“Too Busy Thinking About My Baby” #4 6/28/1969

Many times, Motown songs became hits years after they were recorded by someone else at the label. This was done first by the Temptations as a 1966 album track, but Marvin Gaye made it the top-selling R&B single of 1969. Definitely a 180-degree turnabout from the downbeat nature of “I Heard It Through The Grapevine.”

“Bad Moon Rising” #2 6/28/1969

There’s a bathroom on the right! Perhaps the most mis-heard lyric in rock history came from the pen of John Fogerty, and was the second of three straight #2 hits for CCR in 1969. This was maybe the most cheerful end-of-the-world song until R.E.M. broached that subject years later. Fogerty said he based the song on the movie “The Devil And Daniel Webster” which had a scene involving a hurricane.

“Love Theme From ‘Romeo And Juliet’“ #1 6/28/1969

Surprisingly, the only #1 on either the pop or easy listening charts for Henry Mancini, the king of soundtracks. “Breakfast At Tiffany’s,” “The Pink Panther,” “Peter Gunn,” the list is almost endless. Many times, he also released his own arrangements of movie and TV songs, as he did here from the 1968 movie based on Shakespeare’s classic.

“Chest Fever” (Three Dog Night) Album cut

A track from Three Dog Night’s first album, also the B-side of their current single. It was originally recorded by The Band on their 1968 LP “Music From Big Pink” and contained some rather nonsensical, almost indecipherable lyrics; Robbie Robertson admitted as much. TDN therefore had to improvise. I think they did OK.

”I’m A Man” (Chicago) Album cut

Here’s one from the debut double album by Chicago Transit Authority. The group was the brainchild of James William Guercio, fired by the Buckinghams when they disagreed with his notion of a horn-driven band. The name had to be shortened to Chicago when the real CTA threatened legal action. This remake of a Spencer Davis Group track showed up as the B-side to a 1971 reissue of “Questions 67 And 68.”

“Good Golly Miss Molly” (CCR) Album cut

It’s another semi-slow week on the Hot 100, so we’ll give you some cuts from top albums this week in 1969. CCR covered this Little Richard rock classic on their “Bayou Country” LP. They acquitted themselves rather well here - it’s positively smokin’. John Fogerty may have been on to something.

“Hushabye” (Jay and the Americans) #62 6/21/1969

Doc Pomus and Mort Shuman wrote a sizable number of hits in the early days of rock and roll. “Little Sister,” “Viva Las Vegas,” “Save The Last Dance For Me,” “I Count The Tears,” the list goes on. They wrote “This Magic Moment,” huge for both the Drifters and Jay and the Americans. Jay Black and the guys also covered another Pomus/Shuman tune here, a doo-wop hit in 1959 for the Mystics.

“I Want To Take You Higher” (1969 release) #60 6/21/1969

The B-side of “Stand!” charted on its own here for Sly and the Family Stone.  The single was reissued a year later with the promoted sides reversed, and this side did somewhat better. It was a crowd-pleasing highlight of their Woodstock set. Ike and Tina Turner covered this in 1970 as well, and made the Top 40.

“Special Delivery” #38 6/21/1969

The final Top 40 record from the 1910 Fruitgum Company before they disbanded. Several subsequent singles flopped and the group broke up in 1970. These days, original member Frank Jeckell and the current band incarnation are out on the oldies circuit, doing gigs such as theme cruises. Bubblegum music lives on.

“Day Is Done” #21 6/21/1969

The last tune recorded by Peter, Paul and Mary as a group before the trio began solo projects. (“Leavin’ On A Jet Plane” had been recorded several years earlier.) Peter Yarrow wrote the song while thinking of the possibility of his younger brother being drafted. It became an anti-war anthem of the times.

“I Could Never Lie To You” #50 6/14/1969

The final Top 50 song from New Colony Six. They were one of a multitude of 60’s bands from the Chicago area that did so well locally, but only had sporadic success on a national level. The Shadows of Knight, the Cryan’ Shames, the Mauds, the Revelles, the list goes on and on. Still, lots of good rockin’ tunes from that town.

“I’m A Drifter” #46 6/14/1969

Bobby Goldsboro was in a bit of a dry spell by now. Not to worry, though. He straddled the line between pop and country for a time, then hosted a syndicated TV music show from 1973-75. Bobby also owned a song publishing firm, which had “Wind Beneath My Wings” and ”Behind Closed Doors” among its titles. In the 90’s he created a PBS children’s show, “The Swamp Critters Of Lost Lagoon.”

“I’ve Been Hurt” #35 6/14/1969

More Carolina beach music! The second Top 40 record from Virginia Beach’s own Bill Deal and the Rhondels, written by Ray Whitley. He also composed several hits by the Tams, as well as songs done by Billy Joe Royal and Tommy Roe. Whitley eventually fell on hard times, dealing with alcoholism and homelessness before passing away in 2013.

