Time to wrap up 1967.
20 - "Brown Eyed Girl," Van Morrison
The pride of Belfast, Northern Ireland, George Ivan Morrison was exposed to R&B, jazz, gospel, and country as a child thanks to his father's vast record collection. In 1964, he formed the band Them, and during his time with, er, them, he wrote the rock standard "Gloria" ("G-L-O-R-I-A!"). The band broke up in 1966, after which Morrison kicked off his solo career with this now-classic soul-rocker about young romance. On the single version, the song famously repeats "laughin' and a-runnin', hey hey," in place of the then-risqué line "making love in the green grass behind the stadium," and it always pisses me off when I hear that version. Van and his lady should never be denied their frolic. Accept no substitutes. Then again, I guess I can forgive that bit of censorship, because at least the song made the radio, which it might not have if Van had used his original title "Brown-Skinned Girl." No, 1967 would not have been ready for that.
19 - "You Keep Running Away," The Four Tops
Levi Stubbs and co. bring their usual drama and intensity to this song about obsessing over an unattainable girl. Their usual solid effort, one they could probably have done in their sleep. But most groups couldn't have come close to this with eyes wide open.
18 - "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman," Aretha Franklin
A minister's daughter from Detroit, Franklin naturally began singing gospel, but then decided to follow the footsteps of Sam Cooke into secular music, and in 1960, at the age of 18, she signed with Columbia Records. She had several R&B hits with the label, but limited pop success, and many felt that her potential wasn't being fulfilled. This seemed to be confirmed when, after switching to the Atlantic label at the beginning of 1967, she had five pop Top Tens within a year, including the #1 "Respect." Her fourth hit of '67 was this very gospel-influenced ballad about how a man's love has turned her life around. Famously, Murphy Brown sang this to her newborn baby. Slightly less famously, Selma Bouvier sang it to her newly acquired iguana, Jub-Jub. And I'm going to take the opportunity presented by this Simpsons reference to say RIP Marcia Wallace.
17 - "I Dig Rock and Roll Music," Peter, Paul and Mary
Assembled in 1961 by manager Albert Grossman, the trio of Peter Yarrow, Paul Stookey, and Mary Travers were one of the best-selling and most influential folk acts of the decade. But where some of their peers embraced rock, they felt that the genre lacked substance and lyrical heft. So they recorded this deceptively positive "tribute," which takes specific aim at The Mamas and the Papas, Donovan, and even the already-sainted Beatles with lyrical sarcasm and remarkably dead-on vocal parodies. The song also contains the line 'If I really say it, the radio won't play it," which is ironic, because they really said a lot, and radio played it enough to get it to the Top Ten. In modern parlance, this might be referred to as a "dis track." In my world, I refer to it as the co-winner of this chart's Uneasy Rider.
16 - "Get On Up," The Esquires
The first and biggest hit by this Milwaukee R&B combo was this nifty little invitation to dance. Inconsequential, but it will get you moving.
15 - "Expressway (To Your Heart)," The Soul Survivors
The best-known hit by these Philadelphians was this soul jam comparing the search for love to negotiating through highway traffic. I'm not sure if these guys made it to their destination. Myself, I'm stuck on the side of the road with an overheating radiator, waiting to be towed.
14 - "Dandelion," The Rolling Stones
The Stones' fifteenth U.S. Top 40 was this wistful number about children playing games with weeds. Some would say it has a "Beatlesque" quality, and the fact that John Lennon and Paul McCartney sang backup on the song does nothing to dispel that notion. An overlooked gem.
13 - "Your Precious Love," Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell
Gaye was already an established Motown hitmaker when he began a string of hit duets with onetime James Brown backup singer Terrell. Their second Top 40, and first Top Ten, was this straightforward romantic ballad that serves as a showcase for their talents and chemistry. Sadly, Terrell would die in 1970 at the age of 24, but her voice will never be forgotten.
12 - "Hey Baby, They're Playing Our Song," The Buckinghams
This Chicago group had broken through earlier in the year with the #1 "Kind of a Drag," and would go on to crack the Top 40 three more times during this year. Their final '67 hit was this lightweight pop tune about wanting to get back together with an ex. Sounds like a Neil Diamond outtake, one he3 would have had the sense not to bother releasing.
11 - "Apples, Peaches, Pumpkin Pie," Jay and The Techniques
From Allentown, Pennsylvania, this band scored its first and biggest hit with a song that isn't about fruit and baked goods, but rather the never ending game of hide-and-seek that is romance. Silly, singalong fun.
The Top Ten means never having to say you're sorry.
10 - "Soul Man," Sam and Dave
The duo of Sam Moore and Dave Prater rose to stardom in the mid-60s when they signed with Stax Records and were backed in the studio by Booker T. and the M.G.s. Their biggest, and best, hit was this classic about being dependable and a good lover and stuff like that. Just great. In 1986, Moore recorded the song again for a movie of the same name, but this time his duet partner was none other than Lou Reed. As I'm sure you know, Lou Reed died this past weekend, and I want to take this opportunity to wish him happy trails in the great beyond. He may have only had one "hit" but he was one of rock's greatest songwriters and characters, and his influence will be felt for years to come.
9 - "Gimme Little Sign," Brenton Wood
Born Alfred Smith, Wood was a high school track star in Compton, California before changing his name and turning to music. His biggest hit was this R&B tune about wanting a clear indication of his lover's devotion. I especially like the organ solo.
8 - "How Can I Be Sure," The Young Rascals
Since their national debut just two years earlier, this New Jersey band had already hit #1 twice with "Good Lovin'" and "Groovin'," This one didn't top the charts, but this is probably their most interesting song. It's kind of an odd mashup of American soul and French accordion-based music, and it's lyrics about the uncertainties of life and love were apparently inspired by the group's experiences with Transcendental Meditation. I like it more than I'd ever expected to like one of their songs.
7 - "Come Back When You Grow Up," Bobby Vee and the Strangers
The former teen idol hadn't had a major hit in four years when he made a surprise return to the upper reaches of the charts with this bland number about a girl who isn't as mature as she looks or she thinks she is. Another of those songs whose popularity mystifies me. And I have know idea who The Strangers are. But I guess that makes sense.
6 - "(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher," Jackie Wilson
The final Top Ten for the man known as "Mr. Excitement" was this energetic raveup about the elevating power of love. Seriously, every time I hear Jackie's version, I feel that Rita Coolidge needs to make a public apology for what she did to it.
5 - "Ode to Billy Joe," Bobbie Gentry
This Mississippi-born country singer (nee Roberta Streeter) had her greatest success with this pop #1, a story song that tells the story of Billie Joe MacAllister, a young man who commits suicide by jumping off the Tallahatchie Bridge. The tale is told through the point of view of Gentry's unnamed narrator, who learns of Billie Joe's death from her mother. We learn from dinner table conversation that the narrator's father never thought much of the boy, but her brother was a friend of his. Then we learn that the narrator's mother has invited the local preacher to dinner on Sunday, and while he was accepting the invitation, he told the mother that he had recently seen a girl who strongly resembled her daughter with Billie Joe, and they were "throwing something" off of the very bridge from which the boy fell to his death. Was it our narrator? What were they throwing? What exactly does she know about why Billie Joe ended his life? Over the years people have speculated that the item in question was a ring, or maybe Billie Joe's draft card, or perhaps even the aborted fetus of Billie Joe and the narrator's love child. Whatever it was, the last verse gives no clues, simply telling us the status of the narrator's family one year later and sharing that she herself often picks flowers and drops them into the water off the bridge. One of pop's most enduring mysteries, and a great song to boot.
