Closing the book on 1965.
20 - "I'm a Fool," Dino, Desi and Billy
14-year-old Dean Paul Martin, his 12-year-old friend and fellow celebrity namesake son Desi Arnaz, Jr., and their Beverly Hills schoolmate Billy Hinsche, put a band together, got signed by Frank Sinatra's Reprise label, and managed a couple of hits, the first and biggest being this limp attempt at garage rock. These guys would have never gotten farther than their block if not for their connections, but oh well, so is life. And Dean Paul died much too young.
19 - "Take Me Back," Little Anthony and The Imperials
Anthony Gourdine and his group of New York doo-woppers released a couple of hits in the late 50s, most notably "Tears on My Pillow." Gourdine left the Imperials in 1961, but upon his return three years later, they scored five more Top 40s, including this balladic statement from a guy who says he's not so jealous and possessive anymore and is thus ready to be a better boyfriend. It's pretty, orchestrated pop, but nothing that special.
18 - "Nothing But Heartaches," The Supremes
The artists formerly known as The Primettes were up an running as a hit machine. The previous year's "Where Did Our Love Go" began a run of five straigh #1 singles, a string broken when this song only climbed as high as #11. It's about not being able to stay away from a man that's nothing but trouble. Sonically and vocally, it's typical of their output, and it's certainly just as good a to these ears as many of their charttoppers. But the song's relative failure did not sit well with Motown head Berry Gordy, who then decided to withdraw the group's prospective follow-up single because he wanted his flagship act to only release Number One records. And for the record, the next single the Supremes did put out, "I Hear a Symphony," returned them to the top spot. The man knew his business, I guess.
17 - "You Were On My Mind," We Five
This four-man, one-woman combo from San Francisco had their biggest hit with this poppy treatment of a number originally recorded in 1964 by Canadian folk duo Ian and Sylvia. The original is grittier, and doesn't have that "I got troubles, I got worries, whoa-oh" chorus. I find this version annoying, frankly.
16 - "Like a Rolling Stone," Bob Dylan
Here he is, the man born Robert Zimmerman in Minnesota who became to many rock's Poet Laureate. Just three years into his career on the national scene, he had already written and released the folk standards "Blowin' In the Wind" and "The Times They Are A-Changin," and was firmly entrenched in popular culture. But it was the summer of 1965 that took him to another level. First, there was his controversial "electric" performance at the Newport Folk Festival that alientated many folk-music purists. Shortly afterward, he would release this single, a blast of guitar and organ and Dylan seemingly alternating between sneering at and being sympathetic towards a woman who once lived a privileged life but now faces an uncertain future. Despite clocking in at six minutes, the song's urgency and depth were undeniable to radio listeners, and it went all the way to #2. His transformation from intriguing intellectual curiosity to full-on rock star was complete, and this remains one of his signature statements.
15 - "All I Really Want to Do," Cher
The second, and most successful (in the U.S.) cover of this Dylan song was the first solo hit by the woman born Cherilyn Sarkisian. Her version is a bit poppier that The Byrds', and yet somehow she sounds more, shall we say, Dylanesque. Gotta say, this is the better of the two.
14 - "Papa's Got a Brand New Bag," James Brown and The Famous Flames
The Godfather of Soul and his able backup band had been racking up R&B hits for nearly a decade when they finally cracked the the Top Ten with this tribute to an old man who's able to do the modern dances of the day without embarrassing himself. It's maybe been overplayed (though not to the degree of "I Got You (I Feel Good),"), but still, that beat, that scratch guitar, those horns, and Brother James being his bad self. How can you resist?
13 - "Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me," Mel Carter
Cincinnatian Carter had his biggest hit with this cover of a romantic ballad that was first a hit in 1952 for Karen Chandler. It's nice, it's familiar, but I can't say it comes close to thrilling me.
12 - "What's New Pussycat," Tom Jones
Welshman Thomas Woodward was given a new name by the manager who brought him to London, one inspired by the title of the 1963 Best Picture Oscar winner. Earlier in the year, he'd hit the Top Ten in America with "It's Not Unusual," and later, this became his first Top Five. Written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David for the comedy film of the same name (which was the first major film written by Woody Allen, who also co-starred), it's kind of a French waltz over which Jones croons his appreciation for his beloved's feline features. It may be the only major pop hit ever whose lyrics end with the word "nose," which I find fascinating for some reason. Cheesy, but charming.