“Windmills Of Your Mind” (Dusty Springfield) #31 6/14/1969

From the original (1968) soundtrack of “The Thomas Crown Affair” and recorded first by Noel Harrison after Andy Williams passed on it. Here’s the Dusty Springfield version; though she really didn’t care for the song, she did it as a favor to the president of Atlantic Records, Jerry Wexler. Love Dusty’s take.

“Everyday With You Girl” #19 6/14/1969

The last Top 20 hit for the Classics IV was another rather mellow tune - pleasant, but not a lot of ooomph to it. They didn’t need it, I suppose. Their personnel changed substantially around this time, with several members becoming the nucleus of the Atlanta Rhythm Section. The current group still performs after lead singer Dennis Yost died in 2009, taking part in the 2019 Happy Together tour.

“More Today Than Yesterday“ #12 6/14/1969

By request! The music landscape is littered with one-hit wonders. Spiral Starecase (purposely misspelled) was an example. Catchy song here - this led off the great 25-volume “Have A Nice Day” compilation from Rhino Records. But the band just couldn’t follow it up; bad management and money squabbles did them in. Keyboardist Harvey Kaye’s daughter is 80’s pop singer Brenda K. Starr.

“In The Ghetto” #3 6/14/1969

The first Top 10 hit in four years for the King was another message song, much to Colonel Parker’s displeasure. He didn’t want Elvis to alienate the fan base, but those concerns were disregarded. The track almost wound up with ex-NFL lineman Rosey Grier; producer Chips Moman thought better. This had a working title of “The Vicious Circle” but Mac Davis changed it prior to giving the tune to RCA. It was another in a string of tracks Elvis recorded back in Memphis, the first sessions in his hometown since 1956. Great understated vocal, and an all-time fave of mine.

“Lay Lady Lay” (Byrds) #132 6/7/1969

Bob Dylan had just released his LP “Nashville Skyline” which contained this song. The Byrds put this out as a single before he did, though their version had a female choir dubbed in. The group had no clue that happened until after the fact, which horrified them to where all future Byrds box sets, etc. containing the track deleted the choir. Dylan would have a Top 10 hit in a few months with the original.

“Love Man” #72 6/7/1969

From “Dirty Dancing,” though this posthumous Otis Redding tune wasn’t on the original soundtrack album. It was a bonus cut on later issues, though. The timeline was a little off - the flick was set in 1963, but this wasn’t even released until 1969. Call it Hollywood poetic license. This clip has the whole Patrick Swayze dance scene with the Contours’ “Do You Love Me” plus Otis. Love it!!

“Truck Stop” #71 6/7/1969

Jerry Smith played some rollicking piano for a couple of 1963 hits by the Dixiebelles, “Down At Papa Joe’s“ and “Southtown U.S.A.” before this Top 15 easy listening hit. He also was a Memphis session musician for his pal Bill Justis (“Raunchy”) before moving to Nashville and appearing on records by Chet Atkins and Willie Nelson, among others. Jerry also recorded several dozen instrumental albums under the name The Magic Organ. Seriously.

“Welcome Me Love” #48 6/7/1969

One of those songs that kind of got lost in the shuffle because of confusion by Top 40 radio over which side of the single to feature. Nobody could figure out whether this side of the Brooklyn Bridge’s current 45 or “Blessed Is The Rain” should take precedence. Shame, because both were actually pretty decent tunes.

“Cissy Strut” #23 6/7/1969

The Meters were one of the better instrumental groups out of New Orleans, no small feat given the talent level in the Crescent City. They worked with the likes of Paul McCartney, the Rolling Stones, and Dr. John (backing him on “Right Place, Wrong Time” - RIP, Mac Rebennack) before Art and Cyril Neville joined their brothers Aaron and Charles in one of the most influential NOLA bands ever. This track is so funky you’d probably flunk a drug test just by listening to it.

“Morning Girl” #17 6/7/1969

One from a duo calling themselves the Neon Philharmonic. They were backed here by members of the Nashville Symphony, who usually added strings to country songs. This owed a lot to “A Day In The Life,” what with the discordant psychedelic violins at the end, etc. Pianist Tupper Saussy became an anti-tax activist, hiding from the IRS for a decade until finally going to prison in the late 90’s. Vocalist Don Gant went on to produce many of Jimmy Buffett’s early albums.

“Grazing In The Grass” (Friends Of Distinction) #3 6/7/1969

Only rarely do instrumental and vocal versions of a song both become big hits. Hugh Masekela’s #1 from the summer of ‘68 was given lyrics by Harry Elston and became a hit again. Elston and Floyd Butler began with the Hi-Fi’s and were part of the Ray Charles 60’s road show; that group included Marilyn McCoo and Lamont McLemore, later with the 5th Dimension. The Friends of Distinction were managed by NFL legend Jim Brown, which opened many doors. Their talent got them inside.

