zombies deserved more success especially Time Of The Season, but I also made up for it in '71/'72 when Hold Your Head Up and Say You Don't Mind came out. I saw them in the 2010's making it a Greatest Hits concert for all 3 acts, billed as The Zombies.

So that leaves You Really Got Me. I don't remember it from the time, either, I'm guessing I'd been banned from watching Top Of The Pops when it moved from 6.30 Wed to 7.30 Thurs (probably in bed I expect) as there is a firm dividing line between songs from the earlier part of the year which I knew and loved loads of, and from this period on when there were far fewer. You Really Got Me was on the 20 Number Ones K-Tel album I bought in 1973, and it was a total riff-play-loud track for me, a discovery, and still sounding exciting 9 years late.

Posted by: King Rollo 20th August 2024, 06:27 PM

20th - 26th August 1964

21. I Wouldn't Trade You For The World - The Bachelors https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h70WeuONrRw This one's not a cover but it's still another drippy love song. It will give them their fourth consecutive top 5 hit.
25. The Wedding - Julie Rogers https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-0INi8ziCw A cover of a Chilean song from 1961, this is the first hit for the British singer who certainly belts it out, supported by a brass section. It will take another ten weeks to reach its peak position of number 3 and will sell 7 million copies worldwide.
31. Such A Night - Elvis Presley https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lgiGMkgNFAk I was thinking this sounds like early Elvis so it comes as no surprise to learn that it's from his 1960 album. The highlight was the drummer getting carried away at the end, overdoing his part maybe. The song has previously been a number 1 for Johnnie Ray.
39. I Should Have Known Better - The Naturals https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gL00lL-qf3I The only hit for this group is a Beatles cover which doesn't deviate much from the original.

Record of the week : 40. I'm Into Something Good - Herman's Hermits

This is the only standout this week. The production is kept simple with the vocal harmonies taking centre stage, it's pleasantly light and cheery. Written by Goffin & King for the singer Earl-Jean, the song will be the first hit single for the Manchester group who are still going. It will spend two weeks at number 1.

Posted by: Popchartfreak 21st August 2024, 09:10 AM

I'm Into Something Good is still iconic, featured in many movies, a great song and record, and teenager Peter Noone became liked by families across the land, even your granny liked him a bit. I have their Hits CD and so many forgotten little gem tunes on it, while the US went huge on his music hall covers drivel, really pushing the English ancient history side of things. I saw Peter at Disney Epcot in the 90's doing lunchtime concert, some of which i videoed. I must transfer it to Youtube and see how long it takes to get taken down... These days "Peter Noone's Herman's Hermits" is the bonafide version, ignore all other fake bands from people who weren't even there in the early 60's.

The Bachelors were always drippy, some were more memorable tunes than others... The Wedding is a great song, my Aunty Eileen had that record in a stack of singles at my grandma and grandad's I think so I used to play it occasionally when I was a kid. Mid-60's Elvis was often old stuff, almost none of it essential but preferable to a lot of the movie pap (but not all, Viva Las Vegas being the best exception). Never heard that Beatles cover, love the song though, got to know it (I thought) from A Hard Day's Night movie, (I def went to see it at the cinema) but actually this cover might be why it's fits into my memories of the time. Even the Beatles version though wouldnt overhaul Herman's Hermits single this week for me.

Posted by: King Rollo 27th August 2024, 07:29 PM

27th August - 2nd September 1964

31. You Never Can Tell - Chuck Berry https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=55_9o8LoWiw Chuck had written this one while in prison, he certainly would have had plenty of spare time there. The title comes from relatives reacting to a teenage marriage that turns out to be long lasting. The piano parts were the highlight.
37. Twelve Steps To Love - Brian Poole and The Tremeloes https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XekYsxwGdAs This follows the same path as Three Steps To Heaven but stretches it out a bit more. It will peak thirty places lower than their last single so a bit of a miss.
39. Move It Baby - Simon Scott https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSchnGYQNf0 The only hit for the British singer is a decent rock'n'roll song but maybe a bit out of date for 1964.
40. Everybody Loves Somebody - Dean Martin https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FDqyFk9-Lm4 Dean Martin's only top 40 hit between 1958 and 1969. The song goes back to 1947 but this is the best known version owing to it topping the Billboard chart in the middle of the British invasion. It's well arranged and has a memorable chorus, I'll give it that.

Record of the week : 29. Rag Doll - The Four Seasons with the sound of Frankie Valli

Another easy decision, the production is quite Spector-like but on a smaller scale and it's another impeccable lead vocal from Frankie. The single will spend two weeks at number 2 and is also our second US number 1 of the week.

