"Dream On Little Dreamer" #25 5/29/1965

A Top 5 adult contemporary record that sort of snuck onto the Billboard pop/rock charts. This would be Perry Como's last Top 40 appearance until "Seattle" in 1969. His career longevity and consistency was something to be admired, spanning over five decades.

Perry Como - Dream On Little Dreamer

"She's About A Mover" #13 5/29/1965

One of the better Texas-based rock and roll records of the 60's was this Tex-Mex hit by San Antonio's Sir Douglas Quintet. A standard of frat houses everywhere, and just a good old rockin' party song. One of my personal favorites.

Sir Douglas Quintet - She's About A Mover

"It's Not Unusual" #10 5/29/1965

The first UK #1 and the first US hit for Tom Jones. The piano player scheduled for this session went missing, so they scrambled and found a young pianist hanging around the studio looking for a gig. Afterward, someone asked, "Who was he, anyway?" "I don't know - Reg somebody." His name was Reg Dwight, and yes, the first known appearance on record for the future Elton John was on Tom Jones' signature song. Cosmic, man.

Tom Jones - It's Not Unusual

"Help Me, Rhonda" #1 5/29/1965

Originally appearing on the Beach Boys album "Today!" as "Help Me, Ronda" this was given a different arrangement and re-recorded for a single. Looks like they made the right call. The Wilson brothers' dad and band manager, Murry, was drunk and barged in during the session to berate his sons. This was caught on tape, and the group fired him soon thereafter.

Beach Boys - Help Me, Rhonda

"Good Lovin' " (Olympics) #81 5/22/1965

Sometimes I stumble across an absolute gem. The Young Rascals would reach #1 with this in '66, but that was based on the version by the Olympics, whose biggest hit was "Western Movies" in 1958. These guys were totally ripped off when "Big Boy Pete" was remade by the Kingsmen as "The Jolly Green Giant." Not the first or last time that happened in rock history.

Olympics - Good Lovin'

"Do The Freddie" (Chubby Checker) #40 5/22/1965

A totally different song than the similarly titled one by Freddie and the Dreamers, this was Chubby Checker's last Top 40 effort until that odd pairing with the Fat Boys in the late 1980's. Definitely the king of the dance craze records.

Chubby Checker - Do The Freddie

"Reelin' And Rockin' " #23 5/22/1965

Everybody in the 60's figured you couldn't go wrong with a remake of a Chuck Berry record. The Dave Clark Five got in on the fun with this one, which stayed relatively true to the original.

Dave Clark Five - Reelin' And Rockin'

"Iko Iko" #20 5/22/1965

One of the great tunes out of New Orleans, done by the Dixie Cups. It's pretty much a-capella, with drumsticks and ashtrays banging on a table as percussion in the studio. It's based on a Mardi Gras ditty titled "Jock-A-Mo" all about the shenanigans and espionage between the parade float organizers (or krewes). It's a long story. I love this record!

Dixie Cups - Iko Iko

"Baby The Rain Must Fall" #12 5/22/1965

The title song to the flick starring Steve McQueen, this was co-written by Hollywood composer Elmer Bernstein. He scored many movies, but was best remembered for the music from "Animal House" and "Airplane!" Video is from the syndicated "Hollywood A Go Go" - listen closely to the first few words of the lip-sync, as they didn't turn off Glenn Yarbrough's mike soon enough.

Glenn Yarbrough - Baby The Rain Must Fall

"Ticket To Ride" #1 5/22/1965

The first single from the Fab Four's upcoming movie, originally titled "Eight Arms To Hold You" before it was changed to "Help!" Some pressings of this record have that early title. George played the iconic intro, but Paul played the other lead guitar parts. Thus began the practice of the Beatles doing things in the studio they couldn't replicate live, which culminated with their last concert in August of '66 at Candlestick Park.