4 - "Little Ole Man (Uptight - Everything's Alright)," Bill Cosby
Born and raised in Philadelphia, Cosby originally followed in his father's footsteps by joining the United States navy, but in the early 60s, he began doing standup comedy, and quickly became hugely successful. By this time, he was one of the most successful comics on the live circuit, had recorded many successful albums of his material, and was the Emmy-winning star of the popular TV drama I Spy. And here, he added a Top ten song to his list of achievements. Borrowing the tune and the chorus from a Stevie Wonder hit from the previous year, Cosby talk-sings the tale of his encounter with an elderly gentleman whom he finds crying. He asks the man what the matter is, and the man tells him that he was just run over by a train. Not only that, but the same train hits him at the same time every day. Later, Cosby encounters the man, who is again upset. This time, he says he was trampled by elephants, the same elephants that trample him every day "a half hour after the train runs over me." Then Cosby comes across the man a third time, and he's still upset. Cosby asks him how he's doing after his run-ins with the train and the elephants. The man then asks him "What train? What elephants?" Cosby is confused. Then the man says that Cosby is young and has a lot to learn, and then makes him the same offer Bill had made to him on the first two occasions "Reach out, take my hand. You'll understand." Strangely entertaining, and in its own way as trippy as anything the psychedelic-rock scene ever produced. Which is why The Cos is the other winner of this chart's Uneasy Rider.
3 - "To Sir With Love," Lulu
The Scottish starlet had her only American #1 with the theme song from the hit film in which she sang it to teacher Sidney Poitier, who had taken her and her unruly classmates and turned them into respectable young ladies and gentlemen. Never seen it, but I have seen the SCTV parody "Teacher's Pet." Bob Geldof gave Ricardo Montalban such a hard time. Anyway, good song, well sung.
2 - "Never My Love," The Association
These human sleeping pills again, back and boring. Will they win my love? Never.
And topping the charts 46 years ago was...
1 - "The Letter," The Box Tops
These Memphis soul-rockers went straight to the top with their first single, a song about a guy who gets a letter from his ex saying that she wants him back, and so he needs to get to her by plane, because he "ain't got time to take a fast train." Goodness from the airplane takeoff sound at the beginning to the circus organ at the end. The band would score six more Top 40s, and then Alex Chilton would leave to form the cultishly adored Big Star.
Next time, it's 1968.
Wednesday, October 30, 2013
Friday, October 25, 2013
October 14, 1967 Part One
This time we visit October of 1967. During this month, the St. Louis Cardinals and the Boston Red Sox met in the World Series. This year's Series is going on right now, between the same two teams. But the music on the charts is quite a bit different now. How different? See for yourself.
40 - "Love Bug Leave My Heart Alone," Martha and the Vandellas
Martha Reeves, Rosalind Ashford, and Betty Kelley were one of Motown's stalwart acts, picking up a dozen Top 40s between 1963 and 1967. This song about trying to avoid the temptation of getting back with an ex isn't one of their best-known, but it's very good. I especially like the fuzz-guitar sound on it. And did you know that Martha Reeves served on Detroit's City Council for five years? I didn't, but I'm glad I do know
39 - "I Make a Fool of Myself," Frankie Valli
While still a member of the Four Seasons, Valli was starting to put out singles under his name alone. Earlier in '67, he scored his first solo hit with "Can't Take My Eyes Off You." His follow-up was this number about not being able to keep his cool around the girl he fancies. Not all that different from the stuff he did with his group, except maybe a bit slicker. Not bad, though.
38 - "Love is Strange," Peaches and Herb
We went through the saga of Herb Fame and the many "Peaches" he's had over the years, and now we get to hear him with the original, Francine Barker, on a cover of the 1956 Mickey and Sylvia hit that was re-popularized in 1987 by Dirty Dancing. Their horn-heavy soul take has its moments, but I think the gritty blues of the original is so much sexier. And I will say that Peaches #1 is likely the best of the bunch.
37 - "Please Love Me Forever," Bobby Vinton
The Polish Prince returned to the Top Ten for the first time in three years with this countryish plea for eternal devotion. A little too mellow for me, even by his standards.
36 - "The Last Waltz," Engelbert Humperdinck
Born Arnold Dorsey, this English singer signed with Tom Jones' manager, who suggested he change his name to that of a 19th-century German opera composer. In 1967, he broke through on both sides of the Atlantic with the smash "Release Me." His third hit of the year was this tune about dancing and heartbreak and stuff. A bit cheesy, but fine. And it certainly doesn't cause "After the Lovin'" levels of nausea.
35 - "A Banda (Ah Bahn-da)," Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass
More instrumental goodness from Herbie and company on this jaunty version of a song by Brazilian composer Chico Buarque. I was sure I'd heard it before somewhere, and then it hit me that it might of been the theme song for the pro wrestling shows that used to air on CHCH TV in Hamilton, Ontario during the late 70s and early 80s. And I looked it up, and I was right.
34 - "Incense and Peppermints," Strawberry Alarm Clock
This L.A. band went all the way to #1 with their first hit, this psychedelia touchstone. Swirly keyboards, distorted guitars, and cowbell-heavy percussion provide a backdrop for lyrics about "the color of time" and "meaningless nouns. A genuinely cool pop song. They only had one more minor hit after this, but this isn't a bad legacy in and of itself.
33 - "Memphis Soul Stew," King Curtis
Born in Fort Worth, Texas, saxophonist Curtis Ousley had played on records by The Coasters and Buddy Holly, among others, and had a hit of his own in 1962 with "Soul Twist." On his second hit, he outlines the recipe for the titular dish, whose ingredients include "a pound of fatback drums" and "4 tablespoons of boiling Memphis guitars." Naturally, it all cooks up into something funkily delicious. Wonderful stuff.
32 - "Child of Clay," Jimmie Rodgers
Originally from Washington state, folk-pop singer Rodgers scored a number of hits in the late 50s, including the #1 "Honeycomb." The hits dried up once the decade turned, but he did manage to scrape into the Top 40 twice in the latter half of the decade. The second and last of these minor hits was this song about a boy whose neglectful upbringing resulted in him becoming an unhappy and desperate adult. It reminds me a little of Elvis' "In the Ghetto." An interesting little artifact that I'm glad I dug up.
31 - "The Look of Love," Dusty Springfield
This sultry, almost bossa nova-ish ballad, written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David for the original, comedic version of the James Bond film Casino Royale, has become one of Miss Dusty's best known recordings. And justifiably so. Music to make classy love by.
