“Sweet Inspiration” #18 4/27/1968

A few days ago we spoke about Dan Penn and Spooner Oldham and their writing of “Cry Like A Baby” for the Box Tops. Those guys wrote this one as well, the only Top 40 record for the Sweet Inspirations. These ladies were one of the best backing vocal groups of the 60’s, fronted by Cissy Houston, mother of Whitney Houston. After Cissy left the act, the others toured with Elvis for a number of years.

“If You Can Want” #11 4/27/1968

After this record just missed the Top 10, Smokey Robinson and the Miracles would have a bit of a lull on the pop charts. They would continue to do very well on the R&B side, though. Smokey wanted to stop performing in order to devote more time to his wife and kids and his VP gig at Motown, but this single and one in ‘69 that did make the Top 10 helped keep him in the group a little longer.

“I Got The Feelin’ “ #6 4/27/1968

There aren’t many people who can almost singlehandedly stop riots. James Brown did just that. JB was in Boston when disturbances began in virtually every major city after the assassination of Martin Luther King. He did what became a free concert and pleaded for calm, asking the crowd and rioters to honor the ideals expressed by Dr. King. They listened for the most part. Brown went to Washington, DC and other cities, walking the neighborhoods and pleading for peace in the streets. They listened there, too. And, oh yeah, JB kept making the funkiest music of the day. His dance moves in this video are from another planet.

“Cry Like A Baby” #2 4/27/1968

The Box Tops’ producer, Dan Penn, was being pressured by the record label for a new single but he was fresh out of ideas. Sideman extraordinaire Spooner Oldham went to breakfast with Dan one morning in Memphis when a frustrated Penn put his head on the table and said he could cry like a baby. The light bulb went on! They immediately went back across the street to the studio, finished writing the song, and came up with a huge hit. The electric sitar was played by Reggie Young.

“You’ll Never Walk Alone” (Elvis) #90 4/20/1968

Another tune from the Great American Songbook. It’s probably most recognized as the closing number from the Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon for almost 50 years. Elvis did his take here, one of many versions of this from Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “Carousel.” The version by Gerry and the Pacemakers is still used as an anthem by their hometown Liverpool FC soccer club.

“What A Wonderful World” #1 UK

One for the ages from Satchmo, or as we like to call him, Louis Armstrong. This is massively popular today thanks to the “Good Morning, Vietnam” soundtrack. Upon its original release the record did nothing in America, barely bubbling under. But the now-classic was #1 in Britain this week in ‘68. It was reissued in America when the Robin Williams movie came out in 1988 but still only reached #32. Louis (don’t call him Louie) recorded the tune in Vegas at 2:00 AM, just after finishing a gig at the Tropicana. Definitely a personal favorite.

“Red, Red Wine” #62 4/20/1968

Bert Berns wasn’t the easiest person to get along with in the record industry. By almost all accounts he was a jerk. Ask Van Morrison. When Neil Diamond left Berns’ label (BANG Records) very acrimoniously, Bert tinkered with his previous material and kept on legally releasing singles without Diamond’s knowledge or consent. I think strings were added here, but this record stiffed. UB40 did a reggae-flavored cover version in 1983.

“You’ve Still Got A Place In My Heart” #60 4/20/1968

Originally done by country singer Leon Payne in 1950, this version by Dean Martin reached the easy listening Top 10. George Jones did his take in 1984 and made the country Top 5. Dean had one of the most amazing careers in show business, succeeding in music, radio, TV, movies, and those outrageous Vegas Rat Pack gigs.

“Foggy Mountain Breakdown” #55 4/20/1968

Yee haw!! A down-home you-know-what-kicker from Flatt and Scruggs actually got some airplay on the rock charts, owing to its use as background music during the chase scenes in “Bonnie And Clyde.” It may be the most recognizable bluegrass tune ever - Earl Scruggs was just on fire with his banjo. Pickin’ and grinnin’...

“Me The Peaceful Heart” #53 4/20/1968

Here’s a UK Top 10 from Lulu. She became known as the Scottish Brenda Lee, as she’s a comparatively tiny 5’2” (Brenda is 4’9”) and they both could just belt out a song. Lulu was between TV gigs at the time as she was very successful hosting a series of variety shows on the BBC. She was also having a bit of a fling with Davy Jones of the Monkees, though nothing really came of it.

