3rd - 9th October 1963

 

28. Somebody Else's Girl - Billy Fury

An emotive string-laden ballad. His last three singles all reached the top 5 but this one will only get to number 18.

29. Memphis Tennessee - Dave Berry and The Cruisers

Dave Berry's first hit is a cover of the Chuck Berry song from 1958. He has quite a high pitched vocal style.

34. Sally Ann - Joe Brown and The Bruvvers

This is a group effort with the Bruvvers singing most of the lines along with Joe. It will be his last top 40 hit until 1967.

 

Record of the week : 27. I (Who Have Nothing) - Shirley Bassey

 

Nothing stood out this week but this is the best one. It has a dramatic vocal from Shirley, backed by an orchestra. The original Italian version was from 1961 with Ben E King recording the first English language cover in the same year as this one. Most of the covers seem to be by male singers so the lyrics are adjusted for Shirley's version to be sung from a female perspective. The single will be her ninth top 10 hit, reaching number 6.

 

Most of Shirley’s hits don’t do a whole lot for me but I (Who Have Nothing) is brill - just the right level of drama without becoming turgid.

ooh I rate that Billy Fury song, thinking it's probably one I heard at the time, deserved better than 18!

 

Memphis Tennessee, err, Chuck Berry thanks Dave. I saw him in concert in the 80's so I expect he did this one. The only one I loved of his was The Crying Game.

 

Also seen Joe Brown 2 or 3 times, but Sally Ann doesnt ring a bell. He prob doesn't do it in concert - not his finest work!

 

Shirley, dad had the 50's album, not 60's stuff, and I (Who Have Nothing) I associate with Tom Jones circa 1970, so not that familiar with this one. It's a great diva song, and she's quite restrained on this, surprisingly not OTT - Tom's is way more OTT.

10th - 16th October 1963

 

25. Let It Rock / Memphis Tennessee - Chuck Berry https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nh9c6drdYGg /

Just a week after Dave Berry's cover of Memphis Tennessee, we have Chuck Berry's 1958 original. He puts in quite a restrained vocal on it. I'm less familiar with Let It Rock (from 1960) which has a great fast paced tinkly piano accompaniment. This will be his first UK top 10 single.

 

Record of the week : 22. You'll Never Walk Alone - Gerry and The Pacemakers

 

Just two new entries this week but we have a worthy winner. This is possibly the best lead vocal on a number 1 single up to 1963 and it's supported by a stirring piano and strings arrangement. The cover of a song from the 1945 Rodgers and Hammerstein musical 'Carousel' will spend four weeks at the top of the chart making Gerry and the Pacemakers the first act to reach number 1 with their first three singles.

 

Gerry's classic is still spine-tinglingly classic and definitive, no question. Chuck's oldies double A obv out to support a tour in the UK, Memphis Tennessee is OK, but I've never really been a massive fan of Chuck's, though I recognise his importance and influence.

17th - 23rd October 1963

 

33. Do You Love Me - The Dave Clark Five

A first hit for the London group. Brian Poole and the Tremeloes' version is number 1 this week so sales of this version, which was recorded first, are affected and it will only reach number 30. I don't think it's as good anyway.

34. Pretty Thing - Bo Diddley https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7AnLBeshpEs This was recorded in 1955, I like the rawness here, I'd imagine it was recorded in one take. A good bluesy tune with the harmonica standing out.

35. Miss You - Jimmy Young

Jimmy's first top 40 hit since 1957 and also his last. He hasn't updated his sound, it's a piano and strings ballad that belongs in the 1950s. The original version goes back to 1929.

37. I'll Take You Home - The Drifters

I enjoyed this one a lot, it never really stood still with different instruments being introduced as it went along such as a banjo and a trumpet. The strings and the backing vocals also supported the lead vocal very well.

39. The Girl Sang The Blues - The Everly Brothers https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Mm75BZFkmc There's a good pace to this one led by the drums and piano.

40. Fools Rush In - Rick Nelson

An uptempo country style tune which he sings well. The song goes back to 1940 and has been covered many times including Bow Wow Wow in the 80s and more recently by Disclosure.