30 - "What Now My Love," Mitch Ryder
Born William Levise, Jr. in Hamrtramck, Michigan, Ryder had scored five Top 40 hits between 1965 and 1967 fronting The Detroit Wheels, the most famous of these being the medley "Devil With a Blue Dress On/Good Golly Miss Molly." Then Ryder embarked on a solo career, but unfortunately, that only produce one hit, the English version of a 1961 French ballad called "Et Maintenant" that has been covered numerous times over the years. It's a haunting song about feeling desperate and lonely, but Ryder's vocals just seem too square and unaffected to really work, and his spoken word interlude doesn't add anything. But that high note he hits at the end has to be heard to be believed.
29 - "Ode to Billy Joe," The Kingpins
More from King Curtis, here leading his group (who also served as Aretha Franklin's backing band) on a jazzy instrumental version of a song that was quite popular at the time. I'll say more about it when the original comes up in Part II, but for now, I'll just say that this take is nice, but inessential.
28 - "Let Love Come Between Us," James and Bobby Purify
Floridian cousins James Lee Purify and Robert Lee Dickey scored the last of their four pop Top 40 hits with this snappy number about putting an end to all the fussin' and feudin' and just getting along. For some reason, my major reaction to this song was "Why didn't James Taylor cover this in the 70s? It seems like he would have." Don't know why I thought that, but there it is.
27 - "Let it Out (Let it All Hang Out)," The Hombres
This Memphis band's only hit is this drawly garage-rocker about just, you know, doing your own thing, like hanging off of a pine tree or "eating a Reuben sandwich with busauerkraut." Odd, but profound in its way. Love it.
26 - "Groovin'," Booker T. and the M.G.
The legendary house band of Memphis soul factory Stax Records, the combo of Booker T. Jones, Steve Cropper, Lewie Steinberg, and Al Jackson, Jr. had a huge hit of their own in 1962 with the classic "Green Onions." They didn't return to the pop Top 40 until five years later (with Steinberg being replaced by Donald "Duck" Dunn), when they reached those heights twice, the second time with this instrumental take on a love song that had been a #1 hit earlier in the year for The Young Rascals. Gotta say, I like this version better.
25 - "Lightning's Girl," Nancy Sinatra
The red hot period of Frank's daughter's music career spanned 1966 and 1967. During these two years, she scored all ten of her career Top 40 hits, including two #1s: "These Boots are Made for Walkin'," and the duet with Dad, "Somethin' Stupid." Her last solo hit was this song on which she assures would-be suitors that her boyfriend "Lighting" will kill them if they try anything on her. It's a bit of a dark rocker, and Nancy does her usual sassy thing. Very, very good.
24 - "It Must be Him," Vikki Carr
This El Paso, Texas native was born Florencia Martinez Cardona, but she changed it to a more Anglo-friendly name when she launched her singing career. Her second biggest hit was this ballad about getting really, really disappointed when the phone rings and the voice on the other end doesn't belong to her long-lost love. Dramatic to the point of humor. And based on a French song written by Gilbert Becaud, who also wrote what became "What Now My Love."
23 - "People are Strange," The Doors
The L.A.-based legends, fronted by the one and only Jim Morrison, broke on through to the mainstream side earlier in this year with the #1 "Light My Fire." Their follow-up single was this spooky song with lyrics about wicked women and "faces com(ing) out of the rain." The piano on this really adds to the macabre quality, making it a perfect song for this particular time of year.
22 - "Reflections," Diana Ross and The Supremes
One of the last songs recorded with original member Florence Ballard, this cry of heartbreak and betrayal is also notable for being one of the first hits to contain contributions from a Moog synthesizer. For me, those spacey sound effects don't really add anything, but neither do they detract from yet another Motown gem.
21 - "Funky Broadway," Wilson Pickett
Pickett's second and final pop Top Ten was this cover of a song originated by a Buffalo band called Dyke and the Blazers. In the song, "Broadway" is not only a street, but also a nightclub and a dance step. It's also "dirty" and "filthy." But most importantly of all, it's funky. And isn't that all that matters?
In Part 2: a song whose "radio edit" angers me to no end, some good old-fashioned folk sarcasm, and a comedy legend gives singing a try.
40 - "Love Bug Leave My Heart Alone," Martha and the Vandellas
Martha Reeves, Rosalind Ashford, and Betty Kelley were one of Motown's stalwart acts, picking up a dozen Top 40s between 1963 and 1967. This song about trying to avoid the temptation of getting back with an ex isn't one of their best-known, but it's very good. I especially like the fuzz-guitar sound on it. And did you know that Martha Reeves served on Detroit's City Council for five years? I didn't, but I'm glad I do know
39 - "I Make a Fool of Myself," Frankie Valli
While still a member of the Four Seasons, Valli was starting to put out singles under his name alone. Earlier in '67, he scored his first solo hit with "Can't Take My Eyes Off You." His follow-up was this number about not being able to keep his cool around the girl he fancies. Not all that different from the stuff he did with his group, except maybe a bit slicker. Not bad, though.
38 - "Love is Strange," Peaches and Herb
We went through the saga of Herb Fame and the many "Peaches" he's had over the years, and now we get to hear him with the original, Francine Barker, on a cover of the 1956 Mickey and Sylvia hit that was re-popularized in 1987 by Dirty Dancing. Their horn-heavy soul take has its moments, but I think the gritty blues of the original is so much sexier. And I will say that Peaches #1 is likely the best of the bunch.
37 - "Please Love Me Forever," Bobby Vinton
The Polish Prince returned to the Top Ten for the first time in three years with this countryish plea for eternal devotion. A little too mellow for me, even by his standards.
36 - "The Last Waltz," Engelbert Humperdinck
Born Arnold Dorsey, this English singer signed with Tom Jones' manager, who suggested he change his name to that of a 19th-century German opera composer. In 1967, he broke through on both sides of the Atlantic with the smash "Release Me." His third hit of the year was this tune about dancing and heartbreak and stuff. A bit cheesy, but fine. And it certainly doesn't cause "After the Lovin'" levels of nausea.
35 - "A Banda (Ah Bahn-da)," Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass
More instrumental goodness from Herbie and company on this jaunty version of a song by Brazilian composer Chico Buarque. I was sure I'd heard it before somewhere, and then it hit me that it might of been the theme song for the pro wrestling shows that used to air on CHCH TV in Hamilton, Ontario during the late 70s and early 80s. And I looked it up, and I was right.
34 - "Incense and Peppermints," Strawberry Alarm Clock
This L.A. band went all the way to #1 with their first hit, this psychedelia touchstone. Swirly keyboards, distorted guitars, and cowbell-heavy percussion provide a backdrop for lyrics about "the color of time" and "meaningless nouns. A genuinely cool pop song. They only had one more minor hit after this, but this isn't a bad legacy in and of itself.
33 - "Memphis Soul Stew," King Curtis
Born in Fort Worth, Texas, saxophonist Curtis Ousley had played on records by The Coasters and Buddy Holly, among others, and had a hit of his own in 1962 with "Soul Twist." On his second hit, he outlines the recipe for the titular dish, whose ingredients include "a pound of fatback drums" and "4 tablespoons of boiling Memphis guitars." Naturally, it all cooks up into something funkily delicious. Wonderful stuff.