“The Impossible Dream” (Hesitations) #42 4/20/1968

The Hesitations re-did another standard from the Great American Songbook, this time from the long-running Broadway musical “Man Of La Mancha.” The show dealt with the travails of Don Quixote leading up to his trial during the Spanish Inquisition. This song has been recorded hundreds of times by everyone from Frank Sinatra to Elvis to Glen Campbell. Even Scott Bakula sang it on the show during his days as Sam on “Quantum Leap,” long before his role on “NCIS: New Orleans.”

“The Son Of Hickory Holler’s Tramp” #40 4/20/1968

Not to beat a dead horse, but the Sixties had some really eclectic songs, like one by Ocie Lee Smith (known professionally as O.C. Smith). It’s about a woman abandoned by her alcoholic husband who becomes a hooker to put food on the table and a roof over the heads of her 14 kids. O.C. would have a huge hit later in 1968 that dealt with more mundane stuff.

“Soul Coaxing” #37 4/20/1968

A number of instrumentals did well on the charts in 1968. Here’s one from Raymond Lefévre, a French arranger/composer/orchestra leader. He worked with (and later was a rival of) countryman Paul Mauriat, famous for his version of “Love Is Blue.” Lefévre also wrote a number of soundtracks for French movies.

“Take Good Care Of My Baby” (Bobby Vinton) #33 4/20/1968

A remake of the 1961 Goffin/King #1 hit for Bobby Vee didn’t do quite as well for Bobby Vinton, but still made the Top 40. Mr. Vinton, the “Polish Prince,” contracted a case of shingles in 2015 that was serious enough for him to give up performing and recording for good. He and Dolly, his wife of 55 years, live in Englewood on the Gulf Coast of Florida, and they have certainly earned their retirement.

“Jennifer Juniper” #26 4/20/1968

Once upon a time, George Harrison was married to Patti Boyd. Her sister Jenny was the inspiration for this Donovan song, though those two were never in a relationship. Jenny traveled to India with the Beatles, Donovan and other entertainment types to study transcendental meditation, and she eventually married Mick Fleetwood - twice. Video is from “The Hollywood Palace” and guest hosted by Herb Alpert.

“Scarborough Fair/Canticle” #11 4/20/1968

Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme indeed. The Sixties were a time when just about anything went in music. How else can you explain a song with roots in medieval times becoming a hit on the rock charts? It happened for Simon and Garfunkel. They took a traditional English ballad about lost love and an annual fair in the Yorkshire town of Scarborough, blended it with a reworking of a little-known Paul Simon song (“The Side Of A Hill,” renamed “Canticle”) and wound up with a hit.

“Dance To The Music” #8 4/20/1968

The breakthrough single for Sly and the Family Stone. Sly (real name: Sylvester Stewart) was a DJ at KSOL in San Francisco and had produced hits by Bobby Freeman and the Beau Brummels, among others. Sly brought in several family members to add to his band, so the name was appropriate. They became a huge influence as there just weren’t many racially integrated bands, let alone groups with females actually playing instruments alongside the guys.

“Lady Madonna” #4 4/20/1968

The Beatles asked to meet Fats Domino prior to a 1964 New Orleans show, as he was a major influence on them. Paul wrote this tribute to working-class women everywhere as a tip of the hat to Mr. Domino, who covered the song himself a few months later. The Fabs sang through cupped hands to create that kazoo-like sound in the middle. Four sax players were brought in at the last minute, all fuming there were no parts written in advance. The single was released while the group was in India though Ringo and Paul came home early, disillusioned with the Maharishi. John and George stayed behind for several weeks. A fair chunk of the White Album was written during the time in India. John was miffed that his “Across The Universe” wasn’t chosen for this single, leading to the rancorous White Album sessions. This is the “official” video authorized by Apple Films, but the pictures and audio are nowhere close to being synced. Clips of the band in the studio recording “Hey Bulldog” were re-edited here attempting to fit “Lady Madonna.”