Beatles - Ticket To Ride

"Yes It Is" #46 5/15/1965

We give you the B-side of "Ticket To Ride" which made the Top 50 on its own. It's from the upcoming Beatles VI album, which was cobbled together from four different sources for the US market. Capitol sure knew how to squeeze a buck out of the American record buying public.

Beatles - Yes It Is

"Subterranean Homesick Blues" #39 5/15/1965

Bob Dylan never based his career on singles, but this was his first Top 40 record. He patterned himself after 30's and 40's folkie Woody Guthrie (Arlo's dad), who also must have been paid on how many words per line could be crammed into a song. If you rocked up their style and added a sax, you got...Bruce Springsteen.

Bob Dylan - Subterranean Homesick Blues

"It's Growing" #18 5/15/1965

Several days ago we featured Marvin Gaye in this space with "I'll Be Doggone." Today's selection was co-written by Smokey Robinson as well. The sheer number of hits he was involved with at Motown was simply amazing. The similarities extend to how much this sounds like "My Girl," the Temps' immediate prior #1, which was also co-written by Smokey.

Temptations - It's Growing

"One Kiss For Old Time's Sake" #14 5/15/1965

Here's another in a string of 60's hits from Ronnie Dove, the poor man's Bobby Vinton. Like Bobby, Ronnie had a definite ballad style from which he rarely deviated. With 11 Top 40 singles to his credit, it worked for him.

Ronnie Dove - One Kiss For Old Time's Sake

"Just Once In My Life" #9 5/15/1965

The second Top 10 record for the Righteous Brothers, this one was written by Carole King, Gerry Goffin and Phil Spector. A textbook Wall Of Sound production from Phil. And they recorded all this in mono, too.

Righteous Brothers - Just Once In My Life

"I'll Be Doggone" #8 5/15/1965

This was Marvin Gaye's second Top 10 record on the Hot 100, his first R&B #1, and his first million-seller. Co-written by Smokey Robinson - the Miracles provided backup vocals as well. A team collaboration from Motown.

Marvin Gaye - I'll Be Doggone

"Silhouettes" #5 5/15/1965

Originally a 1957 hit for the Rays, this was written by Bob Crewe, who famously was the guy behind the glass for all those Four Seasons records. Herman's Hermits heard it on Armed Forces Radio and cut a version that became their third Top 5 record in America.

Herman's Hermits - Silhouettes

"I'll Never Find Another You" #4 5/15/1965

One by the Seekers, the first Aussie group to succeed in America. They were touring England with Dusty Springfield when her brother Tom gave them this song; it reached #1 Down Under and in the UK, and was then released over here. Without a doubt, Judith Durham had one of the purest voices of the 60's. An absolute personal favorite of mine.

Seekers - I'll Never Find Another You

"The Entertainer" #31 5/8/1965

A Top 10 R&B hit and the only Top 40 chart appearance for Tony Clarke. A few years after this record, he attacked his estranged wife with a tire jack, so she shot and killed him in self-defense. Wow. Just wow.

Tony Clarke - The Entertainer

"Orange Blossom Special" (Johnny Cash) Bonus

Today's song was on the country charts this week in 1965, and concerns the famous 20th century steam train from NYC to Miami and sometimes Tampa. It's a fiddle instrumental (I've seen Charlie Daniels play the hell out of it) but Mr. Cash sang and played the harmonica on this version - his voice has an odd quality to it, as he allegedly did lots of those funny white pills back then. I think Boots Randolph did the sax solo, as it sure fits his style.

Johnny Cash - Orange Blossom Special

"It's Gonna Be Alright" #23 5/8/1965

This was the next-to-last US hit for Gerry and the Pacemakers - their final Top 40 hit over here would happen in about 18 months. Video is from a London-based segment of "Hullabaloo" hosted by their manager Brian Epstein, who also managed another little band from Liverpool called the Beatles.

