"Monster Mash" Bonus

Sometimes, ya just gotta go with the obvious. A Halloween perennial for sure. Igor, you impetuous young boy...

Bobby "Boris" Pickett and the Crypt Kickers - Monster Mash

"Underdog" Theme - Bonus

Hard to believe this cartoon turned 50 this fall. It was definitely part of my youth, and partly why my brain has turned to mush. Not plane nor bird nor even frog...it's just little ol' me - Underdog!

"Underdog" Theme

"Gomer Pyle - USMC" Theme Bonus

All I can say is...SHAZAM!! It's a shame nobody uses theme songs any more on TV. I miss that.

Gomer Pyle USMC Theme

"Daniel Boone" Bonus

Fess Parker portrayed Davy Crockett in the 50's for Disney, and played another historical figure on TV for six seasons in the 60's. Some scenes were a tad sketchy on the accuracy front, but hey, they got ratings.

"Daniel Boone" TV Theme

"Mercy, Mercy" #35 10/24/1964

Here's another record I was unfamiliar with, that made the Top 40 in October 1964. Don Covay wrote several hits, such as "Pony Time" (Chubby Checker), "Chain Of Fools" (Aretha Franklin) and one of the best B-sides ever (co-written with the legendary Steve Cropper), "Sookie Sookie" - the flip side of "Magic Carpet Ride" for Steppenwolf.

Don Covay - Mercy, Mercy

"I've Got Sand In My Shoes" #33 10/24/1964

A popular move back in the day was to structure a song for an artist as much as possible like the record released just prior. This one was the follow-up to "Under The Boardwalk" and was written by the same guys, and sounds suspiciously like the previous hit.

Drifters - I've Got Sand In My Shoes

RIP, Jack Bruce...

Jack Bruce was one of the best damn bassists ever in rock music. As an ex-bass player, I appreciated what he did to no end. Such a shame the three members of Cream were so great individually, but just couldn't get along as a group.

Cream - White Room

"20-75" #31 10/24/1964

Willie Mitchell ran Hi Records in Memphis back in the day, and produced all those hits for Al Green in the 70's.  He made a few records, too, like this instrumental with no title until they decided to call it by the label's internal release number, 20-75.

Willie Mitchell - 20-75

"On The Street Where You Live" #28 10/24/1964

The goal of our blog is to recognize popular songs when they topped out on the Billboard Hot 100 during this week 50 years ago. We're in one of those weeks from 1964 where the higher charting songs were either still on their way up, held steady, or had maxed out and were sliding down. Thus, for the next few days we'll look at tunes that peaked in the lower regions of the Top 40, like this Andy Williams version of a song from "My Fair Lady" done by artists ranging from Lawrence Welk to Bobby Darin to Dean Martin.

Andy Williams - On The Street Where You Live

"The Ballad Of Ira Hayes" Bonus

Native American Ira Hayes was one of the Marines who raised the flag at Iwo Jima. He was basically exploited by the military and the media afterward, and had issues dealing with the notoriety. He was arrested over 50 times for public drunkenness before his death in 1955. Johnny Cash brought attention to Ira's situation with this country hit, from October '64.

Johnny Cash - The Ballad Of Ira Hayes

"Matchbox" #17 10/17/1964

The Beatles were big fans of Carl Perkins, one of the forgotten fathers of rock and roll, and covered three of his songs. Carl was touring England and was in the studio when the Fab Four recorded this one, with Ringo singing lead. Clip is from a BBC Radio appearance.

Beatles - Matchbox

"When I Grow Up (To Be A Man)" #9 10/17/1964

A great example of the group's evolution from surfing and hot rod songs to deeper themes. This song appears on about 300 Beach Boys compilation albums...OK, I made that up. Not sure what TV show this video clip is from.

Beach Boys - When I Grow Up (To Be A Man)

"A Summer Song" #7 10/17/1964

Chad and Jeremy's previous single, "Yesterday's Gone" was their only UK chart record. They had somewhat more success in America, with this one being their biggest hit over here.

Chad and Jeremy - A Summer Song

"We'll Sing In The Sunshine" #4 10/17/1964

Another one-hit wonder for today's selection. Gale Garnett was born in New Zealand, raised in Canada, and had a worldwide hit with this one. She later got into acting and appeared in "My Big, Fat Greek Wedding." I had heard years ago she bought a radio station in San Bernardino, CA with royalties from this song, but I can't find any confirmation via Google.

Gale Garnett - We'll Sing In The Sunshine

"Dancing In The Street" #2 10/17/1964

One of the best party songs ever. If this doesn't get you moving, check yourself into your local funeral home. Co-written by Marvin Gaye. Some fine remakes of this one by the likes of Van Halen, the Grateful Dead and Bowie/Jagger. An absolute Motown signature song.

Martha and the Vandellas - Dancing In The Street

"Do Wah Diddy Diddy" #1 10/17/1964

Lots of 60's chart hits were re-makes, sometimes from decades earlier. This was originally by the Exciters, who had their one hit with "Tell Him" in '63 - I didn't know this was a re-make. Written by Jeff Barry and Ellie Greenwich. Manfred Mann had some UK success before "Diddy" reached #1 on both sides of the Atlantic. Bill Murray ruined this song for me forever in "Stripes"...juuuust kidding.

Manfred Mann - Do Wah Diddy Diddy

"I Don't Care (Just As Long As You Love Me)" Bonus

From October '64, this was the fourth of 14 straight #1's on the country charts for Buck Owens. There was nothing like that distinctive Fender Telecaster sound of Don Rich - Buck admitted his career slipped after Don died in a motorcycle crash in 1974. Clip is from his syndicated TV show prior to "Hee Haw" - oddly, it wasn't taped in Nashville or L.A. or his home town of Bakersfield, but in Oklahoma City.

