15th - 21st April 1965

32. I'm Gonna Get There Somehow - Val Doonican https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=af-GfDE3x4I This was a bit better than I would expect from a Val Doonican song. It was upbeat and catchy.

35. At The Club - The Drifters https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ztj2mUJlnz0 Written by Goffin and King, this has a good rhythm to it and a fabulous lead vocal from Johnny Moore.

39. Not Until The Next Time - Jim Reeves https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S70J3t0wtZg These posthumous releases are already getting tedious and there are many more to come.

40. Oh No, Not My Baby - Manfred Mann https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZL61tnbTHtY It's straight to the chorus before the first verse and why not, when it has a good one. I also liked the organ part when the tempo slows down. This is the second Goffin & King song of the day, first recorded by Maxine Brown.

Record of the week : 11. Ticket To Ride - The Beatles

No doubt about the winner this week. I think this is my favourite Beatles single so far. It's Ringo's drum pattern that stands out the most here along with the tempo changes and the coda. The single will climb to number 1 next week and spend three weeks there.

in reverse order, Jim Reeves is being Jim but there is still a gem to come. This would never have been a hit if he hadn't died. I'm Gonna Get There Somehow was a kiddie fave, likeable Val had across-the-board appeal on TV and this turned up on radio and Val's TV show into the 70's, but then it disappeared pretty much. I still like it. Oh No Not My Baby I really first knew as a Rod Stewart hit, but the Manfred's did a decent version of a great song. At The Club isn't as great a Goffin/King song but it's a better record, and one I knew inside out in 1972 when it was a big hit. Ticket To Ride, though, clearly the best record here by some distance, and a classic. Memories of seeing Help! at the pictures in glorious widescreen colour and the snow-scenes for this one. As a film for kiddies, Help! was way more fun than Hard Day's Night.

Agreed that 'Ticket to Ride' is The Beatles' best single so far, their first to surpass 3 minutes and exploring more depth sonically, love it.

I discovered 'I'm Gonna Get There Somehow' about a decade ago via Smyths Toys adverts, catchy indeed:

15 hours ago, Jade said:

Agreed that 'Ticket to Ride' is The Beatles' best single so far, their first to surpass 3 minutes and exploring more depth sonically, love it.

I discovered 'I'm Gonna Get There Somehow' about a decade ago via Smyths Toys adverts, catchy indeed:

awww i forgot you mentioned about Val's advert, it's great it got used! I just spotted a classic 60's track I rediscovered a few years back that used to be hugely popular amongst a fanbase, (Top 100 of all-time in a 1974 poll) Cryin Shames' Please Stay a Bacharach song, Scottish cover of a Drifters original, and a minor UK hit in 1966 - and it was featured at length on Daredevil's new Marvel series yesterday. I almost sent it to BJSC just for being fabulous and evocative and emotional.

22nd - 28th April 1965

35. Where Are You Now - Jackie Trent https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eg6TLYWiBGU This was released following demand from the viewers of the police drama series 'It's Dark Outside' in which it featured and went all the way to number 1. It has a hotel lounge sort of sound to it with the strings adding a bit of melodrama.

37. A Little You - Freddie And The Dreamers https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IcP6Cl955lo This will be the last of their seven top 40 hits and they do seem to be going through the motions in this clip with no comical dance routine. The song was OK but could have been recorded by anyone. The group will carry on until the year 2000.

Record of the week : 19. A World Of Our Own - The Seekers

This is the best of this week's three new entries. I enjoyed Judith Durham's lead vocal and the lyrics about shutting the rest of the world out for a while. The follow-up to their chart topper 'I'll Never Find Another You' will reach a peak of number 3.

ahh my intro to Where Are You Now My Love is the 20 Golden Number Ones Of The 60's album I bought in late 1973, it's a good song, even if the record isn't necessarily a classic. I almost certainly would have liked the Freddie & The Dreamers track if I heard it, but it's not memorable. So, The Seekers' classic remains fresh as a daisy, very happy I caught the farewell tour with Judith's voice as pure as ever, still very fond of it.

29th April - 5th May 1965

26. Wonderful World - Herman's Hermits https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gp6L6j7NiR0 Herman's Hermits' tribute to Sam Cooke is slightly faster than his original version but doesn't really add anything new to it.

31. I've Been Wrong Before - Cilla Black https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ly-vr-NqZ3w Quite a delicate song written by Randy Newman with some lovely piano playing. Cilla sings it well except for the part where she has to raise her voice. After four consecutive top 10 hits, this one will only get as high as number 17.

35. Subterranean Homesick Blues - Bob Dylan https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MGxjIBEZvx0 The lyrics come gushing out quickly in what has become one of Bob Dylan's best known songs with its iconic video filmed in a London alley near to the Savoy hotel.

