Love 'Legend Of Xanadu', 'Pictures Of Matchstick Men' and 'Green Tambourine' from the batch you posted on Thursday. Status Quo can be awfully formulaic but that was a cracking start from them. How random that we ended up with two 'Xanadu'-related chart toppers in the U.K. but not complaining, both are fabulous. That whip crack *.*

 

'This Wheel's On Fire' :wub: :wub: an example of Dylan's wordsmith genius being more palatable when performed by another artist :kink: seriously though, I really love what they did with the song.

I know it’s not original but “Rainbow Valley” is such an enchanting song as well as being a proper ear worm that I want to keep playing!

 

9 Love Affair Rainbow Valley Again their big hit is a Robert Knight cover: this surpasses "Everlasting Love" for me and the female vocal adds a touch of magic

8 Tyrannosaurus Rex Debora A small debut hit for them but an excellent one that shows their potential: it has quite a mesmerising repetitive urgency to it

8 Dionne Warwick Do You Know The Way To San Jose Pipping "Walk On By" for her highest peak yet, this is a very pretty, understated and laid back soul song with gentle backing

7 The Beach Boys Friends I really love the warm and cosy sound world of this and its waltz tempo: it retains the Beach Boys style but also develops it

7 The Everly Brothers It's My Time Last of their 29 Top 40s though they'll somehow reach #41 in 1984: this is a lovely little folky track with flute countermelody

6 Des O'Connor I Pretend 253rd #1 and epic chart run: I could pretend to turn my nose up at this MOR ballad but it's such a lovely melody I really enjoy it

6 The Tremeloes Helule Helule Their version of a Kenyan song in Swahili; an intriguing track with jungle rhythms that still maintains the band's signature sound

5 The Equals Baby Come Back 252nd #1: a strong tune but I think the 1994 reggae reinterpretation will add something that this lacks; just feels a little flat

4 Engelbert Humperdinck A Man Without Love Certainly one of his better ones: a good tune and pleasant piece of easy listening, but I can't say I find it moving or interesting

4 Massiel La La La The Eurovision winner; I do like the instrumentation and it is enjoyable despite the "la la la" lyrics, but not a timeless classic

3 Scott Walker Joanna "Joanna" is no "Jacky" despite having a much higher peak; a rather lifeless ballad but performed and produced very nicely

3 Elvis Presley US Male I imagine studies on "toxic masculinity" would have a field day with this, but the underlying track is quite enjoyable and twangy

2 Herman's Hermits Sleepy Joe They can be brilliant but this one is grating, and when you've really had enough of the chorus it comes again with a key change

1 Solomon King When We Were Young I thought his big voice worked for "She Wears My Ring" but he really throttles all the life out of this song and it isn't enjoyable

 

 

1968 Group 7:

 

#3095 18/05/1968 Nirvana {60s} Rainbow Chaser 34 49-43-{34}-37-38-38->6

#3096 25/05/1968 The Association Time For Livin' 23 35-26-25-28-26-{23}-24-41->8

#3097 25/05/1968 Aretha Franklin Think 26 38-27-{26}-27-29-29-42-39-46->9

#3098 25/05/1968 The Marmalade Lovin' Things 6 45-43-31-18-12-9-{6}-7-14-26-27-35-44->13

#3099 01/06/1968 The Rolling Stones Jumpin' Jack Flash 1 18-4-2-{1}-1-3-5-9-19-28-39->11

#3100 01/06/1968 Otis Redding The Happy Song (Dum-Dum) 24 28-27-29-{24}-41->5

#3101 01/06/1968 Don Partridge Blue Eyes 3 32-17-7-{3}-5-7-10-11-16-25-38-45-48->13

#3102 01/06/1968 Donovan Hurdy Gurdy Man 4 33-20-8-{4}-4-4-6-20-24-31->10

#3103 01/06/1968 O.C. Smith The Son Of Hickory Holler's Tramp 2 45-30-20-13-7-{2}-2-2-6-9-16-21-22-27-36->15

#3104 01/06/1968 William Bell Tribute To A King 31 50-35-32-33-{31}-37-50->7

#3105 08/06/1968 Lulu Boy 15 33-30-22-{15}-18-26-39->7

#3106 08/06/1968 The Sandpipers Quando M'Innamoro (A Man Without Love) 33 36-{33}-35-43-40-46->6

#3107 08/06/1968 Cream Anyone For Tennis (The Savage Seven Theme) 40 45-{40}-48->3

#3108 08/06/1968 Tommy James And The Shondells Mony Mony 1 48-37-34-26-14-11-6-2-{1}-1-2-1-4-9-14-25-32-44->18

Edited January 2, 20241 yr by Jingle Jules

I love Rainbow Valley too, and as it never gets airplay it's always fresh as the day it came out. What a tune! Debora was unknown to me in 1968 but a big top 5 UK hit in 1972, Marc Bolan warbling along like an acoustic elf with added bongos. Loved it in 1972, not so much these days, hasnt aged that well for me, though I still like it.

