"People Say" #12 8/22/1964

The followup to "Chapel Of Love" by this New Orleans trio.

Dixie Cups - People Say

"Such A Night" #16 8/22/1964

Originally done by the Drifters in 1954, Elvis recorded it in 1960 but for some reason it wasn't released as a single by RCA until the summer of 1964.

Elvis - Such A Night

"Under The Boardwalk" #4 8/22/1964

A real triumph over tragedy.  The Drifters had several lead singers through the years, and Rudy Lewis was to sing lead on this song, but he died the night before the session. Their management and label tried to spin the death as a brain aneurysm, but it was really from a heroin overdose. The label wouldn't postpone the recording session, so the group contacted former lead singer Johnny Moore, and with almost no notice, a classic summer record came out of it all.

Drifters - Under The Boardwalk

"Where Did Our Love Go" #1 8/22/1964

The songwriting team of Holland-Dozier-Holland at Motown were the black Bacharach and David, in that they cranked out the hits at an unbelievable pace in the 60's. Diana Ross wanted to sing this an octave higher, but had to be talked into doing it in the lower register. It wound up being their first #1 record. These things usually work out somehow.

Supremes - Where Did Our Love Go

"Everybody Loves Somebody" #1 8/15/1964

Dean Martin's TV show was a hoot. His celebrity roasts were even more of a hoot. He really was the King Of Cool. One of the unlikeliest #1 songs on the Hot 100 ever, and an absolute signature song of his.

Dean Martin - Everybody Loves Somebody

"The Little Old Lady From Pasadena" #3 8/1/1964

The song title was in part from a running joke at the time on "The Tonight Show."  Johnny Carson always made reference to a used car dealer who said the vehicle he was selling was only driven on Sundays by a little old lady from Pasadena. Turned out she was the terror of Colorado Boulevard.

Jan & Dean - The Little Old Lady From Pasadena

"A Hard Day's Night" #1 8/1/1964

Perhaps the wackiest opening chord ever to a song - and one of the most recognizable. According to George Harrison and George Martin, it's an F chord with a G note on the top string, along with a D note played on bass by Paul. The notes would thus be F-A-C-G with that D bass. Try it sometime. I think the video is from a concert in Paris in 1965.

Beatles - A Hard Day's Night

"Can't You See That She's Mine" #4 7/18/1964

After the Beatles, the Dave Clark Five were the most successful of the first wave of British Invasion groups in 1964. The Rolling Stones didn't have huge success over here until 1965.

Dave Clark Five - Can't You See That She's Mine

"Rag Doll" #1 7/18/1964

Not to be confused with the similarly titled Aerosmith song (WHICH I LOVE). The B-side was the original version of "Silence Is Golden" that was a hit a few years later for the Tremeloes.

Four Seasons - Rag Doll

"Don't Let The Sun Catch You Crying" #4 7/4/1964

This group was managed by Brian Epstein and produced by George Martin, just like their fellow Liverpudlians (I like that word!) the Beatles. This was their breakthrough hit in the US, and like the Fab Four, their previous UK hits were then re-released over here to much success.

Gerry and the Pacemakers - Don't Let The Sun Catch You Crying

"My Boy Lollipop" #2 7/4/1964

Some Jamaican ska music (the predecessor to reggae). Urban legend says a then-unknown Rod Stewart (age 19) played the harmonica solo on the record, but he denies it. Not sure where the video is from - think it's from the BBC.

Millie Small - My Boy Lollipop

"I Get Around" #1 7/4/1964

How appropriate that the Beach Boys had a #1 record on July 4th. Doesn't get more American than that, does it?

Beach Boys - I Get Around

"A World Without Love" #1 6/27/1964

Other than Elton John's "Lucy In The Sky (With Diamonds)" this was the only other non-Beatles version of a Lennon-McCartney song to reach #1 in America. Paul felt it wasn't good enough for his band to record, so he gave the song to his girlfriend's brother Peter Asher.

Peter and Gordon - A World Without Love

"Walk On By" #6 6/6/1964

Another ridiculously successful Burt Bacharach/Hal David tune for Dionne Warwick. Isaac Hayes did a 12 minute + version in 1969, way before "South Park."