39. Something Better Beginning - The Honeycombs https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x5NjIzs-WBU The brass section do most of the work here, filling in the gaps between each line. The song was OK but, like their previous single, will only be a minor hit.

40. Come On Over To My Place - The Drifters https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RmRRBHNo4ZU Just two weeks after the last Drifters song comes another one. It has a joyful sound to it and is quite familiar to me, probably because it was a top 10 hit when re-issued in 1972.

Record of the week : 36. Love Her - The Walker Brothers

This is a special chart as it was the week in which I was born so I'm pleased that there was some competition for the record of the week. Looking at the contenders before I listened to them, I was expecting it to be the Bob Dylan single but I'm choosing a song I have never heard before by a group whose songs which I do know are big favourites of mine. The bombastic production on this one is just my sort of thing with the big deep drum sound and the harpsichord standing out along with a towering vocal from Scott Walker. The song was first recorded by The Everly Brothers in 1963. The Walker Brothers' first hit will spend five weeks in the 30s before eventually climbing to its peak of number 20.

Happy birthday Rollo! The only one I dont know here is The Honeycombs'. That's decent enough, but forgettable. I think Herman's Hermits version of Wonderful World is probably the first one I knew, and I still have a soft spot for Peter Noone, but yes, Sam Cooke is the main one. I like the Cilla cover, and Randy Newman songs are always classy. Dylan's, oddly, I didn't really notice until i saw the video in the 80's as video TV took off. It's a goodie. The Drifters was also a 1972 hit for me too, no memories of it from the time. The Walker Brothers/Scott Walker are amazing, so I'm also inclined to go with Love Her, even though it's not one I know well, probably only heard it a few times. That ought to be remedied!

6th - 12th May 1965

29. That's Why I'm Crying - The Ivy League https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-K8weditsHY A second hit for this group has some good harmonies backed up by effective use of the organ and drums.

32. Once Upon A Time - Tom Jones https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SwyA01p7OAI Tom Jones' follow-up to his number 1 will go no higher than this position. There are some biblical references in the lyrics including Delilah three years before she comes up again.

35. That'll Be The Day - The Everly Brothers https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-YdRwDbelYY The Everlys have released an album of cover versions and this is the one to be selected as a single. It adds little to the original.

39. This Little Bird - Marianne Faithfull https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sInFKoezcyw A sweet little song with a prominent role for the harp. It will be her third top 10 hit.

Record of the week : 40. The Clapping Song - Shirley Ellis

I've chosen this fun novelty song from the American singer with its instructions on how to do the clapping dance. I'm more familiar with the Belle Stars' cover from 1982 which reached number 11 but I've certainly heard this original version a few times. It will be her only UK hit single, going as high as number 6.

I dont know the Ivy League song, it's quite sweet actually. I dont know Tom's hit either, and I quite like it but the Ivy League track is better. Everly's do Holly and as you say, don't improve on it, a tad plodding actually. Marianne Faithfull gets my Record Of The Week but the link is for Everly's again, oops! Thought I was going mad for a second 😄

The Clapping Song you would think I would have happy childhood memories of - I do remember it, but I don't remember ever especially favouring it, it was more of a chant and I like a tune, by the time The Belle Stars covered it I found it very annoying and still do!

Thanks for pointing that out. I've corrected it now, there's a clip of her singing it on a TV show.

13th - 19th May 1965

28. Poor Man's Song - The Rockin' Berries https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B47t6JKXiWw This will be the group's second top 5 hit. The production is kept simple and there are some good harmonies but not the most memorable song.

38. (You've) Never Been In Love Like This Before - Unit Four Plus Two https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QMZzoRNjx54 The follow-up to their number 1 single has a strong chorus including some hand claps but won't do as well, peaking at number 14. They will release eight more singles but none of them will reach the top 40 and they will break up in 1970.

39. Iko Iko - The Dixie Cups https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K5GzVZjd0iI Just a week after The Clapping Song comes another song covered by the Belle Stars in 1982. Natasha also did a version around the same time and had a bigger hit with it. The Dixie Cups' version started out as an impromptu jam in the studio using drumsticks for the beat and they are kept for the final recording. I like this one. It will be their second and last hit single.

Record of the week : 33. Long Live Love - Sandie Shaw

I've gone for this pop song which also has a Latin American style rhythm to it. "We meet every night at eight" is the line I always remember it for. It will be Sandie's second number 1 single, spending three weeks at the top of the chart.