 

Dionne at her peak, San Jose was an anthem, though maybe less known these days, Bacharach still had it. And yes, I do know the way to San Jose: head southeast from the Golden Gate Bridge, go to Chinatown, and look for the highway signs, it's signposted :lol: Friends is pleasant, but not A grade Beach Boys, and It's My Time is OK.

 

I Pretend was a big fave for dad, one of the reasons he bought the 16 Big Hits album. As always he could sing along flawlessly, I have a tape of him singing it in Singapore. So it means more to me than I rate it musically. Nice melody and Des was always a laugh, not least his guest spot on Morecambe & Wise, hilarious and a peak moment for all concerned after years of getting the piss taken out of his singing by Eric & Ernie.

 

Helule is a nice cheerful tune, Baby Come Back is the version for me, not even Eddy Grant's own cover had the liveliness of the original, though I loved Viva Bobby Joe even more in '69. A Man Without Love is by far my fave Engelbert record, it's an ebb and flowing melody and takes me back to Singapore (yes 16 Big Hits again, honest there are only 16 of 'em, not many left to mention!).

 

La La La is a nice tune but Cliff was robbed, just like Vicky Leandros was in 1967. Joanna was Scott being non-controversial and rather dull. US Male was OK Elvis, nothing special. Sleepy Joe not a fave, I barely recall it at all from the time and I really don't remember Solomon King's and I heard it a few years ago. Not a fan. :o

I have such a soft spot for 'La La La' as it really reminds me of my grandma <3 we watched a compilation of Eurovision winners together once and her face lit up when she was reminded of its existence. She's Spanish and it was their first victory in the contest so quite a memorable moment in her many decades of watching I guess. She would've been a couple of years older than I am now at the time!

 

Like John I also prefer this original version of 'Baby Come Back' by The Equals. I'm not actually sure which iteration I would've come across first.

I have such a soft spot for 'La La La' as it really reminds me of my grandma <3 we watched a compilation of Eurovision winners together once and her face lit up when she was reminded of its existence. She's Spanish and it was their first victory in the contest so quite a memorable moment in her many decades of watching I guess. She would've been a couple of years older than I am now at the time!

That’s a lovely memory Jade :heart:

“Jumping Jack Flash” is so culturally significant, but the record still spinning round my head is “Hurdy Gurdy Man”. I love this so much - think it has the elements of some great late Beatles with the lyrics that tread the line between philosophy and nonsense, the compelling flow of the melody and the splashy Eastern inspired instrumentation.

 

9 Donovan Hurdy Gurdy Man A great bit of psychedelia from Donovan with a hypnotic rhythm, Eastern instrumental effects and beautiful poetic lyrics

9 The Rolling Stones Jumpin' Jack Flash 251st #1: back to their best; the guitars drive it forward in a very pleasing way but it's also a great performance from Mick

8 Nirvana {60s} Rainbow Chaser Only hit for this band who later sued the 90s Nirvana; a very interesting sounding record using innovative phasing techniques

7 Tommy James And The Shondells Mony Mony 254th #1: no surprise that this did well as it's such a clever singalong style number; love how it turns shouty towards the end

7 Don Partridge Blue Eyes He has a gorgeous vocal tone and this is a simple but beautiful and sincerely performed ballad with nice harmonica moments

6 Aretha Franklin Think Quite a similar style to "RESPECT" here: a track that really hits you straight away and shows off her vocal capabilities very well

6 The Marmalade Lovin' Things Debut hit for this Scottish pop rock band and it's rather promising and catchy with wholesome band and organ backing

5 The Association Time For Livin' Only hit here for this US group who had much more success Stateside: a very pleasant pop song but it doesn't stand out from the crowd

5 Lulu Boy Another fun one in her raspy high energy style, and it has a strong melody, but all in all does not feel like essential listening

4 Cream Anyone For Tennis (The Savage Seven Theme) An intrguing film theme with nice psychedelic elements but feels a bit laid back and trivial and leaves you thinking so what

4 O.C. Smith The Son Of Hickory Holler's Tramp 1st of 2 hits for this US RnB singer: lyrically it's an interesting story and it's sung well but doesn't do much for me as a record

3 The Sandpipers Quando M'Innamoro (A Man Without Love) An Italian version of the song by this US band who specialised in international hits; it's fine but actually prefer Engelbert's

2 Otis Redding The Happy Song (Dum-Dum) Seems an odd rather lightweight choice of posthumous follow up and does not make me happy as I find the chorus irritating

