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Posted by: JulianT 31st December 2022, 12:57 AM

Let’s see how far I can get with this.
I’m intending to keep the average score in the 5-6 region and use the full range so:
7-10 great
4-6 decent
1-3 not for me
Each day I’ll post a video of my track of the day.

I hope to have chance to listen to each track a good number of times before I rate it so I’m not just making a snap judgement, but apologies in advance if I give your favourite ever song a 2/10 or if I show myself to be an ignoramus with the comments! I’m a massive chart geek but not a cultural or historical expert by any means, and of course I’ll be covering many artists about whom I know nothing.

I won’t mind if I don’t get many replies from others but the more the merrier of course, and feel free to robustly disagree with my ratings.

Featured songs (either winning their group or receiving at least a 9):

1952/3
The Isle Of Innisfree - Bing Crosby (9)
Walkin’ To Missouri - Tony Brent (8)
The Glow Worm - The Mills Brothers (9) 2nd for year
Little Red Monkey - Frank Chacksfield (9) 1st for year
The Girl In The Wood - Frankie Laine (9) 3rd for year
I’m Walking Behind You - Eddie Fisher With Sally Sweetland (8)
Swedish Rhapsody - Mantovani (8)
Ricochet - Joan Regan With The Squadronaires (8)

1954:
That’s Amore - Dean Martin (10) 2nd for year
Such A Night - Johnnie Ray (9)
Secret Love - Doris Day (9)
The Little Shoemaker - Petula Clark (8)
Smile - Nat King Cole (10) 1st for year
Sh-Boom - The Crew Cuts (9) 3rd for year
No One But You - Billy Eckstine (8)
Mambo Italiano - Rosemary Clooney And The Mellomen (9)

1955:
Rock Around The Clock - Bill Haley And His Comets (9)
Teach Me Tonight - The De Castro Sisters (8)
Under The Bridges Of Paris - Eartha Kitt (9) 1st for year
Paths Of Paradise - Johnnie Ray (7)
Stowaway - Barbara Lyon (9)
The Breeze And I - Caterina Valente (9)
Rose Marie - Slim Whitman (9)
Love Me Or Leave Me - Sammy Davis Jr (9) 2nd for year
Cloudburst - Don Lang With The Mairants-Langhorn Big Six (9) 3rd for year
Humming Bird - Frankie Laine (8)
Rock-A-Beatin’ Boogie - Bill Haley And His Comets (7)

1956:
Sixteen Tons - Tennessee Ernie Ford (10) 1st for year
It’s Almost Tomorrow - The Dream Weavers (9)
The Shifting Whispering Sands (Parts 1 And 2) - Billy Vaughn Orchestra And Chorus (9)
The Poor People Of Paris - Winifred Atwell (8)
A Theme From ‘The Threepenny Opera’ (Mack The Knife) - Louis Armstrong And His All-Stars (8)
Heartbreak Hotel - Elvis Presley (9) 3rd for year
Delilah Jones - The McGuire Sisters (8)
Whatever Will Be Will Be (Que Sera Sera) - Doris Day (9)
Portuguese Washerwoman - Joe ‘Fingers’ Carr (9)
Rockin’ Through The Rye - Bill Haley And His Comets (9)
The Great Pretender / Only You (And You Alone) - The Platters (9) 2nd for year
Just Walking In The Rain - Johnnie Ray (8)
The Green Door - Frankie Vaughan (8)
Blueberry Hill - Fats Domino (9)
Rip It Up - Little Richard (7)

1957:
Ain’t That A Shame - Fats Domino (8)
Long Tall Sally - Little Richard (9) 2nd for year
The Girl Can’t Help It - Little Richard (8)
Cumberland Gap - Lonnie Donegan (9) 3rd for year
Cry Me A River - Julie London (9)
Yes Tonight, Josephine - Johnnie Ray (8)
Travellin' Home - Vera Lynn (9)
Gamblin' Man / Putting On The Style - Lonnie Donegan (9)
Lucille - Little Richard (9)
In The Middle Of A Dark, Dark Night / Sweet Stuff - Guy Mitchell (7)
Jenny, Jenny - Little Richard (8)
Wake Up Little Susie - The Everly Brothers (9)
Reet Petite (The Sweetest Girl In Town) - Jackie Wilson (10) 1st for year
Great Balls Of Fire - Jerry Lee Lewis (9)

1958:
Jailhouse Rock - Elvis Presley (9)
Jailhouse Rock EP - Elvis Presley (8)
Catch A Falling Star - Perry Como (8)
Tequila - The Champs (9)
Who’s Sorry Now - Connie Francis (9)
Lollipop - The Chordettes (8)
All I Have To Do Is Dream / Claudette - The Everly Brothers (9)
Big Man - The Four Preps (8)
When - The Kalin Twins (9)
Fever - Peggy Lee (9) 2nd for year
Move It - Cliff Richard And The Drifters (9) 3rd for year
Nel Blu Dipinto Di Blu (Volare) - Domenico Modugno
Hoots Mon - Lord Rockingham’s XI (9) 1st for year
Rockin’ Robin - Bobby Day (9)
It’s Only Make Believe - Conway Twitty (9)
To Know Him, Is To Love Him - The Teddy Bears (8)

1959:
Smoke Gets In Your Eyes - The Platters (9) 1st for year
Petite Fleur - Chris Barber’s Jazz Band (9) 3rd for year
It Doesn’t Matter Anymore - Buddy Holly (9) 2nd for year
Come Softly To Me - The Fleetwoods (8)
Mean Streak - Cliff Richard And The Drifters (8)
Personality - Lloyd Price (8)
A Big Hunk O’ Love - Elvis Presley (8)
Someone - Johnny Mathis (8)
Broken Hearted Melody - Sarah Vaughan (8)
Sleep Walk - Santo And Johnny (9)
Oh! Carol - Neil Sedaka (9)
What Do You Want To Make Those Eyes At Me For? - Emile Ford And The Checkmates (9)
Little White Bull - Tommy Steele (9)
Staccato’s Theme - Elmer Bernstein (8)

1960:
Summer Set - Mr Acker Bilk And His Paramount Jazz Band (9)
Misty - Johnny Mathis (9)
La Mer (Beyond The Sea) - Bobby Darin (9)
Theme From A Summer Place - Percy Faith (10) 1st for year
Handy Man - Jimmy Jones (9)
He'll Have To Go - Jim Reeves (9)
Footsteps - Steve Lawrence (8)
Milord - Edith Piaf (8)
True Love Ways - Buddy Holly (9) 3rd for year
Shakin' All Over - Johnny Kidd And The Pirates (9)
Wonderful World - Sam Cooke (9)
Apache - The Shadows (9)
Only The Lonely - Roy Orbison (9) 2nd for year
Everybody's Somebody's Fool (9)
The Twist - Chubby Checker (9)
Walk, Don't Run - The Ventures (9)
Chain Gang - Sam Cooke (8)
Blue Angel - Roy Orbison (9)
Save The Last Dance For Me - The Drifters (9)
Poetry In Motion - Johnny Tillotson (9)
Buona Sera - Mr Acker Bilk And His Paramount Jazz Band (7)

1961:
A Thousand Stars - Billy Fury (8)
Ginchy - Bert Weedon (8)
Will You Love Me Tomorrow? - The Shirelles (9)
I Count The Tears - Drifters (8)
Blue Moon - The Marcels (9)
Runaway - Del Shannon (9) 2nd for year
Halfway To Paradise - Billy Fury (9)
Running Scared - Roy Orbison (8)
Stand By Me - Ben E King (10) 1st for year
You Don't Know - Helen Shapiro (9)
You Always Hurt The One You Love - Clarence 'Frogman' Henry (7)
Let's Twist Again - Chubby Checker (9)
Johnny Remember Me - John Leyton (9)
Cryin' - Roy Orbison (9)
Walking Back To Happiness - Helen Shapiro (8)
Take Five - The Dave Brubeck Quartet (9) 3rd for year
Hit The Road Jack - Ray Charles (9)
Take Good Care Of My Baby - Bobby Vee (9)
Moon River - Danny Williams (9)
Stranger On The Shore - Mr Acker Bilk With The Leon Young String Chorale (9)
Let There Be Drums - Sandy Nelson (8)

1962:
Cryin’ In The Rain - The Everly Brothers (9)
Can’t Help Falling In Love / Rock-A-Hula Baby - Elvis Presley (8)
Wonderful Land - The Shadows (9) 2nd for year
Hey Baby - Bruce Channel (8)
Nut Rocker - B Bumble And The Stingers (9) 3rd for year
Love Letters - Ketty Lester (9)
Unsquare Dance - Dave Brubeck (8)
A Picture Of You - Joe Brown And The Bruvvers (8)
Here Comes That Feeling - Brenda Lee (8)
I Remember You - Frank Ifield (8)
Sealed With A Kiss - Brian Hyland (9)
Things - Bobby Darin (9)
Telstar - The Tornados (10)
The Loco-Motion - Little Eva (9)
It Might As Well Rain Until September - Carole King (9)
Let’s Dance - Chris Montez (9)
Sherry - The Four Seasons (9)
The James Bond Theme - John Barry Orchestra (9)
Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree - Brenda Lee (9)
Up On The Roof - Kenny Lynch (8)

1963:
All Alone Am I - Brenda Lee (9)
Diamonds - Jet Harris And Tony Meehan (9)
Big Girls Don’t Cry - The Four Seasons (9)
That’s What Love Will Do - Joe Brown And The Bruvvers (8)
In Dreams - Roy Orbison (10) 1st for year
End Of The World - Skeeter Davis (9) 3rd for year
Rhythm Of The Rain - The Cascades (9)
From Me To You - The Beatles (9)
Pipeline - The Chantays (9)
If You Gotta Make A Fool Of Somebody - Freddie And The Dreamers (8)
Atlantis - The Shadows (9)
Sukiyaki - Kyu Sakamoto (9)
It’s My Party - Lesley Gore (9)
If You Wanna Be Happy - Jimmy Soul (8)
Wipe Out - The Surfaris (9)
She Loves You - The Beatles (8)
Then He Kissed Me - The Crystals (8)
Be My Baby - The Ronettes (9)
Don’t Talk To Him - Cliff Richard And The Shadows (8)
I Only Want To Be With You - Dusty Springfield (9)
Twenty Four Hours From Tulsa - Gene Pitney (9)
I Want To Hold Your Hand - The Beatles (9)

1964:
Needles And Pins - The Searchers (8)
Louie Louie - The Kingsmen (9)
That Girl Belongs To Yesterday - Gene Pitney (8)
Can’t Buy Me Love - The Beatles (8)
It’s Over - Roy Orbison (9) 3rd for year
Walk On By - Dionne Warwick (9)
No Particular Place To Go - Chuck Berry (9)
My Guy - Mary Wells (9)
You’re No Good - The Swinging Blue Jeans (8)
I Just Don’t Know What To Do With Myself - Dusty Springfield (9)
The House Of The Rising Sun - The Animals (9)
The Girl From Ipanema - Stan Getz And Joao Gilberto (9)
A Hard Day’s Night - The Beatles (9)
You Really Got Me - The Kinks (9) 2nd for year
She’s Not There - The Zombies (9)
Rag Doll - The Four Seasons (8)
Come To Me - Julie Grant (9)
Summer Is Over - Frank Ifield (8)
Tokyo Melody - Helmut Zacharias (8)
Downtown - Petula Clark (10) 1st for year
All Day And All Of The Night - The Kinks (9)
Blue Christmas - Elvis Presley (9)
Ferry Cross The Mersey - Gerry And The Pacemakers (8)

1965:
Tired Of Waiting For You - The Kinks (9)
Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood - The Animals (9)
Concrete And Clay - Unit Four Plus Two (8)
For Your Love - The Yardbirds (8)
The Times They Are A-Changin' - Bob Dylan (9)
Ticket To Ride - The Beatles (9)
Trains And Boats And Planes - Burt Bacharach (8)
It Ain't Me Babe - Johnny Cash (8)
Heart Full Of Soul - The Yardbirds (9)
I Can't Help Myself - The Four Tops (9)
Help! - The Beatles (9)
(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction - The Rolling Stones (10) 1st for year
Like A Rolling Stone - Bob Dylan (9)
Unchained Melody - The Righteous Brothers (9)
Eve Of Destruction - Barry McGuire (9)
Look Through Any Window - The Hollies (9)
Evil Hearted You / Still I'm Sad - The Yardbirds (8)
The Carnival Is Over - The Seekers (9) 3rd for year
My Generation - The Who (9)
Day Tripper / We Can Work It Out - The Beatles (10) 2nd for year
Rescue Me - Fontella Bass (9)
Spanish Flea - Herb Alpert And The Tijuana Brass (8)

1966:
You Were On My Mind - Crispian St Peters (8)
These Boots Are Made For Walkin' - Nancy Sinatra (10) 2nd for year
Lightning Strikes - Lou Christie (9)
Barbara Ann - Beach Boys (9)
The Sun Ain't Gonna Shine Anymore - The Walker Brothers (9)
Elusive Butterfly - Bob Lind (9)
Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down) - Cher (9)
Homeward Bound - Simon And Garfunkel (9)
I Fought The Law - The Bobby Fuller Four (9)
California Dreamin' - The Mamas And The Papas (9) 3rd for year
Wild Thing - The Troggs (9)
Paint It, Black - The Rolling Stones (9)
River Deep, Mountain High - Ike And Tina Turner (9)
Paperback Writer - Beatles (9)
Out Of Time - Chris Farlowe (9)
God Only Knows - The Beach Boys (10) 1st for year
Yellow Submarine / Eleanor Rigby - The Beatles (9)
Summer In The City - The Lovin' Spoonful (9)
Yellow Submarine / Eleanor Rigby - The Beatles (9)
They're Coming To Take Me Away - Napolean XIV (9)
You Can't Hurry Love - The Supremes (9)
Sunny - Bobby Hebb (9)
All I See Is You - Dusty Springfield (8)
Reach Out I'll Be There - The Four Tops (9)
No Milk Today - Herman's Hermits (9)
Good Vibrations - The Beach Boys (9)
What Becomes Of The Brokenhearted - Jimmy Ruffin (9)
96 Tears - ? And The Mysterians (9)
Sitting In The Park - Georgie Fame (8)

1967:
Let’s Spend The Night Together / Ruby Tuesday - The Rolling Stones (9)
I’m A Believer - The Monkees (9)
The Beat Goes On - Sonny And Cher (8)
Penny Lane / Strawberry Fields Forever - The Beatles (10) 2nd for year
There’s A Kind Of Hush - Herman’s Hermits (9)
Hi-Ho Silver Lining - Jeff Beck (9)
Happy Together - The Turtles (9)
Dedicated To The One I Love - The Mamas And The Papas (9)
Arnold Layne - Pink Floyd (9)
Music To Watch Girls By - Andy Williams (9)
Waterloo Sunset - The Kinks (9)
A Whiter Shade Of Pale - Procol Harum (9)
Alternate Title - The Monkees (9)
007 - Desmond Dekker And The Aces (9)
Excerpt From ‘A Teenage Opera’ (9)
Let’s Go To San Francisco - The Flower Pot Men (8)
The Letter - The Box Tops (9)
I Can See For Miles - The Who (9)
Something’s Gotten Hold Of My Heart - Gene Pitney (9)
Daydream Believer - The Monkees (9) 3rd for year
Hello, Goodbye - The Beatles (9)
Nights In White Satin - The Moody Blues (10) 1st for year
Magical Mystery Tour EP - The Beatles (9)

1968:
Mighty Quinn - Manfred Mann (8)
Pictures Of Matchstick Men (8)
(Sittin’ On) The Dock Of The Bay - Otis Redding (9) 3rd for year
If I Only Had Time - John Rowles (9)
Captain Of Your Ship - Reparata And The Delrons (9)
White Horses - Jacky (8)
Rainbow Valley - Love Affair (9)
Hurdy Gurdy Man - Donovan (9)
Jumpin’ Jack Flash - The Rolling Stones (9)
MacArthur Park - Richard Harris (9)
I Close My Eyes And Count To Ten - Dusty Springfield (10) 1st for year
Mrs Robinson - Simon And Garfunkel (9)
I Say A Little Prayer - Aretha Franklin (10) 2nd for year
Days - The Kinks (9)
Hold Me Tight - Johnny Nash (9)
Hey Jude - The Beatles (9)
Ain’t Got No; I Got Life / Do What You Gotta Do - Nina Simone (8)
All Along The Watchtower - Jimi Hendrix Experience (9)
Albatross - Fleetwood Mac (9)
Sun Of A Preacher Man - Dusty Springfield (9)
Blackberry Way - The Move (9)

1969:
Mrs Robinson EP - Simon And Garfunkel (9)
I Put A Spell On You - Nina Simone (9)
I Heard It Through The Grapevine - Marvin Gaye (9)
The Windmills Of Your Mind - Noel Harrison (9)
Israelites - Desmond Dekker And The Aces (9)
Pinball Wizard - The Who (9)
My Way - Frank Sinatra (8)
The Boxer - Simon And Garfunkel (10) 2nd for year
The Tracks Of My Tears - Smokey Robinson And The Miracles (9)
Proud Mary - Creedence Clearwater Revival (9)
In The Ghetto - Elvis Presley (9)
Born To Be Wild - Steppenwolf (9)
Bringing On Back The Good Times - Love Affair (8)
Je T’Aime… Moi Non Plus - Jane Birkin And Serge Gainsbourg (9)
Bad Moon Rising - Creedence Clearwater Revival (9)
Space Oddity - David Bowie (9) 3rd for year
Lay Lady Lay - Bob Dylan (9)
He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother - The Hollies (9)
Oh Well - Fleetwood Mac (9)
Something / Come Together - The Beatles (10) 1st for year
No Mule’s Fool - Family (9)
Suspicious Minds - Elvis Presley (9)
Reflections Of My Life - The Marmalade (8)

Posted by: Jade 31st December 2022, 01:02 AM

OMG best of luck

in 2014 I tried to start listening to every top 40 hit for fun and got up to about 1968 to date, mostly because my brain loves to jump from one musical project idea to another until the specific hyper-focus eventually kickstarts again, so I had 0 chance of being consistent with something so extensive looking forward to this anyway! Sounds like ideal PopMaster training

Posted by: A Roba New Year 31st December 2022, 01:08 AM

Shall be fun to follow this. That's an almighty task you've given yourself though Julian

Posted by: Brer 31st December 2022, 02:38 AM

I think someone else started to do this a little while ago and didn't get too far not to discourage, I believe you can do it xx

Posted by: Dotty New Year 31st December 2022, 02:38 AM

Wow that's ambitious. Good luck Julian and will be interesting to see your ratings.

Posted by: Sausage Rollo 31st December 2022, 12:34 PM

Chartfridays only got as far as April 1953 before giving up and that was well before he got banned. He was only doing one song per day.

I am currently in December 1962, having started in May 1961, but I am keeping it at the week that was 60 years ago so you will overtake me at some point if you stick at it.

Good luck.

Posted by: dandy* 31st December 2022, 12:48 PM

OMG this is an insane effort!

I think I'll struggle with this a little in the same way I do Rollo's thread... in so much that I'm generally not that interested in early chart music but I'll be sure to keep up in 2036 when you reach the 80s!

Posted by: Chez Robin 31st December 2022, 12:53 PM

The dedication! Hope you do better than Tom Ewing on Popular is currently doing I will try and keep up with this!

Posted by: Bjork 31st December 2022, 03:45 PM

gigantic task!

Posted by: jimwatts 31st December 2022, 06:53 PM

Wow, even the Top 10 would be ambitious! Best of luck Julian, there are loads of songs I've seen from going through chart history that I'd be interested to hear something about.

Posted by: JulianT 31st December 2022, 07:09 PM

Thanks for the good wishes! I could yet decide to only the cover the Top 20 as I have a few years to decide before it expands to a Top 30 haha.

Posted by: JulianT 31st December 2022, 08:47 PM

The first 15 songs to be covered tomorrow!

#1 15/11/1952 Al Martino Here In My Heart 1 {1}-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-6-3-6-6-5-8-9-12-11->18
#2 15/11/1952 Jo Stafford You Belong To Me 1 2-5-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-{1}-2-5-5-6-9-11-8-11-12->19
#3 15/11/1952 Nat 'King' Cole Somewhere Along The Way 3 {3}-6-8-12-7-6-6->7
#4 15/11/1952 Bing Crosby The Isle Of Innisfree 3 4-4-6-4-{3}-3-3-5-4-5-7-11->12
#5 15/11/1952 Guy Mitchell Feet Up 2 5-{2}-5-5-4-4-4-4-5-7->10
#6 15/11/1952 Rosemary Clooney Half As Much 3 6-{3}-3-7-3-5-5-6-7->9
#7 15/11/1952 Frankie Laine High Noon (Do Not Forsake Me) 7 {7}-7-11-11-9-12-12->7
#8 15/11/1952 Vera Lynn Forget Me Not 5 7-7R(2)-6-{5}-10-10->6
#9 15/11/1952 Doris Day And Frankie Laine Sugarbush 8 {8}-12-8R(2)-8-10-10-10-10->8
#10 15/11/1952 Ray Martin And His Concert Orchestra Blue Tango 8 {8}-12R(2)-12-10->4
#11 15/11/1952 Vera Lynn The Homing Waltz 9 {9}-11-9->3
#12 15/11/1952 Vera Lynn Auf Wiederseh'n Sweetheart 10 {10}->1
#13 15/11/1952 Max Bygraves Cowpuncher's Cantata 6 11-8R(7)-{6}R(3)-9-7-8-12-10R(2)->8
#14 15/11/1952 Mario Lanza Because You're Mine 3 11-8-4-{3}-5-10-10-7-8-3-4-4-4-4-3-5-4-5-5-7-8-10-10-11->24
#15 15/11/1952 Johnnie Ray Walkin' My Baby Back Home 12 {12}->1

Posted by: JulianT 1st January 2023, 07:56 PM

OK here we go! It was a pretty good first chart with 6 I really like and 3 I love, but I decided to give the crown to Bing's beautifully done ballad.

9 Bing Crosby The Isle Of Innisfree Beautiful lyrics, melody, vocals and instrumentation with a lovely simplicity to it
8 Ray Martin And His Concert Orchestra Blue Tango A fab instrumental version of this
8 Doris Day And Frankie Laine Sugarbush From the melody to the tapping find this one really catchy!
7 Frankie Laine High Noon (Do Not Forsake Me) Very dramatic with a well delivered vocal; definitely one of my favourites from Frankie
7 Jo Stafford You Belong To Me Second ever chart topper; good song and love her clear voice
7 Johnnie Ray Walkin' My Baby Back Home Like Johnnie in general and this is a funky number well performed
6 Nat 'King' Cole Somewhere Along The Way Lovely smooth voice as ever and a nice song
5 Guy Mitchell Feet Up This one treads the fine line between catchy and annoying and just about comes out the right side for me
5 Mario Lanza Because You're Mine Not so into these slow numbers delivered with huge vibrato; but an impressive performance nonetheless
4 Al Martino Here In My Heart First ever chart topper and again technically impressive but rather drawn out with excessive vibrato
4 Rosemary Clooney Half As Much Nice enough but a rather generic 50s number
4 Vera Lynn Forget Me Not Has some pretty call and response moments and harmonies; my favourite of the Dame Vera trio here but still very of its time
3 Vera Lynn Auf Wiederseh'n Sweetheart Decent tune but very twee
2 Max Bygraves Cowpuncher's Cantata A "comedy" song apparently; really bitty and disjointed and clearly I don't get it
2 Vera Lynn The Homing Waltz Dull song anyway but it's the slightly out of time backing men's choir that turns it from bad to rubbish for me



Tomorrow will already take us to the end of 1952!

#16 22/11/1952 Al Martino Take My Heart 9 {9}->1
#17 22/11/1952 Doris Day My Love And Devotion 10 {10}-10->2
#18 06/12/1952 Kay Starr Comes A-Long A-Love 1 9-6-3-3-3-3-2-{1}-2-2-3-4-8-11-12-8->16
#19 06/12/1952 Bing Crosby And Jane Wyman Zing A Little Zong 10 {10}-12->2
#20 13/12/1952 Winifred Atwell Britannia Rag 5 11-12R(4)-8-{5}-8-12->6
#21 20/12/1952 Mantovani White Christmas 6 {6}-6-9->3
#22 20/12/1952 Nat 'King' Cole Because You're Mine 6 {6}-6-10R(4)-11R(3)->4
#23 20/12/1952 Johnnie Ray And The Four Lads Faith Can Move Mountains 7 {7}-7-9R(2)->3
#24 20/12/1952 Louis Armstrong Takes Two To Tango 6 8-8-8-9-7-{6}-7-10-7-10->10
#25 20/12/1952 Bing Crosby Silent Night, Holy Night 8 {8}-8->2
#26 20/12/1952 Tony Brent Walkin' To Missouri 7 9-9-{7}R(2)-10-11-12-11->7
#27 20/12/1952 Jo Stafford Jambalaya 11 {11}-11->2
#28 03/01/1953 Nat 'King' Cole Faith Can Move Mountains 10 11-12R(2)-12-{10}R(2)->4
#29 03/01/1953 Tony Brent Make It Soon 9 12-11-{9}-9-10R(7)-9-12->7
#30 03/01/1953 Eddie Fisher Outside Of Heaven 1 12-6-4-2-{1}-3-2-2-2-3-3-4-2-9-7-7-12R(2)->17

Posted by: jimwatts 2nd January 2023, 12:06 AM

You Belong To Me is my favourite of the ones I know from that first group, but the Bing Crosby song is nice too.

Posted by: Popchartfreak 2nd January 2023, 12:21 PM

Frankie Laine's High Noon is one I grew up with, an iconic 50's tune, but as artists its Doris Day and Nat 'King' Cole for me, pure class even if the song isn't as good as they are, they make it better. Most of them I don't know though!

Frankie Laine's most fun record is Blazin' Saddles the theme tune to the Mel Brooks 70's side-splitting movie, whip-cracking delight even if Frankie missed realising it was a parody

Posted by: Jade 2nd January 2023, 12:29 PM

Nat 'King' Cole's voice could sell almost anything *.* definitely one of my favourite artists of this period along with another that is coming up in the next batch

Posted by: CJK 2nd January 2023, 12:38 PM

Wow... what a mammoth task. Good luck, Julian.

I know Isle of Innisfree from Daniel O'Donnell singing it, and I think it's a really nice song. Good choice for your first "daily winner".

Posted by: JulianT 2nd January 2023, 11:35 PM

Oh dear yesterday's winner has crashed and burned! I've given the crown to Tony Brent today, with a song that apparently was seen as a representation of Truman's fortunes in the 1952 US election. To me it's just a very sweet song though.

8 Tony Brent Walkin' To Missouri A lovely catchy little ballad; only just realised it's a prodigal son allegory
8 Kay Starr Comes A-Long A-Love Third chart topper and an energetic number that sounds much more up to date than most of the hits from this period
8 Louis Armstrong Takes Two To Tango This song was the origin of the phrase and it's a charming jazzy number with a great trumpet solo from Satchmo
7 Eddie Fisher Outside Of Heaven The fourth chart topper; Eddie does very believable heartbreak ballads and this is no exception
7 Johnnie Ray And The Four Lads Faith Can Move Mountains Another very well delivered one from Johnnie - he gives it all the drama without going over the top
6 Nat 'King' Cole Because You're Mine This gets a point more than Mario's Lanza's version above just thanks to Nat's voice
6 Nat 'King' Cole Faith Can Move Mountains On this occasion I actually like Nat's version slightly less however; think this particular song needs a bit more oomph
6 Tony Brent Make It Soon Prefer his other in this batch but another nice catchy little ballad
5 Jo Stafford Jambalaya Still love her voice and this one bounces along nicely but it's no "You Belong To Me"
5 Winifred Atwell Britannia Rag For the Royal Variety and the usual Winifred fare - nothing too deep but listenable, upbeat and nicely played
5 Al Martino Take My Heart His usual big croony style but prefer the melody slightly to "Here In My Heart"
4 Doris Day My Love And Devotion Nice enough but quite saccharine
3 Mantovani White Christmas Mantovani has better instrumental hits to come; this is just "White Christmas" minus the words
2 Bing Crosby Silent Night, Holy Night This is a very dull and unnecessary version of this which some strange added words
1 Bing Crosby And Jane Wyman Zing A Little Zong This is really an excruciating listen; terrible song and lyrics with s inexplicably replaced with z throughout



First couple of months of 1953 to be covered tomorrow:

#31 10/01/1953 Jimmy Young Faith Can Move Mountains 11 {11}->1
#32 17/01/1953 Perry Como With The Ramblers Don't Let The Stars Get In Your Eyes 1 10-8-3-{1}-1-1-1-1-2-2-4-5-3-5-9->15
#33 17/01/1953 Ted Heath And His Music Vanessa 11 {11}->1
#34 24/01/1953 Eddie Fisher Everything I Have Is Yours 8 12-{8}R(2)-9-11-10->5
#35 24/01/1953 Tony Brent Got You On My Mind 12 {12}->1
#36 31/01/1953 Al Martino Now 3 10-9-7-6-4-5-4-{3}-5-3-4-8->12
#37 31/01/1953 The Mills Brothers The Glow Worm 10 {10}->1
#38 14/02/1953 Guy Mitchell She Wears Red Feathers 1 10-5-3-2-{1}-1-1-1-2-2-2-3-6-7-12-12R(3)->16
#39 14/02/1953 The Stargazers Broken Wings 1 11-12R(2)-7-6-7-8-2-{1}-3-6-8-12->12
#40 14/02/1953 Art And Dotty Todd Broken Wings 6 12-7-{6}-6-7-10-11->7
#41 21/02/1953 Dickie Valentine Broken Wings 12 {12}->1
#42 28/02/1953 Danny Kaye Wonderful Copenhagen 5 7-9-8-6-6-6-{5}-6-8-10->10
#43 07/03/1953 Joni James Why Don't You Believe Me? 11 {11}->1
#44 14/03/1953 Lita Roza (How Much Is That) Doggie In The Window? 1 9-3-3-4-2-{1}-3-4-5-7-9->11
#45 14/03/1953 Dickie Valentine All The Time And Everywhere 9 12-{9}-10->3

Posted by: Bleak Dot Winter 2nd January 2023, 11:52 PM

Admittedly my knowledge of these early 50s ones is limited, having not done a task like this myself but of the ones I know my favourite so far is Kay Starr- Comes-A-Long-A-Love.

Posted by: jimwatts 3rd January 2023, 07:13 AM

Winifred Atwell's is my favourite of the ones I remember in that group (I've yet to listen through the non-Top 5s), though perhaps she has better to come.

Posted by: Popchartfreak 3rd January 2023, 09:27 AM

Bit of a history lesson in this batch with the President and the Queen mentioned! Mantovani also had a Coronation song (Elizabethan Serenade) which is fab. I have always loved that one since being a little lad. Can't go wrong with Louis A, and Nat is back, Doris too, and I didn't know two to tango was a song reference!

I know The Eddie Fisher song, he's more famous for his wives than his singing career these days, Connie Stevens, Elizabeth Taylor, Debbie Reynolds to name just 3, not to mention Carrie Fisher daughter. Never been a fan of the record. Very much a fan of his wives and daughter.

Jambalaya is one of those songs that's always got on my nerves too, in any version, not even the previously flawless Carpenters managed to make a pearl out of it, though they got a hit record.

Then there's Bing and Mrs Ronald Reagan zinging a zong. What a bizarre bunch of tracks!

Posted by: JulianT 3rd January 2023, 05:24 PM

You know sometimes a record just grabs you unexpectedly, and that happened with "The Glow Worm" when I first heard it a few weeks ago. Previously I'd have expected Perry Como to win today hands down.

9 The Mills Brothers The Glow Worm Just love this upbeat jazz quartet style and think it's a catchy and unique song that really stands out here
8 Perry Como With The Ramblers Don't Let The Stars Get In Your Eyes 5th #1; such a catchy song and it has a great relentless quality to it (does he ever take a breath)?
8 Dickie Valentine All The Time And Everywhere Great tune with a dreamy muted trumpet accompaniment; evokes being in love very well
7 Tony Brent Got You On My Mind Another catchy number from Tony with a cool jazzy arrangement
7 Al Martino Now By far my favourite of his so far; a warm uplifting ballad
7 Eddie Fisher Everything I Have Is Yours Another dreamy number with lovely smooth vocals
6 Joni James Why Don't You Believe Me? Her only Top 20 hit; quite a slow ballad but find her delivery very convincing
6 Art And Dotty Todd Broken Wings Don't love this song in any form but this is my favourite version with lovely harmonies
5 Dickie Valentine Broken Wings Quite different from the other two versions; like the eerie instrumentation
5 Ted Heath And His Music Vanessa A very nice instrumental but not particularly memorable - couldn’t hum it now
4 Jimmy Young Faith Can Move Mountains Prefer the 2 versions of this in the previous batch; this one's a bit slow and croony
4 The Stargazers Broken Wings Far from their worst but still the most stilted sounding of the 3 renditions
3 Lita Roza (How Much Is That) Doggie In The Window? 7th #1; a classic of sorts I guess but doesn't really bear repeated listens
2 Danny Kaye Wonderful Copenhagen Good old "Copenhargen" - a raucous number and all the repetitions of "wonderful" almost make me feel seasick; maybe that's the intention
2 Guy Mitchell She Wears Red Feathers 6th #1 and the worst so far for me; just very irritating and what's a "cokeynut"?



Next up:

#46 21/03/1953 Frankie Laine The Girl In The Wood 11 {11}->1
#47 21/03/1953 Buddy Morrow Night Train 12 {12}->1
#48 28/03/1953 Patti Page (How Much Is That) Doggie In The Window? 9 {9}-12-12-9-12->5
#49 04/04/1953 Johnston Brothers Oh Happy Day 4 7-9-6-5-{4}-4-6-8->8
#50 04/04/1953 Frank Chacksfield's Tunesmiths With Jack Jordan Little Red Monkey 10 {10}-11-12->3
#51 04/04/1953 Frankie Laine I Believe 1 11-8-4-{1}-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-2-1-1-1-1-1-1-2-1-1-1-2-2-2-3-2-2-4-6-5-7-4-6-10->36
#52 04/04/1953 Doris Day And Johnnie Ray Ma Says Pa Says 12 {12}->1
#53 11/04/1953 Johnnie Ray Somebody Stole My Gal 6 {6}-7R(2)-6-8-10-12R(2)-11R(10)->7
#54 18/04/1953 Doris Day And Johnnie Ray A Full Time Job 11 {11}->1
#55 25/04/1953 Guy Mitchell Pretty Little Black-Eyed Susie 2 4-{2}-3-3-4-5-9-12-11-10-10->11
#56 25/04/1953 Kay Starr Side By Side 7 9-{7}-11-8->4
#57 25/04/1953 Nat 'King' Cole Pretend 2 10-5-{2}-2-2-2-4-3-2-5-6-6-9-8-7-7-8-8->18
#58 02/05/1953 Eddie Fisher Downhearted 3 9-7-4-{3}-4-3-8-6-9-8-9-7-9-9-12->15
#59 02/05/1953 Billy Cotton And His Band With Doreen Stephens And Chorus In A Golden Coach (There's A Heart Of Gold) 3 11-10-9-7-8-{3}-7-9-12-12->10
#60 09/05/1953 Jimmy Boyd And Frankie Laine Tell Me A Story 5 9-{5}-5-9-11-10-10-8-7-8-8-7-10-12-11-12R(4)->16

Posted by: Popchartfreak 3rd January 2023, 07:24 PM

Nice pick there, I dont know it but its got that Big Band jive sound which always sounds good. Agree about Lita Roza and Guy Mitchell

Posted by: Brer 4th January 2023, 12:51 AM

Poor brave Vera

Will try and make sure to check out some of your highlights here to leave the occasional comment, naturally I don't know many of these songs bar vaguely recalling some of the #1s!

Posted by: jimwatts 4th January 2023, 08:19 AM

Don't know any of the Johnnie Ray songs so far or in the next section, but I started listening through the #1s playlist on New Year's Eve (having got through the #5s playlist just in time for the rate), and since a certain song came up yesterday I've had "Yip Yip!" lodged in my head, so looking forward to that here eventually, plus a few others of his I know in the meantime.

Posted by: JulianT 4th January 2023, 10:44 PM

Of course the selection to be reviewed today includes the 9th chart topper which remains the song with the longest ever Number 1 tenure and the longest unbroken Top 10 run. Overall this is the strongest bunch yet, but not because of that one which is a fairly unremarkable song really, though Frankie Laine almost wins today with another of his efforts. I doubt the average score of 5.8 today will be beaten any time soon especially looking at some of the rubbish that's coming up.

9 Frank Chacksfield's Tunesmiths With Jack Jordan Little Red Monkey A quite scary but fantastic instrumental; you feel like the monkey's in the room with you
9 Frankie Laine The Girl In The Wood The backing vocals really make this but all in all it's exciting, vibrant and haunting - everything that his monster hit isn't
8 Nat 'King' Cole Pretend Sadly 5 weeks at #2 for this behind you know what; a lovely tender little number of course done brilliantly by Nat
8 Buddy Morrow Night Train It's a night train alright - another wonderfully evocative instrumental and the only hit for Buddy Morrow
7 Johnston Brothers Oh Happy Day Interesting history behind this record and has a nice folky almost gospel feel to it
7 Johnnie Ray Somebody Stole My Gal Nice jazzy ballad assisted by Johnnie's usual slightly quirky performance
6 Eddie Fisher Downhearted Another heartbreak ballad from Eddie - not his best but still very nice and beautifully sung
6 Guy Mitchell Pretty Little Black-Eyed Susie Guy's songs always seem to be catchy and / or irritating; happily this one is more the former
6 Doris Day And Johnnie Ray Ma Says Pa Says Normally not keen on this type of flirtatious duet but this one is clever and genuinely makes me smile
5 Frankie Laine I Believe Don't get me wrong it's decent, but slightly plodding and just builds up once and then it's over
5 Kay Starr Side By Side It's nice and a similar style to her chart topper but nowhere near as good
4 Patti Page (How Much Is That) Doggie In The Window? I'm a sucker for nice harmonies so that's probably why I've given this a point more than Lita's version
3 Doris Day And Johnnie Ray A Full Time Job Their other duet is entertaining but just find this one silly and the song doesn't grab me
2 Billy Cotton And His Band With Doreen Stephens And Chorus In A Golden Coach (There's A Heart Of Gold) Gah this is so dreary and the horse and crowd noise sounds don't improve it
2 Jimmy Boyd And Frankie Laine Tell Me A Story Was going to give this a 1 but I suppose there's a certain cuteness; Jimmy was only 13 bless him but not a fun listen

As I've unusually given two 9s I've linked both of them.





Coming next:

#61 16/05/1953 Muriel Smith Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me 3 11-7-6-4-6-{3}-3-4-3-3-6-4-6-7-4-9-11->17
#62 16/05/1953 Winifred Atwell Coronation Rag 5 12-12R(2)-{5}-9-12-11->6
#63 16/05/1953 Ron Goodwin Terry's Theme (From 'Limelight') 3 12-11-11-10-11-8-7-9-7-6-5-6-{3}-5-3-10-7-7-9-8-8-11-9->23
#64 23/05/1953 Eddie Fisher With Sally Sweetland I'm Walking Behind You 1 6-7-6-5-4-{1}-3-5-4-4-3-5-4-7-5-6-6-12->18
#65 23/05/1953 Frank Chacksfield Terry's Theme From 'Limelight' 2 10-3-{2}-2-5-4-2-2-2-3-2-2-3-5-2-3-3-5-5-5-5-5-6-12->24
#66 30/05/1953 Mantovani The Song From The Moulin Rouge 1 10-8-4-7-6-5-4-5-2-5-4-{1}-2-3-2-5-3-3-6-7-6-10R(4)-12R(3)->23
#67 06/06/1953 Dickie Valentine In A Golden Coach 7 {7}->1
#68 06/06/1953 Vera Lynn The Windsor Waltz 11 {11}->1
#69 06/06/1953 Dorothy Squires I'm Walking Behind You 12 {12}->1
#70 04/07/1953 Ted Heath And His Music Hot Toddy 6 11-11-11-10-8-8-{6}-6-7-10-8->11
#71 11/07/1953 Al Martino Rachel 10 {10}-10-12-12-12R(6)->5
#72 11/07/1953 Vivian Blaine Bushel And A Peck 12 {12}->1
#73 18/07/1953 Gisele MacKenzie Seven Lonely Days 6 12-11R(2)-10R(3)-{6}-9-11->6
#74 25/07/1953 Doris Day And Johnnie Ray Let's Walk That-A-Way 4 11-8-9-10-9-{4}-4-4-4-4-4-4-8-9->14
#75 08/08/1953 June Hutton And Axel Stordahl With The Boys Next Door Say You're Mine Again 6 10-12-12-7R(2)-9-{6}-10->7

Posted by: Jade 4th January 2023, 10:50 PM

Winifred Atwell was the artist from yesterday that I enjoy a lot in general, I find her piano playing so charming

Oh wow is that clavioline usage in 'Little Red Monkey'?! Sounds like it comes from the same universe as 'Telstar' by The Tornados what a great discovery, thank you!

Posted by: JulianT 5th January 2023, 09:48 AM

QUOTE(Jade @ Jan 4 2023, 10:50 PM)

Winifred Atwell was the artist from yesterday that I enjoy a lot in general, I find her piano playing so charming

Oh wow is that clavioline usage in 'Little Red Monkey'?! Sounds like it comes from the same universe as 'Telstar' by The Tornados what a great discovery, thank you!

Posted by: Popchartfreak 5th January 2023, 10:38 AM

Yes I like both of those tracks, and the Monkey tune is def years ahead of its time! An obscure little oddity Ive never heard of

I'd opt for Nat King Cole Pretend though, such a great song, and even better as done uptempo in 1981 by Alvin Stardust;s top 10 hit version.

Posted by: JulianT 5th January 2023, 05:23 PM

So we have Winifred's "Coronation Anthem" and 2 renditions of the terribly tedious "In A Golden Coach" charting around this time. It's almost like there was some sort of event happening this year - anyway I'm sure it won't happen again whatever it was. Average dropping below 5 today oops, but still a few that I really like and the chart toppers coming out around the top this time.

8 Eddie Fisher With Sally Sweetland I'm Walking Behind You 10th #1: it's creepy for sure but brilliantly so and Sally's unsettling, distant sounding harmonies really make it
8 Muriel Smith Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me Just a very classy version of this excellently performed
7 Mantovani The Song From The Moulin Rouge 11th #1: a very atmospheric instrumental and the accordian really gives it that French vibe
6 Dorothy Squires I'm Walking Behind You Great voice and nice to hear a female version of this, but nowhere near as enchanting as the chart topping version
6 Ron Goodwin Terry's Theme (From 'Limelight') Not much to choose between the two versions of this; both nice but I very slightly prefer this longer one
6 Frank Chacksfield Terry's Theme From 'Limelight' I believe "I Believe" kept this at #2 for a record 8 weeks; also lovely but nothing Earth shattering
5 June Hutton And Axel Stordahl With The Boys Next Door Say You're Mine Again Nice little tune here but very 50s sounding
5 Winifred Atwell Coronation Rag Another feel good number from Winifred but not that memorable for me
4 Vivian Blaine Bushel And A Peck From "Guys And Dolls" and no doubt makes more sense in the context of the musical; over before it really gets going
4 Al Martino Rachel OOOHHH RAAAYYYCHEELLL - not his finest song but he certainly makes a good fist of selling it
4 Ted Heath And His Music Hot Toddy Nice but slightly plodding instrumental this
3 Gisele MacKenzie Seven Lonely Days I think it's the backing men in this that get on my nerves, boo hoo hoo hoo
3 Doris Day And Johnnie Ray Let's Walk That-A-Way 7 straight weeks at #4 is impressive, but quite an irritating song; feel free to stop doing duets now Doris and Johnnie
2 Dickie Valentine In A Golden Coach No horse and crowd noises this time but still such a dreary track
2 Vera Lynn The Windsor Waltz I know it's meant to be light singalong fun but it's a really unmemorable tune, and once again crashed by a backing rabble



Quite a few chart toppers in tomorrow's batch after "I Believe" is finally dispatched for good:

#76 15/08/1953 Nat 'King' Cole Can't I? 6 9-11-11-11R(3)-{6}-10-6-10R(3)->8
#77 22/08/1953 Jimmy Young Eternally 8 9-12-{8}-11-10-11-11-12-11->9
#78 29/08/1953 Guy Mitchell Look At That Girl 1 8-5-{1}-1-1-1-1-1-2-2-4-3-10-10->14
#79 05/09/1953 Frankie Laine Where The Winds Blow 2 12-10-7-7-{2}-3-4-3-5-7-9-12->12
#80 19/09/1953 Nat 'King' Cole Mother Nature And Father Time 7 8-9-12-9-{7}-10-11->7
#81 19/09/1953 Dean Martin Kiss 5 9-7R(2)-8-10-{5}-7-10-12->8
#82 26/09/1953 Winifred Atwell Flirtation Waltz 10 12-{10}R(2)-12R(4)->3
#83 03/10/1953 David Whitfield The Bridge Of Sighs 9 {9}->1
#84 17/10/1953 Frankie Laine Hey Joe 1 3-{1}-1-3-4-6-5-8->8
#85 17/10/1953 David Whitfield Answer Me 1 12-8-4-{1}-2-2-2-5-1-2-2-2-6-12R(3)->14
#86 24/10/1953 Mantovani Swedish Rhapsody 2 6-9-9-5-3-3-{2}-4-5-5-5-2-4-7-8-9-6-12R(2)->18
#87 24/10/1953 Diana Decker Poppa Piccolino 2 11-8-8-6-5-4-4-{2}-5R(4)-9->10
#88 24/10/1953 Ted Heath And His Music Dragnet 9 12-{9}R(5)-11R(2)-11R(5)-12R(3)->5
#89 31/10/1953 Frankie Laine Answer Me 1 3-2-{1}-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-4-6-5-6-8-8-10->17

Posted by: JulianT 6th January 2023, 10:28 PM

Not a great selection today and it may have included 4 #1s but they're a fairly lacklustre bunch overall. I've put some nice instrumentals near the top and this is definitely the most I've connected with one of Winifred's.

8 Mantovani Swedish Rhapsody Like this even more than "Moulin Rouge"; great tune and orchestration
7 Winifred Atwell Flirtation Waltz By far my favourite of hers so far; love the staccato effects and the other instruments that join towards the end
7 Frankie Laine Where The Winds Blow Prefer Frankie's more upbeat numbers like this one; backing singers create the wind effect very effectively
6 Nat 'King' Cole Mother Nature And Father Time Lovely as ever from Nat and a nice ballad
6 Guy Mitchell Look At That Girl 12th #1 and by far the better of his chart toppers; nice jazzy number
5 David Whitfield The Bridge Of Sighs THE BREEEEEEDGE OF SIIIIIIIIGHS! - not a fan of his overdramatic vocal style in general but it works quite well on this one
5 Frankie Laine Answer Me 15th #1 and the better of the two versions of the angst ridden track with Frankie's smoother delivery, but not a brilliant song
4 Nat 'King' Cole Can't I? A fairly boring song from Nat though sung and played well
4 Ted Heath And His Music Dragnet An iconic TV theme but as a piece of music I can take or leave it: better when it gets going towards the end
4 David Whitfield Answer Me 14th #1: for me this doesn't work as well with David's heavy vibrato and it becomes overly laboured
3 Frankie Laine Hey Joe 13th #1: Frankie addresses his "palsy walsy" Joe and warns him off the "pearly girly"; very silly lyrics and the song doesn't do a lot
3 Dean Martin Kiss Boring and sleepy ballad this, slightly saved by some nice instrumentation
2 Jimmy Young Eternally It's the "Limelight" theme set to words, and my gosh it's dull - so much better as an instrumental
2 Diana Decker Poppa Piccolino One of those tunes that becomes stuck in your head that you really don't want there



Just one more group left in 1953!

#90 07/11/1953 Guy Mitchell Chicka Boom 4 6-8-9-7-6-5-9-9-9-8R(2)-8-{4}-10-11-11->15
#91 07/11/1953 Eddie Fisher Wish You Were Here 8 11-11-{8}-12-11-9-12-12-12->9
#92 21/11/1953 Les Paul And Mary Ford Vaya Con Dios 7 {7}-11-9-10->4
#93 21/11/1953 Lee Lawrence Crying In The Chapel 7 11-{7}R(3)-10-10-10-10->6
#94 28/11/1953 Jimmy Boyd I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus 3 8-{3}-8-8-8-8->6
#95 28/11/1953 The Beverley Sisters I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus 6 11-{6}R(2)-7-7-7->5
#96 05/12/1953 Ray Anthony And His Orchestra Dragnet 7 {7}-11R(5)->2
#97 05/12/1953 Winifred Atwell Let's Have A Party 2 7-3-3-3-3-9-{2}-4-5-14R(43)-16-18-20-20-20->15
#98 05/12/1953 Ray Martin And His Concert Orchestra Swedish Rhapsody 4 10-{4}R(2)-4-4->4
#99 12/12/1953 Joan Regan With The Squadronaires Ricochet 8 {8}-12R(4)-10-12-9->5
#100 12/12/1953 David Whitfield Rags To Riches 3 12-{3}R(4)-7-6-4-5-3-3-8-11-10->11
#101 19/12/1953 Eddie Calvert Oh Mein Papa 1 6-6-6-{1}-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-2-3-3-3-8-7-7-10-12->21
#102 19/12/1953 Billy Cotton And His Band Featuring The Mill Girls And The Bandits I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus 11 {11}-11-11->3
#103 19/12/1953 Guy Mitchell Cloud Lucky Seven 2 12-12-12-8-5-3-3-3-{2}-4-4-8-8-9-9-12->16

Posted by: Jade 6th January 2023, 10:34 PM

Glad you gave 'The Song From The Moulin Rouge' a positive score as it's the first one that appears on my favourite U.K. #1s playlist, so lovely.

QUOTE(JulianT @ Jan 5 2023, 09:48 AM)

I do find Winifred charming but they all sort of merge into one for me.

Yes sorry meant to comment on that - it’s the first ever hit to use an electronic keyboard apparently. And yes very much “Telstar” vibes!

Posted by: Popchartfreak 7th January 2023, 11:42 AM

Hold Me Thrill me is a fab song, loved the Gloria Estefan version, and the Moulin Rouge tune is also a goodie. I don't mind Mantovani despite the name becoming a dirty word for Elevator Music. And I didn't know that I knew Swedish Rhapsody but I know it very well!!!! One of those tunes that has popped up all my life here and there without ever knowing what it was (usually to do with Sweden, not surprisingly as a Swedish composer wrote it)! Thanks for the info! I like it!

Answer Me is a great song when done well, Barbara Dickson's 1976 hit version is by far the best one though. Sweet, charming and melodic where these versions are slow and turgid.

Posted by: JulianT 7th January 2023, 09:40 PM

Just as Christmas is over in the real world we've reached Christmas 1953 in this world. None of the versions of "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus" are a patch on The Ronettes though. I've given the win to a singer who I haven't heard much about but she certainly gives this one plenty of welly.

8 Joan Regan With The Squadronaires Ricochet A cheeky and vigorous number beautifully sung; lovely
8 Eddie Fisher Wish You Were Here Another very convincing heartbreak ballad from Eddie
7 Ray Martin And His Concert Orchestra Swedish Rhapsody A bit slower than the Mantovani version of this and think it's slightly less punchy but still very good
7 Eddie Calvert Oh Mein Papa 16th #1: in a way baffling this instrumental vesrion was so huge but there is something mesmerising about the trumpet
7 Winifred Atwell Let's Have A Party Just a piano medley of song snippets but it's very well done and can see why this was a popular record to put on at Christmas
6 Lee Lawrence Crying In The Chapel A future #1 for a certain other artist of course; not sure why but I quite like the religious fervour of this and he sings it well
6 David Whitfield Rags To Riches One of David's better ones (he does have some horrors to come unfortunately) - not oversung and a decent tune
5 Guy Mitchell Cloud Lucky Seven The more grown up of the two songs from the bubblegum pop king of the period here; still haven't given any of his a lucky seven
5 Billy Cotton And His Band Featuring The Mill Girls And The Bandits I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus My favourite of the three versions here - quite nicely done whoever the Mill Girls and Bandits were
4 Guy Mitchell Chicka Boom Very random lyrics about a girl "from Seattle where her daddy raises cattle", but still somewhat catchy
4 The Beverley Sisters I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus Some nice harmonies in this version but it's too slow and plodding
3 Ray Anthony And His Orchestra Dragnet Quite a repetitive theme and I found the Ted Heath version a bit more interesting
3 Les Paul And Mary Ford Vaya Con Dios Husband and wife vocal guitar duo - seems quite a lifeless song to me
3 Jimmy Boyd I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus In theory it makes perfect sense for this to be sung by a child but in practice the vocals are quite grating

Posted by: Popchartfreak 8th January 2023, 10:52 AM

quite a jolly pick there. Oh Mein Papa has never been one I rate, but trumpets were big in the 50's so that might explain it!

Elvis must have been taking notes - Crying In The Chapel was a huge fave of mine when I was 8, dad used to sing it, and he was a huge David Whitfield fan, which explains why he was so enthusiastic about Elvis' version of the fab Rags To Riches song. I don't know the original, but I still like both Elvis covers.

Ronettes def the best version of Santa Claus! Dragnet eventually an Art Of Noise hit, I think, after the movie version, but the theme tune was everywhere right through to the 70's. I like it. Used to watch the TV show in Singapore where it was still running. Vaya Con Dios was a 1973 hit for Millican & Nesbitt. An elderly Spanish chap in a restaurant in Gran canaria was singing Spanish songs on his guitar to entertain customers back in the 00's and was asking for requests, but no-one was asking for any, so I suggested Vaya Con Dios and he was so pleased to have one he could sing. Best version I've heard I really wanted the 1973 Eurovision song (and global hit) from Mocedades - Eres Tu. Fab song.

Posted by: JulianT 8th January 2023, 02:56 PM

And so as it's the end of the year it's time to choose my favourites and there were 4 songs that I gave 9s:

Gold medal: Little Red Monkey - Frank Chacksfield's Tunesmiths With Jack Jordan (if you just have 2 minutes to spare on reading this go and listen to that; I'm regretting not giving it a 10 in fact)
Silver medal: Mills Brothers - The Glow Worm
Bronze medal: Frankie Laine - The Girl In The Wood

And the unlucky 4th place goes to Bing Crosby with The Isle Of Innisfree.

Worst song of the year: Zing A Little Zong - Bing Crosby And Jane Wyman

My medallists all peaked at #10 or lower in a chart that was only a Top 12: who knew there were such gems lurking in the depths of the 1953 charts?

First 2 months of 1954 tomorrow:

#104 09/01/1954 Frankie Laine Blowing Wild 2 7-{2}-2-2-2-2-4-2-7-5-8-12->12
#105 16/01/1954 Ken Mackintosh The Creep 10 12-{10}R(2)->2
#106 23/01/1954 Eddie Fisher Oh My Papa 9 {9}-11R(2)-10R(3)-11R(2)->4
#107 23/01/1954 Obernkirchen Children's Choir The Happy Wanderer 2 10-7-6-7-6-7-5-3-{2}-2-2-2-2-4-6-3-4-5-4-4-4-5-12-11R(2)-8-10->26
#108 23/01/1954 Dean Martin That's Amore 2 11-7-4-5-{2}-3-3-6-5-11-8->11
#109 30/01/1954 Frankie Vaughan Istanbul (Not Constantinople) 11 {11}->1
#110 06/02/1954 Bonnie Lou Tennessee Wig Walk 4 7-{4}-5-5-4-4-4-7-7-11->10
#111 06/02/1954 Rosemary Clooney/Jose Ferrer Man (Uh-Huh)/Woman (Uh-Huh) 7 11-10-{7}-7-12->5
#112 13/02/1954 Frank Chacksfield Ebb Tide 9 {9}-11->2
#113 13/02/1954 Ted Heath And His Music Skin Deep 9 12-{9}-11->3
#114 20/02/1954 Norman Wisdom Don't Laugh At Me ('Cause I'm A Fool) 3 8-6-6-4-7-4-6-{3}-5-10-7-9-8-10-10->15
#115 20/02/1954 Guy Mitchell The Cuff Of My Shirt 9 {9}-12R(4)-11R(2)->3
#116 20/02/1954 David Whitfield The Book 5 10-9-10-9-6-{5}-5-7-11-12-12-11-12R(3)-10-11->15
#117 20/02/1954 The Stargazers I See The Moon 1 12-8-2-{1}-1-1-1-1-3-1-4-5-5-8-11->15

Posted by: JulianT 9th January 2023, 05:25 PM

Into 1954 now and like Craig Revel-Horwood I had hoped to hold out longer without using my 10 paddle, and perhaps use it on something people don't know, but "That's Amore" is just too iconic so there it goes. Basic choice I know. Not much else to get too excited about in this bunch; in fact the competition for worst is much fiercer than that for best today.

10 Dean Martin That's Amore Just the perfect 1950s song
7 Frankie Vaughan Istanbul (Not Constantinople) Quite silly but fun and a good tune with some token Eastern elements
7 Eddie Fisher Oh My Papa Think I very slightly prefer this to the monster hit instrumental version: still has a nice trumpet part and Eddie sings it well
6 Ted Heath And His Music Skin Deep A good tune well performed but there's a better version of this instrumental to come
6 Ken Mackintosh The Creep Wind band style instrumental that builds up nicely
6 Frankie Laine Blowing Wild Similar idea to "Where The Winds Blow"; preferred the windy effects in that but another good one
5 Frank Chacksfield Ebb Tide Frank's least exciting instrumental hit so far for me but some nice oboe action
5 Guy Mitchell The Cuff Of My Shirt This has a certain charm to it and romps along quite nicely; not bad from Guy
4 Norman Wisdom Don't Laugh At Me ('Cause I'm A Fool) My dad sang this line to me when I was young a few times; quite nice but not the most exciting of songs
3 Bonnie Lou Tennessee Wig Walk The 1950s "Cha Cha Slide" maybe - gets a bit annoying after a few listens
3 Obernkirchen Children's Choir The Happy Wanderer #2 for 5 weeks mostly behind the Stargazers which was unfortunate, but why do the children to sing in such an odd trilly way?
2 David Whitfield The Book EEETSA BOOK!!! - this is David at his worst; not much of a tune delivered with forced nasal vocals that get bigger and bigger
1 Rosemary Clooney/Jose Ferrer Man (Uh-Huh)/Woman (Uh-Huh) On any other day this would have finished bottom; very poorly aged lyrics and a terrible song
1 The Stargazers I See The Moon 17th #1 and worst of the whole decade; such a dire performance



Next group:

#118 27/02/1954 Guy Mitchell Sippin' Soda 11 {11}->1
#119 06/03/1954 Duke Ellington Skin Deep 7 9-{7}-11-10->4
#120 13/03/1954 Glenn Miller Moonlight Serenade 12 {12}->1
#121 20/03/1954 Kay Starr Changing Partners 4 6-8-10-{4}-6-5-5-4-6-4-9-8-9-10->14
#122 20/03/1954 Alma Cogan Bell Bottom Blues 4 10-6-{4}-6-8-6-9-10-11->9
#123 20/03/1954 Bing Crosby Changing Partners 9 10-{9}R(2)-11R(3)->3
#124 27/03/1954 Frankie Laine Granada 9 10-{9}R(2)->2
#125 03/04/1954 Doris Day Secret Love 1 10-5-{1}-2-2-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-2-2-3-3-3-6-7-4-6-5-10-8-10-8-14-18->29
#126 10/04/1954 Johnnie Ray Such A Night 1 10-4-3-{1}-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-3-7-7-9-10-12->18
#127 10/04/1954 The Stargazers The Happy Wanderer 12 {12}->1
#128 17/04/1954 Frankie Laine The Kid's Last Fight 3 9-8-{3}-6-3-6-5-6-7-11->10
#129 17/04/1954 Nat 'King' Cole Tenderly 10 {10}->1
#130 17/04/1954 Ruby Wright Bimbo 7 12-9-11-{7}-12R(2)->5
#131 01/05/1954 Guy Mitchell A Dime And A Dollar 8 {8}-9R(2)-11-8-9->5

Posted by: Popchartfreak 9th January 2023, 08:16 PM

Deano and That's Amore Smooth crooner legend with one of his best songs, and we've still got Volare to come!

I had no idea that They Might Be Giants had covered Istanbul (Not Constantinople) much less that Frankie Vaughan had sung it! Live and learn! Frankie goes up in my estimation (and I always liked him in the 60's anyway).

Ebb Tide - Righteous brothers (as usual) is the definitive version, can't be bettered.

And we get to The Happy Wanderer, which was still getting a lot of plays during the 60's, not least on children radio show Junior's Choice. Fol de ri fol de ra! I kind of think it was probably the Pinky & Perky version I knew better though (think Chipmunks).

Posted by: Jade 9th January 2023, 10:30 PM

I wholeheartedly approve of your Gold medal choice, of course also a fan of: 'Let's Have A Party', 'That's Amore' and 'Istanbul (Not Constantinople)'

'I See The Moon' really is a sonic assault so the 1 feels justified.