“Cajun Baby” #107 (#3 Country) 5/31/1969

Hank Williams was maybe the finest country singer that ever lived. He died on New Year’s Day 1953 when his son was just 3. Everybody in Nashville tried to push Hank Jr. into sounding exactly like his daddy. He finished writing an incomplete song of Hank Sr.’s and would reach the country Top 5 in a few weeks, just missing the Hot 100 here. It took a near-fatal fall from a Montana mountain for Bocephus to have an epiphany and break out of his father’s immense shadow.

“Sorry Suzanne” #56 5/31/1969

Graham Nash left the Hollies after clashing with their producer Ron Richards over the choice of material. This was the group’s first single after his departure, which made the UK Top 5 but didn’t do that well in the States. Of course, Nash hooked up with David Crosby and Stephen Stills. The Hollies’ next single was a true smash.

“What Is A Man” #53 5/31/1969

The Four Tops were in a slow period after their main production and songwriting team of Holland-Dozier-Holland left Motown. This one was co-written and produced by Johnny Bristol, who was moving into a more prominent position at the label. Johnny would have a solo hit in the 70’s with “Hang On In There Baby.”

“”It’s Never Too Late” #51 5/31/1969

The past three singles from Steppenwolf each made the Top 10. This one kind of missed the mark. They would soon undergo a number of personnel changes. John Kay’s lyrics became more strident in their social and political tone, and that had an effect on their popularity until they broke up in 1972.

“Seattle” #38 5/31/1969

The theme song from the late 60’s TV show “Here Come The Brides” was a Top 5 easy listening hit for Perry Como. He benefited from a sea change in how vocalists were looked upon. Before World War II they were secondary; bandleaders were the stars. A musicians’ strike from 1942-44 altered that perception. Singers became the real stars, and Mr. C became one of the best at what he did.

“The River Is Wide” #31 5/31/1969

Another single covered by the Grass Roots, done first by a band called the Forum. It was around this time guitarist Creed Bratton was fired for erratic behavior. They underwent numerous lineup changes with one constant, lead vocalist Rob Grill, who left in 1979. He later re-formed the group and continued to tour until he died in 2011.

“Heather Honey” #29 5/31/1969

The current single by Tommy Roe was the followup to his #1 hit “Dizzy.” In March 1963, he and Chris Montez were booked to headline a British concert tour. The opening act was a curious little band from Liverpool called the Beatles, who had just recorded “From Me To You.” When crowds went wild during the first gig, Tommy and Chris figured they better let those guys close the shows. The Fab Four showed their appreciation in February ‘64 by having Tommy open their first-ever US concert in Washington, DC.

“Where’s The Playground Susie” #26 5/31/1969

The latest from Glen Campbell was yet another Jimmy Webb composition. He and Glen first met a couple of years earlier during production of a General Motors commercial in L.A. one day. Campbell looked up from his guitar at Jimmy’s long hair and said, “Get a haircut.” Things did get better between them.

“Happy Heart” (Andy Williams) #22 5/31/1969

A version of this one got to #12 on the easy listening chart for Petula Clark a few weeks earlier. Andy Williams did better with his take, reaching the top of that chart and just missing the Top 20 on the pop side. In the early 90’s Andy opened the Moon River performance theater in Branson, MO, a year after Ray Stevens opened his theater. Andy’s brother was Ray’s manager, BTW.

“Goodbye” #13 5/31/1969

There were a number of Lennon–McCartney compositions which they gave to other artists such as to Peter and Gordon, Billy J. Kramer and Cilla Black. This was one Paul wrote (but as usual credited to Lennon–McCartney) and produced for Welsh singer Mary Hopkin. She had some reservations about how Paul micromanaged her career. He tended to be a little bossy. Just ask John, George or Ringo.

“Gitarzan” #8 5/31/1969

Ray Stevens’ last few records were of a more serious tone than his earlier efforts. Unfortunately, for the most part they tanked. So he went back to doing goofy tunes, and this one returned Ray to the Top 10 for the first time since 1962 and “Ahab The Arab.” Tarzan, Jane and their pet monkey in a band? I mean, come on! I love it!

“These Eyes” #6 5/31/1969

Since 1965, the Guess Who (née Chad Allan and the Expressions; see “Shakin’ All Over”) had exactly zero success in America. But they scored some hits in Canada, and were also the house band for their hometown Winnipeg segments of a weekday CBC-TV music show titled “Let’s Go.” This somewhat schmaltzy ballad written by Randy Bachman and newer member Burton Cummings was out of character for the group, but propelled them into the US and Canadian Top 10. Randy, a guitarist, came up with the piano intro but played some unexpected notes. It still worked.