Buck Owens - I Don't Care (Just As Long As You Love Me)

"Slow Down" #25 10/10/1964

In 1958 Billboard changed their method of ranking two-sided hits, listing the A and B sides separately. They went back to combining both sides of the single in 1969, probably affecting the Beatles more than any other act. This, together with A-side "Matchbox" likely would've done much better had both sides been counted as one. Clip is from one of their 50+ BBC radio appearances.

Beatles - Slow Down

"Rhythm" #24 10/10/1964

Occasionally a record shows up in this feature that I didn't remember from back in the day. Oldies radio today certainly doesn't play this song, the last hit of consequence by Major Lance, the poor man's Sam Cooke. Written and co-produced by Curtis Mayfield.

Major Lance - Rhythm

"From A Window" #23 10/10/1964

Another Lennon/McCartney tune (mostly Paul's) that they gave away. This was Billy J. Kramer's last hit record of any consequence here and in the UK in his brief career. The British Invasion would carry on, however.

Billy J. Kramer and the Dakotas - From A Window

"I'm On The Outside Looking In" #15 10/10/1964

Little Anthony and the Imperials hadn't had a hit in over four years until this one revitalized their career. Smooooooth stuff.

Little Anthony and the Imperials - I'm On The Outside Looking In

"Any Time At All" album cut

Another song I had a really hard time finding online, thanks to the legal eagles at Capitol Records and EMI. Guess they pay interns to scour the web in order to make things difficult for bloggers. I found a working link on a Brazilian site for this track, from the Fab Four's "Something New" album. The lengths ya gotta go thru in order to serve the adoring public!

Beatles - Any Time At All

"Funny (How Time Slips Away)" #13 10/10/1964

Boy, this one is tough to find. YouTube keeps telling me the clip of the version by Joe Hinton that made the Top 20 in October 1964...is unavailable for use in my country. I can tell you Joe's take is very reminiscent of Brook Benton or Lou Rawls - quite bluesy. I did find a version by the songwriter - Willie Nelson. You'll get the idea.

Funny (How Time Slips Away)

"The Race Is On" Bonus 10/3/1964

Here's one that was on its way up the country charts in October 1964, eventually reaching the Top Five in early 1965. Trivia: George Jones provided the war whoops on Johnny Preston's "Running Bear" in 1958; the song was written by J.P. Richardson aka the Big Bopper. They all came from the same area of East Texas.

George Jones - The Race Is On

"I Guess I'm Crazy" Bonus 10/3/1964

From the country charts, the first of six posthumous #1 records from Gentleman Jim Reeves, who died on my 8th birthday (7/31/1964) in a small plane crash. One of the most mellifluous voices in any musical genre. Trivia: Jim was a minor league pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals in the 1940's until a nerve injury pushed him into radio and then a singing career.

Jim Reeves - I Guess I'm Crazy

RIP, Paul Revere. "Just Like Me"

Yet another part of 60's music is no longer with us. This was the Raiders' first big hit from January 1966, and had the very recognizable organ intro played by Paul Revere. It sucks that he and Mark Lindsay never really patched things up after all these years. How much was the dry cleaning bill for those Minutemen outfits, anyway?

Paul Revere and the Raiders - Just Like Me

"James Bond Theme" #58 10/3/1964

You never knew what lurked in the bottom half of the Hot 100 back in the day. Case in point - Billy Strange, session guitarist and arranger with L.A.'s legendary Wrecking Crew studio musicians. How many Bond movies opened with this? He also played on "Sloop John B" and contributed that distinctive guitar lick for "The Munsters" theme, and co-wrote (with Mac Davis) "A Little Less Conversation" for Elvis.

Billy Strange - James Bond Theme

"You'll Never Get To Heaven (If You Break My Heart)" #34 10/3/1964

I was surprised this barely cracked the Top 40, although it did get to #10 on the Billboard R&B charts. Such a recognizable song of hers. Another Burt Bacharach/Hal David tune (duh!).

Dionne Warwick - You'll Never Get To Heaven (If You Break My Heart)

"Baby I Need Your Loving" #11 10/3/1964

The breakthrough hit that put the Four Tops on the map. Johnny Rivers' remake a few years later actually charted higher, at #3. Clip is from an Australian TV show in the 90's. Trivia: their lead singer, Levi Stubbs, was a cousin of R&B legend Jackie Wilson.

Four Tops - Baby I Need Your Loving

"It Hurts To Be In Love" #7 10/3/1964

If you think this is a Neil Sedaka record, you're almost 100% right. See, Neil recorded this in a non-RCA approved studio, thus violating his contract. RCA wouldn't release the song, so he took the master tapes to his bud Gene Pitney, who substituted his lead vocals. Everything else about the record is a Neil Sedaka production right down to leaving in Neil's harmony vocals. Gene did a couple of successful country duets with George Jones in the mid 60's as well.

Gene Pitney - It Hurts To Be In Love

"Out Of Sight" #24 9/26/1964

This single came out just before "Papa's Got A Brand New Bag" in late 1964. Video is from the legendary T.A.M.I. concert that year - no mere mortal is supposed have these kind of dance moves. The Rolling Stones had to follow J.B. at that show. Mick Jagger was a little intimidated, and wound up dancing on stage like never before. I feel good! Hit me! Hit me!

James Brown - Out Of Sight

"Maybellene" #12 9/26/1964

The second big hit by Johnny Rivers was a lot like the first one ("Memphis") - a Chuck Berry cover. He would progress to doing non-Chuck Berry material quite successfully.

Johnny Rivers - Maybellene