I'm Into Something Good is still iconic, featured in many movies, a great song and record, and teenager Peter Noone became liked by families across the land, even your granny liked him a bit. I have their Hits CD and so many forgotten little gem tunes on it, while the US went huge on his music hall covers drivel, really pushing the English ancient history side of things. I saw Peter at Disney Epcot in the 90's doing lunchtime concert, some of which i videoed. I must transfer it to Youtube and see how long it takes to get taken down... These days "Peter Noone's Herman's Hermits" is the bonafide version, ignore all other fake bands from people who weren't even there in the early 60's.

 

The Bachelors were always drippy, some were more memorable tunes than others... The Wedding is a great song, my Aunty Eileen had that record in a stack of singles at my grandma and grandad's I think so I used to play it occasionally when I was a kid. Mid-60's Elvis was often old stuff, almost none of it essential but preferable to a lot of the movie pap (but not all, Viva Las Vegas being the best exception). Never heard that Beatles cover, love the song though, got to know it (I thought) from A Hard Day's Night movie, (I def went to see it at the cinema) but actually this cover might be why it's fits into my memories of the time. Even the Beatles version though wouldnt overhaul Herman's Hermits single this week for me.

 

 

 

 

27th August - 2nd September 1964

 

31. You Never Can Tell - Chuck Berry

Chuck had written this one while in prison, he certainly would have had plenty of spare time there. The title comes from relatives reacting to a teenage marriage that turns out to be long lasting. The piano parts were the highlight.

37. Twelve Steps To Love - Brian Poole and The Tremeloes

This follows the same path as Three Steps To Heaven but stretches it out a bit more. It will peak thirty places lower than their last single so a bit of a miss.

39. Move It Baby - Simon Scott

The only hit for the British singer is a decent rock'n'roll song but maybe a bit out of date for 1964.

40. Everybody Loves Somebody - Dean Martin

Dean Martin's only top 40 hit between 1958 and 1969. The song goes back to 1947 but this is the best known version owing to it topping the Billboard chart in the middle of the British invasion. It's well arranged and has a memorable chorus, I'll give it that.

 

Record of the week : 29. Rag Doll - The Four Seasons with the sound of Frankie Valli

 

Another easy decision, the production is quite Spector-like but on a smaller scale and it's another impeccable lead vocal from Frankie. The single will spend two weeks at number 2 and is also our second US number 1 of the week.

 

 

 

The Trems & Simon Scott tracks I've never heard before, I prefer Brian Poole & co's not too bad, better than it's chart position might suggest. Chuck Berry's never been much of a fan of, he was back touring the UK and got a resurgence from it that held over into this one I'm guessing. His next spell in prison wasn't quite so productive though ironically it meant other people got to see him go to the bathroom now.

 

Dean Martin's impact continued on beyond the end of his TV show through the 60's and early 70's, he ended the show on that song, so it was very well-known at the time and I have fond memories of it. Rag Doll easily the winner though, loved that song as a kid, and when I rediscovered it again and again over the next 20-odd years until I bought the Greatest Hits CD, by which time the wealth of their back catalogue had already been re-evaluated and Jersey Boys was still a future distant dream. It's a toss-up between this or December '63 for my absolute fave Four Seasons track. If anyone has not seen Jersey Boys, the show not the less-thrilling movie, if you get a chance to see it go, you'll be amazed at the sheer number of famous Bob Gaudio songs and the true mobster back-story of the band. Bob wrote a then-famous novelty song "Who wears short shorts" at the age of 15 (which I found hilarious when I was 5) and the only way was up...

3rd - 9th September 1964

 

33. Rhythm And Greens - The Shadows

This is a bit different for them with vocals included, a rockier style and cartoon sound effects, I quite enjoyed it. It will be their first single as just The Shadows to miss the top 20.

37. What Am I To You - Kenny Lynch

A ballad which was plodding along but it built up nicely towards the end when the strings and backing singers came in.

38. It's Gonna Be All Right - Gerry and The Pacemakers

All their five singles before this reached the top 6 but this one will only get to number 24 and I can see why, it was fairly forgettable.

39. Together - PJ Proby

An impressive vocal range here with some high notes reached and quite a modern sounding guitar solo (for 1964) in the middle.

 

Record of the week : 32. Where Did Our Love Go - The Supremes

 

The Supremes are the next new group to emerge, there will be plenty more from them to come. Diana Ross' lead vocal is ably supported by the other two singers with their harmonies and the rhythmic instrumental backing track. This will go on to spend three weeks at number 3 and top the Billboard chart.

