"Yeh, Yeh" #21 3/27/1965

A samba-flavored tune by Georgie Fame that knocked the Beatles and "I Feel Fine" out of the #1 spot in the UK. It was covered in the 80's by my daughter Valerie's favorite group, They Might Be Giants. I've listened to TMBG and find them...well, quirky.

Georgie Fame - Yeh, Yeh

"Little Things" #13 3/27/1965

Bobby Goldsboro (from Dothan, AL) dropped out of Auburn University to pursue a music career and landed a gig in Roy Orbison's band for 2 1/2 years before setting off on his own. This one is structured a bit like "Oh, Pretty Woman" - not a coincidence, IMHO. Video is from his syndicated TV show in the 70's. Check out the wardrobe.

Bobby Goldsboro - Little Things

"Goldfinger" (Shirley Bassey) #8 3/27/1965

Today, we present the title sequence to this James Bond flick from 1965, featuring Shirley Bassey with the powerful vocals. In order to hit the sustained, high last note, she allegedly stepped behind a partition and had to take off her bra. The sacrifices one must make for their craft...

Shirley Bassey - Goldfinger

"Can't You Hear My Heartbeat" #2 3/27/1965

Another case of a British act having huge success in America with a record that was never released as a single in their homeland. It even happened to the Beatles with "Eight Days A Week." It was the second US hit for Herman's Hermits, and wouldn't be their last by any means.

Herman's Hermits - Can't You Hear My Heartbeat

"Stop! In The Name Of Love" #1 3/27/1965

Admit it. You KNOW you know the choreography to this one. Hand on one hip, the other hand out in front with the "Stop!" gesture. Another absolutely iconic 60's record from the Motown songwriting team of Holland-Dozier-Holland.

Supremes - Stop! In The Name Of Love

"Stranger In Town" #30 3/20/1965

The last Top 40 hit for Del Shannon until 1981, when he scored with a remake of "Sea Of Love." He did sit behind the glass and produce several hits for others, including "Gypsy Woman" for Brian Hyland in the early 70's. I don't know where the video is from, but he's wearing a trench coat, predating the Lt. Columbo look.

Del Shannon - Stranger In Town

"Goodnight" #21 3/20/1965

Not a tune that comes to mind quickly when Roy Orbison's hits are mentioned, this just missed the Top 20. It was his next-to-last single before he changed record labels in 1965.

Roy Orbison - Goodnight

"Come Home" #14 3/20/1965

Here's a Top 20 hit from the Dave Clark Five that oldies radio today seems to have forgotten. Truth be told, I didn't remember this from the first time around - it apparently didn't get a lot of airplay where I grew up. Still a cool record.

Dave Clark Five - Come Home

"Red Roses For A Blue Lady" (Bert Kaempfert) #11 3/20/1965

This song dates from 1948, and is another case of multiple versions of a song charting at the same time. Today's selection had three versions on the Hot 100 this week in '65 - this instrumental sounds like what a TV station would've played behind a "Please Stand By" slide. It's by German trumpeter and arranger Bert Kaempfert, who's noteworthy for producing the Beatles' first recording sessions in between their gigs at the Star Club in Hamburg.

Bert Kaempfert - Red Roses For A Blue Lady

"Ferry Cross The Mersey" #6 3/20/1965

An ode to Liverpool, the home town of Gerry and the Pacemakers and many other British Invasion acts, including one we like to call the Beatles. The title is not about going to the other side of the river, but more of a plea for the ferry to actually hurry up and get across the river (Ferry CROSS the Mersey). I know it's a stretch...still a wonderful tune. Video is from the BBC's "Top Of The Pops."

Gerry and the Pacemakers - Ferry Cross The Mersey

"King Of The Road" #4 (#1 Country) 3/20/1965

A true crossover hit by Roger Miller, who said the idea for the song came when he saw a sign along the highway that said "trailers for sale or rent." That little quirk of fate made him a small fortune.

Roger Miller - King Of The Road

"The Birds And The Bees" #3 3/20/1965

The textbook definition of a one-hit wonder, Jewel Akens came out of nowhere, had a Top Five hit, and faded back into total obscurity. The song was allegedly written by the 12-year-old son of his record label's owner, although others took the credit.

Jewel Akens - The Birds And The Bees

"Anna (Go To Him)" Album cut

Another track from "The Early Beatles" issued by Capitol in March '65, whose British counterpart LP "Please Please Me" was basically composed of the set list from their days at the Star Club in Hamburg and the Cavern Club in their home town of Liverpool. The Fab Four recorded this album essentially live, with minimal overdubs. This song was a minor hit for Arthur Alexander in 1962.

Beatles - Anna (Go To Him)

"I Don't Want To Spoil The Party" #39 3/20/1965

The country-sounding B-side of "Eight Days A Week" in the US, this song was oddly never part of a single in the UK. It did appear on the British "Beatles For Sale" LP from December '64, but didn't show up on an American album release until June '65. Capitol pretty much butchered the content of their US albums up until "Sgt. Pepper's..." in 1967.

Beatles - I Don't Want To Spoil The Party

"Goldfinger" (Billy Strange) #55 3/13/1965

This version of the title song from the James Bond movie charted a little earlier than the more familiar Shirley Bassey vocal version. Billy Strange was a guitarist and arranger with L.A.'s famed Wrecking Crew studio musicians. Elvis would hire Billy whenever the King was recording his movie soundtracks. He also was the lead guitarist on the themes for "Batman" and "The Munsters."