“Can’t Find The Time” #111 4/13/1968

This one shows up on numerous “shoulda been a hit” lists. The record got a lot of radio airplay in a lot of places - just not at the same time, hampering any shot at success on a national level. Thus, it “bubbled under” at the time. Orpheus (the group, not the Greek mythology figure) started out in Worcester, Mass. and was quite popular across New England, doing shows with the likes of Led Zeppelin and Cream. The single was re-released about 18 months later and only reached #80.

“Up On The Roof” (Cryan’ Shames) #85 4/13/1968

A very mellow remake of the classic Drifters song, written by Gerry Goffin and Carole King, became a local Chicago hit for the hometown Cryan’ Shames. They never really were a national success, but did extremely well in Chicagoland. Several original members of the group are still doing shows in that area.

“Security” #35 4/13/1968

The last Top 40 record for Etta James was a remake of an Otis Redding tune from 1964. She started singing at the age of 5 and claimed to have been physically abused during her early vocal training. Etta said the instructor would punch her in the stomach to force her into singing from the gut, creating a powerful voice. Wow.

“Playboy” #17 4/13/1968

An unlikely one-hit wonder duo, Gene and Debbe. Gene Thomas had a couple of minor regional swamp-pop hits in the early 60’s, trying to make a buck playing at the Elks, the Moose and all those animal clubs in east Texas. Then he met Debbe Nevills (sometimes spelled Neville) - they hit it off professionally and romantically. Shortly after this made the Top 20 they were a couple no more, on and off stage.

“Mighty Quinn” #10 4/13/1968

One written by Bob Dylan and also known as “Quinn The Eskimo.” Don’t ask why - the lyrics are rather opaque at best. Dylan didn’t officially release the track until 1970, but the English group Manfred Mann heard the demo and got the OK to record the song. Lead vocalist Mike D’Abo admitted he couldn’t decipher parts of Dylan’s lyrics and had to substitute some of his own. Klaus Voormann (friend of the Beatles) sat in and played the flute intro.

“The Ballad Of Bonnie And Clyde” #7 4/13/1968

Based on the wildly successful (and very violent) movie starring Faye Dunaway and Warren Beatty, this 20s/30s jazz-styled tune topped the UK charts and became a US Top 10 hit for Georgie Fame. There were lots of wild sound effects (bullets flying, sirens, etc.) that gave the record a gangster feel. The song does have one historical inaccuracy, though. Bonnie and Clyde were never in Savannah, as they weren’t known to have ventured that far east.

“Honey” #1 4/13/1968

The 200th #1 record in Billboard Hot 100 chart history also regularly appears on many “worst record of all time” lists. And I’m sure Bobby Goldsboro has cried about that all the way to the bank. Look, it’s very sappy, etc., but perhaps what America needed at the time as it was #1 the week after Martin Luther King’s shooting and remained in the Top 10 until the week Bobby Kennedy was shot. Written by Bobby Russell, who also wrote “Little Green Apples.” Conventional wisdom says the young woman in the song died from cancer, but there’s a school of thought that believes she committed suicide. Either way, it remained at the top for five weeks.

“Congratulations” #1 UK

This week’s UK #1 song was from the 1968 Eurovision Song Contest as done by Cliff Richard. Each country got one vote, and this lost out by a single vote to the entry from Spain. It was the ninth of his 10 British chart-toppers. This made the Billboard Hot 100 several months later - peaking at #99. At one point Cliff was bigger than the Beatles in Britain, but only had one Top 40 record in the States (a ‘64 remake of “It’s All In The Game”). He wouldn’t break through on our shores until 1976 and “Devil Woman.” I think the video is from the actual ‘68 Eurovision broadcast.

“L. David Sloane” #52 4/6/1968

Way before her “Knots Landing” role of Karen, Michele Lee actually had a record that just missed the Top 50. Of course, she was known far more for her acting gigs. Michele appeared opposite Herbie the VW in the original of Disney’s “The Love Bug” and as country star Dottie West in a biopic of her life and tragic death. She was the only cast member to appear in all 344 episodes of “Knots.”