 

 

 

Easy winner there, great Motown single - though for me Donnie Elbert's 1972 cover is even better, love his vocal -Diana is great but vocal emotion wasn't quite there at this stage. The other four I'm going to have to play right now as I'm blank on them. The Shads sound like a Merseybeat group - unexpected! Didn't need the comical party noises added in, but it's fun. Kenny Lynch has always got me on board before I even hear it - quite a nice lush Easy Listening ballad. I could have done without the backing singers myself! Gerry & The Pacemakers also faves of the time, of course, but not as catchy as their biggies. It sounds vaguely familiar as if I have heard it before, but without being too fussed about it. Mum and Aunty Norma's fave, PJ proby (I now have his hits on my ipod but havent got round to playing them yet, I bought them to burn to a CD for Aunty Norma for Xmas) and this sounds not entirely unlike Hold Me, and it rocks along nicely with some pretty good guitar work too. I like this! Best of the also-rans. Apparently an old Connie Francis song from way back when before that. I'd like to know who did the guitar, bet it was a UK session-player - ooh Beck, Zep, who knows... :D

10th - 16th September 1964

 

30. Is It True - Brenda Lee

Brenda has been flown to England to record a British style record and this is the result. It's much rockier than her usual fare with Jimmy Page on guitar. I liked it.

39. Bread And Butter - The Newbeats

The lead singer here has the most extraordinary falsetto voice, if I was listening to this not knowing who the artist is, I would definitely think it was a woman singing. It's the first hit for the American group, we will have to wait another seven years for the next one.

40. The Letter - The Long And The Short

The first of two hits for the Wigan band. I liked the song's rhythm but the vocals are all over the place.

 

Record of the week : 36. Oh, Pretty Woman - Roy Orbison

 

And of course it has to be be this one. As well as the customary vocal, the drums, piano and guitar parts all contribute to this record, one of Roy's best. It will spend two weeks at number 1 and, quite unusually for the time, return to the top spot for one more week after three weeks at number 2.

 

 

 

 

 

A top pick there in 'Oh, Pretty Woman' Rollo!

Pretty Woman is a classic, my entire family loved it back in 1964, including me, such a romp, Roy was a huge fave of mum and dad (and still is for me and my brother). These days I prefer his epic ballads, but an easy win here. Bread & Butter oddly I don't remember until sometime after their fabulous 1971 oldie hit, and in comparison it's a bit of a nursery rhyme. I also thought the falsetto singer was a woman :lol:

 

The other two ring no bells - Brenda Lee sounding very Merseybeat-era, that seems strange! She still looks about 16 in the video! Interesting, and a shame she didnt click more as part of that scene and headed into Country instead. Never heard of The Long & The Short, don't even recall coming across it reading the Guinness Book Of Hit Singles cover to cover on every edition over the years! It's very 1964 and sounds like fanbase souvenir concert track supporting some big band or other.

The Newbeats singer Larry Henley later earned his bread & butter as a songwriter-co-writing Wind Beneath My Wings.

The Newbeats singer Larry Henley later earned his bread & butter as a songwriter-co-writing Wind Beneath My Wings.

 

I never knew that! Oh what I'd give to have heard The Newbeats cover Wind Beneath My Wings in their own falsetto style! :lol:

17th - 23rd September 1964

 

30. Seven Daffodils - The Mojos

This will be the last of the Mojos' three top 40 hits and it's a good one, I liked the use of the piano and drums on it.

33. Walk Away - Matt Monro

Six months ago, Matt Monro finished 2nd for the UK in the Eurovision Song Contest. His song wasn't a hit, instead he's now recorded an English language version of the Austrian entry from that contest which finished behind him in 6th place. He sings it well and the strings are gorgeous. This will be his biggest hit since 1960, reaching number 4.

38. Seven Daffodils - The Cherokees

Another version of this song now, the only hit for this band. The notes played on the piano in the Mojos' version are played on the bass guitar here. The production is simpler so the vocals are more dominant on this one. By a narrow margin, I preferred the Mojos.

39. Love's Made A Fool Of You - Buddy Holly

From 1958, this will be the last of Buddy Holly's posthumous hits (apart from a re-issue in 1968). I will remember it best for the echoey handclaps.

 

Record of the week : 40. I'm Crying - The Animals

 

The Animals' follow-up to their number 1 is one they wrote themselves. It's another good, bluesy vocal from Eric Burdon supported by an lively keyboard part from Alan Price. It will reach a peak position of number 8.

 

None of these ring much of a bell for me, Seven Daffodils I've never heard that I recall in either version. Of the two versions I prefer The Cherokees' it's more low key Billy Fury-ish but I wouldnt call the song worthy of 2 competing versions. Matt Monroe Walk Away I know of, and Matt could sing. Nice arrangement, no idea it was a Eurovision song, and it doesn't ring any bells as a tune, and the irony of covering a less-successful Eurovision song and getting a hit he didn't with a runner-up song!