Billy Strange - Goldfinger

"Ask The Lonely" #24 3/13/1965

This may fall into the "forgotten oldies" category. Definitely one from the Four Tops you won't hear on the radio these days. Their next single would reach #1. Not sure where the video is from, but it's sooo 60's. Enjoy!

Four Tops - Ask The Lonely

"Midnight Special" (Johnny Rivers) #20 3/13/1965

The origins of this song can be traced to 1905, with dozens of differing versions based on prison settings in Oklahoma, Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, or other places. CCR had a great version of the song in 1969, as was this one from '65. It was also the title of a successful late-night concert series on NBC in the 70's.

Johnny Rivers - Midnight Special

"Hurt So Bad" #10 3/13/1965

Here's one from Little Anthony and the Imperials that's been re-done by a number of artists, most notably the Lettermen and Linda Ronstadt. Video is from their first appearance on Ed Sullivan.

Little Anthony and the Imperals - Hurt So Bad

"Eight Days A Week" #1 3/13/1965

This was almost the title track to the Beatles' second movie, to be called "Eight Arms To Hold You" - some early pressings of the 45 have that printed on the label and are worth a fortune. They later wrote another song called "Help!" and used that as the title of the flick instead. They were finishing up production in Austria on said movie on this date in '65.

Beatles - Eight Days A Week

"Apache '65" Bonus

Normally an unremarkable chart entry, only reaching #64 in March 1965...but Eddie Van Halen said Davie Allan was a major influence on him growing up in Southern California. Over the next few years, Davie created a guitar style based on lots of effects and distortion, which Eddie took to a stratospheric level. Done first by the Shadows (Cliff Richard's backing band) and turned into a worldwide hit in the early 60's by Jørgen Ingmann And His Guitar - that was the billing!

Davie Allan and the Arrows - Apache '65

"Ask Me Why" Album cut

Here's the B-side of the UK single of "Please Please Me" which came out over here in '63...and completely bombed. However, when Beatlemania exploded on our shores a few months later, Vee-Jay Records re-released the single (with "From Me To You" now on the other side) and cashed in on the craziness. This song eventually appeared on "The Early Beatles" Capitol LP from March '65.

Beatles - Ask Me Why

"Lollipops And Roses" Album cut

A selection from the original "Dating Game" in '65 when the contestants finally met and the list of prizes was read. Other Herb Alpert tunes were used as well, as this was the first game show Chuck Barris created. The album was titled "Whipped Cream And Other Delights" and featured a model covered in shaving cream - under the lights, the real stuff would've melted!

Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass - Lollipops And Roses

"A Change Is Gonna Come" #31 3/6/1965

Another posthumous release after the death of Sam Cooke that, at the time, surprisingly didn't sell that well. Perhaps one of the most socially conscious records of the 60's. Just a great, powerful song.

Sam Cooke - A Change Is Gonna Come

"New York's A Lonely Town" #32 3/6/1965

Singing about a surfer boy stuck in NYC, one would think this group was from California, but the Trade Winds were actually from Providence, Rhode Island. Their one and only Top 40 hit.

Trade Winds - New York's A Lonely Town

"The Jolly Green Giant" #4 3/6/1965

Ho, ho, ho. From the band that gave us "Louie, Louie," an homage (sort of) to the subject of a long-running TV ad. One of the goofiest Top 5 records ever, especially where the Kingsmen give a shout-out to random veggies. If you're on I-90 near Blue Earth, MN, there's a statue to the big green dude.

Kingsmen - The Jolly Green Giant

"My Girl" #1 3/6/1965

There were plenty of iconic 60's songs - but this might be at the top of the list. It's probably the record most associated with Motown, ever. I dare any of you to listen to this and not snap your fingers. Unsure where the video is from, but a crowd member blocks the camera shot momentarily.

Temptations - My Girl

"Baby It's You" Beatles - Album Cut

Another cover tune, a hit first by the Shirelles and done with a harder edge in late '69 by Smith (produced by Del Shannon). From the Fab Four's first UK album where 10 of its 14 songs were recorded in a single day, of which this was next to last - you can hear John's voice starting to go away. Capitol Records repackaged this LP and released it 50 years ago this month as "The Early Beatles." Quite a few legal shenanigans were involved with said release.

Beatles - Baby It's You

"A Taste Of Honey" Beatles Album cut

This cover was part of the Beatles' repertoire since their early 60's days in Germany. Dozens of acts have recorded it since, most notably an instrumental version by Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass later in the year. Today's tune is from "Please Please Me" - the Fabs' first UK album, released by Capitol in March '65 as "The Early Beatles."

Beatles - A Taste Of Honey

"What Have They Done To The Rain" #29 2/27/1965

A quirky little record about nuclear fallout and its effects, with a sound much like another Liverpool group's hit - "Ferry Cross The Mersey" by Gerry and the Pacemakers. This one really should've done much better over here.

Searchers - What Have They Done To The Rain

"I've Got A Tiger By The Tail" #1 Country #25 Pop 2/27/1965

Apparently this song was based on the Esso "put a tiger in your tank" ad campaign from the 60's, before the company became Exxon. A rarity of a pure twangy country song that cracked the Top 40.

Buck Owens - I've Got A Tiger By The Tail

"The Boy From New York City" #8 2/27/1965

A one-hit wonder from Bayonne, New Jersey with a song that was re-done rather well by Manhattan Transfer in the early 80's.

Ad Libs - The Boy From New York City