16th - 22nd January 1964

 

23. I'm The One - Gerry and The Pacemakers

This is the first self-penned release by the group and it's a good upbeat pop song. It will break the run of chart topping singles but a number 2 position is nothing to complain about.

35. Whispering - Nino Tempo and April Stevens

I didn't expect a song called Whispering to start with whistling but that's what happened. The rest of it was OK, better than the Bachelors' version we had a few months ago. As with their first single, they've kept to April speaking some of the lyrics in the second half.

39. All My Loving - The Dowlands https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IwMAL6-m2Fo The only hit for the Bournemouth group is this cover of the Beatles song. It has a slightly slower pace to it and is a pale imitation of the original despite Joe Meek producing it.

 

Record of the week : 26. Needles And Pins - The Searchers

 

I'm putting this just ahead of 'I'm The One'. I don't regard it as an essential 60s number 1 but it's solid enough. The original version was recorded by Jackie DeShannon in 1963. This one will spend three weeks at the top of the chart.

 

I really like Needles And Pins-uh! Definitely ROTW.

'Needles and Pins' is great. There's a few versions of those floating about which are equally as good imo!

Needles and pins for me too. Coulda been a sonny and Cher debut if sonny hadn't given it away.

 

I'm the one is fun though, Gerry still charming the nation!

23rd - 29th January 1964

 

29. I Think Of You - The Merseybeats

A gently paced song with a cha cha rhythm and good use of guitars. It will be their biggest hit, reaching number 5.

38. Fever - Helen Shapiro

This will be the last of Helen's ten top 40 hits. The voice is still there and this is a fair version of the song. I was distracted by some of the drumming, especially the bit at 31 seconds. Helen is now 77 years old and part of a Christian music trio called Hebron. They are playing in Romford on Thursday if you're in that part of the world, admission is free.

39. Song Of Mexico - Tony Meehan https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P02CPc9Rh74 This will be the drummer's only solo hit and it has a fairly straightforward drum pattern so he's not really challenging himself here. There's still plenty of guitar added on with strings and backing singers.

40. Diane - The Bachelors

This country tinged ballad flies in the face of the current music scene and will go all the way to number 1, a first chart topper for an act from the Republic of Ireland. It did nothing for me.

 

Record of the week : 27. 5-4-3-2-1 - Manfred Mann

 

There's no doubt this week, it has to be this one with its chugging harmonica part going throughout the song and the simple refrain. Written for the TV programme 'Ready Steady Go!', it will be the first hit single for the London band, appropriately peaking at number 5.

 

Yes, heard 5-4-3-2-1 rather a lot on Ready Steady Go with the fab Cathy McGowan, last seen knitting on the side of the stage on a Top Of The Pops Smiths performance. Great to hear Helen Shapiro is still singing, and Fever is a great song, though Peggy Lee for me is the definitive.

 

The Merseybeats is a nice one, Tony Meehan the tune rings a bell now I hear it - or maybe it reminds me of something, quite like it actually. I'm gonna have to go with Diane for my pick though, I know it's dated MOR bland ballad, but nostalgia is strongest in this one for me and its a decent song. :)

I've fallen a bit behind but will jump back in now! I think 'Song Of Mexico' is my favourite of that week, love The Shadows and Tony's work in the duo with Jet Harris, nice that he snuck in a totally solo chart placement too. Nothing too out of the ordinary from him indeed but his style is pretty irresistable, enjoyable jazzy elements here.

 

'5-4-3-2-1' is good too - my introduction to that song was the reworked version that the Spice Girls sang to endorse the birth of channel 5 :lol:

30th January - 5th February 1964

 

30. For You - Rick Nelson

A song that goes back to 1932 when it was first recorded by Bing Crosby but this version certainly makes it sound like it belongs in the 1960s, there's a nice echo sound effect on the vocal. It will be the last of Ricky's sixteen top 40 hits. He sadly died in a plane crash aged just 45.

36. My Special Dream - Shirley Bassey

Another ballad with a big vocal from Shirley.

37. Poison Ivy - The Paramounts

This has already been a hit in 1959 for The Coasters but it's the terrific 1980 version by The Lambrettas that I'm familiar with. The Paramounts also do the song justice. I don't think there are too many chart hits about STDs. It will be the only top 40 single by the group but some of them will be part of Procul Harum later on.