I agree with PFC that the Righteous Brothers' version of 'Ebb Tide' is great. I was listening through a countdown of best albums and a Phil Spector collection was on there, so heard it through that.

Posted by: Chez Wombat 9th January 2023, 10:49 PM

WHEN THE MOON HITS YOUR EYE LIKE A BIG PIZZA PIE

Most 50s songs I heard were just inoffensive at worst, but I See The Moon is something else x

Posted by: Brer 10th January 2023, 12:31 AM

Today I learned there was a hit version of 'Istanbul (Not Constantinople)' in the 50s! I do like the They Might Be Giants version.

I don't know if 'That's Amore' is a 10 for me but certainly a classic so respectable choice.

And you describing a song as a 50s version of 'Cha Cha Slide' has grabbed my attention even if it is a low score, let me add that to the growing list of songs I need to give a quick listen from this thread (will try and do that some time this week before I fall too far behind!)

Posted by: JulianT 10th January 2023, 05:17 PM

QUOTE(Brer @ Jan 10 2023, 12:31 AM)

Posted by: JulianT 10th January 2023, 06:33 PM

It's all about 2 songs really today which are my favourite Number Ones so far and managed to hold down the Top 2 for 9 weeks. Luckily Johnnie managed to sneak a week at the top before being stuck at #2 behind Doris for the other 8. I've decided Johnnie just edges it for me because I love the quirkiness of it.

9 Johnnie Ray Such A Night 19th #1: Johnnie is always good value but it's the frantic, breathless quality to this with the instruments and backing that I love
9 Doris Day Secret Love 18th #1: apparently later became a gay anthem and you can see why with the lyrics and the soaring emotional chorus; gorgeous
8 Duke Ellington Skin Deep This version of the instrumental is a daunting 7 minutes in length but well worth it, particularly for the epic drum interlude
7 Nat 'King' Cole Tenderly Tenderly is how Nat sings everything, but lovely lyrics and instrumentation too here
7 Glenn Miller Moonlight Serenade Lovely smooth instrumental with wind band
6 Frankie Laine Granada Another of his oh so dramatic ones: it's fun with the changes of tempo but slightly lacking in melody
5 Kay Starr Changing Partners Quite a sweet concept of finding love at the dance but not the most exciting song ever
4 Bing Crosby Changing Partners Think Kay sells this one slightly better
4 Guy Mitchell A Dime And A Dollar Usual Guy fare: not much meaning but quite catchy
3 Alma Cogan Bell Bottom Blues Find this one slightly grating: Alma will be cropping up quite a bit with her unreasonably bright and breezy style
3 Ruby Wright Bimbo Not keen on this irritating song in any version
2 The Stargazers The Happy Wanderer Not sure if they were rubbing it in that they'd held the children's choir version of this off #1 but anyway this is far from good
2 Guy Mitchell Sippin' Soda This seems to be Guy almost self-parodying with the ridiculously lightweight lyrics and children's choir; terrible
1 Frankie Laine The Kid's Last Fight Utterly grim theme; almost unlistenable and a raucous tune too (think Frankie's almost had the full range of scores now)





Next up:
#132 01/05/1954 Billy Cotton And His Band Featuring The Bandits Friends And Neighbours 3 12-6R(2)-{3}-3-3-3-3-7-6-9-12-12->12
#133 08/05/1954 Jo Stafford Make Love To Me 8 {8}->1
#134 15/05/1954 Joan Regan Someone Else's Roses 5 10-7-6-{5}-5-7-8-11->8
#135 15/05/1954 Max Bygraves (The Gang That Sang) Heart Of My Heart 7 11-9-{7}-7-8-8-9-12->8
#136 05/06/1954 The Four Knights (Oh Baby Mine) I Get So Lonely 5 9-6-6-{5}-9-6-10-12R(2)-11-10-11->11
#137 05/06/1954 Perry Como Wanted 4 11-10-{4}-4-7-5-6-8-7-8-9-9-12-12-18R(4)->15
#138 05/06/1954 Al Martino Wanted 4 12-12R(2)-10-8-8-5-{4}-4-4-6-7-8-6-7-10-17R(2)->16
#139 12/06/1954 Petula Clark The Little Shoemaker 7 12-11R(2)-10-10-9-{7}-8-7-12-12->10
#140 19/06/1954 David Whitfield With Mantovani And His Orchestra Cara Mia 1 9-2-{1}-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-3-2-2-3-6-7-7-13-13-12-8-12-18->25
#141 26/06/1954 Perry Como Idle Gossip 3 6-4-4-4-5-6-5-4-{3}-5-7-9-7-8-14->15
#142 03/07/1954 Kitty Kallen Little Things Mean A Lot 1 5-3-2-2-2-3-2-2-2-2-{1}-3-5-6-2-4-5-9-10-9-12-14-20->23
#143 10/07/1954 Frank Sinatra Young At Heart 12 {12}->1
#144 17/07/1954 Frank Sinatra Three Coins In The Fountain 1 11-6-5-2-3-5-3-3-2-{1}-1-1-4-3-4-12-10-11-18->19
#145 24/07/1954 Winifred Atwell Rachmaninoff's 18th Variation On A Theme By Paganini (The Story Of Three Loves) 9 11-11-10-11-10-{9}-9-19R(4)-20->9

Posted by: Popchartfreak 10th January 2023, 06:51 PM

Secret Love Totally a gay anthem, I've sung along to it drunkenly in Centre Stage, a bar devoted to clips from musicals in Gran canaria, and the brilliance that is Calamity jane, one of the great films of all-time, cross-dressing galore, Doris being a bit of a fighting guntoting ladette before that was a thing (and before she fell in love and went all girlie and soppy in the ending, or as I see it, happy with herself and finding true love in front of your eyes all the time)

Good Johnnie Ray, and Nat, but Moonlight Serenade is the other major record for me - it was a hit again in 1976 and was already old in 1954 and Glen Miller long dead and missing. I guess it was the release of the movie biog The Glenn Miller Story that brought it back to the charts.

Granada is fun, and Bimbo has always been annoying. I liked the song when I was very small (Jim Reeves version I think) but grew to dislike it the older I got.

Posted by: jimwatts 10th January 2023, 07:36 PM

Such A Night is one of my favourites so far, certainly of the #1s. 8 weeks in a row at #2 is still a record (although only ACR prevented Old Town Road from beating it).

The version of Bimbo by Jim Reeves came up in the #1 albums sessions and was rather catchy iirc but I'm sure it would grate quickly

Posted by: JulianT 11th January 2023, 06:42 PM

Gosh there's a lot of meh today, but a few really nice ones. First I was going to let Jo win, and then The Four Knights, but in the end I've gone with Petula as it's such a joyous little song.

8 Petula Clark The Little Shoemaker Very cute song - love the tapping and the story
8 The Four Knights (Oh Baby Mine) I Get So Lonely Jazzy quartet singing a wholesome vibrant number with lovely harmonies
7 Jo Stafford Make Love To Me Love her voice as ever and this is a really nice bouncy track
7 Kitty Kallen Little Things Mean A Lot 21st #1: not my favourite song ever but love the intimate performance she gives
6 Winifred Atwell Rachmaninoff's 18th Variation On A Theme By Paganini (The Story Of Three Loves) Very famous classical piece - curious that this was in the charts but maybe she wanted to show she could do serious; nice anyway
5 Frank Sinatra Three Coins In The Fountain 22nd #1 and Frank's only chart topper of the decade: it's decent but nothing really special
4 Frank Sinatra Young At Heart This song definitely doesn't sound young at heart, but I suppose it's pleasant enough
4 Joan Regan Someone Else's Roses A bland but inoffensive ballad
3 Perry Como Idle Gossip Another uninspiring ballad that musically doesn't really do anything
3 Al Martino Wanted 2 versions of this both peaked at 4; not keen on the lyrics or melody
3 Perry Como Wanted Not much to choose between these two versions but slightly prefer Al's vocals
2 Max Bygraves (The Gang That Sang) Heart Of My Heart Would be OK if only he didn't talk over the record and make bad jokes but I guess he wants to remind us he's a comedian
2 David Whitfield With Mantovani And His Orchestra Cara Mia 20th #1: sorry again David but it's just so turgid and tuneless and you really need to brace yourself for that last note
2 Billy Cotton And His Band Featuring The Bandits Friends And Neighbours This sounds very wartime with a Vera Lynn style rabble joining in; definitely one to leave in the 50s

https://youtu.be/O50ZHG9LWFw

Tomorrow's list:

#146 31/07/1954 The Four Aces Three Coins In The Fountain 5 9-9-{5}-8-10-17R(8)->6
#147 14/08/1954 Frankie Laine My Friend 3 8-6-4-4-4-6-{3}-4-5-5-3-7-7-8-13->15
#148 28/08/1954 Doris Day The Black Hills Of Dakota 7 {7}-8-7-9-9-9-9-16->8
#149 28/08/1954 Alma Cogan Little Things Mean A Lot 11 {11}-11-19R(5)-18R(2)-20->5
#150 04/09/1954 Don Cornell Hold My Hand 1 10-5-4-4-5-{1}-1-1-1-3-2-1-4-4-7-11-11-11-7-15-20->21
#151 11/09/1954 Nat 'King' Cole Smile 2 6-5-6-{2}-3-2-2-3-4-7-7-5-11-13->14
#152 11/09/1954 Max Bygraves Gilly Gilly Ossenfeffer Katzenellen Bogen By The Sea 7 11-11-{7}-7-15-15-18-20R(2)->8
#153 11/09/1954 Anthony Steel And The Radio Revellers West Of Zanzibar 11 12-12-{11}-13-18-20->6
#154 25/09/1954 Ronnie Harris The Story Of Tina 12 {12}-12-17->3
#155 02/10/1954 Dean Martin Sway 6 10-7-{6}-11-14-15-15->7
#156 02/10/1954 Al Martino The Story Of Tina 10 {10}-10-10-14-15-17-19-20->8
#157 02/10/1954 Doris Day With The Mellomen If I Give My Heart To You 4 15-8-8-10-6-5-{4}-5-11-10-12->11
#158 02/10/1954 The Crew Cuts Sh-Boom 12 16-{12}-13-12-16-14-14-17-18->9
#159 02/10/1954 Joan Regan If I Give My Heart To You 3 20-10R(4)-8-6-4-{3}-6-8-14-14-14->11

Posted by: Popchartfreak 11th January 2023, 07:23 PM

Yes nothing stands out there, but Petula Clark is still a legend and still making great music so totally fair she gets the nod. Three Coins is OK and yay Winifred for doing classical. Got to love her groundbreaking career in the UK....

Posted by: JulianT 12th January 2023, 05:28 PM

A much stronger bunch today and I'm going to have to give my second perfect score, but after today the 10 paddle is definitely going back in the cupboard for a while. "Smile" was originally by Charlie Chaplain but Nat recorded the first version with lyrics. It was the first song I ever sang to an audience when I was about 11 so it's quiet a special one for me, but I genuinely think it's a marvellously simple and powerful record.
"Sh-Boom" deserves a feature as well as even though it isn't the original, which was by The Chords, it's a great version and it seems to have been quite an important genre defining record which was #1 for 9 weeks in America.

10 Nat 'King' Cole Smile No frills other than some nice subtle piano and orchestral background touches, but a life affirming anthem brilliantly sung
9 The Crew Cuts Sh-Boom Early doo-wop hit; absolutely love this version beautifully done by a Canadian vocal quartet
8 Dean Martin Sway Another classic from Dean which will be re-worked in 40 odd years
8 Doris Day The Black Hills Of Dakota From "Calamity Jane" like "Secret Love" and pretty well remembered I think; fab tune
7 Doris Day With The Mellomen If I Give My Heart To You Very sweet song and another great performance from Doris
6 Don Cornell Hold My Hand 23rd #1 and I prefer this to Jess Glynne's chart topper of the same name; very nice song but it won't blow your mind
6 The Four Aces Three Coins In The Fountain Prefer this to Frankie's version; a bit lighter and more upbeat with nice harmonies
6 Joan Regan If I Give My Heart To You Prefer Doris's version although the vocals have an interesting slightly muffled quality on this
5 Alma Cogan Little Things Mean A Lot Much prefer Kitty's version - think she elevated it whereas here it just sounds like the fairly average song it really is
4 Anthony Steel And The Radio Revellers West Of Zanzibar From a film of the same name which I suspect you need to see for the lyrics to make sense, but it's quite a nice melody
4 Frankie Laine My Friend Not bad but it's Frankie going down his more turgid route again; the song doesn't need such a huge climax
3 Ronnie Harris The Story Of Tina I can confirm that the story of Tina is a pretty dull one
3 Al Martino The Story Of Tina Slightly prefer Ronnie's smoother vocals on this
2 Max Bygraves Gilly Gilly Ossenfeffer Katzenellen Bogen By The Sea Sorry again Max - I can see this could have been a fun one for children but it's not for me





The chart has recently expanded to a Top 20, hence we're starting to get songs that peaked lower than #12 coming through.

#160 09/10/1954 Nat 'King' Cole Make Her Mine 11 {11}-19->2
#161 09/10/1954 Frankie Laine There Must Be A Reason 9 13-14-{9}-11-12-17-13-13-14->9
#162 09/10/1954 Rosemary Clooney This Ole House 1 16-10-13-5-2-3-2-{1}-3-3-4-4-4-16-10-10-15-18->18
#163 16/10/1954 Vera Lynn My Son My Son 1 9-6-2-{1}-1-2-2-7-4-8-8-8-14-20->14
#164 16/10/1954 Billie Anthony With Eric Jupp And His Orchestra This Ole House 4 12-8-{4}-6-5-6-8-5-6-12-12-12-12-19-13-19->16
#165 16/10/1954 Kay Starr Am I A Toy Or A Treasure 17 {17}-20-18-20R(2)->4
#166 23/10/1954 Dean Martin How Do You Speak To An Angel 15 {15}-19-19R(3)-20-19-17->6
#167 23/10/1954 Frankie Laine And The Four Lads Rain Rain Rain 8 16-{8}-8-9-10-10-12-9-9-9-9-19-11-8-13-17->16
#168 30/10/1954 Eddie Fisher I Need You Now 13 17-16-16R(2)-14-{13}-14-18-18-18-19R(3)->10
#169 06/11/1954 Joan Regan And The Johnston Brothers Wait For Me, Darling 18 {18}->1
#170 06/11/1954 Dickie Valentine Endless 19 {19}->1
#171 13/11/1954 David Whitfield Santo Natale 2 13-11-6-{2}-2-2-2-2-5-13->10
#172 13/11/1954 Billy Eckstine No One But You 3 16-9-7-8-4-5-5-5-4-{3}-3-5-8-8-10-11-18->17
#173 13/11/1954 Norman Brooks A Sky Blue Shirt And A Rainbow Tie 17 {17}->1

Posted by: Popchartfreak 12th January 2023, 07:00 PM

Amazing top 4 there! Smile was written by Charlie Chaplin (the music) and he also wrote the fab This Is Your Song, so the silent era superstar wrote hit songs - talk about bizarre! Michael jackson's fave song apparently. Nat does it justice.

Sh-boom is also fab, I first loved it in 1974 when it was covered by Sha Na Na and I charted it (flopped everywhere).

Sway, still swings. And The Black Hills Of Dakota is magnificent, I love singing it along to it teary-eyed. The movie version has Howard Keel too.

Posted by: JulianT 13th January 2023, 05:34 PM

Nothing absolutely stand-out today and I changed my mind at least twice about what would be the winner but I've gone for this enchanting number by Billy Eckstine. Can anyone tell me what the ding-a-ling-y stringed instrument is though? That really makes the track.

8 Billy Eckstine No One But You Love the ringy stringed instrument (should really know what it is) and all in all this is a beatiful ballad
8 Rosemary Clooney This Ole House 25th #1: for me the definitive version of this; fun and bouncy and love the interaction with the male vocalist
7 Norman Brooks A Sky Blue Shirt And A Rainbow Tie Only UK hit for this guy and it's a really charming jazzy one
7 Billie Anthony With Eric Jupp And His Orchestra This Ole House Also a good version but think Rosemary's has more sparkle and better instrumental parts
7 Eddie Fisher I Need You Now Surprise surprise it's another heartbreak ballad from Eddie; lovely though
6 Frankie Laine There Must Be A Reason One of Frankie's sweeter ballads
6 Dickie Valentine Endless Find him and Eddie pretty similar; both lovely smooth voices and another nice ballad but the melody could be a bit stronger
5 Nat 'King' Cole Make Her Mine Not one of his best songs but still has the warm hug quality to it
5 Joan Regan And The Johnston Brothers Wait For Me, Darling Chirpy little number, but both acts have better
4 Frankie Laine And The Four Lads Rain Rain Rain The story of Noah - quite a fun idea but find the repeated "Rain! Rain! Rain!" slightly grating
4 Dean Martin How Do You Speak To An Angel Quite the comedown from "That's Amore" and "Sway"; dulll song slightly redeemed by some nice instrumentation
3 Kay Starr Am I A Toy Or A Treasure Kay's weakest yet for me - very unmemorable musically and the theme isn't to my taste
2 Vera Lynn My Son My Son "Come on and face life like a man now" - aside from being a very dreary number the lyrics to this are very wartime
2 David Whitfield Santo Natale 5 weeks at #2 over Christmas and his usual laboured nasal-operatic style without much of a melody: thank goodness for Winifred



Finishing off 1954 tomorrow!

#174 20/11/1954 Stan Freberg With The Toads Sh-Boom 15 {15}-19->2
#175 27/11/1954 Winifred Atwell Let's Have Another Party 1 9-{1}-1-1-1-1-2-12->8
#176 27/11/1954 Ronnie Hilton I Still Believe 3 17-9-10-{3}-3-3-6-4-5-4-11-12-19-20->14
#177 04/12/1954 Ruby Murray Heartbeat 3 15-11-10-10-10-7-5-7-{3}-7-5-5-4-4-6-15->16
#178 04/12/1954 Alma Cogan I Can't Tell A Waltz From A Tango 6 17-19-14-14-14-13-8-{6}-8-15-19->11
#179 11/12/1954 Big Ben Banjo Band Let's Get Together No 1 6 15-{6}-6-6->4
#180 11/12/1954 Perry Como Papa Loves Mambo 16 {16}->1
#181 11/12/1954 Ronnie Hilton Veni Vidi Vici 12 20-16-16-16-20-17-18-{12}->8
#182 18/12/1954 Dickie Valentine With The Stargazers The Finger Of Suspicion 1 7-7-7-{1}-2-1-1-2-3-4-5-5-4-9-17->15
#183 18/12/1954 Bill Haley And His Comets Shake, Rattle And Roll 4 13-13-13-10-6-{4}-7-4-10-7-9-16-15-19->14
#184 18/12/1954 The Chordettes Mr Sandman 11 17-17-17-{11}-14-12-16-19->8
#185 18/12/1954 Dickie Valentine Mr Sandman 5 19-19-19-9-7-9-6-{5}-9-13-15-19->12
#186 18/12/1954 Rosemary Clooney And The Mellomen Mambo Italiano 1 20-20-20-3-{1}-2-2-1-1-2-3-3-3-6-16-15->16
#187 18/12/1954 Charlie Kunz Piano Medley No 114 16 20-20-20-{16}R(2)->4

Posted by: JulianT 13th January 2023, 05:34 PM

Oops double

Posted by: Popchartfreak 13th January 2023, 07:39 PM

Billy Eckstine had an amazingly deep voice. His duet with Sarah Vaughan on Passing strangers is wonderful. The stringed thingy sounds like the one they use a lot on Italian ballads to get that retro mood going, think Lady & The Tramp Bella Notte. Or Dean Martin. Or Maggie May. Or loadsa pop hits. I think it's a Mandolin....

Def the best pick of the week though!

Posted by: Bleak Dot Winter 13th January 2023, 09:09 PM

Poor brave Vera Lynn being savaged in this rate

I think That's Amore and Sway from Dean Martin have been my favourites covered so far, so glad they got high points from you too Julian. Duke Ellington's Skin Deep is also a very skilled and interesting instrumental.

Posted by: jimwatts 13th January 2023, 09:37 PM

QUOTE(JulianT @ Jan 13 2023, 05:34 PM)

Posted by: Bleak Dot Winter 13th January 2023, 09:38 PM

QUOTE(jimwatts @ Jan 13 2023, 09:37 PM)

Quite the jump to #1 after 3 weeks at #7 - did they start pushing signed shellac singles I wonder

(yeah, I know the chart was frozen for 3 weeks)

Posted by: JulianT 14th January 2023, 06:59 PM

QUOTE(Popchartfreak @ Jan 13 2023, 07:39 PM)

QUOTE(jimwatts @ Jan 13 2023, 09:37 PM)

Quite the jump to #1 after 3 weeks at #7 - did they start pushing signed shellac singles I wonder

Posted by: JulianT 14th January 2023, 07:09 PM

QUOTE(Bleak Dot Winter @ Jan 13 2023, 09:09 PM)

Poor brave Vera Lynn being savaged in this rate

Posted by: JulianT 14th January 2023, 11:20 PM

A really good group here - I'm not sure where the preoccupation with Italian and Latin themes this year came from but it certainly yielded some genuine classics and brought welcome relief from the sleepy ballads otherwise being churned out. I'm giving the win to "Mambo Italiano" mainly because I love the way Rosemary Clooney performs it. Her voice is so powerful but there's also a growling, snarling quality to the performance, and the lyrics are total garbage but she makes them sound like the most important words that have ever been sung. "Mr Sandman" and Papa Loves Mambo" have really stood the test of time as well I think, and "Heartbeat" is my favourite new discovery.

9 Rosemary Clooney And The Mellomen Mambo Italiano 28th #1: classic song with delightful nonsense lyrics and sung brilliantly
8 The Chordettes Mr Sandman Such a great dreamy song and this is the best of the 3 charting versions of this for me - love the vocal blend
8 Perry Como Papa Loves Mambo Another cheekily arranged Latin themed number and another classic
8 Ruby Murray Heartbeat Lovely little song here and the interplay with the strings is really clever so you can feel the heartbeat
7 Big Ben Banjo Band Let's Get Together No 1 A 7 minute instrumental but it's really good and varied and the banjos are well supported by a whole host of other instruments
7 Winifred Atwell Let's Have Another Party 26th #1: very much the same idea as the original "Let's Have A Party" but again it's rousing and fun with seamless transitions
6 Bill Haley And His Comets Shake, Rattle And Roll First rock and roll hit and it's good but their earlier release that didn't chart is beginning to pick up sales…
6 Dickie Valentine Mr Sandman Still really good but my least favourite of the 3 versions; the tempo's slightly too fast and the vocals sound too awake
6 Alma Cogan I Can't Tell A Waltz From A Tango A sweet and cheeky number and Alma sings it well but as usual sounds unfeasibly happy
5 Dickie Valentine With The Stargazers The Finger Of Suspicion 27th #1: it's nice and as ever his voice is smooth and clear but it's just a bit plodding
5 Ronnie Hilton Veni Vidi Vici Lucky fella indeed - so smug that he gives us a Latin lesson, but more interesting than his other one here anyway
4 Charlie Kunz Piano Medley No 114 A Winifred style medley but 6 minutes and without any of the vigour, though perfectly nice as background music in a jazz bar
3 Ronnie Hilton I Still Believe I still believe there's a tune lurking in here somewhere but as yet I have failed to find it
1 Stan Freberg With The Toads Sh-Boom A parody version of this and it's a horrific listen

Posted by: Jade 14th January 2023, 11:28 PM

The Chordettes' version of 'Mr Sandman' is definitely my favourite song to appear since I last commented *.* it straddles a really weird line of being both dreamy but also eerie enough to soundtrack horror media Rosemary Clooney is great fun so I'm happy to see her doing well too! 'Sway' is of course a classic and I do like a bit of 'Let's Have Another Party'. Frank's 'Three Coins In The Fountain' doesn't do a lot for me either but I'm a fan of his next chart topper in 12 (!) years time.

Posted by: Brer 15th January 2023, 03:01 AM

6 seems a bit harsh for 'Shake, Rattle And Roll'!

That bloody Dickie Sheeran

Posted by: Popchartfreak 15th January 2023, 10:48 AM

Chordettes Mr Sandman for me, total Back To The Future 80's nostalgia for the 50's nostalgia, thats a 10/10.

The Mambo tracks have aged surprisingly well, mostly thanks to the late 80's and 90's mini revival I think (and beyond), and Bill Haley is a key track, albeit a bit late by 1954.

Posted by: Bleak Dot Winter 15th January 2023, 02:07 PM

A new record of four tracks I know and really like in that batch- Mambo Italiano, Papa Loves Mambo, Mr Sandman (The Chordettes version of course) & Shake, Rattle And Roll.

All great stuff.

I've also wondered what the Italian theme was all about around this time. With Poppa Piccolino and That's Amore and then the two Mambo tracks all being hits around 1954.

Posted by: JulianT 15th January 2023, 11:01 PM

And so I think 1954 has been pretty good despite only having 84 hits, the fewest of any year.

Gold medal: Smile by Nat King Cole
Silver medal: That's Amore by Dean Martin
Bronze medal: Sh-Boom by The Crew Cuts

Honourable mention to my favourite 3 chart toppers so far:
Such A Night - Johnnie Ray
Secret Love - Doris Day
Mambo Italiano - Rosemary Clooney

And there have been several other significant records as some of you have commented, such as "Sway" and "Mr Sandman", and Bill Haley & His Comets have arrived to change the face of music.

Worst song of the year:
Sh-Boom - Stan Freberg With The Toads (I’d sooner listen to “I See The Moon”)

Based on my pre-listening for 1955 I'm a bit concerned that the really good stuff might be thin on the ground but we'll see! Definitely not looking forward to having to review 6 different versions of "Stranger In Paradise" that all charted within about a month of each other.

First group:

#188 08/01/1955 The Four Aces Mr Sandman 9 14-{9}-11-17-20->5
#189 08/01/1955 Bill Haley And His Comets Rock Around The Clock 1 17-18-13R(39)-8-7-4-2-3-{1}-1-1-2-2-2-1-1-6-8-14-17R(33)-13-12-8-9-8-5-8-14-13-15-24R(2)-25-25R(2)-26-27R(2)-22->36
#190 08/01/1955 Bing Crosby Count Your Blessings Instead Of Sheep 11 18-17R(2)-{11}->3
#191 22/01/1955 Suzi Miller And The Johnston Brothers Happy Days And Lonely Nights 14 {14}-18->2
#192 22/01/1955 Tennessee Ernie Ford Give Me Your Word 1 15-10-6-4-3-2-2-{1}-1-1-1-1-1-1-2-3-5-4-6-11-15-11-12-15->24
#193 22/01/1955 Max Bygraves Mr Sandman 16 {16}->1
#194 29/01/1955 Ruby Murray Softly Softly 1 9-3-2-{1}-1-1-2-2-2-2-2-2-4-5-6-6-9-12-14-17-16-20-20R(2)->23
#195 29/01/1955 Frankie Vaughan Happy Days And Lonely Nights 12 14-{12}-17->3
#196 29/01/1955 Dean Martin The Naughty Lady Of Shady Lane 5 20-10-7-6-7-{5}-11-7-11-14->10
#197 05/02/1955 The Ames Brothers The Naughty Lady Of Shady Lane 6 9-{6}-8-8-11-17->6
#198 05/02/1955 Mario Lanza Drinking Song 13 {13}->1
#199 05/02/1955 Dean Martin Mambo Italiano 14 {14}-18->2
#200 05/02/1955 Ruby Murray Happy Days And Lonely Nights 6 16-14-11-{6}-7-8-14-19->8
#201 12/02/1955 Teresa Brewer With The Lancers Let Me Go, Lover! 9 11-{9}-10-9-13-10-14-15-20-20->10
#202 12/02/1955 David Whitfield With Mantovani And His Orchestra Beyond The Stars 8 13-12-12-{8}-9-13-13-15-18->9

Posted by: JulianT 16th January 2023, 05:22 PM

So today we have one of the most transformative records of all time and the first UK million seller. Note that I’m doing this review based on when songs entered the chart. Amazingly “Rock Around The Clock” peaked at #17 in January 1955 and dropped out for 9 months before suddenly blowing up (not sure if someone posted a video online called “TikTok Around The Clock” or something). Hence it appears out of place here compared to when it topped the charts and it’s stealing the thunder of “Give Me Your Word” which was the huge #1 of the time and would otherwise be my highlight.

Now I’m really not one for passing moral judgements on old songs, but unfortunately I can’t listen to either version of “The Naughty Lady Of Shady Lane” without wincing. I’d be interested to hear how others feel about this one. The whole song paints a picture of a flirtatious young lady who’s just arrived in the town and everyone’s talking about her, and it emerges in the last line that the subject is in fact a 9 day year old baby girl. Of course at the time it must have just been seen as an amusing little record with a twist, but I’m struggling with the idea that you’d even think to draw those parallels just because the baby is female. Luckily I don’t like the song very much anyway so can happily give it a low score and move on.

Oh and when I said Dickie Valentine’s was my least favourite of the 3 versions of “Mr Sandman” I should have said it was my least favourite of the 3 serious versions as there’s a 4th by Max Bygraves which is the worst by far.

9 Bill Haley And His Comets Rock Around The Clock Brilliant and hugely influential piece of music (not an absolute personal favourite so going with 9 rather than 10)
8 Tennessee Ernie Ford Give Me Your Word 30th #1: I think it's his deep voice on this that I particularly love but there's something majestic about the whole record
8 Mario Lanza Drinking Song A comic operatic song about drinking - I assumed I wouldn't like this but after a few listens I actually think it's brilliant!
7 The Four Aces Mr Sandman 2nd best charting version of this - really good but doesn't quite capture the spirit like The Chordettes
6 Dean Martin Mambo Italiano This version feels a bit unnecessary and lacks the drama of Rosemary's but it's still a fun listen
5 Frankie Vaughan Happy Days And Lonely Nights My favourite of the 3 renditions of this: like the tempo changes
5 Suzi Miller And The Johnston Brothers Happy Days And Lonely Nights Quite a nice swing vibe on this version and a bit of call and response
4 Ruby Murray Softly Softly 29th #1: it's quite nice but so gentle that it doesn't really do much for me
4 Ruby Murray Happy Days And Lonely Nights Still a nice but slightly pedestrian ballad
3 Teresa Brewer With The Lancers Let Me Go, Lover! First of four versions of this (oh joy); find it really plodding
3 Bing Crosby Count Your Blessings Instead Of Sheep You won't need to count anything to fall asleep listening to this
3 Max Bygraves Mr Sandman Seems he just can't resist with the silly ad lib comments over the record
2 The Ames Brothers The Naughty Lady Of Shady Lane Detest the lyrics and can take or leave the song
2 Dean Martin The Naughty Lady Of Shady Lane Slightly prefer the other version with the harmonies
2 David Whitfield With Mantovani And His Orchestra Beyond The Stars The usual from David; high on drama and low on melody and everything else, and a hold onto your seat wobbly final high note



#203 12/02/1955 Ray Burns Mobile 4 15-14-16-12-9-{4}-5-7-5-12-13-15-20->13
#204 12/02/1955 Mantovani Lonely Ballerina 16 {16}-20-19-18R(3)->4
#205 12/02/1955 The De Castro Sisters Teach Me Tonight 20 {20}->1
#206 19/02/1955 Dickie Valentine A Blossom Fell 9 15-18-17-17-11-{9}-18-16-16-18R(2)->10
#207 19/02/1955 Joan Weber Let Me Go, Lover! 16 {16}->1
#208 19/02/1955 Petula Clark Majorca 12 17-14-{12}-14-18R(2)->5
#209 19/02/1955 Mario Lanza I'll Walk With God 18 {18}-20R(11)->2
#210 26/02/1955 Dean Martin Let Me Go, Lover! 3 16-10-5-8-{3}-8-12-13-18->9
#211 26/02/1955 Nat 'King' Cole A Blossom Fell 3 13-15-7-{3}-4-4-7-11-14-17->10
#212 05/03/1955 Ruby Murray Let Me Go, Lover! 5 14-12-{5}-6-12-19-19->7
#213 05/03/1955 The Stargazers Somebody 20 {20}->1
#214 12/03/1955 Ronnie Hilton A Blossom Fell 10 16-20-15-19-{10}->5
#215 12/03/1955 Johnny Brandon With The Phantoms And The Norman Warren Music Tomorrow 8 19-12-{8}-10-17-17-16R(2)-18->8
#216 12/03/1955 Frankie Laine In The Beginning 20 {20}->1
#217 19/03/1955 Eddie Fisher (I'm Always Hearing) Wedding Bells 5 16-7-{5}-9-8-9-9-8-9-14-15->11

Posted by: Brer 16th January 2023, 05:57 PM

Was Dickie Sheeran a friend of Bill Haley? Maybe he decided to 'let him' get a big hit

'Rock Around The Clock' is great ofc. And lordy at that 'The Naughty Lady Of Shady Lane' song - I think there's a way that song concept could have been done in a less creepy way but that's not it!

Posted by: Popchartfreak 17th January 2023, 05:44 PM

Yes, Rock Around The Clock is iconic, though I never loved it as much as everybody else seemed to - it was a hit all over again in 1974 and Bill Halley was on Top Of The Pops! It seemed much older than 20 years old in the middle of Glam Rock, but wouldnt seem quite so dated when Showaddywaddy started having hits a few months after that...

Dean Martin can do no wrong for me, his trademark slurred, alcoholic-induced vocals were always cool. And it was ciggies that did him in not the booze. Unless singing always had a fag or glass or booze in his hand on his TV shows. Great movie star and light comedian too.

Posted by: JulianT 17th January 2023, 06:19 PM

I hate to admit it but sometimes the Americans do show better taste than us - my winner for today scraped into the very bottom of the chart at #20 for 1 week, but it made #2 on the Billboard Chart. I wasn't familiar with The De Castro Sisters but "Teach Me Tonight" has a really warm, cosy feeling about it.

8 The De Castro Sisters Teach Me Tonight The only UK hit for this trio and it's a gorgeous, soulful one
8 Johnny Brandon With The Phantoms And The Norman Warren Music Tomorrow A cheeky, chirpy number and a great tune
7 Mantovani Lonely Ballerina Another beautiful one from Mantovani: you can really see the ballerina
6 Ray Burns Mobile "Mobile", pronounced "Mo-beel", is a city in Alabama apparently - a fun song anyway
5 Frankie Laine In The Beginning Effectively a Bible story which is unusual for a pop song but it has a good build to it
5 Dickie Valentine A Blossom Fell Not keen on the superstitious theme in this but it's a decent song and a nicely sung version
5 Nat 'King' Cole A Blossom Fell Also nicely sung - another one where I don't love any of the versions
4 Joan Weber Let Me Go, Lover! The best of the four versions of this for me; she sings it in a really punchy way
4 Mario Lanza I'll Walk With God Not too keen on this song but he sings so impressively I have to give some credit
4 Ronnie Hilton A Blossom Fell Least favourite of the three versions but still fine
3 Eddie Fisher (I'm Always Hearing) Wedding Bells Odd chat up line to tell someone you hear wedding bells whenever they're around, but the song's not bad
3 Petula Clark Majorca A rather pedestrian one from Petula here
3 Ruby Murray Let Me Go, Lover! Not the best or worst version of this but it's quite a dull song
2 Dean Martin Let Me Go, Lover! Dean's laid back style makes this even duller - needs more angst
2 The Stargazers Somebody Would be an OK song but I don't understand why they seem to deliberately sing it badly



The "Stranger In Paradise" marathon starts tomorrow

#218 19/03/1955 Ruby Murray With Anne Warren If Anyone Finds This, I Love You 4 17-10-6-{4}-4-8-12-12-10-10-18->11
#219 26/03/1955 Perez 'Prez' Prado And His Orchestra Cherry Pink And Apple Blossom White 1 12-3-3-3-2-{1}-1-2-3-3-2-6-5-9-9-11-16->17
#220 26/03/1955 Joan Regan Prize Of Gold 6 20-9-{6}-9-15-13-16-16->8
#221 02/04/1955 Eartha Kitt Under The Bridges Of Paris 7 11-14-15-{7}-8-11-12-15-19-20R(2)->10
#222 02/04/1955 Dean Martin Under The Bridges Of Paris 6 13-8-{6}-6-11-13-18-18->8
#223 02/04/1955 The McGuire Sisters No More 20 {20}->1
#224 09/04/1955 Eddie Calvert Cherry Pink And Apple Blossom White 1 11-5-5-4-4-3-2-{1}-1-1-1-2-4-4-5-6-7-9-11-11-17->21
#225 09/04/1955 Doris Day Ready, Willing And Able 7 13-{7}-12-9-9-14-12-16-18->9
#226 09/04/1955 Johnnie Ray If You Believe 7 15-8R(5)-{7}-11-8-7-9-13-13-14-19->11
#227 16/04/1955 Tony Bennett Stranger In Paradise 1 10-3-3-2-{1}-1-2-3-4-4-8-8-9-12-14-17->16
#228 16/04/1955 Bill Haley And His Comets Mambo Rock 14 {14}-16->2
#229 16/04/1955 The Crew Cuts Earth Angel 4 18-10-7-5-{4}-6-5-4-4-7-5-5-5-8-9-13-15-14-18-20->20
#230 23/04/1955 Tony Martin Stranger In Paradise 6 11-{6}-7-7-8-8-9-10-10-7-10-12-17->13
#231 23/04/1955 Frankie Vaughan Tweedle Dee 17 {17}->1
#232 23/04/1955 Mario Lanza Serenade 15 19-{15}R(2)-20->3

Posted by: Popchartfreak 18th January 2023, 06:56 PM

I very much agree about the American charts and American music generally, British music was pretty crappy for the most part until The Beatles. Not surprising though, they had jazz, blues, big band music, country, folk, ragtime, ballads, crooners and rock n roll. We had, errr, hmmm, Gracie Fields & Vera Lynn. OK Noel Coward, classical composers and so on, but not so much in the popular music genres that were anywhere near as classy. I'm looking at you George Formby. I like that pick, very smooth, and Ive never heard of it.

Posted by: JulianT 18th January 2023, 09:29 PM

It's time for this week's if you only discover one track from this thread make it this one moment! Eartha Kitt was American but spoke fluent French and she sounds totally French on her version of "Under The Bridges Of Paris", which is utterly enchanting. Unfortunately listening to Dean Martin's version straight afterwards is like when the batteries are running out on your electric toothbrush.

This is the first time there's nothing I don't like at all, and as a result the first time the average score has crept above 6.

9 Eartha Kitt Under The Bridges Of Paris This is sublime - it gently transports you to the Seine in Paris in its wistful and romantic way
8 Perez 'Prez' Prado And His Orchestra Cherry Pink And Apple Blossom White 31st #1: one of the very best chart topping instrumentals, the highlight being the sliding trumpet, and it still sounds fresh
8 The McGuire Sisters No More Like these girls a lot; a cute and bouncy number excellently sung
7 Ruby Murray With Anne Warren If Anyone Finds This, I Love You Not my usual style but this is a very sweet theme about an orphan looking for a guardian; a unique track
7 Eddie Calvert Cherry Pink And Apple Blossom White 33rd #1: it's still great but somehow the instruments sound more present on Prez's version for me
7 Johnnie Ray If You Believe Starts off as an unremarkable Christian themed track but then has a masterful switch up, brilliantly delivered by Johnnie
6 Joan Regan Prize Of Gold A nice stripped down ballad and she really delivers it well
6 Mario Lanza Serenade I guess I admire rather than love Mario's operatic style but he puts so much emotion into this it's hard not to feel something
6 Frankie Vaughan Tweedle Dee On first listen I thought what on Earth is this nonsense but it's far catchier than it has any right to be and Frankie performs it well
5 Bill Haley And His Comets Mambo Rock Not one of their best and the honking is a bit much, but still a good number
5 The Crew Cuts Earth Angel Not a patch on "Sh-Boom"; nice but a bit too gentle and doesn't really grab me
5 Tony Bennett Stranger In Paradise 32nd #1: the melody is taken from the opera "Prince Igor" and it's a good melody but otherwise quite an unremarkable song
4 Dean Martin Under The Bridges Of Paris I might rate this more highly if I hadn't heard Eartha's fabulous version but the tempo's all wrong and it needs the French parts
4 Tony Martin Stranger In Paradise I think this song benefits from a smoother vocal, hence I prefer Tony Bennett's
4 Doris Day Ready, Willing And Able Nothing wrong with this; fits with the style of the day but it's just quite bland for me



Tomorrow's:
#233 23/04/1955 Don Cornell Stranger In Paradise 19 20-{19}->2
#234 23/04/1955 Georgia Gibbs Tweedle Dee 20 {20}->1
#235 30/04/1955 The Ink Spots Melody Of Love 10 14-{10}-15-20->4
#236 30/04/1955 Bing Crosby Stranger In Paradise 17 20-{17}->2
#237 07/05/1955 Jimmy Young Unchained Melody 1 14-13-13-7-7-3-3-{1}-1-1-2-2-5-5-9-9-12-14-20->19
#238 07/05/1955 Joan And Rusty Regan Open Up Your Heart 19 {19}->1
#239 14/05/1955 Al Hibbler Unchained Melody 2 11-5-4-5-{2}-2-3-2-2-3-7-9-11-12-13-14-20->17
#240 14/05/1955 Les Baxter, His Chorus And Orchestra Unchained Melody 10 17-11-{10}-13-12-17-10-12-16->9
#241 14/05/1955 Eddie Calvert Stranger In Paradise 14 19-17-{14}-17->4
#242 21/05/1955 The Four Aces Stranger In Paradise 6 16-9-{6}-9-12-15->6
#243 21/05/1955 Rosemary Clooney And The Mellomen Where Will The Dimple Be? 6 19-13-12-11-8-{6}-7-7-9-10-14-14-16->13
#244 21/05/1955 Johnnie Ray Paths Of Paradise 20 {20}->1
#245 28/05/1955 Alma Cogan Dreamboat 1 17-10-8-6-4-3-3-{1}-1-2-3-3-5-9-12-17->16
#246 28/05/1955 David Whitfield Mama 12 20-20R(4)-19-15R(4)-13-13-{12}-15-13-16-19->11

Posted by: Jade 18th January 2023, 09:34 PM

'Cherry Pink And Apple Blossom White' is such a standout instrumental I agree that Perez 'Prez' Prado's interpretation is stronger, also a fan of his OG 'Mambo No 5' and 'Guaglione'.

I also like Tony's 'Stranger In Paradise' but had no idea that the melody was borrowed need to check out the original (and 'The Bridges Of Paris')

Posted by: Popchartfreak 19th January 2023, 09:48 AM

Agree with you about this batch of tracks, quality has def gone up, and with jade about Prez Prado stuff - sounds timeless.

Oddly I don't know the Eartha Kitt track but hey it's Eartha, bound to be classy. I was buying her cool camp disco hits like Where Is My Man in the 80's

Cherry Pink was an 80's hit for Modern Romance, that was a decent cover, Tweedle Dee a hit cover by Jimmy Osmond in 1973 which ups the novelty factor and is the best version - I still like it. It should be annoying but it isn't, it's good-natured fun, and the "bop bop bop" hook was almost borrowed by Rita Ora on Anywhere

Mambo Rock is fine, and Earth Angel is a 50's doo wop classic - by The Penguins. The practice of white acts covering black act originals was quite the thing in the 50's (though to be fair it was an avalanche of cover versions on every decent song), reaching it's nadir with Pat Boone sucking the life out of every black hit he could cover. Not bad news necessarily where black songwriters got the revenue cash additional to the originals, but not usually artistically anything to write home about.

Stranger In Paradise is Tony Bennett's signature song along with I Left My Heart In San Francisco, but still doing the biz with Gaga into the 2010's (legend), and Amy Winehouse before that! Doris, not one I know well, but she gets a free pass every time from me, love her.

Posted by: JulianT 20th January 2023, 12:52 AM

Well today's crop is really not so good, and for the first time I'm topping out at a 7. I think I'm slightly falling in love with Johnnie Ray - it's not his best song by any means but the way he sells it is something else. Reading about his troubled personal life I find the emotion he puts into his records quite moving. It does mean he's the first artist to win 2 days.

7 Johnnie Ray Paths Of Paradise Very dramatic - another captivating performance from Johnnie and I like the "hmm haa" backing
6 The Four Aces Stranger In Paradise I don't love any of them but this is my favourite of the six versions - like the swung rhythm and the harmonies
6 Alma Cogan Dreamboat 35th #1: it's a really good tune and she does it well; there's just something a bit one dimensional about it and she's too darn happy!
6 Al Hibbler Unchained Melody It's probably unfair that I'm comparing all these vesrions to the Righteous Brothers and finding them wanting, but this is decent
5 Georgia Gibbs Tweedle Dee Think the Frankie Vaughan version captured the fun spirit sligthly better but this is still quite good
5 Les Baxter, His Chorus And Orchestra Unchained Melody Another pretty good version but it doesn't really tug at the heart strings
5 Joan And Rusty Regan Open Up Your Heart She has her son singing on this and it's oddly sweet and endearing; not the assault on the ears you sometimes get from a child vocal
4 Bing Crosby Stranger In Paradise Don't mind this version from Bing; quite cool and laid back
4 The Ink Spots Melody Of Love A very unusual track - mostly talking which gets quite dull but there are some interesting instrumental parts which redeem it
3 Don Cornell Stranger In Paradise Too much vibrato and grandeur - one of the less enjoyable versions
3 David Whitfield Mama More tolerable than many of his recent ones and it's a decent song but still feels quite turgid
3 Jimmy Young Unchained Melody 34th #1: not as bad as a version that will top the charts in 40 years but it's too fast and feels really lightweight and throwaway
2 Eddie Calvert Stranger In Paradise Goodness me the last thing we needed was an instrumental version of this - seems pretty pointless
2 Rosemary Clooney And The Mellomen Where Will The Dimple Be? It's not the first question I'd ask about a baby who's about to be born; all in all a very irritating tune and lyrics



Next up:
#247 28/05/1955 Cyril Stapleton Elephant Tango 19 20-20-20R(4)-{19}R(3)->4
#248 04/06/1955 Joe 'Mr Piano' Henderson Sing It With Joe 14 15-{14}-14-18->4
#249 04/06/1955 Dickie Valentine I Wonder 4 16-16-13-11-6-6-{4}-5-6-7-8-10-13-15-19->15
#250 04/06/1955 The Stargazers The Crazy Otto Rag 18 19-{18}-20->3
#251 11/06/1955 Frank Sinatra You, My Love 13 {13}-15-17-17R(4)-19-17R(2)-17->7
#252 11/06/1955 Judy Garland The Man That Got Away 18 19-{18}->2
#253 18/06/1955 Jane Froman I Wonder 14 19-18-{14}-17->4
#254 18/06/1955 Liberace Unchained Melody 20 {20}->1
#255 25/06/1955 Frankie Laine With The Mellomen Cool Water 2 14-11-10-7-8-4-{2}-2-2-3-3-3-3-4-2-3-2-6-6-11-12-16->22
#256 25/06/1955 Barbara Lyon Stowaway 12 16-18-14-18-{12}-12-16-18->8
#257 02/07/1955 Ruby Murray Evermore 3 16-8-6-{3}-3-4-4-3-5-9-10-8-5-8-14-18-16->17
#258 02/07/1955 Malcolm Vaughan Every Day Of My Life 5 17-13-11-13-8-6-7-8-6-{5}-8-9-13-13-12-15->16
#259 02/07/1955 Johnny Brandon With The Phantoms Don't Worry 18 20-19-20-{18}->4
#260 09/07/1955 David Whitfield Ev'rywhere 3 18-13-11-10-10-5-4-4-4-4-4-{3}-4-5-6-4-9-7-8-12->20

Posted by: Popchartfreak 20th January 2023, 09:50 AM

Unchained melody, so many versions and none of them compare to The Righteous brothers definitive. That will remain so to the end of time....

Johnnie Ray was very modern in his "heart on my sleeve" vocal willingness to go for emotion rather than by-the-numbers singing-class cleanliness and diction.

The Inkspots were beloved in our house, mum and dad both fans, they had some good hits, this one I don't know though.

Posted by: JulianT 21st January 2023, 01:00 AM

I'm discovering some lovely not so big hits and lesser known artists through this which is nice - today's winner stalled at #12 and was the biggest hit here for Barbara Lyon who has a beautiful voice.

9 Barbara Lyon Stowaway Beautiful gentle ballad with great lyrics sung with a gorgeous pure tone and a shimmery instrumental background
8 Cyril Stapleton Elephant Tango Incredibly effective instrumental - very much a tango and very much elephantine
7 Dickie Valentine I Wonder This really suits his smooth voice and it's a lovely cosy feeling ballad
7 Frankie Laine With The Mellomen Cool Water Quite an intense one from Frankie - can't work out what it's really about but it's very good
7 Johnny Brandon With The Phantoms Don't Worry Another really sweet happy and catchy tune from Johnny
6 Malcolm Vaughan Every Day Of My Life A passionate ballad: a lot of vibrato for my taste but suits it I guess
6 Jane Froman I Wonder Prefer Dickie's single voice to the call and response style for this particular song, but this is still nice
6 Liberace Unchained Melody An instrumental of this sounds a terrible idea but in fact it's better than some of the sung versions with some great piano playing
5 Ruby Murray Evermore Another slow love ballad: very pleasant but doesn't stand out
4 David Whitfield Ev'rywhere A decent tune and done in a relatively restrained way by David - still don't particularly enjoy the vocals but it's not bad this time
3 The Stargazers The Crazy Otto Rag One of their more tolerable ones; not too much terrible singing and a fairly good tune although still grates after a few listens
3 Frank Sinatra You, My Love I'm discovering that Frank actually has quite a lot of dull songs of which this is unfornuately one
2 Judy Garland The Man That Got Away Judy's only hit amazingly and I'm really sorry but I find it a bit of a stinker without much of a tune
2 Joe 'Mr Piano' Henderson Sing It With Joe Just sounds like a group of tipsy friends gathered round a piano singing random songs



Coming next:

#261 06/07/1955 Slim Whitman Rose Marie 1 10-4-{1}-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-4-5-5-9-14-18->19
#262 16/07/1955 The McGuire Sisters Sincerely 14 {14}-15-16-20->4
#263 16/07/1955 Frankie Laine Strange Lady In Town 6 15-16-11-7-{6}-7-10-10-7-6-9-10-15->13
#264 23/07/1955 The Five Smith Brothers I'm In Favour Of Friendship 20 {20}->1
#265 30/07/1955 Eddie Calvert John And Julie 6 18-18-15-14-11-{6}-6-7-11-12-16->11
#266 30/07/1955 Slim Whitman Indian Love Call 7 20-17-19-15-{7}-8-9-12-12-11-10-14->12
#267 30/07/1955 Sammy Davis Jr Something's Gotta Give 11 20-19-19R(2)-15-{11}-11-16->7
#268 06/08/1955 Frank Sinatra Learnin' The Blues 2 12-10-6-{2}-2-2-2-2-3-4-7-13-15->13
#269 13/08/1955 Ferko String Band Alabama Jubilee 20 {20}-20->2
#270 20/08/1955 Caterina Valente The Breeze And I 5 16-8-7-{5}-5-7-7-7-8-7-12-13-20-14->14
#271 27/08/1955 Nat 'King' Cole My One Sin 17 18-{17}R(3)->2
#272 27/08/1955 Ronnie Hilton Stars Shine In Your Eyes 13 18-16-{13}-13-14-15-20->7
#273 27/08/1955 Ray Burns With The Coronets That's How A Love Song Was Born 14 20-17-15-{14}-18-19->6
#274 03/09/1955 Frank Sinatra Not As A Stranger 18 {18}->1

Posted by: Smint 21st January 2023, 02:27 AM

Wow - just wow at this thread! Probably start following sometime in the late 60s

Posted by: Popchartfreak 21st January 2023, 12:54 PM

Never heard of Barbara Lyon or Stowaway, seems mildly pleasant. The Judy garland song is from her smash movie A Star Is Born - it's not quite up to Barbra Streisand Evergreen A Star Is Born standard, but I'll take the jazz slowy over the Gaga A Star Is Born songs that I've heard (oops, sorry, Fame Monster Gaga for me everytime) The best Garland songs were pre-chart, and Over The Rainbow has charted many times (for others).

Cool Water is one I've known all my life, and it fits into his Cowboy song motif - dying for a drink of water in the desert, and dreaming of an oasis.

Posted by: jimwatts 21st January 2023, 01:45 PM

Funnily enough, in the last #1 albums session we suggested that the 3 best known versions of Over The Rainbow didn't reach the Top 40 - Judy Garland, Eva Casdidy and Israel Kamakawiwo'ole. I hadn't realised Judy had any charting songs at all.

Posted by: JulianT 22nd January 2023, 11:32 PM

Really like this bunch - so nice to be done with all those "Stranger In Paradise" and "Unchained Melody" versions and have some great original songs.
"Rose Marie" spent 11 weeks at #1 and it's one of the few extremely long running number ones I'd go out of my way to hear. Slim Whitman had a very unusual style with a very strident falsetto which I'm sure wasn't to everyone's taste as it creates a bit of yodeling effect. But on "Rose Marie" it somehow works perfectly and the song just sounds really smooth.
But just pipping "Rose Marie" for the win is "The Breeze And I" by Caterina Valente, who is still alive aged 92. It's a lovely number and I find it particularly moving the way her voice floats up towards the end as the breeze carries her love away.

9 Caterina Valente The Breeze And I Find this absolutely stunning - the big brassy intro, the beautiful mourning ballad and the soaring vocals towards the end
9 Slim Whitman Rose Marie 36th #1: the perfect combination of singer and song for me; he brings so much out of this and the falsetto helps the emotion
8 Nat 'King' Cole My One Sin Beautifully sold and heart-rending ballad again from Nat
8 Frank Sinatra Learnin' The Blues Finally a great one from Frank - 5 weeks at #2 and a bit of a classic; first heard the song via Katie Melua haha
7 Ray Burns With The Coronets That's How A Love Song Was Born Another really cool jazzy number well delivered by Ray and the band
7 Frank Sinatra Not As A Stranger From a film of the same name and has that dramatic feel to it but still a sensitively done ballad
6 Ronnie Hilton Stars Shine In Your Eyes A sweet romantic one here backed up by some lovely instrumentation
6 The McGuire Sisters Sincerely Very nice but lacks some of the quirky energy of "No More"
6 Sammy Davis Jr Something's Gotta Give Sammy's a fantastic performer; this is a very good rendition but he has even better to come
5 Slim Whitman Indian Love Call I think this is closer to Slim's usual style than "Rose Marie" meaning more acquired taste vocals but it's still a nice one
5 Eddie Calvert John And Julie A nice trumpet tune from Eddie but not too clear where John and Julie actually come into it
4 Frankie Laine Strange Lady In Town The title phrase appears 17 times in the lyrics: it's fine but doesn't really go anywhere
3 Ferko String Band Alabama Jubilee An American popular standard apparently but just sounds like a sing song at a village fair to me
2 The Five Smith Brothers I'm In Favour Of Friendship Not surprised this isn't on Spotify but the lyrics are so bad they're worth checking out for a laugh






Tomorrow's:

#275 03/09/1955 Joe 'Mr Piano' Henderson Sing It Again With Joe 18 19-{18}-20->3
#276 10/09/1955 The Stargazers Close The Door 6 12-10-10-{6}-8-9-14-14-17->9
#277 10/09/1955 Sammy Davis Jr Love Me Or Leave Me 8 14-11-{8}-14-13-17-19R(3)-18->8
#278 10/09/1955 Doris Day Love Me Or Leave Me 20 {20}->1
#279 17/09/1955 Jimmy Young The Man From Laramie 1 15-6-5-2-{1}-1-1-1-3-2-5-10->12
#280 17/09/1955 Tony Bennett Close Your Eyes 18 {18}->1
#281 24/09/1955 Slim Whitman China Doll 15 {15}-18->2
#282 24/09/1955 Cyril Stapleton Orchestra With Julie Dawn Blue Star (The 'Medic' Theme) 2 16-9-6-3-{2}-2-3-4-7-13-13-15->12
#283 24/09/1955 Alma Cogan The Banjo's Back In Town 17 {17}->1
#284 24/09/1955 Al Martino The Man From Laramie 19 {19}-20-20R(4)->3
#285 24/09/1955 Charlie Applewhite Blue Star (The 'Medic' Theme) 20 {20}->1
#286 01/10/1955 Sammy Davis Jr That Old Black Magic 16 {16}->1
#287 01/10/1955 Rosemary Clooney Hey There 4 17-18-10-10-8-8-7-{4}-6-11-16->11
#288 08/10/1955 Mitch Miller And His Orchestra And Chorus The Yellow Rose Of Texas 2 9-5-3-{2}-5-9-6-7-6-8-9-8-11->13

Posted by: Popchartfreak 23rd January 2023, 10:07 AM

I like the Catarina Valente track, never heard it before but I remember her being on TV in the 60's and 70's with flamboyant geust spots on variety shows, amazed she's still around, good for her!

Slim Whitman was very much a Country yodeller, but I was never a fan of Rose Marie when it cropped up as an oldie. Indian Love Call was oddly better known to younger folk in the 70's thanks to the Muppets and a fun cover by Ray Stevens, and I'm still fond of it.

I have CD collections of Nat and Frank but none of those ring a bell, but the Sammy track is one I know, Something's Gotta Give was a Crooner staple.

Posted by: JulianT 23rd January 2023, 05:26 PM

It's all about Sammy Davis Jr. today as his two are my favourites of the bunch - I just love his style.

9 Sammy Davis Jr Love Me Or Leave Me Such a dynamic rendition of this and I love a bit of scatting
8 Sammy Davis Jr That Old Black Magic Brilliant as well, so much character in his singing
7 Cyril Stapleton Orchestra With Julie Dawn Blue Star (The 'Medic' Theme) A lovely version of this TV theme with dreamy vocals and a great piano part
6 Jimmy Young The Man From Laramie 37th #1: theme song to a Western of the same name and it's good; a big improvement on his limp "Unchained Melody"
6 Alma Cogan The Banjo's Back In Town A catchy song with banjos; nothing not to like (other than her sounding unreasonably happy as usual)
6 Doris Day Love Me Or Leave Me A much more sedate version than Sammy's and it's still a really good song but lacks the impact
5 Slim Whitman China Doll Be prepared for a lot of yodeling on this and the instruments even seem to be sliding in sympathy - I quite like it though
5 Al Martino The Man From Laramie The version that was bigger in America apparently; prefer Jimmy's smoother delivery
5 Charlie Applewhite Blue Star (The 'Medic' Theme) Another good version of this but think the vocals are too big for what's meant to be a relaxing, dreamy number
4 Tony Bennett Close Your Eyes A nice jazzy number with a sax solo but the tune just isn't memorable
4 Rosemary Clooney Hey There Another where there are several versions coming and I don't like the song much in the first place, but a nice jazzy arrangement
3 Joe 'Mr Piano' Henderson Sing It Again With Joe Sounds a bit more polished than the original "Sing It With Joe" but still an inessential medley
3 Mitch Miller And His Orchestra And Chorus The Yellow Rose Of Texas A traditional American Western style folksong - not really my thing and not sure why all these versions popped up around this time
1 The Stargazers Close The Door "Ba da da duh, da duh" - it's like they're trying to see how hideous they can make it and still get a hit



Next group:

#289 08/10/1955 Johnston Brothers Hernando's Hideaway 1 11-11-10-4-2-{1}-1-3-5-10-8-11-15->13
#290 08/10/1955 Lita Roza Hey There 17 {17}-20->2
#291 08/10/1955 Sammy Davis Jr Hey There 19 {19}->1
#292 08/10/1955 Johnnie Ray Hernando's Hideaway 11 20-{11}-12-11-14->5
#293 15/10/1955 Johnnie Ray Hey There 5 16-9-10-6-{5}-5-7-11-14->9
#294 15/10/1955 Ruby Murray I'll Come When You Call 6 19-15-13-10-{6}-9-14->7
#295 15/10/1955 Alma Cogan Go On By 16 20-20-{16}-20->4
#296 22/10/1955 Doris Day I'll Never Stop Loving You 17 {17}-19-19R(4)->3
#297 22/10/1955 Central Band Of The Royal Air Force The Dambusters March 18 {18}->1
#298 22/10/1955 Gary Miller The Yellow Rose Of Texas 13 19-17-15-{13}-17->5
#299 29/10/1955 Johnnie Ray Song Of The Dreamer 10 18-12-11-{10}-15->5
#300 29/10/1955 Ron Goodwin Blue Star (The 'Medic' Theme) 20 {20}->1
#301 05/11/1955 Don Lang With The Mairants-Langhorn Big Six Cloudburst 16 {16}-18-18R(3)-20R(6)->4
#302 05/11/1955 Winifred Atwell Let's Have A Ding Dong 3 18-10-8-4-{3}-4-4-5-4-10->10

Posted by: Popchartfreak 23rd January 2023, 06:21 PM

Sammy was a star, he was the only jewish black crooner in showbiz, so top in that particular field!

That old black magic is one i like, i know the doris version of love me or leave me - think it was a film theme song for her movie.

