"He Called Me Baby" Bonus

This one has been recorded by dozens of artists through the years, using both the male and female pronouns. Charlie Rich eventually had a #1 with this on the country charts in the 70's. Here's the Patsy Cline version from this week in '64 in what was her final recording session, released almost two years after her passing. Wonder what country music would've sounded like had she lived - Patsy was so far ahead of her time.

Patsy Cline - He Called Me Baby

"Goin' Out Of My Head" #6 12/26/1964

The second of three career Top 10 hits for these guys. They started out as the Imperials - legendary DJ Alan Freed dubbed them Little Anthony and the Imperials after playing their first hit, "Tears On My Pillow" in 1958.

Little Anthony and the Imperials - Goin' Out Of My Head

"No Reply" album cut

John, Paul, George and Ringo went after it at a breakneck pace in the beginning - seven albums were released in America in '64 alone. By the time "Beatles For Sale" came out in the UK in December of that year, they were rather physically and mentally drained, but were still on top of their game. This one is a pretty strong entry in the catalog.

Beatles - No Reply

"Honey Don't" album cut

Carl Perkins wrote and originally performed this, which first appeared as the B-side of his "Blue Suede Shoes" 45 in 1956. The Fab Four were huge fans of Carl, and recorded three of his songs, this one from the UK "Beatles For Sale" and the US "Beatles '65." Rock on, George, one time for Ringo!

Beatles - Honey Don't

"She's A Woman" US version w/echo

Here's the more "echo-y" version that was released only in the US - the rest of the world always got the "dry" version. Guess Capitol Records thought America was kinda special.

Beatles - She's A Woman (original US version)

"She's A Woman" #4 12/26/1964

The other side of this week's #1 45, like its A-side, sounded like mud on the original US release in December 1964. Definitely a testament to the Fab Four that they were able to overcome blunders like that. Listen for John's mistake about halfway into the song where he missed a strum on the rhythm guitar part - this was missed on the original remaster, too, but corrected on other re-releases in the 2000's.

Beatles - She's A Woman

"I Feel Fine" US version w/echo

This is the version that had all the gawdawful echo just for the American audience, thanks to some fool at Capitol Records in L.A. and his vast expertise. Thank goodness modern technology cleaned it up and made it listenable. All versions have the unmistakable feedback at the beginning, believed to be the first intended use of that effect on record.

Beatles - I Feel Fine (original US version)

"I Feel Fine" #1 12/26/1964

When compact discs first came along in the 80's, one of the very first records re-mastered for better sound quality was this two-sided hit. An empty suit at Capitol Records in LA added so much echo after the production was finished for US release in '64, that it rendered both songs almost unintelligible - and this A-side STILL reached #1. (The B-side got to #4 this week.) I guess that clown figured he knew more than the Beatles or George Martin what the Beatles should sound like.

Beatles - I Feel Fine

"Sleigh Ride" Leroy Anderson 1948

We will take tomorrow off to enjoy some family time, as it should be, and return to this feature on the 26th. Meanwhile, we leave you with one that I always closed out my Saturday night oldies radio show on the weekend before Christmas. Leroy Anderson composed this in the middle of a New England heat wave, meant to be a general wintertime piece but one that will always be associated with Christmas. Enjoy and be merry!

Leroy Anderson - Sleigh Ride

"Nut Rocker" B. Bumble and the Stingers 1962

Perhaps the most whacked-out version ever of a classical song, one that's definitely associated with Christmas. Adapted (sort of) from Tchaikovsky's ballet; this version has been rearranged and covered by Emerson, Lake and Palmer and the Trans-Siberian Orchestra among others. Do you like nuts?

B. Bumble and the Stingers - Nut Rocker

"Twistin' Bells" Santo and Johnny 1960

Let's get a little wacky with our Christmas tunes today. I promise, no Alvin and the Chipmunks or barking dogs, however. There were some strange records associated with the twist craze in the early 60's - even "Jingle Bells" gets a twistin' beat here. Santo and Johnny Farina were best known for their instrumental "Sleepwalk" a year or so prior to this one.