I like that Rocking Berries song, I discovered it in the late 70's on a 4-disc 60's compilation. Certainly more playable than their 1971 novelty song that I bought The King (Don't Be Cruel) which featured impersonations of 2 celebrities unbroadcastable these days. Iko Iko was a classic playground chant in the 60's, chanted by girls usually, so the Belle Stars doing their bit again to resurrect annoyingly. Natasha's version was better, but not a fan of the song really. Dont know the Unit 4 Plus 2 song, I quite like it but it's no Concrete & Clay.

So Sandie is on peak form with Long Live Love, the tune takes me right back. Cool as always. There's some surviving TOTP footage of her rehearsing the song with no audience and looking bored, which in no way detracts from the song. Sandie always said what she thought, and if she's bored with rehearsal that's totally fine! Fab.

20th - 26th May 1965

26. We Shall Overcome - Joan Baez https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3KRxH6lfZWY A first hit for the folk singer is a version of a widely used protest song, recorded live in Birmingham, Alabama. The audience joining in as unofficial backing singers gives it some added depth and beauty.

27. Trains And Boats And Planes - Burt Bacharach https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3e5xB2laA68 This will be Burt's only hit under his own name, going as high as number 4. I like the vocals here by The Breakaways and the orchestration, it's the second best song this week.

35. Trains And Boats And Planes - Billy J Kramer and The Dakotas https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wIEpKZLH1GY This version isn't as good but still enjoyable. They used some strings as well which helped to elevate it. It's the last of their six top 40 hits, including two number 1s. Billy is still working, releasing a single as recently as last year.

39. Marie - The Bachelors https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2tx_LUmpVr8 A country pop song with some brass instrumentation. As expected, I didn't like it.

Record of the week : 29. The Price Of Love - The Everly Brothers

Just two weeks after their cover of That'll Be The Day comes this self written song which is much better and more like what they should be putting out now to keep their relevance. It has a good, pacy rhythm to it and the earthy harmonica really stands out. The single will peak at number 2, the brothers' biggest hit since 1961. I also like Brian Ferry's 1976 cover version.

Sadly never been a fan of We Shall Overcome as a song/recording, but crucial as a political artefact of the period. Trains & Boats & Planes was a fave though, Billy J & Bacharach was a combo guaranteed to get me on side, the Burt original was more of a backing track for telly of the time, but better produced. Billy J's recent single was nicely retro in vibe. He used to live in Bournemouth back in the 80's. Marie not one of the Bachelors better songs, so that leaves me also opting for The Price Of Love - it's exciting, bit of a shame they didnt sustain the comeback. Loved the Bryan Ferry cover.

Catching up on the last few batches and I'm glad you're also a fan of 'This Little Bird'.

I was pleasantly surprised to see Marianne on a 1997 TOTP repeat the other week alongside Metallica!

27th May - 2nd June 1965

24. Crying In The Chapel - Elvis Presley https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KkRLYcLseUg Elvis' first number 1 single for two years was recorded in 1960 and kept on a shelf for five years as he wasn't happy with it but it now becomes a big hit for him. There's just a piano and a quiet guitar on this cover of a song from 1953 so his vocal stands out along with the backing singers' contribution but overall, only average.

33. Come Home - The Dave Clark Five https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9GPi5wHb2Gs There's quite a slow pace to this one with a hissing sound to the main beat of the song. It's not one I need to listen to again.

37. Set Me Free - The Kinks https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mXaVweUfvow The Kinks' fifth single will return them to the top 10 after the last one didn't do too well. It's reasonable but we're still in that part of their history between the impactful first few hits and the classics that are yet to come.

39. This Little Bird - The Nashville Teens https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ER8p6GBUYFw Another version of this follows the one by Marianne Faithfull we had a few weeks ago. It's not quite as good but I did like the piano and strings, it wouldn't sound out of place in a Wild West movie. This will be the group's last top 40 hit, they are still going, with only one survivor from this line-up.

40. If I Ruled The World - Tony Bennett https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SAv4JAfFauc Tony's version of a song from the 1963 musical 'Pickwick'. It's not my cup of tea but he does a good job with it.

Record of the week : 35. Anyway Anyhow Anywhere - The Who

I'm choosing The Who's second hit for its raw energy and an early use of guitar feedback. The drums and piano also play a big role here and the backing vocals are set high compared to Roger Daltrey's lower range lead vocal. The single will reach a peak of number 10.

15 hours ago, King Rollo said:

27th May - 2nd June 1965

24. Crying In The Chapel - Elvis Presley https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KkRLYcLseUg Elvis' first number 1 single for two years was recorded in 1960 and kept on a shelf for five years as he wasn't happy with it but it now becomes a big hit for him. There's just a piano and a quiet guitar on this cover of a song from 1953 so his vocal stands out along with the backing singers' contribution but overall, only average.

33. Come Home - The Dave Clark Five https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9GPi5wHb2Gs There's quite a slow pace to this one with a hissing sound to the main beat of the song. It's not one I need to listen to again.

