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.