1 William Bell Tribute To A King I'm not keen on this rather American tribute style and this one is really a dirge; hard to see why anyone would want to listen

 

 

 

1968 Group 8:

 

#3109 08/06/1968 Ohio Express Yummy Yummy Yummy 5 50-35-25-12-11-9-{5}-5-10-13-18-18-32-42-43->15

#3110 15/06/1968 Cilla Black Where Is Tomorrow 39 {39}-40-49->3

#3111 15/06/1968 Marvin Gaye And Tammi Terrell Ain't Nothing Like The Real Thing 34 43-39-47-35-{34}-41-37->7

#3112 15/06/1968 Manfred Mann My Name Is Jack 8 50-21-11-9-{8}-10-13-21-26-25-33->11

#3113 22/06/1968 John Rowles Hush Not A Word To Mary 12 36-18-{12}-14-12-14-24-24-31-43->10

#3114 22/06/1968 Cupid's Inspiration Yesterday Has Gone 4 37-16-8-{4}-4-7-13-20-28-37-44->11

#3115 22/06/1968 Esther And Abi Ofarim One More Dance 13 42-21-15-15-{13}-15-23-25-30->9

#3116 22/06/1968 The Who Dogs 25 46-40-26-{25}-40->5

#3117 22/06/1968 R Dean Taylor Gotta See Jane 17 50-36-31-23-18-20-{17}-21-22-25-39-50->12

#3118 29/06/1968 Richard Harris MacArthur Park 4 35-19-12-7-{4}-4-8-15-27-26-35-49->12

#3119 29/06/1968 The Monkees D.W. Washburn 17 37-20-{17}-21-27-32->6

#3120 29/06/1968 The Crazy World Of Arthur Brown Fire 1 38-30-18-8-8-3-2-{1}-2-6-8-15-22-35->14

#3121 29/06/1968 Cliff Richard I'll Love You Forever Today 27 39-{27}-29-30-30-35->6

#3122 29/06/1968 Bruce Channel Keep On 12 44-32-22-29-21-18-14-14-13-{12}-12-21-24-29-35-46->16

Edited January 2, 20241 yr by Jingle Jules

Hurdy Gurdy Man is one of Donovan's best records, though it wasn't a top fave of mine at the time, I just liked it. Jumpin' Jack Flash ditto really, I realised it was a classic in the 70's. Rainbow Chaser was a 70's discovery and I went big on the 60's psychedelic sounds, still love it. Mony Mony was a rousing stomper which came back again in 1969 for me on dad's 16 Big Hits and then again in the 70's, long before Billy Idol brought it back in the 80's. Still a monster track for me, Tommy James'.

 

Blue Eyes I loved more than Rosie at the time, it's a better tune and is all about the early summer of '68 and listening to the radio as bunches of us kids spent work days hanging around the RAF tailor shop complex - RAF Swinderby was a recruit training center so there were lots of uniforms that needed cleaning, pressing, repairing and the contract was run by the 2 Bhatti brothers, with RAF wives like my mum hired to do the work. Their son Pasha was often there so we'd invent games inside the building, and outside running around the hangars, and cinema areas near the airfield. I think I was the oldest kid. All sadly long one now...it's an industrial estate.

 

Think's a goodie, but not one I heard much at the time. Lovin' Things though was a big radio hit, fab tune. Time For Livin' again not one I got to hear, but it's OK, Boy is Lulu on coast-mode, jolly enough though. The Cream track means nothing to me, never a fan of theirs, but O.C. Smith was a biggie, as I've mentioned before I thought it was a song about an actual Tramp in the traditional use of the word. I had no idea what Hickory Holler was doing sponsoring him.

 

The sandpipers, liked them generally, but no it's all about Engelbert. The Otis release was a huge mistake. The William Bell record was well-meaning, the assassination of MLK was a shock to everyone who supported him, including mum and dad, and we would have another assassination before year-end that was a shock to all of us, and changed world history, most likely. I wouldnt want to hear this record though.

“MacArthur Park” is a total one off and well worth every one of its seven minutes!

