"My Girl Has Gone" #14 11/27/1965

Here's the follow-up to "The Tracks Of My Tears" by the Miracles. In '67, Smokey Robinson would get billing in front of the group. He became a VP of the Motown conglomerate, and took on a bigger role after the company moved from Detroit to L.A. as he scaled back his music career.

Miracles - My Baby Has Gone

"My Baby" #13 11/27/1965

Another hit co-written by Smokey Robinson that was a little more up-tempo than the last few singles for the Temptations. That approach seemed to work rather nicely. They worked mostly with Smokey and his crew for the next couple of years.

Temptations - My Baby

"You've Got To Hide Your Love Away" (The Silkie) #10 11/27/1965

A true one-hit wonder from The Silkie, who re-did this Beatles tune from the "Help!" LP with a little help from their friends. Paul McCartney played guitar, George Harrison tapped on an acoustic to keep time, and John Lennon produced the session.

The Silkie - You've Got To Hide Your Love Away

"A Taste Of Honey" #7 11/27/1965

One of my all-time favorite instrumentals, performed by what should've been called Herb Alpert and the Wrecking Crew. The Tijuana Brass didn't really exist until demand for concert dates sorta forced Herb into putting together a road band. The Beatles did a vocal version of this on their first album. Video is from a BBC programme. (Dig the British spelling there.)

Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass - A Taste Of Honey

Happy Turkey Day!

"Ring Dang Doo" #33 11/20/1965

Another goofy novelty record from Sam the Sham and the Pharaohs. Thanks to their label, they just weren't allowed to do anything else but off-the-wall material. Eventually it would run its course.

Sam the Sham and the Pharaohs - Ring Dang Doo

"I Found A Girl" #30 11/20/1965

Ths would be the next to last Top 40 record from Jan and Dean. In a few months, Jan Berry would be involved in an accident near the real Dead Man's Curve on Sunset Boulevard in L.A. and never fully recovered, as his lingering injuries and paralysis led to his passing away in 2004.

Jan and Dean - I Found A Girl

"Ain't That Peculiar" #8 11/20/1965

A Top 10 record for Marvin Gaye, and another #1 R&B tune for him as well. By now he had  established himself as one of Motown's most consistent hitmakers. Duets with Kim Weston and later, with Tammi Terrell would expand his stardom over the next few years.

Marvin Gaye - Ain't That Peculiar

"Rescue Me" #4 11/20/1965

The only Top 10 pop hit for Fontella Bass - she had several other R&B records which charted highly, though. Not sure where this clip is from, but she rocks the houndstooth look in a way that would make Bear Bryant proud. Fashion in the 60's was...interesting.

Fontella Bass - Rescue Me

"1-2-3" #2 11/20/1965

Today's math lesson is from Philly's own Len Barry, former lead singer of the Dovells, a hit-making early 60's vocal group ("Bristol Stomp" and "You Can't Sit Down"). He had a few more chart records in him, but wouldn't reach the Top 20 again.

Len Barry - 1-2-3

"I Hear A Symphony" #1 11/20/1965

The Supremes had a run of five straight #1's interrupted by their last single, which only reached #11. Berry Gordy was quite distressed, which caused the Holland-Dozier-Holland songwriting team at Motown to alter their approach. The group's next planned single was cancelled and replaced by this, which put everyone involved back on top. As good as it gets.

Supremes - I Hear A Symphony

"Roses And Rainbows" #73 11/13/1965

Another record more notable for who sang it than the song itself. Long before Three Dog Night was formed, Danny Hutton was a scuffling solo performer. He eventually sang lead on such hits as "Black And White," "Liar," and the first verses of "Celebrate" and "The Family Of Man" among others.

Danny Hutton - Roses And Rainbows

"Take Me In Your Arms (Rock Me A Little While)" #50 11/13/1965

The Doobie Brothers had a huge hit in the 70's with this one. We give you the original by Motown's Kim Weston, who would be known more in a few months for her duet with Marvin Gaye "It Takes Two" than for her solo work. Written by Holland-Dozier-Holland.

Kim Weston - Take Me In Your Arms (Rock Me A Little While)

"Where Have All The Flowers Gone" #26 11/13/1965

One of the most popular anti-war political commentary songs of the 60's was recorded by dozens, including this version by Johnny Rivers. The original from the 50's by Pete Seeger only contained the first three verses - the rest were added years later, bringing the lyrics full circle.

Johnny Rivers - Where Have All The Flowers Gone

"Say Something Funny" #22 11/13/1965

Apologies for the tardiness of today's post - been on the road since 5:30 this morning. Here's another effort from Patty Duke all about teen angst. She recorded six LP's, but this would be her last single to reach the Top 40.

Patty Duke - Say Something Funny

"Round Every Corner" #21 11/13/1965

After the worldwide success of "Downtown," Petula Clark's subsequent records were relative disappointments. She'd already been a star in Europe and her native UK, but the press openly wondered if she would be a flash in the pan in the US. With help from the Wrecking Crew, her follow-up to this would erase those doubts. Happy birthday, Petula!

