please post your nominations for rare, forgotten, overlooked, minor hits, from the 1960's...tracks that you remember and like. please DONT post big hits that everyone remembers, the sort you get on 60's compilation albums.
The above was the first ever post to this thread. It was posted on 27th May 2010. It is now 27th May 2012. Yes, the thread is two years old! Who’d have thought it? Certainly not the OP; if you look at Rob’s opening sentence he seems to give the impression that if the thread lasts for two days it would exceed his expectations, but here we are, not two days, but two years later, and the thread is still going strong!
Happy anniversary, Rob!
Happy anniversary, all other contributors and viewers!
As the best thread on the forum is now Two years old, let’s have Two tracks that each have the word Two in their titles ...
Bobby Darin and Johnny Mercer - Two Of A Kind (1961)
This is not the type of song that normally appeals to me, but I like this one a great deal. The reason for this could be that I admire both Bobby Darin as an artist and Johnny Mercer as a lyricist (he wrote the words to Moon River and to many of the songs that comprise what is now referred to as The Great American Songbook). I also really like Johnny Mercer’s voice.
Mary Wells - Two Lovers (1962)
There was a lot more to Mary Wells than just My Guy (her only UK hit single) as this absolute gem clearly demonstrates.
Followed by Two more tracks that each have the word Two in their titles ...
The Beatles - Two Of Us (1969)
Can any Beatles track ever be considered rare? Probably not, but some, like this one, are certainly not as well known as others.
The above was the first ever post to this thread. It was posted on 27th May 2010. It is now 27th May 2012. Yes, the thread is two years old! Who’d have thought it? Certainly not the OP; if you look at Rob’s opening sentence he seems to give the impression that if the thread lasts for two days it would exceed his expectations, but here we are, not two days, but two years later, and the thread is still going strong!
Happy anniversary, Rob!
Happy anniversary, all other contributors and viewers!
.
Thanks m8, and seconded, (in the words of young mr grace) " youve all done very well"! lol
Third-ed. A song that could well have inspired the much more well known and similarly titled Neil Young composition, this was penned by Burt Bacherach.
Jay and the Americans were one of several good American sixties groups who were completely ignored in the UK. Their music could be said to a little cheesy, but that doesn't bother me in the slightest as imho both their lead singers (initially Jay Traynor and later Jay Black) have two of the best voices in sixties pop music.
As you can see, we've already have four fine tracks by Jay and the Americans on the thread, so let's have four more.
Jay and the Americans - Sunday And Me (1965)
A song written by a then little known songwriter named Neil Diamond. This is not imho one of his better compositions, but his potential to be a great songwriter a year or so down the line is, I feel, very evident in this song. As for Jay and the Americans' rendition; well, give them any song, good, bad or mediocre, and they'll always deliver with a great performance.
I didn't listen to it, so this is a guess. I'm not a fan of Coronation Street, but I am good at storing useless facts in my head. I know that Peter Noone and Bill Kenwright both appeared in Coronation Street in the early days of the soap. Presumably, one or more members of Slade have also appeared in it too?
I didn't listen to it, so this is a guess. I'm not a fan of Coronation Street, but I am good at storing useless facts in my head. I know that Peter Noone and Bill Kenwright both appeared in Coronation Street in the early days of the soap. Presumably, one or more members of Slade have also appeared in it too?
Yep, apparently noddy had a cameo in the year 2000.
Teresa Brewer was most definitely a star of the 1950's but as detailed in this fine blog post her contributions and legacy via the many covers of her '50's songs continued into the '60's.
The post picks out for particular attention, her 1963 songs, Second Hand Rose, He Understands Me, and She'll Never Love You Like I Do, the last of which was a UK hit for Maureen Evans. Here are all three.
Just spied Line Renaud in the audience of the Roland Garros French open final. Now at 84 this 'grande dame' originally from neighbouring Belgium had humble beginnings but after teaming up and marrying Jazz enthusiast and songwriter Loulou Gaste at the age of 16 (he was 21 years her senior) her career flourished. Successful singles included La Cabane au Canada (which got a gold Disc award from Radio Luxemboug) as well as the French Version of 'How Much is that doggie in the window' but her talent was for musical theatre. Helped by her husband who composed the scores she saved the Casino de Paris from closure with a four year production from 1959 -1963; here's the moist famous number from that show.