Yellow Rose Of Texas was boosted in the 70s on a chart topping 50s album of various artists. It was tv advertised so got to hear a clip of that song endlessly. I dont mind it actually

Posted by: JulianT 24th January 2023, 11:42 PM

Maybe there's something about the jazzy records from this period - I think they sound much less of their time and more like they could be recorded now than many of the more mainstream hits. And so there's more jazz and even more crazy scatting from today's winner, which really made my jaw hit the floor when I heard it. Don Lang was an English trombonist and singer, and I really think "Cloudburst" is a fabulous, presumably pretty unknown, record. Unfortunately it only made #16 and his only Top 10 will come via a cover of "Witch Doctor" in a few years. D'oh!

9 Don Lang With The Mairants-Langhorn Big Six Cloudburst A remarkable frenzy of scatting over brass and bass - this really blew my mind
8 Johnston Brothers Hernando's Hideaway 38th #1: a great tango pop number and the deep slightly sinister vocals really add to it
7 Johnnie Ray Song Of The Dreamer Classic Johnnie with a really assertive and heartfelt delivery and some nice punchy backing singer parts
6 Johnnie Ray Hernando's Hideaway He sings this extremely well of course but I prefer the Johnston Brothers' more disinterested style for this song
6 Winifred Atwell Let's Have A Ding Dong The usual joyous whirlwind medley from Winifred that's over before you know it
6 Sammy Davis Jr Hey There Definitely the best version of this with incredible vocals from Sammy but I still don't love the song
5 Alma Cogan Go On By The usual from Alma - terribly chirply, bouncy and qutie catchy
5 Lita Roza Hey There My second favourite version of this with some interesting backing instrumentation
4 Ruby Murray I'll Come When You Call Quite a nice tune, just very soft and slow and not that memorable
4 Ron Goodwin Blue Star (The 'Medic' Theme) An instrumental version of this - quite nice but definitely preferred it with the vocals
4 Johnnie Ray Hey There A rather plodding version of an already dull song
3 Doris Day I'll Never Stop Loving You Another of those terribly soft ballads that's just not memorable and it's not hummable either unlike Ruby's
3 Central Band Of The Royal Air Force The Dambusters March This is very much the Dambusters march performed competently but it's not a piece of music that excites me much
2 Gary Miller The Yellow Rose Of Texas This appears on an album called "100 Nursery Rhymes", and Gary's fine on it but the backing singing sounds quite childish



Next group:

#303 12/11/1955 Ronnie Hilton The Yellow Rose Of Texas 15 {15}-15->2
#304 12/11/1955 Frankie Laine Humming Bird 16 {16}->1
#305 12/11/1955 The Stargazers Twenty Tiny Fingers 4 17-13-10-7-5-5-6-6-{4}-8-16->11
#306 19/11/1955 The Four Aces Love Is A Many Splendored Thing 2 11-{2}-2-3-3-3-5-3-3-5-5-7-13->13
#307 19/11/1955 Max Bygraves Meet Me On The Corner 2 19-11-9-6-5-4-3-{2}-5-8-15->11
#308 19/11/1955 Pat Boone Ain't That A Shame 7 20-9-8-{7}-10-14-14-12-17-25R(52)-22->11
#309 26/11/1955 Dickie Valentine Christmas Alphabet 1 12-4-2-{1}-1-1-9->7
#310 26/11/1955 The Singing Dogs The Singing Dogs (Medley) 13 16-16-{13}-13->4
#311 26/11/1955 David Whitfield With Mantovani And His Orchestra And Chorus When You Lose The One You Love 7 17-15-11-{7}-10-12-11-12-14-11-12->11
#312 26/11/1955 Petula Clark Suddenly There's A Valley 7 18-14-9-12-9-8-{7}-10-15-17->10
#313 26/11/1955 Frankie Laine Hawk-Eye 7 20-17-12-11-{7}-7-8-14->8
#314 26/11/1955 The Coronets Twenty Tiny Fingers 20 {20}->1
#315 03/12/1955 Lee Lawrence Suddenly There's A Valley 14 19-{14}R(2)-15-22->4
#316 03/12/1955 Frankie Vaughan Seventeen 18 20-{18}-18->3

Posted by: jimwatts 25th January 2023, 07:18 AM

The Singing Dogs

Posted by: Jade 25th January 2023, 07:26 AM

I'm glad you rate 'Hernando's Hideaway' too (Johnston Brothers version of course) - it's a great chart topper!

Posted by: Popchartfreak 25th January 2023, 06:49 PM

Well that's an oddity Ive never heard before as top choice...

Hernando's Hideaway for me, great song and the Dambusters music is fine in the movie version.

Posted by: JulianT 25th January 2023, 10:25 PM

Well The Singing Dogs are definitely worth a listen... but not too many listens.

After 18 hits it's probably time for Frankie Laine to have a turn as the top pick. "Humming Bird" was also done by The Chordettes and by Les Paul & Mary Ford but only Frankie's was a hit here, and it's a really sweet number about being with someone who doesn't want to settle down.

8 Frankie Laine Humming Bird A really lovely little song breautifully done by Franki
7 Pat Boone Ain't That A Shame A Fats Domino cover but I love the song and actually it's quite nicely done
7 The Four Aces Love Is A Many Splendored Thing Oscar winning song for a film of the same name; really good and like the rich harmonies
7 Petula Clark Suddenly There's A Valley A very sweet wistful ballad and a great performance from Petula
6 The Coronets Twenty Tiny Fingers Fun light song about having twins and nicely arranged and sung in this my favourite of the 3 versions
5 Dickie Valentine Christmas Alphabet 40th #1: a pleasant festive chart toppere which reels off some nice things about Christmas but it's quite pedestrian and not a classic
5 Lee Lawrence Suddenly There's A Valley Still nice but doesn't flow like Petula's and the vocals are good but don't have the same impact
4 The Stargazers Twenty Tiny Fingers More ragged than The Coronets' version but they haven't ruined this one
4 David Whitfield With Mantovani And His Orchestra And Chorus When You Lose The One You Love Maybe Mantovani's influence but this is decent for David - has quite a nice tune and the vocals don't make me wince too much
4 The Singing Dogs The Singing Dogs (Medley) Plenty of points for ingenuity though doesn't bear many listens - dogs barking to the tune of Jingle Bells and nursery rhymes
3 Frankie Laine Hawk-Eye He's so talented he can spot a pretty girl a mile away apparently: a bit boorish this one and a sharp contrast with "Humming Bird"
3 Max Bygraves Meet Me On The Corner Tolerable by Max's standards; no ridiculous talking over the record but his singing is still quite coarse
3 Ronnie Hilton The Yellow Rose Of Texas Another version of this… it's done fine but think Mitch Miller's was the best and that also only got a 3 haha
2 Frankie Vaughan Seventeen I don't share Frankie's feverish excitement about this 17 year old girl, and there isn't much of a tune either




And with the next group we reach the end of the year:

#317 10/12/1955 Harry Secombe On With The Motley 16 17-{16}-17->3
#318 10/12/1955 Big Ben Banjo Band Let's Get Together Again 18 19-{18}R(3)->2
#319 10/12/1955 Jo Stafford Suddenly There's A Valley 12 20-15-{12}-13-16-19R(4)->6
#320 17/12/1955 Alma Cogan Twenty Tiny Fingers 17 {17}->1
#321 17/12/1955 Anne Shelton Arrivederci Darling 17 19-18-{17}-19->4
#322 17/12/1955 Dickie Valentine The Old Pianna Rag 15 20-20-18-{15}-18->5
#323 24/12/1955 Alma Cogan Never Do A Tango With An Eskimo 6 13-10-{6}-6-12->5
#324 24/12/1955 Boyd Bennett And His Rockets Seventeen 16 {16}-23->2
#325 24/12/1955 Jimmy Young Someone On Your Mind 13 19-16-14-{13}-18->5
#326 24/12/1955 Jimmy Shand Band Bluebell Polka 20 {20}-20->2
#327 31/12/1955 Johnston Brothers And The George Chisholm Sour-Note Six Join In And Sing Again 9 {9}->1
#328 31/12/1955 Bill Haley And His Comets Rock-A-Beatin' Boogie 4 21-5-{4}-4-7-6-6-15-19->9
#329 31/12/1955 Perry Como Tina Marie 24 {24}->1
#330 31/12/1955 Eve Boswell Pickin' A Chicken 9 25-20-15-13-12-{9}-15-18R(3)-16-17-20R(3)-26-23->13

Posted by: Popchartfreak 26th January 2023, 07:29 PM

Not a lot in that batch for me, surprisingly. Petula's I dont know, but I always like Petula so that's a given. Pat Boone, unless it's Speedy Gonzales, I always dislike if he's singing, but I'm totally fine when he's getting undressed for a cold shower on his journey to the centre of the earth (early film reference that had a peculiar effect on me as I hit puberty) and Ive never liked Aint That A Shame much even by fats Domino.

Hummingbird is quite restrained for Frankie! Love Is A Many Splendoured Thing is a song that was big at the time, and forgotten since. Singing dogs? 80's hit Ruff Mix by Wonder Dog is the only record that matters....!

Posted by: chartjack2 26th January 2023, 08:09 PM

The charts are crying out for Austin Butler!

Posted by: JulianT 26th January 2023, 08:11 PM

Nothing really standing out here but a few I enjoyed bopping along to and I'm giving Bill Haley his second win to top off a rather excellent year for him.

7 Bill Haley And His Comets Rock-A-Beatin' Boogie The usual style obviously but a very good tune and nice guitar solo
7 Perry Como Tina Marie Sounds like the backing singers have hiccups but it's a great upbeat number
7 Eve Boswell Pickin' A Chicken Picking a barbecued chicken apart is apparently a romantic thing to do - sounds messy to me but a really fun a catchy song
6 Jimmy Young Someone On Your Mind One of his more dynamic ones - has a Latin flavour and you can really feel his anguish
6 Anne Shelton Arrivederci Darling Her beau is departing on a train - this sounds very wartime but I do like it; some sweet instrumentation and her voice is strong
6 Alma Cogan Never Do A Tango With An Eskimo An oddly specific piece of advice and as usual she sounds far too chirpy when delivering it, but it's fun and catchy
5 Jo Stafford Suddenly There's A Valley Jo's last hit sadly but preferred Petula's version - this doesn't connect as well and it's a bit slow
5 Dickie Valentine The Old Pianna Rag It's a good and fun tune and I still really like his voice - shame about the rabble that joins in for the second half
4 Jimmy Shand Band Bluebell Polka A barndance accordian piece - it's fine
4 Big Ben Banjo Band Let's Get Together Again Much preferred their one from last year - this just sounds like a circus act accompaniment
4 Alma Cogan Twenty Tiny Fingers Preferred the group version by the Coronets; this is inessential
3 Boyd Bennett And His Rockets Seventeen Slightly more subtle than Ronnie's version but still not a fan of the song
3 Johnston Brothers And The George Chisholm Sour-Note Six Join In And Sing Again Just a disjointed medley of songs - I'm sure this served a purpose at the time but it's hard to see the point looking back
3 Harry Secombe On With The Motley He was part of "The Goon Show" but this just seems a fairly serious classical operatic piece; doesn't do much for me

Posted by: Popchartfreak 27th January 2023, 09:25 AM

Bill Haley easily there...! Nothing else much to say about the competition

Posted by: JulianT 27th January 2023, 06:16 PM

Top picks from 1955:

Gold medal: Under The Bridges Of Paris - Eartha Kitt
Silver medal: Love Me Or Leave Me - Sammy Davis Jr.
Bronze medal: Cloudburst - Don Lang (random pick I know but I love it)

Others I gave a 9:

The Breeze And I - Caterina Valente
Rose Marie - Slim Whitman
Rock Around The Clock - Bill Haley And His Comets
Stowaway - Barbara Lyon

And in retrospect I should really have given "Hernando's Hideaway" a 9; great record.

Worst record of the year: Close The Door - Stargazers

The first group for 1956 includes one of my very favourite songs of the whole decade.

#331 07/01/1956 Bill Hayes The Ballad Of Davy Crockett 2 13-7-{2}-2-2-3-5-9-12->9
#332 07/01/1956 Lonnie Donegan Rock Island Line 8 17-16-10-9-{8}-9-12-11-9-11-9-13-19-16R(2)-30-25-20R(2)-20-21-22-19-25->22
#333 07/01/1956 Tennessee Ernie Ford Sixteen Tons 1 18-2-{1}-1-1-1-2-5-8-14-13->11
#334 14/01/1956 Frank Sinatra Love And Marriage 3 9-{3}-4-4-5-7-13-16->8
#335 14/01/1956 Tennessee Ernie Ford The Ballad Of Davy Crockett 3 11-7-{3}-5-10-14-14->7
#336 14/01/1956 Edna Savage Arrivederci Darling 19 {19}->1
#337 14/01/1956 Gary Miller Robin Hood 10 20-19-13-{10}-11-17->6
#338 21/01/1956 Frank Sinatra (Love Is) The Tender Trap 2 9-6-3-{2}-4-4-7-8-14->9
#339 21/01/1956 Frankie Laine With The Mellomen Sixteen Tons 10 11-{10}-13->3
#340 21/01/1956 Dick James With Stephen James And His Chums Robin Hood/The Ballad Of Davy Crockett 14 17-16-16-{14}-16-16-14-17-29R(10)->9
#341 21/01/1956 Eamonn Andrews The Shifting Whispering Sands 18 20-20-{18}->3
#342 28/01/1956 The Hilltoppers Only You 3 14-15-8-8-6-5-6-6-4-5-4-4-4-5-5-{3}-12-11-11-14-16-26-24R(7)->23
#343 28/01/1956 Lou Busch Zambesi 2 18-17-7-3-{2}-2-2-2-6-4-6-5-7-7-16-21-28->17
#344 28/01/1956 Nat 'King' Cole Dreams Can Tell A Lie 10 18-11-12-11-{10}-13-13-16-20->9
#345 28/01/1956 Malcolm Vaughan With Your Love 18 20-{18}R(2)-20R(3)->3

Posted by: Jade 27th January 2023, 09:19 PM

omg 'Never Do A Tango With An Eskimo' - I'll never forget my first listen of that, was working at HMV and it came on as one of those songs that is buried on Disc 3 of Now! That's What I Call Christmas *_* just thought what on Earth is this I haven't heard it in years but can still recall how it goes haha.

QUOTE(chartjack2 @ Jan 26 2023, 08:09 PM)

Posted by: JulianT 29th January 2023, 12:40 PM

I think it's going to have to be a perfect score for Tennessee's version of the miner's tale. The story, the rich vocals, the clarinet part between verses and the big wailing climax at the end are all brilliant. Really enjoyed this bunch in general; even some of the ones I'm less keen on like "The Ballad Of Davy Crockett" and "Robin Hood" are good fun, and Lonnie has arrived!

10 Tennessee Ernie Ford Sixteen Tons 41st #1: love everything about this - the lyrics, the melody, the instruments and the beautiful deep voice
8 Lou Busch Zambesi A brilliant and catchy instrumental to be later given vocals and spelled "Zambezi", but much classier as it is I think
8 Lonnie Donegan Rock Island Line First hit for the king of skiffle and it builds up from a standing start to 100mph - great stuff
8 Frankie Laine With The Mellomen Sixteen Tons A great version too - mainly missing the vocal warmth and the clarinet interlude
7 The Hilltoppers Only You Think The Platters' version is slightly more expressive but this is also really well sung and a classic for sure
7 Malcolm Vaughan With Your Love Lovely song this - his voice is slightly vibrato laden for me but still very well delivered
7 Nat 'King' Cole Dreams Can Tell A Lie Effortlessly classy as ever from Nat
6 Eamonn Andrews The Shifting Whispering Sands Such an intruguing and mesmerising song but prefer the version to come - this one is shortened and without the full impact
5 Frank Sinatra Love And Marriage This is a well remembered classic for sure but it's quite twee
5 Dick James With Stephen James And His Chums Robin Hood/The Ballad Of Davy Crockett Seems to be the first ever double A side hit - he has a nice warm voice though I don't love either song
5 Tennessee Ernie Ford The Ballad Of Davy Crockett Prefer Tennessee's vocals to Bill's hence this getting an extra point
4 Bill Hayes The Ballad Of Davy Crockett It's quite fun really but after multiple playings of three versions the tune does start to grate
4 Gary Miller Robin Hood Again the tune starts to grate after while and could do without the screaming children but it's still quite fun
3 Edna Savage Arrivederci Darling Much preferred Anne Shelton's version - the vocals are too soft here and she seems to have borrowed Vera Lynn's backing chorus
3 Frank Sinatra (Love Is) The Tender Trap Quite a nondescript one from Frank; my least favourite of a strong bunch



Next group:

#346 28/01/1956 Billy Vaughn Orchestra And Chorus The Shifting Whispering Sands (Parts 1 And 2) 20 {20}->1
#347 04/02/1956 Frankie Vaughan My Boy Flat Top 20 {20}-20->2
#348 11/02/1956 Dean Martin Memories Are Made Of This 1 4-{1}-1-1-1-3-3-7-8-7-5-10-13-17-27-25->16
#349 11/02/1956 The Dream Weavers It's Almost Tomorrow 1 16-6-3-3-3-{1}-1-2-1-2-3-2-3-3-6-13-21-23->18
#350 11/02/1956 Ronnie Hilton Young And Foolish 17 {17}-20R(2)-19R(2)->3
#351 11/02/1956 Don Cherry Band Of Gold 6 19-10-8-{6}-7-8-10-12-13-17-20->11
#352 18/02/1956 Kay Starr Rock And Roll Waltz 1 9-7-4-4-4-2-{1}-3-3-2-3-4-6-5-6-8-9-12-22-24->20
#353 18/02/1956 Dave King With The Keynotes Memories Are Made Of This 5 13-15-11-{5}-5-8-6-5-6-6-6-15-14-22-30->15
#354 18/02/1956 Edmund Hockridge Young And Foolish 10 17-12-{10}-10-11-14-14-28R(2)-26R(3)->9
#355 18/02/1956 Johnnie Ray Who's Sorry Now 17 19-{17}->2
#356 18/02/1956 Max Bygraves The Ballad Of Davy Crockett 20 {20}->1
#357 25/02/1956 Frank Chacksfield In Old Lisbon 15 18-{15}-15-20->4
#358 03/03/1956 Jimmy Parkinson The Great Pretender 9 17-12-10-11-11-{9}-10-12-18-20-24-21-26->13
#359 03/03/1956 David Whitfield My September Love 3 19-20-18R(2)-16R(2)-11-8-9-7-7-{3}-5-7-8-8-8-7-9-10-16-17-27-20-26-25R(3)->24
#360 03/03/1956 Dean Martin Young And Foolish 20 {20}->1

Posted by: R U Jimmy Dot? 29th January 2023, 02:45 PM

Sorry I keep forgetting to comment on this Julian but definitely agree with Sixteen Tons as your top pick. Agree that it's a combination of lyric, vocal and instrumental that makes that one stand out. Glad I discovered this 50s gem a while back.

Posted by: Jade 29th January 2023, 02:54 PM

That perfect score for 'Sixteen Tons' is thoroughly deserved it stands out for miles in amongst all the 50s #1s - fantastic storytelling and the clarinet is utilised well, pretty haunting and atmospheric. I used to play the clarinet myself (Squidward who?) and wish I'd stuck it out now just to have a crack at that song lol.

'Zambesi' is pretty good too - part of an elusive club of U.K. #2s beginning with 'Z' alongside 'Zoom' by Fat Larry's Band

Posted by: Popchartfreak 29th January 2023, 05:34 PM

16 Tons is great, and Tennessee Ernie is great too, and the lyric might still be relevant to a new generation...

Zambezi is great fun, though the version I know best is The Pirhanas 1982ish cover. Rock Island Line is a good intro to the very influential Lonnie Donegan. Only You is a standard, but I'll go with The Platters - or Ringo Starr's 1974 hit version.

Love And Marriage was the intro to 80's/90's sitcom Married: With Children, though it was well-known before that. I don't ever remember not knowing it. It's quite fun, but not classic. Frank's The Tender Trap I think was a movie theme.

So into the kiddie section: The Ballad Of Davy Crockett was the theme tune to the Disney TV show starring Fess Parker as Davy Crockett - so we knew it backwards for as long as repeats of the show continued (into the 70's). So there is only one version for kids of that era: The Wellingtons original TV theme tune.

Ditto Robin Hood, the British TV show of the 50's that was in re-runs into the early 70's was The Adventures Of Robin Hood. The theme was famous, Richard Greene (Robin Hood) was well-known in the UK, and the hit song by Dick James is the bloke who sang the TV theme so that's the "proper" version. I completely agree about suffering repeated hearings though. Once a week is enough, per episode! And nowhere else hearing it needed...

Posted by: JulianT 30th January 2023, 11:42 PM

Fittingly at the time of writing it is indeed almost tomorrow.
There are heartbreak ballads and heartbreak ballads - some are just done so authentically that they really hit you. "It's Almost Tomorrow" is one of those for me, particularly the lead vocalist just has such a sincere and touching voice. Apparently they were discovered by a talent show, but as far as the UK goes were very much a one hit wonder.
And I also feel I have to give a runner's up feature to "The Shifting Whispering Sands" because it's the most extraordinary setting of a piece of poetry. Well worth a listen. I didn't get it at all at first but after a few listens I found it totally hypnotic.

9 The Dream Weavers It's Almost Tomorrow 43rd #1: a heartbreakingly beautiful ballad sung in a very intimate and tender way
9 Billy Vaughn Orchestra And Chorus The Shifting Whispering Sands (Parts 1 And 2) Took a few listens to get into this but it's incredible storytelling and a complete one off
8 Kay Starr Rock And Roll Waltz 44th #1: her 2 chart toppers are her best songs by far - this is a catchy 3 time number with her usual crystal clear vocals
7 Don Cherry Band Of Gold Just a lovely song well done
7 Jimmy Parkinson The Great Pretender Great song and a nice version but there's a better one to come
6 Frank Chacksfield In Old Lisbon An interesting one from Frank with vocals this time; as usual the instrumental part is very captivating
6 Dave King With The Keynotes Memories Are Made Of This Actually very slightly prefer this to Dean's version thanks to the slightly more upbeat tempo
6 Dean Martin Memories Are Made Of This 42nd #1: it's well remembered and a good song but it doesn't excite me
5 David Whitfield My September Love One of David's best efforts that I've heard; a really nice melody and the vocals aren't so bad they ruin it
5 Johnnie Ray Who's Sorry Now One of Johnnie's weaker songs but he still puts so much into it that it manages to be quite exciting
4 Edmund Hockridge Young And Foolish The best of the three versions though still not great; very well sung
3 Frankie Vaughan My Boy Flat Top It's like "Seventeen" part II and it's not quite as bad as that but not much of a tune
3 Ronnie Hilton Young And Foolish Just quite a dreary song
3 Dean Martin Young And Foolish Not much difference between this and Ronnie's but even slightly drearier
2 Max Bygraves The Ballad Of Davy Crockett A good way to make a slightly annoying song really annoying is to get Max to do a version





Tomorrow's lineup:

#361 10/03/1956 Bill Haley And His Comets See You Later, Alligator 7 9-{7}-7-8-7-8-8-11-10-13-16-22-23-21R(16)-19-20-20-12-15-18-25->21
#362 10/03/1956 Eddie Calvert Zambesi 13 18-16R(2)-{13}-13-14-25-26->7
#363 10/03/1956 Slim Whitman Tumbling Tumbleweeds 19 20-{19}->2
#364 17/03/1956 Winifred Atwell The Poor People Of Paris 1 12-5-3-2-{1}-1-1-2-2-2-3-6-11-15-18-27->16
#365 17/03/1956 Dick Hyman Trio Theme From 'The Threepenny Opera' 9 15-12-10-11-{9}-10-12-19-16-25->10
#366 17/03/1956 Jimmy Young Chain Gang 9 18-{9}-9-10-15-22->6
#367 24/03/1956 Alfi And Harry The Trouble With Harry 15 {15}-16-19-21-29->5
#368 24/03/1956 Billy Vaughn And His Orchestra Moritat (A Theme From 'The Threepenny Opera') 12 17-15-{12}-12-17-28-25->7
#369 24/03/1956 Lita Roza Jimmy Unknown 15 19-17-{15}-20-26->5
#370 31/03/1956 Alma Cogan Willie Can 13 18-17-{13}-13-15-17-18-22->8
#371 31/03/1956 Michael Holliday Nothin' To Do 20 {20}-30R(4)-23->3
#372 07/04/1956 Cyril Stapleton And His Orchestra The Italian Theme 18 {18}-23->2
#373 14/04/1956 Teresa Brewer A Tear Fell 2 18-11-8-6-5-4-{2}-4-5-7-8-9-17-15-18->15
#374 14/04/1956 Slim Whitman I'm A Fool 16 19-{16}-20-29R(2)->4

Posted by: Popchartfreak 31st January 2023, 05:31 PM

The only track I've ever charted is Dean Martin's Memories Are Made Of This, still a laid-back fave. There's a lot of songs I know in versions I don't know. Shifting Whispering Sands is basically a novelty record - a spoken word with bits of music inspiring later hits like Desiderata, Everybody's Free (To Wear Sunscreen) and more, I guess. Unusual!

Posted by: TheSnake 31st January 2023, 10:52 PM

QUOTE(JulianT @ Jan 5 2023, 05:23 PM)

Posted by: JulianT 31st January 2023, 11:58 PM

I guess it's time Winifred had a win - I'm sure Jade will be pleased! I do think this is one of her best and in the second half you can hear what I think is a soprano voice singing along but turned down very faintly.

8 Winifred Atwell The Poor People Of Paris 45th #1: the usual romping rousing style but this one works particularly well and love the subtle vocal accompaniment
7 Bill Haley And His Comets See You Later, Alligator I hadn't realised until now what a strong run of hits they had - really good fun
7 Jimmy Young Chain Gang Really like the menacing relentless quality to this - much more interesting than most of Jimmy's hits
7 Teresa Brewer A Tear Fell Very nice song well delivered with her clear and pretty voice
6 Slim Whitman Tumbling Tumbleweeds Still an acquired taste but I enjoy the dreamy falsetto vocals with the instruments sliding away in the background
6 Eddie Calvert Zambesi Has that signature Eddie trumpet sound which I'm starting to tire of - great track still but much prefer the Lou Busch version
5 Michael Holliday Nothin' To Do My my these are depressing lyrics but it is actually a nice song that grew on me a fair bit
5 Cyril Stapleton And His Orchestra The Italian Theme Very pleasant but doesn't really stand out from other instrumental records
4 Lita Roza Jimmy Unknown A sweet but terribly slow ballad that doesn't quite do enough to grab you
4 Dick Hyman Trio Theme From 'The Threepenny Opera' Similar comments to the version below but some very nice piano parts in this version
3 Slim Whitman I'm A Fool Can't really get into the melody here and find the yodeling slightly jarring in this one
3 Billy Vaughn And His Orchestra Moritat (A Theme From 'The Threepenny Opera') I'm sure this makes sense in the context of the show but to me this is just "Mack The Knife" without the words
2 Alma Cogan Willie Can Yes it's all a joke about penises in Alma's usual irritatingly cutesy style
1 Alfi And Harry The Trouble With Harry Almost unlistenable "comedy" record - ironically Harry isn't the trouble but his friend who keeps shouting at him is unbearable



The chart has expanded to a Top 30! It means progress will be slowing down and there'll be even more also ran hits (joy), but we've seen that you never know what gems may be lurking among them.

#375 14/04/1956 Johnston Brothers No Other Love 22 {22}->1
#376 14/04/1956 Anne Shelton Seven Days 20 24-{20}-20-30->4
#377 14/04/1956 Dave King With The Keynotes You Can't Be True To Two 11 25-18-13-{11}-12-13-17-17-25->9
#378 14/04/1956 Louis Armstrong And His All-Stars A Theme From 'The Threepenny Opera' (Mack The Knife) 8 27-14-14-{8}-11-11-12-15-21-23-21-24R(176)->12
#379 14/04/1956 Tony Bennett Come Next Spring 29 {29}->1
#380 14/04/1956 The Beverley Sisters Willie Can 23 30-24-{23}-27->4
#381 21/04/1956 Ronnie Hilton No Other Love 1 15-4-{1}-1-1-1-1-1-4-5-4-8-14-23->14
#382 21/04/1956 Johnnie Ray Ain't Misbehavin' 17 19-{17}-18-19-26-24-24R(2)->7
#383 28/04/1956 Lonnie Donegan Lost John/Stewball 2 16-12-8-10-7-{2}-3-2-3-3-2-7-10-14-21-25-29->17
#384 21/04/1956 Sammy Davis Jr In A Persian Market 28 {28}->1
#385 28/04/1956 Pat Boone I'll Be Home 1 19-14-9-7-4-3-2-{1}-1-1-1-1-2-2-4-7-6-8-9-17-17-20-19R(16)-25->24
#386 28/04/1956 Bing Crosby In A Little Spanish Town 22 {22}-29-26->3
#387 28/04/1956 Billy May And His Orchestra Main Title From 'The Man With The Golden Arm' 9 24-{9}-10-9-10-12-17-21-27-28->10
#388 28/04/1956 Dean Martin Innamorata 21 27-{21}-30->3

Posted by: JulianT 1st February 2023, 09:46 PM

First win for Satch today. After the instrumental versions of "Mack The Knife" it's nice to hear the actual song but there's some great trumpet action too - just very classy all in all.

8 Louis Armstrong And His All-Stars A Theme From 'The Threepenny Opera' (Mack The Knife) Love this version - it's partly on the trumpet and partly sung so really showcases Louis
8 Johnston Brothers No Other Love Prefer this version to the chart topping one - has the signature slightly spooky Johnston Brothers touch
7 Ronnie Hilton No Other Love 46th #1: also a really good version with some cinematic sounding instrumentation
7 Bing Crosby In A Little Spanish Town A cool jazzy one from Bing with maracas and a good tune
7 Johnnie Ray Ain't Misbehavin' Once again Johnnie reallly makes this with a quirky and passionate performance
6 Lonnie Donegan Lost John/Stewball A fun double A side with "Stewball" the more energetic track but neither quite as exciting as "Rock Island Line"
6 Anne Shelton Seven Days As ever I really like her voice and this one swings along really nicely
6 Dave King With The Keynotes You Can't Be True To Two A fun ballad with a catchy rhythm gently espousing monogamy
5 Sammy Davis Jr In A Persian Market Not his best song but has the Eastern flavour and he gives it a great frantic performance
4 Billy May And His Orchestra Main Title From 'The Man With The Golden Arm' A slightly menacing number with lots of brass - reminds me a bit of "Dragnet"; nice enough
3 Dean Martin Innamorata Another of Dean's duller ones - inanimorata would be a better name
2 The Beverley Sisters Willie Can Slightly prefer this to Alma's but still an irritating record
2 Tony Bennett Come Next Spring A terribly slow and lifeless ballad without much of a tune
2 Pat Boone I'll Be Home 47th #1: another utterly lifeless ballad that gets even worse when he starts talking



Next group:

#389 28/04/1956 Mel Torme Mountain Greenery 4 29-24-22-15-17-18-22-17-17-23-25-20R(3)-9-{4}-5-5-5-7-8-10-12-13-18-24->24
#390 28/04/1956 Perry Como Juke Box Baby 22 30-{22}-25-30-29-25->6
#391 05/05/1956 Frankie Laine Hell Hath No Fury 28 {28}->1
#392 12/05/1956 Elvis Presley Heartbreak Hotel 2 15-14-8-5-4-3-{2}-2-3-3-4-4-6-6-7-7-7-9-20-24-22-23R(4)->22
#393 12/05/1956 Don Robertson The Happy Whistler 8 23-{8}-9-9-12-11-14-15-22->9
#394 12/05/1956 Edmund Hockridge No Other Love 24 27-{24}-29R(2)-30R(2)->4
#395 12/05/1956 Nat 'King' Cole Too Young To Go Steady 8 28-17-19-14-12-14-11-{8}-14-17-21-23-16-26->14
#396 19/05/1956 Carl Perkins Blue Suede Shoes 10 18-14-16-16-{10}-12-17-24->8
#397 19/05/1956 Winifred Atwell And Frank Chacksfield Port Au Prince 18 19-20-20-{18}-20-20->6
#398 26/05/1956 Perry Como Hot Diggity (Dog Ziggity Boom) 4 15-13-6-5-{4}-5-7-6-6-7-10-15-22->13
#399 26/05/1956 Elvis Presley Blue Suede Shoes 9 16-19-10-{9}-10-10-17-19-27R(5)-26->10
#400 26/05/1956 Bill Haley And His Comets The Saints Rock 'N' Roll 5 23-10-7-6-6-6-{5}-13-17-13-12-11-10-12-10-10-13-11-11-16-11-17-16-24->24
#401 26/05/1956 Max Bygraves Out Of Town 18 27-27-28-{18}-18-30-29->7
#402 26/05/1956 Three Kayes Ivory Tower 20 28-30-{20}-24-30->5

Posted by: Jade 1st February 2023, 09:52 PM

I indeed approve of Winifred coming out on top yesterday

Posted by: JulianT 3rd February 2023, 01:48 PM

Well the King of Rock & Roll has arrived, but generally this is overall my favourite group since I started, getting an average score of 6.4. It has to be "Heartbreak Hotel" for the win. "Blue Suede Shoes" is a great song too but not a big favourite - interesting though to have the original alongside the Elvis version. Some other great discoveries in the group as well as more good stuff from some familiar faces, and even Max Bygraves stepped up this time.

9 Elvis Presley Heartbreak Hotel Remains one of his best - quite a simple track really but I think it's the sulky bluesy delivery that makes it
8 Mel Torme Mountain Greenery Originally for a R&H musical, this is qutie a subtle but beaeutifully song and this version has an effortless elegance to it
8 Three Kayes Ivory Tower Another lovely discovery from a group of sisters; really sweet song and lush harmonies
8 Winifred Atwell And Frank Chacksfield Port Au Prince Not a big hit but also one of Winifred's best for me; love the interaction between the piano and orchestra and the shimmering lines
7 Elvis Presley Blue Suede Shoes A classic of course but I prefer the quirkier "Heartbreak Hotel"
7 Don Robertson The Happy Whistler Delightfully simple - just a drum beat and a whistled melody but it really works
7 Carl Perkins Blue Suede Shoes The original and it's really good too - just think Elvis's is a little more dynamic and punchy
6 Perry Como Juke Box Baby Quite similar to "Tina Marie" and even mentions her but another fun foot tapper from Perry
6 Nat 'King' Cole Too Young To Go Steady Captivating and tender from Nat as usual
6 Bill Haley And His Comets The Saints Rock 'N' Roll Was a fun idea to turn the traditional song into a Bill Haley style number, and it does work though I prefer many of their others
5 Edmund Hockridge No Other Love A perfectly good version of this but doesn't really add anything compared to the others
5 Max Bygraves Out Of Town This is actually quite sweet from Max - a decent original song and no telling bad jokes over the record
4 Perry Como Hot Diggity (Dog Ziggity Boom) A catchy number but cloys a bit after a few listens - feels like going round and round on a fairground ride
4 Frankie Laine Hell Hath No Fury Not bad at all but he's done the wind effect via backing singers several times now and the tune isn't that memorable



We have our first EPs coming up but also a bit of an oddity. The album chart started around now and it seems for a few months albums were also eligible for the singles chart. I'm not going to review the albums that come up in detail obviously as that isn't the purpose but I'll listen through and give an overall impression, almost as though they were one track.

#403 02/06/1956 The McGuire Sisters Delilah Jones 24 {24}-29->2
#404 02/06/1956 Morris Stoloff Moonglow And Theme From 'Picnic' 7 26-14-13-{7}-12-11-18-14-16-22-21->11
#405 02/06/1956 Cyril Stapleton Orchestra Featuring Desmond Lane The Happy Whistler 22 28-26-{22}-23->4
#406 09/06/1956 Jimmy Young The Wayward Wind 27 {27}->1
#407 09/06/1956 Vera Lynn Who Are We? 30 {30}->1
#408 16/06/1956 Michael Holliday The Gal With The Yaller Shoes 13 19-{13}-19->3
#409 16/06/1956 Frank Sinatra Songs For Swingin' Lovers (LP) 12 26-16-13-{12}-16-15-22-26->8
#410 16/06/1956 Various Artists Carousel - Original Soundtrack (LP) 26 27-{26}R(3)->2
#411 16/06/1956 Ray Martin And His Concert Orchestra The Carousel Waltz 24 28-{24}R(7)-28->3
#412 16/06/1956 Louis Armstrong And His All-Stars Take It Satch EP 29 {29}->1
#413 23/06/1956 Michael Holliday Hot Diggity (Dog Ziggity Boom)/The Gal With The Yaller Shoes 14 15-{14}-19-24-29-25R(2)-17-25->8
#414 23/06/1956 Slim Whitman Serenade 8 24-25-27-29R(3)-18-30-18-10-{8}-11-12-14-18-27-25->15
#415 23/06/1956 Jimmy Young Rich Man, Poor Man 25 {25}->1
#416 23/06/1956 The Stargazers Hot Diggity (Dog Ziggity Boom) 28 {28}->1

Posted by: chartjack2 3rd February 2023, 02:06 PM

Obligatory “Mel Torme was Thora Hird’s son in law” comment.

Posted by: Popchartfreak 3rd February 2023, 07:43 PM

oops Im falling behind!

Winifred Atwell and Bill Haley for me on Tuesdays batch, esp Alligator - that was a greeting catchphrase well into the 80's.

Wednesday's Louis Armstrong singing Mac The Knife has got to be a winner, though Bobby Darin is no slouch. Dont know any of the rest but I played The man With The Golden Arm just in case it was one of those instrumentals I know but dont know I know. It isn't, but it's full on horn section jazz fun. Good jazz, the sort with a tune.

Thursdays : Heartbreak Hotel all the way, total classic, still menacing. Dont know the Mel Torme song but I like R&H songs and I like Mel Torme. But Elvis Blue Suede Shoes is a song I dont recall ever not knowing - yet not a fave for me either, 7 is about right. I should be precious and say Carl Perkins original is the best, but never actually been a fan of his stuff, though I know The Beatles were big on him.

Posted by: JulianT 4th February 2023, 11:46 PM

Bit of an odd line-up today with several show-tunes and some albums and EPs creeping in, and mostly fairly minor hits. That means after a few days of more well known winners it's time for something obscure again. The McGuire Sisters seem to be one of those acts who were popular Stateside but not here, which is a shame as they were great and seem a breath of fresh air. Also Vera Lynn has redeemed herself for songs like "My Son My Son" as this one's lovely.

8 The McGuire Sisters Delilah Jones Have really liked all these girls' hits and this is my favourite - effortlessly cool and sharp jazzy number
7 Vera Lynn Who Are We? Love this song and the lyrics are beautiful, and Vera does it really nicely
7 Louis Armstrong And His All-Stars Take It Satch EP A really enjoyable EP - the highlight is the frantic instrumental "Tiger Rag"
6 Cyril Stapleton Orchestra Featuring Desmond Lane The Happy Whistler From "The King And I" - very obviously a showtune but it's a very sweet one
5 Michael Holliday The Gal With The Yaller Shoes A bit of a silly one with clip clopping horsey effects but fun all the same
5 Frank Sinatra Songs For Swingin' Lovers (LP) Some really nice songs on this album - think "You Make Me Feel So Young" is my favourite, but it all seems a bit similar and safe
5 Jimmy Young The Wayward Wind Will be a chart topper in a few years for a certain yodeler - the versions appearing now are decent but quite middle of the road
4 Morris Stoloff Moonglow And Theme From 'Picnic' Another one that's very pleasant jazz bar background music but don't really find it memorable
4 Various Artists Carousel - Original Soundtrack (LP) This album did have some highlights - think "Stonecutters Cut It On Stone" is my favourite, but largely it rather passed me by
4 Michael Holliday Hot Diggity (Dog Ziggity Boom)/The Gal With The Yaller Shoes Not sure why the second side appears again here but as with the Perry version "Hot Diggity" does become irritating
3 Ray Martin And His Concert Orchestra The Carousel Waltz I'm sure it works in the film but as a stand alone song it just makes you feel like you're at the circus
3 Slim Whitman Serenade His style doesn't really work on this - it's all quite whiny
2 The Stargazers Hot Diggity (Dog Ziggity Boom) Last ever hit for this rabble (so sad) and it's an annoying version of an already slightly annoying song
2 Jimmy Young Rich Man, Poor Man Find this one really cacophonous and shouty - not sure what he was thinking



Next bunch:

#417 23/06/1956 Johnny Dankworth Experiments With Mice 7 29-10-10-{7}-7-11-15-12-16-25-30-29->12
#418 23/06/1956 Tex Ritter The Wayward Wind 8 30-18-15-11-12-10-{8}-10-8-9-11-19-26-23->14
#419 30/06/1956 Various Artists All Star Hit Parade EP 2 16-4-{2}-3-6-13-8-11-21->9
#420 30/06/1956 Doris Day Whatever Will Be Will Be (Que Sera Sera) 1 20-23-28-12-3-2-{1}-1-1-1-1-1-2-2-2-4-5-6-9-15-20-22->22
#421 30/06/1956 Gogi Grant The Wayward Wind 9 20-16-{9}-9-12-14-19-13-15-23-30->11
#422 30/06/1956 The Teenagers Featuring Frankie Lymon Why Do Fools Fall In Love 1 22-13-5-{1}-1-1-3-2-2-2-2-6-6-14-17-23->16
#423 30/06/1956 Joe 'Fingers' Carr Portuguese Washerwoman 20 25-{20}-26-24-30->5
#424 30/06/1956 Ronnie Hilton Who Are We? 6 29-30-12-10-9-{6}-9-14-11-16-22-26->12
#425 30/06/1956 The Goons I'm Walking Backwards For Christmas/Bluebottle Blues 4 30-6-{4}-5-8-10-13-12-20-25->10
#426 07/07/1956 Lonnie Donegan Skiffle Session EP 20 {20}-27->2
#427 07/07/1956 Ted Heath And His Music The Faithful Hussar 18 28-23-26-26-20-{18}-18-22-28->9
#428 14/07/1956 Teresa Brewer Sweet Old-Fashioned Girl 3 20-21-15-5-5-{3}-3-4-3-4-6-10-15-13-22->15
#429 14/07/1956 Tony Martin Walk Hand In Hand 2 21-7-5-3-{2}-4-4-3-6-3-6-9-10-16-23->15
#430 14/07/1956 Humphrey Lyttelton Band Bad Penny Blues 19 21-{19}-20-28-27-28->6

Posted by: Popchartfreak 5th February 2023, 11:20 AM

I must say I dont know The Mcguire Sisters but Americans were always a cut above British acts in the 50's, seems decent enough.

The King And I is a great soundtrack (from the film, though Yul Brynner did Broadway as well) esp March Of The Siamese Children, and Shall We Dance. Pity they aren't featured! Carousel I'm less of a fan of...but You'll Never Walk Alone! Why was nobody covering it!?

The Wayward Wind, Frank Ifield anyday! Songs For Swinging Lovers was a huge hit for Frank, and is critically rated, but I've never heard it as an album! Looking at the track listing the only ones that leap out at me are Pennies From Heaven, Cole Porters Ive Got You Under My Skin (but I'll take The Four Seasons version) and Porters Anything Goes, just marvellous in the version by Harpers Bazarre circa 1967. Never really been a Frank fan, Nancy Sinatra for me every day of the week.

Posted by: JulianT 5th February 2023, 10:48 PM

It's going to have to be a double feature today but for very different reasons. "Whatever Will Be Will Be" is a great song and had such cultural impact that it feels only fair to give it the win, but the on that I keep returning to again and again is "Portuguese Washerwoman". It's just a 2 minute piano instrumental with a small backing band and some vocal bop bop bopping but it's one of the most feel-good tracks I've reviewed here.

9 Doris Day Whatever Will Be Will Be (Que Sera Sera) 49th #1: you know a song is a classic when it coined its own phrase in the language
9 Joe 'Fingers' Carr Portuguese Washerwoman Joe "Fingers" Carr is in fact Lou Busch who did "Zambesi", and this is an even more joyous instrumental than that
8 The Teenagers Featuring Frankie Lymon Why Do Fools Fall In Love 48th #1: teenage stars aren't usually my thing but this is an excellent track and the arrangement really works
7 Ronnie Hilton Who Are We? Another really nice version of this quite profound ballad
6 Johnny Dankworth Experiments With Mice A novelty track in which he mimics various other musicians - very odd but I like it
5 Humphrey Lyttelton Band Bad Penny Blues A bluesy instrumental track with some nice piano and trumpet action but not especially memorable
5 Tex Ritter The Wayward Wind Another quite unexceptional version of this though quite like Tex's deep country style voice
5 Gogi Grant The Wayward Wind Another unexciting veresion - both Gogi and Tex are UK one hit wonders interestingly
4 Tony Martin Walk Hand In Hand Can see why this was a big hit and it's fine and it's fine but quite an unexciting ballad and slightly turgid
4 Lonnie Donegan Skiffle Session EP Feels slightly experimental this EP and some of the tracks are quite morbid; think the final track "Ol' Riley" is my favourite
4 Ted Heath And His Music The Faithful Hussar Louis Armstrong's version of this is great and this feels quite safe in comparison
3 Teresa Brewer Sweet Old-Fashioned Girl Old fashioned is definitely the phrase for this; seems quite a silly track to me
2 Various Artists All Star Hit Parade EP It's just clips of covers of popular songs, finishing with David Whitfield doing "It's Almost Tomorrow" rather unpleasantly
1 The Goons I'm Walking Backwards For Christmas/Bluebottle Blues I'm sure the humour all makes sense if you've seen the show but for me it's a real chore to sit through one side let alone two






Tomorrow's:

14/07/1956 Georgia Gibbs Kiss Me Another 24 {24}->1
14/07/1956 Louis Armstrong And His All-Stars The Faithful Hussar 27 29-{27}->2
14/07/1956 Alma Cogan The Birds And The Bees 25 30-28-{25}-29->4
14/07/1956 Elvis Presley I Want You, I Need You, I Love You 14 30-25-23R(2)-23-20-17-18-{14}-14-16-21->11
14/07/1956 Gene Vincent Be Bop A Lula 16 30-30-{16}R(5)-19-23-24R(3)-23->7
21/07/1956 Winifred Atwell Left Bank 14 20-18-17-{14}-20-23-27->7
28/07/1956 Ronnie Carroll Walk Hand In Hand 13 19-19-16-15-{13}-17-20-22->8
28/07/1956 Stan Freberg And His Sniffle Group Rock Island Line/Heartbreak Hotel 24 {24}-29R(2)->2
28/07/1956 Pat Boone Long Tall Sally 18 27-30-30-{18}R(2)-21-18-23->7
28/07/1956 Fats Domino I'm In Love Again 12 28-24R(3)-19-{12}-12-19-22-29-24-22-30-20-23-24->14
11/08/1956 Alma Cogan Why Do Fools Fall In Love 22 {22}-23-23->3
18/08/1956 Bill Haley And His Comets Rockin' Through The Rye 3 9-6-5-4-5-{3}-4-5-9-6-7-6-5-7-11-17-17-21-19R(3)-24-29-20-28->23
18/08/1956 Pat Boone I Almost Lost My Mind 14 17-{14}-15-15-16-19-30->7
18/08/1956 Jimmy Parkinson Walk Hand In Hand 26 30-{26}R(7)->2

Posted by: Jade 5th February 2023, 11:04 PM

Oh I love 'Why Do Fools Fall In Love' as well really tragic that Frankie Lymon died so young, only 25 'Whatever Will Be Will Be (Que Sera Sera)' is of course a classic, indeed <3

Posted by: Popchartfreak 6th February 2023, 10:25 AM

Much as I love Doris I'd opt for Frankie Lymon in this batch, but it's close. Poor Frankie!

I dont know any of the others (but played the Portuguese Washerwoman to confirm) except The Goons. My dad bought Ying Tong Song when he was young on a shellac 78, and grandad was so annoyed by it he smashed it to pieces. Dad got to enjoy it again in 1973 when it was a hit again.

This one is less well-known, and it's just not funny. I never really got The Goons, they seemed old fashioned by the time they were getting nostalgic kudos in the 70's, Peter Sellers a huge star beloved by everybody, Harry a hit singer (and loveable) and Spike Milligan as bizarre and troubled as ever. I saw Spike in a live tour date in Lincoln. Now there's a man who could put me in stitches by pointing to the upstairs theatre where we were sitting, pause, and exclaim "Finger!". I love the unexpected punchline.

Posted by: JulianT 6th February 2023, 09:26 PM

Bill Haley becomes the first triple winner today. I think "Rockin' Through The Rye" might even be my favourite of his full stop, though maybe just because it's fresher for me than "Rock Around The Clock". There's going to be plenty from Elvis that I don't care for but his #14 hit in this group is actually lovely.

9 Bill Haley And His Comets Rockin' Through The Rye One of their very best - a stonking tune and the instruments and backing singers are used perfectly
8 Elvis Presley I Want You, I Need You, I Love You Think this is an underrated little gem from Elvis - a very tender ballad
8 Georgia Gibbs Kiss Me Another Lovely Latin flavours on this and a great feisty performance
7 Gene Vincent Be Bop A Lula An early rockabilly classic and it's great but not sure it does anything that Elvis doesn't
7 Louis Armstrong And His All-Stars The Faithful Hussar This was already on the "Take It Satch" EP but it’s a really good trumpeet piece and works on its own
7 Fats Domino I'm In Love Again First hit for Fats - I just love his voice and it's a good song
6 Winifred Atwell Left Bank Another one with a Parisian feel and a well put together record
6 Stan Freberg And His Sniffle Group Rock Island Line/Heartbreak Hotel I gave him a 1 last time but I actually find both these parorodies really funny
5 Alma Cogan The Birds And The Bees All these other creatures are shagging so we might as well too is the message - think this goes on the so bad it's good pile
4 Alma Cogan Why Do Fools Fall In Love Not sure this song entirely suits Alma and all in all this version is fine but feels a bit unnecessary
4 Jimmy Parkinson Walk Hand In Hand Similar comments about this song as for the version in the last batch
3 Ronnie Carroll Walk Hand In Hand Find Jimmy's singing on this slightly more interesting but not a lot in it
3 Pat Boone I Almost Lost My Mind Well at least it's an original record but a very dreary one
2 Pat Boone Long Tall Sally Thankfully we're getting the original of this in a few months - this just sounds all wrong



We've got what appears to be a re-release of Mario Lanza's "Serenade" coming up in the next lot so I'll skip over that.

#445 25/08/1956 Clyde McPhatter Treasure Of Love 27 {27}->1
#446 25/08/1956 Anne Shelton Lay Down Your Arms 1 28-14-5-2-{1}-1-1-1-2-3-4-6-10-19->14
#447 25/08/1956 Frank Cordell And His Orchestra Sadie's Shawl 29 {29}-30->2
#448 25/08/1956 David Whitfield My Son John 22 30-{22}-24-28->4
#449 01/09/1956 The Chordettes Born To Be With You 8 13-{8}-15-15-15-11-12-18-29->9
#450 01/09/1956 Ruby Murray You Are My First Love 16 19-{16}-21-25-21R(2)->5
#451 01/09/1956 Edmund Hockridge By The Fountains Of Rome 17 24-20-{17}-17-19->5
#452 01/09/1956 Frank Chacksfield Donkey Cart 26 {26}-26->2
#453 01/09/1956 David Whitfield My Unfinished Symphony 29 {29}->1
#454 08/09/1956 The Platters The Great Pretender/Only You (And You Alone) 5 13-7-{5}-6-8-5-8-10-17-18-23-21-21R(2)-18R(16)-26-30->16
#455 08/09/1956 Frankie Laine A Woman In Love 1 27-11-12-8-3-2-{1}-1-1-1-2-2-2-3-8-10-12-10-14-20-25->21
#456 08/09/1956 Lonnie Donegan Bring A Little Water Sylvie/Dead Or Alive 7 28-10-9-{7}-9-10-7-9-15-23-27-25-30R(7)->13
#457 15/09/1956 The Goons The Ying Tong Song/Bloodnok's Rock 'N' Roll Call 3 9-4-{3}-7-6-10-12-14-22-30->10
#458 15/09/1956 Nat 'King' Cole Love Me As Though There Were No Tomorrow 11 24-26-25R(2)-26-26-16-15-12-{11}-17-19-16-22-22-30->15
15/09/1956 Mario Lanza Serenade {1956} 25 {25}-29R(4)->2

Posted by: JulianT 8th February 2023, 12:03 AM

The first double A side winner today and it's an absolute stunner. I could listen to these guys all day, especially Tony Williams the lead.

9 The Platters The Great Pretender/Only You (And You Alone) Love this group and this is a beautiful and emotive double A side - both tracks excellent but especially "The Great Pretender"
8 The Chordettes Born To Be With You A classic song done beautifully - the harmonies are like a big warm hug
8 Frank Cordell And His Orchestra Sadie's Shawl This composer's only Top 40 hit and it's a lovely instrumental featuring our favourite instrument the clavioline
7 Edmund Hockridge By The Fountains Of Rome He has a majestic beguiling voice and this really whisks you away to Rome; very atmospheric
7 Frank Chacksfield Donkey Cart Sorry that this is your last hit Frank as you've been great - this is a mesmerising waltz style piece
6 Lonnie Donegan Bring A Little Water Sylvie/Dead Or Alive Both good songs - the first has that "Rock Island Line" urgency and the second is more folky
5 Anne Shelton Lay Down Your Arms 50th #1: the war is over Anne - the march style of this sounds dated even in 1956, but charming in a way and I like her voice
5 Nat 'King' Cole Love Me As Though There Were No Tomorrow Beautiful vocals and dreamy orchestration but an unremarkable song
4 Clyde McPhatter Treasure Of Love Quite a sweet voice and a pleasant enough ballad but it doesn't really go anywhere
3 Frankie Laine A Woman In Love 51st #1: Frankie has some great songs but his 4 chart toppers are all fairly average and this is possibly the dullest of all
3 David Whitfield My Unfinished Symphony There's some lovely instrumentation here and that's what the points are for because the song itself is standard David fare
2 Ruby Murray You Are My First Love I still feel like Ruby's chart topper "Softly softly" summed her up - her songs just never really hit you and this one is particularly limp
2 The Goons The Ying Tong Song/Bloodnok's Rock 'N' Roll Call Well this double A side doesn't give me a headache like the other one and remarkably has avoided bottom place because…
1 David Whitfield My Son John David has surpassed himself; not only is this an excessively vibrato laden, turgid and tuneless ballad but the lyrics are so mawkish





Next group:

#459 15/09/1956 Bill Haley And His Comets Razzle Dazzle 13 29-28-17-{13}-17-15-24-24->8
#460 15/09/1956 The Hilltoppers Tryin' 30 {30}->1
#461 22/09/1956 Elvis Presley Hound Dog 2 13-5-4-3-3-{2}-2-2-3-3-6-5-9-11-16-8-8-10-10-11-10-16-22->23
#462 22/09/1956 David Hughes By The Fountains Of Rome 27 {27}->1
#463 22/09/1956 Perry Como More 10 29-26-18-15-14-13-11-{10}-18-16-25-29R(2)->12
#464 22/09/1956 Ronnie Hilton A Woman In Love 30 {30}->1
#465 29/09/1956 Freddie Bell And The Bellboys Giddy-Up-A-Ding-Dong 4 16-6-7-{4}-4-6-8-15-28-29->10
#466 29/09/1956 Mitchell Torok When Mexico Gave Up The Rhumba 6 23-19-14-11-14-11-13-15-{6}-10-12-14-13-15-12-20-27-30R(2)->18
#467 29/09/1956 Perry Como Glendora 18 25-29-27-20-{18}-29->6
#468 29/09/1956 Jimmy Young More 4 26-22-20-16-11-10-6-{4}-4-7-8-15-14-13-15-18-28->17
#469 29/09/1956 Glen Mason Glendora 28 {28}-30->2
#470 06/10/1956 Michael Holliday Ten Thousand Miles 24 28-{24}-29->3
#471 13/10/1956 Johnnie Ray Just Walking In The Rain 1 19-13-5-3-2-{1}-1-1-1-1-1-1-2-5-7-8-12-17-23->19
#472 13/10/1956 Gene Vincent Race With The Devil 28 {28}->1

Posted by: Popchartfreak 8th February 2023, 07:53 PM

Be Bop A Lula for me in the first batch, and not a lot else, never been a fan of that Elvis ballad, oops!

Born To Be With You is a big fave song of mine via the fab Dave Edmunds cover in 1973, and The Chordettes are always lovely. Oh and The Ying Tong Song, as already mentioned, is another 1973 hit that I enjoyed at the time. It doesn't bear too many repeat plays before it drives you mad, though. Once a decade is enough!

The Platters with 2 massive songs there, as covered by Freddie Mercury and Ringo Starr in later decades. I rather prefer the Ringo version actually, though he almost speaks it more than sings it.

Posted by: Suedehead2 8th February 2023, 09:51 PM

Catching up with this rather belatedly

I love Al Hibbler's version of Unchained Melody. If Bobby Hatfield hadn't recorded a version that blew all the others out of the water, this would be the definitive version. We would probably also have been spared the criminally awful Robson &B Jerome version.

Stranger In Paradise is a decent enough song but listening to half-a-dozen versions six times each shows real devotion to duty

Harry Secombe was a serious singer as well as being one of The Goons. My Dad also bought The Ying Tong Song which I always thought was great fun. Did I miss I'm Walking Backwards For Christmas?

Frankie Lymon's Why Do Fools Fall In Love is definitely one of the best songs by such a young performer. Sadly he didn't even live long enough to be one of the 27 club

Not the biggest Doris Day Fan but Que Sera Sera is great. The film it featured in - Hitchcock's The Man Who Knew Too Much - is well worth a watch.

The Platters' versions of The Great Pretender and Only You are both great. We have a long wait before Freddie Mercury's version of the former which was also very good.

Posted by: Jade 8th February 2023, 09:59 PM

I recently completed a biography about Joe Meek (producer of 'Telstar', 'Johnny Remember Me', 'Have I The Right' etc) and found out that he was involved with the production of 'Lay Down Your Arms' too, apparently shaking a box filled with gravel to achieve the marching atmosphere

Posted by: JulianT 8th February 2023, 11:33 PM

QUOTE(Suedehead2 @ Feb 8 2023, 09:51 PM)

Posted by: JulianT 9th February 2023, 12:14 AM

Johnnie Ray gets his 3rd win today - I respect "Hound Dog" for the significant record it is but what can I say I just love Johnnie .

8 Johnnie Ray Just Walking In The Rain 52nd #1: not quite as wonderful as "Such A Night" for me but Johnnie back to his quirky and emotional best
8 Elvis Presley Hound Dog Another classic from Elvis; certainly didn't deserve to be held off the top by Frankie Laine
8 Michael Holliday Ten Thousand Miles This was a really nice discovery: lovely song with some great instrumentation
7 Mitchell Torok When Mexico Gave Up The Rhumba A catchy number with amusing lyrics about the rock 'n' roll craze
7 Glen Mason Glendora Really good song this and appreciate the added bit of scatting on this version
7 Perry Como Glendora Another good rendition - not sure why they were both quite minor hits
6 The Hilltoppers Tryin' They aren't as awesome as The Platters but I love a good heartbreak ballad done with close harmony
6 Bill Haley And His Comets Razzle Dazzle This is fairly mid for Bill but the usual elemnts are there along with a catchy call and response theme
5 David Hughes By The Fountains Of Rome Still enchanting but I prefer the way Edmund Hockridge delivers this
5 Gene Vincent Race With The Devil I know this is critically acclaimed and love the guitar solo but beyond that can't even make out what he's saying
4 Freddie Bell And The Bellboys Giddy-Up-A-Ding-Dong Quite a fun but very silly early rock 'n' roll style number
3 Ronnie Hilton A Woman In Love Not much keener on this than Frankie Laine's version - still a dull song
2 Jimmy Young More Such a plodding song with a grimly memorable tune but zero subtlety
2 Perry Como More Think Jimmy's perofrmance is this is very slightly more interesting but they're pretty similar




Next:

#473 13/10/1956 George Melachrino Orchestra Autumn Concerto 18 30-19-21-19-{18}-22-22-18-25->9
#474 20/10/1956 The Four Aces A Woman In Love 19 21-{19}-27->3
#475 20/10/1956 Tony Crombie And His Rockets Teach You To Rock/Short'nin' Bread 25 {25}-30->2
#476 20/10/1956 Gene Vincent Blue Jean Bop 16 27-28-21-{16}-21->5
#477 20/10/1956 Liberace I Don't Care 28 {28}->1
#478 27/10/1956 Winifred Atwell Make It A Party 7 22-20-11-13-11-13-13-11-9-{7}-14-28->12
#479 27/10/1956 Vera Lynn A House With Love In It 17 25-28-27-25-26-20-{17}-19-20-18-19-22-26->13
#480 27/10/1956 Tommy Steele And The Steelmen Rock With The Caveman 13 26-{13}-17-18-23R(2)->5
#481 27/10/1956 Malcolm Vaughan St Therese Of The Roses 3 27-12R(3)-10-8-6-{3}-3-3-4-3-8-6-4-7-10-11-15-17-18-26->20
#482 27/10/1956 Jim Lowe And The High Fives The Green Door 8 30-21-14-{8}-14-16-27-20-29->9
#483 03/11/1956 The Platters My Prayer 4 8-{4}-4-6-4-7-6-8-10-16-30R(2)-28-22R(9)->13
#484 03/11/1956 Alma Cogan In The Middle Of The House 20 26-{20}R(3)-20-22->4
#485 03/11/1956 Patience And Prudence Tonight You Belong To Me 28 30-{28}-29->3
#486 10/11/1956 Frankie Vaughan The Green Door 2 20-9-4-3-{2}-2-2-3-3-4-6-9-7-13-20->15

Posted by: Suedehead2 9th February 2023, 06:37 AM

QUOTE(JulianT @ Feb 8 2023, 11:33 PM)

In the group from three days ago. I gave it a 1 sorry!