9 Richard Harris MacArthur Park Only hit for this Irish actor and a unique, epic record which manages to be wonderful despite lyrics about a rain soaked cake

8 Marvin Gaye And Tammi Terrell Ain't Nothing Like The Real Thing First of a few duets between Marvin and Tammi who died very young and this classic only reached #34; what a soulful ballad

8 The Crazy World Of Arthur Brown Fire 255th #1: only hit for this English band who are still together, and it's such a fun, quirky and musically interesting record

7 R Dean Taylor Gotta See Jane Debut hit for this Canadian singer songwriter; a captivating song with a frantic urgency and angst ridden vocals and violins

7 Bruce Channel Keep On His only hit after "Hey Baby" 6 years ago and this is a rather lovely and catchy folk rock number which he gives plenty of welly

6 Cupid's Inspiration Yesterday Has Gone Another British band that's still going with their biggest hit: a cover of a US band's song and it's a powerful catchy number

5 The Who Dogs One of their less successful hits: it has a Mockney music hall style and some slightly odd elements, but still an enjoyable listen

5 The Monkees D.W. Washburn About a homeless man who refuses charity, this has a lazy slightly comic feel to it; an interesting record but not one I love

4 John Rowles Hush Not A Word To Mary His 2nd and final hit: his version of "If I Only Had Time" really moved me somehow but this, while a pleasant ballad, doesn't

4 Manfred Mann My Name Is Jack The song was written for a film, hence the strange lyrics about a hostel, and it's catchy but all a bit silly and raucously sung

3 Ohio Express Yummy Yummy Yummy Certainly a well remembered record and there are some nice parts to it but the main hook is so irritating I can't get past that

3 Esther And Abi Ofarim One More Dance 2nd and final appearance from them: there's black humour in the lyrics and she actually has a lovely voice; interesting novelty

2 Cliff Richard I'll Love You Forever Today There's some nice instrumentation, especially the trumpet opening and the harp, but all in all it's a flaccid and saccharine ballad

2 Cilla Black Where Is Tomorrow Starts quite nicely but unfortunately this is another one that the vocals, especially in the chorus, make a fairly unpleasant listen

 

 

1968 Group 9:

 

#3123 29/06/1968 Vince Hill Importance Of Your Love 32 48-47-{32}-32-35-34-40-41-45-47-45-45->12

#3124 29/06/1968 New Generation Smokey Blues Away 38 50-45-{38}-47-41->5

#3125 06/07/1968 Sue Nicholls Where Will You Be 17 33-24-19-{17}-22-22-35-44->8

#3126 06/07/1968 Diana Ross And The Supremes Some Things You Never Get Used To 34 {34}-35-35-36-48-47->6

#3127 06/07/1968 Herb Alpert And The Tijuana Brass This Guy's In Love With You 3 46-28-16-9-11-5-{3}-3-3-3-6-10-15-21-30-43-46R(23)-49R(2)-50R(4)->19

#3128 06/07/1968 Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick And Tich Last Night In Soho 8 48-30-24-12-{8}-9-10-15-20-25-35->11

#3129 13/07/1968 Dusty Springfield I Close My Eyes And Count To Ten 4 31-22-11-7-6-{4}-6-13-17-23-28-34->12

#3130 13/07/1968 Small Faces Universal 16 37-23-18-{16}-18-20-19-23-30-38-42->11

#3131 13/07/1968 The Nice America 21 40-36-31-33-34-33-31-25-28-26-{21}-26-25-33-39->15

#3132 13/07/1968 Simon And Garfunkel Mrs Robinson 4 42-17-10-5-{4}-6-11-17-23-30-46-44->12

#3133 13/07/1968 PP Arnold Angel Of The Morning 29 45-49-40-36-30-{29}-34-37-43-42-50->11

#3134 13/07/1968 Sly And The Family Stone Dance To The Music 7 47-27-23-14-12-{7}-10-10-13-20-23-31-37-37->14

Edited January 2, 20241 yr by Jingle Jules

I am obligated to stan The Crazy World Of Arthur Brown *.* that being a #1 hit will never cease to amaze me.

 

(and yet another 'that peaked that low?' moment for Marvin & Tammi there! admittedly I mainly know the song from being in an ad and not sure I've ever heard it in full lol)

 

((and I will confess to having a soft spot for 'Yummy Yummy Yummy'))

Macarhur Park is epic, Jimmy Webb flexing his songwriting muscles as he was about to embark on a string of Glen Campbell classics like the equally brilliant By The Time I Get To Phoenix, criminally never a UK hit. Mac Park is like a mini movie on acid and I also love Donna Summer's 70's cover. Ain;t Nothin' Like The Real Thing, like all Marvin & Tammi tracks never made any impression on me at all in the 60's, dont recall ever hearing them and most of the kudos came long after poor Tammi had died. Always good records except the one big hit they had, which I also missed (out the country).

 

Fire was fabulous fun, I remember that burning hat on Top Of The Pops, once seen....it may or may not have had an impact on me building fires on nearby wasteground using bricks and rubbish. I like to think I was improving the environment. Gotta See Jane is my record of the batch, frantic and urgent, relentless Motown northern soul, one of the few white acts on Motown. It was a hit again in 1974 which was when I took note, having bought R.Dean Taylor's best of album.

