Ain't She Sweet is a famous song, but the Beatles version isn't. Can't say I have ever been fussed by this. Dimples didnt ring any bells till I played it, it's good. John Lee Hooper's 90's comeback was amazing. Like Dreamers Do is pretty catchy, a good choice from Macca to donate it, if anything it should have done better than 32.

 

The Migil Five is one Ive never heard, sounds pretty decent too. Odd week when a Beatles recording (albeit an oldie) isn't even close to being Record Of The Week. The Mojos' is prob the least of the bunch, a bit daft-sounding. Jim Reeves, impossible to separate from events of the time, and a good song. So that leaves me also opting for Chapel Of Love, one I've always seemed to know, but never noticed until I bought a budget various artists vinyl album with it on in the late 70's.

25th June - 1st July 1964

 

33. Kissin' Cousins - Elvis Presley https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3cj8vKae4Wk The title track from Elvis' latest film, the message here is it's alright to kiss a distant cousin because we are all children of Adam and Eve. His last three singles failed to make the top ten but this one will just creep in at number 10.

 

Record of the week : 31. House Of Rising Sun - The Animals

 

Only two songs this week but I'm sure I would have picked this if there were ten. There's a fabulous, soulful vocal from Eric Burdon combined with the guitar arpeggio and Alan Price's memorable electric organ part. Unusually for this part of the decade, the song is more than four minutes long. It's without doubt one of the best chart hits from the first half of the 1960s and will spend one week at number 1, returning to the top 30 in both 1972 and 1982. The origins of the song are uncertain with the writing credit being listed as "traditional".

 

 

Ooh that Kissin' Cousins lyric sounds like an attempt to justify in-breeding, which as we all know is not healthy for many reasons (and Adam & Eve didn't exist, or else we would all just be 8 billion in-bred idiots - can't possibly be more than in the millions I'd say, just look for areas where marrying close or distant relatives is a thing :teresa: )

 

House Of The Rising Sun is classic, full stop. I always liked it, but it took me a few decades to love it and recognise the genius in the arrangement and vocal.

2nd - 8th July 1964

 

31. On The Beach - Cliff Richard and The Shadows

A song for the summer, this remastered version is crystal clear with the guitars on the left and the backing vocals on the right. Taken from his new film, 'Wonderful Life', it's one of his better songs from the mid 60s.

37. Love Me With All Your Heart - Karl Denver

A cover of a Spanish language song and it keeps that Latin American sound. There is no yodelling but it's another big vocal from Karl. Sadly, this is the last of his eleven top 40 hits. He died in 1998.

38. Tous Les Garcons Et Les Filles - Francoise Hardy

The first hit for the French singer who died this year. It spent fifteen weeks at number 1 in France and is a charming song with an uncluttered production.

39. Sweet William - Millie https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BX_tBZyMhOU The follow-up to My Boy Lollipop is in a similar style but her vocal is more irritating this time and it will only reach number 30. There will be no more hit singles for her.

 

Record of the week : 25. It's All Over Now - The Rolling Stones

 

It has to be this rhythm and blues classic from the Stones with some fine guitar work in the middle and at the end. Written by Bobby and Shirley Womack, it was first recorded by The Valentinos whose version the Stones heard on their first US tour and they wasted no time recording their cover in Chicago. It will be their first number 1 single.

 

 

9th - 15th July 1964

 

30. Wishin' And Hopin' - The Merseybeats

A song originally recorded by Dionne Warwick and then a US top 10 hit for Dusty Springfield. I don't know either of those versions. This one had some nice organ bits and an unexpected tempo change halfway through.

34. (They Call Her) La Bamba - The Crickets

I wasn't expecting the Crickets to come up with a version of La Bamba but here it is. They've done quite a good job with it. This will be their last top 40 hit, they will continue performing all the way through to 2016.

38. Call Up The Groups - The Barron Knights with Duke D'Mond -

The kings of pop parody who I know well from their later 70s singles. This is a live recording and a mildly amusing send up of The Searchers, Freddie and the Dreamers and The Beatles.

 

Record of the week : 18. I Just Don't Know What To Do With Myself - Dusty Springfield

 

And this is why Dusty's version of Wishin' And Hopin' wasn't released in the UK, she already had this one ready to put out. Written by Bacharach and David, it's a powerful ballad with a soaring vocal and an effective, heavy drum sound. The original recording of the song was by Tommy Hunt in 1962. Dusty's cover will reach number 3, her biggest solo hit so far.