Posted by: Popchartfreak 9th February 2023, 07:31 PM

Hound Dog for sure, runner-up Johnnie Ray for me there....

Posted by: JulianT 10th February 2023, 12:23 AM

I had the misfortune of Shaky's version being my introduction to "Green Door", which isn't great but when done well it's a really effective and catchy song. Frankie Vaughan's is my favourite and I'm giving that the win for today. He really puts everything into this performance and I love the way he squeaks at the end of the lines.

8 Frankie Vaughan The Green Door My favourite version of this - really suits Frankie V's cheeky style
7 Gene Vincent Blue Jean Bop A bop indeed - really like this, especially the way it creeps in and then whacks you in the face
7 Tony Crombie And His Rockets Teach You To Rock/Short'nin' Bread First ever UK act rock 'n' roll hit by a UK act apparently; Tony's only hit and a double A with a folk classic
7 Tommy Steele And The Steelmen Rock With The Caveman Debut hit for one of the first British rock 'n' roll stars and it's quite silly lyrically but fun and he brings it off well
6 The Platters My Prayer It's quite a slow ballad and doesn't reach the heights of their stunning double A side, but still very good and beautifully sung
6 Jim Lowe And The High Fives The Green Door Also a good version but not quite as fun or dynamic as Frankie's
6 Patience And Prudence Tonight You Belong To Me There's always something a bit uncomfortable about child stars but I have to admit this is a very sweet song prettily sung
5 Alma Cogan In The Middle Of The House A few versions of this coming - it's a very fun and silly song that suits Alma's style well
5 Malcolm Vaughan St Therese Of The Roses He has quite a big slightly operatic voice and this is nice but feels more like an earlier 50s ballad
5 Winifred Atwell Make It A Party All the Winifred ingredients are there but it didn't click with me like some of the others - maybe the format is going a bit stale
4 George Melachrino Orchestra Autumn Concerto It's a classical piece really, like a mini piano concerto - very nice but as a piece of pop it rather passes you by
3 Liberace I Don't Care Nice piano interlude but all in all very twee and lacking excitement
3 The Four Aces A Woman In Love Think the different voices add a bit of interest to this compared to the solo versions, but still fundamentally a dull song
3 Vera Lynn A House With Love In It Not as bad as some of her early ones but a bit of a dirge unfortunately - her best song is coming next year though



#487 10/11/1956 Bill Haley And His Comets Rip It Up 4 21-6-8-5-{4}-4-6-9-9-10-11-15-18-14-18-30-24-30->18
#488 10/11/1956 Jimmy Parkinson In The Middle Of The House 20 26-27-22R(2)-{20}->4
#489 10/11/1956 Ronnie Hilton Two Different Worlds 13 29-24-18-{13}-14-13-18-21-18-21-19-21-25->13
#490 10/11/1956 Bill Haley And His Comets Rock 'N' Roll Stage Show (LP) 30 {30}->1
#491 17/11/1956 Elvis Presley Blue Moon 9 15-{9}-9-9-11-17-22-22-17-17-26->11
#492 17/11/1956 Glen Mason The Green Door 24 26-27-{24}-26-27->5
#493 24/11/1956 Eddie Fisher Cindy, Oh Cindy 5 15-12-11-7-{5}-6-5-7-9-7-8-9-11-21-26-23->16
#494 24/11/1956 Bing Crosby And Grace Kelly True Love 4 24-11-10-10-7-5-7-6-5-5-5-{4}-8-6-7-6-10-7-7-8-10-11-17-15-21-24-30->27
#495 24/11/1956 Elvis Presley I Don't Care If The Sun Don't Shine 23 29-{23}R(4)-26-30->4
#496 24/11/1956 Bill Haley And His Comets Rudy's Rock 26 30-28R(3)-{26}-30-27->5
#497 01/12/1956 Fats Domino Blueberry Hill 6 26-30R(3)-25-21-12-12-10-10-{6}-9-9-10-14-17-23->15
#498 01/12/1956 Johnston Brothers In The Middle Of The House 27 {27}->1
#499 01/12/1956 Tony Brent Cindy, Oh Cindy 16 28-28-18-{16}-20-23-30R(5)->7
#500 01/12/1956 Sonny James The Cat Came Back 30 {30}->1

Posted by: JulianT 10th February 2023, 11:24 PM

I've reviewed exactly 500 records!

It has to be Fats Domino today - one of those tracks that effortlessly oozes joy. Another nice Elvis discovery via one of his minor hits (redeeming himself for what seems to me a rather limp version of "Blue Moon"), and nice to have an excuse to listen to a whole Bill Haley album.

9 Fats Domino Blueberry Hill His biggest hit and very much a jazz classic a- has such a laid back joyous feel to it and I absolutely love it
8 Elvis Presley I Don't Care If The Sun Don't Shine A very minor hit for Elvis but I think it's fab; especially love the "kiss and kiss and kiss and kiss" part - really fun
7 Bill Haley And His Comets Rock 'N' Roll Stage Show (LP) Another full length album in the chart; a fun half hour - think "Hey Then, There Now" is my favourite I didn't know already
7 Glen Mason The Green Door Another good version with some nice trumpeting and other instrumental effects but still enjoyed Frankie V's the most
7 Bill Haley And His Comets Rip It Up The original of this is coming tomorrow but I think this is really good too and like the way it's been woven into the Bill Haley style
6 Johnston Brothers In The Middle Of The House Think this is my favourite version of this - the Johnston Brothers are well suited to the slightly dark humour
5 Bill Haley And His Comets Rudy's Rock A fun instrumental with great sax playing, but it's not catchy like most of the other hits
5 Jimmy Parkinson In The Middle Of The House Still a fun song in any form but not one you need to go back to after you've heard the train going through a few times
5 Ronnie Hilton Two Different Worlds I never find Ronnie very exciting and he must have been going out of fashion by this point but it's a sweet song
4 Eddie Fisher Cindy, Oh Cindy So he's left her to travel the world and now misses her and says she has to write a letter to him - charming; average song anyhow
4 Tony Brent Cindy, Oh Cindy Both nice singers but slightly prefer Eddie's version with the horn at the beginning instead of water noises
4 Bing Crosby And Grace Kelly True Love A Cole Porter song from "High Society" that had a mammoth chart run, and it's quite nice but I find it slightly drippy
3 Elvis Presley Blue Moon I really don't get this version - sounds like he's just got out of bed and he doeesn't even get past the first verse
3 Sonny James The Cat Came Back An American country singer who only had a couple of hits here - this one's quite silly and irritating but his next one's much better



Last group of 1956:

#501 08/12/1956 Guy Mitchell Singing The Blues 1 14-5-4-2-{1}-2-1-2-1-2-3-3-4-4-6-8-9-9-13-20-20-20->22
#502 08/12/1956 Elvis Presley Love Me Tender 11 19-17-14-{11}-11-13-15-13-17->9
#503 08/12/1956 Dickie Valentine Christmas Island 8 22-15-12-{8}-23->5
#504 08/12/1956 Pat Boone Friendly Persuasion 3 24-25-20-19-16-9-4-{3}-3-3-6-7-8-8-11-10-12-13-20-28-29->21
#505 08/12/1956 The Deep River Boys That's Right 29 {29}->1
#506 08/12/1956 Johnston Brothers Join In And Sing Again (No 3) 24 30-{24}R(3)->2
#507 15/12/1956 Tommy Steele And The Steelmen Singing The Blues 1 23-19-17-6-{1}-2-4-6-8-14-13-21-21-24R(6)-29R(4)->15
#508 15/12/1956 Vince Martin And The Tarriers Cindy, Oh Cindy 26 {26}->1
#509 15/12/1956 Little Richard Rip It Up 30 {30}->1
#510 22/12/1956 Dave King Christmas And You 23 24-{23}->2
#511 22/12/1956 Barbara Lyon Letter To A Soldier 27 {27}-27-28-27->4
#512 22/12/1956 Lonnie Donegan Lonnie Donegan Showcase (LP) 26 28-29-{26}->3
#513 29/12/1956 Frankie Laine Moonlight Gambler 13 14-{13}-15-16-13-13-18-28-20-17-28-28-28R(2)->13
#514 29/12/1956 Sammy Davis Jr All Of You 28 {28}->1

Posted by: Dot's a liar 10th February 2023, 11:59 PM

Blueberry Hill

Posted by: JulianT 12th February 2023, 10:41 PM

Not a great group to finish what has been a very transformative year. For the third time in the 1950s we have the same song hitting the top twice by different artists. "Singing The Blues" is a really good catchy pop song and all in all I prefer Guy Mitchell's version as he just sings it like a pop song whereas I feel like Tommy Steele is trying to give it the Elvis touch.
Just ahead of both of those and snatching the daily win is Little Richard with his first hit "Rip It Up", also done by Bill Haley and Elvis. There's a lot coming up from him over the next few years and I'm sure it won't be the only time he tops the list.

7 Little Richard Rip It Up His first hit and there's better to come but what a charismatic performer and unique raspy voice
7 Guy Mitchell Singing The Blues 53rd #1: it's a great pop tune and Guy does it really nicely
7 Lonnie Donegan Lonnie Donegan Showcase (LP) A really interesting and varied EP that's quite folky in style; my favourite track is the opener "Wabash Cannonball"
6 Tommy Steele And The Steelmen Singing The Blues 54th #1: really good too but feel like it's trying to do an Elvis style with touches such as indistinct words, which it doesn't need
5 Barbara Lyon Letter To A Soldier Her second and final hit after the beautiful "Stowaway": she still sounds great here but it's an already rather dated wartibe ballad
5 Elvis Presley Love Me Tender Considered a classic and it's a very commanding and yet sensitive performance, but the song itself doesn't do that much for me
5 Vince Martin And The Tarriers Cindy, Oh Cindy Nice voice and my favourite version of this, but I still don't love the song
4 The Deep River Boys That's Right A very jolly jazzy group number and it's a fun listen, but quite lightweight lyrically and musically
4 Sammy Davis Jr All Of You Always lovely to hear Sammy and there are nice orchestral elements but the song is lacking a distinct tune
4 Pat Boone Friendly Persuasion A remarkably big hit, it's not too bad but a bit drippy and lacks dynamism
3 Frankie Laine Moonlight Gambler He gambles for love, whatever that means, and there's an odd "clip clop" throughout the record, but not much of a tune
3 Dickie Valentine Christmas Island He obviously wanted to try again after getting a chart topper with "Christmas Island" last year, but this doesn't have much to it
2 Johnston Brothers Join In And Sing Again (No 3) Seems to me just a shorter version of their medley from this time last yaer - I gave that a 3 and this seems even less necessary
2 Dave King Christmas And You It's worth remembering that the decade which gave us "Jingle Bell Rock" and "Rocking Around…" also gave us dirges like this

Posted by: Popchartfreak 13th February 2023, 08:58 AM

Dropping behind oops!

The Platters & Gene Vincent would be my picks of the 1st Friday batch, not really familiar with the rest except Frankie V's & Tommy Steele.

Well done on 500! Quite an achievement! @nd Friday batch I agree with your top picks - except I also rate True Love, it's quite sweet, and Elvis' Blue Moon which is quite haunting and stark. Both songs hits in later decades.

Sunday's post, Rip It Up is still a 50's key track, Singing The Blues a goodie (I was watching a 1981 episode of Pop Quiz on Youtube last night and 3 versions of Singing The Blues were played - guess the artist - and Guy's is still the best version). Love Me Tender is my other pick, though Elvis did have better records around that time.

Posted by: Suedehead2 13th February 2023, 12:54 PM

Dave Edmunds also did a version of Singing The Blues but you won't get to that for a while

Posted by: JulianT 13th February 2023, 10:56 PM

And so it's been a long old year but it's only going to get worse. Such an important year for music though - imagine if crooner ballads had stayed in fashion indefinitely!

Gold medal: Sixteen Tons - Tennessee Ernie Ford

Silver medal: The Great Pretender / Only You (And You Alone) - The Platters

Bronze medal: Heartbreak Hotel - Elvis Presley

Other songs that got 9s (a couple of obscure ones thrown in):
Blueberry Hill - Fats Domino
It's Almost Tomorrow - The Dream Weavers
Whatever Will Be Will Be (Que Sera Sera) - Doris Day
Rockin' Through The Rye - Bill Haley And His Comets
Portuguese Washerwoman - Joe 'Fingers' Carr
The Shifting Whispering Sands (Parts 1 And 2) - Billy Vaughn Orchestra And Chorus

Worst record of the year:
My Son John - David Whitfield

First group of 1957 kicking off tomorrow:

#515 05/01/1957 The Four Aces Friendly Persuasion 29 {29}->1
#516 12/01/1957 Frankie Vaughan The Garden Of Eden 1 11-3-{1}-1-1-1-2-2-5-8-11-10-21->13
#517 12/01/1957 Gary Miller The Garden Of Eden 14 15-{14}-21-24-24-25-27R(2)->7
#518 12/01/1957 Dick James The Garden Of Eden 18 23-23-{18}-20->4
#519 12/01/1957 Mitchell Torok Red Light, Green Light 29 {29}->1
#520 19/01/1957 Lonnie Donegan Don't You Rock Me Daddy-O 4 13-12-9-5-{4}-5-6-7-5-5-6-7-7-10-10-17-25->17
#521 19/01/1957 Alma Cogan You, Me And Us 18 {18}-19-18-26-30-23->6
#522 19/01/1957 Johnnie Ray You Don't Owe Me A Thing/Look Homeward Angel 7 21-17-16-21-15-19-22-20-21-15-15-14-12-17-24-{7}-12-13-18->19
#523 19/01/1957 Joe Valino Garden Of Eden 23 {23}-29->2
#524 26/01/1957 David Whitfield The Adoration Waltz 9 16-15-21-24-14-{9}-13-13-14-16-25->11
#525 26/01/1957 The Platters You'll Never, Never Know/It Isn't Right 23 {23}-29R(2)-29R(9)->3
#526 26/01/1957 The Vipers Skiffle Group Don't You Rock Me Daddy-O 10 24-14-{10}-13-18-19-16-26-29->9
#527 26/01/1957 Fats Domino Ain't That A Shame 23 30-{23}->2
#528 02/02/1957 Bill Haley And His Comets Rock The Joint 20 {20}-21-22-25->4
#529 02/02/1957 The Beverley Sisters I Dreamed 24 26-{24}->2

Posted by: JulianT 15th February 2023, 12:04 AM

I was reminded earlier that "The Garden Of Eden" was the Valentine's Number 1 66 years ago. 4 rather similar versions of that were tackled today, but the winner is in fact a 1955 song that only charted now for some reason - the original "Ain't That A Shame". Sorry John - I know you aren't keen!

8 Fats Domino Ain't That A Shame More rock 'n' roll and less jazz than "Blueberry Hill" - could easily be an Elvis song, but very much another classic from Fats
8 The Beverley Sisters I Dreamed The first hit of theirs I've really enjoyed - energetic, fun and indeed sounds dreamy
7 Lonnie Donegan Don't You Rock Me Daddy-O Another great frantic and catchy number from Lonnie that comes at you like a steam train
7 Gary Miller The Garden Of Eden My favourite version - really like his voice and think he gets the maximum drama out of the song
7 Johnnie Ray You Don't Owe Me A Thing/Look Homeward Angel The second side appears on its own next time; the first is another of these whistley ballads but really nice and sung with gusto
6 Frankie Vaughan The Garden Of Eden 55th #1: a good, albeit quite middle of the road, song and Frankie makes a good fist of it to land his only chart topper
6 Dick James The Garden Of Eden Another very serviceable rendition, though I don't think it does much to make it stand out from the others
6 The Platters You'll Never, Never Know/It Isn't Right A couple of nice ballads, especially the first side, and sung beautifully but nowhere near the heights of their last double A
5 The Vipers Skiffle Group Don't You Rock Me Daddy-O Still a good song but doesn't have the impact of Lonnie's version - somehow the vocals lack the urgency
5 Bill Haley And His Comets Rock The Joint Decent but not a Bill Haley classic, melodically or lyrically
5 The Four Aces Friendly Persuasion Prefer this to the Pat Boone version - does sound very of it's time but has a warm, comforting feel about it
4 Joe Valino Garden Of Eden My least favourite of the 4 versions - think mainly it's too slow and lacks energy
4 Mitchell Torok Red Light, Green Light No relation to the Digga D 2021 song - an odd song though with a shouty hook, though reasonably catchy
3 Alma Cogan You, Me And Us Another one that makes me feel like I'm at a fairground with its overly jolly triple time and banal lyrics
2 David Whitfield The Adoration Waltz "In the adoration WOWLSS" - as usual a dreary ballad done terribly sternly and oversung beyond recognition



Next group:

#530 02/02/1957 Pat Boone Don't Forbid Me 2 27-15-4-4-3-{2}-2-2-2-2-5-4-4-9-19-22->16
#531 02/02/1957 Fats Domino Honey Chile 29 {29}->1
#532 09/02/1957 Tab Hunter Young Love 1 12-2-{1}-1-1-1-1-1-1-2-2-3-3-10-12-19-19-24->18
#533 09/02/1957 Bill Haley And His Comets Don't Knock The Rock 7 15-{7}-8-12-15-12-16-21->8
#534 09/02/1957 Jerry Lewis Rock-A-Bye Your Baby (With A Dixie Melody) 12 19-{12}-16-14-22-16-22-22R(2)->8
#535 09/02/1957 Sonny James Young Love 11 20-19-12-{11}-11-14-17->7
#536 09/02/1957 Johnston Brothers Give Her My Love 27 {27}->1
#537 09/02/1957 Little Richard Long Tall Sally 3 28-17-17-13-9-4-4-{3}-4-4-5-5-8-14-14-24->16
#538 16/02/1957 Guy Mitchell Knee Deep In The Blues 3 21-10-5-{3}-3-3-3-5-6-6-12-19->12
#539 16/02/1957 Tommy Steele And The Steelmen Knee Deep In The Blues 15 26-{15}-18-18-23-27-23-19-26->9
#540 16/02/1957 Shirley Bassey The Banana Boat Song (Day-O) 8 27-24-23-12-9-9-{8}-12-19-25->10
#541 16/02/1957 Elvis Presley Mystery Train 25 29-26-29-{25}-25->5
#542 23/02/1957 Johnnie Ray Look Homeward, Angel 7 27-25-24-27-18-17-11-8-{7}-7->10
#543 23/02/1957 Winifred Atwell Let's Rock 'N' Roll 24 28-28-{24}R(2)-28->4
#544 23/02/1957 Little Richard Tutti Frutti 29 {29}->1

Posted by: JulianT 15th February 2023, 10:55 PM

A strong bunch today but it's a Little Richard 1-2. "Tutti Frutti" seems to have become his signature song, certainly if Spotify numbers are anything to go by, but for me it's "Long Tall Sally" that really whacks you round the face. Listening carefully to his vocals, even though he has his raucous style the quality is brilliant.
And I can't believe it's already the last hit for Bill Haley, until "Rock Around The Clock" re-emerges anyway.

9 Little Richard Long Tall Sally His second biggest hit - a fantastic energetic song brilliantly performed with a very effective mix of throaty vocals and falsetto
8 Little Richard Tutti Frutti Amazing that this barely charted; his most streamed I believe and another classic song and performance
8 Elvis Presley Mystery Train An early 50s song given a rockabilly makeover - like "Heartbreak Hotel" he really gets the misery across with his vocals
7 Sonny James Young Love This version was bigger in America and think it's my favourite of the ones I've heard; lovely vocals
7 Guy Mitchell Knee Deep In The Blues Not dissimilar to "Singing The Blues" - another catchy pop song with whistling and it works really well
7 Jerry Lewis Rock-A-Bye Your Baby (With A Dixie Melody) A very old song apparently, first recorded in 1918, but a lovely discovery and I really like the way he sings it
6 Tommy Steele And The Steelmen Knee Deep In The Blues Again Tommy and Guy releasing the same song simultaneously; think Guy has the edge again but enjoy Tom's quirkier version too
6 Tab Hunter Young Love 56th #1: think Tab was more of an actor than a singer but it's still a really good song done nicely
6 Pat Boone Don't Forbid Me Long running #2 hit behind "Young Love" - it's a good song that again could easily be an Elvis hit
5 Johnston Brothers Give Her My Love Still love the slightly spooky effect you get from their unison vocals; quite a simple folky number with mouth organ but charming
5 Fats Domino Honey Chile Not "chilly" but "child" without the "d"; vocals still gorgeous but song a bit pedestrian compared to his last couple
5 Bill Haley And His Comets Don't Knock The Rock This one is a fairly average example of what they do but definitely not knocking the rock as it has been a great pleasure
4 Winifred Atwell Let's Rock 'N' Roll This one doesn't quite hang together like many of Winifred's for me - it's 6 minutes and doesn’t really grab your attention enough
4 Johnnie Ray Look Homeward, Angel Not bad but I don't love the melody on this; the production's quite grand but somewhat style over substance for me
3 Shirley Bassey The Banana Boat Song (Day-O) It's a classic of sorts but a bit annoying for me - plus this isn't the best version and all sounds a bit token Jamaican



Next bunch:

#545 02/03/1957 Harry Belafonte With Tony Scott's Orchestra And Chorus And Millard Thomas The Banana Boat Song (Day-O) 2 16-10-7-6-5-3-{2}-3-2-2-3-8-11-20-28-25-28-26->18
#546 02/03/1957 The Tarriers The Banana Boat Song (Day-O) 15 20-19-{15}-18-30->5
#547 02/03/1957 Patience And Prudence Gonna Get Along Without Ya Now 22 30-29-{22}-24-24R(3)->5
#548 09/03/1957 Little Richard She's Got It 15 26-30-20-19-{15}-15-22-28R(5)-29->9
#549 09/03/1957 Elvis Presley Rip It Up 27 {27}->1
#550 16/03/1957 Little Richard The Girl Can't Help It 9 19-12-11-10-{9}-12-17-12-15-15-27->11
#551 16/03/1957 Norman Wisdom The Wisdom Of A Fool 13 20-{13}-13-17-23->5
#552 16/03/1957 Vera Lynn Don't Cry My Love (The Faithful Hussar) 29 {29}-30->2
#553 23/03/1957 Dean Martin The Man Who Plays The Mandolino 21 {21}-29->2
#554 23/03/1957 The Vipers Skiffle Group Cumberland Gap 10 25-13-15-{10}-16-25->6
#555 30/03/1957 Ronnie Carroll The Wisdom Of A Fool 20 {20}-23->2
#556 30/03/1957 Fats Domino Blue Monday 23 {23}-30R(3)->2
#557 30/03/1957 Rosemary Clooney Mangos 17 25-29-27R(3)-21-26-27-{17}-24-27->9
#558 30/03/1957 Alma Cogan Whatever Lola Wants 26 {26}-26->2
#559 30/03/1957 Frankie Lymon And The Teenagers I'm Not A Juvenile Delinquent 12 27-23-16-{12}-15-16-23->7

Posted by: Popchartfreak 16th February 2023, 09:11 AM

Fats Domino is the only I know in that previous batch, and I'm not a fan of it, always found it a bit plodding, so on to batch 2!

Little Richard is always good. Elvis' Mystery Train is an early rockabilly gem. I know Young Love very well, from the awful Donny Osmond version, but dont know the Sonny James version. Tab Hunter's I know well, and he was a bit of a pin-up actor at the time. Still is in some quarters, what with being gay and not shy about posing for photos. Only Harry Belafonte can get away with Banana Boat Song, and Jerry Lewis was beloved of young children - and annoying once you hit your teens.

Posted by: JulianT 16th February 2023, 11:19 PM

Little Richard's only appeared in 3 batches with 5 songs and he's had a win and two 1-2s. It's the first time in this where I've felt that an artist has just outclassed everything else that what around at the time - we'll see if he keeps it up. For me he's more exciting even than Elvis at the moment.

8 Little Richard The Girl Can't Help It A film tune: I love the way the saxophones form a kind of siren at the start - then the vocals hit and it's non-stop energy
7 Little Richard She's Got It Also from "The Girl Can't Help It" film: great again but maybe a bit more similar to some of his others than the title track
7 Alma Cogan Whatever Lola Wants From a musical - many different recordings of this but think it's a great dramatic song and Alma really gives it some welly here
7 The Vipers Skiffle Group Cumberland Gap A great song in any form, but once again doesn't quite pack the punch of the Lonnie version
6 Dean Martin The Man Who Plays The Mandolino I think this type of laid back, light hearted and cheeky song with a continental feel really suits Dean
6 Elvis Presley Rip It Up We've had 2 great versions of this from Bill Haley and Little Richard and this one is reallly good too but not sure it adds much
6 Rosemary Clooney Mangos Rosemary's last ever Top 40 hit sadly; like the off-beat rhythms and the tropical feel - a nice song
5 Fats Domino Blue Monday Classy and soulful as ever but the song is lacking a little bit of impact
5 Patience And Prudence Gonna Get Along Without Ya Now Again I feel slightly uncomfortable about children singing about adult romance but it's a good song and they do a really nice job
5 Harry Belafonte With Tony Scott's Orchestra And Chorus And Millard Thomas The Banana Boat Song (Day-O) I think this is the best possible version of this song; he really brings off the style and love the echoing vocals at the start and finish
4 Frankie Lymon And The Teenagers I'm Not A Juvenile Delinquent "Don't be naughty" seems to be the message: it's very nicely sung in their usual style but really not keen on the lyrics
3 The Tarriers The Banana Boat Song (Day-O) Again without Harry's magic it's just quite an irritating folksong
3 Vera Lynn Don't Cry My Love (The Faithful Hussar) "The Faithful Hussar" is great as a trumpet piece done by Satch; adding lyrics really destroys all the magic of it
2 Norman Wisdom The Wisdom Of A Fool Wow what a drippy ballad - terrible melody, vocal and lyrics; I think the only thing I like is that he's punning on his name
1 Ronnie Carroll The Wisdom Of A Fool Another version of this, also awful and the vocals seem even grimmer



Next up:

#560 06/04/1957 Lonnie Donegan Cumberland Gap 1 6-{1}-1-1-1-1-4-5-8-13-19-29->12
#561 06/04/1957 Max Bygraves Heart 14 18-{14}-14-14-17-16-18-22->8
#562 06/04/1957 The Hilltoppers Marianne 20 {20}-27-30R(2)-24-27-23->6
#563 06/04/1957 David Whitfield I'll Find You 27 28-28-30R(8)-{27}->4
#564 06/04/1957 Julie London Cry Me A River 22 30-{22}-27->3
#565 13/04/1957 Tab Hunter Ninety-Nine Ways 5 17-9-8-{5}-6-7-6-9-16-20-30-29R(2)->12
#566 13/04/1957 Frankie Lymon And The Teenagers Baby Baby 4 18-8-6-{4}-5-5-8-12-22-17-23-21->12
#567 13/04/1957 Charles McDevitt Skiffle Group Featuring Nancy Whiskey Freight Train 5 21-18-12-13-7-9-10-{5}-6-9-8-13-11-15-16-22-25-27R(7)->18
#568 13/04/1957 Slim Whitman I'll Take You Home Again Kathleen 7 25-15-11-13-11-11-{7}-7-10-14-17-19-21->13
#569 13/04/1957 Malcolm Vaughan The World Is Mine 26 30-29R(3)-30-{26}R(3)->4
#570 20/04/1957 Fats Domino I'm Walkin' 19 {19}-25-26-22-25-24-22->7
#571 20/04/1957 Nat 'King' Cole When I Fall In Love 2 20-9-11-9-3-4-4-3-{2}-3-3-6-7-10-11-13-17-16-19-30->20
#572 20/04/1957 Charlie Gracie Butterfly 12 23-21-27-24-17-{12}-17-26->8
#573 20/04/1957 Johnston Brothers Heart 23 26-{23}-28->3
#574 20/04/1957 Andy Williams Butterfly 1 29-16-10-2-2-{1}-1-2-3-4-10-15-17-30-24-29R(5)->16

Posted by: JulianT 17th February 2023, 11:42 PM

A fair bit of rubbish today but also a fantastic top section. "Cumberland Gap" is about a mountain pass fought over in the American Civil War, but somehow Lonnie turns it into something incredible. "Cry Me A River" was originally written for Ella Fitzgerald but this version is absolutely stunning. And "When I Fall In Love" wasn't far off a 9 in 3rd place.

9 Lonnie Donegan Cumberland Gap 57th #1: ancient folksong turned into a brilliant skiffle arrangement - Lonnie really throws everything at this
9 Julie London Cry Me A River An absolute delight - for me the best version of this jazz standard, sung in a beautiful, smooth and sultry and way
8 Nat 'King' Cole When I Fall In Love One of his very best: a stripped down ballad with gorgeous orchestration where he really brings the meaning out of every word
8 Charles McDevitt Skiffle Group Featuring Nancy Whiskey Freight Train Despite the morbid subject I think this is brilliant; the skiffle arrangement really captures the train motion and it's mesmerising
7 Fats Domino I'm Walkin' A jazz pop number with lovely vocals and saxophone playing that has a real sense of urgency about it
7 Andy Williams Butterfly 59th #1: it's another of these chart toppers that's nothing really outstanding but just a really solid pop tune
6 Charlie Gracie Butterfly Not a lot between the two versions of this but just find Andy's vocal style comes over a bit clearer on it
6 Tab Hunter Ninety-Nine Ways Still not entirely convinced he's a singer but another really good song; if anything slightly more soulful than "Young Love"
5 Frankie Lymon And The Teenagers Baby Baby This one romps along nicely - but it's a grown up theme and unlike with WDFFIL I'm not convinced they really pull it off
4 Johnston Brothers Heart Not that keen on the song but The Johnston Brothers make it something just about worth a listen
3 The Hilltoppers Marianne Quite similar to "The Banana Boat Song" when not done by Harry; a slightly irritating pseudo-Carribean folky style
3 Malcolm Vaughan The World Is Mine Oh so dramatic with his operatic style, but unlike some of his others this doesn't have the tune to back up the big performance
2 Slim Whitman I'll Take You Home Again Kathleen He's becoming a parody of himself now - the vocals just slide around and there's no real discernable melody
2 David Whitfield I'll Find You The usual - a grimly slow and very precisely enunciated dirge of a ballad with occasional bursts of aspirational vibrato
2 Max Bygraves Heart "Things can only get better 'cos they can't get worse" - my thoughts too Max





Next group:

#575 27/04/1957 Guy Mitchell Rock-A-Billy 1 19-6-3-{1}-2-2-3-4-11-11-14-23-23-25->14
#576 27/04/1957 Frankie Laine And The Easy Riders Love Is A Golden Ring 19 22-22-20-{19}-23->5
#577 27/04/1957 Pat Boone Why Baby Why 17 28-23-{17}-21-21-25-29->7
#578 04/05/1957 Tommy Steele And The Steelmen Butterfingers 8 25-19R(2)-13-16-18-21-18-17-12-10-{8}-10-9-12-12-14-20-26->18
#579 04/05/1957 Jimmy Young Round And Round 30 {30}->1
#580 11/05/1957 Johnnie Ray Yes Tonight, Josephine 1 8-6-3-3-{1}-1-1-2-3-6-9-12-11-11-20-27->16
#581 11/05/1957 Elvis Presley Too Much 6 13-10-9-{6}-12-12-14-18-26R(2)->9
#582 11/05/1957 Malcolm Vaughan Chapel Of The Roses 13 18-16-14-{13}-15-13-20-22->8
#583 11/05/1957 Teresa Brewer Nora Malone 26 28-{26}->2
#584 11/05/1957 Buddy Knox With The Rhythm Orchids Party Doll 29 {29}-30-30->3
#585 18/05/1957 The Platters I'm Sorry 18 28-26-{18}-21-18-21-23R(2)-22R(2)->8
#586 25/05/1957 Peggy Lee Mr Wonderful 5 15-10-{5}-10-10-12-7-11-12-13-17-18-19->13
#587 25/05/1957 Ronnie Hilton Around The World 4 16-14-7-5-7-5-{4}-4-5-6-7-9-14-13-19-21-26-29->18
#588 25/05/1957 Bing Crosby Around The World 5 20-14-9-6-{5}-8-10-9-11-9-15-16-10-17-28->15
#589 25/05/1957 Russ Hamilton We Will Make Love 2 29-21-19-15-13-8-8-5-3-3-{2}-4-7-10-10-12-19-16-24-26->20

Posted by: Suedehead2 18th February 2023, 09:45 PM

I know The Girl Can't Help It from Darts' brilliant mash-up of the song with Daddy Cool.

Cumberland Gap is a Lonnie Donegan classic.

Posted by: JulianT 18th February 2023, 10:28 PM

QUOTE(jimwatts @ Jan 4 2023, 08:19 AM)

Posted by: JulianT 18th February 2023, 11:34 PM

"Yes Tonight, Josephine" is really about a man with a one track mind - he is absolutely going to get her to bed and there really isn't much more to the song than that. Somehow it manages to be great in spite of that, helped by a stonking performance from Johnnie as ever, and it nudges him back ahead of Little Richard for now with 4 daily wins.

8 Johnnie Ray Yes Tonight, Josephine 60th #1: this is a very silly song really but it's mightily catchy and Johnnie plays the role brilliantly
7 Teresa Brewer Nora Malone Only a minor hit but has some medieval touches which I love and Teresa brings a lot of character to it
7 Guy Mitchell Rock-A-Billy 58th #1: another in the not setting the world alight but good, catchy pop record category
6 Buddy Knox With The Rhythm Orchids Party Doll A really catchy rock pop number which was much bigger in the US - only Top 40 hit for Buddy Knox
6 Jimmy Young Round And Round It's like one of those rounds you did in school aged 8 - quite a bizarre idea for a hit song but I actually really enjoy listening to it
6 Russ Hamilton We Will Make Love A big #2 hit and a lovely voice and melody - just find the lyrics rather twee
5 Malcolm Vaughan Chapel Of The Roses This is much better from Malcolm - still a bit oversung but a good tune and lyrics and it goes well with his dramatic style
5 Frankie Laine And The Easy Riders Love Is A Golden Ring Frankie definitely knows how to use backing singers and they create a really sweet effect on this, and he sings it with conviction
5 The Platters I'm Sorry It's so beautifully sung that I found myself being beguiled by it, but objectively a fairly average song
4 Elvis Presley Too Much Really like the guitar solo but otherwise can take or leave this one - I don't think the song does anything that other songs don't
4 Pat Boone Why Baby Why Not a bad one from Pat and has good energy: hard to pinpoint why he doesn't quite bring it off but it doesn't sound entirely right
4 Peggy Lee Mr Wonderful From a musical of the same name - a great composition in context no doubt but it dosen't do so much for me as a standalone song
3 Bing Crosby Around The World It's a good song and there's a great version of it coming tomorrow but these two versions are too plodding
3 Ronnie Hilton Around The World Like Bing's there's some nice instrumentation but all in all it doesn't have eniough oomph to do the song justice
3 Tommy Steele And The Steelmen Butterfingers I find this one really dreary - even the backing singers doing "bo-bom" in the background sound bored; like a ballad Elvis rejected



Tomorrow's group is great - a real embarrassment of riches I think

#590 01/06/1957 Gracie Fields Around The World 8 11-{8}-10-9-15-17-24-21-24R(2)->9
#591 01/06/1957 The Diamonds Little Darlin' 3 22-14-8-6-4-5-{3}-4-5-5-3-6-11-15-12-15-21->17
#592 01/06/1957 The King Brothers A White Sport Coat (And A Pink Carnation) 6 27-17-16-12-{6}-9-8-6-8-14-14-17-22-27->14
#593 01/06/1957 Mantovani And His Orchestra Around The World 20 27-{20}-23-27->4
#594 01/06/1957 The Vipers Skiffle Group Streamline Train 23 30-{23}-29->3
#595 08/06/1957 Lonnie Donegan Gamblin' Man/Putting On The Style 1 11-7-2-{1}-1-2-2-2-4-2-4-8-11-16-13-11-14-16-27->19
#596 08/06/1957 Terry Dene A White Sport Coat (And A Pink Carnation) 18 25-22-{18}-20-22-21-30R(2)->7
#597 15/06/1957 Elvis Presley All Shook Up 1 24-7R(2)-2-{1}-1-1-1-1-1-1-3-5-6-7-8-8-10-15-16-16-25->21
#598 15/06/1957 Charlie Gracie Fabulous 8 26-16-14-13-14-15-17-20-21-20-12-{8}-14-14-14-25->16
#599 15/06/1957 Charles McDevitt Skiffle Group Featuring Nancy Whiskey Greenback Dollar 28 {28}-30R(3)->
#600 15/06/1957 Harry Belafonte Island In The Sun 3 29-15-16-15-20-16-16-8-7-5-{3}-4-4-4-4-5-4-5-6-7-10-19-20-24-24->25
#601 22/06/1957 Jeri Southern Fire Down Below 22 {22}-22-25->3
#602 22/06/1957 Andy Williams I Like Your Kind Of Love 16 24-27-24-{16}-18-21-26-25-26-29->10
#603 22/06/1957 Chuck Berry School Day (Ring! Ring! Goes The Bell) 24 {24}-24-25R(2)-24->4
#604 22/06/1957 Vera Lynn Travellin' Home 20 26-25-{20}-22-28->5

Posted by: jimwatts 18th February 2023, 11:58 PM

QUOTE(JulianT @ Feb 18 2023, 10:28 PM)

Posted by: JulianT 20th February 2023, 12:39 AM

It's a very strong field today and considering that I know I have some explaining to do for my choice of winner. I first came across "Travellin' Home" on a best of Vera Lynn CD and absolutely fell in love with it (I could take or leave most of the rest). To be fair to Vera she is a lovely performer but she's so associated with wartime that most of her hits are sing along at home numbers probably not intended to be judged by music critics. Anyway I think this would be a desert island disc for me - I just love the song and some of the lyrics such as "I'm like a stone that's been rolling too long" really get me.

But I can't not also feature Lonnie's wonderful double A side, amazingly recorded live at the London Palladium. Oh and there's also Elvis's first chart topper and loads of other great stuff - the top ten all well worth a listen I'd say.

9 Vera Lynn Travellin' Home An old Irish folksong turned into a beautiful ballad - Vera really gets the wistfulness of the lovely simple lyrics across
9 Lonnie Donegan Gamblin' Man/Putting On The Style 61st #1: a marvellous double A - the first side has Lonnie's marvellous urgent quality and the second is a skiffled old tune
8 Elvis Presley All Shook Up 62nd #1: obviously it's a great one and clearly the vocals on this are utterly iconic but I'd say the track itself isn't quite so special
8 The Diamonds Little Darlin' Another early doo wop classic, albeit a cover - quite over the top with it's "ayayayay"s and "ooahooah"s but brilliantly fun
8 Gracie Fields Around The World The other 3 charting versions of this leave me cold but this is fab thanks to the way she sings it - she gives every word meaning
7 Chuck Berry School Day (Ring! Ring! Goes The Bell) Also a rock 'n' roll classic that has been covered many times and it's great - I just love what's above slightly more
7 Jeri Southern Fire Down Below Jeri was an American jazz singer and painist - I absolutely love her voice and this is a gorgeous listen; her only UK hit sadly
7 Charles McDevitt Skiffle Group Featuring Nancy Whiskey Greenback Dollar Like with "Freight Train" there's something really captivating about Nancy Whiskey's vocals and the skiffle underneath is charming
6 The Vipers Skiffle Group Streamline Train Another good skiffle song and a really good tune but it doesn't have the dunamism of Lonnie's hits
6 Charlie Gracie Fabulous Also a good song, very much in the Elvis mode, and Charlie does a good job with it but it still doesn't stand out somehow
5 The King Brothers A White Sport Coat (And A Pink Carnation) Originally a country and western song turned into a fairly typical 1957 pop hit: nice but nothing special in a great group
5 Terry Dene A White Sport Coat (And A Pink Carnation) Slightly prefer the version with several voices as they add a bit of variety but the two are pretty similar
4 Andy Williams I Like Your Kind Of Love "Baby that's goooood" - backing singer parts are fun but there isn't a lot to the lyrics and otherwise it's a standard crooner ballad
4 Harry Belafonte Island In The Sun In the same Caribbean style as "The Banana Boat Song" - perfectly pleasant but no real depth and he can do better
3 Mantovani And His Orchestra Around The World I do struggle to understand these instrumental versions of popular songs - "Around The World" needs the lyrics to work really







Next up:

#605 29/06/1957 Leroy Anderson And His Pops Concert Orchestra Forgotten Dreams 24 28-30R(2)-30R(8)-{24}->4
#606 29/06/1957 Little Richard Lucille 10 29-18-18-14-14-{10}-10-18-23->9
#607 29/06/1957 Tony Brent Dark Moon 17 29-27-27-20-19-21-24-28-18-{17}-19-28-28-28->14
#608 06/07/1957 Pat Boone Love Letters In The Sand 2 18-12-12-7-6-5-{2}-2-2-2-3-2-2-3-2-4-5-13-12-13-20->21
#609 06/07/1957 Don Lang And His Frantic Five School Day (Ring! Ring! Goes The Bell) 26 {26}-29->2
#610 06/07/1957 Nat 'King' Cole When Rock And Roll Come To Trinidad 28 {28}->1
#611 13/07/1957 Elvis Presley (Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear 3 13-7-4-{3}-6-3-5-7-10-12-13-16-12-12-13-9-12-15-22->19
#612 13/07/1957 The Everly Brothers Bye Bye Love 6 19-18-15-12-8-8-7-{6}-8-10-12-15-25-18-22-29->16
#613 13/07/1957 Sal Mineo Start Movin' (In My Direction) 16 28-26-20-17-19-22-{16}-18-18-27-26->11
#614 20/07/1957 Fats Domino Valley Of Tears 25 {25}->1
#615 20/07/1957 Terry Dene Start Movin' (In My Direction) 15 27-26-22-23-{15}-20-26-30->8
#616 20/07/1957 Gary Miller Wonderful, Wonderful 29 {29}->1
#617 20/07/1957 Cyril Stapleton Forgotten Dreams 27 30-28-28-{27}-29->5
#618 27/07/1957 Johnny Duncan And The Blue Grass Boys Last Train To San Fernando 2 18-16-12-8-6-5-3-{2}-3-3-2-4-7-15-16-18-29->17
#619 30/06/1956 Various Artists All Star Hit Parade EP 2 16-4-{2}-3-6-13-8-11-21->9

Posted by: Popchartfreak 20th February 2023, 07:20 PM

Been away to Scoouse Central since Friday and saw the entertaining, amusing, interactive, avante-garde An Evening Without Kate Bush, so a bit behind on this!

Little Richard is always good, The Girl Can't Help It included, Shes Got It too, and my childhood fave from harry belafonte (banana Boat song) is always welcome. Frankie Lymon is decent too.

Cry Me A River is fab, though I knew the Mari Wilson version first, Julie London is the best. When I Fall In Love is also fabulous, so good it hit again in 1987 thanks to Rick astley letting us see how it shouldnt be sung. Cumberland Gap is one of Lonnie's better records, and Andy williams is always good to brilliant to me. Loved Andy, saw him in his 80's and he was still fab. I'll Take You Home Again Kathleen is awful in every version except the one by Lt. Pigeon.

Yes Tonight Josephine I seem to recall an early 80's rockabilly version I liked, and not much else to add to that batch.

Little darlin' is the top tune - loved that one as a kid and Elton John's Crocodile Rock owes a debt to it, among many other hits. All Shook Up and Elvis is also noteworthy - not his greatest, but good. Chuck's School days is decent, and Harry B's Island In The Sun is lovely - another one I know from childhood album plays by my dad. A Whie Sports Coat is listenable ditto Lonnie's and I dont know Vera's at all but it seems pretty upbeat for her!

Posted by: JulianT 20th February 2023, 10:42 PM

QUOTE(Popchartfreak @ Feb 20 2023, 07:20 PM)

Posted by: JulianT 20th February 2023, 10:43 PM

It's an easy fourth win for Little Richard today, although I have a lot of affection for "Last Train To San Fernando"!

9 Little Richard Lucille The bassline of this sets the song up brilliantly and is well ahead of its time; only a #10 hit but I think this might be his very best
8 Johnny Duncan And The Blue Grass Boys Last Train To San Fernando Originally a calypso song turned into skiffle, this is fantastic, right from the opening beats when the train starts chugging
8 Sal Mineo Start Movin' (In My Direction) The only hit for this American actor and I love it; find it cheeky and charming and love the tune and the spoken bits
7 The Everly Brothers Bye Bye Love The debut hit for them and pretty well remembered I think as it's one of their most streamed, but for me there's better to come
7 Tony Brent Dark Moon Love the beat on this and the orchestral contributions, and it's a lovely sultry ballad really well sung
6 Cyril Stapleton Forgotten Dreams Actually putting this cover above the original as I think it does a little bit more, particularly with the swirling piano lines
6 Leroy Anderson And His Pops Concert Orchestra Forgotten Dreams A dreamy instrumental, with a lovely melody partly led by the piano and partly by the strings; reaelly nice
6 Pat Boone Love Letters In The Sand An epic 7 weeks at #2 for this - it's a really nice tune and he sings it quite tenderly, but just not that exciting
5 Don Lang And His Frantic Five School Day (Ring! Ring! Goes The Bell) I love Don Lang's voice and it's a perfectly good cover but I can't see that it adds much to Chuck Berry's version
5 Elvis Presley (Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear It's a nice one and the lyrics are fun - I just can't see that it does anything remotely different from other Elvis songs
5 Terry Dene Start Movin' (In My Direction) A nice cover in itself but prefer Sal's quirky voice and this sounds more like an Elvis imitation, plus the tempo's slightly too slow
4 Fats Domino Valley Of Tears Could listen to his voice and the bluesy saxophone parts all day but all in all a slow and fairly dull song
4 Gary Miller Wonderful, Wonderful Has a catchy raa-tatatata-raa beat but beyond that it's one of those fairly turgid and boring ballads
3 Nat 'King' Cole When Rock And Roll Come To Trinidad All about the Trinidadians' reaction as rock 'n' roll arrives on their shores - it's all quite clichéd and in that typical Caribbean style
2 Various Artists All Star Hit Parade EP Another medley of snippets of hits performed by stars of the time (but they aren't even performing their own hits) - just no need



Next bunch:

#620 27/07/1957 Guy Mitchell In The Middle Of A Dark, Dark Night/Sweet Stuff 25 27-30-28R(3)-{25}->4
#621 27/07/1957 Petula Clark With All My Heart 4 28-19-15-11-9-9-6-7-5-{4}-6-7-8-11-14-14-16-27->18
#622 03/08/1957 Ronnie Hilton Wonderful, Wonderful 27 {27}-27->2
#623 03/08/1957 Billy Williams I'm Gonna Sit Right Down And Write Myself A Letter 22 29-29-24-24-{22}-27-25-30-28R(4)->9
#624 03/08/1957 Peter Sellers Any Old Iron 17 30-21-24-24R(3)-21-23-19-21-{17}-25-26->11
#625 10/08/1957 Paul Anka Diana 1 26-13-4-{1}-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-3-4-6-10-15-19-13-13-12-10-14-19-30->25
#626 10/08/1957 The King Brothers In The Middle Of An Island 19 30-26-26-23-22-22-{19}-20-20-24-29-30-28->13
#627 17/08/1957 Tommy Steele And The Steelmen Water, Water/A Handful Of Songs 5 30-21-13-7-{5}-6-6-5-6-11-12-9-13-14-18-21-28R(2)->17
#628 24/08/1957 Charlie Gracie I Love You So Much It Hurts/Wanderin' Eyes 6 24-14-9-9-8-7-9-7-9-{6}-11-11-20-30->14
#629 24/08/1957 Shirley Bassey Fire Down Below 30 {30}->1
#630 31/08/1957 Tommy Steele And The Steelmen Shiralee 11 12-{11}-16-22->4
#631 31/08/1957 Elvis Presley Paralysed 8 16-14-{8}-9-9-11-12-17-20-26->10
#632 31/08/1957 Debbie Reynolds Tammy 2 23-17-11-10-10-7-3-3-4-{2}-3-4-7-8-16-18-30->17
#633 07/09/1957 Harry Belafonte And Millard Thomas Scarlet Ribbons 18 23-22-20-{18}-24-30->6
#634 07/09/1957 Johnnie Ray Build Your Love (On A Strong Foundation) 17 27-18-18-{17}-23-27-30->7

Posted by: jimwatts 20th February 2023, 11:28 PM

Lucille is definitely one of Little Richard's signature songs. It's picking up nicely with The Everly Brothers joining now too.

Posted by: chartjack2 21st February 2023, 04:24 PM

Little Richard must be the most iconic musician never to have had a #1 in the UK (along with Bob Dylan perhaps).

Posted by: Popchartfreak 21st February 2023, 07:34 PM

Ooh getting some gems now!

Lucille is Little Richard at his manic best, Last Train To San Fernando was one my brother went mad on in his early 80's rockabilly phase, still a great record, Bye Bye Love is an Everly treat, Pat Boone at his least bad ballading, Teddy bear is singalonga Elvis fun, and I dont know that Sal Mineo record, but he was one of the 3 young stars in Rebel Without A Cause to die far too young.

Posted by: chartjack2 21st February 2023, 08:20 PM

Didn’t he have an affair with James Dean?

Posted by: JulianT 21st February 2023, 10:49 PM

QUOTE(chartjack2 @ Feb 21 2023, 08:20 PM)

Posted by: Popchartfreak 22nd February 2023, 04:20 PM

QUOTE(chartjack2 @ Feb 21 2023, 08:20 PM)

Posted by: Dot's a liar 22nd February 2023, 04:59 PM

QUOTE(chartjack2 @ Feb 21 2023, 04:24 PM)

Posted by: JulianT 22nd February 2023, 11:29 PM

I'm learning with this that having a couple of really strong days is no guarantee that the next will be, and indeed it's a rather meh selection today. I'm going to give the win to one of the most successful popstars of the decade who I've criticised at times for catchy songs lacking in substance, but he's really matured over the years I feel. Funnily after 12 consecutive hits reaching at least #11 this was a bit of a flop for Guy, only reaching #25, which I don't understand as I think it's a lovely double A side.

7 Guy Mitchell In The Middle Of A Dark, Dark Night/Sweet Stuff Really like both sides of this - "Sweet Stuff" has an Elvis-like charm and the other has a really nice guitar rhythm
6 Debbie Reynolds Tammy From the film "Tammy And The Bachelor"; her only UK hit and a #2 at that - a great little ballad
6 Paul Anka Diana 63rd #1: the early part reminds me a lot of "Little Darlin'" - it's not as wacky and fun as that but another very decent chart topper
6 Elvis Presley Paralysed The usual bassline and a backing chorus nicely bopping away: it's a good one and he brings some of his cheeky touches
5 Tommy Steele And The Steelmen Shiralee A film song with some slightly haunting backing vocals and a nice atmosphere to it; some of the lyrics are a bit soppy though
5 Petula Clark With All My Heart She has such a clear, warm tone and it's a nice slightly dreamy ballad but nothing really special
5 Charlie Gracie I Love You So Much It Hurts/Wanderin' Eyes A game of two halves here as the first side is a bit of a dirge but "Wanderin' Eyes" is a good song with a lovely piano backing
4 Johnnie Ray Build Your Love (On A Strong Foundation) Not sure this has a strong foundation - great performance, backing vocals and instruments but the song itself lets it down
4 Shirley Bassey Fire Down Below Loved Jeri Southern's version of this and this falls quite flat in comparison - the vocals don't have the same atmosphere somehow
4 Ronnie Hilton Wonderful, Wonderful Similar comments to the Gary Miller version; there's a good basis for a song but it just ends up being a bit turgid
3 Tommy Steele And The Steelmen Water, Water/A Handful Of Songs It's the "not a drop to drink" song again; not a big fan of that and the other is a slightly drippy ballad
3 Harry Belafonte And Millard Thomas Scarlet Ribbons He always sounds lovely but this is a dull ballad - have another go at Christmas Harry
2 The King Brothers In The Middle Of An Island In the middle indeed - it's offensively inoffensive; cheerfully plods along and lacks any real substance I feel
2 Billy Williams I'm Gonna Sit Right Down And Write Myself A Letter I'm sure many of us have been tempted to do this at some point but it really is quite drab and tuneless
1 Peter Sellers Any Old Iron A comedy version of an old music hall song - I don't want to be a miserable git who dismisses all non serious hits, but nah to this





Next group:

#635 07/09/1957 Shirley Bassey You, You Romeo 29 {29}-30->2
#636 14/09/1957 Little Richard Jenny, Jenny 11 17-16-{11}-13-20->5
#637 14/09/1957 Billy Ward And His Dominoes Star Dust 13 19-15-{13}-14-21-23-18-19-26-30-25-26R(6)->12
#638 21/09/1957 Frankie Lymon And The Teenagers Goody Goody 24 {24}-26-30->3
#639 21/09/1957 Larry Williams Short Fat Fannie 21 25-{21}-21-22-25-22-23-27->8
#640 28/09/1957 The Crickets That'll Be The Day 1 12-10-9-2-3-{1}-1-1-3-5-9-14-22-22-29R(2)->15
#641 28/09/1957 Sarah Vaughan And Billy Eckstine Passing Strangers 22 {22}-26->2
#642 28/09/1957 Pat Boone Remember You're Mine/There's A Goldmine In The Sky 5 23-17-15-10-8-{5}-5-5-5-7-10-12-11-18-23-22-27-27->18
#643 28/09/1957 Russ Hamilton Wedding Ring 20 27-28-25-{20}-23-25->6
#644 28/09/1957 Jerry Lee Lewis Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On 8 29-18-16-16-10-{8}-9-15-21-29-26R(4)->11
#645 28/09/1957 The Coasters Searchin' 30 {30}->1
#646 05/10/1957 Elvis Presley Party 2 15-11-5-{2}-4-2-2-2-3-6-10-14-16-12-24->15
#647 05/10/1957 Frankie Vaughan Man On Fire/Wanderin' Eyes 6 18-14-12-13-{6}-6-10-12-12-13-19-27->12
#648 05/10/1957 Frankie Laine And Johnnie Ray Good Evening Friends/Up Above My Head I Hear Music In The Air 25 28-29-27-{25}->4
#649 12/10/1957 Lonnie Donegan My Dixie Darling 10 19-14-14-15-{10}-12-14-17-24-22-29-25-29-28-28->15

Posted by: JulianT 24th February 2023, 01:02 PM

And it’s a 5th win for Little Richard, though it was close between the top 3.

8 Little Richard Jenny, Jenny "Jenny" appears 74 times and "spinning" 36 times in the lyrics, but another marvellous explosive number from him
8 Jerry Lee Lewis Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On A whole lotta shakin' goin' on here but not too many lyrics - nonetheless a stonking rock 'n' roll anthem underpinned by pulsating piano
8 The Crickets That'll Be The Day 64th #1: first appearance for Buddy Holly and it's very much an enduring classic and the guitar interlude could almost be early Beatles
7 Billy Ward And His Dominoes Star Dust Much busier production than the Nat 'King' Cole version to come but lovely, and it's a great song with beautiful lyrics
7 Frankie Laine And Johnnie Ray Good Evening Friends/Up Above My Head I Hear Music In The Air Their voices actually go really well together on this double A - particularly like the call and response in "Up Above My Head…"
7 Lonnie Donegan My Dixie Darling Quite laid back for Lonnie but a jolly, bouncy and catchy skiffle song with some charming banjo moments
6 Shirley Bassey You, You Romeo Really enjoyable big band style number - the theme and style remind me a bit of "Hey Big Spender"
6 Frankie Lymon And The Teenagers Goody Goody A sarcastic swipe at an ex - already this group's last hit but pretty catchy and I think it's their second best after their chart topper
6 Russ Hamilton Wedding Ring Sounds a bit more dated than some of the other hits around now but has quite a charming classic feel and I really like his voice
5 The Coasters Searchin' The lead singer has a brilliant raspy voice and really sells this, but the song itself is nothing exceptional
4 Elvis Presley Party A #2 hit but seems quite forgotten and no wonder: very pedestrian by Elvis' standards
3 Sarah Vaughan And Billy Eckstine Passing Strangers Will be re-released and have a longer chart run in 1969; find it quite a beige duet
3 Frankie Vaughan Man On Fire/Wanderin' Eyes Frankie's much better with cheekier numbers like "Wanderin' Eyes" - "Man On Fire" is quite a dull old fashioned crooner ballad
2 Pat Boone Remember You're Mine/There's A Goldmine In The Sky Four consecutive weeks at #5 is the most interesting thing - both sides dreary ballads with a few token Elvis style vocal touches
2 Larry Williams Short Fat Fannie Musically it's typical rock 'n' roll style but a novelty song whose lyrics are cobbled together from snippets of hits - not a fan



Next group includes 4 from Elvis . He was really churning them out - good thing there wasn’t a 3 track rule.

12/10/1957 Jim Dale Be My Girl 2 23-23-19-7-7-7-6-{2}-2-6-6-11-20-17-26-23->16
12/10/1957 Guy Mitchell Call Rosie On The Phone 17 26-{17}-17-18-24-25->6
19/10/1957 Elvis Presley Got A Lot O' Livin' To Do 17 19-20-21-{17}->4
19/10/1957 Nat 'King' Cole And The Four Knights My Personal Possession 21 {21}-28->2
26/10/1957 Nat 'King' Cole Stardust 24 {24}-27->2
26/10/1957 Johnny Duncan And The Blue Grass Boys Blue Blue Heartaches 27 {27}->1
02/11/1957 Elvis Presley Trying To Get To You 16 20-23-{16}-17->4
02/11/1957 Frankie Vaughan And The Kaye Sisters Gotta Have Something In The Bank, Frank 8 22-{8}-8-8-9-13-15-18-27-21-20->11
02/11/1957 Elvis Presley Loving You 24 {24}-30->2
02/11/1957 Harry Belafonte Mary's Boy Child 1 29-21-3-{1}-1-1-1-1-1-1-12-24-25R(45)-20-17-10-12-15-30R(49)->19
02/11/1957 Jimmie Rodgers Honeycomb 30 {30}->1
09/11/1957 Paul Anka I Love You, Baby 3 16-9-4-4-4-{3}-4-8-7-6-10-13-15-24-30->15
09/11/1957 Elvis Presley Lawdy Miss Clawdy 15 20-18-{15}-28-25->5
09/11/1957 The Everly Brothers Wake Up Little Susie 2 21-11-9-5-3-{2}-3-7-2-3-11-14-18->13

Posted by: jimwatts 24th February 2023, 01:49 PM

Didn't know of that Little Richard song, but the Jerry Lee Lewis and Crickets ones are rock'n'roll classics and I think Elvis one is decent. One of the songs in the next batch will probably be my favourite so far.

Posted by: Popchartfreak 24th February 2023, 05:27 PM

Paula Anka's Diana for me in that batch, 17 years old when he wrote it and released it.

Jerry Lee's Shakin, Cricket's That'll Be Tha Day, Coasters Searching are all good but for me Passing Strangers is the pick - I was there for the 1969 reissue and thought it was very good, then enjoyed it all over again on a multi-artist compilation album around 1976 I bought.

Posted by: JulianT 26th February 2023, 11:58 AM

I am very fond of “Mary’s Boy Child” and I think it’s a great piece of storytelling, but “Wake Up Little Susie” feels like a template for much of what was to come.