Dionne Warwick - Walk On By

"P.S. I Love You" #10 6/6/1964

The B-side to "Love Me Do" on both sides of the pond which made the Top 10 on its own strength over here. Ringo played maracas and session musician Andy White played drums on this track from their first UK album in 1962.

Beatles - P.S. I Love You

"Chapel Of Love" #1 6/6/1964

A New Orleans trio who took this, written by Jeff Barry, Ellie Greenwich, and Phil Spector, to #1. Video is from the syndicated "Hollywood A Go Go" TV show. Check out those crazy background dancers' moves.

Dixie Cups - Chapel Of Love

"(Just Like) Romeo And Juliet" #6 5/30/1964

A one-hit wonder from Detroit. Video is from "American Bandstand" broadcast on the same day this record peaked on Billboard.

Reflections - (Just Like) Romeo And Juliet

"Love Me Do" #1 5/30/1964

After a three week break, the Fab Four return to the #1 spot in America with a alternate take of "Love Me Do" than the version released as their first UK single in 1962. Paul said he wrote this song at age 16 while skipping school.

Beatles - Love Me Do

"It's Over" #9 5/23/1964

Roy Orbison was a musician's singer...meaning he could do things with his voice that fit perfectly with what the musicians on the record were doing. Plus, as popular as he was with the public, other musicians appreciated him even more highly. A true talent that will never be duplicated.

Roy Orbison - It's Over

"Ronnie" #6 5/16/1964

Wonder if Ronnie Spector was the inspiration for this song?

Four Seasons - Ronnie

"My Guy" #1 5/16/1964

Written by Smokey Robinson and the last solo hit for Mary Wells at Motown.  She broke her contract after this, and her career was never quite the same.

Mary Wells - My Guy

"Dead Man's Curve" #8 5/9/1964

The real Dead Man's Curve is on Sunset Boulevard in L.A. near the UCLA campus. Not only did Jan Berry have a near-fatal accident close to there - so did Mel Blanc, the Man Of 1000 Voices, a few years earlier. Mel had to record his cartoon voiceovers from his hospital bed due to his injuries.

Jan & Dean - Dead Man's Curve

"Do You Want To Know A Secret" #2 5/9/1964

From their debut UK album in 1963, but it was first released as a 45 by Vee-Jay instead of Capitol Records. It didn't appear on any Capitol LP until 1965. Lots of legal nonsense involved. Don't let that distract you from the fact it's a GREAT record.

Beatles - Do You Want To Know A Secret

"Hello, Dolly!" #1 5/9/1964

One of the last Broadway show tunes to do well on the pop charts, and certainly one of the last Dixieland jazz tunes to do so. Louis - don't call him Louie - Armstrong only recorded this song as a demo, and then only as a favor to his manager. The demo got to #1. Beats me.

Louis Armstrong - Hello, Dolly!

"Shangri-La" #15 5/2/1964

Originally from 1946 and sung by a bunch of folks since then. Co-writer Robert Maxwell recorded an instrumental version and made the Top 20 in 1964, in the midst of all the other things happening on the charts. The harp player goes wild at the end.

Robert Maxwell - Shangri-La

"Bits And Pieces" #4 5/2/1964

Still catching up to my FB posts. I promise they will be in synch soon. I believe the DC5 were the only Brits besides the Beatles to have more than one US Top 10 hit on the charts at the same time. Herman's Hermits might have done so - I'll research.

Dave Clark Five - Bits And Pieces

"Glad All Over" #6 4/25/1964

The first British Invasion act not named the Beatles to score a US Top 10 hit. A few British acts got there but did so prior to 1964.

Dave Clark Five - Glad All Over

"Needles And Pins" #13 4/11/1964

Co-written by Sonny Bono and originally a Canadian #1 hit for Jackie DeShannon in 1963. These guys were from Liverpool, too.

Searchers - Needles And Pins

"The Shoop Shoop Song (It's In His Kiss)" #6 4/11/1964

Betty Everett had the first charted version of "You're No Good" which was huge for Linda Ronstadt in the 70's. Cher later re-did this song for the movie "Mermaids" and reached #1 in the UK.