 

Record of the week : 32. Be My Baby - The Ronettes

 

And of course it has to be this three minutes of pop perfection, probably the best record of the week since I started this thread. All its components are excellent but I'm going to pick out the drum rhythm and sound as my favourite part. It will reach a peak position of number 4.

 

Be My Baby would win against almost any competition from the 60's, and certainly any up to this point! Perfection.

 

Fools Rush In is a lovely track, still like it a lot, I'll take the original US version of Do You Love Me - and I speak as someone who grew up with The Trems & Dave Clark 5! Oops! The Drifters are always good in the 60's, less so in the 70's when they became clones of their own history based in the UK with UK songwriters. That was when they were at their most successful here!

24th - 30th October 1963

 

25. Mule Train - Frank Ifield

Frank reaches some high notes on this cover of the Buz Butler song from 1949 with some whip cracking sound effects. His run of top 5 singles comes to an end with this one only reaching number 22.

29. Sugar And Spice - The Searchers

Another catchy pop song from the Merseybeat group and this one will go to number 2.

33. Bossa Nova Baby - Elvis Presley

Taken from Elvis' latest film 'Fun In Acapulco', this has an interesting organ riff and mariachi band accompaniment.

34. Guilty - Jim Reeves

A sleepy country style ballad which was a bit of a chore to listen through.

40. Love Of The Loved - Cilla Black

Cilla's debut single was written by Lennon and McCartney but it's a false start for her with the song stalling at number 35. There are just drums and brass instruments on this one and an undisciplined vocal.

 

Record of the week : 28. Blowing In The Wind - Peter, Paul and Mary

 

Bob Dylan won't appear here until 1965 but we do have a cover of one of his early songs by the American folk trio. Their vocal harmonies are a pleasure to listen to and the lyrics are very fitting to what was going on in America during the 1960s. The single won Grammy awards for Best Folk Recording and Best Performance By A Vocal Group. It will peak at number 13.

 

 

I don;t have to play any of these for a change hooray! Mule Train was my fave at the time, though not these days! Peter Paul & Mary's cover was very well known in the 60's, not so sure these days, but it was always pleasant, tho I much preferred Leaving On A Jet Plane in 1970. Sugar & Spice was catchy and one I knew, Bossa Nova Baby is prob my fave these days though, love that rhythm and I have memories of the cliff-diving scenes in Fun In Acapulco from seeing it at the cinema, and later on TV (mum adored Elvis till the day she died). My younger brother's first-ever bought record was Fun In Acapulco/I Think I'm Gonna Like It Here cos we all loved the film and Elvis - this was later in 1969, Australian edition, so I'm peeved that wasn't a UK single too.

 

Jim Reeves is never bad, golden vocals can make anything sound decent, and Cilla's Love Of The Loved is a fave of mine, it's just so catchy and upbeat and herald's my forthcoming monster love for Cilla. "undisciplined vocal" :lol: Given she was checking coats in at the Cavern not that long before getting signed up, I forgive her.... :)

I think “undisciplined” is quite a kind description! :D

 

Bossa Nova Baby for me too - a rare Elvis highlight among quite a lot of rubbish Elvis put out in this period.

31st October - 6th November 1963

 

34. Sweet Impossible You - Brenda Lee

A good vocal here from Brenda but the song wasn't up to much and the backing singers and brass section were just going through the motions.

 

Record of the week : 30. Sue's Gotta Be Mine - Del Shannon

 

A quiet week with just two new entries and I preferred this one. Del uses his falsetto very well, supported by the backing singers and some fine drumming. He wrote and produced the song as well. The single will spend two weeks at its peak position of number 21.

 

Never hard that Del Shannon track before. he'd obviously being paying a lot of attention to The Four Seasons hits.....!

7th - 13th November 1963

 

23. Don't Talk To Him - Cliff Richard and The Shadows

With the music written by Bruce Welch and lyrics by Cliff himself, this is one of his better 60s singles which he sings very well.

28. Maria Elena - Los Indios Tabajaras

A soothing classical guitar instrumental from the Brazilian duo which I enjoyed. Recorded in 1958, it will reach the top 5 and be their only hit.