9 The Everly Brothers Wake Up Little Susie All about two young sweethearts worried about being caught, it's a great record and perhaps a template for 60s close harmony
8 Harry Belafonte Mary's Boy Child 65th #1: one of the best ever style Christmas Carols - Harry gives it a lovely uncomplicated but clear performance
8 Nat 'King' Cole Stardust Took me a few listens to get this but it's very enchanting and poetic, with all the heavy lifting done by Nat and the violins
7 Frankie Vaughan And The Kaye Sisters Gotta Have Something In The Bank, Frank This is great fun - Frankie pays the slightly hapless eligible male perfectly while the Kaye Sisters tactfully tell him he's too poor
7 Johnny Duncan And The Blue Grass Boys Blue Blue Heartaches Proper Southern American country feel to this with violins and banjos and disturbing lyrics but it's fab all the same
7 Elvis Presley Got A Lot O' Livin' To Do All 4 Elvis songs in this group are smaller hits but think this is the best remembered and it's a really good tune
6 Jimmie Rodgers Honeycomb An American #1 but very minor hit here - a very fun bouncy number
6 Elvis Presley Trying To Get To You Really good vocals on this - the performance definitely livens up what is otherwise a nice but fairly unremarkable song
6 Jim Dale Be My Girl Only big hit for this actor-singer and it's a very serviceable and catchy standard late 50s pop song
5 Elvis Presley Lawdy Miss Clawdy Second of three named ladies in this group - an angst-ridden but lazy mid tempo bluesy piano number; nice enough
5 Paul Anka I Love You, Baby Follow up Top 3 to "Diana" - nice folky accompaniment to a pleasant fairly generic song
4 Guy Mitchell Call Rosie On The Phone He's paranoid she's cheating on him; Susie has been immortalised in this group of songs and Rosie not so much, though this isn't bad
4 Elvis Presley Loving You I feel like Elvis' performing talent really shines through in more upbeat songs but slow ones like this can sound more ordinary
3 Nat 'King' Cole And The Four Knights My Personal Possession Argh sorry Nat but I'm not keen on the whole "personal possession" concept plus the song's a bit of a dirge, albeit very nicely sung




Next up:

#664 09/11/1957 Paul Anka Tell Me That You Love Me 25 28-{25}->2
#665 09/11/1957 Laurie London He's Got The Whole World (In His Hands) 12 29-27-23-16-{12}-16-14-19-19-17-17-29->12
#666 16/11/1957 Elvis Presley Santa Bring My Baby Back To Me 7 19-11-13-8-{7}-17-20-25->8
#667 16/11/1957 Petula Clark Alone 8 23-13-11-11-{8}-10-9-9-13-13-21-27->12
#668 16/11/1957 Jackie Wilson Reet Petite (The Sweetest Girl In Town) 6 24-26-18-17-9-8-10-{6}-7-9-8-11-18-25->14
#669 16/11/1957 Shepherd Sisters Alone (Why Must I Be Alone) 14 27-19-{14}-20-30-22R(3)->6
#670 23/11/1957 Johnny Otis And His Orchestra With Marie Adams Ma He's Making Eyes At Me 2 16-10-5-4-{2}-2-4-2-2-2-5-10-13-17-19->15
#671 23/11/1957 The Southlanders Alone 17 22-19-18-20-27-30-{17}-19-20-28->10
#672 23/11/1957 Tommy Steele And The Steelmen Hey You! 28 {28}->1
#673 23/11/1957 Frank Sinatra All The Way/Chicago 3 29-25-21-17-7-5-8-5-{3}-3-4-4-6-6-6-10-14-13-15-26->20
#674 30/11/1957 Malcolm Vaughan My Special Angel 3 20-7-5-5-{3}-3-4-5-6-7-11-14-18-17->14
#675 30/11/1957 Bobby Helms My Special Angel 22 {22}-23-27->3
#676 30/11/1957 Little Richard Keep A Knockin' 21 23-22-{21}-21-29-30-23->7
#677 30/11/1957 Russ Conway Party Pops 24 26-28-26-{24}-24->5

Posted by: Popchartfreak 26th February 2023, 07:09 PM

Number One on my Birth Day, it has to be Mary's Boy Child for me, Harry at his best.

Wake Up Little Susie is catchy enough but it's never been a fave of mine, and Stardust was the most-famous and most-covered song of the first half of the 20th century (over 1,500 versions). It seems incredible, because by 1974 it was unknown to the younger generation (me), was never played on the radio or TV. Stardust lost it's crown to a little ditty called Yesterday. I still find it bizarre that this Hoagy Carmichael 1927 standard has never been revived beyond the 50's despite appearing in hit movies.

The Elvis songs Loving You and Got A Lot Of Living To Do were part of my childhood and I still like them (mum and dad bought a lot of Elvis singles) as was Lawdy Miss Clawdy, which is another I've never been bovvered about.

Posted by: jimwatts 26th February 2023, 08:56 PM

Wake Up Little Susie is the one that's probably my favourite so far, the combination of the song, harmonies and upbeat guitar is fantastic.

By the way, a live version of Yes Tonight Josephine appeared on my Release Radar this week, so I guess I'm officially a stan no yip yipping on this version though sadly.

Posted by: JulianT 28th February 2023, 10:32 PM

Little Richard is beaten for the first time despite being fab again.

I was planning to give “Rrrrrrreet Petite” a 9 but on reflection I think it perfectly encapsulates the best of the late 50s. I can’t even decide what type of song it is - R&B? Soul? Jazz? Pop? Rock ‘n’ roll? It’s a bit of everything, and every element is brilliant. The video is of course from the 1986 re-release.

10 Jackie Wilson Reet Petite (The Sweetest Girl In Town) Will eventually be the 582nd #1 but for now a #6: what a barnstorming song this is; a perfect example of what the late '50s could offer
8 Little Richard Keep A Knockin' You know the deal by now: a frenzied whirlwind of of throaty singing as Little Richard briefly lets us into his exciting world
7 Elvis Presley Santa Bring My Baby Back To Me I think Elvis' style really suits Christmas songs and this is a very good one with nice backing vocals - deserved to be better remembered
6 Petula Clark Alone A few versions of this coming - a song that treads the line between catchy and annoying but Petula sings it very nicely
6 Paul Anka Tell Me That You Love Me For some reason this flopped for Paul but it's clever and catchy - prefer it to his previous #3 hit
5 Tommy Steele And The Steelmen Hey You! Really like the backing track on this - not the greatest lyrics but overall quite a nice quirky song
5 Johnny Otis And His Orchestra With Marie Adams Ma He's Making Eyes At Me 5 weeks at #2 thanks to the Johnny Otis show - not on streaming and the Youtube version has audience noise, but a nice jazzy song
5 Malcolm Vaughan My Special Angel The usual stuff from Malcolm - a romantic ballad with really big dramatic vocals; works quite well on this one though
4 Bobby Helms My Special Angel Inevitably a more laid back version of this here and I actually think in this case it loses something without the overblown vocals
4 Russ Conway Party Pops A pleasant listen but clearly a Winifred rip-off with hit excerpts joined into a piano medley, and think some of the charisma is missing
3 The Southlanders Alone Another of these American sister groups; actually find this version slightly shouty - Petula's is much better
3 Frank Sinatra All The Way/Chicago A fairly dull double A side from Frankie - at least "Chicago" has some life to it but "All The Way" is rather a dirge
2 Laurie London He's Got The Whole World (In His Hands) A Sunday School classic - for a child singer it sounds perfectly pleasant but overall I can't say I like it
2 The Southlanders Alone Most of this version is fine but the "la la las" are done very strangely - they either sound like chipmunks or like they're underwater



Last group of 1957:

#678 30/11/1957 Johnny Duncan And The Blue Grass Boys Footprints In The Snow 27 {27}-28R(5)->2
#679 30/11/1957 Billy Ward And His Dominoes Deep Purple 30 {30}->1
#680 07/12/1957 Winifred Atwell Let's Have A Ball 4 15-11-8-{4}-17-21->6
#681 07/12/1957 Pat Boone April Love 7 26-25-16-13-15-15-12-12-8-9-{7}-9-9-9-8-14-14-19-21-16-16-24-23->23
#682 07/12/1957 The King Brothers Wake Up Little Susie 22 26-{22}-26->3
#683 07/12/1957 Vic Damone An Affair To Remember 29 {29}-30R(8)->2
#684 07/12/1957 Buddy Holly Peggy Sue 6 30-22-23-21-12-9-{6}-6-9-8-7-10-10-16-19-16-25->17
#685 14/12/1957 Pat Boone White Christmas 29 {29}->1
#686 21/12/1957 Jerry Lee Lewis Great Balls Of Fire 1 12-6-5-{1}-1-5-6-6-11-12-15-21->12
#687 21/12/1957 Lonnie Donegan Jack O'Diamonds 14 19-{14}-14-16-14-19-25->7
#688 21/12/1957 Jimmie Rodgers Kisses Sweeter Than Wine 7 20-17-16-8-{7}-10-10-12-16-16-24->11
#689 21/12/1957 Frankie Vaughan Kisses Sweeter Than Wine 8 24-15-11-10-{8}-11-13-13-19-25-22->11
#690 28/12/1957 The Crickets Oh, Boy! 3 23-24-11-4-4-{3}-3-5-5-7-8-9-10-20-30->15
#691 28/12/1957 Dickie Valentine Snowbound For Christmas 28 {28}->1

Posted by: JulianT 1st March 2023, 11:13 PM

A good point to mention that I won't be taking into account any artists' personal lives in this.

A clear win today for "Great Balls Of Fire", though Buddy Holly is doing very well both with his own singles and those credited to the Crickets.

9 Jerry Lee Lewis Great Balls Of Fire 66th #1 in the New Year: not quite as big as in the States wheree it sold a million copies in its first 10 days, but a huge classic
8 Buddy Holly Peggy Sue His first solo hit and a great one: he really shows his own style on this and it's quirkier than "That'll Be The Day"
8 Jimmie Rodgers Kisses Sweeter Than Wine Apparently Jimmie is known as the father of country music - this is a really lovely song and he performs it brilliantly
7 The Crickets Oh, Boy! Great again from Buddy and his band; a big hit and a very catchy tune for sure, but not quite as intriguing as "Peggy Sue" for me
7 Johnny Duncan And The Blue Grass Boys Footprints In The Snow Third and final hit from Johnny and his band and I've really enjoyed them all; this is very fun and love the footprint sound effects
6 Lonnie Donegan Jack O'Diamonds A pre war gambling folksong from Texas, but Lonnie pulls it off really well from the wailing intro to the frantic accelerating chorus
6 Frankie Vaughan Kisses Sweeter Than Wine It's another good performance of this and it suits Frankie, but it doesn't have the flair of Jimmie's version
5 Winifred Atwell Let's Have A Ball Good to see her still notching up the hits and this medley powers along nicely assisted by some light drumming
4 Billy Ward And His Dominoes Deep Purple This is arranged in a similar way to their version of "Stardust" and there's a classy feel to it but the song's melody is unconvincing
4 The King Brothers Wake Up Little Susie A pleasant cover but struggling to see the point of it; does nothing unique that I can detect and not much feeling coming across
3 Pat Boone April Love His more inoffensive hit here but it's still a rather drippy ballad, and he's not one for injecting life where the song doesn't provide it
2 Vic Damone An Affair To Remember Nope this definitely isn't one to remember - the dramatic orchestral intro is the best part and then the rest is lifeless crooning
2 Dickie Valentine Snowbound For Christmas Another Christmas effort from Dickie and thankfully the last; each one is drearier than the last
1 Pat Boone White Christmas "White Christmas" is a song that can be terribly dull if not done well and with Pat it's really insufferable

Posted by: Popchartfreak 2nd March 2023, 06:06 PM

As the weeks go by getting noticeably more and more songs I know

Reet Petite is still joyous and fab. Keep A Knocking decent. Ma He's making Eyes At Me, my generation developed a dislike for thanks to 1974 TV contest star Lena Zavaroni who was 10 when it was a hit, and then tragically died young screwed up by success like Karen Carpenter.

All The Way and Chicago are fairly decent Sinatra, and He's Got The Whole World is a song that is neither bad nor especially good.

Great Balls Of Fire was the first new chart-topper after I was born, and is Lewis' best record. Peggy Sue shows Buddy Holly improving rapidly, but better was still to come musically, and Oh! Boy will always be a Mud number One for me. Kisses Sweeter Than Wine is a great song, sounds good in most versions.

Deep Purple was covered by Ray Stevens in uptempo country style in 1975, and then a decent hit cover by Donny & Marie, I love the song. I don't know this version but it wont be anywhere near as good as Ray Stevens'. Wake Up Little Susie pointless cover, April Love was one of boone's less-wet ballads, but still nothing to write home about. White Christmas, there is only one version that counts, all others are a waste of time. Heard many, liked none.

Posted by: JulianT 2nd March 2023, 10:00 PM

So another year over and 1957 has my highest average score so far of 5.4, all thanks to the arrival of rock ‘n’ roll.

Gold medal: Reet Petite - Jackie Wilson

Silver medal: Long Tall Sally - Little Richard

Bronze Medal: Cumberland Gap - Lonnie Donegan

Other 9s:
Travellin’ Home - Vera Lynn
Lucille - Little Richard
Great Balls Of Fire - Jerry Lee Lewis
Cry Me A River - Julie London
Gamblin’ Man / Putting On The Style - Lonnie Donegan
Wake Up Little Susie - The Everly Brothers

And the Top 10 of the year would be completed by “Last Train To San Fernando” by Johnny Duncan And The Blue Grass Boys

Worst song of the year: The Wisdom Of A Fool - Ronnie Carroll

First group of 1958:

#692 04/01/1958 The Kaye Sisters Shake Me I Rattle/Alone 27 {27}->1
#693 11/01/1958 Bill Justis Raunchy 11 25-24-23R(2)-21-15-{11}-16-18->8
#694 11/01/1958 Charlie Gracie Cool Baby 26 {26}->1
#695 11/01/1958 Jim Dale Just Born (To Be Your Baby) 27 {27}->1
#696 11/01/1958 Johnny Otis Show Bye Bye Baby 20 30-22-21-21-{20}-22-28->7
#697 18/01/1958 Michael Holliday The Story Of My Life 1 15-8-2-2-{1}-1-2-2-2-2-3-6-8-15-24->15
#698 18/01/1958 Danny And The Juniors At The Hop 3 16-16-11-5-4-4-4-4-4-{3}-7-8-18-21->14
#699 18/01/1958 Gary Miller The Story Of My Life 14 18-16-{14}-17-17-24->6
#700 18/01/1958 Elvis Presley I'm Left, You're Right, She's Gone 21 {21}-25-29R(2)->3
#701 18/01/1958 Larry Williams Bony Moronie 11 23-15-17-14-12-13-{11}-12-23-25->10
#702 18/01/1958 Sam Cooke You Send Me 29 {29}->1
#703 18/01/1958 Jim Dale Crazy Dream 24 30-{24}->2
#704 25/01/1958 Elvis Presley Jailhouse Rock 1 {1}-1-1-2-3-3-3-3-4-6-13-14-20-29->14
#705 25/01/1958 Marion Ryan Love Me Forever 5 18-16-7-7-7-{5}-7-6-12-16-27->11

Posted by: JulianT 4th March 2023, 12:05 AM

If you've been reading all the way through it will be evident that I'm not thee biggest Elvis fan ever - despite having already had 20 hits "Heartbreak Hotel" has been my only daily winner. Today he gets his second though, and "Jailhouse Rock" is truly one of his best. There was a good crop of other songs today too.

9 Elvis Presley Jailhouse Rock 67th #1 and the first to enter at the top: unlike "All Shook Up" which relied on the performance this is truly a brilliant track
8 Sam Cooke You Send Me A self penned USA #1 and a soul classic; this is a gorgeous track beautifully sung
8 Danny And The Juniors At The Hop The only hit here for this American doo wop group; such a vibrant and catchy track with great harmonies a sparkling piano part
7 Larry Williams Bony Moronie Another great rock 'n' roll song here: Larry's biggest hit here and frustratnigly spent 6 weeks just outside the Top 10
7 Bill Justis Raunchy A brilliant laid back instrumental with a whimsical saxophone melody which has been covered many times
7 Elvis Presley I'm Left, You're Right, She's Gone A small hit but I really like it - there's a real sense of longing and regret from the performance and sympathetic guitars underneath
6 The Kaye Sisters Shake Me I Rattle/Alone Yet another version of "Alone" but it's well sung and "Shake Me I Rattle" is a very cute track about a toy speaking to a child
6 Michael Holliday The Story Of My Life 68th #1 and first big hit for the "British Bing Crosby"; he has a strong deep voice and it's a really well constructed ballad
5 Gary Miller The Story Of My Life Also a nice version of this song but think it has slightly more gravitas with Michael's voice
5 Charlie Gracie Cool Baby Last hit for Charlie who only died a few months ago - not as big a hit or as good as "Butterfly" or "Fabulous" but it's nice
4 Jim Dale Crazy Dream 2 hits for Jim here but neither anywhere near as good as his smash last year; this one bops along quite nicely though
3 Marion Ryan Love Me Forever A few versions of this coming up; a very grand and twee ballad that sounds more like an early 50s number to me
2 Johnny Otis Show Bye Bye Baby Another track that pieces together lines from popular hits of the time and I just find it quite daft
2 Jim Dale Just Born (To Be Your Baby) I don't like the tune or lyrics on this much and his chuckling really grates with me for some reason



Next group:

#706 25/01/1958 Dave King The Story Of My Life 20 {20}-22-25->3
#707 25/01/1958 Eydie Gorme Love Me Forever 21 26-24-{21}-26-29->5
#708 01/02/1958 Paul Anka You Are My Destiny 6 19-15-10-8-7-{6}-7-7-10-18-25-26-27->13
#709 01/02/1958 Elvis Presley Jailhouse Rock EP 18 20-19-{18}-21-27->5
#710 01/02/1958 Alma Cogan The Story Of My Life 25 {25}-26->2
#711 01/02/1958 The Four Esquires Love Me Forever 23 28-{23}->2
#712 01/02/1958 The King Brothers Put A Light In The Window 25 29-28R(2)-{25}R(2)-26->4
#713 08/02/1958 Perry Como Magic Moments 1 16-3-2-{1}-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-2-4-12-12-22-23->17
#714 08/02/1958 Ken Mackintosh Raunchy 19 26-20-{19}-21-27-30->6
#715 08/02/1958 Frank Sinatra Witchcraft 12 26-20-15-{12}-17-20-20-24->8
#716 08/02/1958 Eddie Calvert Mandy (The Pansy) 9 30-26-20-13-14-15-17-18-{9}-15-13-15-20-24->14
#717 15/02/1958 David Whitfield Cry My Heart 22 23-{22}-29->3
#718 15/02/1958 The McGuire Sisters Sugartime 14 24-{14}-18-19-21-26->6
#719 15/02/1958 Alma Cogan Sugartime 16 29-30-20-20-22-26-{16}-21-28-27-30R(2)->11

Posted by: Roba. 4th March 2023, 03:22 PM

I haven't commented yet as I didn't recognise much if any but now I do haha.

From what's popped up. I like all of the Buddy Holly songs there. I remember studying his music in middle school and was interesting studying his music!

'Great Balls Of Fire' I hear on adverts or TV shows every now and then. Not one I've heard in full but a familiar one to me just from short clips lol.

'Reet Petite' & 'Jailhouse Rock' are both great and like you I'm not a fan of Elvis but that is probably his best tbh. 'Marys Boy Child' is alright in original form but doesn't hold a candle to the Boney M cover for me.

Posted by: JulianT 4th March 2023, 04:20 PM

^ Thanks for making your maiden comment!

I like both Mary’s Boy Child versions - think they each bring different things.

Buddy Holly sounds an interesting subject to study. I can’t believe he made that much impact and died at 22.

Hopefully there’ll be more everyone knows as time goes by.

Posted by: Popchartfreak 5th March 2023, 12:00 PM

Ooh, classics clash! You Send me is just wonderful and edges it over the fab Jailhouse Rock for me. At The Hop is also a 50's great, fun, Bony maronie ditto, and I like raunch and t'other Elvis song. The rest mean not much to me, don;t know them, but Marion Ryan was mum to Paul & Barry Ryan, the creators of the magnificent melodrama classic that is Eloise, and much more. Jim Dale is almost Last Man Standing of the Carry On films, and many a musical from the golden age.

Posted by: JulianT 6th March 2023, 12:31 AM

They had just established an EP chart in the USA at this point. “Jailhouse Rock” had already reached #1 as a single but now it was released as a 5 track EP and went to #1 on the EP chart for 28 weeks. Here the EP was only a minor hit single while “Jailhouse Rock” went to #1. Nonetheless it is a lovely EP and the first three tracks including the tiitle track are all among my favourite Elvis songs so far. Overall it is my highlight of this bunch, and so having said I’m not a big Elvis fan he’s now winning twice in a row with the same title! Now slightly wishing I’d given the win for the last group to Sam Cooke instead oops!

8 Elvis Presley Jailhouse Rock EP A remarkably lovely EP - aside from the title track "Young And Beautiful" and "I Want To Be Free" are both gorgeous
7 Perry Como Magic Moments 69th #1: slightly marred by Quality Street but a very good song with some nice details like the bassoon part and the backing vocals
7 Paul Anka You Are My Destiny Paul is growing on me and this is a slightly dark one where he really conveys the howling desperation
6 Dave King The Story Of My Life Confusingly this bears no relation to the chart topper of the same name but has a really good rhythm and slightly dreamy quality
6 Eddie Calvert Mandy (The Pansy) A trumpet lef instrumental with a chorus doing some "la la"s and "doo wop"s; it's a good tune and enjoy the trumpet acrobatics
5 The McGuire Sisters Sugartime This is one of those tunes that gets stuck in your head but isn't necessarily welcome there - that said these girls do a good job
[/b]5 The King Brothers Put A Light In The Window[/b] Similar type of sound to the Johnston Brothers and this is a nice jolly little number with some bouncy backing vocals
5 Ken Mackintosh Raunchy It's another nice version of this instrumental, though can't see that this adds a huge amount to the original
4 Eydie Gorme Love Me Forever Two minor hit versions of this here but prefer them both to the smash hit version
4 The Four Esquires Love Me Forever Like the interplay between the make and female vocals on both these versions, though slightly prefer the performance on the other
3 Alma Cogan Sugartime Whereas the charm of the McGuire Sisters' version made up for the song's irritation factor, Alma cutesy style on it is quite irritating
3 Alma Cogan The Story Of My Life Sorry again Alma but I can't see that this version does anything Michael Holliday's doesn't
2 Frank Sinatra Witchcraft It's the usual Sinatra style jazzy ballad but there isn't much of a tune and the lyrics aren't great; don't enjoy this one at all
2 David Whitfield Cry My Heart Feels like a carbon copy of many of his other hits - incredibly grandiose ballad done with horrid operatic vocals









Next up:

#720 22/02/1958 Ronnie Hilton Magic Moments 22 {22}-28->2
#721 22/02/1958 Louis Prima Buona Sera 25 {25}->1
#722 22/02/1958 Ricky Nelson Stood Up 27 {27}-29R(2)->2
#723 22/02/1958 Bobby Helms No Other Baby 30 {30}->1
#724 01/03/1958 Elvis Presley Don't 2 13-5-5-5-{2}-4-7-11-13-9-21->11
#725 01/03/1958 Little Richard Good Golly, Miss Molly 8 23-13-11-{8}-11-14-11-19-25->9
#726 01/03/1958 Petula Clark Baby Lover 12 26-23-{12}-18-13-15-23->7
#727 01/03/1958 Tony Brent The Clouds Will Soon Roll By 20 30-24-24-{20}R(8)-30->5
#728 08/03/1958 Frankie Vaughan Can't Get Along Without You/We Are Not Alone 11 {11}-13-19-22-23-26->6
#729 08/03/1958 Tommy Steele Nairobi 3 15-10-6-4-{3}-3-5-8-18-19-24->11
#730 08/03/1958 Perry Como Catch A Falling Star 9 21-17-{9}-12-12-12-14-17-27-26->10
#731 08/03/1958 Jim Dale Sugartime 25 {25}-29-28->3
#732 08/03/1958 George Hamilton IV Why Don't They Understand 22 28-24-23-27-28-24-25-{22}-29->9
#733 08/03/1958 Marvin Rainwater Whole Lotta Woman 1 29-18-11-5-2-2-2-{1}-1-1-3-6-7-15-20->15

Posted by: Popchartfreak 6th March 2023, 09:45 AM

Baby I Don't Care was an 80's posthumous hit for Elvis, so that's one I like, and Magic Moments has always been a bit of a plodder, but the sort of tune that won't get out of your head. I've never been a fan of Perry Comotose as he was sometimes affectionately known - so laid back he was almost horizontal.

Posted by: JulianT 6th March 2023, 11:40 AM

QUOTE(Popchartfreak @ Mar 6 2023, 09:45 AM)

Posted by: Popchartfreak 6th March 2023, 02:02 PM

QUOTE(JulianT @ Mar 6 2023, 11:40 AM)

Yet you like Dean Martin and he’s even horizontaler?

Posted by: JulianT 6th March 2023, 06:33 PM

It's a battle between Elvis and Perry again today and sorry John but I'm giving the win to Mr Comatose. Apparently "Magic Moments" was originally the B side to "Catch A Falling Star" so clearly given the former became his biggest ever hit it was a good idea to separate them. "Catch A Falling Star" is actually the lovelier song though for me and just shades "Don't" which is also a great ballad.

8 Perry Como Catch A Falling Star Has really grown on me - it has a gently mesmerising quality and really like the interplay with the backing chorus and harmonies
8 Elvis Presley Don't Another very lovely stripped down emotion filled ballad that really showcases Elvis at his best
7 Little Richard Good Golly, Miss Molly It's really good and has all the usual Little Richard ingredients but nothing that we haven't heard before
7 Bobby Helms No Other Baby Particularly like the guitar accompanment and the bursts of violin between the lines; all in all a very sweet ballad and well sung
7 Louis Prima Buona Sera Italian themed songs seemed to come back into fashion this year and this one from this Sicilian American is very catchy
6 George Hamilton IV Why Don't They Understand Didn't like this at first but there's something warm and hypnotic about the guitar accompaniment and the soft vocals
6 Marvin Rainwater Whole Lotta Woman 70th #1: can you feel the oozing masculinity on this: a bit basic in sentiment but a strong track with nice guitars and piano
6 Ricky Nelson Stood Up #2 in America where he was a teen idol, and a catchy rock 'n' roll song with a nice clapped rhythm
5 Frankie Vaughan Can't Get Along Without You/We Are Not Alone Both sides of this are quite jolly and fairly decent singalong style mid tempo numbers and Frankie sells them well
5 Petula Clark Baby Lover "Oh oh oh oh oh oh" - Petula doing her best seal impression, but it's quite a nice catchy number
4 Tommy Steele Nairobi A big hit for Tommy and it's not bad but can't help finding it slightly irritating, especially the backing vocals
4 Ronnie Hilton Magic Moments I'm losing patience with these pointless covers that add nothing: this is broadly the same record as Perry's done with less charisma
3 Jim Dale Sugartime I've definitely had enough doses of this sugary sweet number now, but the arrangement is quite fun
3 Tony Brent The Clouds Will Soon Roll By Despite music having moved on a long way we still seem to have barely a day without a dirge of a ballad, and this is today's



#734 15/03/1958 Buddy Holly Listen To Me 16 {16}-30->2
#735 15/03/1958 Michael Holliday In Love 26 {26}-29-30->3
#736 15/03/1958 Jackie Wilson To Be Loved 23 27-29R(2)-24-27-29-26-{23}-23R(2)->8
#737 15/03/1958 The Crickets Maybe Baby 4 28-15-9-5-5-{4}-10-10-15-26->10
#738 15/03/1958 Jackie Dennis La Dee Dah 4 30-21-8-7-{4}-8-11-19-18->9
#739 15/03/1958 Ted Heath And His Music Swingin' Shepherd Blues 3 30-21-18-10-6-{3}-3-3-5-8-13-19-28-29->1
#740 22/03/1958 Malcolm Vaughan With The Michael Sammes Singers To Be Loved 14 24-25-17-17-17-{14}-15-14-14-20-24-25->12
#741 29/03/1958 Jimmie Rodgers Oh-Oh, I'm Falling In Love Again 18 21-20-19-{18}-19-20->6
#742 29/03/1958 Moe Koffman Quartette Swingin' Shepherd Blues 23 {23}-29->2
#743 29/03/1958 Fats Domino The Big Beat 20 28-25-{20}-24->4
#744 05/04/1958 The Champs Tequila 5 10-9-6-{5}-6-9-11-25-30->9
#745 05/04/1958 Pat Boone A Wonderful Time Up There 2 16-16-7-4-5-3-{2}-4-5-4-7-9-11-15-21-28-24->17
#746 05/04/1958 Connie Francis Who's Sorry Now 1 22-10-9-6-2-2-{1}-1-1-1-1-1-3-4-6-7-10-10-15-12-17-22-21-21-29->25
#747 12/04/1958 Pat Boone It's Too Soon To Know 7 13-10-{7}-13-13-10-23-20-20-26-26-26->12

Posted by: Popchartfreak 7th March 2023, 05:40 PM

Catch A Falling Star is prob Perry's best record, but I'd opt for Good Golly - Another childhood song that one, in the cover from Swinging Blue jeans. Don't is nice. Buena Sera was covered by Bad Manners I think, but Louis Prima was immortalised as King Louie in Disneys Jungle Book. He who sings the still brilliant I Wanna Be Like You, The King Of Swing. So I will like everything he did...!

The only other one I know is baby Lover, which is a bit of fun that cropped up on TV now and again. Ricky Nelson, what's not to like, handsome teen idol with a decent back catalogue, even if this one I don't recall.

Posted by: JulianT 7th March 2023, 11:17 PM

It's TEQUILA time! Also a double 9 today because Connie Francis' stonking rubbing her ex's face in it ballad also deserves. When you think of a female power ballad you might think of Mariah-esque vocal acrobatics, but Connie shows that you don't need any of that to get all the emotion across.

9 The Champs Tequila TEQUILA!! - what a classic instrumental with its squawking sax over jingly percussion; somehow only made #5
9 Connie Francis Who's Sorry Now 71st #1 and debut hit for Connie - what a fabulous voice which she lets rip on this fiercely bitter heartbreak ballad
8 Jimmie Rodgers Oh-Oh, I'm Falling In Love Again He only had a few modest hits but really liking them all; this is catchy and heartfelt (interesting chart run incidentally)
7 Buddy Holly Listen To Me A much smaller hit than the Crickets song here but prefer it - a really good tune that sounds quite Beatles-esque
7 Moe Koffman Quartette Swingin' Shepherd Blues A really lovely instrumental with a wistful flute melody over a simple bass and percussion
6 The Crickets Maybe Baby Lyrically quite basic but the track makes up for it with the percussive backing vocals and strumming
6 Jackie Wilson To Be Loved Wow very different from "Reet Petite" - a romantic, slightly slushy ballad with a very impressive vocal performance
5 Ted Heath And His Music Swingin' Shepherd Blues This version has the melody done on the oboe instead of the flute, and it's also nice but not as enchanting as the other
5 Fats Domino The Big Beat A nice jolly little rock number, sung very nicely but all in all nothing to write home about
4 Michael Holliday In Love "In lu-hu-huv" - another of those whistly mid tempo late 50s songs, but it's fairly pleasant
4 Pat Boone A Wonderful Time Up There Oh gosh it's a very explicitly Christian rock song - it is a catchy melody and hence a big hit, and at least it's lively for Pat
3 Malcolm Vaughan With The Michael Sammes Singers To Be Loved The usual stuff from Malcolm - what would be quite a gentle song done by most other artists given the crash bang wallop treatment
2 Jackie Dennis La Dee Dah A very Scottish sounding 15 year old singing a repetitive melody and various nonsense lyrics; yep fairly irritating
2 Pat Boone It's Too Soon To Know Normal service resumes with this Pat Boone hit - very nondescript dreary and non hummable ballad





Next:

12/04/1958 Jerry Lee Lewis Breathless 8 22-12-9-{8}-11-17-30->7
12/04/1958 Ted Heath And His Music Tequila 21 29-28-{21}-22-28-21->6
12/04/1958 Lonnie Donegan The Grand Coolie Dam 6 30-22-18-16-8-7-7-{6}-6-10-14-22-22-22-21->15
19/04/1958 The Chordettes Lollipop 6 23-12-7-{6}-9-8-21-21->8
19/04/1958 Ronnie Hilton With The Michael Sammes Singers I May Never Pass This Way Again 27 30-30R(2)-{27}R(5)->3
26/04/1958 Tommy Steele Happy Guitar 20 {20}-25-22-22-26->5
26/04/1958 Robert Earl I May Never Pass This Way Again 14 23-17-17-15-{14}-15-24-17-20-16-20-24-27->13
26/04/1958 Chuck Berry Sweet Little Sixteen 16 28-26-{16}-18-20->5
26/04/1958 Elias And His Zig-Zag Jive Flutes Tom Hark 2 30-12-7-6-{2}-2-2-2-3-6-9-11-20-30->14
03/05/1958 The Mudlarks Lollipop 2 11-10-4-4-{2}-5-8-10-20->9
03/05/1958 Elvis Presley Wear My Ring Around Your Neck 3 13-4-5-{3}-4-11-13-21-23-28->10
03/05/1958 Max Bygraves Tulips From Amsterdam/You Need Hands 3 28-29-13-11-10-7-6-5-8-{3}-4-3-3-4-6-5-6-5-14-13-13-16-19-26-27->25
10/05/1958 Perry Como Kewpie Doll 9 25-16-10-{9}-13-14-23->7
10/05/1958 Frankie Vaughan Kewpie Doll 10 26-19-12-13-{10}-10-11-13-14-16-22-26->12

Posted by: Roba. 8th March 2023, 02:50 PM

My mums been playing the Swingin Blue Jeans version of 'Good Golly' quite a bit recently haha, it's a great track.
'Catch A Falling Star' is also good too!

Posted by: chartjack2 8th March 2023, 03:56 PM

So many repeat tracks in those days!

Posted by: Popchartfreak 9th March 2023, 07:12 PM

Tequila is a great party record, still fresh. Who's Sorry Now I've always liked. Buddy Holly & The Crickets are always good, and To Be Loved is jackie Wilson. Legend. Must admit I dont know Pat Boone's version of Wonderful Time Up There, the version I know was Alvin Stardust's, the only pop star who's ever lived in the area I was born - Mansfield. Bet his version was better than Pat's....

Posted by: JulianT 9th March 2023, 11:22 PM

I'm still feeling slightly bad for not giving "Mr Sandman" by The Chordettes the win when it came up in 1954. "Lollipop" isn't quite on the same level but it's also great; a bit more bubblegum pop but still has that lovely dreamy feel to it that their close harmony manages to evoke. "Tom Hark" was close though - a delightfully authentic South African penny whistle number.

8 The Chordettes Lollipop A brilliantly catchy, poppy but still sophisticated number with close harmony; their third and final hit sadly
8 Elias And His Zig-Zag Jive Flutes Tom Hark A month at #2 for this very random hit and it's a great recognisable instrumental tune but also the flute playing is delightfully chaotic
7 The Mudlarks Lollipop The bigger version of this, reaching #2, and it's not quite as beautiful as the Chordettes' but still really good
7 Tommy Steele Happy Guitar "Chun-ka-chun-ka whom ching chah!" - find this really catchy and it suits Tommy, who gives it a good quirky performance
6 Max Bygraves Tulips From Amsterdam/You Need Hands This is probably my favourite Max hit - "Tulips From Amsterdam" is a lovely waltz style song; the other side is less good
6 Elvis Presley Wear My Ring Around Your Neck Not sure I understand how a ring fits round a neck, but a nice mid tempo ballad that conveys the joy of falling in love
6 Lonnie Donegan The Grand Coolie Dam Another very pleasant one from Lonnie - he manages to sing about mundane subjects as though they're incredibly exciting
5 Jerry Lee Lewis Breathless A fairly run of the mill rock 'n' roll track really; the main interest being the odd long breaths to signify breathlessness
5 Chuck Berry Sweet Little Sixteen #16 hit fittingly - mind was blown to discover "Surfin' USA" was effectively a cover of this; that's a much better track though
4 Ted Heath And His Music Tequila Losing interest in these Ted Heath covers - it's fine but it's basically the same record as The Champs' version
4 Perry Como Kewpie Doll He wins a doll at the fair and says he doesn't need it as he has one at home - charming, though she does get her own back afterwards
3 Frankie Vaughan Kewpie Doll Slightly prefer the way Perry does this; all in all it's a not terrible but silly song
2 Robert Earl I May Never Pass This Way Again Dirge of the day klaxon - a very forgettable ballad though quite impressed with Robert Earl's voice
2 Ronnie Hilton With The Michael Sammes Singers I May Never Pass This Way Again Similar but slightly prefer the vocals on the above



Next bunch:

#762 10/05/1958 Vic Damone On The Street Where You Live 1 30-19-9-8-3-4-2-{1}-1-2-4-4-11-14-14-18-23->17
#763 17/05/1958 David Whitfield On The Street Where You Live 16 25-26-28-29-25-17-18-18-17-{16}-16-18-19-24->14
#764 17/05/1958 Michael Holliday Stairway Of Love 3 27-17-12-8-{3}-5-4-11-9-14-19-19-28->13
#765 17/05/1958 The Platters Twilight Time 3 28-29-22-16-16-12-12-6-{3}-5-5-7-9-9-14-27-30-30->18
#766 17/05/1958 Terry Dene Stairway Of Love 16 29-18-{16}-22-30->5
#767 24/05/1958 Ella Fitzgerald Swingin' Shepherd Blues 15 {15}-16-18-23-27->5
#768 24/05/1958 Alvin And The Chipmunks Witch Doctor 11 16-{11}-14-18-18-25->6
#769 24/05/1958 Don Lang And His Frantic Five Witch Doctor 5 19-14-9-{5}-7-6-7-12-10-18-25->11
#770 24/05/1958 The Everly Brothers All I Have To Do Is Dream/Claudette 1 24-18-12-9-4-2-{1}-1-1-1-1-1-1-2-2-3-5-5-12-15-29->21
#771 24/05/1958 Johnny Mathis Teacher, Teacher 27 28-29-30-28-{27}->5
#772 31/05/1958 Perry Como I May Never Pass This Way Again 15 25-19-{15}-15-24-17-28-25->8
#773 31/05/1958 Paul Anka Crazy Love 26 {26}->1
#774 31/05/1958 Michael Medwin, Bernard Bresslaw, Alfie Bass And Leslie Fyson The Signature Tune Of 'The Army Game' 5 27-17-12-8-{5}-10-15-23-22->
#775 07/06/1958 Marvin Rainwater I Dig You Baby 19 23-22-{19}-21-24-26-30->7

Posted by: Popchartfreak 10th March 2023, 08:45 AM

Tom Hark is my fave of this batch, still fond of the 1980 Piranhas version. Lollipop less so, but Chief Wiggum singing it in the Simpsons was a highlight. Both the Max tracks are well known and neither have been faves of mine, so that leaves Chuck Berry and Elvis as also-rans...

Posted by: JulianT 10th March 2023, 11:27 PM

I'm being basic and putting the two #1s at the top today!

9 The Everly Brothers All I Have To Do Is Dream/Claudette 73rd #1: the blend of their voices creates the beautiful dreamy quality here and the other side is a very well done Orbison cover
8 Vic Damone On The Street Where You Live 72nd #1: also a classic and it's great, though comparing it with the above I feel the Everlys hit has more sparkle
8 The Platters Twilight Time The Platters back to their best - a very atmospheric ballad beautifully sung; a warm hug of a record
7 Ella Fitzgerald Swingin' Shepherd Blues Interesting that a vocal version of this was done and became a hit after the instrumentals - turns it into a really lovely jazz song
7 Michael Holliday Stairway Of Love It's a very pleasant jolly tune with nice "bom bom bom" from the backing singers - very enjoyable in a gentle unchallenging way
6 Paul Anka Crazy Love Like his last one it's a wailing angst ridden ballad in a minor key with sympathetic saxes and it works nicely
5 Terry Dene Stairway Of Love Prefer Michael's voice and otherwise this is quite a similar cover with "doo-bee" "doo-bee" instead of "bom bom" backing
4 Marvin Rainwater I Dig You Baby The follow up to his #1 and it's just an inferior version of that; not too surprised that he had no more hits
4 Don Lang And His Frantic Five Witch Doctor A 50s novelty hit - it's catchy I'll give it that, and I really like Don Lang - see his hit "Cloudburst" which I gave a 9 in 1955
3 Alvin And The Chipmunks Witch Doctor Like this one slightly less; all in all the song has limited replay value but interesting that the biggest version will come in 40 years
3 David Whitfield On The Street Where You Live Similar to the chart topping version but with David's ruinous pseudo-operatic vocals
2 Perry Como I May Never Pass This Way Again What a way to follow up "Catch A Falling Star" - third version of this and just as turgid as the others
2 Johnny Mathis Teacher, Teacher The 50s version of "What I Go To School For" perhaps - first hit for Johnny Mathis and I'm afraid I don't like the lyrics or melody
1 Michael Medwin, Bernard Bresslaw, Alfie Bass And Leslie Fyson The Signature Tune Of 'The Army Game' A sitcom theme - it's a march style song with military band and very ropey singing and shouting - no doubt works with the show





Next group:

#776 07/06/1958 The Mudlarks Book Of Love 8 26-19-13-9-{8}-8-9-14-23->9
#777 14/06/1958 The Four Preps Big Man 2 21-16-10-5-5-{2}-2-3-4-7-7-12-18-22R(2)->14
#778 14/06/1958 Dean Martin Return To Me 2 24-24-17-23-20-19-13-9-5-3-3-3-{2}-3-4-4-7-10-16-24-28-25->22
#779 14/06/1958 Doris Day A Very Precious Love 16 27-25-27-20-19-18-17-{16}-22-22-28->11
#780 21/06/1958 Sheb Wooley The Purple People Eater 12 22-14-13-{12}-13-20-16-26->8
#781 21/06/1958 Eddie Calvert Little Serenade 28 29-{28}->2
#782 21/06/1958 Buddy Holly Rave On 5 29-15-15-10-8-7-{5}-8-8-7-10-13-17-23->14
#783 28/06/1958 Pat Boone Sugar Moon 6 19-12-7-{6}-8-13-10-11-13-18-22-27->12
#784 28/06/1958 Connie Francis I'm Sorry I Made You Cry 11 29-19-17-15-12-12-{11}-17-26-21->10
#785 28/06/1958 Jackie Dennis The Purple People Eater 29 {29}->1
#786 05/07/1958 Renato Carosone And His Sextet Torero-Cha Cha Cha 25 {25}->1
#787 05/07/1958 Fats Domino Sick And Tired 26 {26}->1
#788 05/07/1958 Ted Heath And His Music Tom Hark 24 27-{24}->2
#789 05/07/1958 Valerie Carr When The Boys Talk About The Girls 29 {29}-30R(2)->2

Posted by: Jade 10th March 2023, 11:36 PM

'Lollipop' is great! I can't believe 'Mr. Sandman' is sampled in the new Meghan Trainor single

Also a fan of 'All I Have To Do Is Dream' which lives up to its title by being very dreamy <3

Posted by: Popchartfreak 11th March 2023, 09:06 AM

All I Have To Do Is Dream is Everlys at their best, but it was the Glen Campbell & Bobbie Gentry cover that made me love it, and the country version from Nitty Gritty Dirt band that made me see it as an indestructible song - it can be done in any genre and still be class.

Claudette is good, On The Street is classy, Twilight Time is a goodie, and Witch Doctor fun when not heard too much. I go with Alvin's Chipmunks as they were ahead of the game in speeding up vocals - though at least they did it all themselves and didnt steal other people's work and label it as their own...

Posted by: JulianT 11th March 2023, 10:24 PM

No obvious winner today but a few highlights and I’m going with “Big Man” as it’s held up very well and there’s something very soulful about it.

8 The Four Preps Big Man Only big hit for this American quartet and it's a great heartfelt close harmony number with a rich piano led accompaniment
8 Buddy Holly Rave On Really lives up to its name with the relentless beat underpinning the excellent vocals and well composed melody
7 The Mudlarks Book Of Love A doo wop song which is a cover of an American hit version but very well done and it's a bouncy vibrant number
7 Eddie Calvert Little Serenade One of Eddie's best - as well as the usual bending trumpet has a good beat, strident male backing "la la la" and a distant soprano voice
6 Renato Carosone And His Sextet Torero-Cha Cha Cha An Italian singer singing about meeting a bullfighter in Barcelona - as a very authentic feel to it and a strong melody
5 Connie Francis I'm Sorry I Made You Cry Was always going to be difficult to follow up her debut her voice swoops and bends beautifully on this but the song isn't brilliant
5 Sheb Wooley The Purple People Eater The points for this are very much for originality as like "Witch Doctor" it doesn't bear too many listens, but it's good fun
4 Dean Martin Return To Me Another of Dean's Italian style ones; has quite a nice atmosphere with the strings and backing vocals but not sure it quite comes off
4 Fats Domino Sick And Tired The usual style from Fats; classy rich vocals on a soulful sax laden bluesy track, but the song itself is something of a dud
4 Valerie Carr When The Boys Talk About The Girls Her only hit and another terribly slow ballad; really like her voice and performance but the song really stays in one place
3 Doris Day A Very Precious Love Nice violins and not at all unpleasant but a rather limp ballad that doesn't really draw you in and the tune isn't memorable
3 Ted Heath And His Music Tom Hark My least favourite Ted cover yet as it takes the ragged haphazard charm out of the song by playing it in an orderly and sanitised way
2 Jackie Dennis The Purple People Eater This combines 3 of my least favourite things - an irritating novelty song, a child star and a cover that adds little, but he gives it welly
2 Pat Boone Sugar Moon Yes Pat wins dirge of the day again with a glacial pace ballad with no real development, memorable melody or discernible emotion



Next up:

#790 05/07/1958 Julius La Rosa Torero 15 30-29-25-28-{15}-17-17-26-25->9
#791 12/07/1958 Lonnie Donegan Sally Don't You Grieve/Betty, Betty, Betty 11 14-{11}-11-14-12-16-24->7
#792 12/07/1958 Marty Wilde Endless Sleep 4 23-12-9-8-7-6-5-{4}-6-6-10-10-16-23->14
#793 12/07/1958 Michael Holliday I'll Always Be In Love With You 27 {27}->1
#794 12/07/1958 Little Richard Ooh! My Soul 22 30-23R(2)-{22}-27->4
#795 19/07/1958 Tommy Steele And The Steelmen The Only Man On The Island 16 {16}-21-26-18-20-22-23-29->8
#796 19/07/1958 The Kalin Twins When 1 24-15-6-3-2-{1}-1-1-1-1-3-3-3-8-15-16-20-27->18
#797 19/07/1958 George Hamilton IV I Know Where I'm Goin' 23 29-25R(3)-{23}-30->4
#798 26/07/1958 Elvis Presley Hard Headed Woman 2 6-{2}-2-4-4-7-11-14-21-23-30->11
#799 26/07/1958 Joe 'Mr Piano' Henderson Trudie 14 25-23-20-{14}-21-26-19-23-14-17-20-24-23R(2)-27->14
#800 26/07/1958 Perez 'Prez' Prado And His Orchestra Patricia 8 26-21-13-10-9-9-{8}-11-9-11-13-20-22-19-23-26->16
#801 26/07/1958 The Crickets Think It Over 11 28-20-16-13-{11}-15-23->7
#802 02/08/1958 Vic Damone The Only Man On The Island 24 26-{24}-25->3
#803 02/08/1958 Bobby Darin Splish Splash 19 28-28R(2)-23-{19}-28-21-30->7

Posted by: jimwatts 11th March 2023, 10:39 PM

Rave On is great, it made my shortlist for the #5s rate. I also enjoy The Purple People Eater (Sheb Wooley's version) after first hearing it while playing indoor mini-golf in Las Vegas, of all places.

Posted by: Popchartfreak 12th March 2023, 09:56 AM

Don't know that Big Man track! Rave On is pretty well known and pretty good, Book Of Love is a catchy doowop song I've always enjoyed, Purple People Eater OK once in a blue moon. Doris features in a current fave of mine by Thomas Rhett (Simple As A Song) as a speeded up sample of a lovely 1954 tune If I Gave My Heart To You which I wasn't aware of apart from a mention on here, so I'll give a thumb up now.

Posted by: JulianT 12th March 2023, 11:40 PM

Classic 1 hit wonder klaxon for "When"!

9 The Kalin Twins When 74th #1: just a fabulous song, from the saxophone intro to the stonking melody to the phrasing and the clickety rhythm
8 Perez 'Prez' Prado And His Orchestra Patricia The long awaited follow up hit to "Cherry Pink…" and it's a brilliant organ, brass and percussion number
8 Marty Wilde Endless Sleep This is excellent - sounds like it could be an Elvis track with the echo on the vocals and twanging guitar
7 The Crickets Think It Over Something about the vocals on this almost makes it sound like a Beatles track; anyway it's another really sold rock 'n' roll number
7 Little Richard Ooh! My Soul All the elements that make him great are there, and I love the way he squeaks the "ooh"s, but not the most distinctive track
6 Elvis Presley Hard Headed Woman Another #2 for Elvis - it's good but the style, structure and beat are a bit too similar to "Jailhouse Rock"
6 Lonnie Donegan Sally Don't You Grieve/Betty, Betty, Betty "Sally Don't You Grieve" in particular is really good and has the usual Lonnie skiffle elements; the other side feels a bit more folky
5 Joe 'Mr Piano' Henderson Trudie His only hits to date have been rather pointless seeming medleys so nice that this is a really good bluesy piano instrumental
5 George Hamilton IV I Know Where I'm Goin' Laid back country style to this and there's a simple charm to it somehow, as the backing vocals and guitars bob along in sympathy
5 Michael Holliday I'll Always Be In Love With You A nice twinkly ballad with Michael's deep, effortless vocals - very pleasant all in all
4 Bobby Darin Splish Splash Water sound effects begin and end this so you're in no doubt it's a rock 'n' roll song about taking a bath - silly but quite fun
4 Tommy Steele And The Steelmen The Only Man On The Island He's alone on an island with 150 women and he's terribly smug about it - Tommy plays the eligible bachelor part well though
3 Julius La Rosa Torero An English version of this song about bullfighting; much prefer the Italian version as it has a much more authentic feel to it
2 Vic Damone The Only Man On The Island We really didn't need another version of this boorish song and Vic doesn't bring it off as well as Tommy




Tomorrow's:

#804 02/08/1958 Bobby Helms Jacqueline 20 29-{20}-27->3
#805 02/08/1958 Frankie Vaughan Wonderful Things 22 30-{22}-26-27R(4)-28-30->6
#806 09/08/1958 Charlie Drake Splish Splash 7 28-20-10-11-10-{7}-8-9-8-18-29->11
#807 09/08/1958 David Whitfield The Right To Love 30 {30}->1
#808 16/08/1958 The Coasters Yakety Yak 12 19-16-17-{12}-14-15-15-23->8
#809 16/08/1958 Peggy Lee Fever 5 29-15-8-7-9-7-{5}-10-16-28-29->11
#810 16/08/1958 Doris Day Everybody Loves A Lover 25 30-{25}-27-27R(4)->4
#811 23/08/1958 Ricky Nelson Poor Little Fool 4 12-13-9-8-6-6-{4}-9-11-12-11-16-17-28R(2)->14
#812 23/08/1958 Connie Francis Stupid Cupid/Carolina Moon 1 19-6-4-2-2-{1}-1-1-1-1-1-4-6-9-13-16-20-25-28->19
#813 23/08/1958 Harry Belafonte Little Bernadette 16 20-{16}-16-20-24-28-28->7
#814 23/08/1958 Max Bygraves Little Train/Gotta Have Rain 28 {28}-29->2
#815 30/08/1958 Dean Martin Volare (Nel Blu Dipinto Di Blu) 2 14-5-4-3-{2}-2-2-3-9-10-14-15-30-27->14
#816 30/08/1958 Buddy Holly Early In The Morning 17 20-{17}-24-26->4
#817 30/08/1958 Pat Boone If Dreams Came True 16 30-26-25-18-18-{16}-20-20-21-25-27->11

Posted by: Popchartfreak 13th March 2023, 10:08 AM

Yes, When is a goodie, I also rate the Showaddywaddy hit cover. There will be a lot of Showaddywaddy songs popping up!

I dont know Patricia, Marty is still touring (yay!), but The Crickets is decent and I agree Elvis' Hard Headed Woman is not one of his greatest and it's not bad. Splish Splash better known to me by Charlie Drake, 60's comic actor appealing to kiddies, but it's not what you might call a classic!

Posted by: JulianT 14th March 2023, 12:48 AM

"Fever" in in a bit of a league of its own today - "Volare" also a classic and Dean does a good job with it but it's not the original and the lyrics are partly Anglicised.

9 Peggy Lee Fever Just a click and a bass and her excellent vocal performance and it makes for such a brilliantly sensual record
8 Dean Martin Volare (Nel Blu Dipinto Di Blu) The original is coming up but this cover, which alternates between English and Italian, is great and really suits Dean's voice
8 Connie Francis Stupid Cupid/Carolina Moon 75th #1: "Stupid Cupid" is brilliant - really fun and cheeky, and "Carolina Moon" a very pretty dreamy ballad
7 Buddy Holly Early In The Morning Another great rock 'n' roll performance from Buddy with a bit of sax and a nice call and response with the backing chorus
7 Bobby Helms Jacqueline Not sure why he pronounces it "Jac-woo-lin" but it's a really good sultry tune; his last hit for nearly 60 years!
6 Ricky Nelson Poor Little Fool The first big hit for this teen idol - he sounds very good on it and it's a nice midtempo Elvis style heartbreak ballad
5 Doris Day Everybody Loves A Lover Quite a nice one this - particularly enjoy the last verse when she duets with herself; her last hit for a long time
5 Harry Belafonte Little Bernadette A song about a 19th century French girl who became a saint - why not, quite sweet and Harry's storytelling is really good as ever
4 Max Bygraves Little Train/Gotta Have Rain "Little Train" isn't bad and has many nice trainlike effects; "Gotta Have Rain" is quite charming but some of the child vocals are awful
4 Pat Boone If Dreams Came True Not bad this - the usual slightly dreary Pat style but some lovely instrumentation and backing singing; almost manages to be tender
3 The Coasters Yakety Yak The melody and style remind me a bit of "The Streak" - not a good thing; quite a silly song partly redeemed by the saxophone solo
2 David Whitfield The Right To Love "You need me as much as I need you" - indeed David; I've enjoyed not enjoying your records and this is the last of the 18 Top 40s
2 Frankie Vaughan Wonderful Things There's competition but think this wins dirge of the day as it's just so terribly twee and the tune unmemorable
1 Charlie Drake Splish Splash Already a novelty record and now we get a "comedy" version of it - dear me



Next group:

#818 30/08/1958 Russ Conway Got A Match 30 {30}->1
#819 06/09/1958 Domenico Modugno Nel Blu Dipinto Di Blu (Volare) 10 15-{10}-11-14-22-12-13-17-17-21-22-30->12
#820 06/09/1958 Tony Brent Girl Of My Dreams 16 20-18-{16}-18-18-25-30->7
#821 06/09/1958 Perry Como Moon Talk 17 24-25-25-24-20-19-23-22-22-{17}-18->11
#822 06/09/1958 Bernard Bresslaw Mad Passionate Love 6 25-12-11-7-{6}-8-9-11-15-15-26->11
#823 06/09/1958 Duane Eddy And His Twangy Guitar Rebel Rouser 19 26-{19}-20-21-24-22-19-20-20-30->10
#824 13/09/1958 The Everly Brothers Bird Dog 2 16-16-8-5-6-6-5-3-3-{2}-3-7-13-15-20-19->16
#825 13/09/1958 Cliff Richard And The Drifters Move It 2 29-27-20-12-5-4-{2}-4-7-7-8-10-15-25-24-21-27->17
#826 20/09/1958 The Poni-Tails Born Too Late 5 19-13-11-7-{5}-7-8-10-12-18-26->11
#827 27/09/1958 Johnny Mathis A Certain Smile 4 22-14-10-7-7-5-6-5-{4}-4-5-11-13-14-24-20->16
#828 27/09/1958 The Elegants Little Star 25 {25}-29->2
#829 27/09/1958 Paul Anka Midnight 26 {26}->1
#830 27/09/1958 Lonnie Donegan Lonesome Traveller 28 {28}->1
#831 04/10/1958 Elvis Presley King Creole 2 9-4-{2}-4-7-9-10-12-20-27-27-22-29-22-26->15

Posted by: BananasInPyjamas 14th March 2023, 04:18 AM

LOVE Fever by Peggy Lee, glad it was your top pick Julian. I agree with the comment that it's in a league of its own, for its era of release certainly. What a fantastic record.

Posted by: Brer 14th March 2023, 01:12 PM

I chose a bad time to start reading this again - this 'Yakety Yak' slander will not stand, especially that offensive comparison to Ray Stevens!

(I have been skimming some recent posts in here again but think I will try and start keeping up properly and commenting a bit more again now, maybe one day will read back through the last however long I wasn't reading the thread properly )

Posted by: JulianT 14th March 2023, 01:15 PM

QUOTE(Brer @ Mar 14 2023, 01:12 PM)

I chose a bad time to start reading this again - this 'Yakety Yak' slander will not stand, especially that offensive comparison to Ray Stevens!

(I have been skimming some recent posts in here again but think I will try and start keeping up properly and commenting a bit more again now, maybe one day will read back through the last however long I wasn't reading the thread properly )

Posted by: Popchartfreak 14th March 2023, 07:42 PM

Fever is still the definitive version, Peggy Lee was so cool. Volare is one I loved as a kid, it was still getting plays in the 60's, and I never knew it was a Eurovision song till the 70's, and I never knew Dean's wasn't the original. It was always Dean for me. Though again it's an indestructible song, Ive heard so many very different good versions.

Stupid Cupid is fun, Buddy good, Ricky Nelson's is really sweet, and The Coasters is a rock n roll era uptempo great - though I can see why it might annoy. As Ray Stevens is a real old-time music fan, I've no doubt the nicked rhythm was intentional for The Streak. I love Ray Stevens. It's a shame The Streak was his number one, pretty much his entire hit back catalogue is better than it. Hey ho!

Posted by: Jade 14th March 2023, 07:48 PM

'Fever' has stood the test of time, what a classic Faye Tozer from Steps did a really cool theatre jazz routine to it on Strictly and it's still one of my favourite routines since I started watching *.*

Posted by: JulianT 15th March 2023, 01:20 AM

A really good group today. It's the turn of the original "Volare" which came 3rd in Eurovision 1958 and is a great track. That certainly deserves a feature but I'm actually going to give the win to our very own Cliff with his debut hit "Move It". Yes he wasn't always making granny fodder - this is a fantastic song and he must have really felt like the British answer to Elvis at this point.

9 Cliff Richard And The Drifters Move It There's a relentlessness to the guitars on this which frame the lyrics perfectly - a brilliant rock 'n' roll song for Cliff's debut hit
9 Domenico Modugno Nel Blu Dipinto Di Blu (Volare) The entirely Italian original; has some great shimmery piano accompaniment and love how freely the verses are done on this
8 Elvis Presley King Creole Yet another Elvis #2 and another track that has an exciting urgency to it; the different guitar effects really make the track too
8 Duane Eddy And His Twangy Guitar Rebel Rouser Love the "twangy guitar" credit - the opening really makes a statement and it builds up to a chorus of yelling and sax; great first hit
7 Lonnie Donegan Lonesome Traveller A minor hit for Lonnie but it's really good and his usual build up from a slow start to a frenzy of skiffle
7 Russ Conway Got A Match Lovely from Russ; like how it builds up with clapping, guitar and banjo before the piano takes over and then the "do do" chorus
6 Perry Como Moon Talk A really sweet and catchy little song; another with a relentless bassline driving it forward
6 Johnny Mathis A Certain Smile Took some time to connect as it's not catchy as such but it's a really elegant ballad beautifully sung with majestic instrumentals
6 The Everly Brothers Bird Dog A slightly odd track; both the lyrics and the spoken parts, but it's still good - enjoy the sung harmonies and the rhythmic strumming
5 The Elegants Little Star Another that feels like a much bigger hit; the "twinkle twinkle" part is slightly naff but otherwise it's lovely and very well sung
5 The Poni-Tails Born Too Late "What a shame I can't sleep with you because I'm too young"; not sure about the sentiment but the track itself is very nice
4 Paul Anka Midnight "Midnight -night -night... lovers -ers -ers… quiet -et -et"; I don't think the backing works on this though it's a nice jolly track
3 Tony Brent Girl Of My Dreams The backing's quite nice but the vocal moves at such a slow pace that the song can't really get going, and the tune isn't great
2 Bernard Bresslaw Mad Passionate Love A comedy song from the "Carry On" actor with his thick Cockney accent and the birds singing in chipmunk style - not much fun





Next set:

#832 04/10/1958 Tommy Edwards It's All In The Game 1 25-13-12-6-6-{1}-1-1-2-3-4-5-4-8-11-15-27->17
#833 04/10/1958 Marino Marini And His Quartet Volare (Nel Blu Dipinto Di Blu) 13 26-{13}-17-16-14-23-16->7
#834 04/10/1958 The Olympics Western Movies 12 27-17-18-14-{12}-13-18-20->8
#835 11/10/1958 Marino Marini And His Quartet Come Prima 2 15-10-{2}-2-2-4-7-5-12-11-14-15-19-27->14
#836 11/10/1958 Frankie Vaughan Am I Wasting My Time On You 25 27-{25}-28R(12)-27->4
#837 11/10/1958 Jack Scott My True Love 9 28-20-25-18-11-{9}-15-16-18-30->10
#838 11/10/1958 Frankie Avalon Gingerbread 30 {30}->1
#839 18/10/1958 Jodie Sands Someday (You'll Want Me To Want You) 14 {14}-18-19-17-14-16-22-17-19-21->10
#840 18/10/1958 Malcolm Vaughan With The Michael Sammes Singers More Than Ever (Come Prima) 5 15-10-13-8-8-{5}-8-7-10-9-11-13-17-23->14
#841 18/10/1958 Robin Luke Susie Darlin' 23 24-25-29-{23}R(3)-23R(2)-24->6
#842 18/10/1958 Tommy Dorsey Orchestra Starring Warren Covington Tea For Two Cha Cha 3 26-27-21-12-11-10-11-6-5-4-4-{3}-4-6-7-11-11-15-20->19
#843 25/10/1958 Lord Rockingham's XI Hoots Mon 1 13-9-5-3-2-{1}-1-1-2-2-2-2-3-8-14-15-25->17
#844 25/10/1958 Charlie Drake Volare 28 {28}-30->2
#845 25/10/1958 Robert Earl More Than Ever (Come Prima) 26 30-{26}-28R(3)-28->4

Posted by: Roba. 15th March 2023, 09:46 AM

I think I only recognise 'Move It' from the latest bunch. I do for reason I forgot about now, probably chart related thing of my own maybe... got the 2006 CD of the song which has Brian May playing on it apparently. Was like Cliffs 3rd or 4th Christmas attempt in the 00's. I think the original is better though obviously.