32 - "Child of Clay," Jimmie Rodgers
Originally from Washington state, folk-pop singer Rodgers scored a number of hits in the late 50s, including the #1 "Honeycomb." The hits dried up once the decade turned, but he did manage to scrape into the Top 40 twice in the latter half of the decade. The second and last of these minor hits was this song about a boy whose neglectful upbringing resulted in him becoming an unhappy and desperate adult. It reminds me a little of Elvis' "In the Ghetto." An interesting little artifact that I'm glad I dug up.
31 - "The Look of Love," Dusty Springfield
This sultry, almost bossa nova-ish ballad, written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David for the original, comedic version of the James Bond film Casino Royale, has become one of Miss Dusty's best known recordings. And justifiably so. Music to make classy love by.
30 - "What Now My Love," Mitch Ryder
Born William Levise, Jr. in Hamrtramck, Michigan, Ryder had scored five Top 40 hits between 1965 and 1967 fronting The Detroit Wheels, the most famous of these being the medley "Devil With a Blue Dress On/Good Golly Miss Molly." Then Ryder embarked on a solo career, but unfortunately, that only produce one hit, the English version of a 1961 French ballad called "Et Maintenant" that has been covered numerous times over the years. It's a haunting song about feeling desperate and lonely, but Ryder's vocals just seem too square and unaffected to really work, and his spoken word interlude doesn't add anything. But that high note he hits at the end has to be heard to be believed.
29 - "Ode to Billy Joe," The Kingpins
More from King Curtis, here leading his group (who also served as Aretha Franklin's backing band) on a jazzy instrumental version of a song that was quite popular at the time. I'll say more about it when the original comes up in Part II, but for now, I'll just say that this take is nice, but inessential.
28 - "Let Love Come Between Us," James and Bobby Purify
Floridian cousins James Lee Purify and Robert Lee Dickey scored the last of their four pop Top 40 hits with this snappy number about putting an end to all the fussin' and feudin' and just getting along. For some reason, my major reaction to this song was "Why didn't James Taylor cover this in the 70s? It seems like he would have." Don't know why I thought that, but there it is.
27 - "Let it Out (Let it All Hang Out)," The Hombres
This Memphis band's only hit is this drawly garage-rocker about just, you know, doing your own thing, like hanging off of a pine tree or "eating a Reuben sandwich with busauerkraut." Odd, but profound in its way. Love it.
26 - "Groovin'," Booker T. and the M.G.
The legendary house band of Memphis soul factory Stax Records, the combo of Booker T. Jones, Steve Cropper, Lewie Steinberg, and Al Jackson, Jr. had a huge hit of their own in 1962 with the classic "Green Onions." They didn't return to the pop Top 40 until five years later (with Steinberg being replaced by Donald "Duck" Dunn), when they reached those heights twice, the second time with this instrumental take on a love song that had been a #1 hit earlier in the year for The Young Rascals. Gotta say, I like this version better.
25 - "Lightning's Girl," Nancy Sinatra
The red hot period of Frank's daughter's music career spanned 1966 and 1967. During these two years, she scored all ten of her career Top 40 hits, including two #1s: "These Boots are Made for Walkin'," and the duet with Dad, "Somethin' Stupid." Her last solo hit was this song on which she assures would-be suitors that her boyfriend "Lighting" will kill them if they try anything on her. It's a bit of a dark rocker, and Nancy does her usual sassy thing. Very, very good.
24 - "It Must be Him," Vikki Carr
This El Paso, Texas native was born Florencia Martinez Cardona, but she changed it to a more Anglo-friendly name when she launched her singing career. Her second biggest hit was this ballad about getting really, really disappointed when the phone rings and the voice on the other end doesn't belong to her long-lost love. Dramatic to the point of humor. And based on a French song written by Gilbert Becaud, who also wrote what became "What Now My Love."
23 - "People are Strange," The Doors
The L.A.-based legends, fronted by the one and only Jim Morrison, broke on through to the mainstream side earlier in this year with the #1 "Light My Fire." Their follow-up single was this spooky song with lyrics about wicked women and "faces com(ing) out of the rain." The piano on this really adds to the macabre quality, making it a perfect song for this particular time of year.
22 - "Reflections," Diana Ross and The Supremes
One of the last songs recorded with original member Florence Ballard, this cry of heartbreak and betrayal is also notable for being one of the first hits to contain contributions from a Moog synthesizer. For me, those spacey sound effects don't really add anything, but neither do they detract from yet another Motown gem.
21 - "Funky Broadway," Wilson Pickett
Pickett's second and final pop Top Ten was this cover of a song originated by a Buffalo band called Dyke and the Blazers. In the song, "Broadway" is not only a street, but also a nightclub and a dance step. It's also "dirty" and "filthy." But most importantly of all, it's funky. And isn't that all that matters?
In Part 2: a song whose "radio edit" angers me to no end, some good old-fashioned folk sarcasm, and a comedy legend gives singing a try.
Wednesday, October 9, 2013
September 24, 1966 Part Two
Closing out '66.
20 - "Mr. Dieingly Sad," The Critters
This New Jersey band's biggest hit was this song about a morose gentleman and his longing for a blue-eyed blonde. Mediocre pop in the Association vein.
19 - "I've Got You Under My Skin," The Four Seasons
Frankie V. and the Jersey boys cracked the Top Ten with this showy interpretation of a song Cole Porter wrote for the 1936 Hollywood musical Born to Dance. It's prime Porter, and these guys do a good job of staying true to it while incorporating their signature sound. One of their best efforts.
18 - "How Sweet it Is (To be Loved By You)," Junior Walker and the All-Stars
Junior and co. return, this time with a cover of what had been Marvin Gaye's first pop Top Ten a year earlier. It's very good. It doesn't top Marvin, but I'll take it over James Taylor's version any day.
17 - "Wipe Out," The Surfaris
We encountered this in '63, and here it is on it's second chart run. Don't have anything to add from the first time, except that it really was a shame what those boys (Fat and Beach) did to it later.
16 - "Born a Woman," Sandy Posey
Posey, who grew up around the Memphis area, had her first hit with this song that lamented what she felt was a female's lot in life, which was "to be under some man's thumb," and forced to tolerate being cheated on, lied to, and otherwise mistreated. But she seems to think that having her man in her life is worth all that. "I was born a woman, I'm glad it happened that way," she sings. Kind of a precursor to "Stand by Your Man," only much more disturbingly non-feminist. Apparently, Rush Limbaugh is a big fan of this song. And I'm not even joking.
15 - "Sunny Afternoon," The Kinks
We encounter the boys from Muswell Hill in North London just in time, as this would be their last U.S. Top 40 of this decade. It's a loping, lazy number about trying to relax on a pleasant summer's day in spite of financial and relationship difficulties. I'm a huge fan of the band's droll, literate, and very English twist on rock. Ray Davies is one of the greatest lyricists in the history of the genre. All in all, I think I like them better than any other British Invasion band not called The Beatles.
14 - "Cherry, Cherry," Neil Diamond
This Brooklyn singer-songwriter had his first major hit with this song about a girl who "got the way to move me." The arrangement, particularly the piano, gives it a kind of Ray Charles feel. A terrific first impression of what would be a prolific and diverse career. He has a cheesy rep, but the man could write a hook.
