Love “Everyone’s Gone To The Moon”!

12th - 18th August 1965

26. All I Really Want To Do - The Byrds https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Jedo18bYg0 The Byrds' follow-up to their number 1 single is another Bob Dylan cover and this one will also reach the top 5. The jangly guitar sound is still present along with the vocal harmonies but overall not as strong as 'Mr Tambourine Man'.

33. Like We Used To Be - Georgie Fame and The Blue Flames https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LGhbpYvb2WY There's a good rhythm running through this, including a nifty keyboard solo, and a strong vocal from Georgie but it will go no higher than this position.

34. That's The Way - The Honeycombs https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J7J6s9btCTk Honey the drummer shares the lead vocals on this one, showing she can sing as well, and it's a pleasant song with a chorus that will stick in your head. It will be the last top 40 hit for the group who will disband in 1967.

38. Unchained Melody - The Righteous Brothers https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zv8czIoAw5w This is the fifth version of the song to be a UK hit and certainly the best. It was originally a B side but started getting played by American DJs who preferred it to the A side, 'Hung On You'. Bobby Hatfield's solo vocal is top quality along with the orchestral arrangement. It will only reach number 14 at this point but will, of course, have a bigger impact on the chart in 1990.

Record of the week : 30. I Got You Babe - Sonny & Cher

Out of the two well known classics, I've opted to give the award to this one which I prefer. While the vocals are not to the same standard, it's more in tune with the musical sound of 1965 and is underpinned by the Wrecking Crew's heavy drum sound and I do like the prominent oboe. Written and produced by Sonny, the single will spend two weeks at number 1.

Yes me too, Unchained Melody is one I didnt really know much until 1990 when its majesty became quite clear, but childhood fave I Got You Babe is timelessly great and Sonny & Cher were instant faves in our household, I loved them always, and Cher beyond of course - she'll be popping up soon with one of t'other tracks here. The Byrds' is a good song and a good version, and I like the Honeycombs track too, even if its not quite Have I The Right. Georgie's rings no bell and I can't stream it at the mo but I expect I will like it - I always liked/like Georgie.

19th - 25th August 1965

21. What's New Pussycat? - Tom Jones https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQvIAs-nPSo I didn't know this was written by Bacharach and David. It could almost be described as a novelty song but it's certainly one of Tom's most memorable hits. The brass instruments are used quite well here.

40. All I Really Want To Do - Cher https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ur5YN4CLLyY We had the Byrds' version last week and now comes Cher's interpretation which I prefer out of the two. She sings alternate lines in two different keys as if was intended as a Sonny & Cher song. The guitars and drums also add to the quality of this one.

Record of the week : 31. Make It Easy On Yourself - The Walker Brothers

Already a big favourite of mine, this is an easy winner. I love the dramatic orchestral production and there's a fine vocal from Scott Walker supported by the female backing singers. It's another Bacharach and David song, first recorded by Jerry Butler in 1962. This version will spend one week at number 1.

Some vocal masterclasses recently with the aforementioned Bobby Hatfield on 'Unchained Melody' and now Scott Walker's rich performance on 'Make It Easy On Yourself', great top pick.

'Help!' is my 33rd favourite Beatles song according to the big rate last year but that's still pretty good in such a high quality discography 😆 I admire Lennon exploring themes of mental health at the time and it's very catchy, probably one of their most accessible songs.

love What's New Pussycat and the film it came from, great fun both and famous at the time, though the film has been lost from collective memory these days which is bizarre considering who's in it: Woody Allen when he was actually funny, Peter Sellers, Peter O Toole, Ursula Andress and more. I think Cher's version of All I Really Want To Do is a little better too, but walk away fave is The Walker Brothers epic Bacharach treatment, Scott Walker what a voice!