 

Record of the week : 40. Louie Louie - The Kingsmen

 

This seems to be years ahead of its time and a big influence on the alternative rock music that followed it all the way to the punk rock era. It will reach number 2 in the US but it seems the British public weren't yet ready for this type of music and it will peak at number 26. The original 1956 version was by Richard Berry. This was the only top 40 single for The Kingsmen who are still going.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Louie Louie is brilliant! I love the way the vocals are so indistinct that he almost sounds drunk. My favourite thing that’s come up here for a bit.

Louie Louie easily the top tune here, garage classic. The Ricky Nelson song is nice, though, and I never knew Poison Ivy was about STD's! Naive me just saw Batman villain Poisin Ivy :lol: The Shirley song is what one might expect it to sound like. Pity.

6th - 12th February 1964

 

22. Candy Man - Brian Poole and the Tremeloes

A cover of a Roy Orbison B side. I like the lead vocal here and there are a few pauses when everything stops.

23. I'm The Lonely One - Cliff Richard and the Shadows

There's plenty of energy in this uptempo song with the drums and hand clapping setting a good pace. It will only reach number 8, Cliff's lowest chart peak since 1959.

33. Boys Cry - Eden Kane

On the subject of boys keeping their feelings to themselves, this will be the last of Eden's five hit singles with all of them reaching the top 10. As well as appearing in different Star Trek series, he has continued to sing.

40. Eight By Ten - Ken Dodd

A rather gloomy ballad from Ken, the girl has left him and all he is left with is a picture of her in a frame that measures eight by ten.

 

Record of the week : 28. Anyone Who Had A Heart - Cilla Black

 

It has to be this huge ballad with a powerful vocal from Cilla and a dynamic Abbey Road production from George Martin. I particularly like the bassoon solo in the middle where the song quietens down. It just got in to the chart ahead of Dionne Warwick's original and spent three weeks at number 1, going on to be the best selling single of the 1960s by a female artist.

 

I like the Eden Kane track and I'm aghast I didnt spot older Eden in all those Trek TV shows!! It's not as if I didn't see him in concert around that time too :lol: :lol: :o

 

It's no contest for Cilla though, a massive kiddie fave that I adored and still adore. Love Dionne, seen her in concert and she mentioned Cilla when she sang her good version, a legend and all that, but Cilla everytime.

13th - 19th February 1964

 

There are no new entries this week so I have the week off.

ah well, have a bonus replacement chart for that week in 1964 in the USA instead:

 

The Beatles still on top with I Want To Hold Your Hand, You Don't Own Me at 2 for Lesley Gore, and more Beatles at 3 (She Loves You), Dusty doing it in the USA banging in at 27 with I Only Want To Be With You which has already been reviewed in these pages and I'm excluding it, and highly unexpected songs higher up from Cliff Richard (It's All In The Game at 25), Louie Louie, garage classic dropping to 23, and Surfin' Bird dropping to 15 for the Trashmen.

 

Unlike the UK there are loads of top 40 entries that flopped in the UK: no links as I dont imagine will want to hear them....!

 

Navy Blue - Diane Renay

 

Girl upbeat pop along the lines of Bobby's Girl but with an unexpected riff half-way through not a million miles away from The Tornadoes. Never heard of it before, or her, but I rather like it actually!

 

See The Funny Little Clown - Bobby Goldsboro

 

Never knew Bobby was hitting this early in the States, almost a mild bossa nova rhythm for this gentle ballad, and rather nice too. Always enjoyed Bobby's vocal style.

 

Good News - Sam Cooke

 

The great Sam didn't have long left before he was murdered, but this is one that didn't crop up on his Greatest Hits so I don't know it. Upbeat soul, more Twistin The Night Away (but not as memorable) than A Change Is Gonna Come. It's OK.

 

I Love You More And More Ever - Al Martino

 

The original UK chart-topper debutante was still charting in the USA 12 years on. Sounds like a 1952 ballad, not much of interest.

 

Oh Baby Don't You Weep - James Brown

 

James Brown well en route to Soul Brother Number One, but not as funky as later tracks, more Ray Charles-ish in a JB stylee. It's mildly pleasant but nothing special, and James already sounding like Red Dwarf's Cat in the miaows. Or vice versa.

 

Abigail Beecher - Freddy Cannon

 

Ah, always enjoy Freddy cannon tracks, and another that's new to me, upbeat rockabilly fun, not quite up to his well-known hits, but pretty decent all in all.

 

Going Going Gone - Brook Benton

 

Brook never had much success in the UK sadly, his smooth crooner tracks in the Nat 'King' Cole vein are pretty cool from the viewpoint of 6 decades in time. This is no exception.