Betty Everett - The Shoop Shoop Song (It's In His Kiss)

"Suspicion" #3 4/11/1964

If you think this sounds like Elvis, you're almost right. Elvis recorded it first as a throwaway on his 1962 album "Pot Luck." Terry Stafford re-did the song and had a #3 record on 4/11/1964. It also had the distinction the previous week of being at #6 while the Beatles held down the entire Top 5. In 1973 Terry also first recorded and co-wrote "Amarillo By Morning" which became a George Strait signature song.

Terry Stafford - Suspicion

"Can't Buy Me Love" #1 4/4/1964

Their third chart topper in the States. No one had ever succeeded themselves at the top of the charts three times in a row without a break. Part of a 14 consecutive week run the Beatles had at #1. Video is from the BBC's "Ready, Steady, Go!"

Beatles - Can't Buy Me Love

"Twist And Shout" #2 4/4/1964

On 2/11/1963 the Beatles recorded 10 songs in a marathon 13-hour session for their first UK album. This one was saved for last, since at their live shows, the song would usually shred John's voice. They nailed this in one take, which was good, since they tried a second take and John's vocal cords gave out. Immortalized in "Ferris Bueller's Day Off." Clip is from the 1963 Royal Variety Show where John famously admonished those down front to rattle their jewelry.

Beatles - Twist And Shout

"She Loves You" #3 4/4/1964

One more video from the DC 2/11/1964 show. Total pandemonium.

Beatles - She Loves You

"I Want To Hold Your Hand" #4 4/4/1964

Clip is from their concert in DC 2/11/1964.  George (I think) makes a big mistake on the intro, but who cares?

Beatles - I Want To Hold Your Hand

"Please Please Me" #5 4/4/1964

April 4, 1964 was an amazing day in rock and roll history. On that date the Beatles held down the entire Top 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 - a feat never done before, and most likely will never happen again. See, Capitol Records passed on the Fab Four's first three records over here, so their parent EMI allowed two smaller labels to release them in 1963...and each of them bombed. Well, after Beatlemania took hold, the small labels re-released the earlier 45's, creating this anomaly and legal nightmare. Clip is from the legendary 2/11/1964 concert at the Washington Coliseum.

Beatles - Please Please Me

"Kissin' Cousins" #12 3/21/1964

Col. Parker kept Elvis in all those schlocky movies long after the Beatles arrived in America, which almost totally derailed his career. I believe the dancer in the solid blue dress in this clip is Teri Garr, who went on to much larger roles, such as in "Young Frankenstein." Would you care for a roll in zee hay? Roll, roll, roll in zee hay...

Elvis - Kissin' Cousins

"Fun, Fun, Fun" #5 3/21/1964

Supposedly Glen Campbell played the guitar intro on the record. From here forward, the Beach Boys made liberal use of L.A.'s famous Wrecking Crew of studio musicians, of which Glen was a huge part. He even toured once as part of the band when Brian Wilson had the first of his zillions of meltdowns.

Beach Boys - Fun, Fun, Fun

"I Only Want To Be With You" #12 3/14/1964

The second British Invasion artist to chart over here, after the Beatles. It was her first solo hit here and there, and a signature song of hers.

Dusty Springfield - I Only Want To Be With You

"Navy Blue" #6 3/14/1964

A remnant of pre-Beatles pop music produced by Bob Crewe, who also produced the Four Seasons hits.

Diane Renay - Navy Blue

"Stop And Think It Over" #8 3/7/1964

The song that made Dale and Grace a two-hit wonder. Some Louisiana "swamp pop."

Dale & Grace - Stop And Think It Over

"California Sun" #5 2/29/1964

Originally done by Mr. "You Talk Too Much" Joe Jones from New Orleans. Some good old rock and roll.

Rivieras - California Sun

"Dawn (Go Away)" #3 2/29/1964

The original Jersey Boys could've easily had another #1, if not for those pesky Beatles. One of their signature songs.

Four Seasons - Dawn (Go Away)

"Anyone Who Had A Heart" #8 2/15/1964

This was the biggest female pop record of the 60's in the UK - but not for Dionne Warwick. Cilla Black's version holds that distinction over there, which PO'd Dionne to no end. Another Bacharach/David composition.