11 - "Baby I'm Yours," Barbara Lewis
Lewis' biggest hit (after "Hello Stranger," which we encountered in '63) was this sultry declaration of everlasting devotion. Another good one for your romantic mixes. And it was written by Van McCoy, ten years before he helped teach the world to do "The Hustle."
Mommy, where does the Top Ten come from?
10 - "Down in the Boondocks," Billy Joe Royal
Royal, a Georgian, had his first and biggest pop hit with this shuffling lament o.f a poor boy hopelessly in love with his boss' daughter. A good oldies' staple.
9 - "I'm Henry VIII, I Am," Herman's Hermits
These Mancunians, fronted by former child actor Peter Noone, scored their second American #1 with their version of a song that originated in 1910 in British music halls (the U.K. equivalent of what was known in America as "vaudeville."). In an exaggerated accent, Noone declares that he married "the widow next door," and, like her previous seven husbands, his name is Henry. Silly, but catchy. And Uneasy Rider-y.
8 - "Don't Just Stand There," Patty Duke
Duke's real first name was Anna, but it was changed by John and Ethel Ross, who took her in at the age of eight and set about molding her into a child star in ways that weren't exactly healthy (this is detailed in her 1987 autobiography Call Me Anna.) In 1959, she began a two-year run portraying Helen Keller in the Broadway play The Miracle Worker, and when she reprised the role in the 1962 film version, she became, at 16, the youngest (at that time) winner of the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. She then went on to star in a self-titled sitcom in which she played "identical cousins" Patty and Cathy, and it was at the height of that show's popularity that she released the first and biggest of her two hit singles. This is a ballad on which she asks her boyfriend why he's suddenly acting cold and indifferent toward her. There's a nice quality to her voice, but it's not as strong as it could be. Leslie Gore probably would have done better with it. Still, can't begrudge her the success, given all the shit she went through.
7 - "It's the Same Old Song," The Four Tops
Duke Fakir, Obie Benson, Lawrence Payton, and the one and only Levi Stubbs had topped the chart earlier in the year with "I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch)," and their follow-up, this number about how certain music doesn't sound the same after a breakup, became their second Top Five. More solid, reliable Motown.
6 - "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction," The Rolling Stones
The band's first American #1 was this rock standard whose iconic riff Keith Richards originally came up with just before going to bed in a hotel room. Fortunately, he was able to put in on tape before drifting off to sleep. The lyrics are a (sadly) still relevant rail against a media that spouts "useless information" and manipulates people through advertising. With an added bit of sexual frustration in the last verse. A classic, plain and simple. And Devo's cover version is pretty awesome as well.
5 - "Unchained Melody," The Righteous Brothers
The first run of the single we first encountered during its Ghost-fuelled 1990 comeback. Still good.
4 - "California Girls," The Beach Boys
Arguably the most summery song of a catalogue filled with tunes evocative of the warmest season, the melody of this ode to the ladies of America's largest state was apparently written by Brian Wilson after his first experience with LSD. Come to think of it, it does sound pretty trippy. But I don't know that I'd recommended using that method to cure writer's block too often. Anyway, song's great, of course.
3 - "Help!" The Beatles
The lads topped the U.S. charts for the ninth time was the title song from their second movie, a caper about Ringo trying to avoid being sacrificed by a cult. The song, however, was apparently John Lennon writing about his feelings of insecurity and stress caused by the band's sudden and massive fame. Just a brilliant number about the need for companionship and validation. One of the best of the best.
2 - "Save Your Heart for Me," Gary Lewis and The Playboys
Jerry Lewis' career wasn't as hot as his old partner's at this time, but he was at least he was beating him in the battle of musical progeny. While Dean Jr. and his chums never even cracked the Top Ten, Jerry's boy Gary and his band went all the way to #1 with their debut, "This Diamond Ring," then scored six more Top Tens in '65 and '66. This, their second of two #2s, is a square pop song on which Lewis tells his girl she can flirt and go out with as many boys as she wants during the summer, as long as she comes back to him in the fall. That's nice of him. Anyway, this really isn't much. I actually like the Dino, Desi and Billy track better, and I never thought I'd say that.