Posted by: Popchartfreak 28th August 2024, 08:09 AM

The Trems & Simon Scott tracks I've never heard before, I prefer Brian Poole & co's not too bad, better than it's chart position might suggest. Chuck Berry's never been much of a fan of, he was back touring the UK and got a resurgence from it that held over into this one I'm guessing. His next spell in prison wasn't quite so productive though ironically it meant other people got to see him go to the bathroom now.

Dean Martin's impact continued on beyond the end of his TV show through the 60's and early 70's, he ended the show on that song, so it was very well-known at the time and I have fond memories of it. Rag Doll easily the winner though, loved that song as a kid, and when I rediscovered it again and again over the next 20-odd years until I bought the Greatest Hits CD, by which time the wealth of their back catalogue had already been re-evaluated and Jersey Boys was still a future distant dream. It's a toss-up between this or December '63 for my absolute fave Four Seasons track. If anyone has not seen Jersey Boys, the show not the less-thrilling movie, if you get a chance to see it go, you'll be amazed at the sheer number of famous Bob Gaudio songs and the true mobster back-story of the band. Bob wrote a then-famous novelty song "Who wears short shorts" at the age of 15 (which I found hilarious when I was 5) and the only way was up...

Posted by: King Rollo 3rd September 2024, 06:12 PM

3rd - 9th September 1964

33. Rhythm And Greens - The Shadows https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=99E2IXMwxGI This is a bit different for them with vocals included, a rockier style and cartoon sound effects, I quite enjoyed it. It will be their first single as just The Shadows to miss the top 20.
37. What Am I To You - Kenny Lynch https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VXVTy1Mhi2c A ballad which was plodding along but it built up nicely towards the end when the strings and backing singers came in.
38. It's Gonna Be All Right - Gerry and The Pacemakers https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ndLqaYhQV4 All their five singles before this reached the top 6 but this one will only get to number 24 and I can see why, it was fairly forgettable.
39. Together - PJ Proby https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C8gBaowkkUU An impressive vocal range here with some high notes reached and quite a modern sounding guitar solo (for 1964) in the middle.

Record of the week : 32. Where Did Our Love Go - The Supremes

The Supremes are the next new group to emerge, there will be plenty more from them to come. Diana Ross' lead vocal is ably supported by the other two singers with their harmonies and the rhythmic instrumental backing track. This will go on to spend three weeks at number 3 and top the Billboard chart.

Posted by: Popchartfreak 4th September 2024, 11:39 AM

Easy winner there, great Motown single - though for me Donnie Elbert's 1972 cover is even better, love his vocal -Diana is great but vocal emotion wasn't quite there at this stage. The other four I'm going to have to play right now as I'm blank on them. The Shads sound like a Merseybeat group - unexpected! Didn't need the comical party noises added in, but it's fun. Kenny Lynch has always got me on board before I even hear it - quite a nice lush Easy Listening ballad. I could have done without the backing singers myself! Gerry & The Pacemakers also faves of the time, of course, but not as catchy as their biggies. It sounds vaguely familiar as if I have heard it before, but without being too fussed about it. Mum and Aunty Norma's fave, PJ proby (I now have his hits on my ipod but havent got round to playing them yet, I bought them to burn to a CD for Aunty Norma for Xmas) and this sounds not entirely unlike Hold Me, and it rocks along nicely with some pretty good guitar work too. I like this! Best of the also-rans. Apparently an old Connie Francis song from way back when before that. I'd like to know who did the guitar, bet it was a UK session-player - ooh Beck, Zep, who knows...

Posted by: King Rollo 10th September 2024, 06:47 PM

10th - 16th September 1964

30. Is It True - Brenda Lee https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y4OkDPLzMko Brenda has been flown to England to record a British style record and this is the result. It's much rockier than her usual fare with Jimmy Page on guitar. I liked it.
39. Bread And Butter - The Newbeats https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iw53esk0mZc The lead singer here has the most extraordinary falsetto voice, if I was listening to this not knowing who the artist is, I would definitely think it was a woman singing. It's the first hit for the American group, we will have to wait another seven years for the next one.
40. The Letter - The Long And The Short https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VC4AQ4a6gE8 The first of two hits for the Wigan band. I liked the song's rhythm but the vocals are all over the place.

Record of the week : 36. Oh, Pretty Woman - Roy Orbison

And of course it has to be be this one. As well as the customary vocal, the drums, piano and guitar parts all contribute to this record, one of Roy's best. It will spend two weeks at number 1 and, quite unusually for the time, return to the top spot for one more week after three weeks at number 2.

Posted by: Roba. 13th September 2024, 01:04 AM

A top pick there in 'Oh, Pretty Woman' Rollo!