 

Buddy Holly, I have his hits collections so this I have heard before, and I think it was covered in the 70's or 80's, but it's not essential Holly. I note the first album I bought with my own money (The Archies) naughtily nicked the "when you're feeling sad and blue" line for one of their tracks (Kissin') - though I expect it's been in a million pop songs. So by default The Animals is my winner too, not one I heard much at the time (if at all) but it's pretty decent.

I gave “I’m Crying” a 6 in my reviews which actually I think was harsh - I love the chugging organ and the backing vocals.

24th - 30th September 1964

 

27. We're Through - The Hollies

This is not as good as the last few hits by them. The most noteworthy thing is many of the words of the lyrics being elongated to well beyond their normal length.

37. Maybe I Know - Lesley Gore

More than a year after 'It's My Party', Lesley Gore gets her second UK hit and sadly her last. Produced by Quincy Jones, it has a strong chorus which will stick in my head.

39. How Soon - The Henry Mancini Orchestra

A nice, soothing orchestral piece with the choir coming in halfway through. We will have to wait another twenty years for Henry's second top 40 hit.

40. Come To Me - Julie Grant

Julie's third and final hit single is a fine, well sung ballad which builds up nicely and has a notable contribution from the oboe.

 

Record of the week : 21. When You Walk In The Room - The Searchers

 

The Lesley Gore and Julie Grant songs were contenders but I'm going for this great song from The Searchers. The guitar riff and a memorable chorus make it stand out and the whole thing is sung in harmony. As with 'Needles And Pins', the original version was recorded by Jackie DeShannon. The single will peak at number 3, the group's fifth top 3 hit in just fifteen months.

 

I absolutely adore “Come To Me”: it’s really stayed with me since I discovered it in my reviews!

1st - 7th October 1964

 

36. Mecca - The Cheetahs

The first hit for the Birmingham group is a bit of an oddity, they are certainly doing their own thing here, the lead singer has a unique vocal style. It put a smile on my face.

38. No One To Cry To - Ray Charles

All the ingredients of a Ray Charles ballad are here, a good lead vocal supported by backing singers and strings, but the song itself is only average.

 

Record of the week : 37. Summer Is Over - Frank Ifield

 

And so it's Frank Ifield who wins out this week. It's the right time of year to release a song about the days getting shorter and the leaves beginning to fall. I liked the arrangement here with the flute, guitar, strings and harpsichord all playing their part. It's Frank's fourth hit of the year, matching his total for 1963, and will peak at number 25. The song was co-written by Tom Springfield and his sister Dusty's version will be the B side of her next single which I will come to in the next few weeks.

 

 

 

 

That’s my favourite Frank song - absolutely love it. It has similar features to “Come To Me” by Julie Grant so I must really like that style.

3 good songs here this week. Mecca is a Gene Pitney track from 1963, brilliantly quirky and a US/Aus hit, one of his best uptempo records, and one I've had on my shortlist for BJSC at times, it's just so unique. This cover is a shambolic soundalike, right down to the vocal stylings of Gene, but minus the ability.

 

Ray Charles as classy as always, the song doesn't stay in the memory long, but it sounds lovely while it's on. Summer Is Over is the best song, and Frank does a decent job, but it's Dusty for me anyday. So on the basis that it's two inferior versions of great records, I'll have to opt for Ray Charles!

8th - 14th October 1964

 

29. One Way Love - Cliff Bennett and the Rebel Rousers

The first hit for this group is a cover of a song by The Drifters. I liked the lead vocal here and the saxophone hook.

30. The Twelfth Of Never - Cliff Richard

Another Cliff now, there's some nice orchestration on this ballad but overall it's rather dreary. The song goes back to 1956 with the best known version being Donny Osmond's UK number 1 in 1973.

34. Um,Um,Um,Um,Um,Um - Wayne Fontana and the Mindbenders

We had Major Lance's original back in February and now comes this cover which will do much better, reaching the top 5. They do a good job with it with the drums and guitar keeping a sustained rhythm.

 

Record of the week: 31. (There's) Always Something There To Remind Me - Sandie Shaw

 

No doubt this week that it had to be this one. The backing instrumentation is kept simple on the first verse to highlight what a good singer she is before it opens up for the chorus with the strings and brass section. Written by Bacharach and David, the first recording of the song was by Lou Johnson. My own favourite version is by Naked Eyes from 1983. Sandie Shaw's will spend three weeks at number 1.

 

 

 

Sandie Shaw's was a massive fave, I loved it so much it had a physical effect on me, pure heart-skipping joy I think! Still love it and love Sandie, and easily record of the week. Unexpectedly the Cliff Bennett is vaguely familiar and OK, Cliff's is a bit too lush but OK - I'd go for Johnny Mathis' version though - and the Wayne Fontana cover is decent enough.