Should probably check out the Bernard song out of curiosity

Posted by: gooddelta 15th March 2023, 10:03 AM

Really enjoying this thread, there are some very forgettable and plain awful songs covered so far, but some classics coming up too.

Fever <3 Also Volare of course, that really stood the test of time as the first Eurovision classic.

Posted by: Popchartfreak 15th March 2023, 05:05 PM

That top 4 are all fab, no problem! Johnny Mathis is a smooth goodie, Everly Brothers is a lively bit of fun, and Born Too Late is a 50's delight.

Posted by: JulianT 16th March 2023, 12:28 AM

THERE'S A MOOSE! LOOSE! ABOUT THIS HOOSE!

9 Lord Rockingham's XI Hoots Mon 77th #1: taken from a Scottish folksong and punctuated by Scottish phrases, a fabulous pioneering rock 'n' roll instrumental
8 Robin Luke Susie Darlin' His only hit and he was 16; apparently recorded in a bedroom with pens hitting sticks to create the percussion - lovely song
7 Tommy Dorsey Orchestra Starring Warren Covington Tea For Two Cha Cha Takes a wartime song but instrumentalizes it with a whole band and turns it into something more timeless
7 Marino Marini And His Quartet Come Prima Not the original but the version that was a big hit here; another strong Italian song with a laid back Mediterranean feel
6 Tommy Edwards It's All In The Game 76th #1: quite understated and doesn't really feel like a chart topper to me but he has a lovely rich voice and it's classy
6 Marino Marini And His Quartet Volare (Nel Blu Dipinto Di Blu) Another rendition of this - it's good but again this group does it in quite a laid back way and prefer the more dramatic versions
5 Frankie Avalon Gingerbread On the irritatingly catchy pile - your mama thinks we're too young to date but how long did she think we'd wait?
5 Jodie Sands Someday (You'll Want Me To Want You) The only hit for Jodie who is still alive aged 96; great voice and performance and a nice if slightly austere and sluggish ballad
4 Jack Scott My True Love It's a nice tune well delivered but it's just a bit plodding and pious, particularly the spoken part
4 Robert Earl More Than Ever (Come Prima) This song is just much less good translated into English, though once again I do enjoy Robert Earl's voice
3 Malcolm Vaughan With The Michael Sammes Singers More Than Ever (Come Prima) Same comment as above and I like Malcolm's version slightly less than Robert's
2 Frankie Vaughan Am I Wasting My Time On You I think you might be wasting our time with lifeless ballads like this Frankie - dirge of the day
2 The Olympics Western Movies An American doo wop band singing a very dull song about someone liking to watch Westerns with shooting effects - don't get it
1 Charlie Drake Volare A parody version - just not that funny and quite a tedious listen



Next group:

#846 01/11/1958 Connie Francis I'll Get By 19 24-22-25-{19}-24-22->6
#847 08/11/1958 Perry Como Love Makes The World Go Round 6 19-13-11-9-10-8-7-7-7-{6}-8-12-19-24->14
#848 08/11/1958 Eddie Cochran Summertime Blues 18 24-23-25-{18}-19-22->6
#849 08/11/1958 Ricky Nelson Someday 9 28-24-14-12-10-{9}-15-13-12-14-21-26-23->13
#850 08/11/1958 Bobby Day Rockin' Robin 29 {29}-30->2
#851 15/11/1958 Conway Twitty It's Only Make Believe 1 20-6-3-2-2-{1}-1-1-1-1-5-7-10-13-21->15
#852 15/11/1958 Tommy Steele Come On Let's Go 10 21-16-15-14-13-12-{10}-11-12-10-13-16-28->13
#853 15/11/1958 Lonnie Donegan Lonnie's Skiffle Party 23 28-26-{23}-28-23->5
#854 15/11/1958 Frank Sinatra Mr Success 25 29-29R(4)-{25}-26R(2)->4
#855 22/11/1958 Lonnie Donegan Tom Dooley 3 13-6-{3}-3-3-3-4-3-4-11-10-13-22-26->14
#856 22/11/1958 The Kingston Trio Tom Dooley 5 20-17-8-6-6-6-{5}-7-12-10-13-18-28-27->14
#857 22/11/1958 Connie Francis Fallin' 20 22-{20}-26-26-23->5
#858 22/11/1958 Cliff Richard And The Drifters High Class Baby 7 23-14-9-{7}-8-9-9-8-10-18->10
#859 22/11/1958 Ricky Nelson I Got A Feeling 27 {27}->1

Posted by: Brer 16th March 2023, 12:47 AM

Did not know there were so many charting versions of 'Nel Blu Dipinto Di Blu' / 'Volare'! (let alone that the most successful version was by Dean Martin rather than Domenico Modugno)

Posted by: BananasInPyjamas 16th March 2023, 12:55 AM

Move It is a strong first single from Cliff, you can certainly see where the 'British Elvis' comparisons came from with that. He'd go on to release some even better hits... and plunge some deep nadirs.

Hoots Mon is fantastic! I must say from my limited 50s knowledge, I continue to approve of your top picks. Fever would have got a 10 from me though lol.

Posted by: Popchartfreak 16th March 2023, 04:16 PM

Hoots Mon is as mad as ever and great fun. It became ingrained in 60's culture, everyone was saying "there's a moose loose aboot this hoose" and quite regularly there were loads of mooses loose aboot the hooses we lived in

Never heard of Robin Luke, very Buddy holly, and an early bedroom template for White Town there. seems quite pleasant!

Tea For Two was always a catchy little cha-cha. Dont know that version of Come Prima but I love the Tony Dallara version, top notch tune. It's All In The Game is another great song that has been mutli-covered, all of them decent to fabulous. The Four Tops' is the best.

Frankie Avalon's not quite in the same league as his fabulous Venus, to say the least! Jodie Sands, I know the name, nice singer as you say, just giving it a spin. The rest I don't know....don't think I'm missing out on much so thanks for filtering them out!

Posted by: Jade 16th March 2023, 04:24 PM

Happy to see Domenico's 'Nel Blu Dipinto Di Blu (Volare)' faring well here! I did a huge Eurovision marathon and it was easily my favourite entry of 1958, what a classic.

'Hoots Mon' is very standout so I approve of that coming out on top *.*

'Move It' reminds me of John Lennon being a big fan and saying it was a turning point for British music.

Posted by: JulianT 17th March 2023, 12:31 AM

A really enjoyable bunch today - the top half are all great.

9 Bobby Day Rockin' Robin Only a tiny hit here but #2 in America - from the tweety flute to the beat to the lyrics and melody, what a classic
9 Conway Twitty It's Only Make Believe 78th #1: very much feels like the hit Elvis forgot to record but what a song and love the way it builds up to a cry of utter anguish
8 Eddie Cochran Summertime Blues Fabulous first hit for the tragic star who apparently liked to write about young adult angst; love the deep spoken interjections
8 Cliff Richard And The Drifters High Class Baby Can't get over how good Cliff was at this point - this starts off lazily and suddenly fires into gear and after that it's relentless
8 Tommy Steele Come On Let's Go One of Tommy's very best - great tune and he really owns it; love the parts where he slows right up and then sets off again
7 Connie Francis Fallin' Not a big hit for her but she gives it plenty of welly - a very good jazzy pop number and I think she does it in a really sexy way
7 Perry Como Love Makes The World Go Round A catchy one that suits Perry's nonchalent style; yesterday we had a moose on the loose and today it's a loose goose at the fair
6 Ricky Nelson I Got A Feeling Ricky's better one here by far - a tender rock 'n' roll number with a charming call and response and some nice guitar action
5 Connie Francis I'll Get By More of the slower ballad style from Connie - as ever she sounds great but the song is only mid tier
4 Frank Sinatra Mr Success The usual big band style arrangement and it's jolly and charming but lacks a convincing melody
4 Lonnie Donegan Lonnie's Skiffle Party I'm not generally a huge fan of these Christmas medley type singles; this is quite a fun one but just snippets of other songs
3 Ricky Nelson Someday Jodie's version of this was much better - he sounds like he's not really bothered
3 Lonnie Donegan Tom Dooley A true story about a condemned man - Lonnie makes it as fun as it possibly can be but still not my thing
2 The Kingston Trio Tom Dooley We get even more of the story in this one - not quite sure why anyone would enjoy listening to it but both versions were big hits





Last group of 1958:

#860 22/11/1958 Perry Como Mandolins In The Moonlight 13 29-19-21-16-17-15-14-{13}-13-18-15-27->12
#861 29/11/1958 Russ Conway More Party Pops 10 30-25-21-16-18-{10}-21->7
#862 06/12/1958 Jane Morgan The Day The Rains Came 1 24-14-11-8-6-5-2-{1}-4-7-9-10-16-18-24-25->16
#863 06/12/1958 Cozy Cole Topsy (Parts 1 And 2) 29 {29}->1
#864 06/12/1958 Pat Boone Gee, But It's Lonely 30 {30}->1
#865 13/12/1958 Ruby Murray Real Love 18 {18}-18-20-30-22-26->6
#866 13/12/1958 Harry Belafonte The Son Of Mary 18 27-{18}-24-21->4
#867 20/12/1958 Johnny Mathis Winter Wonderland 17 25-{17}-29->3
#868 20/12/1958 Shirley Bassey As I Love You 1 28-27-25R(2)-16-9-6-3-2-{1}-1-1-1-2-3-4-6-12-14-19->19
#869 20/12/1958 Jimmie Rodgers Woman From Liberia 18 28-26-27-{18}-18-30->6
#870 20/12/1958 The Teddy Bears To Know Him, Is To Love Him 2 30-25-20-10-5-4-{2}-2-4-6-7-12-16-23-27-26->16
#871 27/12/1958 Shirley Bassey Kiss Me Honey Honey Kiss Me 3 22-17-14-9-6-4-{3}-3-5-5-5-6-12-16-19-23-23->17
#872 27/12/1958 Connie Francis You Always Hurt The One You Love 13 23-17-14-{13}-15-17-26->7
#873 27/12/1958 Big Bopper Chantilly Lace 12 30-23R(2)-18-16-{12}-17-26-23->8

Posted by: BananasInPyjamas 17th March 2023, 02:38 AM

TIL that MJ wasn't the original version of Rockin Robin!

Posted by: Popchartfreak 17th March 2023, 09:43 AM

Rockin' Robin is fun, though for me it was MJ's version I knew first and best. That also goes for Conway twitty's It's Only Make Believe, it was the Glen campbell cover I loved to bits and still do, nobody builds a record like Glen could do, unless they had the initials R.O. or G.P. The originals, though, had to be good to inspire the covers!

Summertime Blues is a rocknroll cornerstone, much-covered but never bettered. I'm not that familiar with Cliff's follow-up (and he didn't do it when I saw him 2 years ago, unlike Move It) but as jade quoted, Cliff kick-started the British invasion by showing home-grown songs could compete.

Come On Let's Go I assume is the Ritchie Valens song, soon to be tragically killed in the Buddy Holly crash, and just a teenager. Los Lobos did a good cover from the movie biopic, but I'd stick with Ritchie's overall esp since he wrote it at such a young age. I did love Tommy back as a kiddie though (looking forward to Little White Bull popping up )

The other major song I know is Tom Dooley - no getting away from that one back in the day. As will become very apparent, death songs all the rage throughout the 60's, but never been much of a fan of this one.

Posted by: JulianT 17th March 2023, 07:30 PM

Another one hit wonder klaxon today.

8 The Teddy Bears To Know Him, Is To Love Him A much covered classic Phil Spector song written for this one hit wonder American group - the female lead delivers it beautifully
7 Big Bopper Chantilly Lace He will die in a plane crash with Buddy in a couple of months; a great catchy and cheeky rock 'n' roll number
7 Shirley Bassey Kiss Me Honey Honey Kiss Me This is almost irritatingly catchy; more so than her chart topper, and the orchestra gives it a nice Latin feel
7 Cozy Cole Topsy (Parts 1 And 2) #3 in America, a delightful big band instrumental with a strong melody and some great playing
6 Jimmie Rodgers Woman From Liberia The "uh oh" is similar to his last hit which also reached #18 - I really like his style though, apparently known as "rhythmic yodeling"
6 Ruby Murray Real Love A very sweet tune with nice harmonies from the multi-tracking and a gentle accompaniment; a feel good record
6 Jane Morgan The Day The Rains Came 79th #1: translated from a French song and it's a really nice tune well delivered by Jane who is still alive aged 98!
5 Pat Boone Gee, But It's Lonely He's been dumped poor guy: surprisingly convincing from Pat and one of his better ones for sure- you can almost feel his pain
5 Shirley Bassey As I Love You 80th #1: I find this very pleasant but nothing special; really enjoy the brass part in the chorus though
5 Harry Belafonte The Son Of Mary A vocal version of "Greensleeves" - I can't say I love the concept but Harry's storytelling is so good that it's an enjoyable listen
4 Johnny Mathis Winter Wonderland Perfectly decent version of this but it's not a song I especially enjoy - surprisingly this is the only time it has ever made the Top 40
4 Connie Francis You Always Hurt The One You Love Another ballad from Connie with her crystal clear voice over backing ahs and a mid tempo accompaniment; just doesn't quite pop
3 Russ Conway More Party Pops The usual piano medley formula done to death almost every Christmas first by Winifred and now Russ; feels unnecessary
3 Perry Como Mandolins In The Moonlight Another hit about Italy and the evening which seem to be Perry's favourite subjects, but this isn't catchy enough and feels clichéd

Posted by: Jade 17th March 2023, 07:35 PM

Oh I'm a fan of 'To Know Him, Is To Love Him', it's gorgeous <3 stalled at #2 here but topped the charts in the U.S.

I was listening to a compilation of Spector hits, as it appeared on Rolling Stone's Greatest Albums list and that was my biggest highlight until 'Be My Baby' came along

Posted by: Popchartfreak 18th March 2023, 05:45 PM

Yes those top 2 are fab, no question. I knew the Jerry Lee Lewis cover of Chantilly Lace first, but Big Bopper everytime.

Kiss Me Honey Honey was on one of dad's Shirley albums he brought back from a year unaccompanied in Aden so it's very much a record of my childhood, still fond of it though these days I'd opt for later tracks. Oddly I've never really known her number one here!

Cozy Cole best-known for me from hit drummer Cozy Powell nicking his name, but The Day That The Rains Came is one I know quite well and like - I think it was on an episode of The Young Ones in the early 80's Not a record you would associate with Comic Anarachy but there you go!

Phil Spector (topical) has the best version of Winter Wonderland on his Christmas Album, though Eurythmics did a nice version on a long-forgotten 80's charity album of big names covering xmas classics. I bought it, and not a single track ever gets played these days, not Madonna doing Santa Baby, Whitney doing Do You Hear What I Hear? not the hit Run DMC Christmas In Hollis, Springsteen's Merry Christmas Baby (better than his other xmas tracks), Pretenders, Stevie Nicks both do fab versions of Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas and Silent Night, U2 do Xmas (Baby Please Come Home), and Pointer Sisters, Sting, John Mellencamp, Bob Seger, Bryan Adams, Bon Jovi and Alison Moyet tackle other standards

Greensleeves has the benefit of not having to pay out songwriting royalties

Posted by: Suedehead2 18th March 2023, 06:27 PM

Been playing catch-up again. The arrival of Buddy Holly is definitely one of the highlights. As others have said, he packed a lot into a very short career. As Paul McCartney has always been a big fan of his, the Beatles-esque flavour to some of his songs is not surprising.

Posted by: Suedehead2 18th March 2023, 09:46 PM

QUOTE(Popchartfreak @ Mar 17 2023, 09:43 AM)

Rockin' Robin is fun, though for me it was MJ's version I knew first and best. That also goes for Conway twitty's It's Only Make Believe, it was the Glen campbell cover I loved to bits and still do, nobody builds a record like Glen could do, unless they had the initials R.O. or G.P. The originals, though, had to be good to inspire the covers!

Summertime Blues is a rocknroll cornerstone, much-covered but never bettered. I'm not that familiar with Cliff's follow-up (and he didn't do it when I saw him 2 years ago, unlike Move It) but as jade quoted, Cliff kick-started the British invasion by showing home-grown songs could compete.

Come On Let's Go I assume is the Ritchie Valens song, soon to be tragically killed in the Buddy Holly crash, and just a teenager. Los Lobos did a good cover from the movie biopic, but I'd stick with Ritchie's overall esp since he wrote it at such a young age. I did love Tommy back as a kiddie though (looking forward to Little White Bull popping up )

The other major song I know is Tom Dooley - no getting away from that one back in the day. As will become very apparent, death songs all the rage throughout the 60's, but never been much of a fan of this one.

Posted by: Suedehead2 18th March 2023, 09:55 PM

QUOTE(Jade @ Mar 17 2023, 07:35 PM)

Posted by: JulianT 18th March 2023, 11:24 PM

Thanks for all the comments guys!

Podium for 1958:

Gold medal: Hoots Mon! - Lord Rockingham's XI
Silver medal: Fever - Peggy Lee
Bronze medal: Move It - Cliff Richard & The Drifters

Others that I gave a 9:
All I Have To Do Is Dream / Claudette - The Everly Brothers
When - The Kalin Twins
Tequila - The Champs
Rockin' Robin - Bobby Day
Who's Sorry Now - Connie Francis
Jailhouse Rock - Elvis Presley
Nel Blu Dipinto Di Blu (Volare) - Domenico Modugno
It's Only Make Believe - Conway Twitty

Worst hit of the year: Splish Splash - Charlie Drake

First group of 1959 next:

#874 03/01/1959 Little Richard Baby Face 2 16-9-7-{2}-3-3-5-7-14-14-21-24-28-30-29->15
#875 03/01/1959 Max Bygraves (I Love To Play) My Ukelele 19 23-{19}-20-25->4
#876 03/01/1959 Duane Eddy, His Twangy Guitar And The Rebels Cannonball 22 25-23-{22}-22->4
#877 10/01/1959 Bobby Darin Queen Of The Hop 24 29-{24}->2
#878 10/01/1959 Ronnie Hilton With The Michael Sammes Singers The World Outside 18 30-29-21-20-{18}-22->6
#879 17/01/1959 The Platters Smoke Gets In Your Eyes 1 17-14-9-7-7-3-2-2-2-{1}-2-2-2-4-7-7-13-17-18-24->20
#880 17/01/1959 Al Saxon You're The Top Cha 17 24-{17}-22-30->4
#881 17/01/1959 Pat Boone I'll Remember Tonight 18 28-21R(3)-22R(2)-27-26-22-{18}-23-28->9
#882 17/01/1959 Buddy Holly Heartbeat 30 {30}->1
#883 24/01/1959 Elvis Presley One Night/I Got Stung 1 3-{1}-1-1-2-4-7-11-16-15-21-24->12
#884 24/01/1959 The Everly Brothers Problems 6 18-8-{6}-8-7-9-12-15-19-26-27-27->12
#885 24/01/1959 Jerry Lee Lewis High School Confidential 12 22-18-14-{12}-14-25->6
#886 24/01/1959 Russ Conway The World Outside 24 {24}-24R(6)-25-30->4
#887 24/01/1959 Rosemary June (I'll Be With You) In Apple Blossom Time 14 28-26-16-{14}-17-23-25-30-28->9
#888 24/01/1959 The Four Aces The World Outside 18 29-27-23-{18}-29-24->6

Posted by: Popchartfreak 19th March 2023, 10:03 AM

QUOTE(Suedehead2 @ Mar 18 2023, 09:46 PM)

Posted by: Suedehead2 19th March 2023, 10:10 AM

QUOTE(Popchartfreak @ Mar 19 2023, 10:03 AM)

Yes, they even included a death song about a dog - Old Shep was SO popular! Oh that UK number one after your birth day must have been Billy Don't Be A Hero - I think my Maths is correct.....

Posted by: JulianT 20th March 2023, 12:49 AM

Can't decide if I prefer this or "The Great Pretender" but it's a clear 2nd win for The Platters. Great to see Little Richard getting his biggest hit too.

9 The Platters Smoke Gets In Your Eyes 82nd #1: another brilliant performance from Tony Williams and a ballad that switch from joy to heartbroken agony; incredible
8 Little Richard Baby Face His only Top 2 hit and he definitely sounds maturer with less frantic energy to me on this; but a great song excellently done
7 Buddy Holly Heartbeat I'll pretend this was never covered or turned into a TV theme; lovely little ballad and already his last hit alive
7 Elvis Presley One Night/I Got Stung 81st #1: not as immediate as his last 2 #1s - "One Night" a sultry balad and "I Got Stung" a fun upbeat number, but both good
7 Jerry Lee Lewis High School Confidential Another of these great relentless rapid fire rock 'n' roll songs with a great piano interlude
6 The Everly Brothers Problems A good tune and has all the usual ingredients and nice guitar action, but I don't think it's one of their best
6 Rosemary June (I'll Be With You) In Apple Blossom Time She seems relatively unknown and it's her only UK hit but it's a nice cheeky little song; enjoy the deep male "doobie doobie"
6 The Four Aces The World Outside Three versions of this song and they all sound quite of their time but a nice stately performance here and a really nice listen
5 Duane Eddy, His Twangy Guitar And The Rebels Cannonball His second hit and find this one a bit pedestrian; has a good beat but it's all quite jolly and gentle
5 Ronnie Hilton With The Michael Sammes Singers The World Outside Another version of this but prefer the harmonies on the Four Aces version and can't see this really adds anything
4 Russ Conway The World Outside He's brought the piano to the fore and put in a classical style chorus - not bad but think it makes the song even more austere
3 Al Saxon You're The Top Cha Primarily a comedian, which explains the vocals being pretty rough, and the lyrics are quite silly though quite a nice jazzy beat
3 Bobby Darin Queen Of The Hop This seems a generic late 50s song to me and does that thing of borrowing lyrical phrases from others; but he has better coming
2 Pat Boone I'll Remember Tonight Not sure if I'll remember tonight but I very much doubt I'll remember this; Pat going back to the dirges
2 Max Bygraves (I Love To Play) My Ukelele Apparently all the ladies swoon when he plays his ukulele; a very wet ballad but also the ukulele isn't even that prominent



Next:

#889 24/01/1959 Alma Cogan Last Night On The Back Porch 27 30-{27}->2
#890 31/01/1959 Paul Anka (All Of A Sudden) My Heart Sings 10 20-12-{10}-12-11-11-10-13-13-18-20-19-25->13
#891 31/01/1959 Joni James There Must Be A Way 24 {24}->1
#892 31/01/1959 Cliff Richard And The Drifters Livin' Lovin' Doll 20 25-25-{20}-23-30-28->6
#893 31/01/1959 Slim Dusty A Pub With No Beer 3 29-20-11-9-6-{3}-3-4-6-8-9-14-13-16-22->15
#894 31/01/1959 Frankie Vaughan That's My Doll 28 30-{28}->2
#895 07/02/1959 Lonnie Donegan Does Your Chewing Gum Lose Its Flavour (On The Bedpost Overnight) 3 9-6-4-{3}-4-8-11-11-14-19-20-28->12
#896 07/02/1959 Lord Rockingham's XI Wee Tom 16 21-{16}-19->3
#897 14/02/1959 The Beverley Sisters Little Drummer Boy 6 16-15-9-9-{6}-8-10-11-11-11-15-23-29->13
#898 14/02/1959 Connie Francis My Happiness 4 19-16-12-10-9-5-{4}-5-4-10-9-15-19-29-30R(2)->15
#899 14/02/1959 Billy Eckstine Gigi 8 20-18-16-19-14-{8}-8-9-8-9-12-18-21-26->14
#900 14/02/1959 Harry Simeone Chorale The Little Drummer Boy 13 22-{13}-13-16-18-21-24->7
#901 14/02/1959 Chris Barber's Jazz Band Petite Fleur 3 27-11-8-6-5-6-5-6-5-{3}-3-3-6-5-8-8-8-14-17-23-23-25-28R(3)-22->24
#902 14/02/1959 Lloyd Price Stagger Lee 7 29-29-15-15-12-{7}-7-7-7-7-10-14-16-25->14
#903 14/02/1959 Robert Earl The Wonderful Secret Of Love 17 29-28-18-21-{17}-17-17-23-30-29->10

Posted by: Suedehead2 20th March 2023, 06:36 AM

Smoke Gets In Your Eyes still sounds fantastic. A pretty good selection this time.

Posted by: JulianT 21st March 2023, 12:30 AM

Chris Barber's band previously worked with Lonnie Donegan on "Rock Island Line" and now get their own big instrumental hit. I'm biased as a lapsed clarinettist myself but I think this is the most gorgeous thing ever.

9 Chris Barber's Jazz Band Petite Fleur Amazing that this jazz band instrumental reached #3 and spent 15 weeks in the Top 10, but it is stunningly beautiful
8 Connie Francis My Happiness A slightly sleepy ballad but love the multi-tracking and the richness of the sound from the backing chorus and brass instruments
7 Paul Anka (All Of A Sudden) My Heart Sings Another very dramatic ballad from him but very well done and it builds up to an exciting climax with the violin and backing vocals
7 Billy Eckstine Gigi Great to hear this gorgeous voice again; his third and final hit - this is a cover but the original from the film "Gigi" won an Oscar
6 Cliff Richard And The Drifters Livin' Lovin' Doll Slightly more generic than his first couple of hits but still a very servicable high energy non-stop rock 'n' roll song
6 Lonnie Donegan Does Your Chewing Gum Lose Its Flavour (On The Bedpost Overnight) The longest hit title yet and Lonnie moving on to sillier subject matter, but it's really fun and he delivers it very well as ever
5 Lord Rockingham's XI Wee Tom This is very much "Hoots Mon" part II but still charming and entertaining; not too surprising there weren't any more hits after this
5 The Beverley Sisters Little Drummer Boy Charted with the original but I actually prefer this poppier version - the vocals are more present and like the backing "pom pom"
5 Joni James There Must Be A Way Her 2nd and final hit - she has a very pretty voice and this an enjoyable angst ridden ballad with backing male "badoombedoo"s
4 Slim Dusty A Pub With No Beer This is very funny for a couple of listens and then gets slightly irritating - a unique country hit though
4 Robert Earl The Wonderful Secret Of Love Over-dramatic like most of Robert Earl's ballads; but it's actually a fairly nice one and as ever I do admire his voice
3 Harry Simeone Chorale The Little Drummer Boy The original of this, released in the States back in December but arrived here now; not so keen on the choral arrangement here
3 Lloyd Price Stagger Lee Best thing about this is the chart run - 5 straight weeks at #7; great voice but a song about a murder and it's really not my thing
2 Frankie Vaughan That's My Doll Frankie's so hit and miss and when he gets it wrong you end up with incredibly naff and tuneless jazz numbers like this
1 Alma Cogan Last Night On The Back Porch "Last night on the back porch I loved him best of all" - irritating song anyway and the lewdness makes me wince



Next up:

#904 21/02/1959 Russ Conway Side Saddle 1 23-22-8-4-3-{1}-1-1-1-2-4-3-3-4-5-6-7-8-6-9-12-13-15-12-19-22-21-18-19-23->30
#905 28/02/1959 Perry Como Tomboy 10 19-20-18-14-14-{10}-12-13-11-17-27-28->12
#906 08/02/1959 Buddy Holly It Doesn't Matter Anymore 1 20-16-13-10-9-3-3-2-{1}-1-1-2-2-2-2-3-6-8-13-18-21->21
#907 28/02/1959 Michael Flanders With The Michael Sammes Singers Little Drummer Boy 20 {20}-27-24R(6)->3
#908 28/02/1959 Billy Fury Maybe Tomorrow 18 26-22-26-19R(2)-22-{18}-18-21-29->9
#909 28/02/1959 Malcolm Vaughan Wait For Me/Willingly 13 28-27R(2)-27-18-{13}-16-15-17-24-18-27-20-19-24-25->15
#910 28/02/1959 Reg Owen And His Orchestra Manhattan Spiritual 20 29-23-23-{20}-24-29-28-30->8
#911 28/02/1959 The Mudlarks The Love Game 30 {30}->1
#912 07/03/1959 Ritchie Valens Donna 29 {29}->1
#913 07/03/1959 Marty Wilde Donna 3 30-29-29-21-15-10-5-5-5-4-{3}-5-7-9-12-23-25R(2)-27->18
#914 14/03/1959 Eddie Cochran C'mon Everybody 6 20-15-12-17-14-{6}-8-8-11-15-21-26-30->13
#915 14/03/1959 Dickie Valentine Venus 20 28-25R(3)-26R(2)-22-{20}-26-25R(2)-28R(4)->8
#916 21/03/1959 Pearl Carr And Teddy Johnson Sing Little Birdie 12 22-20-{12}-15-16-19-26-23->8
#917 21/03/1959 Marino Marini And His Quartet Ciao Ciao Bambina 24 25-{24}R(2)->2
#918 28/03/1959 The Coasters Charlie Brown 6 22-16-13-8-{6}-6-8-9-12-14-14-27->12

Posted by: Jade 21st March 2023, 11:35 AM

Two strong favourite picks over the last couple of days. 'Smoke Gets In Your Eyes' is a vocal masterclass. 'Petite Fleur' sounds very Mr. Acker Bilk with the heavy clarinet.

QUOTE(Suedehead2 @ Mar 18 2023, 09:55 PM)

To Know Him Is To Love Him is rather soppy but still lovely. Be My Baby is terrific. The contrast between Phil Spector the musician and Phil Spector the person could hardly be greater

Posted by: chartjack2 21st March 2023, 05:14 PM

Looking forward to seeing what will be the #1000th top 40 hit soon!

Posted by: Popchartfreak 21st March 2023, 07:50 PM

Smoke Gets In Your Eyes is magnificent, and The Platters make quite a show of it. My fave version is the forgotten 1972 upbeat version by Blue Haze, and my least fave is Bryan Ferry's 1974 attempt to do a pseudo Noel Coward styled mellow version. Love Bryan but that was a miss-fire.

Baby face is a good version of an old standard, but my heart is with the 1976 disco version - and remember this name cos it's NEVER cropped up in any pop quiz and it's bound to one day - Wing & A Prayer Fife & Drum Corporation hit number 12 in 1976 and then disappeared forever, never getting a single radio play ever again (that I've heard).

Heart beat is one of Buddy's great songs, done very well by Showaddywaddy in 1975 and murdered by a former soap actor a decade later.

Never been keen on One Night, not even the Mud cover, I Got Stung is the much better side. Problems is decent, but I agree not one of their best. Of the rest I like Duane Eddy best.


*********

Petite Fleur I needed to remind myself of and yes it's a fab record, another one of those familiar tunes from when I woz a kid that I knew but didn't know I knew till recently.

Dont know that Connie Francis song but bound to quite like it, ditto paul Anka, and Billy Eckstein's gigi cover. The Gigi song I know and love is Thank Heaven For Little Girls, sung by Maurice Chevalier - that's the famous one!

I love the song Little Drummer Boy, but I'll go with the 1972 bagpipes version or 1977's Bing & Bowie mash-up as the best versions.

Posted by: JulianT 22nd March 2023, 12:17 AM

On 3 February 1959 Buddy Holly (22), The Big Bopper (28) and Richie Valens (17) were all killed in a plane crash while on tour. "It Doesn't Matter Anymore" was therefore the first posthumous UK #1. I'm not sure it's regarded as one of his absolute greatest songs but I think it's great. It's a sad song but the strings give it a lightness, almost like putting a brave face on the breakup. Valens' only Top 40 hit also arrives here but sadly it's not one I can give a high score.

9 Buddy Holly It Doesn't Matter Anymore 84th #1: I absolutely love this - the plucked strings are a template for many early 60s songs by the likes of Adam Faith
8 Eddie Cochran C'mon Everybody Another great rock 'n' roll number from Eddie - a party song but again covering adolescent themes
7 Billy Fury Maybe Tomorrow Debut hit for Billy and it's a very lovely heartbreak ballad convincingly delivered where the emotion builds up to a climax
7 The Mudlarks The Love Game 3rd and final hit for them and it has a really nice energy to it; especially enjoy the "I ne-ed you a-and I wa-ant you" part
6 The Coasters Charlie Brown A good tune here - for some reason it grates with me much less than "Yakety Yak" and there's some excellent saxophone work
6 Reg Owen And His Orchestra Manhattan Spiritual Only top 40 hit for this band leader; a very cool, highly rhythmic and slightly hypnotic jazzy instrumental
6 Russ Conway Side Saddle 83rd #1: after a few mid table hits Russ has struck gold with a very pleasant, bright and breezy piano piece but nothing incredible
5 Malcolm Vaughan Wait For Me/Willingly A nice double A side here; both the usual big romantic ballads with Malcolm's powerful operatic vocals
5 Michael Flanders With The Michael Sammes Singers Little Drummer Boy Another decent version of this - I like Michael's deep voice with the female backing chorus being used as an echo
4 Marino Marini And His Quartet Ciao Ciao Bambina Again he is covering a Domenico Modugno song and the original is coming tomorrow; it's quite nice but certainly no "Volare"
3 Marty Wilde Donna A big hit for Marty but I find it a slightly drippy, plodding and saccharine ballad that doesn't really develop
3 Ritchie Valens Donna Sadly the only top 40 hit for ever Ritchie and it's not a great one; slightly prefer the vocals on Marty's version
2 Dickie Valentine Venus "Venus if you will please send a little girl for me to thrill" - I still enjoy his smooth voice but this is certainly not a great ballad
2 Pearl Carr And Teddy Johnson Sing Little Birdie This really could not be a more twee duet if it tried - "There's a branch on a tree… Where you said you loved me"
1 Perry Como Tomboy It's about reigniting a childhood crush but the tune is intensely irritating and the backing singers sound like playground teases



Coming up:

#919 28/03/1959 Domenico Modugno Piove (Ciao, Ciao Bambina) 29 {29}->1
#920 28/03/1959 Conway Twitty The Story Of My Love 30 {30}->1
#921 04/04/1959 Little Richard By The Light Of The Silvery Moon 17 20-{17}-17-23-30->5
#922 11/04/1959 Pat Boone With The Wind And The Rain In Your Hair 21 {21}-25-30->3
#923 11/04/1959 Bill Parsons The All American Boy 22 {22}-28->2
#924 11/04/1959 Frank Sinatra French Foreign Legion 18 25-21-{18}-22-28->5
#925 11/04/1959 The Poni-Tails Early To Bed 26 {26}-27-29->3
#926 18/04/1959 Ricky Nelson It's Late 3 22-16-9-5-8-{3}-3-4-4-7-9-11-11-14-12-10-10-16-16-22->20
#927 25/04/1959 Elvis Presley A Fool Such As I/I Need Your Love Tonight 1 4-2-2-{1}-1-1-1-1-2-4-5-5-9-13-23->15
#928 25/04/1959 The Fleetwoods Come Softly To Me 6 20-10-7-{6}-7-10-7-18->8
#929 25/04/1959 Neil Sedaka I Go Ape 9 24-13-12-11-11-10-12-{9}-12-20-17-21-23->13
#930 25/04/1959 The Crickets Love's Made A Fool Of You 26 {26}-30R(2)->2
#931 25/04/1959 Frankie Avalon Venus 16 27-21-20-{16}-19-21->6
#932 02/05/1959 Frankie Vaughan And The Kaye Sisters Come Softly To Me 9 11-10-10-{9}-9-13-10-19-25->9
#933 02/05/1959 Anthony Newley I've Waited So Long 3 12-9-7-6-4-{3}-6-5-5-7-8-10-14-25-29->15

Posted by: Roba. 22nd March 2023, 12:54 AM

Funnily enough my auntie and her partner had Heartbeat the show on the other day I do like the Buddy one for sure though. 'Livin Doll' is great as well.

Posted by: JulianT 22nd March 2023, 03:02 PM

QUOTE(Roba. @ Mar 22 2023, 12:54 AM)

Funnily enough my auntie and her partner had Heartbeat the show on the other day I do like the Buddy one for sure though. 'Livin Doll' is great as well.

Posted by: Popchartfreak 22nd March 2023, 07:57 PM

I also adore It Doesnt Matter Anymore, it's just wonderful, tinged with sadness but those strings and the melody are still as fresh as a daisy. C'Mon Everybody is just fab too, the Sex Pistols did a fun version. The B side of Donna is more highly thought of these days and more famous, so that's very much worth a mention - the fab La Bamba is much better than Donna.

Billy Fury was my first pop star fave along with Elvis, Adam faith and Helen Shapiro in my pre-school days, and this is a good one. Charlie Brown is a total romp, always liked it - and I loved the Peanuts strip anyway. Side saddle is still tuneful, Sing Little Birdie best not mention, and I had no idea Dickie Valentine was out to murder one of the great American 50's teenage upbeat pop hits: Venus is an absolute fave of mine - by Frankie Avalon! Even better than his turn in Grease with Beauty School Dropout. Venus on a par with Buddy Holly here for me.

Posted by: Jade 22nd March 2023, 08:02 PM

Russ Conway another 50s piano fave in addition to Winifred *.* 'It Doesn't Matter Anymore' is a great top pick though!

Posted by: JulianT 22nd March 2023, 11:43 PM

A #6 hit winning today that I don't think I'd have come across without doing this.

8 The Fleetwoods Come Softly To Me What a beautiful song but it's the vocals, harmonies and backing riff that really make it - only hit here for this American group
8 The Crickets Love's Made A Fool Of You First hit after Buddy's death for The Crickets and an excellent mid tempo number with some great harmonies and twangy guitars
8 Neil Sedaka I Go Ape This is brilliant fun: so many different types of monkey mentioned in the lyrics but a great rock 'n' roll song with honky tonk piano
7 Ricky Nelson It's Late Biggest hit so far for Ricky about young lovers who fear being caught - it romps along frantically and it's very effective
7 Little Richard By The Light Of The Silvery Moon A song all about spooning, but manages to be tender and rock 'n' roll at the same time; no more Top 10 hits for him though
6 Conway Twitty The Story Of My Love The follow up to his chart topper and quite a similar style record where the emotion builds up to a climax - very nice though
6 Frankie Vaughan And The Kaye Sisters Come Softly To Me Not as good as the original unsurprisingly but another really nice version of this and like the bit of cheekiness that Frankie injects
6 Elvis Presley A Fool Such As I/I Need Your Love Tonight 85th #1: not keen on the octave down vocals on the first side - sounds like he's messing around; second is a good catchy number
5 The Poni-Tails Early To Bed 2nd and final hit for these girls: a catchy little song with sweet harmonies and chirpy instrumentation
5 Frankie Avalon Venus The original - better than Dickie Valentine's and has a nice ethereal quality but I still find the song slightly syrupy sweet
4 Domenico Modugno Piove (Ciao, Ciao Bambina) The original of this; a nice little tune but it really is no "Volare", and in some ways I think the cover actually has a bit more life
4 Bill Parsons The All American Boy A very bizarre talking blues record apparently wrongly not credited to the "singer" - an interesting stream of consciousness though
3 Anthony Newley I've Waited So Long The first hit for this actor turned singer and it did very well for him - it's a slightly drippy ballad though with a slightly whiny style
3 Pat Boone With The Wind And The Rain In Your Hair Not his worst with some nice saxophone and distant backing vocals but he has a tendency to sound bored and it's not memorable
2 Frank Sinatra French Foreign Legion If you reject me I'll join the army and then all the girls will be swooning when they see my uniform - what a chat up line; dull song



Next up:

#934 02/05/1959 Joan Regan May You Always 9 25-25-24-23-20-21-17-{9}-12-12-12-15-18-15-20-25->16
#935 02/05/1959 The McGuire Sisters May You Always 15 27-24-18-17-{15}-18-15-24-24-26-28R(2)->11
#936 02/05/1959 Jerry Lee Lewis Lovin' Up A Storm 28 {28}->1
#937 09/05/1959 Cliff Richard And The Drifters Mean Streak 10 14-12-{10}-12-11-11-13-17-27->9
#938 09/05/1959 Lonnie Donegan Fort Worth Jail 14 15-{14}-14-16-23->5
#939 09/05/1959 Anthony Newley Idle On Parade EP 13 17-{13}-22-23->4
#940 16/05/1959 Ricky Nelson Never Be Anyone Else But You 14 19-20R(3)-21-{14}-18-22-19-17-23-30->10
#941 16/05/1959 Bert Weedon Guitar Boogie Shuffle 10 19-15-13-{10}-12-10-16-18-29->9
#942 16/05/1959 Cliff Richard And The Drifters Never Mind 21 {21}-26->2
#943 16/05/1959 Lloyd Price Where Were You (On Our Wedding Day)? 15 22-{15}-17-15-16-24->6
#944 16/05/1959 Russ Conway Roulette 1 23-13-6-5-2-{1}-1-2-4-4-6-7-7-8-9-9-14-18-20->19
#945 16/05/1959 Frank Sinatra Come Dance With Me (LP) 30 {30}->1
#946 23/05/1959 Fats Domino Margie 18 24-{18}-19-28-30->5
#947 23/05/1959 Jane Morgan If Only I Could Live My Life Again 27 {27}->1
#948 23/05/1959 Ruby Wright Three Stars 19 28-21-24-{19}-22-19-20-22-20-22->10

Posted by: Popchartfreak 23rd March 2023, 07:59 PM

The Fleetwoods Come Softly To Me is terrific, a fave, I first knew it by The New Seekers in 1972, they did a pretty good version of it for a Christmas hit that year, one I like more now than I did at the time, which is usually not something I can say about The New Seekers - I was a huge fan then, less so these days with some of their stuff, but fond of them all anyway.

Buddy Holly cant go wrong, got his greatest hits etc. Love Neil Sedaka, right from his fun teen pop songs to his mature 70's phase, I Go Ape is very much a fun ditty, It's Late is also good got the Greatest Hits ditto, Little Richard covering early 20th century standards again, not one of Elvis' better records, either side, Venus I've already tackled (I like syrup ), and the rest I dont know, but would be interested in The Poni-Tails and Domenico tracks.

Posted by: JulianT 25th March 2023, 12:22 AM

Nothing absolutely blowing the competition away here but Cliff gets his second win, with his other one up there too. I feel like this run of praise for Cliff from me isn't going to last (he knows I have a mean streak).

8 Cliff Richard And The Drifters Mean Streak The guitar riff really makes this and all in all it's a really punchy rhythmic number except in the middle when the instruments let rip
7 Russ Conway Roulette 86th #1: I find it much more memorable than "Side Saddle" because the swooshing lines and the melody really have impact
7 Cliff Richard And The Drifters Never Mind Oddly this was the B side to "Mean Streak" but also released concurrently - a classic rock 'n' roll number but very catchy and fun
6 Ricky Nelson Never Be Anyone Else But You A very sweet and tender ballad with nice multi-tracked harmonies, and he really seems to mean it
6 Lloyd Price Where Were You (On Our Wedding Day)? This is a very classic feeling soul style song with a great tune and great supporting backing singers and instrumentalists
6 Bert Weedon Guitar Boogie Shuffle A very nice twangy instrumental - quite similar to Duane Eddy's style - feels like it could do with a vocal line though
5 Lonnie Donegan Fort Worth Jail No surprises here - it's a typical Lonnie skiffle hit about a random topic which builds up into a frenzy
5 Frank Sinatra Come Dance With Me (LP) Polyhex lists this "hit" as being the whole album - some classics like "Something's Gotta Give" and overall a very pleasant listen
5 Jerry Lee Lewis Lovin' Up A Storm As usual from Jerry it's a rock 'n' roll number with an energetic chorus and piano interlude - nice but nothing too special
4 The McGuire Sisters May You Always An "I Will Always Love You" have a nice life style break up ballad - it's nice and well performed but a little bit staid
4 Joan Regan May You Always Quite a similar version but with a single vocal line instead of harmonies and she sings it well but as usual I slightly prefer the latter
4 Fats Domino Margie Very much feels like Fats by numbers; a jolly well sung mid tempo jazzy number as you'd expect but not distinctive for me
3 Jane Morgan If Only I Could Live My Life Again Sounds like it should be from a musical - a rousing self improvement type ballad but it's slightly stiff and preachy
3 Anthony Newley Idle On Parade EP A whole EP about being in the army - not keen on the slapstick humour and the title track is tedious but others are more catchy
2 Ruby Wright Three Stars A mostly spoken tribute to Holly, Valens and The Big Bopper - sweet but done in an incredibly cheesy American way



Next group:

#949 23/05/1959 The Everly Brothers Take A Message To Mary 20 29-27R(4)-24R(2)-{20}-22-26-21-25-24-29->10
#950 23/05/1959 Pat Boone For A Penny 19 30-28-29-28R(3)-{19}-30-28-30-24->9
#951 30/05/1959 Nat 'King' Cole You Made Me Love You 22 25-{22}-30->3
#952 30/05/1959 Bobby Darin Dream Lover 1 27-16-5-3-2-{1}-1-1-1-2-2-3-2-5-8-11-11-18-25->19
#953 30/05/1959 The Everly Brothers Poor Jenny 14 29-17-20-20-21-15-{14}-18-19-22-21->11
#954 06/06/1959 Little Richard Kansas City 26 {26}-28-29-27-30->5
#955 06/06/1959 Marty Wilde A Teenager In Love 2 26-8-4-3-3-{2}-2-4-4-5-6-10-12-13-24-28-28->17
#956 06/06/1959 Ruby Murray Goodbye Jimmy Goodbye 10 28-23-16-14-14-{10}-11-11-11-14-17-15-20-26R(6)->14
#957 13/06/1959 Anthony Newley Personality 6 22-21-11-{6}-7-7-9-8-8-10-11-21->12
#958 13/06/1959 Craig Douglas A Teenager In Love 13 24-14-15-20-16-16-16-{13}-15-28-27->11
#959 13/06/1959 Lloyd Price Personality 9 26-18-12-10-{9}-12-10-20-26R(2)-25->10
#960 13/06/1959 Johnny Kidd Please Don't Touch 25 30-26-26-{25}R(3)-27->5
#961 20/06/1959 Duane Eddy Peter Gunn 6 11-10-8-{6}-6-8-9-11-12-17-27R(3)->11
#962 27/06/1959 Lonnie Donegan Battle Of New Orleans 2 7-4-3-3-{2}-3-3-2-4-4-5-8-8-14-21-22->16
#963 27/06/1959 Johnny Horton The Battle Of New Orleans 16 21-{16}-23-27->4

Posted by: Popchartfreak 25th March 2023, 05:46 PM

Not familiar with any of those! Apart from Ricky Nelson which was a radio staple as an oldie before the 50s were banished forever. Tuneful and sweet, just like Ricky.

Posted by: JulianT 26th March 2023, 01:34 AM

Another winner that I didn't know before I did this today.

8 Lloyd Price Personality Very big in America - a really heartwarming song; it's sweet, cute and sincere and has a great melody and soulful feel
8 Duane Eddy Peter Gunn The guitars create quite an ominous feel on this and then the muted saxophone really lets rip and sounds in agony - excellent
7 Johnny Kidd Please Don't Touch Not dissimilar to their chart topper coming next year but it's a great rock number with a rich guitar sound and an effective hook
7 Bobby Darin Dream Lover 87th #1: a very well written and catchy pop song with effective backing vocals and rhythms; just missing the wow factor
7 Little Richard Kansas City Charted at every position from 26-30 - good as ever; particularly like the call and response chorus and the slightly lazy feel to it
6 Marty Wilde A Teenager In Love The highest charting version of this but not the original - it has good energy though and it's well performed
6 Nat 'King' Cole You Made Me Love You Not one of his best but somehow still manages to be mesmerising thanks to his star quality and the warm orchestration
5 The Everly Brothers Poor Jenny So she's in jail because someone attacked her and called the police and then he abandoned her - very strange but quite a fun track
5 Anthony Newley Personality A cover that annoyingly charted higher than the original - it's not a bad version really but lacks the smooth class of Lloyd's version
4 The Everly Brothers Take A Message To Mary This time he's in prison for shooting someone and frankly I struggle to sympathise - nice harmonies but not one of their best tunes
4 Lonnie Donegan Battle Of New Orleans War and army related songs seem to be all the rage at the moment - at least Lonnie injects some energy into it but it's not great
3 Craig Douglas A Teenager In Love First hit for Craig who almost only did covers - this one is a bit unnecessary and feels wooden compared to the other versions
3 Ruby Murray Goodbye Jimmy Goodbye Not sure why Jimmy's going away - Ruby's first Top 10 hit for 4 years but it's a bit overly sentimental and boring unfortunately
2 Pat Boone For A Penny I think like with many of Pat's songs the main problem is the glacial pace which makes it sound wooden and disengaged
2 Johnny Horton The Battle Of New Orleans Written by a history teacher as a fun way of teaching apparently, but I find it tedious and even worse without the Lonnie factor



Next group:

#964 27/06/1959 Dion And The Belmonts A Teenager In Love 28 {28}-28->2
#965 27/06/1959 Billy Fury Margo 28 {28}->1
#966 04/07/1959 Connie Francis Lipstick On Your Collar 3 28-17-8-7-6-5-4-{3}-5-4-6-6-10-16-19-20->16
#967 11/07/1959 Cliff Richard And The Drifters Living Doll 1 15-5-3-{1}-1-1-1-1-1-2-2-2-3-4-7-8-15-17-15-13-24-26R(2)-30R(3)->23
#968 11/07/1959 Perry Como I Know 13 24-19-16-19-15-15-{13}-14-18-17-15-18-19-21-27-24->16
#969 11/07/1959 Paul Anka Lonely Boy 3 26-26-27-16-9-7-5-{3}-3-3-3-4-7-7-17-15-27->17
#970 11/07/1959 Brook Benton Endlessly 28 {28}-28->2
#971 18/07/1959 Stonewall Jackson Waterloo 24 {24}-25->2
#972 25/07/1959 Elvis Presley A Big Hunk O' Love 4 5-5-{4}-5-7-10-12-16-27->9
#973 25/07/1959 Frankie Vaughan The Heart Of A Man 5 20-18-15-9-8-7-{5}-10-10-8-14-17-21-30->14
#974 25/07/1959 Duane Eddy Yep! 17 20-{17}-18-21-26->5
#975 25/07/1959 Tony Brent Why Should I Be Lonely? 24 {24}-26-28-29->4
#976 25/07/1959 Hugo And Luigi La Plume De Ma Tante 29 {29}-30->2
#977 25/07/1959 David Seville And The Chipmunks Ragtime Cowboy Joe 11 30-14-12-{11}-14-15-15-26->8
#978 01/08/1959 Buddy Holly Midnight Shift 26 {26}-27-27->3

Posted by: JulianT 27th March 2023, 12:10 AM

Again no absolute stand-outs here - 1959 seems to have had a few months without many real classics. I'm afraid despite having enjoyed Cliff's records up to this point I can't be enthusiastic about "Living Doll". Nonetheless the top half dozen are all really strong solid numbers and Elvis gets his 4th win. There's also quite a helping of shockers here.

8 Elvis Presley A Big Hunk O' Love This is vintage Elvis for me - has the swagger but without being gimmicky and it's a great vibtrant track with honky tonk piano
8 Paul Anka Lonely Boy A lovely classic feeling track that swings along effortlessly with very effective female backing oohs in the chorus
8 Dion And The Belmonts A Teenager In Love The only hit for this trio and a small one at that, but the original and best version of this song which really brings the emotion across
7 Duane Eddy Yep! Another very effective one from Duane where the strings and sax do all the work and a chorus sings "Yep!" at various points
7 Connie Francis Lipstick On Your Collar A rookie error getting lipstick on the collar; Connie's voice is effortlessly strong and clear as ever and it's a really good pop song
7 Buddy Holly Midnight Shift Plenty of twanging on this - it's the usual Buddy style and doesn't stand out from his other tracks but still really good
6 Brook Benton Endlessly A very smooth performance from this soul singer and it's a really good tune with nice strings and backing
5 Billy Fury Margo A sweet plaintive ballad with Margo's voice echoing via a female backing chorus, but feel the performance doesn't quite connect
4 Cliff Richard And The Drifters Living Doll 88th #1: not bad, certainly compared to what's below it in this list, but it's so twee I can't like it very much - bring back Rocky Cliff
3 Frankie Vaughan The Heart Of A Man One of these rather turgid ballads with grand production but where the melody itself is indistinct and the vocals plodding
3 Perry Como I Know This had a long chart run but it's a pretty dreary ballad, the rich backing chorus and the piano and strings being the highlights
2 Tony Brent Why Should I Be Lonely? Dirge of the day here - just a terribly drippy and whiny ballad and it's impossible to care about the protagonist's sorrow
2 David Seville And The Chipmunks Ragtime Cowboy Joe Alvin the chipmunk has become a cowboy with a gun for some reason - amazed this isn't bottom but some even worse horrors here
1 Stonewall Jackson Waterloo "Everybody will meet a violent end - what will yours be?" seems to be the premise of the song; pretty grim musically and lyrically
1 Hugo And Luigi La Plume De Ma Tante The only hit for this pair of producers and it's the appalling French accents that take it from being an annoying novelty to unbearable



Next up:

#979 01/08/1959 Pat Boone 'Twixt Twelve And Twenty 18 29-23-{18}-20-26-25-26R(2)->7
#980 08/08/1959 Johnny Mathis Someone 6 12-13-12-10-7-{6}-6-9-6-6-13-14-22-19-28->15
#981 08/08/1959 Winifred Atwell The Summer Of The Seventeenth Doll 24 {24}-29->2
#982 08/08/1959 Craig Douglas Only Sixteen 1 26-14-6-2-2-{1}-1-1-1-2-4-7-8-13-19->15
#983 08/08/1959 Tommy Edwards My Melancholy Baby 29 {29}->1
#984 15/08/1959 Freddy Cannon Tallahassee Lassie 17 19-19-{17}-19-25-28-29-29->8
#985 15/08/1959 Tommy Steele Tallahassee Lassie 16 20-18-{16}-17-25R(3)->5
#986 15/08/1959 Sam Cooke Only Sixteen 23 {23}-30-27-24->4
#987 22/08/1959 Conway Twitty Mona Lisa 5 22-13-11-9-9-{5}-9-11-12-10-14-14-17-30->14
#988 22/08/1959 Russ Conway China Tea 5 23-8-9-{5}-5-6-8-9-14-18-30-20-21->13
#989 22/08/1959 Ronnie Hilton The Wonder Of You 22 24-{22}-22->3
#990 22/08/1959 The Impalas Sorry (I Ran All The Way Home) 28 {28}->1
#991 29/08/1959 Jerry Keller Here Comes Summer 1 19-10-4-4-3-2-{1}-2-5-6-12-14-21-28->14
#992 29/08/1959 Al Saxon Only Sixteen 24 {24}-25-27->3
#993 29/08/1959 The Platters Remember When 25 {25}-27->2

Posted by: Popchartfreak 27th March 2023, 09:59 AM

ooh good top 4 there with Personality, the fab Peter Gunn (what a tune! So good it hit again in the 80s revamped), Please Don't Touch (covered by Motorhead and Girlschool in the 80s), and Bobby Darin's best record Dream Lover - I have a picture disc vinyl 1979 reissue version of it, always loved that song. Agree about those covers of the Dion song and also Battle Of New Orleans, I never got that one either.

Dion's is the top tune in the next batch but Elvis, Paul Anka, Connie Francis are decent. Brook Benton is another great smooth soul singer, his xmas tune is one I play semi-regularly at festive-time. That leaves Living Doll - somehow never a particular fave of mine, and I reckon I've known it all my life. I think it's just too nursery rhyme-ish, prob. The Young Ones version with Cliff is amusing on first hearing though. Not the 31st hearing....

Posted by: JulianT 28th March 2023, 12:11 AM

Another tricky winner decision but "Someone" is a mesmerising ballad that I find myself wanting to revisit.

8 Johnny Mathis Someone Such an emotionally charged song, tenderly delivered with his shimmery silky voice; could listen all day
8 Freddy Cannon Tallahassee Lassie Reminds me of Little Richard in style - delightfully coarsely voiced rocky number with claps and oohs, guitar and piano
8 Jerry Keller Here Comes Summer 90th #1: nice to be reviewing this just as it's getting lighter and it's a lovely happy and chirpy pop song from a one hit wonder
7 Sam Cooke Only Sixteen The original and by far the best version with great soulful singing and classy production
7 The Impalas Sorry (I Ran All The Way Home) A very lovely bouncy and jazzy one off hit from a doo wop group which was very big Stateside
7 Winifred Atwell The Summer Of The Seventeenth Doll One of Winifred's really good ones - an excellent summery tune and the piano interacts with the guitar very effectively on this
6 Russ Conway China Tea You could say the Chinese element is cliched with the gong and Eastern sounding opening few notes but a very nice instrumental
6 Conway Twitty Mona Lisa A good tune here with nice production and backing choir; lyrics not terribly well aged comparing a lady to artwork but hey ho
5 Tommy Edwards My Melancholy Baby Second and final hit for Tommy following up his chart topper: like that this is understated and the melody is subtle, but quite classy
5 The Platters Remember When As usual fantastic singing, and it's a very nice but the melody isn't quite strong enough to bring it all together
5 Ronnie Hilton The Wonder Of You Will be a big hit for a certain someone else of course; this is towards the better end for a Ronnie hit but I still can't get excited
4 Al Saxon Only Sixteen Slightly better than the very successful cover; Al puts some welly into it and some nice instrumentation but still feels unnecessary
4 Tommy Steele Tallahassee Lassie Tommy makes a reasonable fist of covering this but it just sounds wrong played after Freddy's; not enough grit in the vocals
3 Craig Douglas Only Sixteen 89th #1: I do actually like the tone of his voice but as soon as you've heard Sam's you realise this is a fairly flat and uninspred cover
1 Pat Boone 'Twixt Twelve And Twenty Dubious lyrics (to a 12 year old saying your teenage years will be fine if you fall in love with me); song is unappealing even for Pat



And so we will reach the 1,000th record tomorrow, which fittingly goes to one of the most prolific and greatest hitmakers of the 50s, Nat 'King' Cole! (Note that if you're reading Lonnie Readioff's chart books my 1,000th hit is his 1,005th. Where the same song had a re-release ("Serenade" by Mario Lanza) and in some cases where Polyhex counts a double A side that was initially separated as a single entry, I'm only counting 1 record for review, hence the difference. Soon we'll be diverging much more anyway as he'll be including Top 50 hits and I only Top 40s.)

#994 29/08/1959 Frank Sinatra High Hopes 6 28-19R(2)-17-15-12-10-10-10-9-{6}-10-8-16-26-42R(14)->15
#995 29/08/1959 Tommy Steele Give! Give! Give! 28 {28}-30->2
#996 29/08/1959 Manuel And The Music Of The Mountains The Honeymoon Song 22 30-29-27R(3)-23-25-{22}-23-27R(2)-27->9
#997 05/09/1959 Duane Eddy And The Rebels Forty Miles Of Bad Road 11 16-12-12-{11}-18-15-15-16-16->9
#998 05/09/1959 Ricky Nelson Sweeter Than You 19 {19}-22-24->3
#999 05/09/1959 Ray Peterson The Wonder Of You 23 {23}->1
#1000 05/09/1959 Nat 'King' Cole Midnight Flyer 23 27-{23}R(2)-26-28->4
#1001 12/09/1959 Lonnie Donegan Sal's Got A Sugar Lip 13 {13}-13-17-22->4
#1002 12/09/1959 Ricky Nelson Just A Little Too Much 11 14-14-13-{11}-12-11-17-20->8
#1003 12/09/1959 The Everly Brothers ('Til) I Kissed You 2 15-15-7-4-5-3-{2}-4-5-6-5-5-9-19-28->15
#1004 12/09/1959 Connie Francis Plenty Good Lovin' 18 20-20-{18}-20-23-28->6
#1005 12/09/1959 Buddy Holly Peggy Sue Got Married 13 21-22-22-{13}-20-18-19-17-25-29->10
#1006 12/09/1959 Sarah Vaughan Broken Hearted Melody 7 29-18-15-15-16-9-9-{7}-10-7-11-10-17->13
#1007 12/09/1959 Lloyd Price I'm Gonna Get Married 23 30-25-{23}-24-23->5
#1008 19/09/1959 The Browns The Three Bells 6 19-11-10-8-{6}-6-10-8-11-9-15-30-22->13

Posted by: Suedehead2 28th March 2023, 04:03 PM

Catch-up time again. At least it's only a week this time!