 

Keep On is fab, my fave record of this batch at the time, mad on that one and so much better than Hey Baby. Cool-sounding and sadly forgotten in a way that DJ Otzi ought to be. Yesterday Has Gone is another powerful fab track, love it. One I rediscovered in the 70's and loved it even more.

 

Dogs? Woof. D.W.Washburn was a "what on earth were they thinking?" single. They had so many fab album tracks they could have put out instead. Hush Not A Word was OK at best. Cliff passed me by entirely. Not one of Cilla's greats.

 

Which leaves the wonderful My Name Is Jack another massive fave, very 60's and kiddie-appealing, for me it's right up there with Teenage Opera, in fact it would fit very nicely in the musical if someone ever got round to finishing it. Yummy Yummy Yummy the ultimate bubblegum record, they went on to do Chewy Chewy and had a few US hits, but this is both basic simplistic but slightly subversive with it's self-awareness in the more adult lead vocal. It's actually quite naughty! Another 16 Big Hits fave. One More Dance was a big fave at the time, more than Cinderella Rockefella even. The dark vibe and sense of humour still sells it to me, but it's not a rock classic as such!

 

 

Another great group as the late 60s continues to deliver in spades. A shout out to “Here Comes The Judge” which despite not being a brilliant piece of music in itself seems to be hugely influential. “Mrs Robinson” needs no introduction but it’s Dusty who gets the first 10 of the year with what I think is the perfect match of artist and song.

 

10 Dusty Springfield I Close My Eyes And Count To Ten Dusty's had some great singles but I think this is the best; the perfect song for her because it's so emotionally charged - fabulous

9 Simon And Garfunkel Mrs Robinson Very slightly more Spotify plays even than "The Sound Of Silence" for this classic; the guitar parts are actually my favourite

8 Herb Alpert And The Tijuana Brass This Guy's In Love With You An utterly gorgeous Bacharach song; Herb was mainly a trumpeter but he sings this incredibly tenderly and with so much warmth

8 Sly And The Family Stone Dance To The Music Another classic here and the first hit for this pioneering RnB group: there's so much going on here beyond the well known riff

7 Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick And Tich Last Night In Soho I love the frantic baseline running through this and they're embracing another slightly different style: this has such a dramatic feel

7 PP Arnold Angel Of The Morning Not the original of this but a very beautiful and passion filled song and an excellently sung version; her 2nd and final solo Top 40

6 Tom Jones Help Yourself Great chart run and one of his best tunes where he shows off his voice without going over the top; hasn't suffered from overplay

6 Small Faces Universal Another interesting change in style for them as this is rather more folky with clarinet and horn parts; unusual but quite enjoyable

5 Pigmeat Markham Here Comes The Judge A fascinating and very fun record thought to be a precursor to hip hop: only doesn't score higher because it's a disjointed listen

5 Vince Hill Importance Of Your Love Originally a French song and he does some parts in French: this is rather nice and done with feeling; my favourite of his to date

4 The Nice America Only hit for them: a 6 minute instrumental of "America" from "West Side Story"; odd concept but has some great guitar moments

4 Diana Ross And The Supremes Some Things You Never Get Used To I think the trouble with The Supremes is that the songs do all have the same sound, so when the song isn't great it's slightly dull

3 New Generation Smokey Blues Away Only hit for them: not bad but the tune is from Dvorak's "New World Symphony" and later in Hovis ads which rather puts me off

2 Sue Nicholls Where Will You Be Only hit for this British actress which apparently arose from her acting in "Crossroads"; not unpleasant but an uninteresting ballad

 

 

 

1968 Group 10:

 

#3137 20/07/1968 Shorty Long Here Comes The Judge 30 38-32-{30}-32-32-35-45->7

#3138 20/07/1968 The Kinks Days 12 42-34-19-15-{12}-14-15-19-24-34->10

#3139 20/07/1968 Fleetwood Mac Need Your Love So Bad 31 44-50-42-45-39-32-40-33-33-{31}-38-41-44->13

#3140 20/07/1968 Elvis Presley Your Time Hasn't Come Yet, Baby 22 45-45-40-28-23-24-{22}-24-34-41-43->11

#3141 20/07/1968 Herman's Hermits Sunshine Girl 8 48-29-15-10-{8}-8-9-11-16-20-25-30-35-50->14

#3142 27/07/1968 Canned Heat On The Road Again 8 44-37-29-27-16-16-10-10-{8}-8-14-25-28-28-44->15

#3143 27/07/1968 The Beach Boys Do It Again 1 46-26-17-11-4-{1}-2-3-5-7-12-20-23-30->14

#3144 27/07/1968 Roy Orbison Walk On 39 48-{39}-43-40-49-46-44-47-43-46->10

#3145 27/07/1968 Timebox Beggin' 38 49-{38}-48-48->4

#3146 03/08/1968 Amen Corner High In The Sky 6 44-23-17-9-7-{6}-9-11-11-10-18-26-41->13