30. Secret Love - Kathy Kirby

Opening and closing with a dramatic drum roll, this is the Doris Day number 1 from 1953 updated in a 1960s pop style. Kathy puts a lot of welly into her vocals.

34. I'll Keep You Satisfied - Billy J Kramer and The Dakotas

A third top 5 hit for this group and another Lennon/McCartney songwriting credit. It was decent enough.

40. Busted - Ray Charles

A jazzy big band arrangement of a Johnny Cash country song. It didn't stand out for me.

 

Record of the week : 39. You Were Made For Me - Freddie And The Dreamers

 

This is such a happy song, it has to get the award, especially when I see the comical dance moves in this performance. The single will spend four weeks at number 3 in December, a third top three hit for the Manchester group.

 

I love that Freddie And The Dreamers track but unusually my winner would actually be Cliff this time - Don’t Talk To Him is one of his very best I think.

I love that Freddie And The Dreamers track but unusually my winner would actually be Cliff this time - Don’t Talk To Him is one of his very best I think.

 

 

Always been one of my fave Cliff tracks since buying 40 Golden Greats many years ago.

Yes I agree, love the Freddie song (lil John was a big fan of Freddie and the dances) and one of Cliff's best early 60's songs. My fave though was Kathy Kirby, mad on her, throw in a Doris Day song belted out, what's not to love for a 5-year-old? :lol:

 

Billy J. another fave pop star, but not one I remember from the time, but I like it these days anyway. Busted is a decent record, and Maria Elena is the only one I need to remind myself of every time - and yes it's a tune I rate, lovely. So that's a full-house of positivity from me, yay!

14th - 20th November 1963

 

32. It's Almost Tomorrow - Mark Wynter

A mediocre cover of the Dream Weavers' 1956 number 1.

35. Deep Purple - Nino Tempo and April Stevens

A sweet duet from the siblings, with added harmonica parts, which will be the 100th Billboard number 1. April's spoken parts in the second half came about because Nino forgot the lyrics while they recorded the demo and they were kept in for the final recording.

37. What Do Ya Say - Chubby Checker

This will be the last of Chubby's nine 1960s hit singles and it has the sort of chorus that will stick in my head, I quite enjoyed it.

 

Record of the week : 34. Red Sails In The Sunset - Fats Domino

 

Nothing stood out this week but I'm going for this nautically themed song from the New Orleans singer. He sings it well, supported by the piano, drums and female backing singers. The song goes back to 1935 and has been covered by many well known singers. It will go no higher than number 34 and will be the last of his sixteen top 40 hits.

 

 

Well my initial reaction is "Deep Purple" all the way, love the tune, liked Donny & marie's cover, and I charted Ray Stevens version as an album track in 1975, a sort of ragtime/country uptempo yodelling effort. Let's test that theory with a play of the rest:

 

Well, It's Almost Tomorrow writers probably have a copyright claim on 60's kiddie song Puff The Magic Dragon, clearly ripping the tune off, but the latter is a way better record! Chubby was a Twistin' fave in the early 60's and this is OK but nothing special. From Chubby to Fats, yes this is the best of the three, but I stick with Deep Purple as best song.

The lovey Deep Purple for me too! :)

21st - 27th November 1963

 

27. From Russia With Love - Matt Monro

The theme to the second James Bond film is a suitably dramatic ballad with Matt holding the last note for an impressive twelve seconds.

32. I Wanna Be Your Man - The Rolling Stones

The Stones's second single is an improvement on the first one. The raw guitar sound really stands out, a precursor to the way the instrument will be played in the years to come. Written by Lennon and McCartney, the Beatles' own version will follow soon on their second album.

39. If I Ruled The World - Harry Secombe

Written for the 1963 musical 'Pickwick', this version will give the Welsh singer his first hit single since 1955. He uses an operatic style and holds the last note for ten seconds, a good effort, but not as long as Matt Monro this week.

 

Record of the week : 38. Glad All Over - The Dave Clark Five

 

It has to be this infectious pop song with its foot stomping beat. It's also quite unusual to hear a saxophone used as part of the backing rhythm rather than in a solo. The group's second top 40 single will have a rocky chart run, moving up and down the top 10 a couple of times before finally reaching number 1 on the 16th of January.