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

15th - 21st November 1962

 

27. Desafinado - Stan Getz and Charlie Byrd

A saxophone based instrumental. It's from an album called 'Jazz Samba' which is a good description of its sound. It's the sort of thing you might hear in an elevator or while you're on hold to a call centre.

33. Little Black Book - Jimmy Dean

A chirpy country song with a prominent harmonica. We last heard from him a year ago with 'Big Bad John' and this will be his last top 40 hit.

34. It Only Took A Minute - Joe Brown and The Bruvvers

Joe's fourth hit of the year, this one will get to number 6. It was OK, the backing singers contributed quite a lot.

38. Limbo Rock - Chubby Checker

Chubby has finally had enough of the twist and has moved on to the limbo. I liked this, especially the percussion. This is the first vocal version of the song. It will reach number 2 in the US but the British are not so keen, only number 32 here.

39. My Love And Devotion - Matt Monro

Old fashioned orchestral ballad. Doris Day's original version was a new entry on the second week of the UK chart in 1952.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

22nd - 28th November 1962

 

27. The Main Attraction - Pat Boone

This is the theme from a film that Pat starred in. As it was based in a circus, we have the appropriate sound effects. It's the last of his 26 top 40 hits which started in 1955. He's still alive, aged 88.

33. If Only Tomorrow - Ronnie Carroll

An awful ballad that will go no higher than number 33.

 

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

 

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

 

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

29th November - 5th December 1962

 

26. Return To Sender - Elvis Presley https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=On43YAy17zQ This is certainly one of Elvis' better songs but a ROTW award still eludes him. The song's writers, Winfield Scott and Otis Blackwell, came up with the idea for the lyrics after a demo for another song they sent to a record company was returned to them with the words "return to sender" stamped on it. This will go on to be the Christmas number 1.

34. We're Gonna Go Fishin' - Hank Locklin

An uptempo country song about preferring to take a girl fishing than dancing. I enjoyed it. His last top 40 hit was in 1960 and we will have to wait another four years for the next one.

 

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

 

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

 

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

6th - 12th December 1962

 

18. The Next Time / Bachelor Boy - Cliff Richard and The Shadows

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Both sides are from the film 'Summer Holiday' which will be out in January. The Next Time is a ballad with the Norrie Paramor Orchestra while Bachelor Boy is more uptempo. Both are quite good, little did Cliff know at the time that he would remain a bachelor boy. This will spend eight weeks in the top 2 with three of them at number 1.

34. Heartaches - Patsy Cline

Despite the subject matter of heartaches, this is quite a fast paced song. The original version goes back to 1931. It will be her only top 40 hit until a re-issue of Crazy in 1990. She was killed in a plane crash in March 1963.

36. Always You And Me - Russ Conway

Another piano tune from Russ but he speaks some lyrics in this one. It reminds me of the no.1 single, If by Telly Savalas but it's not as bad. I liked the orchestral part and opera style female backing vocal. This will be the last of his eighteen top 40 singles, including two number 1s.

38. Desafinado - Ella Fitzgerald

We had an instrumental version of Desafinado three weeks ago and now here's a vocal version. As you'd expect, she sings it very well. This is her first hit single since 1960.

40. Baby Face - Bobby Darin

I certainly know the song, which goes back to 1926, but not this version. I liked the lengthy instrumental break.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

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

 

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

13th - 19th December 1962

 

24. Dance On! - The Shadows

Another evocative instrumental from the Shadows and another number 1. It was written by the three members of the pop group The Avons. A vocal version by someone else will hit the chart in eight months so I look forward to hearing that.

36. Baby Take A Bow - Adam Faith

A twee love song, this is Adam's 14th hit single and will be the first not to make the top 20.

38. Go Away Little Girl - Mark Wynter

A good arrangement on this one with harmonica, guitars and strings. Written by Gerry Goffin and Carole King, it's one of only nine songs to be a US number 1 for two different acts, in this case, Steve Lawrence and Donny Osmond. The original recording was by Bobby Vee.

39. Susie Darlin' - Tommy Roe

A melancholic song from Tommy Roe, a cover of a 1958 single by Robin Luke.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

20th - 26th December 1962

 

25. Your Cheating Heart - Ray Charles

A well sung ballad with strings, piano and double bass. It's a cover of a Hank Williams song from 1952.

32. Me And My Shadow - Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis Jr

Two giants of swing music combine with this version of a song written in 1927. It will be the last of Sammy's eight top 40 singles.

34. Island Of Dreams - The Springfields

It's a year since we last heard from the Springfields. This is a good song with a fine vocal from Dusty. It will reach number 5.

38. Gossip Calypso - Bernard Cribbins

This is the third and final novelty hit for Bernard Cribbins, once again produced by George Martin. It's about some gossiping women and isn't as good as his other two singles.

 

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

 

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

 

27th December 1962 - 2nd January 1963

 

36. The Madison - Ray Ellington

An OK jazzy, big band song. The Madison was a dance which was popular at the time. This was the only hit for the Londoner who was a regular guest on the Goon Show.

39. Dear Lonely Hearts - Nat King Cole

It's time to bid a fond farewell to Nat King Cole who appeared at number 3 on the very first chart. This will be the last of his 29 top 40 hits over the ten years. Some re-issues will return him to the chart in the 80s and 90s. This particular song isn't one of his best.

 

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

 

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

 

3rd - 9th January 1963

 

31. Don't You Think It's Time - Mike Berry & The Outlaws

An upbeat pop song produced by Joe Meek. It will be Mike's biggest hit, reaching number 6.

33. Up On The Roof - Julie Grant

So we have another version of this now. It's slightly faster than the Kenny Lynch version and has more of a pop sound to it, a good effort. This is the first hit for the singer from Blackpool.

40. Keep Your Hands Off My Baby - Little Eva

My last three records of the week have all been new entries at number 40 but that run does not continue as this one misses out. Like The Locomotion, it was written by Goffin & King. Her vocal stands out but the song itself isn't as good.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

10th - 16th January 1963

 

22. The Lonely Bull (El Solo Torro) - Tijuana Brass

A Spanish sounding instrumental with the trumpet being played by Herb Alpert.

28. Globetrotter - The Tornados

This is not as good as Telstar but I enjoyed it. It sounds like they're using sleigh bells but it's a bit late for Christmas.

35. Just For Kicks - Mike Sarne

Mike Sarne's third hit and this time there is no female spoken part. This one's about his motorcycle and wanting to get a bird up on his bike.

39. Funny All Over - The Vernons Girls

The second and final top 40 hit for the Liverpool employees. I thought I'd already heard more than one song from them. This one was dreadful, it's about getting funny all over every time someone called Billy is seen.

 

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

 

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

 

 

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

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

 

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

 

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

17th - 23rd January 1963

 

32. Ruby Ann - Marty Robbins

A fairly standard country song, the guitar solo in the middle was the highlight. This will be Marty's last hit single. He will go on to be a NASCAR driver.

37. It's Up To You - Rick Nelson

A decent bass guitar driven mid-tempo song with some trumpet playing thrown in.

39. Don't Hang Up - The Orlons

This is all a bit messy with a man with a deep voice, a woman with a high voice and the main female singers in between. It's a fun song, though, and I quite enjoyed it. It will be their only UK hit but they had three top 5 singles in the US and they're still going as a group after 63 years.

40. All Alone Am I - Brenda Lee

Another impressive vocal performance from Brenda on this ballad with harpsichord and strings. The original version was from a 1960 Greek film.

 

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

 

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