#3147 03/08/1968 Ray Charles Eleanor Rigby 36 45-{36}-37-40-42-40-40-44-50->9

#3148 03/08/1968 Otis Redding Hard To Handle 15 46-31-24-23-19-18-19-{15}-16-20-28-31->12

#3149 10/08/1968 Bee Gees I've Gotta Get A Message To You 1 27-13-7-2-{1}-2-3-4-6-13-16-20-38-49-47->15

#3150 10/08/1968 Aretha Franklin I Say A Little Prayer 4 37-26-17-8-{4}-4-4-6-8-12-21-23-32-42->14

Edited January 4, 20241 yr by Jingle Jules

'Mrs. Robinson' another classic of course :heart: and 'Last Night In Soho' was sent to BJSC by Popchartfreak a couple of years back, I ranked it 15th in its semi so pretty good.

 

Don't think I have heard of the Pigmeat Markham song but my interest is mildly piqued by that description x

Dusty is a perfect 10 for me too, and also her best record. Such an epic heartbreaker from the greatest British singer of all time, she knew how to construct emotion into song. Mrs Robinson still a big fave, it'll be back again in '69 and I remember seeing the film for the first time on telly in the mid 70's, when it was regarded as a little bit risque. Herb Alpert along with Dusty and DDBM&T were my faves of the time, Bacharach at the top of his game and nobody sings it like Herb, not even Dionne. 10 year-old me really went for classy emotional tunes, I'm such a softy.

 

Sly & Co was a fave - these days I prefer their later non-UK-hits, but it's a ground-breaker. Last Night In Soho, I love it so much I entered it into BJSC. So good, Edgar Wright and Tarantino used it as the inspiration for a fabulous mystery period drama movie the other year and named it after the song, and used it in the end-credits. Under-rated genius, so thanks lads it was so great not being a voice in the wilderness after 50-odd years of bewilderment at nobody else knowing or loving it.

 

PP Arnold did a great version, is still doing great stuff and was on Jools Holland on New Years Eve. And yet my fave version is the one featured in Deadpool, from the 80's - Juice Newton. Help Yourself was a singalong happy fave of the time, still like it. Universal is decent. Here Comes The Judge was another fave of the time, featured as an ongoing catchphrase on Rowan & Martin's genre-breaking comedy show, and a bit of a novelty hit, but it's def rap arguably (by me) along with a forthcoming British effort.

 

The rest are all various degrees of OK. The Nice took an old classic fave Musical song and made it Progrock. Keith Emerson shortly to form Emerson Lake & Palmer and go the whole Prog hog.

 

 

5 Pigmeat Markham Here Comes The Judge A fascinating and very fun record thought to be a precursor to hip hop: only doesn't score higher because it's a disjointed listen

 

Wow, this sounds nothing like what I'd have expected to be charting in 1968.

 

What a curious track, definitely must be up there as one of the earliest rap tracks, even though it's not quite that.

Wow, this sounds nothing like what I'd have expected to be charting in 1968.

 

What a curious track, definitely must be up there as one of the earliest rap tracks, even though it's not quite that.

Yeah was a bit of a jaw hitting the floor moment hearing it!

Undeniable track 'Mrs Robinson' is but I do prefer a few others of theirs notably 'The Sound of Silence' and 'Scarborough Fair'!

It’s going to be 2 perfect 10s on the bounce with one of Bacharach’s very finest records. Also “Days” really underperformed but is up there with The Kinks’ best tunes.

 

10 Aretha Franklin I Say A Little Prayer Probably my favourite song ever of its genre: such a warm and sparkling record and every second of the vocals is an utter delight

9 The Kinks Days I don't know how this stalled at #12: more folky in style than much of their output but such a beautiful, wistful and tender song

8 Canned Heat On The Road Again Debut hit for this US blues rock band: I love the vibe of this and the lead singer's unique high pitched vocals; it's a great song

8 The Beach Boys Do It Again 256th #1: great to see them back at the top and while this isn't quite up with their 1966 material it's an excellent catchy number

7 Timebox Beggin' A rock soul classic: the Four Seasons original didn't chart here but I really like this UK band's cover which was their only hit

7 Amen Corner High In The Sky My favourite part of this is the "high-igh-igh" before the chorus: a very catchy song that gives that bracing feeling of flying

6 Ray Charles Eleanor Rigby Hard to cover one of the best songs ever written and come out well but this is a really interesting jazzy take excellently sung

6 Roy Orbison Walk On A small hit but a nice return to his signature sound with the driving repeated rhythm and the sense of something epic building

5 Herman's Hermits Sunshine Girl Another catchy tune, of which they have many, and Indo get sunshine from it, but there isn't anything to elevate it above nice