Petula Clark - Round Every Corner

"But You're Mine" #15 11/13/1965

Sonny and Cher continued the theme of "hippie couple not fitting in" with this one. Their label kept pushing the product out there, and the hits just kept on coming - you could say the beat goes on. *snort*

Sonny and Cher - But You're Mine

"You're The One" #4 11/13/1965

The first hit for the Vogues was co-written by Petula Clark, who recorded it first. This was the only English-language song Petula had a hand in writing. The Vogues came from Turtle Creek, PA, in the East Hills of Pittsburgh.

Vogues - You're The One

"Love Bug" Bonus

IMHO, Hank Williams Sr. and George Jones were the two greatest country singers that ever lived. The Possum had a career of over 50 years and reached the country charts almost 150 times, either solo or with others, with 13 of those being #1. Today's tune hit the Top 10, as did a remake in the 90's by George Strait.

George Jones - Love Bug

"Respect" (Otis Redding) #35 11/6/1965

Aretha Franklin's version of "Respect" in '67 was one for the ages - here's the slightly different arrangement by its writer, the great Otis Redding. His version was a Top 5 R&B record. Otis was such an influence on everybody in that genre, and left us way too soon.

Otis Redding - Respect

"Everyone's Gone To The Moon" #17 11/6/1965

Jonathan King was a one-hit wonder in the US, but his biggest musical impact was behind the scenes. He gave 10cc and Genesis their earliest record deals, produced the Bay City Rollers' first UK hit, and was a ground floor investor in "The Rocky Horror Picture Show." He later was sentenced to seven years in prison for improper diddling of young boys. Yikes.

Jonathan King - Everyone's Gone To The Moon

"I Knew You When" #14 11/6/1965

Giving you tomorrow's post early as I will undergo routine medical tests all day Monday. Like his first hit "Down In The Boondocks," Billy Joe Royal succeeded with another song written by Atlanta rocker Joe South. Sadly, Billy Joe passed away about a month ago. RIP, brother.

Billy Joe Royal - I Knew You When

"Positively 4th Street" #7 11/6/1965

It's rare that a hit record would contain such spiteful and downright nasty lyrics, but Dylan pulled it off. Lots of bile directed at what was believed to be a combination of people in his life at the time. The title was never mentioned in the song, but 4th Street ran through the heart of Greenwich Village in the NYC, where he got started.

Bob Dylan - Positively 4th Street

"Everybody Loves A Clown" #4 11/6/1965

Gary Lewis and the Playboys had quite a run to begin their musical career, with each of their first seven singles reaching the Top 10. Another Wrecking Crew record, like so many others. Not sure what show the video is from, but Gary's famous dad introduces the band.

Gary Lewis and the Playboys - Everybody Loves A Clown

"Get Off Of My Cloud" #1 11/6/1965

The Stones' previous single "Satisfaction" had maybe the most recognizable guitar intro in rock history - this could be the most recognizable drum intro. The second #1 single in the States and the fifth #1 in the UK for Mick and the boys. Suffice it to say this is a 60's signature song.

Rolling Stones - Get Off Of My Cloud

"Steppin' Out" #46 10/30/1965

Paul Revere and the Raiders had a few regional hits, but this was their breakout record nationally. They would be quite successful for the rest of the 60's. Today's video from "Hullabaloo" is a hoot - Michael Landon hosting, go-go dancers, goofiness from the band, ad voiceovers by DC radio legend Johnny Holliday and the animated NBC "snake" logo.

Paul Revere and the Raiders - Steppin' Out

"Universal Soldier" #45 and #53 10/30/1965

We have two versions of the same song (neither one the original by Buffy Sainte-Marie) that peaked in the same week. Glen Campbell recorded this in between his sessions with the Wrecking Crew and reached #45, while Donovan made it to #53 over here and got a Top 5 UK single. Definite anti-war message with this one.

Glen Campbell - Universal Soldier

Donovan - Universal Soldier

"Hungry For Love" #27 10/30/1965

Today's Top 5 easy listening tune is by the San Remo Golden Strings, moonlighting Detroit Symphony Orchestra members plus the string section of the Funk Brothers, Motown's house band. When Berry Gordy found out, he fined his Motown employees appearing on the record $1,000 each. Hopefully they made it up in royalties.

San Remo Golden Strings - Hungry For Love

"Not The Lovin' Kind" #25 10/30/1965

The second and last Top 40 tune from teenagers Dino, Desi and Billy. Two of them were sons of Dean Martin and Desi Arnaz. Billy Hinsche eventually became the brother-in-law of Al Jardine of the Beach Boys. Easy to tell from this video they came from big bucks, as they played Beatles-model guitar and bass. I learned guitar on a cheap Sears and Roebuck Silvertone. A Wrecking Crew record.

Dino, Desi and Billy - Not The Lovin' Kind

"Make Me Your Baby" #11 10/30/1965

Patti Labelle and the Bluebelles were supposed to record this one, but they were in the process of changing labels and contractural issues got in the way. Thus, it was offered to Barbara Lewis as the follow-up to "Baby, I'm Yours."

Barbara Lewis - Make Me Your Baby