And at Number One roughly 48 years ago, we find...
1 - "I Got You Babe," Sonny and Cher
Salvatore Bono was 27 and working for Phil Spector when he met 16-year-old Cherilyn Sarkisian at an L.A. coffee shop in 1962. The two fell in love and began performing together, first as Caesar and Cleo, then under their real names. They made their big breakthrough with this jangly ballad, written and produced by Sonny, on which the couple pledge their devotion to each other. That devotion would not last forever, but still, this to me is one of the greatest love songs ever written.
Next time, we get our kicks in '66.
Tuesday, September 3, 2013
Sunday, September 1, 2013
August 21, 1965 Part One
Now we're in the late summer of '65. On the date of this chart, the United States launched Gemini 5, which would set a new record for the longest manned space mission at just under 8 days. Meanwhile, back on earth, the following sounds were orbiting American ears.
40 - "All I Really Want to Do," The Byrds
Formed a year earlier in Los Angeles, these folk-rockers who took the idea of having a misspelled animal name from The Beatles topped the charts with their debut single, a jangly cover of Bob Dylan's "Mr. Tambourine Man." Their follow up was another Dylan cover, a similarly swirly version of a song on which the singer says his agenda is friendship rather than anything sinister, peaked only at the spot it's at now. Starting off with a #1 and then a #40. That's a neat trick.
39 - "Ride Your Pony," Lee Dorsey
New Orleans soul man Dorsey picked up his third pop hit with this funky tune about riding the titular beast of burden to several American cities for different reasons. Just something with a nice groove for the kids to dance to. And if I'm in earshot of this, I'll be among them.
38 - "Houston," Dean Martin
Still riding high on his pop comeback, Martin scored another hit with this country-flavored number about wanting return to his hometown and the woman he loves after a run of bad luck and misery out in the cold cruel world. Dino's world-weary delivery, and a great song written by future Nancy Sinatra duet partner Lee Hazlewood make this my favorite recording of his. And that pingy percussion sound at the beginning and end? That was Dean tapping a Coke bottle. Cool, huh?
37 - "Shake and Fingerpop," Junior Walker and the All-Stars
Born Autry Mixon, Walker and his band ended up on Motown when it bought out their old label, and earlier in '65 their first major hit "Shotgun," cracked the Top 5. Their third Top 40 was this similar funk track on which Walker tells his mate to "put on your wig, woman" so they can go out and dance. More groovin' fun.
36 - "To Know You is to Love You," Peter and Gordon
The Brit duo picked up another hit with this cover of "To Know Him is to Love Him," a 1958 #1 for The Teddy Bears, a vocal group that included this song's composer, Phil Spector. This is all right, but I'm not a fan of the one guy's solo vocals. I'm not sure if it's Peter or Gordon, and it doesn't matter enough for me to find out.
35 - "I'll Always Love You," The Spinners
While covering their many successes in the 70s, I'm sure I mentioned once or twice that these guys had an unsuccessful run with Motown the decade prior. Well, here they are with their only Top 40 of this decade, a dedication of devotion. It sounds a lot like other hits from the label, and to be honest, it isn't very distinctive. But I'm glad they got their chance to show what they could really do later on.
34 - "The 'In' Crowd," Ramsey Lewis
Chicago jazz pianist Lewis had his first major hit with a live instrumental cover of a song about hanging out with popular people that Dobie Gray had taken to #13 the year before. Lewis's take went to #5. I'm not sure which is better, but there ain't nothing at all wrong with this one.
33 - "Pretty Little Baby," Marvin Gaye
Marvin's string of hits continued with this pleading "please don't leave me" ballad. I like the arrangement on this, especially the piano. This one, I think, should be better known than it is.
32 - "It Ain't Me, Babe," The Turtles
Unlike The Byrds, these Californian's didn't change the spelling of their animal name. But like them, they picked up their first hit with a Bob Dylan cover, this one of a song about not being the right lover for someone. It's one of Bobby's more straight ahead songs, and The Turtles treat it as such. Solid stuff.
31 - "Looking Through the Eyes of Love," Gene Pitney
One of Pitney's last American hits was this dramatic ballad about how even thouth the world sees him as someone for whom "being born was my first mistake," his lady love sees him as a hero, a giant, and a king. Big, bold, beautiful.