Santo And Johnny - Twistin' Bells

RIP, Joe Cocker

Today we lost yet another unique voice of rock music. Joe passed away from lung cancer at age 70. This video with John Belushi may have been the best segment ever on "Saturday Night Live." We saw him in concert back in the day at JMU in Harrisonburg, VA, and much as I dug his music, it was very disappointing. He was falling down drunk, as happened a lot then. The opening act was...Little Feat. We'd never heard of them, but we got our dose of rock from those guys that night. Joe...not so much. http://youtu.be/aZsOyO_lXD8

"Jingle Bell Rock" Bobby Helms 1957

Recorded by approximately 519,261 people over the years, this has become a Christmas standard. Wikipedia claims this to be a rockabilly-style record - if so, it's the most watered down rockabilly I've ever heard. The burnout factor is quite high for most folks but it still works for me.

Bobby Helms - Jingle Bell Rock

"Saturday Night At The Movies" #18 12/19/1964

The final Top 40 hit for the legendary Drifters, Rock and Roll Hall of Famers and deservedly so. Written by Barry Mann and his wife Cynthia Weil - their next hit was "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin' " by the Righteous Brothers several months later.

Drifters - Saturday Night At The Movies

"I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus" John Mellencamp 1987

You gotta love John's daughter and her vocals at the end of the song. His little girl even has the big 80's hair going on like everyone else in the band...well, except the drummer, but he's bald.

John Mellencamp - I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus

"The Warmth Of The Sun" B-side

This was the B-side to "Dance, Dance, Dance" which was featured yesterday in this space. Brian Wilson and Mike Love wrote it on November 22, 1963 - they started that morning before JFK was shot, and finished up later in the day, which accounts for its mellow tone. From a musical standpoint, this song has a unique structure with some very unexpected chord changes. As always, the harmonies are impeccable.

Beach Boys - The Warmth Of The Sun

"Pretty Paper" Roy Orbison 1963

This brought together two of my all-time musical favorites - written by the great Willie Nelson and sung by the great Roy Orbison. An absolute fave of mine any time of the year.

Roy Orbison - Pretty Paper

"Dance, Dance, Dance" #8 12/19/1964

Here's the first Beach Boys hit with a co-writing contribution from Carl Wilson, along with the usual suspects (Brian Wilson and Mike Love). You can hear jingle bells on the record, so that makes it sort of Christmas-sy, I guess.

Beach Boys - Dance, Dance, Dance

"Please Come Home For Christmas" Charles Brown 1960

We all know the Eagles' version of this one - here's the original. Not quite as polished as Don Henley and the guys, but still pretty doggone good.

Charles Brown - Please Come Home For Christmas

"Come See About Me" #1 12/19/1964

Here's one of those hits that reached #1, dropped out of the top spot, then regained #1 a week or two later. This was the third of five straight chart-toppers and the third of 12 #1's overall for the Supremes.

Supremes - Come See About Me

RIP, Larry Henley "Everything's Alright" #16 12/12/1964

We lost another 60's rocker today. Larry Henley was the lead singer of the Newbeats, the guy with the falsetto. One of their songs was in the Top 20 this week in 1964, being the followup to "Bread And Butter" which peaked at #16. He also co-wrote "The Wind Beneath My Wings" among other hits. RIP, dude.

Newbeats - Everything's Alright

"Little Saint Nick" Beach Boys 1963

Another Christmas tune that sounded a lot like a previous hit by the artist. There are some ridiculous harmonies going on here...but Brian Wilson and Mike Love wrote this, so what else would you expect?

Beach Boys - Little Saint Nick

"Run Run Rudolph" Chuck Berry 1958

The other day I referenced Johnny Marks and his Christmas songwriting credits. Here's another of his holiday hits, which sounded suspiciously a lot like Chuck's own "Little Queenie.”

"Everybody's Trying To Be My Baby" Album Cut

Carl Perkins was one of the Beatles' musical heroes (and mine as well). I dig this tune for several reasons: George was my favorite of the Fab Four, and the echo on George's vocals is sooooo cool. Recorded in a single take for the "Beatles For Sale" UK album and "Beatles '65" in the U.S.