37. Set Me Free - The Kinks https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mXaVweUfvow The Kinks' fifth single will return them to the top 10 after the last one didn't do too well. It's reasonable but we're still in that part of their history between the impactful first few hits and the classics that are yet to come.

39. This Little Bird - The Nashville Teens https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ER8p6GBUYFw Another version of this follows the one by Marianne Faithfull we had a few weeks ago. It's not quite as good but I did like the piano and strings, it wouldn't sound out of place in a Wild West movie. This will be the group's last top 40 hit, they are still going, with only one survivor from this line-up.

40. If I Ruled The World - Tony Bennett https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SAv4JAfFauc Tony's version of a song from the 1963 musical 'Pickwick'. It's not my cup of tea but he does a good job with it.

Record of the week : 35. Anyway Anyhow Anywhere - The Who

I'm choosing The Who's second hit for its raw energy and an early use of guitar feedback. The drums and piano also play a big role here and the backing vocals are set high compared to Roger Daltrey's lower range lead vocal. The single will reach a peak of number 10.

Crying In The Chapel was big in our family after Elvis had been a bit quiet on the memorable hits front. I remember a jukebox in a roadside cafe, but not sure whose car it was as we didnt have one! I don't think it's weathered well as a record though, it's too maudlin. Dont recognise the Dave Clark 5 track, it drifts by without noticing really. Set Me Free I have on a Kinks hits collective CD, but it's never made much of an impression on me either - falling in between two classic eras indeed.

The Nashville Teens' cover is new to me, but it's just not Marianne Faithfull and therefore is pedestrian in comparison. If I Ruled The World is a Guilty fave of mine, but it's The Harry Secombe version I know and love. This is far too laid-back for its own good, Harry was full-on in-ya-face and sounded like he meant it. Tony sounds like he isn't that bothered. Covers include James Brown, Tom Jones, Stevie Wonder, The Supremes among the more obvious crooners.

So by default it's also The Who for me too. I wouldn't call it one of my fave Who tracks, but it's got attitude and style compared to the rest.

3rd - 9th June 1965

23. I'm Alive - The Hollies https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qVJ0jGC_0tU The Hollies' eighth top 40 hit and they finally get a well deserved number 1. I don't think it's my favourite from them so far but it's a solid pop tune.

32. Colours - Donovan https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hoEle04qu_U A pleasant folk song about the early morning being his favourite part of the day and the colours he sees around him at that time. This will match the number 4 peak of his first single, 'Catch The Wind'.

35. It Ain't Me Babe - Johnny Cash https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tT4_jSUNzWw A first hit for Johnny Cash who has been recording music since 1955. It's a cover of a Bob Dylan song and some shadow vocals come from his future wife, June Carter. The harmonica and trumpet kept it interesting.

36. Engine Engine No.9 - Roger Miller https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wFjYrLxUiXo This follow-up to his number 1 will miss the top 30. The story here is that his girl gets on a train but doesn't arrive at the destination where he is waiting for her and he thinks she met someone else and got off at a previous stop.

39. No Regrets - Shirley Bassey https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=73SiwWXrxvo Shirley takes on the Edith Piaf song and gives it everything, especially at the end. She's been a chart regular but it will be more than two years before we hear from her again.

Record of the week : 33. Help Me Rhonda - The Beach Boys

I think this one will take the honours this week. It's a rare lead vocal from Al Jardine supported by some fine harmonies from the others. The guitars, drums and piano also help to make this a feel good song for the summer. It will spend ten weeks in the top 40 but not go any higher than number 27 while in the US, it will be the group's second chart topper.

Some goodies this week, I'm Alive is a great early Hollies single, I cant recall whether I knew it the time or got to pick up on it in the 70's, but it chugs along and builds nicely. Colours is mellow Donovan, and another I like, very Dylanesque as appropriately Johnny Cash covers actual Dylan, and does it very well, always like the song. Roger Miller was a kiddie fave without actually being aware of him too much as a named artist, his voice was enough. Engine 9 is quite pleasant and not one I recall. Shirl trying to outdo Edith Piaf was never going to win - she's like a foghorn, Piaf is pure emotion, and the class of the French-language version is eternal.

Help Me Rhonda also wins for me, The Beach Boys by this stage were getting increasingly classy, and the production improving. By the start of the 70's their back catalogue was growing ready for the 1976 big revival - my Uncle had pretty much every Beach Boys album by 1975 so I was very aware of how much I loved their 60's era and dashed out to buy 20 Golden Greats, including Help Me Rhonda, played it a lot. Al Jardine has the bonus of not really falling out with anyone, and just quietly getting an occasional lead, not least the fab Lady Lynda in 1979.