Posted by: Popchartfreak 13th September 2024, 08:56 AM

Pretty Woman is a classic, my entire family loved it back in 1964, including me, such a romp, Roy was a huge fave of mum and dad (and still is for me and my brother). These days I prefer his epic ballads, but an easy win here. Bread & Butter oddly I don't remember until sometime after their fabulous 1971 oldie hit, and in comparison it's a bit of a nursery rhyme. I also thought the falsetto singer was a woman

The other two ring no bells - Brenda Lee sounding very Merseybeat-era, that seems strange! She still looks about 16 in the video! Interesting, and a shame she didnt click more as part of that scene and headed into Country instead. Never heard of The Long & The Short, don't even recall coming across it reading the Guinness Book Of Hit Singles cover to cover on every edition over the years! It's very 1964 and sounds like fanbase souvenir concert track supporting some big band or other.

Posted by: fiesta 13th September 2024, 05:43 PM

The Newbeats singer Larry Henley later earned his bread & butter as a songwriter-co-writing Wind Beneath My Wings.

Posted by: Popchartfreak 14th September 2024, 09:34 AM

I never knew that! Oh what I'd give to have heard The Newbeats cover Wind Beneath My Wings in their own falsetto style!

Posted by: King Rollo 17th September 2024, 06:02 PM

17th - 23rd September 1964

30. Seven Daffodils - The Mojos https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f2cFB1TaW2U This will be the last of the Mojos' three top 40 hits and it's a good one, I liked the use of the piano and drums on it.
33. Walk Away - Matt Monro https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NKAIOZW8fxg Six months ago, Matt Monro finished 2nd for the UK in the Eurovision Song Contest. His song wasn't a hit, instead he's now recorded an English language version of the Austrian entry from that contest which finished behind him in 6th place. He sings it well and the strings are gorgeous. This will be his biggest hit since 1960, reaching number 4.
38. Seven Daffodils - The Cherokees https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ejCGcztSLY Another version of this song now, the only hit for this band. The notes played on the piano in the Mojos' version are played on the bass guitar here. The production is simpler so the vocals are more dominant on this one. By a narrow margin, I preferred the Mojos.
39. Love's Made A Fool Of You - Buddy Holly https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rof_h84yMUI From 1958, this will be the last of Buddy Holly's posthumous hits (apart from a re-issue in 1968). I will remember it best for the echoey handclaps.

Record of the week : 40. I'm Crying - The Animals

The Animals' follow-up to their number 1 is one they wrote themselves. It's another good, bluesy vocal from Eric Burdon supported by an lively keyboard part from Alan Price. It will reach a peak position of number 8.

Posted by: Popchartfreak 18th September 2024, 08:47 AM

None of these ring much of a bell for me, Seven Daffodils I've never heard that I recall in either version. Of the two versions I prefer The Cherokees' it's more low key Billy Fury-ish but I wouldnt call the song worthy of 2 competing versions. Matt Monroe Walk Away I know of, and Matt could sing. Nice arrangement, no idea it was a Eurovision song, and it doesn't ring any bells as a tune, and the irony of covering a less-successful Eurovision song and getting a hit he didn't with a runner-up song!

Buddy Holly, I have his hits collections so this I have heard before, and I think it was covered in the 70's or 80's, but it's not essential Holly. I note the first album I bought with my own money (The Archies) naughtily nicked the "when you're feeling sad and blue" line for one of their tracks (Kissin') - though I expect it's been in a million pop songs. So by default The Animals is my winner too, not one I heard much at the time (if at all) but it's pretty decent.

Posted by: JulianT 18th September 2024, 07:34 PM

I gave “I’m Crying” a 6 in my reviews which actually I think was harsh - I love the chugging organ and the backing vocals.

Posted by: King Rollo 24th September 2024, 06:11 PM

24th - 30th September 1964

27. We're Through - The Hollies https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=86SoRHgNmIA This is not as good as the last few hits by them. The most noteworthy thing is many of the words of the lyrics being elongated to well beyond their normal length.
37. Maybe I Know - Lesley Gore https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cpfKJ2ODud8 More than a year after 'It's My Party', Lesley Gore gets her second UK hit and sadly her last. Produced by Quincy Jones, it has a strong chorus which will stick in my head.
39. How Soon - The Henry Mancini Orchestra https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ny0Ncpby5kY A nice, soothing orchestral piece with the choir coming in halfway through. We will have to wait another twenty years for Henry's second top 40 hit.
40. Come To Me - Julie Grant https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UB3-HbxZy4I Julie's third and final hit single is a fine, well sung ballad which builds up nicely and has a notable contribution from the oboe.

Record of the week : 21. When You Walk In The Room - The Searchers

The Lesley Gore and Julie Grant songs were contenders but I'm going for this great song from The Searchers. The guitar riff and a memorable chorus make it stand out and the whole thing is sung in harmony. As with 'Needles And Pins', the original version was recorded by Jackie DeShannon. The single will peak at number 3, the group's fifth top 3 hit in just fifteen months.

Posted by: JulianT 24th September 2024, 06:23 PM

I absolutely adore “Come To Me”: it’s really stayed with me since I discovered it in my reviews!