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!

26th August - 1st September 1965

19. Like A Rolling Stone - Bob Dylan https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IwOfCgkyEj0 Clocking in at more than six minutes, this will have an impact on how long a single can actually be. The parts on the Hammond organ are the highlight for me along with the harmonica and guitars. I'm still not a fan of his vocal delivery so this 'Rolling Stone' all time poll topper isn't my record of the week.

27. The Time In Between - Cliff Richard and The Shadows https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oAcyHB8oYaY After Cliff's last single broke his run of top 10 hits, this will do even worse, giving him his lowest chart peak so far at number 22. It's pleasant enough, though, with a Latin American style rhythm to it.

32. Laugh At Me - Sonny https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_PcfDSPQFD0 The third week in a row we have a new entry by Sonny or Cher or both. I liked the use of the tubular bells while the vocal style is very Dylan-esque. It will turn out to be Sonny's only solo hit.

39. Paradise - Frank Ifield https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZdObIefd08 This sounds very outdated in 1965, his unmistakeable yodelling style is still present.

40. Il Silenzio - Nini Rosso https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1uPeKFkSUWI The best discovery of the week, this trumpet led tune from Italy is wonderful, it's not quite an instrumental, there's a spoken word section in the middle. It will reach number 8 and sell 10 million copies worldwide.

Record of the week : 15. (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction - The Rolling Stones

One of my favourite songs by this band with its notable guitar riff and rebellious lyrics. It will be the Stones' fourth consecutive number 1, spending two weeks at the top of the chart, and also their first US number 1 single.

Bob Dylan's definitive hit in 'Like A Rolling Stone' and The Rolling Stones' definitive riff entering in the same week! I'd put the former ahead myself, but it's rare to see two songs which would have such a lasting impact debuting at once.

Great week for newies. Working backwards Frank's is the least interesting but i wouldnt say its bad as such just old fashioned for 1965 as you say. Then Cliff it almost sounds like a movie out take and is pleasant. Il Silencio is good i could quite happily hear that some more.

Then onto the ones i know. Laugh At Me is a forgotten goodie not heard it in decades a bit Dylan but also very Sonny. Doesnt tend to crop up in collections either. Toss up between 2 classics then! Stone or Stones? Depends on mood really. Rock outs play loud and its Satisfaction. Introspective and its Bob. My fave at the time was Rolling Stones so lets go with that!

2nd - 8th September 1965

30. Just A Little Bit Better - Herman's Hermits https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=na1uErlSY0g A cover of a Kenny Young song from the previous year. It's not bad but the "uh ho ho"s were irritating and the short guitar solo was the best bit.

37. Tears - Ken Dodd https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ys1ShRxuAnY A song that goes back to 1930 and this cover keeps faithfully to the sound of that era. I'm not sure why it took off so much, it will spend five weeks at number 1 and be the best selling single of the year and the third best seller of the 1960s.

38. I'll Never Get Over You - The Everly Brothers https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9x2fEhFNFhw After reaching number 2 with their last single, the Everlys will have to settle with a peak of 35 for this one. On this stereo version, I liked the drums being put out to the left with the harmonica on the right but the song itself was forgettable.

40. You're My Girl - The Rockin' Berries https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1XtaII764C8 This will be the last top 40 hit for this group who are still going. The lead singer shows his range with some falsetto vocals.

Record of the week : 32. Look Through Any Window - The Hollies

This is certainly the best song this week, it's about looking from the windows of your house onto the street outside rather than walking along the street and looking through each window that you pass which would be a bit nosey and intrusive. Co-written by Graham Gouldman, the vocal harmonies, guitars and drums all combine well to give the Hollies another top 5 smash, peaking at number 4.

Oh I like that Herman's Hermits song, and the Adam Faith touches uh hoh were likely new to US audiences as Peter and the lads were being bigger there. It's not on my Hits CD so any vague familiarity with it must be from the time. Peter still touring the US as per usual. Tears I know from the time for sure, as with Ken who was big on TV of the time as a comedian who did the odd surprisingly good straight song. Plus, Diddymen for the kids, jokes for the grown-ups, ballads for the grandparents, that covered all bases really! And you couldnt get him off stage once on, right to the very end.

The Everley Brothers' is one I dont know, a bit unremarkable. There were much better songs around they could have borrowed. You're My Girl, another I don't know, nice melody and vocal, a bit Ivy League. Surprisingly decent. So far, it's Herman for my rotw. Let's play The Hollies which I know well, as if it's not going to be my pick too - it's Graham Gouldman, jangly guitar and Clarke/Nash harmonies. Yes, just confirming, maybe a bigger pounding mix would improve it a bit, but easy win.