13 - "Guantanamera," The Sandpipers
This square vocal quartet originally called themselves The Four Seasons until they found out that name was taken. Their first and biggest hit was this popular Cuban song whose Spanish lyrics are about a guy who writes poems for a woman. At least that's what the guy who comes in near the end and does spoken-word translation says. Anyway, this version doesn't contain nearly as much passion as that sort of lyric requires.
12 - "See You In September," The Happenings
More MOR vocalizing, this time from another group of Jersey boys who weren't as good as The Four Seasons. Their first and biggest hit was this cover of a 1959 hit by The Tempos about parting with a lover over the summer, telling her of your hope that you'll still be together in the fall while warning her "there is danger in the summer moon above." Is that some kind of warning about werewolves? I'll assume it is, just to make this snorefest more interesting.
11 - "Eleanor Rigby," The Beatles
1966 was the year that it started to become clear that these guys weren't satisfied with just making three-chord pop-rock anthems about girls; they wanted to try many different styles and themes. And a prime example is this dark exploration of the lives of two "lonely people:" an elderly spinster, and the priest of a poorly-attended church. The song consists of nothing but vocals and strings, and nothing more is necessary. Deeply affecting and brilliant. It was the B-side of a single, but it was a slightly bigger hit than the A, which we'll get to later.
Use the Top Ten as directed.
10 - "Reach Out I'll Be There," The Four Tops
The second of two pop #1s for these Motown legends was this classic pledge to provide support and love to someone in their darkest hours. The strength of Levi Stubbs' voice provides abundant reassurance all on its own. Just greatness.
9 - "Wouldn't It be Nice," The Beach Boys
The A-side of "God Only Knows" is this wistful wish of a young person to be able to begin his adult life by getting married and setting up house with the girl he loves. Lushly orchestrated with additional support from the famous studio band The Wrecking Crew, this is one of the major reasons why Pet Sounds has become one of the most influential albums of all time.
8 - "96 Tears," ? and the Mysterians
This band of Michiganders were drawn together by both their Mexican heritage and their love of surf music, and their lasting legacy is this organ-driven garage rocker on which singer Rudy "Question Mark" Martinez sing/howls his intention to break an ex's heart as badly or worse as she broke his. They would only hit the Top 40 one more time after this went to #1, but this one song has probably been more influential to rock in general than the entire catalogues of many other, more prolific bands.
7 - "Black is Black," Los Bravos
This Spanish band with a German lead singer had their biggest international success with this song about loneliness that has a similar groove to "96 Tears." And vocalist Michael Kogel sounded quite a bit like Gene Pitney. A worthy hit, I suppose, but it doesn't really stand out to me.
6 - "Beauty is Only Skin Deep," The Temptations
The Temps picked up their second pop Top Five with this number about learning that inner substance is more important than outward appearance when it comes to choosing a lover. Just another solid chip off the Motown block.
5 - "Bus Stop," The Hollies
The second American hit for these Mancunians was this song about how an offer of a shared umbrella on a wet day blossomed into romance. Just simple and catchy and good. An essential track of the decade.
4 - "Yellow Submarine," The Beatles
The flip side of "Eleanor Rigby" was this silly-but-engaging children's song that, in spite of many elaborate interpretations from outside commentators, was apparently just intended to be about an old man telling young people about his life aboard an underwater vessel. Ringo sings it, and that's how it should be. He's always done the lighter stuff well. Just a fun tune that makes me smile, and odd enough to take down this week's Uneasy Rider.
3 - "Sunshine Superman," Donovan
Scotsman Donovan Leitch topped the U.S. charts for the first and only time with this psychedelic come-on on which he promises to "pick up your hand and slowly blow your little mind." I'm not sure if that's sexy or creepy, but the song is great regardless. And it was probably one of the first major pop hits to reference superheroes, as Green Lantern gets a shoutout in addition to the Man of Steel.
2 - "You Can't Hurry Love," The Supremes
Charttopper number seven for these ladies was this number about staying patient during the search for lasting affection. Lyrically, it's the same song as The Miracles' "You Better Shop Around," but it has plenty of other charms that are more than enough to justify its existence. Phil Collins did better than anyone had any right to expect with it, but the original is the one you need.
And on top of the charts at this moment in time was...
1 - "Cherish," The Association
In the past, I have alluded to my distaste for these agents of blandness, and now at last I encounter one of their songs. And naturally, it would have to be their biggest hit. There's nothing about it that I find the least bit tolerable. The harmonies are squaresville, the lyrics are not as clever as they're intended to be, and the arrangement is aural anasthesia. The only reason I can think of for this song's existence is to provide music for the most boring people in the world to make love to. I...just don't get it.
Yeah, that wasn't the most positive note to go out on, sorry. But hopefully 1967 will provide more thrills. Tune in next time to find out.
20 - "Mr. Dieingly Sad," The Critters
This New Jersey band's biggest hit was this song about a morose gentleman and his longing for a blue-eyed blonde. Mediocre pop in the Association vein.
19 - "I've Got You Under My Skin," The Four Seasons
Frankie V. and the Jersey boys cracked the Top Ten with this showy interpretation of a song Cole Porter wrote for the 1936 Hollywood musical Born to Dance. It's prime Porter, and these guys do a good job of staying true to it while incorporating their signature sound. One of their best efforts.
18 - "How Sweet it Is (To be Loved By You)," Junior Walker and the All-Stars
Junior and co. return, this time with a cover of what had been Marvin Gaye's first pop Top Ten a year earlier. It's very good. It doesn't top Marvin, but I'll take it over James Taylor's version any day.
17 - "Wipe Out," The Surfaris
We encountered this in '63, and here it is on it's second chart run. Don't have anything to add from the first time, except that it really was a shame what those boys (Fat and Beach) did to it later.
16 - "Born a Woman," Sandy Posey
Posey, who grew up around the Memphis area, had her first hit with this song that lamented what she felt was a female's lot in life, which was "to be under some man's thumb," and forced to tolerate being cheated on, lied to, and otherwise mistreated. But she seems to think that having her man in her life is worth all that. "I was born a woman, I'm glad it happened that way," she sings. Kind of a precursor to "Stand by Your Man," only much more disturbingly non-feminist. Apparently, Rush Limbaugh is a big fan of this song. And I'm not even joking.
15 - "Sunny Afternoon," The Kinks
We encounter the boys from Muswell Hill in North London just in time, as this would be their last U.S. Top 40 of this decade. It's a loping, lazy number about trying to relax on a pleasant summer's day in spite of financial and relationship difficulties. I'm a huge fan of the band's droll, literate, and very English twist on rock. Ray Davies is one of the greatest lyricists in the history of the genre. All in all, I think I like them better than any other British Invasion band not called The Beatles.
14 - "Cherry, Cherry," Neil Diamond
This Brooklyn singer-songwriter had his first major hit with this song about a girl who "got the way to move me." The arrangement, particularly the piano, gives it a kind of Ray Charles feel. A terrific first impression of what would be a prolific and diverse career. He has a cheesy rep, but the man could write a hook.
13 - "Guantanamera," The Sandpipers
This square vocal quartet originally called themselves The Four Seasons until they found out that name was taken. Their first and biggest hit was this popular Cuban song whose Spanish lyrics are about a guy who writes poems for a woman. At least that's what the guy who comes in near the end and does spoken-word translation says. Anyway, this version doesn't contain nearly as much passion as that sort of lyric requires.