During this time she was also performing at the Moulin Rouge and from this was offered spots on the Bob Hope Show. She would then perform at the Las Vegas Waldorf Astoria from 1964-66 where she sung with stars like Dean Martin, Yves Montand and here in the musical Gwendolina, Petula Clark.
Bo Diddley was one of the greats of early rock'n'roll. His best stuff is undoubtedly from the fifties, but here are four very good tracks from the sixties:-
Allan Sherman - Pop Hates The Beatles (1964)
Allan Sherman had a big hit in 1963 with the comedy song Hello Muddah Hello Faddah. In this not quite as successful comedy song, sung to the tune of Pop Goes The Weasel, Sherman assumes the role of a father who is not very impressed by the his teenage daughter's latest obsession, i.e. the Fab Four. Quite amusing.
Cream are well known for hits like I Feel Free and Sunshine of Your Love. I like others such as The White Room and Strange Brew, but a gem of an album track is Tales of Great Ullysees.
I'm now about to go from the sublime to the the ridiculous, from my previous post which had tracks by the brilliant Sam Cooke to this post which has tracks by the just as brilliant (but in a very different way) Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band.
First of all, the band performing on the late-sixties children's show "Do Not Adjust Your Set" and being introduced by a very young David Jason:-
The band's only hit was the wonderful "Urban Spaceman", which is probably too well-known for the thread, so here are the just as wonderful B-side and the almost as wonderful follow-up single:-
I used to have that Gorilla album by the Bonzos..........:)
A group which had a couple of hits in the early 60s and might be thought of as a precursor of the Bonzos was 'The Temperence Seven' ...........they basically did 1920s style jazz with comedy
Here's a typical song which I don't think was a hit...........
This post features the non-charting debut singles of five of the most popular British acts of the sixties.
Manfred Mann - Why Should We Not (1963)
Very, very different from any other single they ever recorded, Manfred Mann's debut single was this fabulous instrumental. Love it.
The Kinks - Long Tall Sally (1964)
I absolutely love the Kinks and I also love this particular Little Richard song, but put the two together and it just doesn't work for me. In fact, I'd even go as far as saying that the Kinks' debut single is excruciatingly bad.
Sandie Shaw - As Long As You're Happy Baby (1964)
Not bad, not bad at all, and may have even been a hit had it been released after There's Always Something There To Remind Me rather than before. The only Youtube clip I could find of As Long As You're Happy Baby has two just as obscure supplementary tracks appended to it, so if you're a Sandie Shaw fan you're in for a treat.
The Yardbirds - I Wish You Would (1964)
I really like this one, although I can understand why it wasn't a hit single. The Yardbirds would have to wait until their third single for any chart success. That third single, For Your Love, was such a major departure from the Yardbirds' roots that lead guitarist Eric Clapton, then very much a blues purist, left the band in protest. Jeff Beck was brought in to replace Clapton on lead guitar, which was probably the best thing that could have happened.
Tom Jones - Chills And Fever (1964)
I'm not a great fan of Tom Jones, quite the reverse, in fact; but I have to say that his debut single is a cracking track.
Comments
happy aniversary!
The above was the first ever post to this thread. It was posted on 27th May 2010. It is now 27th May 2012. Yes, the thread is two years old! Who’d have thought it? Certainly not the OP; if you look at Rob’s opening sentence he seems to give the impression that if the thread lasts for two days it would exceed his expectations, but here we are, not two days, but two years later, and the thread is still going strong!
Happy anniversary, Rob!
Happy anniversary, all other contributors and viewers!
As the best thread on the forum is now Two years old, let’s have Two tracks that each have the word Two in their titles ...
Bobby Darin and Johnny Mercer - Two Of A Kind (1961)
This is not the type of song that normally appeals to me, but I like this one a great deal. The reason for this could be that I admire both Bobby Darin as an artist and Johnny Mercer as a lyricist (he wrote the words to Moon River and to many of the songs that comprise what is now referred to as The Great American Songbook). I also really like Johnny Mercer’s voice.