9th - 15th September 1965

29. Hang On Sloopy - The McCoys https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_PP54PeysNM Hearing this on the radio in the 1970s and not paying attention to the lyrics, I thought it was about Snoopy the dog. It's still a catchy, fun tune. First recorded by The Vibrations in 1964, the Dave Clark Five were ready to record a cover before The McCoys beat them to it, reaching the UK top 5 and the top of the Billboard chart.

33. Whatcha Gonna Do About It? - The Small Faces https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DD3VK14QK-g The London band's debut single has a raspy lead vocal and some guitar feedback, one of those songs that sounds ahead of its time.

36. It's All Over Now Baby Blue - Joan Baez https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oVD2_dt_5Jw A cover of the Bob Dylan song which she sings very well, accompanied by her acoustic guitar.

39. Eve Of Destruction - Barry McGuire https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wJLokS0H-ZQ This is certainly worthy of the record of the week but just misses out. It's a powerful protest song written by P F Sloan and will be an American number 1 as well as a top 3 hit in the UK. This rough vocal was not intended to be the final one but it got leaked to a radio station and the reaction was so good, it was the version that was released. It will be the only hit for the singer who is now 89 years old.

Record of the week : 32. California Girls - The Beach Boys

So I've gone with something a bit lighter, one of this group's best known songs. The prelude at the beginning is an unusual way to start a pop song before going into the main melody which has those familiar chord changes and vocal harmonies. The single will peak at number 26, their fourth hit in a row to miss the top 20.

Hah, I also thought it was about Snoopy - we'd already had Snoopy vs The Red Baron twice, and I collected as many Peanuts books and cut-outs from the Daily Mail as I could, and what kind of name is Sloopy! Great record anyway, didnt know it was a cover! The Small Faces' I only recall as an oldie around the time Itchycoo Park was a hit again in late 75. A bit too bluesey and repetitive for me. Lazy Sunday was my first love from them. Joan Baez, Night They Drove Old Dixie Down was my first love, didn't really know her before that, but this is a good cover of a good Dylan song.

Which brings me to the 2 classics, California Girls has just charted for me for the first time following the death of Brian, but it seems like I have always known and liked it, and marked the point at which The Beach Boys started to sound timeless and classic. But, Eve Of Destruction, what a classic - I first heard it properly as the closing track for the radio series The Rock'n'Roll Years on the 1965 edition as footage of the Viet-Nam war dominated the news sections of the year, and it was a hugely powerful track, still is, so that gets my ROTW. The mixture of music and news is quite powerful, I wish they'd do a TV revamp of the series and start it up from 1938 onwards to 2025, though obviously it would be a Rights nightmare if it's going to be accurate and representative as opposed to using footage that is just available because The Beatles, for example, demand too much money.

16th - 22nd September 1965

27. Almost There - Andy Williams https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XifUaCyCO0g A warm ballad with gentle orchestration which will go as high as number 2. It's from his 1964 film 'I'd Rather Be Rich'.

33. Try To Understand - Lulu https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O_U7p_KarYA Lulu puts in a spirited vocal with plenty of personality and I liked the piano solo in the middle.

37. If You Gotta Go, Go Now - Manfred Mann https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s1Tl2cVeCbY This cover of a Bob Dylan song is well put together but doesn't stand out for me as much as some of their other singles. It will, however, reach number 2.

38. Run To My Lovin' Arms - Billy Fury https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nVhI_-bjATI Another fine vocal from Billy on this ballad with a big production and a strong chorus.

39. Ride Away - Roy Orbison https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vTUnFTY8570 Any record that Roy sings on is worth a listen but this would work better as an album track and will only reach number 34.

Record of the week : 24. Baby Don't Go - Sonny and Cher

There's nothing that I liked a lot this week but this was my favourite. With 'I Got You Babe' still in the top 3 this week, their previous record label have re-released this single from 1964. I'm picking it as I found the lyrics a bit more interesting than the others. It's about an 18 year old who's had a tough childhood in a small town and wants to move to a city where she thinks things will be better for her despite her boyfriend's plea to stay with him. The instrumental backing also fits well around her vocal on the verses with Sonny singing the chorus. The single will spend two weeks at number 11.

dont know the Billy and Roy hits! Call myself a fan! Billy's is quite nice, but not essential, and Roy's is very low-key, but classy. Lulu's is a goodie, got that on my 60's Lulu hits cd, Manfred's I knew better in 1969 as Si Tu Dois Partir, but it's good, and I absolutely love Almost There a huge fave, what a lush tune, and a big fan of Andy as a kid and early teen. So my dilemma is I also love Sonny & Cher and Baby Dont Go turned out to be a familiar beloved old friend when I boughts their hits CD in Cairns in 1995 and wasnt aware I already loved it. Almost There just edges it I think, it makes me all warm and fuzzy and nostalgic.