12 - "See You In September," The Happenings
More MOR vocalizing, this time from another group of Jersey boys who weren't as good as The Four Seasons. Their first and biggest hit was this cover of a 1959 hit by The Tempos about parting with a lover over the summer, telling her of your hope that you'll still be together in the fall while warning her "there is danger in the summer moon above." Is that some kind of warning about werewolves? I'll assume it is, just to make this snorefest more interesting.
11 - "Eleanor Rigby," The Beatles
1966 was the year that it started to become clear that these guys weren't satisfied with just making three-chord pop-rock anthems about girls; they wanted to try many different styles and themes. And a prime example is this dark exploration of the lives of two "lonely people:" an elderly spinster, and the priest of a poorly-attended church. The song consists of nothing but vocals and strings, and nothing more is necessary. Deeply affecting and brilliant. It was the B-side of a single, but it was a slightly bigger hit than the A, which we'll get to later.
Use the Top Ten as directed.
10 - "Reach Out I'll Be There," The Four Tops
The second of two pop #1s for these Motown legends was this classic pledge to provide support and love to someone in their darkest hours. The strength of Levi Stubbs' voice provides abundant reassurance all on its own. Just greatness.
9 - "Wouldn't It be Nice," The Beach Boys
The A-side of "God Only Knows" is this wistful wish of a young person to be able to begin his adult life by getting married and setting up house with the girl he loves. Lushly orchestrated with additional support from the famous studio band The Wrecking Crew, this is one of the major reasons why Pet Sounds has become one of the most influential albums of all time.
8 - "96 Tears," ? and the Mysterians
This band of Michiganders were drawn together by both their Mexican heritage and their love of surf music, and their lasting legacy is this organ-driven garage rocker on which singer Rudy "Question Mark" Martinez sing/howls his intention to break an ex's heart as badly or worse as she broke his. They would only hit the Top 40 one more time after this went to #1, but this one song has probably been more influential to rock in general than the entire catalogues of many other, more prolific bands.
7 - "Black is Black," Los Bravos
This Spanish band with a German lead singer had their biggest international success with this song about loneliness that has a similar groove to "96 Tears." And vocalist Michael Kogel sounded quite a bit like Gene Pitney. A worthy hit, I suppose, but it doesn't really stand out to me.
6 - "Beauty is Only Skin Deep," The Temptations
The Temps picked up their second pop Top Five with this number about learning that inner substance is more important than outward appearance when it comes to choosing a lover. Just another solid chip off the Motown block.
5 - "Bus Stop," The Hollies
The second American hit for these Mancunians was this song about how an offer of a shared umbrella on a wet day blossomed into romance. Just simple and catchy and good. An essential track of the decade.
4 - "Yellow Submarine," The Beatles
The flip side of "Eleanor Rigby" was this silly-but-engaging children's song that, in spite of many elaborate interpretations from outside commentators, was apparently just intended to be about an old man telling young people about his life aboard an underwater vessel. Ringo sings it, and that's how it should be. He's always done the lighter stuff well. Just a fun tune that makes me smile, and odd enough to take down this week's Uneasy Rider.
3 - "Sunshine Superman," Donovan
Scotsman Donovan Leitch topped the U.S. charts for the first and only time with this psychedelic come-on on which he promises to "pick up your hand and slowly blow your little mind." I'm not sure if that's sexy or creepy, but the song is great regardless. And it was probably one of the first major pop hits to reference superheroes, as Green Lantern gets a shoutout in addition to the Man of Steel.
2 - "You Can't Hurry Love," The Supremes
Charttopper number seven for these ladies was this number about staying patient during the search for lasting affection. Lyrically, it's the same song as The Miracles' "You Better Shop Around," but it has plenty of other charms that are more than enough to justify its existence. Phil Collins did better than anyone had any right to expect with it, but the original is the one you need.
And on top of the charts at this moment in time was...
1 - "Cherish," The Association
In the past, I have alluded to my distaste for these agents of blandness, and now at last I encounter one of their songs. And naturally, it would have to be their biggest hit. There's nothing about it that I find the least bit tolerable. The harmonies are squaresville, the lyrics are not as clever as they're intended to be, and the arrangement is aural anasthesia. The only reason I can think of for this song's existence is to provide music for the most boring people in the world to make love to. I...just don't get it.
Yeah, that wasn't the most positive note to go out on, sorry. But hopefully 1967 will provide more thrills. Tune in next time to find out.
Tuesday, October 1, 2013
September 24, 1966 Part One
I'm a little late with this one, but at last, I'm taking you back to the early autumn of 1966. Around this time, the African nation of Botswana was granted independence, and psychologist Timothy Leary formed a religion called the League for Spiritual Discovery, whose holy sacrament was...well, I think you'll figure it out. Meanwhile, here are the songs that America was "tuning in" to.
40 - "Walk Away Renee," The Left Banke
These New York teenagers scored their first and biggest hit with this pretty, aching midtempo ballad about lost love. The strings, harpsichord, and other elements that would have this classified as "baroque pop" just add to the atmosphere. The sound of a broken heart, captured on wax.
39 - "God Only Knows," The Beach Boys
One of the standout tracks from the groundbreaking Pet Sounds LP is also in that "baroque pop" family. Just a brilliantly performed and ararnged declaration of how much a loved one means. Three minutes of heaven. Possibly my favorite of their entire catalogue. And it was only a B-side. We'll encouter the A later.
38 - "B-A-B-Y," Carla Thomas
The second pop Top 40 for the "Queen of Memphis Soul" was this slinky soul ode to a special lover. "When you squeeze me real tight, you make wrong things right," she sings. That's what we all look for, I suppose. Sounds to these ears like a grittier version of a Motown track. And that's a very good thing.
37 - "Summer in the City," The Lovin' Spoonful
Emerging from the Greenwich Village folk scene, this band scored seven consecutive Top Tens in 1965 and 1966, including a #1 in the form of this rock classic about how the mornings and afternoons in an urban setting can be hard to bear, but the evenings can be rather pleasant. And oh, that distinctive keyboard riff. Good good good.
36 - "I Really Don't Want to Know," Ronnie Dove
Virginian Dove had a nice run of eleven pop Top 40s between 1964 and 1966, even though none of them charted any higher that Number 14. This one, a cover of a 1953 hit by Les Paul and Mary Ford is a country song about wondering about your lover's "number" (and I don't mean phone number), but ultimately deciding that ignorance about that subject is bliss. He has a nice country voice, and this is okay, but nothing that I couldn't have lived withoug hearing.
35 - "Wade in the Water," Ramsey Lewis
The jazz pianist's fourth Top 40 was an instrumental version of an Negro spiritual that was supposedly written partially as a means of advising escaped slaves to cross rivers and streams to through bloodhounds off their trail. This version is a joyful noise indeed. a
34 - "The Joker Went Wild," Bryan Hyland
New Yorker Hyland was only 16 when he went to #1 with the evergreen novelty "Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini." Through the rest of the sixties, he'd score mostly moderate-to-minor hits, with the exception of the 1962 Top Five "Sealed With a Kiss." His penultimate Top 40 of the decade was this meh pop song about screwing up a good romantic thing. Not much to it.