Dionne Warwick - Anyone Who Had A Heart

"What Kind Of Fool (Do You Think I Am)" (Tams) #9 2/22/1964

Still catching up to my current FB posts from the 1964 charts. A song that is still a staple of the Carolina beach music scene, both this version and the remake in 1969 by Virginia Beach's Bill Deal and the Rhondels.

Tams - What Kind Of Fool (Do You Think I Am)

"Hey Little Cobra" #4 2/8/1964

The Rip Chords were basically Terry Melcher (Doris Day's son, who later produced records by the Byrds and Paul Revere and the Raiders) and future Beach Boy Bruce Johnston, along with the famous Wrecking Crew of L.A. studio musicians.



Rip Chords - Hey Little Cobra

"Out Of Limits " #3 2/1/1964

Originally called "Outer Limits" as a homage to the TV show of the same name, until the legal eagles forced a title change. Featured in the "Pulp Fiction" soundtrack.

Marketts - Out Of Limits

"You Don't Own Me" #2 2/1/1964

Probably the first feminist hit record on the Hot 100, and a little bit ahead of its time. Kept from #1 by the Beatles. Video is from the T.A.M.I. show later in 1964.

Lesley Gore - You Don't Own Me

"It Won't Be Long" Album cut 2/1/1964

Oddly, this was never released as a single here or in the UK - a reflection of how strong the Beatles' material truly was. It's in my personal all-time Beatles Top Five. Video is from the BBC's "Ready, Steady, Go!" as they received an award from Billboard for their US chart success.

Beatles - It Won't Be Long

"I Saw Her Standing There" B-side 2/1/1964

We flipped over the 45 of "I Want To Hold Your Hand" and got another darned good tune as well. It was the opening track on the Fab Four's debut UK album and eventually reached #14 on the US Hot 100 on its own. Not sure where this clip is from, either, but it sure is a weird mix, with John's vocals way too loud.

Beatles - I Saw Her Standing There

"I Want To Hold Your Hand" #1 2/1/1964

The record that, along with "Rock Around The Clock," singlehandedly changed Western civilization. Not sure where the video clip is from, but enjoy!

Beatles - I Want To Hold Your Hand

"Surfin' Bird" #4 1/25/1964

The only one-hit wonder surf music band from Minneapolis. They got into legal hot water over stealing a couple of songs by the Rivingtons, "The Bird's The Word" and "Papa-Ooo-Mow-Mow" and doing what is now called a mash-up, without proper credit.

Trashmen - Surfin' Bird

"Popsicles And Icicles" #3 1/4/1964

Written by David Gates, who became the front man of the group Bread in the early 70's. The Murmaids were hosed out of royalties from this record, and the group broke up over that.

Murmaids - Popsicles And Icicles

"There! I've Said It Again" #1 1/4/1964

1. Bobby Vinton and Perry Como were both from the Pittsburgh suburb of Canonsburg, PA. I've been to Canonsburg, and it ain't that big.
2. Vaughn Monroe scored first with this song in 1945.
3. The record has a very important place in American pop music history. It was the final #1 song (for the whole month of January 1964) prior to the Beatles and the British Invasion overrunning the U.S. charts.

Bobby Vinton - There! I've Said It Again

"Louie Louie" #2 12/14/1963

In the post-JFK landscape, most everything on the charts was rather mellow...and then there was this. Paul Revere and the Raiders had perhaps the first rock version of this, but fellow Portland, OR act the Kingsmen had the much bigger hit, supposedly done in a drunken stupor. Maybe the sloppiest rock record ever made...and one of the most fun records ever.

Kingsmen - Louie Louie

"Talk Back Trembling Lips" #7 1/4/1964

A successful cover by Johnny Tillotson of a #1 country hit by Ernest Ashworth a few months earlier.

Johnny Tillotson - Talk Back Trembling Lips

"You Don't Have To Be A Baby To Cry" #3 12/21/1963

A British one-hit wonder group (a duo, actually) who reached #3 over here just before the Beatles onslaught. Again, very mellow and reflecting the times.

Caravelles - You Don't Have To Be A Baby To Cry

"Drip Drop" #6 12/28/1963

There just wasn't a lot of movement on the pop charts after JFK was shot. Essentially, the same group of songs traded a few spots week to week at this point. The Drifters did this tune first in 1958, and it was Dion's last hit of consequence until "Abraham, Martin, And John" in the summer of 1968. The Del-Satins sing backup.