5 Elvis Presley Your Time Hasn't Come Yet, Baby The time for his 2nd wind of consistent chart success hasn't come yet: a pleasant tune but also for the nice but not essential pile

4 Shorty Long Here Comes The Judge Only hit for this US singer and a cover of this that charted at the same time with a slicker sung hook and snappier pace: not bad

4 Bee Gees I've Gotta Get A Message To You 257th #1: I can see why this did well for them and it's a compelling tune but after a few listens it's slightly turgid and plodding

3 Otis Redding Hard To Handle His last solo Top 40, and better than "The Happy Song" but quite ordinary; you can see why "Dock Of The Bay" was such a risk

3 Fleetwood Mac Need Your Love So Bad A cover of a very slow 50s soul song as their 2nd hit and it's technically good but doesn't really connect with me: they'll be back

 

 

 

1968 Group 11:

 

#3151 10/08/1968 Johnny Nash Hold Me Tight 5 42-38-20-11-7-{5}-7-5-5-10-15-16-22-29-35-48->16

#3152 10/08/1968 The Moody Blues Voices In The Sky 27 46-36-29-28-{27}-27-32-33-39-45->10

#3153 10/08/1968 The Union Gap Featuring Gary Puckett Lady Willpower 5 50-34-30-21-15-13-9-10-7-{5}-5-9-15-19-31-40->16

#3154 17/08/1968 Anita Harris Dream A Little Dream Of Me 33 46-36-34-41-36-{33}-49-48->8

#3155 17/08/1968 Grapefruit C'mon Marianne 31 47-46-36-32-{31}-37-40-47-48-49->10

#3156 17/08/1968 Mama Cass With The Mamas And The Papas Dream A Little Dream Of Me 11 49-28-18-14-{11}-12-14-15-16-25-29-46->12

#3157 17/08/1968 The Casuals Jesamine 2 50-38-24-22-12-6-3-3-3-{2}-3-8-11-10-16-26-46-50->18

#3158 24/08/1968 The Equals Laurel And Hardy 35 39-{35}-37-39-49->5

#3159 24/08/1968 The Four Tops Yesterday's Dreams 23 41-38-29-29-27-{23}-29-32-36-47-43-47-39-38-46->15

#3160 24/08/1968 Leapy Lee Little Arrows 2 47-31-20-17-13-9-4-{2}-4-4-4-8-14-13-20-24-33-48-40-50-49->21

#3161 24/08/1968 Status Quo Ice In The Sun 8 50-33-26-22-17-17-11-{8}-14-18-25-36->12

#3162 31/08/1968 The Doors Hello, I Love You 15 41-46-32-19-18-16-{15}-19-19-26-40-43->12

#3163 31/08/1968 Mason Williams Classical Gas 9 43-31-25-16-12-13-{9}-11-15-17-20-29-39->13

#3164 31/08/1968 Long John Baldry When The Sun Comes Shining Thru' 29 49-47-37-{29}-39-50-49->7

Edited January 15, 20241 yr by JulianT

'I Say A Little Prayer' is a soul gem!

Aretha was on dad's 16 Big Hits LP and a classic fave, so good Scritti Politti wrote a song Wood Beez (Pray Like Aretha Franklin) which was also fab. her phrasing vocally is just perfect. No wonder Dusty saw her as an aspiration and went to Memphis. Days, I have to say, I didn't know at the time - I can only assume it wasnt getting much airplay (if any) as I went huge on Autumn Almanac so its not as if I didn't like The Kinks. Kirsty MacColl was really my original version as a result, but it's a sweet original.

 

On The Road Again I liked, but his voice was a bit off-putting, Do It Again was a bonus late Beach Boys gem post-Brian Wilson's golden age, and one I rated a lot, Beggin' also passed me by, didn't know the song till it popped back decades later, by which time it was all about The Four Seasons for me, and Jersey Boys. This version is OK. High In The Sky was another frantic Amen Corner fave, and Eleanor Rigby not in the same league as The Fabs, but Ray does soul gospel like no-one of course.

 

Walk On was another I didnt know for decades, it's Roy so it's good of course. Sunshine Girl became a naughty playground tune in the autumn with amended lyrics. "Sunshine Girl I'm Looking down your bra, I see 2 round things, I wonder what they are, will you invite me to squeeze them tightly? Not bloody likely, My Sunshine Girl". Amusing to 10-year-olds. I wonder what Peter Noone thinks...

 

Your Time was my fave tune from the Elvis/Nancy Sinatra movie Speedway, which we went to see at the cinema with mum. Loved the song, and latterly wish the Nancy track in the film had been a single too. These days, it's merely OK, the Elvis tune, sweet. Bill Bixby was also in the film, a favourite from TV sitcom show My Favourite Martian, and future Incredible Hulk.