Beatles - Everybody's Trying To Be My Baby

"Linus And Lucy" Vince Guaraldi Trio 1965

"A Charlie Brown Christmas" is required viewing for me this time of year. It took some chutzpah (a nod to my friends descended from the Twelve Tribes of Israel) to have a jazz trio perform the music. It fit perfectly! Trivia: The Vince Guaraldi Trio had the original version of "Cast Your Fate To The Wind" which became a Top 10 instrumental hit in 1965 for the British group Sounds Orchestral.

Vince Guaraldi Trio - Linus And Lucy

"Blue Christmas" Elvis 1957

Yesterday I said there were two songs I had to hear before it was officially Christmas. One is "Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree" - this is the other. One of the most recorded holiday songs ever...Ernest Tubb even did it in 1949, way before Elvis' definitive version. Clip is from his '68 comeback special - in leather, even.

Elvis - Blue Christmas

"I'll Be Back" Album Cut

A major irritant for the Beatles was that Capitol Records radically altered the content of their UK albums for the US audience. Over there, the albums usually had 13 or 14 tracks whereas here, 10 or 11 tracks was the norm, thus creating additional product. Case in point is "Beatles For Sale" which came out in England this month in '64. Capitol created two albums from those 14 tracks - eight on "Beatles '65" and six on "Beatles VI" a few months later, plus assorted leftovers. Today's tune is from the British "A Hard Day's Night" album and appeared on the '65 album here.

Beatles - I'll Be Back

"Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree" Brenda Lee 1958

There are two songs I have to hear before it's officially Christmas - this is one of them. Brenda Lee recorded this at age 13, with the swingin' sax solo from Boots Randolph. Written by Johnny Marks, who also wrote "Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer", "Run Run Rudolph" and "A Holly Jolly Christmas" among others - and he was Jewish! Great songs transcend everything.

Brenda Lee - Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree

"I'm Into Something Good" #13 12/12/1964

The first hit for Herman's Hermits, which reached #1 in the UK and #13 over here. Written by Carole King and Gerry Goffin and originally done earlier in '64 by Earl-Jean, lead singer of the Cookies.
They were known for "Chains" which was covered by the Beatles.

Herman's Hermits - I'm Into Something Good

"Santa Claus Is Back In Town" Elvis 1957

Who knew you could bump and grind your way through a holiday song? Elvis Presley did.

Elvis - Santa Claus Is Back In Town

"I'm Gonna Be Strong" #9 12/12/1964

Short, sweet, and most definitely a dramatic flourish to this one by Gene Pitney. Originally done in '63 by Frankie Laine, pop star of the '40s and '50s, who sang the theme from "Rawhide" as well.

Gene Pitney - I'm Gonna Be Strong

"White Christmas" Drifters 1954

I'm gonna throw in some Christmas tunes as well as the Hot 100 stuff over the next few weeks - because it's my blog. This will forever and always be associated with Bing Crosby - but this version might be the best for my money. Featuring the bass vocals of Bill Pinckney and the high tenor of Clyde McPhatter from the classic Drifters lineup in the mid 1950's.

Drifters - White Christmas

"She's Not There" #2 12/12/1964

The British Invasion keeps on rolling along. The first hit for the Zombies here and in the UK. Some excellent keyboard work by Rod Argent on this one. Clip is from "Hullabaloo."

Zombies - She's Not There

"Mr. Lonely" #1 12/12/1964

Originally recorded in '62 during his "Roses Are Red" sessions but not released until late '64, this was the fourth and last #1 from Bobby Vinton. The message and sentiment are timeless.

Bobby Vinton - Mr. Lonely

"Sidewalk Surfin' " #25 12/5/1964

If this sounds like a Beach Boys song, you're 100% correct. Jan and Dean asked Brian Wilson to put new lyrics to the melody of "Catch A Wave" to capitalize on the new craze of skateboarding. Bet they never thought fifty years later the "fad" would still be here! Back then the boards were wooden and had metal wheels - and nobody wore helmets or padding. Trust me, my backside knows this firsthand.