 

 

 

I missed last week's oops, been a very hectic and stressful week, sorry!

 

Cliff's is one I recall from the time, mildly liking, it's still OK. Karl Denver playing now, as it dont ring a bell, and ahhh yes I do know the tune, and it's one I like. Old-fashioned but it's quite sweet and love the "with every beat of your heart" hook. Francoise Hardy was quite a cult fave beyond the 60's, but I don't remember Tous Les garcons at all, though I know of it. Quite nice. Sweet William is very much My Boy Lollipop Part 2, and I dont recall it from the time - I was MAD on My Boy Lollipop and Millie! I do recall Swinging On A Star, but not this one, though there's a colour video clip I've seen since. Fun.

 

On the whole though, gotta give to the Stones too, even though it was a bit too rough to get noticed by me at the time it's a rock classic.

Wishin' & Hopin' is a great song, but this version aint in the same class as Dusty or Dionne, they are perfection, this is perfunctory, though the song still shines through in parts. La Bamba is also a version I dont know (as above) and it's a novelty hearing English lyrics. I will stick with Spanish language Ritchie or Los Lobos on the whole.

 

The Barron Knights, one hearing or viewing is basically all anyone needs to hear. It's quite well done, obv, but it's not funny as such, it's all about the accuracy of the sounds/singing. The Searchers are on here tomorrow for their last tour, maybe I'll pop along if there are seats still free.

 

Dusty's, though, was my fave record of that time, loved that song, gloriously melodic, classy and Dusty is the UK's greatest interpreter of songs, she constructed every nuance carefully and brilliantly and made it look effortless. The absolute best, it's not even close. I'm a bit of a fan, from 6-year-old little John onwards, and still adore this track, waves of spine-tingling nostalgic emotion sweep over me when I hear it and I get the same feelings I had as a kid....

16th - 22nd July 1964

 

3. A Hard Day's Night - The Beatles

Number 3 is a very high new entry position but with the Beatles being so popular now, it's not a surprise. The opening guitar chord has become the song's most enduring feature and the rest of it shows their steady improvement but not quite enough to get my award in a strong week for new songs. Taken from the group's first film, the single will spend three weeks at number 1.

22. Someday We're Gonna Love Again - The Searchers

A number 11 peak for this is a relative failure after three chart toppers and a number 2 hit. It was OK but not as memorable as their previous songs.

26. Tobacco Road - The Nashville Teens

A first hit for the Surrey band is this cover of a John D Loudermilk song from 1959. It's another strong contender for this week's winner, I like the way it slows down every time it gets to "road" and speeds up when the piano comes in and then there's that great bassline.

30. Do Wah Diddy Diddy - Manfred Mann

And if that wasn't enough, we have another well known song here. A catchy chorus combines well with the guitars, organ, drums and not forgetting those maracas. First recorded by The Exciters, this version will top the charts on both sides of the Atlantic.

36. The Ferris Wheel - The Everly Brothers

The distinctive harmonies are still there and the drum sound is making me think of Native Americans.

38. I Found Out The Hard Way - The Four Pennies

The follow-up to their number 1 single, 'Juliet', is a decent effort with a good lead vocal.

 

Record of the week : 32. I Get Around - The Beach Boys

 

So, by a small margin, I'm favouring the Beach Boys over the Beatles. The swirling vocal harmonies and various guitar effects make this one my favourite of the week. It will spend five weeks in the top 10, peaking at number 7, and be their first Billboard number 1 single.

 

I don't know the Searchers track, presumably not a cover version this time hence the lower chart position. It's OK. Ditto The Everly's Ferris Wheel, a bit plodding though. The Four Pennies' also doesnt ring a bell, it's no Juliet melody-wise, but it's the best of these three.

 

So on to the classics. Do Wah Diddy Diddy, bought it on a K-Tel compilation in 1973, seen the Manfred's do it 3 times at least, and it's fun singalong. Tobacco Road is a stomper, and a great record, in a normal week an easy ROTW. But it's not a normal week - it's Beatles vs Beach Boys, the premier 60's bands of the UK vs USA. Hard days Night was def the one that meant most to me at the time, not least due to the film, and the fabs were improving with each new release. I Get Around was the arrival of Brian Wilson & co as a chart force - played it to death in 1976 when I got the 20 Greatest Hits...but on the whole it's The Beatles that takes me back in time to 1964 so that gets my pick.

