Originally Posted by Vabosity:
“Vabosity returns once again to the 1960’s Appreciation Thread after yet another long absence, and once again not before time.
In the first ten posts I made to this thread I submitted my Top Five UK Number One singles for each year of the sixties.
A few weeks later I submitted my Top Five U.S. Number One singles for each year of the sixties.
Then from late August to early October 2012 I submitted my Top Five UK Number Two singles for each year of the sixties.
The next logical step is to submit my Top Five U.S. Number Two singles for each year of the sixties, and that's exactly what I am going to do, starting today.”
“Vabosity returns once again to the 1960’s Appreciation Thread after yet another long absence, and once again not before time.
In the first ten posts I made to this thread I submitted my Top Five UK Number One singles for each year of the sixties.
A few weeks later I submitted my Top Five U.S. Number One singles for each year of the sixties.
Then from late August to early October 2012 I submitted my Top Five UK Number Two singles for each year of the sixties.
The next logical step is to submit my Top Five U.S. Number Two singles for each year of the sixties, and that's exactly what I am going to do, starting today.”
Here are my five favourite U.S. Number Two singles (i.e. highest position Number Two) from the year 1963 (in order of preference):-
1. The Kingsmen - Louie Louie
This is one of my favourite tracks of all time, so I’m a little dismayed that it was only a minor hit in the UK and equally dismayed that it was kept off the top spot in the USA by a Belgian nun.
2. Dion - Ruby Baby
Being a big fan of Doo-wop I’m naturally a big fan of Dion (with or without the Belmonts). Unlike his previous classics, Runaround Sue and The Wanderer, this just as superb Dion track failed to chart in the UK.
3. The Surfaris - Wipeout
There were many fine Surf instrumentals back then, but this is perhaps the best known and certainly the most successful.
4. Andy Williams - Can’t Get Used To Losing You
I’m not at all keen on Andy Williams. However, I absolutely love this particular track.
5. The Jaynetts - Sally Go Round The Roses
I like this one a great deal. With its enigmatic lyrics and its strangely hypnotic rhythm it's one of the most original and different singles of 1963. Such a shame it was completely ignored in the UK.
And here’s the full list of U.S. Number Two singles (i.e. highest position Number Two) from that year:-
Dion - Ruby Baby (reaching no. 2 on 23rd February 1963)
Skeeter Davis - End Of The World (23rd March 1963)
Andy Williams - Can’t Get Used To Losing You (13th April 1963)
Peter Paul and Mary - Puff The Magic Dragon (11th May 1963)
The Surfaris - Wipeout (10th August 1963)
Peter Paul and Mary - Blowin’ In The Wind (17th August 1963)
Allan Sherman - Hello Muddah Hello Faddah (24th August 1963)
The Jaynetts - Sally Go Round The Roses (28th September 1963)
The Ronettes - Be My Baby (12th October 1963)
The Village Stompers - Washington Square (23rd November 1963)
The Kingsmen - Louie Louie (14th December 1963)
For a list of all the U.S. Number One singles of the year 1963, and to hear some of my favourites from that list, please see Post #299 on Page 12 of the thread.