Mary Wells - Two Lovers (1962)
There was a lot more to Mary Wells than just My Guy (her only UK hit single) as this absolute gem clearly demonstrates.
Followed by Two more tracks that each have the word Two in their titles ...
Del Shannon - Two Silhouettes (1963)
A minor UK hit single for one of the greats of early sixties pop.
Marvin Gaye and Kim Weston - It Takes Two (1966)
This Motown classic did actually make the UK Top Twenty back then, but it doesn’t get a lot of plays today.
Let’s conclude with yet another Two tracks that each have the word Two in their titles ...
The Doors - Love Me Two Times (1967)
One of quite a few excellent Doors singles that failed to chart in the UK.
The Beatles - Two Of Us (1969)
Can any Beatles track ever be considered rare? Probably not, but some, like this one, are certainly not as well known as others.
Thanks m8, and seconded, (in the words of young mr grace) " youve all done very well"! lol
Gene Pitney - Only Love Can Break A Heart
Sly & The Family Stone - Underdog (1967)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lNnqHefLlbg
This was a single. It didn't chart.
Sly & The Family Stone - I Cannot Make It (1967)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-sGpyIm1Rc
As usual, I advise you not to bother reading the Youtube comments.
if you didnt listen to it, theres a loose connection between these tracks... anybody know it?
Hermans Hermits - Just a little bit better
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qX6rx4Xug3A
Bill Kenwright - sugar man
(sorry no vid)
Slade - wild winds are blowing
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f7pCZNYxkoQ
Jay and the Americans were one of several good American sixties groups who were completely ignored in the UK. Their music could be said to a little cheesy, but that doesn't bother me in the slightest as imho both their lead singers (initially Jay Traynor and later Jay Black) have two of the best voices in sixties pop music.
As you can see, we've already have four fine tracks by Jay and the Americans on the thread, so let's have four more.
Jay and the Americans - Only In America (1963)
The facts relating to this song are fascinating. Well, I find them fascinating anyway. To read those facts, please click here.
Jay and the Americans - Come A Little Bit Closer (1964)
Their biggest hit single in the USA.
Jay and the Americans - Some Enchanted Evening (1965)
Excellent rendition of a well known Rodgers and Hammerstein song.
Jay and the Americans - Sunday And Me (1965)
A song written by a then little known songwriter named Neil Diamond. This is not imho one of his better compositions, but his potential to be a great songwriter a year or so down the line is, I feel, very evident in this song. As for Jay and the Americans' rendition; well, give them any song, good, bad or mediocre, and they'll always deliver with a great performance.
I didn't listen to it, so this is a guess. I'm not a fan of Coronation Street, but I am good at storing useless facts in my head. I know that Peter Noone and Bill Kenwright both appeared in Coronation Street in the early days of the soap. Presumably, one or more members of Slade have also appeared in it too?
Yep, apparently noddy had a cameo in the year 2000.
A decent track, but not one of my favourites by Jay and the Americans, hence its absence from all my posts featuring the group.
Mireille Mathieu - Un Homme Et Une Femme (1966)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=02jjoy9mC2c&feature=related
The next one's not in French, nor is it in any other language, it's a tremendous instrumental by the wonderfully named Wynder K Frog:-
Wynder K Frog - Gasoline Alley (1968)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RYnrRMde7HM
The Rev-Lons - Love Can't Be A One Way Deal
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a80EfjpZATA
Les Intrigantes - Hello Goodbye ( Mostly sang in French )
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gOO66m0dIzg&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gggNIbsNpqo&feature=related
The post picks out for particular attention, her 1963 songs, Second Hand Rose, He Understands Me, and She'll Never Love You Like I Do, the last of which was a UK hit for Maureen Evans. Here are all three.
Teresa Brewer - 3 1963 songs
Here's her most famous song as covered by Philly quartet Yvonne baker and The Sensations in 1961.