 

So which is the best? Well, Dusty Obv, but of the rest? I'm going to ignore street-cred and opt for this one, cos it's the one I enjoyed the most, and I like the instrumental bit and verses (I wouldnt say it has a chorus at all) just over Bobby Goldsboro and Freddy cannon.

 

 

Cooler folk check out Brook Benton, Sam Cooke and James Brown....

Oh yes, that's a cute little song. I haven't heard of her either.

 

I know all the the other singers but not those particular songs.

Oh yes, that's a cute little song. I haven't heard of her either.

 

I know all the the other singers but not those particular songs.

 

Goodo :) Turns out it's a Bob Crewe co-write he of Four Seasons producer/co-writer/ Music To Watch Girls By fame, and Diane was 17 lyrically pining for her beau abroad. Let's hope he's not In The Navy in a 1979 sort of way for her!

20th - 26th February 1964

 

27. Nadine (Is It You) - Chuck Berry

Chuck Berry has come out of jail after a one and a half year sentence so this is his first new music since 1961. I enjoyed the lyrics about pursuing a woman around a town but never catching up with her.

30. Stay Awhile - Dusty Springfield

Dusty's second solo single is OK but not up to the standard of 'I Only Want To Be With You'. The producer is trying to recreate the Spector sound with the drums, strings and backing vocals.

33. Borne On The Wind - Roy Orbison

This is my second favourite of the week, another great vocal from Roy backed by acoustic guitars, strings and backing singers.

36 Let Me Go, Lover - Kathy Kirby

This was a hit for four different singers in 1955 and now we have a more up to date version. It was alright, the backing band were kept busy.

37. My Baby Left Me - Dave Berry and The Cruisers

One of many covers of the 1950 song. He makes a decent job of it.

40. Um Um Um Um Um Um - Major Lance

The only hit for the American singer is a well crafted soul record with the brass section making a good contribution.

 

Record of the week : 19. Bits And Pieces - The Dave Clark Five

 

I'm going for this foot stomper. I remember it was the theme tune for the Bits And Pieces quiz on the Radio 1 Roadshow where people had to identify about ten songs from snippets that lasted a few seconds for each song. I would always play along at home during the school holidays. It will spend three weeks at number 2.

 

 

 

I’d be choosing Roy this week

yeah I like all of these, Chuck Berry less bothered about chasing women in his older days, more into video technology, but still into tax avoidance. I'd prob have gone for Dusty if Bits And Pieces hadn't been there, stomping great fun that this 6-year-old liked and 66-year-old still likes. I will prob avoid stomping my feet to it in case the bones shatter... :lol: Dave Clark 5 got the Pet Shop Boys cover treatment (not this one though) which is a rare honour. I used to love Bits & Pieces the radio 1 clips quiz, piece of piss for me usually, unlike these days when I can rarely get more recent stuff in time or at all. :o

 

Roy is an icon too, wish I'd seen him live, though I did get to see dave Berry, his version of the Elvis song is OK, but it's the Slade mash-up cover from 1977 that I know best. Kathy Kirby always had that belting out vocal on upbeat fun, my fave pop star of the time. Major Lance is a goodie too.

27th February - 4th March 1964

 

20. Over You - Freddie and The Dreamers

The fourth single from this group is pleasant enough and well sung. The first three all made the top 3 but this one will only reach number 13.

26. I Love You Because - Jim Reeves

I know this one quite well. It's one of the better country ballads I've heard, the lovely harp sound made it stand out for me. The original version was by Leon Payne in 1949.

34. Little Children - Billy J Kramer and The Dakotas

Little children are getting in the way when he's trying to snog their older sister is the gist of this one. Looking at Julian's thread, he doesn't like it at all while John loves it. I'm on the fence about halfway in between. It will spend two weeks at number 1.

39. Just One Look - The Hollies

Their fourth hit and the best one so far with its strong chorus. My second favourite this week, it will peak at number 2. Doris Troy recorded the first version the previous year.

40. You Were There - Heinz

This was well put together but I won't remember it for long.

 

Record of the week : 29. Not Fade Away - The Rolling Stones

 

I picking this as it's so different from what else was in the chart around this time. I like the rhythm that goes through the song created by the handclaps as well as the drums, excellent use of the harmonica and Mick Jagger's raw lead vocal. A cover of the Crickets' song from 1957, it will peak at number 3 and really establish the Stones as a top chart act.