I've always loved Buddy Holly's music. He died the day after my older sister was born but it's perfectly feasible that he could still have been alive today It's a real tragedy that the world never got to hear what else he had to offer. C'mon Everybody makes it a great top two for the day.

I don't recall hearing Mean Streak before but it sounded pretty good. Peter Gunn is usually fun in any version. I can't remember where I heard Personality before but I'm fairly familiar with it although I couldn't have said who recorded it. There have been a number of decent versions of Teenager In Love but the Dion and the Belmonts version is probably the best. Only Sixteen is another enduring classic. I agree that the Sam Cooke version is the one that should have topped the chart.

Posted by: Popchartfreak 28th March 2023, 04:45 PM

Dont know the Johnny song, doesnt he look young?! Very nice though. Freddy Cannon is always welcome, Sam Cooke is always fab, and The Wonder Of You is of course Elvis' monster ballad moment, who could compete?!

That said my fave is Here Comes Summer, a tune I associate with being young, one that I know but dont know when or where I got to know it, but it was way way back.

Simon, I think the place you will know Personality from would be Lena Zavaroni, it was her follow-up to Ma, He's making Eyes At Me and got some chart success and radio/TV play. Poor Lena, success that early probably did her in, as is so often the way. You would have been much the same age at the time...

Posted by: Suedehead2 28th March 2023, 05:03 PM

QUOTE(Popchartfreak @ Mar 28 2023, 05:45 PM)

Posted by: JulianT 29th March 2023, 12:02 AM

And so I've passed 1,000 records!

It's a strong group with no duds but another one where the winner doesn't jump out. Sarah Vaughan edges it with a great combination of song and vocals.

8 Sarah Vaughan Broken Hearted Melody It's her voice that makes this - so clear and warm and every note is a joy to hear, but it's a great pop / soul song as well
8 The Everly Brothers ('Til) I Kissed You The Everlys back on form here; really captures the feeling of infatuation with the lazy tempo, honky tonk piano and harmonies
8 Lloyd Price I'm Gonna Get Married A great follow up hit to "Personality"; excellently performed and has a real vintage soul feel with the backing singer interaction
7 Buddy Holly Peggy Sue Got Married A sequel to the original "Peggy Sue" used later as the title song for a film, and it's a lovely gentle acoustic style track
7 Frank Sinatra High Hopes Another film tune - I often don't enjoy songs with children but this one is a bit of a classic and really fun
7 Duane Eddy And The Rebels Forty Miles Of Bad Road Again really good from Duane; starts with the beat and then come the guitars and then the sax starts snarling at you
6 The Browns The Three Bells First verse he's born, second he marries and third he dies - quite an odd song but with a really lovely tune and harmonies
6 Tommy Steele Give! Give! Give! Quite a frenzied skiffle style number from Tommy, which fits with the urgency of the lyrics - he pulls this off well
6 Nat 'King' Cole Midnight Flyer A more uptempo R&B number than is typical from Nat's hits - very cool with strong guitar and piano parts
5 Ray Peterson The Wonder Of You Slightly prefer this to Ronnie's version as it's a more interesting performance, but it's difficult to not see it as an Elvis ballad
5 Ricky Nelson Sweeter Than You The smaller of hits here but an interesting one - a very slow ballad and yet the backing humming gives it real atmosphere
5 Connie Francis Plenty Good Lovin' Not one of her strongest songs but has a classic feel; she gives it maximum energy and the saxophone solo is great
4 Lonnie Donegan Sal's Got A Sugar Lip The usual whirlwind of energy based around a mundane theme and good fun as usual but it's all getting a bit samey for me
4 Ricky Nelson Just A Little Too Much A perfectly serviceable rock 'n' roll track but not very distinctive; misleading title as it gives you too little rather than too much
4 Manuel And The Music Of The Mountains The Honeymoon Song An film piece and it's quite a curious Spanish sounding instrumental, pleasant but so laid back it doesn't have that much impact




Next group:

#1009 19/09/1959 Frankie Vaughan Walkin' Tall 28 {28}-29R(2)->2
#1010 26/09/1959 Marty Wilde Sea Of Love 3 21-16-13-5-4-{3}-3-5-6-9-11-20->12
#1011 26/09/1959 Bobby Darin Mack The Knife 1 24-5-3-{1}-1-2-2-2-2-3-6-7-16-20-19-23-30R(2)-50R(7)->18
#1012 26/09/1959 Jack Scott The Way I Walk 30 {30}->1
#1013 03/10/1959 Miki And Griff Hold Back Tomorrow 26 {26}-30->2
#1014 03/10/1959 Dee Clark Just Keep It Up (And See What Happens) 26 {26}->1
#1015 10/10/1959 Cliff Richard And The Shadows Travellin' Light 1 14-8-2-{1}-1-1-1-1-3-3-5-8-5-9-12-19-21->17
#1016 10/10/1959 Cliff Richard And The Shadows Dynamite 16 18-{16}-21R(2)-26->4
#1017 10/10/1959 Les Compagnons De La Chanson The Three Bells (The Jimmy Brown Song) 21 27-{21}R(2)-25->3
#1018 10/10/1959 Chris Barber Featuring Monty Sunshine Lonesome (Si Tu Vois Ma Mere) 27 {27}-28->2
#1019 10/10/1959 Johnny And The Hurricanes Red River Rock 3 29-25-12-5-4-{3}-4-4-5-6-6-9-19-10-20-25->16
#1020 17/10/1959 Floyd Robinson Makin' Love 9 19-13-13-11-{9}-11-12-21-26->9
#1021 17/10/1959 Eddie Cochran Somethin' Else 22 23-{22}-25->3
#1022 17/10/1959 Fats Domino I Want To Walk You Home 14 23-29-19-{14}-22->5
#1023 17/10/1959 Santo And Johnny Sleep Walk 22 26-25-23-{22}->4

Posted by: Popchartfreak 30th March 2023, 08:21 AM

congrats on the 1000! Thats a lot...!

Dont know the Sarah Vaughan track, great singer, playing it now, very nice.

The Everly's is a goodie, dont know the LLoyd Price follow-up, and I actually prefer Peggy Sue Got Married to Peggy Sue.

High Hopes is a great record, Junior's Choice radio show staple back in the 60s and 70s, still fun. Record Of The Week for this former child

Duane is always good, the rest I dont know, but Manuel & The Music Of The Mountains (conductor Geoff Love pseudonym I think) would become more famous to chart watchers for being the shortest ever time at number one: a few hours! One Tuesday in 1976 his Rodrigo's Guitar Concerto D'Aranjuez was announced as the new UK number one - and then there was found to be a computer glitch and the chart positions were all wrong - first IT-related boo boo I can ever recall. I still have that fake chart written down somewhere I expect...

Posted by: JulianT 30th March 2023, 10:29 PM

Louis Armstrong's trumpet heavy version of "Mack The Knife" was one of my daily winners back in 1956, and in fact that verision re-entered the chart as Bobby Darin's version became a hit. Bobby's version is obviously the one everyone knows, and it's really good but actually there are two instrumentals in this group that I actually prefer. This is another example of the Americans showing much better taste than us as the incredibly enchanting "Sleep Walk" was #1 there but only a minor hit here.

9 Santo And Johnny Sleep Walk Only Top 40 hit here for these brothers - what a fabulous sleepy instrumental which is made by the bendy steel guitar notes
8 Johnny And The Hurricanes Red River Rock A cowboy style folk song turned into a joyous rock 'n' roll instrumental featuring saxophone and organ; very clever and fun
8 Bobby Darin Mack The Knife 91st #1: obviously a classic and a really great performance but I think I enjoy Louis's trumpety 1956 version slightly more
7 Eddie Cochran Somethin' Else This has a lot of talking and not so much melody but somehow it works thanks to the infectious beat and charismatic delivery
7 Chris Barber Featuring Monty Sunshine Lonesome (Si Tu Vois Ma Mere) Another clarinet led instrumental hit from Chris and it's gorgeous again but the melody doesn't quite stick like that of "Petite Fleur"
7 Cliff Richard And The Shadows Travellin' Light 92nd #1: generally not such a fan of the ballady Cliff, but actually it's a lovely wistful one and the emotion comes across very well
6 Cliff Richard And The Shadows Dynamite DYNAMITE!!! - rocky Cliff is still great fun and this is a vintage high tempo number with plenty of twanging from the Shadows
6 Dee Clark Just Keep It Up (And See What Happens) An American soul singer but this has a bit of a country flavour to it, and it's a lovely jolly song with nice flutes and backing singing
6 Fats Domino I Want To Walk You Home An improvement on some of Fats' recent ones; this has a strong melody and a beat that really gives the sense of walking
5 Marty Wilde Sea Of Love His 4th straight Top 5 hit - it's an atmospheric ballad with harp accompaniment and rich backing chorus; just slightly plodding
5 Jack Scott The Way I Walk A very laid back rock 'n' roll number from this Canadian star with good guitar work and backing oohs, but not that distinctive
5 Frankie Vaughan Walkin' Tall He's oh so smug about finding love, but it's fun and cheeky with a big band style arrangement which works well for Frankie
4 Floyd Robinson Makin' Love The only hit for this American country artist; was quite big but the tune is quite repetitive and I find it slightly irritating
4 Les Compagnons De La Chanson The Three Bells (The Jimmy Brown Song) An interesting version of this done a capella by a male voice choir, but the very strong French accents are a little distracting
3 Miki And Griff Hold Back Tomorrow Not terrible but quite a twee ballad from this British country duo that's doesn't have enough to keep the listener interested



Next up:

#1024 17/10/1959 Ella Fitzgerald But Not For Me 25 28-{25}-29R(9)->3
#1025 24/10/1959 Dickie Valentine One More Sunrise (Morgen) 14 20-17-16-16-{14}-17-16-21->8
#1026 24/10/1959 Clinton Ford Old Shep 27 {27}->1
#1027 24/10/1959 Joe 'Mr Piano' Henderson Treble Chance 28 {28}->1
#1028 31/10/1959 Paul Anka Put Your Head On My Shoulder 7 11-9-8-{7}-7-7-7-7-15-17-22-22->12
#1029 31/10/1959 Emile Ford And The Checkmates What Do You Want To Make Those Eyes At Me For? 1 12-7-4-3-2-2-2-{1}-1-1-1-1-1-3-6-9-11-14-21-23-31-32-31-35-45-50->26
#1030 31/10/1959 The Coasters Poison Ivy 15 24-29-20-18-17-{15}-23->7
#1031 31/10/1959 Dickie Pride Primrose Lane 28 {28}->1
#1032 31/10/1959 Mike Preston Mr Blue 12 29-20-{12}-17-20-25-17-25->8
#1033 31/10/1959 David MacBeth Mr Blue 18 30-{18}-23-23->4
#1034 07/11/1959 Ivo Robic And The Song-Masters Morgen 23 {23}->1
#1035 07/11/1959 Sandy Nelson Teen Beat 9 28-18-16-11-10-{9}-21-19-22-18-18-25R(3)->12
#1036 07/11/1959 Gracie Fields Little Donkey 21 30-28R(2)-{21}-23-30-24->6
#1037 14/11/1959 Neil Sedaka Oh! Carol 3 13-10-5-4-4-{3}-3-4-3-3-6-7-9-20-24-27-29->17
#1038 14/11/1959 Russ Conway Snow Coach 7 24-15-14-12-9-10-{7}-8-20->9

Posted by: Jade 30th March 2023, 10:36 PM

I really like what I know of Johnny and the Hurricanes from trawling through 60s charts and 'Red River Rock' sounds like another good one from a quick play just now

Speaking of which... edging ever closer to the Swinging Sixties (but first, there are a couple in the next batch that I'm a fan of )

Posted by: Roba. 30th March 2023, 10:39 PM

I already know Russ Conways 'Snow Coach' which is pretty cheerful albeit one that had been played at a somewhat sadder event.

'Dynamite' is pretty great, indeed rocky Cliff is a good thing. I heard 'I Want To Walk You Home' on the radio thing the other day and it's nice too.

Posted by: Popchartfreak 31st March 2023, 01:15 PM

I adore Sleepwalk its just gorgeous, shhh dont tell anyone but it's been on my list of potential oldies for BJSC for quite a while - just so I can test if anyone else likes it! 10/10 for me, and the video of them doing it on TV is nicely under-stated.

Red River Rock is great fun, I agree with you, Louis over Bobby anyday for Mack The Knife, Eddie Cochran's is a rock n roll gem given a new lease on life by what was left of the Sex Pistols in 1979 (Cook & Jones), and both sides of Cliff's record are familiar to me and both I like - I think mum and dad had this one at some time, before someone borrowed some singles never to return, I've certainly not seen it for over 50 years!

I don't know the Dee Clark track, sadly, as he had a disco-era comeback with Ride A Wild Horse in 1975, and I had no idea he'd been having hits for 16 years! Of the rest the only one I'd be bothered to hear would be Marty Wilde's version of Sea Of Love....

Posted by: JulianT 1st April 2023, 11:55 PM

Two nine-worthy records today. Apparently Neil Sedaka was about to be dropped from his label when he wrote “Oh! Carol” and he went and purchased the Top 3 hits at the time and studied them in depth and tried to replicate them. That doesn’t sound like a strategy that ought to have worked but it clearly did as it’s a brilliant pop song in every way. And our favourite (unbracketed) 11 word titled chart topper is right up there too.

9 Neil Sedaka Oh! Carol Brilliantly crafted, very catchy and excellently sung - even the spoken repetition of the verse works somehow
9 Emile Ford And The Checkmates What Do You Want To Make Those Eyes At Me For? 93rd #1: a marvellous self produced hit with great melody and lyrics, and Emile's vocals work perfectly with the doo wop backing
8 Sandy Nelson Teen Beat Sandy was a drummer and what's great about this instrumental is that it's effectively the guitar accompanying the drums
8 The Coasters Poison Ivy Their last Top 40 hit and my favourite: it's an absolutely stellar tune and they make such a rich vocal sound
7 Ivo Robic And The Song-Masters Morgen Only hit for this Croatian singer sung in German, all about everything being fine and dandy tomorrow - lovely and heartwarming
7 David MacBeth Mr Blue Lovely song - 2 versions of this and think I slightly prefer this one as the backing arrangement is simpler and sounds less dated
6 Mike Preston Mr Blue Unlike David Macbeth Mike has more hits to come - his voice is great but the other version is slightly smoother overall
6 Paul Anka Put Your Head On My Shoulder 5 straight weeks at #7: he certainly knows how to write a good tune and paint interesting textures with backing vocals
6 Russ Conway Snow Coach It's nearly Christmas so the piano instrumentals come thick and fast - this is a very jolly one that does evoke travelling in snow
5 Ella Fitzgerald But Not For Me A really nice classic feel to this with quite a dreamy backing track and she sounds great, but the melody itself could be stronger
5 Dickie Pride Primrose Lane Dickie Pride became one of the 27 club sadly and this is his only hit; the whistling is slightly irritating but otherwise a sweet song
4 Dickie Valentine One More Sunrise (Morgen) The English version of "Morgen" which unfortunately was a bigger hit than Ivo's version - it's done quite nicely I suppose
3 Gracie Fields Little Donkey I love her voice but it's quite big and vulnerable, and this song needs something much more gentle for me
2 Joe 'Mr Piano' Henderson Treble Chance A piano instrumental about playing slot machines judging by the coin noises; not unpleasant but really doesn't go anywhere
1 Clinton Ford Old Shep A song about a dying dog - at best it's terribly dull and why does he think he needs to shoot the animal himself?





We’ll be saying goodbye to several of our favourite 50s artists in the next set:

#1039 14/11/1959 Frankie Laine Rawhide 6 25-21-19-13-13-8-13-{6}-8-8-11-12-13-18-18-21-26-28-43R(3)-41->20
#1040 14/11/1959 The Avons Seven Little Girls Sitting In The Back Seat 3 26-23-13-8-5-4-4-{3}-4-6-12-10-23->13
#1041 14/11/1959 Sammy Turner Always 26 30-{26}->2
#1042 21/11/1959 Adam Faith What Do You Want? 1 18-8-{1}-1-1-2-2-2-2-4-7-8-15-14-20-24R(2)-32-27-33->19
#1043 21/11/1959 The Beverley Sisters Little Donkey 14 20-23-24-{14}-15-21-16->7
#1044 21/11/1959 Russ Conway More And More Party Pops 5 25-27-28-15-8-{5}-11-15->8
#1045 21/11/1959 Anne Shelton The Village Of St Bernadette 27 {27}->1
#1046 21/11/1959 Bert Weedon Nashville Boogie 29  {29}-29->2
#1047 28/11/1959 Winifred Atwell Piano Party 10 22-14-16-{10}-13-15-29->7
#1048 28/11/1959 Paul Evans And The Curls Seven Little Girls Sitting In The Back Seat 25  {25}->1
#1049 28/11/1959 Guy Mitchell Heartaches By The Number 5 26-30-27R(2)-22-17-16-15-9-6-{5}-10-10-16-27-21-35->16
#1050 28/11/1959 Johnny Mathis The Best Of Everything 30 {30}->1
#1051 05/12/1959 Tommy Steele Little White Bull 6  18-11-12-10-10-{6}-7-8-11-10-17-19-30R(3)-37-42-34-36->17
#1052 05/12/1959 Lonnie Donegan San Miguel 19  {19}-25-23-26->4

Posted by: Jade 2nd April 2023, 12:01 AM

Happy to see you rating 'What Do You Want To Make Those Eyes At Me For?' as high as 9! One of many great #1s produced by Joe Meek.

I also quite like 'Put Your Head On My Shoulder', so random that it got a TikTok revival, as the reason 'Streets' by Doja Cat took off was a challenge that morphed between these two songs

Posted by: chartjack2 2nd April 2023, 01:42 AM

Controversial New Seekers erasure there, Julian

Posted by: Popchartfreak 2nd April 2023, 09:06 AM

Oh! Carol is a great record, it topped my personal charts in 1972 when it was a reissued hit and I was 14 years old. It's still the oldest chronologically-speaking to top my charts. Both Neil Sedaka and Carole King were huge again in the early 70's - the song was about fellow-Brill-Building hit songwriter Carole King (her next release Oh! Neil wasnt quite as big ). Ive seen Neil in concert a couple of times in his later years and his voice was impeccable, just him and a piano was all he needed, everything else was icing on the cake instrumentally.

Emile Ford's hit is a goodie, another one I became aware of in 1972/3. Teen Beat is fun, Poison Ivy is ditto fun and good - I also like The Lambrettas 1980 cover. Put Your Head On My Shoulder I never liked much - images of a Futurama episode 30 years early - until the Doja Cat sampled song. Mr Blue I vaguely know, Old Shep became famous via Elvis (and was voted one of the UK's all-time fave records in 1974 - and then never again) but I don't like it, too depressing and maudlin. That leaves early 20th century legend Gracie Fields - I hadn't realised she was still having hits as late as this, not least because she left the UK in world war II and ended up moving to Capri I think after she got slagged off for doing a runner.

Posted by: JulianT 2nd April 2023, 09:26 AM

QUOTE(chartjack2 @ Apr 2 2023, 02:42 AM)

Controversial New Seekers erasure there, Julian

Posted by: JulianT 2nd April 2023, 11:54 PM

We're saying a fond farewell to 3 of our regular 50s hitmakers today, with Frankie and Guy are both finishing their Top 40 careers on a high. It's Tommy Steele who steals the show with the wonderfully eccentric "Little White Bull" though.

9 Tommy Steele Little White Bull An incredibly ingenious, charming and playful piece of storytelling; love how the horn represents the bull - a unique hit
8 Guy Mitchell Heartaches By The Number Thanks for all the tunes Guy - his last Top 40 and it's an excellent catchy song, with the trademark whistling but it works well
7 Frankie Laine Rawhide Also Frankie's Top 40 swansong and one of his best; a cowboy style number but done very charismatically and it's really exciting
6 Adam Faith What Do You Want? 94th #1: feel like many of his hits are reworkings of Buddy's "It Doesn't Matter Anymore", but a very good pop song anyway
6 The Beverley Sisters Little Donkey The song is what it is but a lovely version done very softly with relatively minimal instrumentation and nice harmonies
6 Sammy Turner Always Only hit here for this American singer; a lovely classy Irving Berlin 1920s number which he delivers with sophistication
5 Winifred Atwell Piano Party Last appearance for Winifred as well - it's another of her pop medleys expertly woven together and has more energy than Russ'
5 Bert Weedon Nashville Boogie A nice couple of minutes of guitar action with a bit of honky tonk piano thrown in, but can't see anything unique about it
5 Johnny Mathis The Best Of Everything Not his greatest melody but has lush orchestration and backing vocals and still a very nice listening experience overall
4 The Avons Seven Little Girls Sitting In The Back Seat How do you fit seven girls in the back of the car - one of those fun and quirky songs that becomes irritating after a few listens
4 Lonnie Donegan San Miguel "San Migwell" according to Lonnie - the original of this is coming up tomorrow and this skiffle version is alright
3 Paul Evans And The Curls Seven Little Girls Sitting In The Back Seat The other version had a slightly faster tempo which I think made it a bit smoother, and preferred the vocals a bit on that
3 Russ Conway More And More Party Pops The third in the party pops series and they all sound more or less the same - fair play to him for cashing in at Christmas of course
2 Anne Shelton The Village Of St Bernadette Dirge of the day: just a very stiff and unmemorable ballad - still really like her voice but think it goes better with the march style



Last group of the decade:

#1053 05/12/1959 Connie Francis Among My Souvenirs 11 20-12-13-12-12-{11}-24-21-29-30->10
#1054 05/12/1959 Wink Martindale Deck Of Cards 18 22-24-{18}-25-23-28R(2)-30-45R(10)-47R(159)->9
#1055 05/12/1959 Johnnie Ray I'll Never Fall In Love Again 26 {26}-28-29-27-26R(2)-28R(4)->6
#1056 05/12/1959 The Kingston Trio San Miguel 29 {29}->1
#1057 05/12/1959 Stevie Marsh If You Were The Only Boy In The World 24 30-29-{24}R(2)-27->4
#1058 12/12/1959 Marty Wilde Bad Boy 7 18-20-18-14-{7}-9-13-29->8
#1059 19/12/1959 Max Bygraves Jingle Bell Rock 7 14-11-{7}-25->4
#1060 19/12/1959 Duane Eddy And The Rebels Some Kind-A Earthquake 12 17-15-13-{12}-17->5
#1061 19/12/1959 Elmer Bernstein Staccato's Theme 4 19-6-8-5-{4}-7-9-10-14-17-40R(3)->11
#1062 19/12/1959 Fats Domino Be My Guest 11 22-17-25-13-{11}-14-14-17-25R(2)-19-22-44->12
#1063 19/12/1959 Nina And Frederik Mary's Boy Child 26 {26}->1
#1064 19/12/1959 Alma Cogan We Got Love 26 29-27-{26}-29->4
#1065 26/12/1959 Johnny And The Hurricanes Reveille Rock 14 23-19-17-{14}-15->5
#1066 26/12/1959 Ernie Fields And His Orchestra In The Mood 13 30-28-18-15-16-{13}-20-27->8

Posted by: Popchartfreak 3rd April 2023, 07:58 AM

Ooh that's a nice surprise Little White Bull coming out on top! I love it cos of kiddie memories of the film and Juniors Choice plays, but didn't think it would appeal to those not having those links It's great fun. You're right about Buddy Holly/Adam Faith. Adam was my big pop star hero pre-school with Billy Floory and Helen Shapiro so I also rate What Do You Want a lot, short and sweet. Rawhide is the other fave, theme tune to a very popular Western TV show that we all watched, and Frankie on his OTT whip-cracking best - Mel Brook's parody Blazing Saddles roped in Frankie with great success in 1973, love that one even more.

Guy Mitchell's is OK, The Avons is indeed also OK in small doses, and the rest I don't know...

Posted by: JulianT 4th April 2023, 12:21 AM

In the words of ABBA in 20 years, it's the end of the decade! No runaway winner from the last bunch but "Staccato's Theme" is more than worth a listen.

8 Elmer Bernstein Staccato's Theme From the detective series "Johnny Staccato" - it's a fabulous exciting instrumental with changes of pace and mood
8 The Kingston Trio San Miguel A very minor hit (Lonnie's unnecessary version was bigger) but it's fabulous with the deep vocals and shimmery accompaniment
7 Marty Wilde Bad Boy Marty's hit and miss for me but really like this; he plays the bad boy well with his laid back air and the twanging gives it a nice edge
7 Johnnie Ray I'll Never Fall In Love Again I'll never fall in love with Johnnie again as it's his last Top 40 hit; a classy number and he gives it the usual vulnerable performance
6 Fats Domino Be My Guest A charming soulful laid back number in the usual Fats style with a very nice tune and chirpy accompaniment
6 Duane Eddy And The Rebels Some Kind-A Earthquake At 1:17 this must be one of the shortest hits ever - a frenzy of twanging with sax and whooping and it's brief but enjoyable
6 Connie Francis Among My Souvenirs Not one of her classics but as with many of her ballads there's a slow wistful quality to this with gorgeous multi-tracked vocals
5 Johnny And The Hurricanes Reveille Rock The usual organ and saxophone combination which the former setting the scene and the latter taking over; not one of their best
5 Ernie Fields And His Orchestra In The Mood Definitive version by Glenn Miller of course but that won't chart until much later - this one is nice and lively but not essential
4 Stevie Marsh If You Were The Only Boy In The World An 1916 number from a musical usually done as a boy to a girl - only hit for this Manchester jazz singer and it's pleasant enough
3 Nina And Frederik Mary's Boy Child A fairly pointless cover that's really very similar in style to Harry's version but without the powerful storytelling
2 Max Bygraves Jingle Bell Rock The good version of this won't chart for 58 years so we have to make do with Max and a load of children's dulcet tones; not good
2 Alma Cogan We Got Love It's Alma's usual overly happy twee style but the backing chorus and counting chorus make it even worse than usual
1 Wink Martindale Deck Of Cards Only hit for this American DJ but charted 3 times - leaving aside the Christian element this is an utterly horrendous recitation song

Posted by: JulianT 4th April 2023, 11:45 PM

And so I gave 7 9s in 1959. That’s slightly fewer than in some of the other late 50s years - I don’t feel like it was the very greatest year for music with quite a few teen stars emerging and rock ‘n’ roll perhaps struggling for new ideas slightly. My favourites all came at the beginning of the year:

Gold medal: Smoke Gets In Your Eyes - The Platters

Silver Medal: It Doesn’t Matter Anymore - Buddy Holly

Bronze Medal: Petite Fleur - Chris Barber’s Jazz Band

Also receiving 9s:

Little White Bull - Tommy Steele
Oh! Carol - Neil Sedaka
Sleep Walk - Santo & Johnny
What Do You Want To Make Those Eyes At Me For - Emile Ford And The Checkmates

Completing the Top 10 for the year:

Come Softly To Me - The Fleetwoods
Personality - Lloyd Price
C’Mon Everybody - Eddie Cochran

Worst hit of the year:

Deck Of Cards - Wink Martindale

Posted by: Popchartfreak 5th April 2023, 07:24 PM

Never heard that Johnny Staccato before today, but Elmer Bernstein always classy jazzy productions.

Oddly it's the songs at the lower end I know best, Among My Souvenirs is OK, In The Mood - Glenn Miller always, but Ray Stevens' chicken-chorus version is genius. That 1916 song certainly endured into the 70's before it fell out of fashion, not one I ever liked much though. Of its time charm though. Max doing any song was always a chore, his last charting crime was also Deck Of Cards in 1973 so I'd hold off on that 1 for now if I were you. If you think Wink Martindale is bad (mum & dad adored his version and bought it in 1973, I was always 'meh" about it) you've got a real treat coming!

Posted by: JulianT 5th April 2023, 08:47 PM

1,066 hits covered and I only gave 4 10s, but 49 more songs received 9s.
At the other end of the scale I gave 22 1s.

My top 20 hits of the 50s:

1 Sixteen Tons - Tennessee Ernie Ford (#1, 1956)
2 Smile - Nat ‘King’ Cole (#2, 1954)
3 That’s Amore - Dean Martin (#2, 1954)
4 Reet Petite - Jackie Wilson (#6, 1957)
5 Little Red Monkey - Frank Chacksfield’s Tunesmiths (#10, 1953)
6 Under The Bridges Of Paris - Eartha Kitt (#7, 1955)
7 Smoke Gets In Your Eyes - The Platters (#1, 1959)
8 The Great Pretender / Only You (And You Alone) (#5, 1956)
9 Long Tall Sally - Little Richard (#3, 1957)
10 Hoots Mon - Lord Rockingham’s XI (#1, 1958)

11 The Glow Worm - The Mills Brothers (#10, 1953)
12 Sh-Boom - The Crew Cuts (#12, 1954)
13 Cumberland Gap - Lonnie Donegan (#1, 1957)
14 It Doesn’t Matter Anymore - Buddy Holly (#1, 1959)
15 Heartbreak Hotel - Elvis Presley (#2, 1956)
16 Fever - Peggy Lee (#5, 1958)
17 Blueberry Hill - Fats Domino (#6, 1956)
18 Petite Fleur - Chris Barber’s Jazz Band (#3, 1959)
19 Move It - Cliff Richard And The Drifters (#2, 1958)
20 Love Me Or Leave Me - Sammy Davis Jr (#8, 1955)

Worst hit of the 50s:

My Son John - David Whitfield (#22, 1956) - I think it’s the fact that he and the song are so blissfully unaware of how ridiculous they are

Average scores I gave by year:
1952/3: 5.3
1954 5.2
1955 5.1
1956 5.3
1957 5.4
1958 5.4
1959 5.3

Posted by: King Rollo 5th April 2023, 08:51 PM

Well done on completing the 1950s in just three months. I think Smoke Gets In Your Eyes is my favourite number 1 single from that decade.

Posted by: Chez Wombat 5th April 2023, 08:51 PM

ooh Rawhide is a real barnstomper, I'd known that for a while, but couldn't put a name to it until recently. I wish that would've been of his number 1s asides from the many bland ones that got there x

First of seven (almost) full decades done, not bad going!

Posted by: JulianT 6th April 2023, 07:42 PM

Some more stats on the 1950s:

I make it 63 acts who had 5 hits or more. Amazing how many Elvis had given that he only arrived on the scene in 1956.

29 Elvis Presley
24 Frankie Laine
20 Nat “King” Cole
20 Lonnie Donegan
20 Pat Boone
18 Johnnie Ray
18 Perry Como
18 Frankie Vaughan
18 Alma Cogan
18 David Whitfield

16 Ronnie Hilton
15 Winifred Atwel
15 Guy Mitchell
14 Doris Day
14 Tommy Steele
14 Dean Martin
14 Dickie Valentine
14 Frank Sinatra
13 Little Richard
13 Bill Haley And His Comets

12 Fats Domino
12 Max Bygraves
10 Connie Francis
10 Ruby Murray
10 Jimmy Young
9 Eddie Fisher
9 Paul Anka
9 Russ Conway
9 Malcolm Vaughan
9 Bing Crosby

9 Vera Lynne
9 The Stargazers
8 Buddy Holly
8 Cliff Richard
8 The Everly Brothers
8 Michael Holliday
8 Johnston Brothers
8 Tony Brent
8 Ricky Nelson
8 Mantovani

8 Ted Heath And His Music
7 The Platters
7 The Four Aces
7 Eddie Calvert
7 Joan Regan
7 Rosemary Clooney
7 Slim Whitman
7 Al Martino
6 The Drifters
6 Frank Chacksfield

6 Duane Eddy
6 Sammy Davis Jr
6 Petula Clark
6 Harry Belafonte
5 The Crickets
5 Jerry Lee Lewis
5 Cyril Stapleton
5 The McGuire Sisters
5 Kay Starr
5 Marty Wilde
5 The Beverley Sisters
5 Shirley Bassey
5 Gary Miller

As for daily wins, Little Richard had the most with 5, and Elvis and Johnnie Ray both had 4. But who had the highest average score /10? Here are the averages for all the acts listed above:

Little Richard 7.7
Buddy Holly 7.5
The Crickets 7.2
The Drifters 7.0
Cliff Richard 6.9
The Platters 6.9
The Everly Brothers 6.8
Frank Chacksfield 6.8
Duane Eddy 6.8
Jerry Lee Lewis 6.8

Elvis Presley 6.6
Johnnie Ray 6.6
Bill Haley And His Comets 6.5
Connie Francis 6.4
Cyril Stapleton 6.4
Eddie Fisher 6.3
Nat “King” Cole 6.2
Sammy Davis Jr 6.2
The McGuire Sisters 6.2
Winifred Atwell 6.1

Paul Anka 6.0
Petula Clark 6.0
Lonnie Donegan 5.9
Fats Domino 5.8
Kay Starr 5.8
Marty Wilde 5.8
The Four Aces 5.7
Eddie Calvert 5.7
Doris Day 5.6
Tommy Steele 5.5

Michael Holliday 5.5
Johnston Brothers 5.4
Joan Regan 5.4
Frankie Laine 5.3
Guy Mitchell 5.3
Russ Conway 5.1
Perry Como 5.0
Tony Brent 5.0
Ricky Nelson 5.0
Harry Belafonte 5.0

The Beverley Sisters 5.0
Shirley Bassey 5.0
Dean Martin 4.9
Rosemary Clooney 4.9
Malcolm Vaughan 4.7
Slim Whitman 4.7
Dickie Valentine 4.6
Ruby Murray 4.6
Frankie Vaughan 4.5
Frank Sinatra 4.5

Mantovani 4.5
Ted Heath And His Music 4.4
Al Martino 4.4
Gary Miller 4.4
Ronnie Hilton 4.3
Jimmy Young 4.3
Alma Cogan 4.2
Bing Crosby 4.1
Vera Lynne 3.9
Pat Boone 3.0
David Whitfield 3.0
Max Bygraves 2.9
The Stargazers 2.7

Posted by: Roba. 6th April 2023, 07:45 PM

Well done Julian on achieving all of the 50's in those few months span. The 60's are where things will pick up I'd imagine

Posted by: JulianT 6th April 2023, 07:46 PM

Kicking off the 1960s tomorrow! Of course progress is going to slow as the chart becomes a Top 50 from March. I was horrified to see there were more than 300 hits in 1960, but actually taking out any that peaked in positions 41 to 50 reduces it to 241. That's still the first year where there are more than 200, so I'll aiming for 3 weeks per year whereas it's been around 2 weeks up to this point.

1960 group 1:

#1067 02/01/1960 Freddy Cannon Way Down Yonder In New Orleans 3 24-20-10-5-5-4-{3}-4-3-6-12-12-23-23-34-33-37->17
#1068 02/01/1960 Michael Holliday Starry Eyed 1 28-14-5-3-{1}-3-5-7-9-14-14-28-50->13
#1069 09/01/1960 The Drifters Dance With Me 17 24-23-{17}-22-35R(6)->5
#1070 09/01/1960 Jerry Lordan I'll Stay Single 26 {26}-26-41R(8)->3
#1071 09/01/1960 Gene Vincent Wild Cat 21 28-{21}-24-39R(7)-48-45->6
#1072 16/01/1960 Anthony Newley Why 1 12-2-2-{1}-1-1-1-2-4-2-10-8-16-38-18-28-29-33->18
#1073 16/01/1960 Little Tony And His Brothers Too Good 19 {19}-21-23->3
#1074 16/01/1960 Cliff Richard And The Shadows Expresso Bongo EP 14 25-18-15-{14}-23-30-29->7
#1075 16/01/1960 The Crickets When You Ask About Love 27 {27}->1
#1076 16/01/1960 Bill Forbes Too Young 29 {29}->1
#1077 16/01/1960 Ricky Nelson I Wanna Be Loved 30 {30}->1
#1078 23/01/1960 Cliff Richard And The Shadows Voice In The Wilderness 2 10-4-{2}-2-2-4-4-10-6-25-21-22-31-27-39R(2)-36->16
#1079 23/01/1960 Frankie Avalon Why 20 {20}-20-27-27->4
#1080 23/01/1960 Mr Acker Bilk And His Paramount Jazz Band Summer Set 5 23-15-17-11-12-10-9-{5}-9-13-15-19-40-30-34-41-34-40-43-45->20
#1081 23/01/1960 Maureen Evans The Big Hurt 26 {26}-27->2

Posted by: JulianT 7th April 2023, 06:39 PM

The new decade starts as the old one ended with an instrumental winner. Acker Bilk himself was German but lived in London and the Paramount Orchestra came from Bristol. This is a great one to listen to as the weather gets warmer and the evenings lighter.

9 Mr Acker Bilk And His Paramount Jazz Band Summer Set First hit for the clarinettist and his group and the title's a pun on their home county: just a glorious summery instrumental
8 The Drifters Dance With Me The first hit for the doo wop group featuring Ben E King and it's a gorgeous smooth and catchy number
8 Freddy Cannon Way Down Yonder In New Orleans The big orchestral feel to this, particularly the brass, together with his raspy vocals really make this great - by far his biggest hit
8 Cliff Richard And The Shadows Voice In The Wilderness Ballad Cliff has well and truly arrived but I love this one so he's forgiven - great tune sensitively delivered and expert accompaniment
7 The Crickets When You Ask About Love Second post Holly single and a small hit but it's a lovely heartfelt ballad accompanied by shimmery twanging and a guitar solo
7 Cliff Richard And The Shadows Expresso Bongo EP A really good mostly rocky EP - "Love" is a really nice skiffle style track and "Bongo Blues" a fun drum led instrumental
7 Gene Vincent Wild Cat His first hit for a few years and it has a real charm and intimacy about it; love the backing chorus ahhs and the honky tonk piano
6 Michael Holliday Starry Eyed 95th #1: like the backing "bom bom" representing the stars and all in all it's a nice gentle song that doesn't quite hit you in the guts
6 Ricky Nelson I Wanna Be Loved Quite similar in style to "Fever" in the opening section but then builds up - overall a very enjoyable blues style number
5 Jerry Lordan I'll Stay Single Poor Jerry is vowing to be celibate forever just because one girl has rejected him; he has a nice voice though and it's a good tune
5 Little Tony And His Brothers Too Good Only hit for this Sammarinese act and Tony's accent is interesting - quite a nice almost whispered vocal style and it's a sweet song
4 Maureen Evans The Big Hurt The best known version of this is coming up - this one isn't bad but lacks the atmosphere of that and feels a little pedestrian
3 Frankie Avalon Why Frankie takes this at an even slightly drearier tempo than Anthony but I quite enjoy the interplay with the female vocalist
3 Anthony Newley Why 96th #1: why indeed - not one of the worst ever chart toppers but just quite a drippy inconsequential ballad really
2 Bill Forbes Too Young Has to be dirge of the day - like the plucked strings but the song itself is quite plodding and sleepy; feels anything but young



1960 Group 2:

#1082 23/01/1960 Adam Faith Poor Me 1 27-18-7-4-3-2-{1}-1-5-4-5-15-17-19-22-21-22-30->18
#1083 23/01/1960 Eddie Cochran Hallelujah I Love Her So 22 28-{22}R(2)-24-27->4
#1084 23/01/1960 Craig Douglas Pretty Blue Eyes 4 28-25-12-6-6-{4}-7-6-8-14-19-27-29-36-38->15
#1085 30/01/1960 The Platters Harbour Lights 11 17-17-16-16-{11}-14-18-19-38-37-37-34->12
#1086 30/01/1960 Johnny Mathis Misty 12 19-15-{12}-13-15-20-25-22-33-36-46R(2)-48->12
#1087 30/01/1960 Bobby Darin La Mer (Beyond The Sea) 8 24-15-{8}-9-8-10-9-21-31-27-30-44R(2)-43->13
#1088 30/01/1960 Frankie Vaughan What More Do You Want 25 {25}-25->2
#1089 30/01/1960 Marty Robbins El Paso 19 28-24-{19}-22-26-28-29-38-44R(3)->9
#1090 06/02/1960 Emile Ford And The Checkmates On A Slow Boat To China 3 21-6-5-6-4-{3}-11-16-10-18-23-21-29-36-38->15
#1091 06/02/1960 Joan Regan Happy Anniversary 29 {29}-29R(2)->2
#1092 13/02/1960 Johnny Preston Running Bear 1 13-8-7-3-2-{1}-1-2-4-9-6-16-19-25-32-41R(2)->16
#1093 13/02/1960 Marv Johnson You Got What It Takes 7 21-15-12-12-{7}-10-11-9-8-10-11-27-25-26-33-30-42->17
#1094 13/02/1960 The Everly Brothers Let It Be Me 13 22-20-18-19-19-{13}-26R(2)-47-30-40->10
#1095 13/02/1960 Johnny Kidd And The Pirates You Got What It Takes 25 {25}-28-30->3
#1096 13/02/1960 Elvis Presley Strictly Elvis EP 25 {25}->1

Posted by: Popchartfreak 8th April 2023, 04:55 PM

I've never heard Summer Set, though it should really be called Zummer Zet if Acker Bilk was being accurately local, but it's rather nice. The Drifters, can't go wrong, never bad. Freddie Cannon a great single, I also like Voice In The Wilderness from Cliff, and When You Ask About Love is a good song - a big hit in 1980 for rockabilly band Matchbox, who did a great version not unlike the original. The rest I don't know, except both Why and Too Young (assuming its the Nat King Cole song) were covered by Donny Osmond in 1972 - I liked Why Donny-style, and Im pretty sure I'd opt for Frankie Avalon over Anthony "Bowie-copied-his-vocal-style" Newley who I never liked much - though he was a much better songwriter than singer (he wrote Why and it wasnt even his best song). Too Young was pretty poor by anyone not called "Nat"....

Posted by: JulianT 8th April 2023, 11:02 PM

Two fabulous songs at the top today but Johnny Mathis edges it with the stunning "Misty". The whole song is incredible but the best bit is after the instrumental interlude when he starts the note for "on" about 5 seconds early and gradually blends in. "Beyond The Sea" is also a classic and could have won most days.

9 Johnny Mathis Misty An incredibly sensual song performed with vulnerability and tenderness, and the smoothness of his tone is utterly captivating
9 Bobby Darin La Mer (Beyond The Sea) The definitive version of a jazz standard and I prefer this to both his chart topppers; just marvellous
8 Johnny Preston Running Bear 98th #1: I'm not generally keen on death songs but I love the whackiness of the chanting on this and it's a geat tune
7 Emile Ford And The Checkmates On A Slow Boat To China A classy and heartwarming follow up to their chart topper with lovely majestic vocals over the "doo doo" chorus
7 Eddie Cochran Hallelujah I Love Her So He is so effortlessly cool and I love the contrast between his throwaway vocals and the punchiness of the violins
6 Adam Faith Poor Me 97th #1: even shorter and sweeter than "What Do You Want" - again a really good Holly style tune but not the most original
6 Frankie Vaughan What More Do You Want A charming big band number - impressive that this 50s crooner is still having hits but this style really suits him
5 Craig Douglas Pretty Blue Eyes As ever from Craig it's a cover - lovely tune but I prefer the original by Steve Lawrence which was a hit in America but not here
5 Elvis Presley Strictly Elvis EP "Anyplace Is Paradise" and "Is it So Strange" are nicely done slow ballads, but this EP also has the dreadful "Old Shep" on it
4 The Everly Brothers Let It Be Me Really well performed as ever by the Everlys but I find this song so syrupy I can't fully get on board with any version of it
4 The Platters Harbour Lights I know Vera Lynn's version best and as usual with the Platters this is beautifully sung, but I can't help seeing it as a wartime song
3 Joan Regan Happy Anniversary "Here's to you, here's to me and here's to a happy anniversary" - a very twee song but at least nothing horrid like the songs below
3 Johnny Kidd And The Pirates You Got What It Takes You're not that pretty and you don't dress properly but you're decent in bed - odious subject but this version is nicely performed
2 Marv Johnson You Got What It Takes Slightly prefer the other vocals - Marv sounds more like he believes the horrid things he's singing; not a fan either way
2 Marty Robbins El Paso So he shoots a man just for having a drink with the girl he likes and then he gets shot himself - pretty grim but the tune's OK





1960 Group 3:

#1097 13/02/1960 Nat 'King' Cole Time And The River 23 29-{23}R(2)-29-27-47R(3)->5
#1098 13/02/1960 Miss Toni Fisher The Big Hurt 30 {30}->1
#1099 20/02/1960 Duane Eddy And The Rebels Bonnie Came Back 12 20-17-{12}-13-27-30-32-26-25-34-37->11
#1100 20/02/1960 Lance Fortune Be Mine 4 22-13-11-11-{4}-12-16-24-21-24-32-35-44->13
#1101 20/02/1960 Frank Ifield Lucky Devil 22 26-{22}-23-32-43-24-33R(2)-42->8
#1102 27/02/1960 Jerry Lordan Who Could Be Bluer? 16 24-{16}-17-18-22-20-28-26-32-31-45R(3)->11
#1103 27/02/1960 Perry Como Delaware 3 24-8-8-{3}-3-4-5-13-16-19-24-23-31-42->14
#1104 27/02/1960 Paul Anka It's Time To Cry 28 {28}-47R(7)->2
#1105 05/03/1960 Russ Conway Royal Event 15 17-{15}-15-28-35-23-39-46-45->9
#1106 05/03/1960 Percy Faith Theme From 'A Summer Place' 2 18-16-7-{2}-3-6-7-9-10-11-15-16-16-30-25-29-33-41-34-41-40-31-31-32-31-28-37-28-32-31-35->31
#1107 05/03/1960 John Barry Seven Hit And Miss 10 24-26-20-21-25-13-12-{10}-20-22-18-25-44-45R(2)->14
#1108 05/03/1960 Freddy Cannon California Here I Come 24 {24}-33-46R(2)->3
#1109 12/03/1960 Jack Scott What In The World's Come Over You 11 20-17-19-14-{11}-15-13-18-23-21-23-23-32-37-43->15
#1110 12/03/1960 Billy Fury Colette 9 22-14-{9}-17-20-28-41-44-48-47->10
#1111 12/03/1960 Max Bygraves Fings Ain't Wot They Used T'Be 5 31-23-8-7-7-{5}-5-9-14-17-21-21-31-41-50->15

Posted by: JulianT 9th April 2023, 11:56 PM

I haven't given a 10 since 1957 so it's not before time. This was written for the 1959 film "A Summer Place" and was a very long running Number 2 hit, spending 30 weeks in the Top 40. I just think it's an utterly perfect orchestral piece - one listen to this and all is right with the world.

10 Percy Faith Theme From 'A Summer Place' One of my favourite instrumentals ever - the lead violin melody is exquisite and all the orchestration is stunningly beautiful
8 Lance Fortune Be Mine Another one in the Buddy Holly boy idol style with a plucked string accompaniment - excellently done though and I love the tune
8 Miss Toni Fisher The Big Hurt Love this really classic feeling ballad - the strumming in the background represents the stabbing pain and she perfoms it brilliantly
7 Freddy Cannon California Here I Come A much smaller hit than his "New Orleans" themed one but it's still great and the orchestration gives it a vintage feel
7 John Barry Seven Hit And Miss The theme from the TV show "Juke Box Jury" - a really charming instrumental with guitars and plucked strings
6 Jack Scott What In The World's Come Over You A deliberately plodding ballad but quite effective and his wretchedness really comes across with his deep voice and country twang
6 Billy Fury Colette Really nice song and harmonies but to me it's very much recreating the Everly Brothers formula from a couple of years before
6 Nat 'King' Cole Time And The River Such a smooth laid back ballad that it gives the feeling of having all the time in the world, which is exactly what the ballad's about
5 Duane Eddy And The Rebels Bonnie Came Back Based on the Scottish folk song "My Bonnie Lies Over The Ocean" with the usual guitar and sax setup; nice but not one of his best
5 Frank Ifield Lucky Devil First hit for Frank and it's very sweet but slightly twee; enjoy the literal depiction of what a lucky devil would look like
5 Russ Conway Royal Event Exactly what we've come to expect from Russ and this bounces along nicely but doesn't really present anything new
4 Jerry Lordan Who Could Be Bluer? Again Jerry is moaning about how unfortunate he is - quite tiresome lyrically but is actually a good tune and I like his voice
4 Perry Como Delaware Puns on 15 US State names in the lyrics which is quite impressive, and overall it's really fun but doesn't bear too many listens
3 Paul Anka It's Time To Cry As usual with Paul the production is impressive and lavish but actually think it's quite a turgid ballad and his weakest hit yet
2 Max Bygraves Fings Ain't Wot They Used T'Be A Mockney song moaning that things aren't like in the good old days, complete with a rabble of a chorus joining in - not good



1960 Group 4:

#1112 12/03/1960 Bryan Johnson Looking High High High 20 34-25-26-22-21-{20}-23-24-28-31-37->11
#1113 12/03/1960 Marty Wilde Johnny Rocco 30 36-{30}-34-30->4
#1114 12/03/1960 Bert Weedon Big Beat Boogie 37 {37}-50-48-49R(2)->4
#1115 12/03/1960 Bobby Rydell Wild One 7 38-24-{7}-12-9-14-17-11-15-19-24-34-48-43-47R(2)->15
#1116 12/03/1960 Mark Dinning Teen Angel 37 48-40-{37}-42R(2)->4
#1117 12/03/1960 Gene Vincent My Heart 16 49-{16}-18-29-29-41-47R(2)-36R(3)->8
#1118 19/03/1960 Johnny And The Hurricanes Beatnik Fly 8 26-17-13-14-{8}-12-17-13-14-14-14-12-31-28-31-42-41-50-42->19
#1119 19/03/1960 Jimmy Jones Handy Man 3 29-20-18-12-{3}-4-6-6-4-3-3-7-5-3-3-9-9-12-17-23-30-38R(2)-32-47->24
#1120 19/03/1960 England Sisters Heart Beat 33 {33}->1
#1121 19/03/1960 Joe Brown And The Bruvvers The Dark Town Strutters' Ball 34 {34}-35-39-45-37-49->6
#1122 19/03/1960 Norrie Paramor And His Orchestra Theme From 'A Summer Place' 36 {36}-49->2
#1123 19/03/1960 Connie Francis Valentino 27 39-29-40-32-{27}-31-50-43->8
#1124 19/03/1960 Fats Domino Country Boy 19 41-41-28-25-{19}-25-25-31-29-46-41->11
#1125 19/03/1960 Brenda Lee Sweet Nothin's 4 45-39R(3)-18-28-8-7-5-5-9-{4}-15-9-8-25-17-16-21-28-27->19

Posted by: Popchartfreak 10th April 2023, 08:57 AM

As usual I find myself agreeing with your ratings Misty is Johnny at his smooth best, and it's not even the best version - Ray Stevens 1975 hit cover is an upbeat countrypop classic. My mum loved Beyond The Sea, and so do I, such a great record and yet one I never even really noticed until the 90's. Running Bear is great fun, and I also rate Poor Me (Adam can do wrong) and Pretty Blue Eyes (US version). Harbour Lights is a goodie - and Ive never heard Vera's version!

You Got What It takes is known to me in the pop Showaddywaddy big hit version and I must admit I've never given the lyrics a second thought - The Berry Gordy song never came across as just being about being good in bed, but yes listing your love's "bad" qualities is not a good look these days! Old Shep and El Paso were huge songs in our house, my brother can still sing El Paso all the way through but I would never choose to hear Old Shep, El Paso I don't mind in small doses.

Posted by: Popchartfreak 10th April 2023, 09:07 AM

Theme From A Summer Place 10 out of 10 from me too, total classic. Loved it all my life, never ever got bored with it. Be Mine oddly not one I know playing it now - ooh yes very Buddy Holly apart from the voice. Freddie Cannon I like, didn;t he just have a hit! Hit And Miss is iconic to Juke Box Jury fans (I was one from as soon as I could watch TV) and John Barry was generally fabulous throughout his career. Colette was a single dad bought, so I'm fond of that one, and hey it's Billy Floory! Time And The River isn't on my Nat Greatest Hits, but I'm sure I'll like it.

What In The World was a mid-70's attempted cover that was a minor hit, and that annoyed me so I doubt I'd warm more to the original, also not a fan of My Bonnie Lies Over The Ocean, so ditto. Delaware is OK once in a row, but twice is pushing it too far! Once every 20 years is about right. Fings Aint Wot They Used Ta Be is very annoying. Always was always will be. Still not his worst record though (see recent comments )

Posted by: JulianT 11th April 2023, 12:17 AM

Quite a few great discoveries here but the top pick has to be "Handy Man", which is fantastically quirky and catchy and heartfelt. Like "Theme From A Summer Place" this was a very long running hit that never quite reached the top; in this case it had multiple stays at #3.

9 Jimmy Jones Handy Man Brilliant song - manages to be both playful and heartwarming at the same time, and the falsetto "cama cama" riff is so catchy
8 Johnny And The Hurricanes Beatnik Fly Another great instrumental from them, from the slightly foreboding organ intro to the guitar riff to the melody to the squawky sax
8 Gene Vincent My Heart Love this one from Gene - it's an excellently produced rock number but there's a real heartbreaking tenderness in how he sings it
8 Joe Brown And The Bruvvers The Dark Town Strutters' Ball First hit for this Cockney rock star and it's a stonking energetic number with plenty of twanging and urgency and excellent vocals
7 Bert Weedon Big Beat Boogie A really well done guitar piece with a few different excellently played sections and some help from the sax
7 Bobby Rydell Wild One First and biggest hit for this American rock star and a great tune with very effective call and response with the backing vocals
7 Connie Francis Valentino Really enjoy the Latin feel on this and has Connie's very strong multi-tracked vocals and a nice plucked backing riff
6 Brenda Lee Sweet Nothin's It's the iconic "uh huh honey" sample used in several later songs - beyond that it's a good raspy rock 'n' roll number
6 Fats Domino Country Boy Another really sweet one from Fats that gets the carefree feeling across really well, with great sax playing
6 Bryan Johnson Looking High High High Our Eurovision entry - "Looking aye aye aye" as the French presenter says; actually a very nice and well sung but quite dated song
5 Norrie Paramor And His Orchestra Theme From 'A Summer Place' An interesting version of this with a female voice singing the main theme to "ah", but of course comes nowhere near Percy Faith's
4 Marty Wilde Johnny Rocco Johnny Rocco keeps fighting people to win Mary Brown's love until she says actually she'd rather he didn't; odd but a decent song
3 England Sisters Heart Beat A cover of the Buddy Holly song - the multi-line vocals lack impact and make it sound a bit throwaway; all in all it lacks impact
1 Mark Dinning Teen Angel A terribly moribund song about his 16 year old girlfriend being run over, with stop starting to add impact, but it's just dreadful



1960 Group 5:

#1126 26/03/1960 Lonnie Donegan My Old Man's A Dustman 1 5-{1}-1-1-1-2-9-10-10-26-24-30-39->13
#1127 26/03/1960 Cliff Richard And The Shadows Fall In Love With You 2 6-6-3-{2}-7-5-5-8-6-5-11-11-18-21-32->15
#1128 26/03/1960 Anthony Newley Do You Mind? 1 15-11-2-4-2-{1}-2-2-4-7-8-10-14-32-34->15
#1129 26/03/1960 Jim Reeves He'll Have To Go 12 36-31R(2)-16-22-14-17-16-18-18-14-17-22-{12}-12-20-22-22-27-25-26-30-30-36-36-30-30-36-41-39-35-35->31
#1130 26/03/1960 Johnny Mathis You Are Beautiful 38 39-42-50-44-{38}-48-38-46-46R(2)->9
#1131 26/03/1960 Shaye Cogan Mean To Me 40 {40}->1
#1132 02/04/1960 Bobby Darin Clementine 8 24-17-11-{8}-13-12-13-20-24-35-39-37->12
#1133 02/04/1960 Ronnie Carroll Footsteps 36 38-40-{36}->3
#1134 02/04/1960 Shirley Bassey With These Hands 38 46-{38}-43R(2)-42-50R(2)-41->6
#1135 02/04/1960 Paul Anka Puppy Love 33 48-43-43-{33}-47R(2)-37-49->7
#1136 09/04/1960 Elvis Presley Stuck On You 3 10-6-{3}-7-8-6-11-17-20-26-24-25-47-38->14
#1137 16/04/1960 The Everly Brothers Cathy's Clown 1 22-14-4-{1}-1-1-1-1-1-1-6-7-3-11-19-20-22-30->18
#1138 16/04/1960 Adam Faith Someone Else's Baby 2 24-15-3-3-3-{2}-6-5-13-15-19-43-43->13
#1139 16/04/1960 The King Brothers Standing On The Corner 4 32-26-12-{4}-12-13-13-16-22-32-35->11

Posted by: Popchartfreak 11th April 2023, 04:00 PM

handy Man is fab. Oops at me not knowing most of your other top picks! Joe Brown is still terrific in concert, usually with hit-making daughter Sam lending a hand, and still very engaging and down to earth. Bobby Rydell more famous for being the easter egg that is Rydell High in Grease these days, but I expect I'd enjoy all your picks - I rate Brenda lee's Sweet Nuthing's, always been a goodie that one. I hate our Eurovision entry, oopsie! Teen Angel I have vague memories of. They should have supplied hankies along with some records back in the day....

Posted by: chartjack2 11th April 2023, 04:17 PM

We’re definitely entering the era of “death records” now aren’t we?

Posted by: Roba. 11th April 2023, 05:13 PM

'Forget Me Not' by Vera is on the retro chart thing right now and sounds quite nice. *14 pages late*

Posted by: JulianT 11th April 2023, 06:03 PM

QUOTE(Roba. @ Apr 11 2023, 06:13 PM)

'Forget Me Not' by Vera is on the retro chart thing right now and sounds quite nice. *14 pages late*

Posted by: Suedehead2 11th April 2023, 07:47 PM

Another gap in keeping up with this thread.

I loved Little White Bull as a child. It's one of the few singles my Dad bought so we heard it rather a lot and chanted Little White Bull along with the children on the record

Deck Of Cards is the epitome of sentimental tripe (until No Charge came along many years later).

Ray Stevens did the best version of Misty for me. He was also responsible for the terrible The Streak which has nothing to do with Running Bear / Bare.

The best version of My Bonnie I know was by The Beatles and Billy Preston.

Posted by: JulianT 12th April 2023, 12:11 AM

My dad is a huge fan of Jim Reeves and it was nice to tell him that his debut was coming up in my crazy project when I went home for Easter. I don't promise to always give him glowing reviews but "He'll Have To Go" is wonderful. It was the "I'm Yours" or "Let It Go" of its day with a monstrous 30 weeks in the Top 40 but never climbing higher than #12.

9 Jim Reeves He'll Have To Go Epic chart run for this - his first hit and it's a great but quite simple ballad brilliantly delivered with his deep crystal clear voice
8 Adam Faith Someone Else's Baby A runner up hit very similar in style to the 2 chart toppers that preceeded it, but this is my favourite of his songs - brilliant tune
8 The Everly Brothers Cathy's Clown 101st #1 and the 24th biggest seller of the decade: it's a great record but I don't personally love it as much as their previous #1
7 Elvis Presley Stuck On You A very vintage mid tempo Elvis number with honky tonk piano and plenty of "uh huh huh" - very nice
6 Paul Anka Puppy Love The original of this here and I'll never exactly love the song but can confirm it started out life as a very decent ballad
5 Ronnie Carroll Footsteps The original of this is coming up - this is a perfectly decent cover but lacks a spark and doesn't really do anything with it
4 Cliff Richard And The Shadows Fall In Love With You We're getting into slightly cloying Cliff territory now - still a well written ballad but it is a bit saccharine
4 Anthony Newley Do You Mind? It's the 100th #1: I do mind a bit that this rather flaccid ballad has taken that accolade but there we are - it's less drippy than "Why"
3 Johnny Mathis You Are Beautiful He sounds great as ever and it has a nice atmosphere but it's such a slow ballad and I can't really discern a tune
3 Shaye Cogan Mean To Me The only hit for this American singer and actress and it's OK but quite whiny and doesn't really go anywhere
3 The King Brothers Standing On The Corner I've said I'll avoid making moral judgements but this is literally about how much fun wolf whistling is - tune's a bit raucous but OK
2 Lonnie Donegan My Old Man's A Dustman 99th #1: I'm sure it made people smile but I really don't like this song even before you add in the bad jokes and canned laughter
2 Shirley Bassey With These Hands Dirge of the day from Shirley - one of those that no matter how many times you hear it you won't remember how it goes
2 Bobby Darin Clementine A very strange mangling of this folksong in which Clementine is reimagined as an obese woman - I don't get it at all



1960 Group 6 (passing over the re-release of "Heartbeat"):

#1140 16/04/1960 Neil Sedaka Stairway To Heaven 8 35-29-26-20-24-17-12-13-9-{8}-11-17-16-23-37->15
#1141 16/04/1960 Michael Holliday Skylark 39 50-{39}-40->3
#1142 23/04/1960 Steve Lawrence Footsteps 4 20-15-10-9-8-{4}-6-8-10-13-23-31-26->13
#1143 23/04/1960 Ella Fitzgerald Mack The Knife 19 35-30-26-28-{19}-22-23-42-41->9
#1144 23/04/1960 Johnny Preston Cradle Of Love 2 42-23-18-11-9-{2}-2-2-5-4-5-12-17-30-45-26->16
#1145 30/04/1960 Duane Eddy Shazam! 4 21-16-7-7-8-9-{4}-7-7-18-13-25-34->13
#1146 30/04/1960 Jacqueline Boyer Tom Pillibi 33 {33}-33->2
30/04/1960 Buddy Holly Heartbeat {1960} 30 35-{30}-35->3
#1147 30/04/1960 The Four Lads Standing On The Corner 34 36-{34}-49-38->4
#1148 30/04/1960 Cliff Adams Orchestra The Lonely Man Theme 39 {39}-50->2
#1149 30/04/1960 Craig Douglas Heart Of A Teenage Girl 10 41-27-20-12-{10}-10-16-23-20->9
#1150 30/04/1960 Frankie Avalon Don't Throw Away All Those Teardrops 37 46-{37}-43-50->4
#1151 30/04/1960 John Barry Orchestra Beat For Beatniks 40 49-{40}->2
#1152 07/05/1960 Lance Fortune This Love I Have For You 26 32-30-{26}-29-39->5
#1153 07/05/1960 Edward Byrnes And Connie Stevens Kookie, Kookie (Lend Me Your Comb) 27 42-{27}-28-37-29-34-40-44->8

Posted by: Popchartfreak 12th April 2023, 03:18 PM

QUOTE(Suedehead2 @ Apr 11 2023, 08:47 PM)

Another gap in keeping up with this thread.