Playing catch up -

'(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction' is a fantastic winner. I adore its gritty, instantly recognisable riff. I'd say it's in my Stones top 3 alongside 'Paint It, Black' and 'Gimme Shelter'. I've been keeping track of every song played on Scott Mills' Radio 2 show since its inception three years ago, in a Spotify playlist and '(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction' got its first play yesterday!

Ooh you had a tough decision there with Beach Boys and Barry McGuire. I do prefer the powerful 'Eve Of Destruction' but 'California Girls' is still a great winner.

23rd - 29th September 1965

32. Some Of Your Lovin' - Dusty Springfield https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nlh2QOLJopY An accomplished vocal from Dusty on this Goffin & King written song supported by the backing singers who play a big role almost making this sound like a girl group.

33. Take A Heart - The Sorrows https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Awg62QzRVI This will be the only hit single for the Coventry band. There's some inventive guitar work and a powerful vocal from the lead singer.

Record of the week : 37. It's The Same Old Song - The Four Tops

This is just so catchy and has that typical Motown sound to it. It was written, recorded and put onto vinyl within 24 hours after Berry Gordy ordered a quick follow-up to their US number 1 hit 'I Can't Help Myself'. The single will spend just three weeks in the top 40, peaking at number 34.

Take A Heart popped up on a 60's compilation in the 80's, to which my immediate reaction was , wow that's fabulous and my didn't Indian Reservation borrow heavily from the rhythm/template on this one. It's great. Deserves to be well know, but isn't. Should have been called You Shouldn't Do That.

It's The Same Old Song is literal - Holland-Dozier-Holland, used the same template as I Can't Help Myself under instruction from Gordy, so the lyrics are quite amusingly sly. This one is also under-rated, though it has been covered successfully. And also by Jonathan King 😇

ROTW is a no-brainer for me, though. Some Of Your Lovin' is one of the greatest Goffin & King songs, and Dusty gave it instant class and emotion, pure soul, helped no doubt by Doris Troy and the great Madeline Bell on backing. I saw Madeline last year for her 81st birthday concert with Blue Mink reformed briefly (and Roger Cook doing his big hits too, as songwriter), and excerts from her solo career - she's still in fine voice and is hugely under-rated, and a big pal of Dusty to boot, so lots of anecdotes about the 60's. Adore this record.

30th September - 6th October 1965

23. Message Understood - Sandie Shaw https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JfC_CjcfV2k Sandie's fifth top 10 hit doesn't hit the same heights as the previous four. The brass accompaniment was a bit staid.

31. In The Midnight Hour - Wilson Pickett https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=taQd5bSe6H0 I know this song already but couldn't think of the singer's name when it came up on Popmaster last week. It can certainly be regarded as a soul classic and he puts in a great vocal supported by the talented backing band.

33. You've Got To Hide Your Love Away - The Silkie https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lNyy00Hjl2g A cover of the Beatles song and three of them join in with Paul on guitar, George shaking the tambourine and John producing. It's quite good and sung as a male/female duet. It will be the group's only top 40 hit.

39. That Means A Lot - PJ Proby https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lJMbEYuxeGw As always, PJ Proby puts plenty of personality into his vocal but the song was ordinary and you can see why the Beatles rejected it for their 'Help!' album.

Record of the week : 36. Papa's Got A Brand New Bag - James Brown and The Famous Flames

I watched an interesting BBC documentary recently on the history of funk music and this single can be considered as the starting point for that genre. Part 1 was on side 1 of the single with part 2 on the other side but this youtube clip is the combined version. I particularly like that guitar bit after "bag". The single will only reach number 25, the UK maybe not yet ready for music in this style. It will win a Grammy award for best rhythm and blues recording.

Message Understood passed me by at the time, but bought her hits MFP album around 1976 or so so got to know it well, but it's not amongst her greats. Wilson Pickett was around as a kid, I was aware of him, but never liked anything he did that much, In The Midnight Hour is as good as he gets, but I'd still take Sandie's over this. Didnt know the Silkie were Beatles-involved, and dont remember them at all, Ive always associated this great song with the Fabs and Help! The original would win this week easy, no worry, this one sounds quite pleasant. PJ Proby, my Aunty still laments she cant see him on tour, and this video shows why he had his fans! I think it works quite well for a Beatles cast-off.

So that leaves James Brown for me too, the riffs are enough to lift it over Sandie, but Message Understood is my nostalgic fave.