“Little Green Apples” (Roger Miller) #39 4/6/1968

This would be a far bigger hit in a few months for O.C. Smith. Here’s a very stripped-down Top 10 country version from Roger Miller. It was written by Bobby Russell, who would also compose “Honey” for Bobby Goldsboro and “The Night The Lights Went Out In Georgia” for his then-wife Vicki Lawrence.

“Cab Driver” #23 4/6/1968

Somewhere between rock and soul and dozens of other musical styles of the 60’s, we give you the mellow sound of the Mills Brothers, who got started in 1928. Four decades later they had their last hit, written by C. Carson Parks who also wrote “Somethin’ Stupid,” a #1 for Frank and Nancy Sinatra. The group originally consisted of John Jr., Herbert, Harry and Donald Mills. John died young in 1936 and the others carried on as a trio. They had an outstanding, influential career as one of the first major African-American recording acts.

“Kiss Me Goodbye” #15 4/6/1968

The final Top 20 record in the States for Petula Clark. As usual, Pet also recorded versions in French, German and Italian. This one effectively put a cap on her amazing career in the UK as well until a 1988 dance remix of her worldwide smash “Downtown.” At the age of 85, she’s still out there doing shows here and in Europe.

“La-La (Means I Love You)” #4 4/6/1968

A great example of what came to be known as the “Philly Sound” featuring silky smooth arrangements, quite unlike most of what came out of Motown (Detroit) and Stax (Memphis). The Delfonics got together while they were students at Overbrook High School, which also produced notable alumni like Wilt Chamberlain, the Dovells (featuring Len Barry) and Will Smith. In West Philadelphia, born and raised...

“Young Girl” #2 4/6/1968

No, this wasn’t dedicated to Roman Polanski, though I’m sure the subject matter raised a few eyebrows and the record probably couldn’t be made today with such a title. It was one of those songs that got stuck at #2 and never could punch through to the top for Gary Puckett and the Union Gap, assisted mightily by the Wrecking Crew. It did reach #1 in the UK, however.

“The Inner Light” #96 3/30/1968

The B-side of the current Beatles single was George’s last real foray into the music of India while with the Fab Four. It didn’t appear on an LP for over a decade and then only on rarities albums. George recorded the instrumental tracks in Bombay (now Mumbai) with local musicians as part of the soundtrack for a movie entitled “Wonderwall.” He finished the song back in London with his regular bandmates before they all left for India and meditation sessions with Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. This is an alternate take without vocals and with studio chatter at the beginning - sorry, it’s the best I could find. Skip to 0:58 to get past the inside baseball stuff.

“Love Is Blue” (Claudine Longet) #71 3/30/1968

There were a number of vocal versions of the recent Paul Mauriat instrumental hit, which itself was based on the vocal version of a Eurovision Song Contest entry sung by Vicky Leandros. This one was done in French by Claudine Longet, the then-wife of Andy Williams. They met when Claudine was 18 and a dancer in the Folies Bergère revue at the Tropicana on the Las Vegas Strip. Her car had broken down and the much older Andy gave her a hand. Some first date.

“That’s A Lie” #64 3/30/1968

By now, Ray Charles wasn’t having a great deal of chart success (this record kinda died) and his long-time issues with heroin were catching up with him. Ray was arrested three times for possession of the stuff, although each time the charges were dropped. He also had 12 kids with 10 different baby mamas. Yet he overcame all that, got clean, and remains one of the icons of American music.

“You’ve Got To Be Loved” #58 3/30/1968

One from a British group with next to no success at home, but had a record in the States that perhaps should’ve been a hit with better promotion. Thing is, the Montanas didn’t know this single was gaining traction over here until the moment had passed. They came from Wolverhampton, the central English town that produced Robert Plant, along with Eric Idle of Monty Python fame.

“Tapioca Tundra” #34 3/30/1968

The B-side of “Valleri” was another one of those love ‘em or hate ‘em records. But I’m not quite sure what to make of Mike Nesmith’s experimental poetry set to music. In an interview with Goldmine, Nesmith said he realized there was no way he could write pop songs the way Goffin and King, Boyce and Hart or Neil Diamond could. So Mike went a different route. BTW, their TV show was canceled this week in ‘68 after just two seasons. The next single made the Top 20, but their recording career pretty much went off the rails after that.