33 - "7 and 7 Is," Love
These psychedelic rockers, formed in 1965 in Los Angeles, have become highly influential over the years, particularly through their 1967 album Forever Changes. Their only pop success in their time came the year before with this rolling rocker on which Arthur Lee sings lines like "I'd sit inside a bottle and pretend that I was in a can." It's just strange, wonderful, rock n' roll genius. Nothing more to say but "Oop-ip-ip, oop-ip-ip, yeah!"
32 - "Summer Wind," Frank Sinatra
Two years after Dean Martin returned to the top of the pop charts on Frank's Reprise label, Ol' Blue Eyes himself picked up his first #1 in 11 years with "Strangers in the Night." He followed up that hit with this languid jazz ballad about fleeting seasonal romance. As cool and classy as you'd expect.
31 - "Respectable," The Outsiders
This Cleveland band is best known for their 1965 Top Five "Time Won't Let Me." Their second biggest hit was this okay pop-rocker about desiring a literally untouchable girl. But I'm sorry, guys, your use of "rubbity rub dub dub" as a line is just lazy, lazy writing.
30 - "Flamingo," Herb Alpert and The Tijuana Brass
L.A native Herbert Alpert has been a prolific songwriter, and was the co-founder of the influential A&M Records label, but he is most familiar to the public as a jazz trumpeter who scored a batch of 60's instrumental hits with his backing band. This one is a jaunty little trifle. I can't say it reminds me of long-legged pink birds, but I think the marimba on this is pretty cool.
29 - "Almost Persuaded," David Houston
This Louisianan, a descendant of Texas revolutionary hero Sam Houston, scored 6 country #1s during this decade, but the only one to make a major dent on the pop chart was this tale of a married man who manages to resist the advances of a beautiful stranger in a bar. A fine example of the genre, and your enjoyment of it will probably be determined by how much you like country in general.
28 - "Open the Door to Your Heart," Darrell Banks
Ohio-born, Buffalo-raised Banks only managed one major hit, this solid soul number that's reminiscent of Southern R&B stars like Otis Redding and Wilson Pickett. Perhaps he could have had a revival in future decades like some of his peers, but sadly, he was shot and killed by his girlfriend's lover in 1970.
27 - "Working in the Coal Mine," Lee Dorsey
Dorsey, who we ran into in '65 with "Ride Your Pony," returns this time with his second and last pop Top Ten. It's a funky evocation of taxing manual labor that owes more than a little to Sam Cooke's "Chain Gang." Great stuff. And for the second chart in a row, I'm going to recommend that you also check out the Devo cover version.
26 - "Last Train to Clarksville," The Monkees
In 1965, TV producers Bob Rafelson and Bert Schneider sold the idea of a Hard Day's Night-style sitcom about a rock band to a production company. They then held auditions for actors and singers to form their "Pre-Fab Four," eventually casting Davy Jones, Micky Dolenz, Michael Nesmith, and Peter Tork and giving them a Beatlesque "misspelled animal" group name. Along with the show, the boys were sent into the studio with session musicians to record a debut album. The show debuted on September 12, 1966, and shortly afterward, this, their first single, would go to #1. The song is a jangly earworm about a soldier about to be sent to Vietnam calling his lover to ask her to come to him so they can spend a last night together before he ships out. People may question the "authenticity" of these guys, but there's no doubt that this is an absolute gem, one of several that they would produce in their heyday.
25 - "Psychotic Reaction," Count Five
The only major hit by these San Jose, California garage rockers was this swampy, spacey song that was inspired by a phrase guitarist Sean Byrne heard in a college health class that he thought would be a cool song title. Otherwise, it's just another song about a girl. But an excellent one. And it's the second song we've come across that's on the Nuggets compilation. You really ought to check it out.
24 - "Land of 1000 Dances," Wilson Pickett
Pickett's first pop Top Ten was a song originally written and recorded by New Orleans soul singer Chris Kenner in 1962, then taken to #30 by a Los Angeles rock band called Cannibal and the Headhunters three years later. That group added the "na, na na na," refrain to the original, and Pickett kept that addition for his breakneck celebration of a magical place where a large number of dances are performed. But Pickett only mentions five. No matter. You can come up with your own steps while enjoying this classic.
23 - "What Becomes of the Brokenhearted," Jimmy Ruffin
Mississippi-born Ruffin signed to Motown as a solo artist and session singer in 1961. Three years later, he was given a chance to join The Temptations, but lost out on the spot to none other than his younger brother, David. Finally, in '66, he scored his first and biggest hit with this immortal rumination on the "sadness and confusion" a breakup can cause. He may not have been one of Motown's most prolific hitmakers, but this is definitely an essential part in any discussion of the label's finest moments.
22 - "Turn-Down Day," The Cyrkle
Formed in Easton, Pennsylvania, this group's big break came in 1965 when Beatles' manager Brian Epstein discovered them and agreed to guide their career. The next year, they went to #2 with "Red Rubber Ball," a song co-written by Paul Simon. Their follow-up was this jaunty, piano-driven ode to a languid, lazy summer day at the beach. And I dig it. But there would be no more hits for these guys, and by the end of '67, they had broken up.
21 - "Sunny," Bobby Hebb
Born in Nashville to two blind musicians, Robert Von Hebb began his show business career at age 3, performing as a song-and-dance team with his nine-year-old brother Harold. Later, he performed with Roy Acuff, sang backup for Bo Diddley, and played trumpet in a Navy jazz band. In November of 1963, just one day after the assassination of President Kennedy, Harold Hebb was killed outside of a Nashville nightclub. Devastated by both of these events, Hebb decided to write an optimistic song in hopes of brighter days ahead, and 48 hours later, he composed this bright number that may be about a girl or the actual sun. Regardless, it became a #2 smash three years later, and is still a terrific slice of musical positivity. Great lyric, great melody, great stuff.
In Part 2: More sun, multiple transportation references, and a number of secretions from the lacrimal glands.
40 - "Walk Away Renee," The Left Banke
These New York teenagers scored their first and biggest hit with this pretty, aching midtempo ballad about lost love. The strings, harpsichord, and other elements that would have this classified as "baroque pop" just add to the atmosphere. The sound of a broken heart, captured on wax.
39 - "God Only Knows," The Beach Boys
One of the standout tracks from the groundbreaking Pet Sounds LP is also in that "baroque pop" family. Just a brilliantly performed and ararnged declaration of how much a loved one means. Three minutes of heaven. Possibly my favorite of their entire catalogue. And it was only a B-side. We'll encouter the A later.
38 - "B-A-B-Y," Carla Thomas
The second pop Top 40 for the "Queen of Memphis Soul" was this slinky soul ode to a special lover. "When you squeeze me real tight, you make wrong things right," she sings. That's what we all look for, I suppose. Sounds to these ears like a grittier version of a Motown track. And that's a very good thing.
37 - "Summer in the City," The Lovin' Spoonful
Emerging from the Greenwich Village folk scene, this band scored seven consecutive Top Tens in 1965 and 1966, including a #1 in the form of this rock classic about how the mornings and afternoons in an urban setting can be hard to bear, but the evenings can be rather pleasant. And oh, that distinctive keyboard riff. Good good good.