Ooh 3 great songs but I think for me Beatles > Nashville Teens > Beach Boys

23rd - 29th July 1964

 

31. It's Only Make Believe - Billy Fury

Billy's last three singles have all failed to reach the top 10 so he's gone with a tried and tested song this time and it will give him a top 10 hit. It is, however, a fairly mediocre cover version.

33. I Should Care - Frank Ifield

And, like Billy Fury, Frank Ifield is soldiering on. This one is a cover of a song from 1944 which includes some musings about counting sheep to get to sleep.

38. From A Window - Billy J Kramer and The Dakotas

This will be the first single by the group not to reach the top 5 but it will scrape into the top 10. Written by Paul McCartney, who joins in on the prolonged last word, it's a pleasant enough song with a pure lead vocal and a nifty drum beat.

 

Record of the week : 35. The Girl From Ipanema - Stan Getz and Joao Gilberto

 

A clear winner this week, it's this smooth and sultry bossa nova tune with an uncredited vocal by Joao's wife, Astrud, who only received $120. There's a Christmas tree here as this clip is from a film released in December and set at Christmas time. It is estimated that the song is second only to 'Yesterday' as having the most recorded versions. This one will only go as high as number 29.

 

I was mad on Billy Fury but this cover passed me by at the time. Glen Campbell's version is the definitive, accept no other not even the original. Frank was also a fave, sadly passed away the other week, but this isn't one I think of when I think of classic Frank. It's OK but not essential. Billy J certainly used to live in this area in Boscombe, might still do for all I know - there's a history of Merseyside folk moving there over the last 40 years. The song? Never heard it before as far as I can recall! S'OK.

 

Girl From Ipanema easily wins, indeed, it's a classic. It was famous at the time and over the years since. The dreamy melody was ingrained in evoking some vague 60's vibes every time I heard it, like an old familiar friend. Love it.

30th July - 5th August 1964

 

39. Happiness - Ken Dodd

I know this well from his 70s TV show. I can't remember whether it was the theme tune or he sang it at the end. I don't dislike it, the backing singers joining in on the chorus makes it a bit messy. The country singer, Bill Anderson, wrote and recorded the original version.

40. Hurt By Love - Inez Foxx

The first hit for the American singer, accompanied by her brother Charlie. She delivers a really raspy vocal here, a good soul record suitable for the dancefloor.

 

Record of the week : 34. Have I The Right - The Honeycombs

 

This is already one of my favourites from the mid 60s, a big foot stomper. The London band's name was a pun based on their drummer Honey being a hairdresser. It's certainly unusual to see a 60s group with a female drummer. The Joe Meek produced song will go all the way to number 1, it was his idea to make the members of the group stamp their feet on the wooden stairs to his studio with microphones fixed to the banisters with bicycle clips. The group will have a few more hits but nothing on this scale.

 

 

Happiness is one I knew well as a kid and teenager and always quite liked, Ken was a better comic than record singer, but Have I The Right I really discovered in 1973 on a 60's K-Tel compilation I bought, and it's stompingly good. Hurt By Love Ive never heard before, it's r 'n' b/funk and decent enough.

'I Get Around', 'The Girl From Ipanema' and 'Have I The Right?' are a brilliant trio of ROTW choices :wub: all are so distinctive in their own way, from bossa nova to stomping.

6th - 12th August 1964

 

28. It's For You - Cilla Black

A Lennon/McCartney song which they wrote specifically for Cilla. Her vocal is a bit inconsistent here, better on the verses than the chorus. It won't be a third consecutive chart topper, just reaching number 7 this time.

35. Spanish Harlem - Sounds Incorporated

An instrumental version of the song with the melody being played on guitar, flute and saxophone before the guitar returns at the end. The flute part was the best bit. It will be the second and final hit single from them.

36. Handy Man - Del Shannon

A cover of a Jimmy Jones song from 1959, Del Shannon sings it in the style of the Beach Boys backed up by his distinctive electric keyboard sound.

 

Record of the week : 25. You'll Never Get To Heaven (If You Break My Heart) - Dionne Warwick

 

Written by Bacharach and David, this is an understated song with a gorgeous orchestral arrangement and a well judged vocal from Dionne. It will reach a peak position of number 20.

 

Bacharach vs Beatles here... not an easy choice, but Dionne's version of You'll Never Get To Heaven I didnt really get to hear until after the Stylistics tainted the song a bit in 1976 (UK hit version), so it's Cilla for me. The Beatles TV special she sung it on was fab and it's a great song. Cilla vs Dionne was quite the thing from Dionne's point of view at the time (and when I saw her in concert reflecting on her back catalogue she still whimsically mentioned Cilla a fair bit) but truth to tell for me Cilla's versions of Anyone Who Had A Heart and Alfie are the definitives, and It's For You is up there with her best.