30 - "Heart Full of Soul," The Yardbirds
This London band started out as a blues-based band, but they made their breakthrough with a more poppy track, "For Your Love." Unhappy with this new direction, guitarist Eric Clapton decided to leave the group, and he was replaced by another future six-string hero, Jeff Beck. Their first hit of the Beck Era, an Eastern-flavored "baby come back" rocker, followed its predecessor into the Top Ten on both sides of the Atlantic. More hits would follow, and just for good measure, they would eventually welcome another superstar-to-be to their lineup in the form of future Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page. Quite simply, a band that made great music and helped shape rock for years to come.
29 - "Ju Ju Hand," Sam the Sham and The Pharaohs
Dallas-born Domingo Zamudio named his band after seeing Yul Brynner in the movie The Ten Commandments, and they made their breakthrough earlier in the year with the novelty classic "Wooly Bully." Their third hit is another garage-rocker on which Sam seems to threaten to use some sort of black magic on those who would trespass against him. Silly fun.
28 - "Sunshine Lollipops and Rainbows," Lesley Gore
The pop starlet made one of her last U.S. Top 40 appearances with this insanely upbeat song about how good her love makes her feel. Good if you're in the right mood. And according to one Clancy Wiggum, this is ideal accompaniment for good old-fashioned car chases.
27 - "In the Midnight Hour," Wilson Pickett
Born in Alabama, then raised in Detroit, Pickett made his first major impression on the pop charts with this legendary promise to "take you, girl, and hold you, and do all the things I told you" during the period between 12 and 1 am. I'm sure you know it and love it. The only surprising thing is that although it topped the R&B charts, it didn't even crack the pop Top 20. What was up with that?
26 - "Cara Mia," Jay and the Americans
These New York popsters scored their third and last U.S. Top Five with this cover of a song that had originally been a hit for British singer David Whitfield in 1954. A frankly weird mashup of then-modern pop and old-school crooning. Jay even sounds like he's about to yodel in some parts. I'm not a fan of this.
25 - "I Like it Like That," The Dave Clark Five
Not even two years after their American breakthrough, Clark and co. were already on Top 40 hit number ten. This isn't a cover of the Miracles song we covered in '64: rather, it's a take on a 1961 #2 smash by New Orleans soul singer Chris Kenner. You know, the one where the singer promises to show you the unlikely-named place "where it's at." These guys do pretty well with it. Not a bad appropritation of soul shouting for a bunch of Englishmen.
24 - "Since I Lost My Baby," The Temptations
The fifth pop hit for these Motown stalwarts was this sad number about how even though the world is spinning happily around you, heartbreak makes you unaware that there could possibly be anything good in the world. David Ruffin's pain and desperation is palpable. Fantastic stuff.
23 - "The Tracks of My Tears," The Miracles
Smokey and the boys with one of their best. An amazing lyric about putting on a brave face after a devastating breakup. I never mention having a Top 100 of this decade, but if I did, I'm sure I'd find a place for this.
22 - "You'd Better Come Home," Petula Clark
Born in Surrey, England in 1932, Clark first found fame during the second half of World War II, when her singing performances on radio and appearances in films delighted her countrymen and earned her the nickname "Britain's Shirley Temple." Her career kept on into the fifties, but she was on a downward slide when in 1964 "Downtown" became an international smash, even hitting #1 in America, where she'd never had any success. Her third U.S. hit was this pop ballad on which she begs her true love to stop "running around." Personally, I would have liked to have heard Dusty Springfield take a crack at this, but still, "Pet" does very well with this, especially on the line "You'd better come home and see the damage you've done." I imagine I would have enjoyed having her voice as a frequent presence on the radio.
21 - "I Want Candy," The Strangeloves
New Yorkers Bob Feldman, Jerry Goldstein, and Richard Gottehrer were a team of songwriter/producers who'd created the 1963 hit "My Boyfriend's Back" for The Angels. As a lark, they began recording songs and crediting them to a fictional group of Australian brothers named Giles, Miles, and Niles Strange. Then one of those songs, this "Bo Diddley beat"-poweredode to a "soft and sweet" girl, became a hit, and the group actually found themselves having to tour and be an actual band. The group would have two more hits, but neither were as big as this. Of the three members, Gottehrer has had the most influential post-band career, producing many rock and punk acts in the 70s and 80s, and later helping found the pioneering digital music distribution company The Orchard. Oh, and I'm willing to bet that for many of you, the version of this song you're most familiar with is the one from 1982 by British New Wavers Bow Wow Wow.