Gerry and the Pacemakers - It's Gonna Be Alright

"Ooh Baby Baby" #16 5/8/1965

More ridiculously great harmonies from the Miracles. Linda Ronstadt had a wonderful remake of this in the late 70's, but OMG, Smokey Robinson never put a smoother sound on record. Man, this is as good as it gets.

Miracles - Ooh Baby Baby

"Cast Your Fate To The Wind" #10 5/8/1965

Today's instrumental selection was written and originally done by Vince Guaraldi, who did the music for "A Charlie Brown Christmas" and all those other Peanuts cartoons. It also appeared on the "Good Morning, Vietnam" soundtrack. They Might Be Giants also did a version titled "Cast Your Pod To The Wind." Go figure.

Sounds Orchestral - Cast Your Fate To The Wind

"Count Me In" #2 5/8/1965

The follow-up to "This Diamond Ring" didn't quite do as well - that reached #1, but this only got to #2 for Gary Lewis and the Playboys. Leon Russell arranged and played piano on today's tune, as it was pretty much a Wrecking Crew production. Those musicians appeared on sooooo many L.A.-based records of the 60's.

Gary Lewis and the Playboys - Count Me In

"Whipped Cream" #68 5/1/1965

Aaaaaaand here come the bachelors! This was the music used when the female contestant interviewed the guys on "The Dating Game" back in the day. The album cover was out there for the times, featuring a ostensibly nude model covered in whipped cream - actually shaving cream, since that didn't melt! Video is from a TV special filmed at Herb Alpert's A&M Records, then located at La Brea and Sunset in Hollywood where Charlie Chaplin once owned a film studio. You'll see the connection.

Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass - Whipped Cream

"The Barracuda" #59 5/1/1965

The follow-up to "Twine Time" from Alvin Cash and the Crawlers. Alvin went to the same St. Louis high school as Tina Turner, Billy Davis Jr. of the Fifth Dimension, and Luther Ingram. Must have been something in the water.

Alvin Cash and the Crawlers - The Barracuda

"Truly, Truly True" #54 5/1/1965

Brenda Lee scored a Top 10 adult contemporary hit with our selection today, yet it didn't even crack the Top 50 on the rock charts. Definitely a lush arrangement on this one.

Brenda Lee - Truly, Truly True

"Got To Get You Off My Mind" #22 5/1/1965

An R&B #1 that was Solomon Burke's biggest Top 40 hit. He was a pretty busy dude - minister at age 12, signed his first record deal at 15, and had studied to be a mortician. He owned a number of funeral homes and was quite the entrepreneur. Mr. Burke was married four times and had 14 kids starting when he was 14, so yeah, I suppose he needed to work pretty hard.

Solomon Burke - Got To Get You Off My Mind

"The Last Time" #9 5/1/1965

Mick and the boys do it again! We give you the Stones' third #1 in England and a Top 10 on this side of the pond. Their next single would do even better over here - that's what I say (hint, hint). I believe today's video is from the BBC's "Top Of The Pops."

Rolling Stones - The Last Time

"I Know A Place" #3 5/1/1965

The follow-up to "Downtown" for Petula Clark. She'd already had several show biz careers (radio, movies and singing) at home, but would have bigger recording success in the US than England - it's not unusual. (There's a little hint at another tune coming up in this space soon.) The line "a cellar full of noise" is a nod to the Beatles and their days at the Cavern Club.

Petula Clark - I Know A Place

RIP, Ben E. King

Ben only sang lead on a few of the Drifters hits, but boy, were those some timeless tunes. This one is my fave.

Drifters - I Count The Tears

"Mrs. Brown You've Got A Lovely Daughter" #1 5/1/1965

The British Invasion is alive and well. Here's the first #1 record in America for Herman's Hermits, which oddly was never issued as a single in their native UK. These days, lead singer Peter Noone hosts a 60's-based weekend show on satellite radio and still does concert tours.

Herman's Hermits - Mrs. Brown You've Got A Lovely Daughter