Dion - Drip Drop

"Twenty Four Hours From Tulsa" #17 12/7/1963

A Burt Bacharach/Hal David tune that was a little outside the box for late 1963. Get your kicks on Route 66!!

Gene Pitney - Twenty Four Hours From Tulsa

"Walking The Dog" #10 12/7/1963

Some Memphis R&B that Aerosmith covered on their first album 10 years later. Good stuff.

Rufus Thomas - Walking The Dog

"Dominique" The Singing Nun #1 12/7/1963

America was in a total funk in December 1963 (Late December back in '63...wait!). The fact that a French-language ditty by The Singing Nun was #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for that entire month says it all.

The Singing Nun - Dominique

"500 Miles Away From Home" #10 11/16/1963

The followup to "Detroit City" reflected the downbeat mood of the country after the JFK killing.

Bobby Bare - 500 Miles Away From Home

"Down At Papa Joe's" #9 11/30/1963

Here's one that sounds like it should've been a New Orleans record, but the Dixiebelles were from Memphis. Close enough.

Dixiebelles - Down At Papa Joe's

"Mean Woman Blues" #5 11/9/1963

A song originally performed in 1957 with a different arrangement by Elvis in his movie "Loving You." Gotta dig Roy's patented growl!

Roy Orbison - Mean Woman Blues

"Bossa Nova Baby" - #8 11/23/1963

Once the British Invasion hit, Elvis had somewhat of a career decline until his '68 comeback TV special. Here's one from the movies from late 1963.

Elvis - Bossa Nova Baby (from "Fun In Acapulco")

"Maria Elena" - #6 11/16/1963

A beautiful guitar instrumental by two Brazilian brothers that got lost in the shuffle in late 1963. It matched the low-key mood of the country.

Los Indios Tabajaras - Maria Elena

"I'm Leaving It Up To You" #1 11/23/1963

We are still playing catch-up from November 1963. This one had the misfortune of reaching #1 the day after the JFK shooting; thus, like so many other records around this time, it became forever lost in the aftermath. Dale Houston was from our area (Seminary, Miss.) and along with Grace Broussard, had a handful of hits around this time.

Dale & Grace - I'm Leaving It Up To You

"Washington Square" #2 11/23/1963

This record speaks volumes on where the Billboard Hot 100 was in November 1963. A Dixieland jazz instrumental by a group from NYC got to #2. The Beatles REALLY needed to come along, and soon. Village Stompers - Washington Square

"Sugar Shack" #2 11/16/1963

Recorded at Norman Petty's studio in New Mexico where Buddy Holly recorded his early hits. This had been at #1 for five weeks and slipped to #2 the week JFK was shot. Jimmy Gilmer & the Fireballs - Sugar Shack

"Deep Purple" #1 11/16/1963

This was #1 the week of the JFK assassination - 11/16/1963 and originally a hit in 1933. Supposedly the band Deep Purple took their name from the favorite song of Richie Blackmore's granny. Nino Tempo was an in-demand sax player as a member of LA's famous Wrecking Crew studio musicians in the 60's. His sister, using the stage name April Stevens, whispered the lyrics to the second verse, as Nino forgot them! Nino Tempo & April Stevens - Deep Purple

Intro

Well..., here we go. This is my first blog so bear with me...I'm learning on the fly. The idea is to discuss what was going on 50 years ago on the music charts. I began doing this on my FB page last November (2013). I'll add to this blog on an irregular basis, because I'm an irregular kind of guy. (Wait, let me rephrase that!) My hope is to put up a few links to YouTube clips of the songs from back then, and have some fun talking about those great songs! To start with, I'll try to post several of these each day to get caught up from November 1963 to 50 years ago today and where they were on the Billboard charts. I'll try to post a piece of trivia about each song as we go. We'll start with what topped the charts just before 11-22-63. Hopefully these links will work. If not I'll do my best to fix them. I'm only claiming fair use under the copyright laws. Enjoy!

Nino Tempo & April Stevens - Deep Purple  #1  11/16/63

Jimmy Gilmer & the Fireballs - Sugar Shack  #2 11/16/63

Village Stompers - Washington Square   #3  11/16/63