The Sensations - Music Music Music
This is my favourite Teresa Brewer song and imo the best cover from 1964 by Skeeter Davis (There's a more successful but terrible disco version)
Skeeter Davis - Gonna Get Along Without You Now
Line Renaud - Plaisirs
During this time she was also performing at the Moulin Rouge and from this was offered spots on the Bob Hope Show. She would then perform at the Las Vegas Waldorf Astoria from 1964-66 where she sung with stars like Dean Martin, Yves Montand and here in the musical Gwendolina, Petula Clark.
Petula Clark & Line Renaud - Bal aux Baleares
I've been racking my brains thinking about a Motown song called 'Like I Do'.............
It hit me...........it's this one.........For Real - Like I Do
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FbUukvd2fN4
It's a bit of a swizz because I think it came out in the 90s..........but it's a real homage to 60s Motown...........:D
If you're into Motown.
You might want to try "The Motown Hour" every Monday from 10am.
Bo Diddley - Walkin' and Talkin' (1960)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mVyrFLel8Cg
Bo Diddley - Pills (1961)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sWbB_vStX_8&feature=related
Bo Diddley - You Can't Judge A Book By The Cover (1962)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lch0o4wwGyw
Bo Diddley - Mama Keep Your Big Mouth Shut (1964)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ysweyt4INgk
The Skatalites - Christine Keeler (1964)
Excellent Ska instrumental. Christine Keeler is one of the most famous women of the sixties, but if you've never heard of her please click here.
Allan Sherman - Pop Hates The Beatles (1964)
Allan Sherman had a big hit in 1963 with the comedy song Hello Muddah Hello Faddah. In this not quite as successful comedy song, sung to the tune of Pop Goes The Weasel, Sherman assumes the role of a father who is not very impressed by the his teenage daughter's latest obsession, i.e. the Fab Four. Quite amusing.
Simon and Garfunkel - So Long Frank Lloyd Wright (1969)
Recorded in 1969 and released on the album Bridge Over Troubled Water in early 1970, this is one of my favourite Simon and Garfunkel tracks. Apparently, Frank Lloyd Wright was a famous American architect.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u8hLc_nqx8g
Definitely time for some more tracks by the brilliant Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band:-
Button Up Your Overcoat (1966)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hf9SJ9LyDRs
Big Shot (1967)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ewaMuwtayGk
Hunting Tigers Out In Indiah (1969)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZNmL1L3dF6g&feature=related
Give Booze A Chance (1969)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rRFo_-QsmR8
Love this one.
“You got a light, mac?”
“No, but I’ve got a dark brown overcoat”.
Brilliant!
A group which had a couple of hits in the early 60s and might be thought of as a precursor of the Bonzos was 'The Temperence Seven' ...........they basically did 1920s style jazz with comedy
Here's a typical song which I don't think was a hit...........
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EddNUNoqrtI
Manfred Mann - Why Should We Not (1963)
Very, very different from any other single they ever recorded, Manfred Mann's debut single was this fabulous instrumental. Love it.
The Kinks - Long Tall Sally (1964)
I absolutely love the Kinks and I also love this particular Little Richard song, but put the two together and it just doesn't work for me. In fact, I'd even go as far as saying that the Kinks' debut single is excruciatingly bad.
Sandie Shaw - As Long As You're Happy Baby (1964)
Not bad, not bad at all, and may have even been a hit had it been released after There's Always Something There To Remind Me rather than before. The only Youtube clip I could find of As Long As You're Happy Baby has two just as obscure supplementary tracks appended to it, so if you're a Sandie Shaw fan you're in for a treat.
The Yardbirds - I Wish You Would (1964)
I really like this one, although I can understand why it wasn't a hit single. The Yardbirds would have to wait until their third single for any chart success. That third single, For Your Love, was such a major departure from the Yardbirds' roots that lead guitarist Eric Clapton, then very much a blues purist, left the band in protest. Jeff Beck was brought in to replace Clapton on lead guitar, which was probably the best thing that could have happened.
Tom Jones - Chills And Fever (1964)
I'm not a great fan of Tom Jones, quite the reverse, in fact; but I have to say that his debut single is a cracking track.