I loved Little White Bull as a child. It's one of the few singles my Dad bought so we heard it rather a lot and chanted Little White Bull along with the children on the record

Deck Of Cards is the epitome of sentimental tripe (until No Charge came along many years later).

Ray Stevens did the best version of Misty for me. He was also responsible for the terrible The Streak which has nothing to do with Running Bear / Bare.

The best version of My Bonnie I know was by The Beatles and Billy Preston.

Posted by: Popchartfreak 12th April 2023, 03:31 PM

My mum and dad both adored Jim Reeves, as did my grandma - she gave me all her vinyl albums a few years before she died - so no argument from me about He'll Have To Go, Jim had a voice honey sweet but authoritative - and he was still charting a decade after his death. Love Someone Else's Baby too, and Cathy's Clown is my fave Everlys track.

Stuck On You is decent but not special, Puppy Love I will take Donny's cover - it might be an unpopular opinion but it makes more sense for a pre-pubescent to sing it than an 18-year-old. Footsteps, yes either the original version please, or the Showaddywaddy cover. Or even better, a Pet Shop Boys song of the same name which is the boys at their most sweet and tender and deserves to be known. Cliff's track is OK, Lonnie's I loved when I was a kid, but not so much these days, I dont even have nostalgic fondness for it the way I do most kiddie songs of the 60's. The rest, meh...

Posted by: JulianT 13th April 2023, 12:15 AM

The proper version of "Footsteps" just wins today, though nice that the French language Eurovision winning song was a hit.

8 Steve Lawrence Footsteps The only Top 40 here for this American singer and a great little pop song; very contemporary sounding with the plucked strings
8 Jacqueline Boyer Tom Pillibi The French Eurovision winner - she loves him even though he's such a liar is the theme; very lovely indeed and better than ours
7 Johnny Preston Cradle Of Love Not quite as great as "Running Bear" but a really good follow up; great tune well sung with backing singers as the wind
7 Duane Eddy Shazam! Shazam means wizard apparently; another great one from Duane with the usual guitar, sax and background whooping
7 Michael Holliday Skylark Surprisingly very enjoyable - the bird is represented by whistling and wind instruments and overall a really sweet jazzy ballad
6 Neil Sedaka Stairway To Heaven No relation to the glam rock song - this is a very solid 1960 style pop song from young heartthrob Neil
6 Cliff Adams Orchestra The Lonely Man Theme Cliff was a member of the Stargazers but not holding that against him - this is a really nice gentle Mantovani style instrumental
6 John Barry Orchestra Beat For Beatniks Not sure if this was also a TV theme like "Hit And Miss" but another very good instrumental that sounds quite Bond-esque
5 Ella Fitzgerald Mack The Knife "We haven't heard a girl sing it" - this is live from a Berlin concert and she forgot the words so improvised; iconic but don't love it
4 Lance Fortune This Love I Have For You More nice plucky strings in the background - similar in style to "Be Mine" but nowhere near as good and a little whiny
3 The Four Lads Standing On The Corner Another similar version of the wolf whistler's song - maybe slightly prefer the vocals here to The King Brothers' but still not great
2 Frankie Avalon Don't Throw Away All Those Teardrops I find this a very plodding and dreary ballad with no memorable tune - only redeeming element a bit of nice Spanish style guitar
2 Craig Douglas Heart Of A Teenage Girl Another of these "she's passed it when she's 20" songs with menacing counting "18, 19" in the background - not a fan
1 Edward Byrnes And Connie Stevens Kookie, Kookie (Lend Me Your Comb) Based on Byrnes' character from the TV series "77 Sunset Strip" apparently, but to me just a very irritating mostly spoken song



1960 Group 7:

#1154 07/05/1960 Marv Johnson I Love The Way You Love 35 44-39-{35}->3
#1155 07/05/1960 Connie Stevens Sixteen Reasons 9 45-45-22-15-17-19-11-17-11-18-{9}-45R(3)->12
#1156 07/05/1960 Keith Kelly Tease Me 27 46-{27}R(2)-35-34->4
#1157 14/05/1960 Eddie Cochran Three Steps To Heaven 1 32-15-11-3-3-2-{1}-1-2-5-8-17-19-20-33->15
#1158 14/05/1960 Stan Freberg And Jesse White The Old Payola Roll Blues 40 {40}->1
#1159 14/05/1960 Edith Piaf Milord 24 41-44-45-50-35R(22)-26-27-25-25-26-26-{24}-25-27-49->15
#1160 21/05/1960 The Fabulous Flee-Rakkers Green Jeans 23 29-31-28-{23}-33-37-35-33-38-32-38-35-36->13
#1161 21/05/1960 Connie Francis Mama/Robot Man 2 34-20-15-7-4-{2}-3-4-3-7-15-7-14-14-18-25-25-25-38->19
#1162 21/05/1960 Billy Bland Let The Little Girl Dance 15 39-19-21-20-16-{15}-20-27-35-46->10
#1163 21/05/1960 Russ Conway Lucky Five 14 42-36-19-{14}-17-23-28-28-48->9
#1164 21/05/1960 Freddy Cannon The Urge 18 43-27-26-{18}-19-24-24-29-43-41->10
#1165 21/05/1960 Dave Sampson Sweet Dreams 29 48-46R(2)-{29}-30-36-29->6
#1166 28/05/1960 Nat 'King' Cole That's You 10 25-25-24-13-{10}-26-37-30->8
#1167 28/05/1960 Lonnie Donegan I Wanna Go Home 5 28-18-6-6-{5}-6-14-14-9-6-14-17-22-24-27-29-33->17

Posted by: Popchartfreak 13th April 2023, 08:17 AM

Stairway To Heaven is my fave here, but Footsteps is also good. Not that familiar with the rest, but The Lonely Man Theme is nice - not sure about Cliff Adams version though, The Cliff Adams Singers haunted chartfans for decades as the chart show ended (which was broadcast on both non-FM whistling and fading in and out Radio 1 and pristine FM Radio 2) on Radio 2 it morphed into Sing Something Simple in which the Cliff Adams mob turned endless numbers of archive songs into bland, characterless dross. I loathed it with a passion and rushed to turn the radio off immediately and play back the ones I'd just recorded off the chart show.

77 Sunset Strip was a fave TV show of mine at the time. and I bet that record helped with the charm to toddlers - I can remember the theme tune way better though. "sevenny-seeeeven, SUNSET STRIP". Theme tunes last the longest in the memory

Posted by: jimwatts 13th April 2023, 08:57 PM

A very odd chart run for Sixteen Reasons in this next batch!

Posted by: Jade 13th April 2023, 10:01 PM

Just been playing catch up - 'Theme From A Summer Place' is my favourite song to appear in the thread so far, very pleased it got a perfect score from you

Posted by: Suedehead2 13th April 2023, 10:29 PM

QUOTE(Popchartfreak @ Apr 12 2023, 04:31 PM)

Posted by: JulianT 13th April 2023, 10:35 PM

I'm amazed that this is Edith Piaf's only UK hit. Fortunately it's a barnstormer of a song, which just nabs the win today.

8 Edith Piaf Milord This is a bit of an epic 4.5 minutes of tempo changes and drama, with exquisite French singing - a unique hit
8 Connie Francis Mama/Robot Man "Robot Man" is a brilliant bouncy energetic track; Mama is a ballad sung in Italian which I think she does pretty well - great overall
8 Freddy Cannon The Urge Great from Freddy again - the big instrumentation and the "hey hey" give this a lavish feel and the performance is great as ever
7 Marv Johnson I Love The Way You Love From the breezy piano intro this is really a feel-good smile on the face soul song - so much better than "You Got What It Takes"
7 Dave Sampson Sweet Dreams A British artist, again with only one hit, and it's a lovely little quite sad break-up ballad with some gentle guitar parts enhancing it
7 Keith Kelly Tease Me Only Top 40 for this member of the John Barry Seven - a great grumpy little song with a grudging twangy accompaniment
6 Billy Bland Let The Little Girl Dance Only hit for this American soul singer, and it's a very nice catchy number with rhythmic chirupping from the backing singers
6 Russ Conway Lucky Five An even luckier 6 for this - the usual chirpy and trilly piano lines and a very pleasant couple of minutes but nothing essential
5 Lonnie Donegan I Wanna Go Home Lonnie's version of the "Sloop John B" folksong - much better than "My Old Man's A Dustman" but not one I'd rush to hear again
5 Nat 'King' Cole That's You Not one of Nat's best and doesn't quite have the majestic charm that many of his have, but a very decent Big Band style number
4 Eddie Cochran Three Steps To Heaven 102nd #1: I'm not fond of this and prefer every other song by Eddie that I've heard - it's a bit drab and also I totally failed on Step 1
3 Connie Stevens Sixteen Reasons This gradually climbed up to #9 and was out of the Top 50 next week - very odd as Jim said; find it a slightly dull and twee ballad
3 The Fabulous Flee-Rakkers Green Jeans It's the "Greensleeves" theme again; all done on honking saxophones - good chart run but doesn't do much for me
2 Stan Freberg And Jesse White The Old Payola Roll Blues A spoof about rock 'n' roll being all money and no talent and it's 9 minutes long and very stop-start, but with some funny moments



1960 Group 8:

#1168 28/05/1960 Buddy Holly True Love Ways 25 32-33-27-{25}-34-31-35->7
#1169 28/05/1960 Billy Fury And The Four Jays That's Love 19 33-27-21-20-26-{19}-24-19-25-35-37->11
#1170 28/05/1960 The Four Preps Got A Girl 28 38-44-{28}-36-29-33-47R(2)->7
#1171 28/05/1960 Emile Ford And The Checkmates You'll Never Know What You're Missin' 'Til You Try 12 39-22-{12}-12-22-27-26-21-38->9
#1172 28/05/1960 Bob Azzam And His Orchestra Mustapha 23 40-37-49-35-27-38-{23}-32-44-46-46-27-40-48->14
#1173 28/05/1960 The Crickets Baby My Heart 33 47-38-{33}-44->4
#1174 28/05/1960 Anita Bryant Paper Roses 24 49-45R(5)-{24}R(2)-48->4
#1175 28/05/1960 Tommy Bruce And The Bruisers Ain't Misbehavin' 3 50-47-35-21-9-4-7-4-{3}-9-5-10-21-19-21-32->16
#1176 04/06/1960 Jerry Lordan Sing Like An Angel 36 {36}-46->2
#1177 04/06/1960 Jack Scott Burning Bridges 32 40-{32}->2
#1178 04/06/1960 Maureen Evans Paper Roses 40 43-{40}-48-50-46->5
#1179 11/06/1960 Michael Cox Angela Jones 7 36-31-14-10-11-{7}-10-13-11-18-19-38-38->13
#1180 11/06/1960 Sammy Masters Rockin' Red Wing 36 38-38-38-37-{36}->5
#1181 11/06/1960 Dick Jordan Little Christine 39 44-49-{39}->3

Posted by: Suedehead2 13th April 2023, 10:35 PM

Footsteps isn't familiar at all but it's a pretty good song.

Posted by: Suedehead2 13th April 2023, 10:42 PM

A low score for Three Steps To Heaven is a shock

Posted by: JulianT 13th April 2023, 10:45 PM

QUOTE(Suedehead2 @ Apr 13 2023, 11:42 PM)

A low score for Three Steps To Heaven is a shock

Posted by: jimwatts 14th April 2023, 07:42 AM

Never realised there was a Top 40 hit with "Payola" in the title!

Posted by: Popchartfreak 14th April 2023, 08:25 AM

Milord was a surprise, I was about to say Ive never heard it till I played the link - and it's very very well known to me, I just never knew what it was called! Love it, Piaf was amazing. Robot Man is decent, and I just remembered I saw Marv Johnson in the 80's on a Motown tour - but I still dont recall this one. None of the rest ring a bell (though that might not be accurate based on Milord!), bar 2 and one obvious Three Steps To Heaven - Eddie had just been killed in a car accident near Swindon, Dave Dee of future Dozy beaky etc was in attendance as a policeman, and the song seemed sad and literal at the time. It still had pathos when Showaddywaddy did a great cover in 1975 and set them up as a huge Rock'n'Roll covers band for the next 5 years - their first 4 singles were originals.

I Wanna Go Home is OK, but Beach Boys Sloop John is the definitive, anyone else need not bother. Copyright free I'd guess. Greensleeves was also copyright free even in 1960, so more cash for the artist Stan Freberg was a well-known comic at the time, and core Rock'n'Roll DJ Alan Freed had been done for playing records for cash so that must have led to the record. Of course I'm sure payola is a thing of tha past these days. You just have to agree to do PA's to help get radio plays, and streaming companies use whatever rules they have invented for deciding what goes on which playlist to make the charts and which gets ignored and flops...

Posted by: JulianT 15th April 2023, 06:50 PM

"True Love Ways" is my favourite Buddy Holly song that I've heard I think; just gorgeous. Like "It Doesn't Matter Anymore" it was recorded at the last session before he died. An inferior cover of this will be a much bigger hit in a few years.

9 Buddy Holly True Love Ways A heartbreakingly beautiful ballad, almost whispered, with the most gorgeous and tender sax and violin lines
8 Bob Azzam And His Orchestra Mustapha An Egyptian song written for a film and done in French here but very much retaining the Eastern vibes; it's brilliantly catchy
8 Sammy Masters Rockin' Red Wing Only hit for this American rockabilly singer - he has a lovely clear deep voice and it's a great bouncy song with an inspired sax part
7 Tommy Bruce And The Bruisers Ain't Misbehavin' Originally a hit for Johnnie Ray in 1956 but this version was much bigger, and it's a very good cover - reminds me of The Big Bopper
7 Jerry Lordan Sing Like An Angel 3rd and final hit for him and this is by far my favourite - he has a lovely sincere sounding voice and this is a very good upbeat tune
7 The Crickets Baby My Heart This is the usual Crickets style - a good tune done mid-tempo with harmonies, honky tonk piano and a guitar interlude
6 Billy Fury And The Four Jays That's Love Very Elvis-esque - "tha-at's love" is even the same tune as Elvis's signature "uh-huh-huh", but a good rock ballad done with swag
6 Dick Jordan Little Christine Only Top 40 for this British singer and can't find much info about him, but again a good tune well complemented by guitar and violin
5 Emile Ford And The Checkmates You'll Never Know What You're Missin' 'Til You Try Third hit for this group and it's unmistakebly them, and the song is decent but doesn't quite match up to the other bigger hits
4 Michael Cox Angela Jones Only Top 40 for this Liverpudlian singer and it's quite catchy but a bit lighweight and there seem to be more "do dos" than lyrics
4 The Four Preps Got A Girl An odd song about a girlfriend who has crushes on a long list of famous men which is repeated several times; quite fun I guess
3 Jack Scott Burning Bridges This has lovely instrumentation and a rich backing chorus but the song itself is something of a melancholy dirge
2 Anita Bryant Paper Roses 3 versions of this charting and it's a very of its time song anyway but I don't think these versions help it come to life
2 Maureen Evans Paper Roses Slightly prefer the more stately tempo and richer production on the Anita Bryant version but not much in it



1960 Group 9:

#1182 18/06/1960 Johnny And The Hurricanes Down Yonder 8 26-16-14-{8}-13-20-21-23-41-37-33->11
#1183 18/06/1960 Frank Sinatra River, Stay 'Way From My Door 18 27-28-22-19-{18}-24-32-32-39->9
#1184 18/06/1960 Jimmy Jones Good Timin' 1 34-18-2-{1}-1-1-2-2-5-10-9-16-21-22-34->15
#1185 18/06/1960 Gene Vincent Pistol Packin' Mama 15 42-30-16-22-{15}-18-22-21-25->9
#1186 18/06/1960 Johnny Kidd And The Pirates Shakin' All Over 1 45-40-15-10-10-4-3-{1}-2-3-5-7-6-14-12-17-21-35-37->19
#1187 25/06/1960 Tommy Steele What A Mouth (What A North And South) 5 42-13-{5}-8-6-10-17-15-15-25-33->11
#1188 25/06/1960 Pat Boone Walking The Floor Over You 39 43-40-46R(2)-{39}R(3)-48->5
#1189 25/06/1960 Teresa Brewer How Do You Know It's Love 21 45-30-{21}-27-29-37-34-37-26-36-44->11
#1190 25/06/1960 The Beverley Sisters Green Fields 29 48-39R(2)-{29}->3
#1191 25/06/1960 The Brothers Four Green Fields 40 49-{40}R(2)->2
#1192 02/07/1960 Adam Faith When Johnny Comes Marching Home/Made You 5 8-15-6-{5}-8-10-16-17-21-26-33-38-42->13
#1193 02/07/1960 Cliff Richard And The Shadows Please Don't Tease 1 21-6-2-2-{1}-3-1-1-2-2-4-4-7-8-18-19-25-29->18
#1194 02/07/1960 Bobby Darin Bill Bailey 34 36-{34}R(2)->2
#1195 02/07/1960 Jess Conrad Cherry Pie 39 {39}->1

Posted by: Jade 15th April 2023, 06:58 PM

Brilliant to see 'Milord' coming out on top for you! I discovered it via Strictly Come Dancing a couple of years ago, where it soundtracked a very fun charleston.

'Tom Pillibi' is a solid Eurovision winner but apparently Norway was my favourite from that contest (the song in question: Nora Brockstedt - 'Voi Voi')

Posted by: JulianT 16th April 2023, 10:50 PM

"Shakin' All Over" is such an effortlessly cool chart topper and gets the top billing today.

9 Johnny Kidd And The Pirates Shakin' All Over 105th #1: an excellent rock 'n' roll chart topper with a very distinctive guitar riff from this pirate costume wearing British band
8 Jimmy Jones Good Timin' 104th #1: "a-taca-taca-taca!" - quite similar in style to "Handy Man" with the catchy falsetto nonsense bits, but another great song
8 The Beverley Sisters Green Fields Can't find very much info about this but find it incredibly atmospheric and haunting - slightly prefer this to the brothers' version
7 Johnny And The Hurricanes Down Yonder Another great jolly tune from them starting with an organ melody and the sax developing it and then a bit of guitar thrown in
7 The Brothers Four Green Fields American #2 so I think this must be the "original" - also great but I just find the Beverleys version that bit more haunting
6 Gene Vincent Pistol Packin' Mama An rock 'n' roll cover of a Hillbilly wartime song - it's well done with the saxes maintaining the rhythm and multi-tracked vocals
6 Adam Faith When Johnny Comes Marching Home/Made You The first side is a wartime folksong that I can take or leave but "Made You" is a really good twangy rock 'n' roll number
5 Cliff Richard And The Shadows Please Don't Tease 103rd #1: this is a perfectly nice song with a strong melody but it's a bit safe and lacks the grittiness of Cliff's earlier stuff
5 Frank Sinatra River, Stay 'Way From My Door A jazz standard and a good version of it that builds up nicely - all in all I just can't say it excites me that much though
4 Bobby Darin Bill Bailey Bill Bailey was a regular in the jazz bar this old song was written about - this has a good energy but not so much melody
3 Pat Boone Walking The Floor Over You A bit more upbeat than many of Pat's hits and some nice guitar bits but again the melody is very unmemorable and leaves me cold
3 Jess Conrad Cherry Pie Quite a nice classic production but the song is a bit saccharine and sluggish and doesn't really go anywhere
2 Tommy Steele What A Mouth (What A North And South) An old Cockney music hall number which he apparently recorded because his dad liked it - good on him but it's pretty irritating
2 Teresa Brewer How Do You Know It's Love Another of those very twee and overly jolly ballads that I thought we had left in the 50s with Alma Cogan



1960 Group 10:

#1196 02/07/1960 Brenda Lee I'm Sorry 12 49-42-20-13-16-18-13-{12}-15-12-13-12-16-22-27-36->16
#1197 02/07/1960 Kenny Lynch Mountain Of Love 33 50-50-{33}->3
#1198 09/07/1960 Ken Dodd Love Is Like A Violin 8 25-28-16-18-13-19-11-{8}-8-11-8-15-16-22-24-31-34-45->18
#1199 09/07/1960 The Kaye Sisters Paper Roses 7 30-42-23-25-20-21-16-17-13-{7}-9-10-14-16-18-21-24-50-46->19
#1200 09/07/1960 Sam Cooke Wonderful World 27 32-37-{27}-33-36-49-48-43->8
#1201 09/07/1960 Garry Mills Look For A Star 7 44-40-14-{7}-12-9-13-11-22-20-21-33-34-42->14
#1202 09/07/1960 Buddy Greco The Lady Is A Tramp 26 45-45-{26}-26-38-33-28-49->8
#1203 09/07/1960 Brian Hyland Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini 8 46-31-11-12-9-{8}-8-14-20-18-20-27-46->13
#1204 16/07/1960 The Everly Brothers When Will I Be Loved 4 36-12-5-6-7-5-{4}-5-5-6-6-13-17-21-27-32->16
#1205 16/07/1960 Anthony Newley If She Should Come To You 4 39-15-{4}-16-11-6-7-6-12-11-20-20-24-27-49->15
#1206 23/07/1960 Duane Eddy Because They're Young 2 28-11-4-6-7-6-4-{2}-3-3-5-9-10-10-20-22-37-42->18
#1207 23/07/1960 Rolf Harris Tie Me Kangaroo Down, Sport 9 31-24-24-12-{9}-10-10-16-17-19-23-29-43->13
#1208 23/07/1960 The Hollywood Argyles Alley-Oop 24 33-29-49-28-42-34-29-{24}-27-32->10
#1209 23/07/1960 The Shadows Apache 1 35-14-15-3-2-{1}-1-1-1-1-2-5-8-9-16-19-23-25-31-44-30->21

Posted by: Suedehead2 17th April 2023, 05:48 AM

A version of Good Timin' was used as a jingle for Timex watches when they sponsored the Radio Luxemburg chart so I got to hear it a lot growing up!

I'm surprised the multi-talented Bill Bailey has never been tempted to release a song called Bobby Darin.

Posted by: JulianT 17th April 2023, 07:37 AM

QUOTE(Suedehead2 @ Apr 17 2023, 06:48 AM)

Posted by: Popchartfreak 17th April 2023, 08:38 AM

True Love Ways is a classic, it topped my charts as a revamp with the RPO not long ago. It's a great song but nobody does it better than Buddy. Never heard of Mustapha! It's quite interesting as I play it now.

Ain't Misbehaving is one I know well and the song dates back to 1929 and fats waller - but I really cant pinpoint which version I know! It's probably this one, or just loads of versions...

Yay Billy Fury is here! Angela Jones is a song I remember, I liked the tune. paper Roses became huge for teen Marie Osmond in 1973 and then got on everyone's nerves by hanging around too long but I do like her version. Anita Bryant, the less said the better... so on principle I'd opt for Maureen Evans.

Shakin' All Over, another classic, and British rocknroll has arrived at the top of the charts. Good Timin' yet another classic, always loved it, those Taca-taca's are fab. The Beverley Sisters were still british TV veterans even in the 70's, but oddly I know very little of their back catalogue, Johnny & The Hurricanes were good, Adam's Johnny Comes Marching I like, dont know the other side, Please Don;t Tease is also not bad.

Never liked Bill Bailey, the song, in any version. What A Mouth was still well-known in the 60's, I liked it as a kid but have barely thought about it at all since, ooh, 1968.

Posted by: JulianT 17th April 2023, 11:09 PM

It's a double 9 day. "Apache" was written by Jerry Lordan after watching a dark Western film of the same, and it's an undeniable classic. However the win for the day goes to Sam Cooke with the fantastic "Wonderful World", which we as a nation decided not to appreciate properly until the 80s.

9 Sam Cooke Wonderful World Will be a #2 hit in 26 years but only a minor one for now; a heartwarming and uplifting soul song with the most beautiful lyrics
9 The Shadows Apache 106th #1 and 28th biggest seller of the decade - a fantastically intense and ominous instrumental inspired by a Western film
8 The Everly Brothers When Will I Be Loved Vintage Everlys midtempo hit with the long soaring vocal lines and close harmonies over twangy guitars, and a great tune
7 Brenda Lee I'm Sorry I actually prefer this to "Sweet Nothin's" - she really gets the agony of the song across with her powerful and clear vocals
7 Duane Eddy Because They're Young He didn't hit the top but this is the first of 2 #2s for Duane - great tune and nice effect with the background violins taking the lead
6 Kenny Lynch Mountain Of Love An English singer and entertainer and he performs this really well - it's a sweet and heartfelt song and a lovely tune
5 Buddy Greco The Lady Is A Tramp A cool and frenetic version of this jazz standard with the lyrics adapted to contain contemporary cultural references
4 Garry Mills Look For A Star An English singer not to be confused with Gary Mills - nice song but somehow falls a bit flat and the brass instrumental feels dated
4 The Hollywood Argyles Alley-Oop US #1 and the only UK hit for this group - apparently they were drunk on cider when recording and it shows, but oddly charming
3 Brian Hyland Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini If it wasn't for the 1990 cover I might give this a higher score as it's a much better, but still doesn't bear too many listens
3 The Kaye Sisters Paper Roses The best charting version of this for me as like the voices on it, but overall I still can't say I like the song
2 Ken Dodd Love Is Like A Violin I enjoy dreamy first 12 seconds of this and then the dirge kicks in - for a comedian his songs are incredibly earnest and dour
2 Anthony Newley If She Should Come To You He seems to get drippier with every hit - the backing violins and relentless rhythms are quite nice but the song is just so wet
1 Rolf Harris Tie Me Kangaroo Down, Sport The only thing I like about this is the wobble board - the lyrics and singing are horrendous and the tune is irritating





1960 Group 11:

#1210 23/07/1960 Jan And Kjeld Banjo Boy 36 {36}-39-43-46->4
#1211 23/07/1960 Jane Morgan Romantica 39 {39}-41-48-44-43->5
#1212 23/07/1960 George Formby Happy Go Lucky Me/Banjo Boy 40 47-{40}-42->3
#1213 23/07/1960 Fats Domino Walking To New Orleans 19 49-42-33-38-24-23-{19}-22-42-39->10
#1214 30/07/1960 Elvis Presley A Mess Of Blues 2 19-8-4-4-3-3-3-{2}-2-3-4-6-8-8-11-20-28-42->18
#1215 30/07/1960 The King Brothers Mais Oui 16 30-28-22-18-{16}-24-26-23-37-47->10
#1216 30/07/1960 Joan Regan Papa Loves Mama 29 34-{29}-47-45-35-43-42-48->8
#1217 30/07/1960 Roy Orbison Only The Lonely 1 36-31R(2)-23-22-15-14-13-5-4-2-2-{1}-1-3-3-4-9-11-15-17-25-33-26-43->24
#1218 30/07/1960 Bert Weedon Apache 24 44-{24}R(2)-29-47->4
#1219 06/08/1960 Shirley Bassey As Long As He Needs Me 2 40-23-20-12-9-9-10-9-9-11-5-3-{2}-2-2-2-2-6-9-18-14-17-21-21-38-41-38-47-46-48->30
#1220 06/08/1960 Tommy Sands The Old Oaken Bucket 25 50-35-{25}-29-31-41-41->
#1221 13/08/1960 James Darren Because They're Young 29 {29}-35-39-35-44-45-44->7
#1222 13/08/1960 Hank Locklin Please Help Me, I'm Falling 9 34-36-46-28-23-16-13-12-13-{9}-14-10-15-16-22-24-26-28-48->19
#1223 13/08/1960 Rusty Draper Mule Skinner Blues 39 40-41-45-{39}->4

Posted by: Popchartfreak 18th April 2023, 04:05 PM

Apache takes the edge for me, total classic, but Wonderful World is also essential. Brenda's I'm Sorry is just fabulous. Because They're Young is terrific. Itsy Bitsy may well be my first ever record obsession, I was mad on it as a very small kiddie pre-school. OK, it's not in the same league as Apache, but it still has a charm that Bombalurina totally lacks (thanks ALW for that!).

Alley-Oop another one I liked in the 60's, liked the cartoon newspaper series too, more US-famous than UK though. When Will I Be Loved is OK, never particularly been a fan of it though. Dont know the Kenny Lynch track which is a shame, never liked The Lady Is A Tramp in any version Ive heard, Ken's ballad is and was always dreary, and that leaves Rolf. Rolf was huge on UK TV in the 60's with his songs, and kiddies loved Kangaroo, not that many years ahead of Skippy The Bush Kangaroo, iconic kids show from Aus. I can see why grown-up's might find it annoying, very much a novelty Outback-inspired whimsical story song. I think I knew all the words in the 60's cos I had a page cut out from one of those weekly entertainment newspapers of a page with all of Rolf's biggest lyrics printed out on it. Not one I choose to play these days though.....

Posted by: Suedehead2 18th April 2023, 08:43 PM

Wonderful World and Apache are both classics. The latter was number one when I entered the world. I remember Tie Me Kangaroo Down Sport very well from Rolf Harris's television show which I enjoyed at the time.

Posted by: Jade 18th April 2023, 09:04 PM

'Shakin' All Over' is a fantastic chart-topper *.* the instrumental is really distinctive, tense and eerily atmospheric. Sad that Johnny Kidd died aged just 30

I guess you could use the same description for 'Apache' which, like PCF, would also be my #1 for the latest batch The Shadows rule the early 60s for me until a certain fab four step forward can definitely see why 'Apache' is their most loved song - would be between that and 'Wonderful Land' as my favourite. Some great Jet Harris/Tony Meehan stuff too but will save that for later...

Posted by: JulianT 19th April 2023, 12:44 PM

And it's time for my Dad's other big (pre fab four) favourite. I do genuinely love much of Roy's discography and this won't be the only very high score he receives for sure!

9 Roy Orbison Only The Lonely 108th #1: Roy's debut hit with a satisfying slow climb to the top - a glorious heartbreak ballad that shows off his voice to the full
8 Shirley Bassey As Long As He Needs Me 5 weeks at #2 and a huge run - as show tunes go this is up there with the very finest; and it's quite moving in the context of "Oliver"
7 Bert Weedon Apache A really good version - nothing like as intense as The Shadows' but has a more mililary feel and the flute adds another dimension
7 Elvis Presley A Mess Of Blues It's quintessentially bluesy for sure, with a great piano part and backing "oo ooh"s giving a lazy stuck in a rut sort of feeling
6 Fats Domino Walking To New Orleans A very nice one here from Fats - the tick tocking string in the background and his commanding delivery give it a very purposeful feel
6 The King Brothers Mais Oui Cherie must be delighted that they're singing two words in French for her - a big band style number that bounces along very nicely
5 Jane Morgan Romantica She's still alive and nearly 99 apparently - her 3rd and final hit and it's quite of its time but a very sweet gently wistful ballad
5 James Darren Because They're Young An American actor and singer who has a few small hits here - a very agreeable tuneful ballad that doesn't leave a big impression
4 Hank Locklin Please Help Me, I'm Falling Most of his songs won't chart here but it's the signature hit for this US country star; not my style but quite a nice heartfelt ballad
4 Tommy Sands The Old Oaken Bucket An American reality TV star from "The Singin' Idol" - yes that existed in this period; pleasant enough light hearted jazzy number
3 Jan And Kjeld Banjo Boy Danish teenage brothers but the song's mostly in German - a charming novelty for sure but doesn't withstand too many listens
3 George Formby Happy Go Lucky Me/Banjo Boy The only hit for this comic actor - I started giving this a 1 but there's something oddly charming and innocent about the way he sings
2 Rusty Draper Mule Skinner Blues There's a much better version of this in the next bunch - I find all the "ha ha"s on this really grating; shame as some nice guitar work
1 Joan Regan Papa Loves Mama Joan's last hit - "Open Up Your Heart" with her son worked quite well but here it's seemingly the whole family and a real mess



1960 Group 12:

#1224 13/08/1960 Alma Cogan Train Of Love 27 42-39-{27}-42-48->5
#1225 13/08/1960 Johnny Preston Feel So Fine 18 45-27-20-{18}-19-19-21-26-33-37->10
#1226 20/08/1960 Connie Francis Everybody's Somebody's Fool 5 32-13-11-8-{5}-8-7-14-12-17-15-20-33->13
#1227 20/08/1960 John Barry Orchestra Blueberry Hill 34 {34}-42-48->3
#1228 20/08/1960 Mr Acker Bilk And His Paramount Jazz Band White Cliffs Of Dover 30 46-44-{30}-31-35-36-37-37-41->9
#1229 20/08/1960 The Fendermen Mule Skinner Blues 32 50-41R(2)-37-40R(3)-40-48-{32}-36-43->9
#1230 27/08/1960 Ricky Valance Tell Laura I Love Her 1 26-14-15-7-4-{1}-1-1-2-3-10-15-23-37-45-40->16
#1231 27/08/1960 Mark Wynter Image Of A Girl 11 31-23-17-18-{11}-19-19-23-30-37->10
#1232 27/08/1960 Nelson Keene Image Of A Girl 37 {37}-40-43-40-45R(2)->5
#1233 27/08/1960 Lonnie Donegan Lorelei 10 40-17-{10}-15-14-24-32-31->8
#1234 27/08/1960 Mike Preston I'd Do Anything 23 41-34-27-29-{23}-31-28-47-45-41->10
#1235 03/09/1960 Wanda Jackson Let's Have A Party 32 {32}-34-37-43-39-34-38-36->8
#1236 03/09/1960 Bobby Rydell Volare 22 46-24R(2)-{22}-29-26-32->6
#1237 03/09/1960 Emile Ford And The Checkmates Them There Eyes 18 49-30-34-50-30-36-22-24-19-21-{18}-29-33-40-45-50->16

Posted by: Popchartfreak 19th April 2023, 04:08 PM

Only The Lonely a massive whopping 10 out of 10 for me, and still the greatest male vocalist of all-time, and a brilliant songwriter to boot. Beloved in our family by all of us, just the ultimate heartbreak singer with a heartbreak life story.

Shirley's version of As Long As He Needs Me is one of her best, we not only had Roy's hits album later in the decade we also had an EP of Oliver songs. Never liked the film, but love some of the songs. Shani Wallis was giving my mate's mum a parade award in those days, she loves telling me about it while reminiscing about life in Liverpool - which is where we bought the Oliver record 30-odd years before I knew she lived down the road from us preggers with my mate. Funny old world.

A Mess Of Blues - OK does anyone remember this record? Me, neither, it's very forgettable and I'd never heard it that I recall for a couple of decades. I did however recognise the B side and 1976 top 10 hit Girl Of My Best Friend. One of those instances where it should have been a double A side as the B side got a lot of exposure (and was a double A in the USA).

James Darren starred in one of my fave sci-fi TV shows of the mid 60's - The Time Tunnel - but this predates that. He got his turn with the sci-fi cult crooner role hologram Vic Fontaine in Deep Space 9, and is still around and hoping to get him on the Youtube interview podcast The Shuttlepod Show. Fab guests, including DS9 bigwig Ira Stephen Behr who is on this week talking about Jimmy Darren.

George Formby - endless fun can be had by grabbing a ukelele and doing a contemporary song in his style. never fails to be amusing, all together now, "Ohhhhh, as it woz, as it woz, nice day, missis"...

Posted by: JulianT 19th April 2023, 04:22 PM

QUOTE(Popchartfreak @ Apr 19 2023, 05:08 PM)

Posted by: jimwatts 19th April 2023, 06:54 PM

Thanks for highlighting the slow climb of Only The Lonely - I've added it to the second list in http://www.buzzjack.com/forums/index.php?s=&showtopic=222177&view=findpost&p=7088943 as the only pre-2014 song I know to have had at least 11 new peak positions in the Top 40.

Posted by: Suedehead2 20th April 2023, 06:01 AM

Only The Lonely is indeed fabulous, are are so many other Roy Orbison songs. I don't know A Mess Of Blues (although the title seems familiar) but Girl Of My Best Friend is good.

Posted by: Popchartfreak 20th April 2023, 07:20 PM

QUOTE(JulianT @ Apr 19 2023, 05:22 PM)

It was very close to a 10 for me actually. Feeling bad now - Sorry Roy.

Posted by: Popchartfreak 20th April 2023, 07:21 PM

QUOTE(jimwatts @ Apr 19 2023, 07:54 PM)

Posted by: JulianT 20th April 2023, 09:52 PM

Connie's a great singer but her songs vary from brilliant to mid. This one is right up at the top with "Who's Sorry Now" for me.

9 Connie Francis Everybody's Somebody's Fool An American #1 - originally a blues song turned into a fabulous pop song that suits her voice perfectly with an iconic organ intro
8 Lonnie Donegan Lorelei His recent efforts have not been so good but this him back to his skiffling best and it's an exciting number and great tune
8 The Fendermen Mule Skinner Blues Only hit for this rockabilly American duo and it's a unique version of this - sounds like someone having a fit but I absolutely love it
7 Mark Wynter Image Of A Girl The original didn't chart here but these 2 covers did - it's a lovely song and really enjoy this version; the backing click gives it energy
7 Alma Cogan Train Of Love Alma's songs are usually too twee for me but this is a bit of gem - love the "hoo hoo" backing and it's a really fun rocky number
7 Johnny Preston Feel So Fine Another good rock ballad with a twist from Johnny - has a slightly frantic but euphoric feel to it and enjoy the falsetto parts
6 Ricky Valance Tell Laura I Love Her 107th #1 and 1 hit wonder alert: the archetypal death song but I do have a soft spot for it - there's a really sincere tenderness there
6 Wanda Jackson Let's Have A Party One of the first female rockabilly stars and it's a really good cover with delightfully raspy vocals - prefer it to Elvis' version in fact
6 Mr Acker Bilk And His Paramount Jazz Band White Cliffs Of Dover An interesting version of this with an instrumental opening section followed by a vocal section; as ever great clarinet action
5 Nelson Keene Image Of A Girl A nice intro to this version but somehow it feels more plodding than Mark's overall - think the vocals lack a bit of energy
5 Emile Ford And The Checkmates Them There Eyes Another decent and charming hit from these guys, but feels like the magic has dissapeared a bit since their first couple of hits
4 Bobby Rydell Volare A big band style version of this - it's such an uplifting song when done well and this version just feels very laid back and woolly
3 John Barry Orchestra Blueberry Hill This one goes on the sounds perfectly pleasant but I can't really see the point of doing an instrumental of it pile
2 Mike Preston I'd Do Anything Not sure how he came to be doing a version of this as not connected with the "Oliver" film but it's a very insipid version



1960 Group 13 (including both Polyhex runs for "The Twist" as Lonnie's chart book combines them):

#1238 10/09/1960 Frank Sinatra Nice 'N' Easy 15 35-28-25-25-23-17-{15}-18-23-32-33-38->12
#1239 10/09/1960 Tommy Bruce And The Bruisers Broken Doll 36 38-{36}-48-50->4
#1240 10/09/1960 Jimmy Jones I Just Go For You 35 39-43-{35}-43->4
#1241 10/09/1960 Bob Luman Let's Think About Living 6 40-31-29-21-12-14-7-{6}-8-6-9-11-10-21-35-43-36-44->18
#1242 10/09/1960 The Piltdown Men MacDonald's Cave 14 45-49-40-38-39-26-19-25-17-{14}-15-15-17-24-28-33-35-48->18
#1243 10/09/1960 The Ventures Walk, Don't Run 8 46-26-17-11-{8}-11-12-14-18-27-36-44-43->13
#1244 10/09/1960 John Barry Seven Walk, Don't Run 11 49-24R(2)-18-15-15-{11}-13-14-11-17-21-34-39-42->14
#1245 17/09/1960 Adam Faith How About That 4 39-18-10-7-{4}-6-4-7-10-19-19-42-41-43->14
#1246 17/09/1960 Jackie Wilson (You Were Made For) All My Love 33 47-47-44-50-{33}-44-47R(2)->7
#1247 24/09/1960 Cliff Richard And The Shadows Nine Times Out Of Ten 3 26-6-{3}-3-5-7-9-8-13-20-28-37->12
#1248 24/09/1960 The Everly Brothers Lucille/So Sad 4 28-15-6-7-{4}-5-5-7-11-23-27-36-41-37-50->15
#1249 24/09/1960 Frankie Vaughan A Kookie Little Paradise 31 41-33-{31}-46-47->5
#1250 24/09/1960 Billy Fury Wondrous Place 25 46-28-35-{25}-28-26-38-43-44->9
#1251 24/09/1960 Chubby Checker The Twist 44 49-{44}R(2)->2
13/01/1962 Chubby Checker The Twist {1962} 14 27-{14}-14-14-17-16-18-24-34-41->10

Posted by: Popchartfreak 22nd April 2023, 09:22 AM

Ooh I'm a bit out of my league this week, I have heard that Connie track but never really noticed it, and I think I've heard Lorelei but the rest are just blanks to me bar 1 - Tell laura I Love Her which is a bit wet but as you say mildly endearing. Of the songs I know I dont know these versions and the rates don't fill me with optimism to want to hear them... The Mark Wynter song sounds interesting - Mark Wynter was one of my younger brother's fave singers as a kiddie (and me too) but I have never heard of this one. Playing it now, I can see this as a quirky movie soundtrack a la Tarantino or Edgar Wright's Last Night In Soho-styled 60's-based oddity.

Posted by: JulianT 22nd April 2023, 12:44 PM

QUOTE(Popchartfreak @ Apr 22 2023, 10:22 AM)

Posted by: JulianT 22nd April 2023, 11:21 PM

Two great records today and amazingly they’re both covers but both very much now known as the signature versions. Apparently “The Twist” was the only song to be a Billboard #1 twice until Mariah did it recently. Here it was a much smaller hit - in fact didn’t make the Top 40 until 1962 but I’m including it here with its first release. And “Walk, Don’t Run” is just an iconic instrumental which also charted much higher Stateside.

9 Chubby Checker The Twist A cover of a Hank Ballard song inspired by the twist dance craze - brilliantly performed so no wonder it's the definitive version
9 The Ventures Walk, Don't Run A covers band and this was also a cover of an instrumental from a few years before, but a fabulous deliciously twangy rendition
8 Cliff Richard And The Shadows Nine Times Out Of Ten It's rocky Cliff again and a great tune and performance accompanied by a frenzied whirlwind of twanging from the Shadows
7 Billy Fury Wondrous Place Used in a Toyota advert in 1999 apparently and orignally done by Jimmy Jones, but a great atmospheric performance from Billy
7 Adam Faith How About That Another stonking pop tune from Adam with a lovely warm shimmery violin accompaniment and tender lyrics
7 The Everly Brothers Lucille/So Sad Very nice double A side here - quite a Beatles-esque version of "Lucille" coupled with a very sweetly done heartbreak ballad
6 John Barry Seven Walk, Don't Run Still a great instrumental but somehow this version doesn't quite have the energy of the Ventures' and the melody doesn't sparkle
5 Jimmy Jones I Just Go For You Jimmy's usual style with falsetto embellishments on nonsense words - enjoyable like his others but the song isn't quite as strong
4 Tommy Bruce And The Bruisers Broken Doll "I'M SOOO BROOAKE DOWL" - similar eccentric style to their cover of "Ain't Misbehavin'"; good fun but the song's slightly lacking
4 Bob Luman Let's Think About Living We now have a song about there being too many death songs around - it's a decent enough melody
3 Jackie Wilson (You Were Made For) All My Love There's undoubtedly vocal prowess here but it's a rather turgid and grandiose opera style ballad with no flow to it
3 Frank Sinatra Nice 'N' Easy A jazz standard from an acclaimed album of the same name but I just find it a fairly pedestrian and lacklustre song
2 Frankie Vaughan A Kookie Little Paradise We're back to filler Frankie with trite lyrics and a boring melody - the instruments are the best part
2 The Piltdown Men MacDonald's Cave It's just "Old MacDonald" played on saxophones - the quacking sax noise is quite effective but all in all I can't see the point





1960 Group 14:

#1252 01/10/1960 Russ Conway Passing Breeze 16 27-20-{16}-23-23-31-39-39-45-50->10
#1253 01/10/1960 Sam Cooke Chain Gang 9 32-10-13-13-{9}-12-13-12-14-22-35->11
#1254 01/10/1960 Johnny Burnette Dreamin' 5 41-30-28-16-12-6-{5}-5-5-9-14-20-23-18-23-22->16
#1255 01/10/1960 Johnny And The Hurricanes Rocking Goose 3 48-25-20-18-11-4-4-{3}-4-3-6-5-10-8-10-8-13-29-31-43->20
#1256 08/10/1960 Johnny Mathis My Love For You 9 38-29-20-17-13-{9}-10-10-13-12-15-16-21-17-23-36-39-39->18
#1257 08/10/1960 Johnny Kidd And The Pirates Restless 22 47-34-{22}-22-26-36-47->7
#1258 08/10/1960 Eddie Cochran Sweetie Pie 38 49-40-{38}->3
#1259 15/10/1960 Manuel And The Music Of The Mountains Never On Sunday 29 30-{29}-33-32-40-43-35-31-49-45->10
#1260 15/10/1960 Don Costa And His Orchestra And Chorus Never On Sunday 27 45-33-28-{27}-35-49-41-46-42-41R(2)->10
#1261 15/10/1960 The Viscounts Short'nin' Bread 16 50-26-21-{16}-19-21-22-41->8
#1262 22/10/1960 Brian Hyland Four Little Heels (The Clickety Clack Song) 29 34-39-30-{29}-35-32->6
#1263 22/10/1960 Garry Mills Top Teen Baby 24 39-27-{24}-24-26-29-30-32-34-46-38-50->12
#1264 22/10/1960 Makadopolous And His Greek Serenaders Never On Sunday 36 40-42-42-42-50-40-39-38-38-{36}-44-39-47-46->14
#1265 22/10/1960 Buddy Holly Learnin' The Game 36 42-40-{36}->3

Posted by: dandy* 23rd April 2023, 02:54 PM

Just poking my head in to see if we’ve reached the 80s yet… and then leaving again

Posted by: JulianT 23rd April 2023, 02:56 PM

QUOTE(dandy* @ Apr 23 2023, 03:54 PM)

Just poking my head in to see if we’ve reached the 80s yet… and then leaving again

Posted by: fiesta 23rd April 2023, 06:09 PM

On the subject of Lucille by The Every Bros, I watched the excellent Little Richard Documentary on BBC 2 last night.

I was obsessed with 60s music in the 90s partly down to Britpop and also the excellent Encyclopedia Of Hits by Dave McAleer, which covers all the UK & US top ten hits of the decade.
I've Heard alot of the big hits but still not everything as yet, so hats off to you Julian T for reviewing them all!

Posted by: Popchartfreak 23rd April 2023, 07:49 PM

The Twist is a classic, but I dont recall ever hearing it until the 1975 double A reissue smash - Let's Twist Again was the UK smash and the main reason it was a hit again in 75, after a hit cover by a DJ John Asher. I actually prob know the Fat Boys cover better The Fat Boys also covered a Ventures hit - Wipeout, with The Beach Boys, that song is a surf classic. Walk Don't Run is also great.

Dont know that Cliff track! Billy Fury's Wondrous Place has made my charts a few times, in 1983 when he did a new version, and most recently on a revamp of the original. It's probably his 2nd best record, it's great. Don;t know the Adam faith song either! The Everly's cover I was never fussed about, but my other fave in this bunch is Let's Think About Living which is still fun - shame some later death discs ignored the advice - though not classics like Eleanor Rigby and Leader of The Pack!

Posted by: JulianT 23rd April 2023, 11:02 PM

I've learned that a chain gang is a group of prisoners manacled together and forced to do menial tasks. Sam Cooke wrote a great song about it and gets his third win today.

8 Sam Cooke Chain Gang Inspired by a meeting with a chain gang of prisoners while on tour and it really gives the feel of never ending work - great song
8 Eddie Cochran Sweetie Pie A small hit and quite simple but I love it - I think it's the hummed hook that really draws me in; quite hypnotic
8 Buddy Holly Learnin' The Game Another beautifully simple sad song and incredibly emotionally mature and intimate performance from Buddy
7 Russ Conway Passing Breeze Not a very big hit but I think it's my favourite of Russ's to date - a beautiful bluesy melody with a gentle orchestral accompaniment
7 Johnny Burnette Dreamin' First hit for this American rockabilly singer - it's a lovely lyrical and indeed dreamy melody shared between the vocals and violins
7 Johnny And The Hurricanes Rocking Goose Well it's a goose alright - the sax quacks obnoxiously all the way through and somehow it's great fun and not irritating
6 Johnny Kidd And The Pirates Restless Similar in style to "Shakin' All Over" and doesn't have that killer melody but still has delightful guitar action and great vocals
6 Johnny Mathis My Love For You A slow, classy ballad with beautiful smooth vocals and violin accompaniment and a twinkling piano line - very nice
5 Don Costa And His Orchestra And Chorus Never On Sunday An instrumental verison of this song with a Meditteranean feel but with a choir singing much of the melody very nicely to "ah"
4 Garry Mills Top Teen Baby Another song with the subtle implication that a girl is past it at 20, but quite a pleasant and catchy tune
3 Manuel And The Music Of The Mountains Never On Sunday Another instrumental version of this but without the choir and think it just falls a bit flat - there isn't enough light and shade
3 The Viscounts Short'nin' Bread An old African American folk number and there's nothing wrong with the arrangement but find it quite an annoying repetitive song
2 Makadopolous And His Greek Serenaders Never On Sunday Yet another instrumental of this - find this one takes too long to get going and the choir singing to "la" isn't used so effectively
2 Brian Hyland Four Little Heels (The Clickety Clack Song) Quite a silly song really with not much lyrical or musical substance, although the clickety clack effect with the drums is quite fun



1960 Group 15:

#1266 22/10/1960 Brenda Lee I Want To Be Wanted 31 43-{31}-33-50-45-46->6
#1267 22/10/1960 Lynn Cornell Never On Sunday 30 50-{30}-37-49-37-36-32-31-39->9
#1268 29/10/1960 Frankie Vaughan Milord 34 38-{34}-38-38-39-48->6
#1269 29/10/1960 Charlie Drake Mr Custer 12 46-25-17-14-{12}-14-16-22-18-23-22-29->12
#1270 29/10/1960 Bert Weedon Sorry Robbie 28 47-40-30-34-{28}-29-29-47-49-48-49->11
#1271 29/10/1960 Roy Orbison Blue Angel 11 49-29-22-20-17-15-17-12-{11}-19-19-15-14-23-27-48->16
#1272 05/11/1960 Elvis Presley It's Now Or Never 1 {1}-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-2-6-4-7-11-13-18-25-34-37-50->19
#1273 05/11/1960 Connie Francis My Heart Has A Mind Of Its Own 3 28-12-6-{3}-7-10-11-13-10-15-19-33-40-43-50->15
#1274 05/11/1960 The Drifters Save The Last Dance For Me 2 39-21-8-6-{2}-2-2-3-5-2-3-5-8-14-13-30-38-50->18
#1275 05/11/1960 Bill Black's Combo Don't Be Cruel 32 46-34-{32}-50-33-44-49->7
#1276 12/11/1960 The Shadows Man Of Mystery/The Stranger 5 25-7-7-{5}-5-7-9-9-13-7-8-26-28-49-42->15
#1277 12/11/1960 Duane Eddy Kommotion 13 28-16-{13}-19-20-25-26-45-31-48->10
#1278 12/11/1960 Peter Sellers And Sophia Loren Goodness Gracious Me 4 31-18-8-{4}-7-6-8-13-7-6-10-20-25-30->14
#1279 12/11/1960 Nat 'King' Cole Just As Much As Ever 18 41-24-{18}-20-23-21-21-22-25-34->10

Posted by: Popchartfreak 24th April 2023, 08:56 AM

Chain Gang is a goodie, though the best Chain Gang-referring song is Back On The Chain Gang Chrissie Hynde's Pretenders hit following the suicide of 2 of the original line-up of the band. Nor quite the original meaning, granted.

Dreamin' is prob my fave of this week, just a good pop song. Rocking Goose is OK, Shortnin' Bread is one of those songs that always annoyed me, and Never On Sunday is a tune I've always liked, from the award-winning film about a Greek hooker with a heart of gold. Oddly I've never really known which version of it is the one I know and like, so I expect it's the film version, nana Mouskouri's or Lynn Cornell's English version

Posted by: JulianT 24th April 2023, 11:41 PM

1960 continues to deliver, with 2 more 9-worthy songs today but the beautiful “Blue Angel” edges out the better known Drifters song for me. I wonder how many daily wins Roy is going to get from me.

9 Roy Orbison Blue Angel An agonising #11 peaking run, but a beautiful song with quite an ethereal feel and great vocal performance from Roy
9 The Drifters Save The Last Dance For Me Very much a classic from this American doo-wop group - a strong simple melody and lyrical message excellently led by Ben E King
8 The Shadows Man Of Mystery/The Stranger "Apache" can't have been easy to follow up but a fine double A side here; "Man Of Mystery" is a great tune with a relentless rhythm
7 Duane Eddy Kommotion A really interesting one as you have guitars in the foreground twanging away set against smooth violins in the background
7 Lynn Cornell Never On Sunday Indeed this is so much better as an actual song rather than an instrumental - lovely tune with a Mediterranean accompaniment
7 Peter Sellers And Sophia Loren Goodness Gracious Me "Boom boo di boom" - novelty songs don't usually get good reviews from me but I find this genuinely funny and a really good tune
6 Brenda Lee I Want To Be Wanted I'm impressed at how much emotion Brenda packs into her songs - there's a real wailing sense of loneliness here; great performance
6 Elvis Presley It's Now Or Never 109th #1, the first to debut there and the 9th biggest seller of the 60s; still very good but all I can think of is "just one Cornetto"
5 Connie Francis My Heart Has A Mind Of Its Own The usual Connie striking heartfelt multi-tracked singing with a lilting slightly country style melody, but nothing new really
5 Bert Weedon Sorry Robbie A pleasant couple of minutes of tuneful twanging with saxes jointing for the second half, but nothing more than nice
4 Nat 'King' Cole Just As Much As Ever Nat has stunning songs and others that are still very well sung and classy but also slightly dull, and this is the latter
3 Bill Black's Combo Don't Be Cruel An instrumental cover of Elvis and not even one of his more memorable hits - sounds perfectly fine but I don't get it
2 Charlie Drake Mr Custer I have to give this some credit for ingenuity and the chanting is quite fun, but otherwise it's fairly unpleasant military novelty song
2 Frankie Vaughan Milord Edith's beautiful work of art definitely didn't need this goofy lightweight English cover with a gung ho backing chorus





1960 Group 16:

#1280 12/11/1960 Mark Wynter Kickin' Up The Leaves 24 48-31-26-{24}-25-27-39-30-32-42->10
#1281 19/11/1960 Nina And Frederik Little Donkey 3 30-16-8-{3}-9-6-4-8-17-41->10
#1282 19/11/1960 Adam Faith Lonely Pup (In A Christmas Shop) 4 40-27-21-18-10-{4}-7-4-12-28-36->11
#1283 26/11/1960 Frank Sinatra Ol' MacDonald 11 30-16-{11}-14-19-20-20-30->8
#1284 26/11/1960 Lonnie Donegan Lively 13 34-18-{13}-19-17-15-14-26-49->9
#1285 26/11/1960 Anthony Newley Strawberry Fair 3 43-12-8-{3}-7-3-5-9-12-34-48->11
#1286 26/11/1960 Russ Conway Even More Party Pops 27 48-36-46-29-32-{27}-28-32-37->9
#1287 03/12/1960 Cliff Richard And The Shadows I Love You 1 23-4-4-2-{1}-1-2-2-6-8-12-16-26-32-37-48->16
#1288 03/12/1960 Max Harris Gurney Slade 11 35-19-13-12-{11}-16-18-27-35-44->10
#1289 03/12/1960 Johnny Tillotson Poetry In Motion 1 37-22-8-5-6-3-{1}-1-2-3-3-10-15-30-35->15
#1290 03/12/1960 The Ventures Perfidia 4 38-27-16-15-12-9-10-{4}-7-17-21-27-37->13
#1291 03/12/1960 Ray Charles Georgia On My Mind 24 47-{24}R(2)-28-29-34-35-44-49->8
#1292 10/12/1960 Emile Ford And The Checkmates Counting Teardrops 4 33-23-20-14-11-11-6-{4}-7-8-15-21->12
#1293 10/12/1960 Johnny Preston Charming Billy 34 {34}-42R(2)-46->3

Posted by: JulianT 26th April 2023, 10:24 PM

We're approaching the festive season and as often happens the quality suffers a bit, but still some good ones here.

9 Johnny Tillotson Poetry In Motion 111th #1: I think this is such a beautiful tune and I love the way it flows between the vocal line, the backing vocals and the sax
8 Adam Faith Lonely Pup (In A Christmas Shop) For me this is up there with the Christmas classics and should be played more often - great tune and a cute little story
7 The Ventures Perfidia Similar to "Walk, Don't Run" with the way the twangy melody is presented above the other guitar backing lines; also very good
7 Johnny Preston Charming Billy Charming indeed - a traditional style rock 'n' roll song but has a really good build to it and he performs it with swag
7 Ray Charles Georgia On My Mind Debut hit for Ray and he has better to come but this is a very classy, tender and romantic jazzy ballad
6 Max Harris Gurney Slade Theme music for an Anthony Newley TV series and only hit for this British composer; a very nice jazzy piece led by flute and piano
5 Mark Wynter Kickin' Up The Leaves A sweet and wistful Autumnal ballad and nice contrasts between the twanging guitar and the fluttering flute in the background
5 Emile Ford And The Checkmates Counting Teardrops Bigger than their last couple of hits and it is a catchier number delivered in their usual style; nothing extraordinary
4 Nina And Frederik Little Donkey A sweet duet style recording of this with nice harmonies, though rather twee and doesn't really bring anything unique to the song
3 Russ Conway Even More Party Pops Gosh how many have there been in this party pops series now - it's the usual format and really nothing original
2 Cliff Richard And The Shadows I Love You 110th #1: this is just so chronically drippy - "Everyone knows one and one is two" and that is what I am giving you
2 Lonnie Donegan Lively This is in the "My Old Man's A Dustman" style of Lonnie songs with bad slapstick humour - a chore to listen to all in all
2 Anthony Newley Strawberry Fair An adaptation of an old folk song but for some reason I find it terribly irritating - I think it's his goofy Bygraves style delivery
1 Frank Sinatra Ol' MacDonald "And on this farm there was a chick - the prettiest chick I know": I see what you did there Frank but it's utterly daft



1960 Group 17:

#1294 10/12/1960 John Barry Seven Black Stockings 27 43-33-44-37-45-{27}-31-38-35->9
#1295 10/12/1960 Lonnie Donegan Virgin Mary 27 47-30-{27}-32-40->5
#1296 10/12/1960 Mr Acker Bilk And His Paramount Jazz Band Buona Sera 7 48-36-38-31-30-14-18-9-10-9-{7}-11-17-20-30-35-47-46->18
#1297 17/12/1960 The Everly Brothers Like Strangers 11 31-30-24-18-16-{11}-13-16-31-40->10
#1298 17/12/1960 Bobby Rydell Sway 12 32-29-28-24-13-17-{12}-15-17-23-29-39-49->13
#1299 17/12/1960 Andy Stewart Donald Where's Your Troosers? 37 {37}->1
#1300 17/12/1960 Matt Monro Portrait Of My Love 3 40-22-16-12-5-{3}-3-5-6-11-12-15-21-45-48-45->16
#1301 24/12/1960 Marty Wilde Little Girl 16 31-26-29-20-{16}-17-29-24-32->9
#1302 24/12/1960 Frank D'Rone Strawberry Blonde (The Band Rocked On) 24 34-34-33-{24}-29-31->6
#1303 24/12/1960 Harry Simeone Chorale Onward Christian Soldiers 35 {35}-38R(2)->2
#1304 24/12/1960 Roy Castle Little White Berry 40 {40}-41-43->3
#1305 24/12/1960 Al Saxon Blue-Eyed Boy 39 48-{39}->2
#1306 31/12/1960 Tommy Steele It Must Be Santa 40 {40}->1
#1307 31/12/1960 Sarah Vaughan Let's/Serenata 37 43-{37}-44-47R(3)->4