 

Spanish Harlem is probably the best song of the bunch though, amazing when done by Ben E. King or the definitive version from Aretha, but this is more muzak when it needs soul not pretty tinkling. I know the Jimmie Jones hit, a really good record of it's time, and don't recall ever hearing this before. It's done Del stylee and it's fairground-ish fine, prob suits the waltzer most.

13th - 19th August 1964

 

21. The Crying Game - Dave Berry

Dave Berry's fourth hit and certainly his biggest so far, reaching number 5. It's a wistful ballad with a slight echo applied to his vocal. I'm more familiar with Boy George's 1992 cover version.

27. As Tears Go By - Marianne Faithfull https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GFYTHnmRl6U Another ballad and this is ROTW worthy but it's a strong batch this week. A charming vocal is backed by well arranged oboe and strings. A first hit for her, written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards.

31. Thinking Of You Baby - The Dave Clark Five

A fast paced song here to get everyone on the dancefloor. It's from the same film, 'Get Yourself A College Girl', as The Girl From Ipanema which we had a few weeks ago. It will only reach number 26.

35. She's Not There - The Zombies

Another great single that could have won this week's award, it has a more sophisticated sound compared to songs from the other British groups at this point in time. Only reaching number 12, it has endured to this day. Surprisingly, the group from St Albans will have no further top 40 hits under this name but Rod Argent and Colin Blunstone will both have some more.

40. How Can I Tell Her - The Fourmost

The group's fourth hit will be the first to miss the top 20. The marching rhythm was the most noteworthy aspect but it's the weakest of today's six.

 

Record of the week : 34. You Really Got Me - The Kinks

 

And so it has to be this landmark record, probably the first one to have such a prominent guitar riff. I love how it gradually gets more frenzied as it goes along. The London group's first two singles flopped but this one will spend two weeks at number 1.

 

Tough week! Worst to best, Dave Clark 5 is one I don't know and it's nothing special, The Fourmost I also don't know but it's quite good, I like the marching rhythm picking up pace. I saw Dave Berry at a 60's multi-act concert in the late 80's or early 90's, and I realised I knew The Crying Game, def the best song in his list of hits, but I much-preferred the Boy George cover (with production-assist from Pet Shop Boys). Marianne Faithful was so cool in '64/'65, and this was my fave of hers, to be honest I liked it more than any Rolling Stones record to date (still do, until we get into 1965). She's Not There was one of those songs I didnt notice much but it became well-known by the time Santana had their hit with it in 1977. The Zombies deserved more success especially Time Of The Season, but I also made up for it in '71/'72 when Hold Your Head Up and Say You Don't Mind came out. I saw them in the 2010's making it a Greatest Hits concert for all 3 acts, billed as The Zombies.

 

So that leaves You Really Got Me. I don't remember it from the time, either, I'm guessing I'd been banned from watching Top Of The Pops when it moved from 6.30 Wed to 7.30 Thurs (probably in bed I expect) as there is a firm dividing line between songs from the earlier part of the year which I knew and loved loads of, and from this period on when there were far fewer. You Really Got Me was on the 20 Number Ones K-Tel album I bought in 1973, and it was a total riff-play-loud track for me, a discovery, and still sounding exciting 9 years late.

20th - 26th August 1964

 

21. I Wouldn't Trade You For The World - The Bachelors

This one's not a cover but it's still another drippy love song. It will give them their fourth consecutive top 5 hit.

25. The Wedding - Julie Rogers

A cover of a Chilean song from 1961, this is the first hit for the British singer who certainly belts it out, supported by a brass section. It will take another ten weeks to reach its peak position of number 3 and will sell 7 million copies worldwide.

31. Such A Night - Elvis Presley

I was thinking this sounds like early Elvis so it comes as no surprise to learn that it's from his 1960 album. The highlight was the drummer getting carried away at the end, overdoing his part maybe. The song has previously been a number 1 for Johnnie Ray.

39. I Should Have Known Better - The Naturals

The only hit for this group is a Beatles cover which doesn't deviate much from the original.

 

Record of the week : 40. I'm Into Something Good - Herman's Hermits

 

This is the only standout this week. The production is kept simple with the vocal harmonies taking centre stage, it's pleasantly light and cheery. Written by Goffin & King for the singer Earl-Jean, the song will be the first hit single for the Manchester group who are still going. It will spend two weeks at number 1.