In Part 2: the son of somebody from this half, a mint-condtion receptacle, and a future underwear magnet.
40 - "All I Really Want to Do," The Byrds
Formed a year earlier in Los Angeles, these folk-rockers who took the idea of having a misspelled animal name from The Beatles topped the charts with their debut single, a jangly cover of Bob Dylan's "Mr. Tambourine Man." Their follow up was another Dylan cover, a similarly swirly version of a song on which the singer says his agenda is friendship rather than anything sinister, peaked only at the spot it's at now. Starting off with a #1 and then a #40. That's a neat trick.
39 - "Ride Your Pony," Lee Dorsey
New Orleans soul man Dorsey picked up his third pop hit with this funky tune about riding the titular beast of burden to several American cities for different reasons. Just something with a nice groove for the kids to dance to. And if I'm in earshot of this, I'll be among them.
38 - "Houston," Dean Martin
Still riding high on his pop comeback, Martin scored another hit with this country-flavored number about wanting return to his hometown and the woman he loves after a run of bad luck and misery out in the cold cruel world. Dino's world-weary delivery, and a great song written by future Nancy Sinatra duet partner Lee Hazlewood make this my favorite recording of his. And that pingy percussion sound at the beginning and end? That was Dean tapping a Coke bottle. Cool, huh?
37 - "Shake and Fingerpop," Junior Walker and the All-Stars
Born Autry Mixon, Walker and his band ended up on Motown when it bought out their old label, and earlier in '65 their first major hit "Shotgun," cracked the Top 5. Their third Top 40 was this similar funk track on which Walker tells his mate to "put on your wig, woman" so they can go out and dance. More groovin' fun.
36 - "To Know You is to Love You," Peter and Gordon
The Brit duo picked up another hit with this cover of "To Know Him is to Love Him," a 1958 #1 for The Teddy Bears, a vocal group that included this song's composer, Phil Spector. This is all right, but I'm not a fan of the one guy's solo vocals. I'm not sure if it's Peter or Gordon, and it doesn't matter enough for me to find out.
35 - "I'll Always Love You," The Spinners
While covering their many successes in the 70s, I'm sure I mentioned once or twice that these guys had an unsuccessful run with Motown the decade prior. Well, here they are with their only Top 40 of this decade, a dedication of devotion. It sounds a lot like other hits from the label, and to be honest, it isn't very distinctive. But I'm glad they got their chance to show what they could really do later on.
34 - "The 'In' Crowd," Ramsey Lewis
Chicago jazz pianist Lewis had his first major hit with a live instrumental cover of a song about hanging out with popular people that Dobie Gray had taken to #13 the year before. Lewis's take went to #5. I'm not sure which is better, but there ain't nothing at all wrong with this one.
33 - "Pretty Little Baby," Marvin Gaye
Marvin's string of hits continued with this pleading "please don't leave me" ballad. I like the arrangement on this, especially the piano. This one, I think, should be better known than it is.
32 - "It Ain't Me, Babe," The Turtles
Unlike The Byrds, these Californian's didn't change the spelling of their animal name. But like them, they picked up their first hit with a Bob Dylan cover, this one of a song about not being the right lover for someone. It's one of Bobby's more straight ahead songs, and The Turtles treat it as such. Solid stuff.
31 - "Looking Through the Eyes of Love," Gene Pitney
One of Pitney's last American hits was this dramatic ballad about how even thouth the world sees him as someone for whom "being born was my first mistake," his lady love sees him as a hero, a giant, and a king. Big, bold, beautiful.
30 - "Heart Full of Soul," The Yardbirds
This London band started out as a blues-based band, but they made their breakthrough with a more poppy track, "For Your Love." Unhappy with this new direction, guitarist Eric Clapton decided to leave the group, and he was replaced by another future six-string hero, Jeff Beck. Their first hit of the Beck Era, an Eastern-flavored "baby come back" rocker, followed its predecessor into the Top Ten on both sides of the Atlantic. More hits would follow, and just for good measure, they would eventually welcome another superstar-to-be to their lineup in the form of future Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page. Quite simply, a band that made great music and helped shape rock for years to come.