 

Shorty Long? No idea. The Bee Gees number 1 was a huge fave, still is, though the lyrics mean it's not really one anyone has chosen to cover, unlike lesser hits from the time. Hard To Handle much-covered, and decent, and the Fleetwood song was a nice one, still like it.

Johnny’s is such an individual record but it’s also really beautiful to listen

 

9 Johnny Nash Hold Me Tight Debut hit for this US reggae pop singer songwriter; it sounds like nothing else in the charts and has a gorgeous hypnotic quality

8 The Moody Blues Voices In The Sky Aside from "Go Now" they haven't had any big hits, this included, but it's a beautiful gentle song with backing flute and choir

7 Mama Cass With The Mamas And The Papas Dream A Little Dream Of Me A 1930s popular standard, both versions of which we're getting here are really lovely: last hit credited to them as a group

7 Long John Baldry When The Sun Comes Shining Thru' I much prefer this to his chart topper even though it wasn't too successful: an earworm and he really gets into the prrformance

6 Anita Harris Dream A Little Dream Of Me Think the production in The Mamas And The Papas' version is slightly more interesting but her voice in this is gorgeous too

6 Mason Williams Classical Gas A very intrguing and enjoyable instrumental for classical guitar originally called "Classical Gasoline" but shortened by mistake

6 The Four Tops Yesterday's Dreams Less instant than many of their hits but a really warm and gentle heartbreak ballad intimately performed with a waltz-like feel

5 Status Quo Ice In The Sun More like the sound we'll come to expect from them than debut with its upbeat stompiness, but really catchy and good lyrics

5 The Doors Hello, I Love You "Light My Fire" missed first time so this is the US rock band's debut Top 40: quite poppy for them and I like but don't love it

4 Grapefruit C'mon Marianne Another Four Seasons song that didn't chart here which has their footprint: this version isn't bad but the vocals are slightly rough

4 The Casuals Jesamine Biggest hit for this English group: can see why it was popular and there's a lovely sincerity to it but it's slightly on the drippy side

3 Leapy Lee Little Arrows Was surprised to find this country singer was British, here with by far his biggest hit which is not great but light hearted fun

2 The Union Gap Featuring Gary Puckett Lady Willpower Only Top 40 for them other than "Young Girl" and this has a similar theme to it but with much less of the other song's charm

2 The Equals Laurel And Hardy A surprising follow up to "Baby Come Back" with a rather childish seeming whistle along repeated tune: don't get this at all

 

 

1968 Group 12:

 

#3165 31/08/1968 Vanity Fare I Live For The Sun 20 50-34-28-26-{20}-22-24-27-42->9

#3166 07/09/1968 The Beatles Hey Jude 1 21-{1}-1-2-2-4-3-2-7-10-11-24-25-30-45-50->16

#3167 07/09/1968 Tyrannosaurus Rex One Inch Rock 28 48-41-30-{28}-31-36-48->7

#3168 07/09/1968 Mary Hopkin Those Were The Days 1 49-7-2-{1}-1-1-1-1-1-2-5-9-11-16-18-23-24-29-35-50-50->21

#3169 14/09/1968 Wilson Pickett I'm A Midnight Mover 38 44-40-42-{38}-41-41->6

#3170 14/09/1968 Love Affair A Day Without Love 6 46-35-22-17-11-9-{6}-11-15-20-29-40->12

#3171 14/09/1968 Jimmy James And The Vagabonds Red, Red Wine 36 48-47-41-{36}-42-38-36-45->8

#3172 14/09/1968 Hugo Montenegro, His Orchestra And Chorus The Good, The Bad And The Ugly 1 50-36-36-27-21-12-7-3-3-{1}-1-1-1-2-6-8-15-16-15-19-31-50-33-45-48R(4)->25

#3173 21/09/1968 The Band The Weight 21 38-24-24-29-22-{21}-31-46-44->9

#3174 21/09/1968 The Dave Clark Five Red Balloon 7 39-19-9-{7}-8-14-13-22-27-33-50->11

#3175 21/09/1968 The Tremeloes My Little Lady 6 45-27-18-{6}-6-8-10-13-17-23-38-47->12

#3176 21/09/1968 Jose Feliciano Light My Fire 6 48-30-23-17-10-10-{6}-7-7-11-13-21-31-43-43-48->16

#3177 28/09/1968 Engelbert Humperdinck Les Bicyclettes De Belsize 5 37-32-14-7-{5}-9-12-12-19-27-25-26-40-46-49->15

#3178 28/09/1968 Cliff Richard Marianne 22 45-28-27-29-{22}-24-34-46->8

Edited January 15, 20241 yr by JulianT