Jan and Dean - Sidewalk Surfin'

"Walking In The Rain" #23 12/5/1964

We present the last hit of consequence for the Ronettes. A shining example of the Phil Spector "Wall of Sound" which subscribes to the principle of why have one piano on a recording when you can put five pianos on it? Re-done by Jay and the Americans a few years later. Trivia: The Ronettes recorded "I Can Hear Music" several years before the Beach Boys had a hit with it.

Ronettes - Walking In The Rain

"Big Man In Town" #20 12/5/1964

This tune was featured in the "Jersey Boys" musical on Broadway, but not in the movie. We saw the flick and hope to see the stage show in the near future! These guys were billed for several years at the height of their fame in the 60's as The 4 Seasons Featuring The "Sound" Of Frankie Valli. Seems a little pretentious to me, but what do I know?

Four Seasons - Big Man In Town

"Right Or Wrong" #14 12/5/1964

Boy, do I remember our local AM radio station (WRAA in Luray, VA) playing the daylights out of this one back in the day. It was a very schizophrenic daytime-only station, as they played Top 40 in mornings and late afternoons, and were solid country in middays. This one fit both formats. Ronnie Dove was from Herndon, VA and started in the music biz in the DC/Baltimore area. A remake of the Wanda Jackson country hit from a few years earlier that stayed pretty true to the original.

Ronnie Dove - Right Or Wrong

"Mountain Of Love" #9 12/5/1964

This was written and originally recorded by Harold Dorman in 1960 and re-done by Johnny Rivers in late '64. Also a huge country hit for Charley Pride in the early 80's. Trivia: Harold Dorman was born in Archie Manning's home town of Drew, Miss. and grew up in Charley Pride's home town of Sledge, Miss.

Johnny Rivers - Mountain Of Love

"Time Is On My Side" #6 12/5/1964

The first Top 10 hit stateside for Mick and the boys. This version, with the guitar intro, is what we're all familiar with, but a completely different take with an organ-based intro was the one that actually charted in '64. Go figure.

Rolling Stones - Time Is On My Side

"Ringo" #1 12/5/1964

I'm sure millions of young girls in 1964 were disappointed to discover this song was about a Western outlaw, and not the drummer for some little band from Liverpool. One of the rare spoken word #1 records, and boy, did Lorne Greene ever have a set of pipes - he was a CBC Radio newsreader during WWII and was known across Canada as the "Voice Of Doom" long before his Ben Cartwright days. The "Bonanza" thing of being the patriarch of a Nevada ranching family was so incongruous with his family's Canadian-Russian-Jewish roots. It's quite impressive when one can overcome stereotypes.

Lorne Greene - Ringo

"Four Strong Winds" #60 Pop and #3 Country 11/28/1964

Don't let the #60 chart position fool you. This was written and originally recorded by Ian and Sylvia, and CBC Radio has declared their version the all-time #1 homegrown Canadian song ever. They were among the first to record songs written by Bob Dylan and Gordon Lightfoot. Bobby Bare put out a slightly more uptempo version in late '64, and although it didn't do that well on the US pop charts, it became a Top Five country hit for him.

Bobby Bare - Four Strong Winds

"Shaggy Dog" #38 11/28/1964

Another record I was unfamiliar with from '64 - and after hearing this one, it's easy to see why. I'm still trying to figure out who thought it was a good idea to release this. A clunker for sure, but hey, even the Beatles had a few clunkers.

Mickey Lee Lane - Shaggy Dog

"Slaughter On 10th Avenue" #35 11/28/1964

This was originally part of a ballet from a Rodgers and Hart Broadway musical in 1936. The Ventures recorded a radically different arrangement of the song, which made the Top 40 in late 1964. The video is from a Japanese concert in 1966.

Ventures - Slaughter On 10th Avenue

"Reach Out For Me" #20 11/28/1964

Another Burt Bacharach/Hal David hit for Dionne Warwick. When you had a collaboration like that, why mess with success? Dionne had more charted records than any other female vocalist, except for Aretha Franklin. I'd say she did OK.

Dionne Warwick - Reach Out For Me