29 - "Ju Ju Hand," Sam the Sham and The Pharaohs
Dallas-born Domingo Zamudio named his band after seeing Yul Brynner in the movie The Ten Commandments, and they made their breakthrough earlier in the year with the novelty classic "Wooly Bully." Their third hit is another garage-rocker on which Sam seems to threaten to use some sort of black magic on those who would trespass against him. Silly fun.
28 - "Sunshine Lollipops and Rainbows," Lesley Gore
The pop starlet made one of her last U.S. Top 40 appearances with this insanely upbeat song about how good her love makes her feel. Good if you're in the right mood. And according to one Clancy Wiggum, this is ideal accompaniment for good old-fashioned car chases.
27 - "In the Midnight Hour," Wilson Pickett
Born in Alabama, then raised in Detroit, Pickett made his first major impression on the pop charts with this legendary promise to "take you, girl, and hold you, and do all the things I told you" during the period between 12 and 1 am. I'm sure you know it and love it. The only surprising thing is that although it topped the R&B charts, it didn't even crack the pop Top 20. What was up with that?
26 - "Cara Mia," Jay and the Americans
These New York popsters scored their third and last U.S. Top Five with this cover of a song that had originally been a hit for British singer David Whitfield in 1954. A frankly weird mashup of then-modern pop and old-school crooning. Jay even sounds like he's about to yodel in some parts. I'm not a fan of this.
25 - "I Like it Like That," The Dave Clark Five
Not even two years after their American breakthrough, Clark and co. were already on Top 40 hit number ten. This isn't a cover of the Miracles song we covered in '64: rather, it's a take on a 1961 #2 smash by New Orleans soul singer Chris Kenner. You know, the one where the singer promises to show you the unlikely-named place "where it's at." These guys do pretty well with it. Not a bad appropritation of soul shouting for a bunch of Englishmen.
24 - "Since I Lost My Baby," The Temptations
The fifth pop hit for these Motown stalwarts was this sad number about how even though the world is spinning happily around you, heartbreak makes you unaware that there could possibly be anything good in the world. David Ruffin's pain and desperation is palpable. Fantastic stuff.
23 - "The Tracks of My Tears," The Miracles
Smokey and the boys with one of their best. An amazing lyric about putting on a brave face after a devastating breakup. I never mention having a Top 100 of this decade, but if I did, I'm sure I'd find a place for this.
22 - "You'd Better Come Home," Petula Clark
Born in Surrey, England in 1932, Clark first found fame during the second half of World War II, when her singing performances on radio and appearances in films delighted her countrymen and earned her the nickname "Britain's Shirley Temple." Her career kept on into the fifties, but she was on a downward slide when in 1964 "Downtown" became an international smash, even hitting #1 in America, where she'd never had any success. Her third U.S. hit was this pop ballad on which she begs her true love to stop "running around." Personally, I would have liked to have heard Dusty Springfield take a crack at this, but still, "Pet" does very well with this, especially on the line "You'd better come home and see the damage you've done." I imagine I would have enjoyed having her voice as a frequent presence on the radio.
21 - "I Want Candy," The Strangeloves
New Yorkers Bob Feldman, Jerry Goldstein, and Richard Gottehrer were a team of songwriter/producers who'd created the 1963 hit "My Boyfriend's Back" for The Angels. As a lark, they began recording songs and crediting them to a fictional group of Australian brothers named Giles, Miles, and Niles Strange. Then one of those songs, this "Bo Diddley beat"-poweredode to a "soft and sweet" girl, became a hit, and the group actually found themselves having to tour and be an actual band. The group would have two more hits, but neither were as big as this. Of the three members, Gottehrer has had the most influential post-band career, producing many rock and punk acts in the 70s and 80s, and later helping found the pioneering digital music distribution company The Orchard. Oh, and I'm willing to bet that for many of you, the version of this song you're most familiar with is the one from 1982 by British New Wavers Bow Wow Wow.
In Part 2: the son of somebody from this half, a mint-condtion receptacle, and a future underwear magnet.
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