36 - "I Really Don't Want to Know," Ronnie Dove
Virginian Dove had a nice run of eleven pop Top 40s between 1964 and 1966, even though none of them charted any higher that Number 14. This one, a cover of a 1953 hit by Les Paul and Mary Ford is a country song about wondering about your lover's "number" (and I don't mean phone number), but ultimately deciding that ignorance about that subject is bliss. He has a nice country voice, and this is okay, but nothing that I couldn't have lived withoug hearing.
35 - "Wade in the Water," Ramsey Lewis
The jazz pianist's fourth Top 40 was an instrumental version of an Negro spiritual that was supposedly written partially as a means of advising escaped slaves to cross rivers and streams to through bloodhounds off their trail. This version is a joyful noise indeed. a
34 - "The Joker Went Wild," Bryan Hyland
New Yorker Hyland was only 16 when he went to #1 with the evergreen novelty "Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini." Through the rest of the sixties, he'd score mostly moderate-to-minor hits, with the exception of the 1962 Top Five "Sealed With a Kiss." His penultimate Top 40 of the decade was this meh pop song about screwing up a good romantic thing. Not much to it.
33 - "7 and 7 Is," Love
These psychedelic rockers, formed in 1965 in Los Angeles, have become highly influential over the years, particularly through their 1967 album Forever Changes. Their only pop success in their time came the year before with this rolling rocker on which Arthur Lee sings lines like "I'd sit inside a bottle and pretend that I was in a can." It's just strange, wonderful, rock n' roll genius. Nothing more to say but "Oop-ip-ip, oop-ip-ip, yeah!"
32 - "Summer Wind," Frank Sinatra
Two years after Dean Martin returned to the top of the pop charts on Frank's Reprise label, Ol' Blue Eyes himself picked up his first #1 in 11 years with "Strangers in the Night." He followed up that hit with this languid jazz ballad about fleeting seasonal romance. As cool and classy as you'd expect.
31 - "Respectable," The Outsiders
This Cleveland band is best known for their 1965 Top Five "Time Won't Let Me." Their second biggest hit was this okay pop-rocker about desiring a literally untouchable girl. But I'm sorry, guys, your use of "rubbity rub dub dub" as a line is just lazy, lazy writing.
30 - "Flamingo," Herb Alpert and The Tijuana Brass
L.A native Herbert Alpert has been a prolific songwriter, and was the co-founder of the influential A&M Records label, but he is most familiar to the public as a jazz trumpeter who scored a batch of 60's instrumental hits with his backing band. This one is a jaunty little trifle. I can't say it reminds me of long-legged pink birds, but I think the marimba on this is pretty cool.
29 - "Almost Persuaded," David Houston
This Louisianan, a descendant of Texas revolutionary hero Sam Houston, scored 6 country #1s during this decade, but the only one to make a major dent on the pop chart was this tale of a married man who manages to resist the advances of a beautiful stranger in a bar. A fine example of the genre, and your enjoyment of it will probably be determined by how much you like country in general.
28 - "Open the Door to Your Heart," Darrell Banks
Ohio-born, Buffalo-raised Banks only managed one major hit, this solid soul number that's reminiscent of Southern R&B stars like Otis Redding and Wilson Pickett. Perhaps he could have had a revival in future decades like some of his peers, but sadly, he was shot and killed by his girlfriend's lover in 1970.
27 - "Working in the Coal Mine," Lee Dorsey
Dorsey, who we ran into in '65 with "Ride Your Pony," returns this time with his second and last pop Top Ten. It's a funky evocation of taxing manual labor that owes more than a little to Sam Cooke's "Chain Gang." Great stuff. And for the second chart in a row, I'm going to recommend that you also check out the Devo cover version.
26 - "Last Train to Clarksville," The Monkees
In 1965, TV producers Bob Rafelson and Bert Schneider sold the idea of a Hard Day's Night-style sitcom about a rock band to a production company. They then held auditions for actors and singers to form their "Pre-Fab Four," eventually casting Davy Jones, Micky Dolenz, Michael Nesmith, and Peter Tork and giving them a Beatlesque "misspelled animal" group name. Along with the show, the boys were sent into the studio with session musicians to record a debut album. The show debuted on September 12, 1966, and shortly afterward, this, their first single, would go to #1. The song is a jangly earworm about a soldier about to be sent to Vietnam calling his lover to ask her to come to him so they can spend a last night together before he ships out. People may question the "authenticity" of these guys, but there's no doubt that this is an absolute gem, one of several that they would produce in their heyday.
25 - "Psychotic Reaction," Count Five
The only major hit by these San Jose, California garage rockers was this swampy, spacey song that was inspired by a phrase guitarist Sean Byrne heard in a college health class that he thought would be a cool song title. Otherwise, it's just another song about a girl. But an excellent one. And it's the second song we've come across that's on the Nuggets compilation. You really ought to check it out.
24 - "Land of 1000 Dances," Wilson Pickett
Pickett's first pop Top Ten was a song originally written and recorded by New Orleans soul singer Chris Kenner in 1962, then taken to #30 by a Los Angeles rock band called Cannibal and the Headhunters three years later. That group added the "na, na na na," refrain to the original, and Pickett kept that addition for his breakneck celebration of a magical place where a large number of dances are performed. But Pickett only mentions five. No matter. You can come up with your own steps while enjoying this classic.
23 - "What Becomes of the Brokenhearted," Jimmy Ruffin
Mississippi-born Ruffin signed to Motown as a solo artist and session singer in 1961. Three years later, he was given a chance to join The Temptations, but lost out on the spot to none other than his younger brother, David. Finally, in '66, he scored his first and biggest hit with this immortal rumination on the "sadness and confusion" a breakup can cause. He may not have been one of Motown's most prolific hitmakers, but this is definitely an essential part in any discussion of the label's finest moments.
22 - "Turn-Down Day," The Cyrkle
Formed in Easton, Pennsylvania, this group's big break came in 1965 when Beatles' manager Brian Epstein discovered them and agreed to guide their career. The next year, they went to #2 with "Red Rubber Ball," a song co-written by Paul Simon. Their follow-up was this jaunty, piano-driven ode to a languid, lazy summer day at the beach. And I dig it. But there would be no more hits for these guys, and by the end of '67, they had broken up.
21 - "Sunny," Bobby Hebb
Born in Nashville to two blind musicians, Robert Von Hebb began his show business career at age 3, performing as a song-and-dance team with his nine-year-old brother Harold. Later, he performed with Roy Acuff, sang backup for Bo Diddley, and played trumpet in a Navy jazz band. In November of 1963, just one day after the assassination of President Kennedy, Harold Hebb was killed outside of a Nashville nightclub. Devastated by both of these events, Hebb decided to write an optimistic song in hopes of brighter days ahead, and 48 hours later, he composed this bright number that may be about a girl or the actual sun. Regardless, it became a #2 smash three years later, and is still a terrific slice of musical positivity. Great lyric, great melody, great stuff.
In Part 2: More sun, multiple transportation references, and a number of secretions from the lacrimal glands.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)