"Let It Be Me" #5 11/7/1964

This was a French language song written in 1955, and was a huge hit in 1960 for the Everly Brothers. An excellent remake by two stalwarts of Chicago R&B.

Jerry Butler and Betty Everett - Let It Be Me

"Last Kiss" #2 11/7/1964

There was a strange "teen tragedy" sub-genre of rock music in the 50's and 60's, of which this song is the perfect example. The BBC even banned these types of records. It was re-made by Pearl Jam in the 90's (rather wretchedly, IMHO). J. Frank Wilson never could deal with being a one-hit wonder and died an alcoholic in 1991 at age 49.

J. Frank Wilson and the Cavaliers - Last Kiss

"All Cried Out" #41 10/31/1964

Why this wasn't a bigger hit completely eludes me. I absolutely dug Dusty Springfield.

Dusty Springfield - All Cried Out

"Softly, As I Leave You" #27 10/31/1964

In the midst of the British Invasion and Motown and all that, we find Ol' Blue Eyes. This was Frank's highest charting Hot 100 record for a while, until "Strangers In The Night." Doo bee doo bee doo...

Frank Sinatra - Softly, As I Leave You

"Ride The Wild Surf" #16 10/31/1964

If Jan and Dean weren't doing hot rod songs, they were doing surfing songs, like the theme from this movie of the same name. The scene with the stars pretending to surf in front of a blue screen is sooooo cheesy. Check out a naturally blonde Barbara Eden (before "Jeannie") - with brunette hair!!

Jan and Dean - Ride The Wild Surf

"Little Honda" #9 10/31/1964

The Hondells were a studio creation of producer Gary Usher. He hired several of the famed Wrecking Crew musicians (Glen Campbell played the prominent guitar part), and used one of the studio singers to front the faux group for personal appearances. Brian Wilson wrote this song, as the Beach Boys first recorded it to use as an album filler. Clip is from "Shindig."

Hondells - Little Honda

"Baby Love" #1 10/31/1964

This was the second of 12 #1's for the Supremes, and was deliberately structured to sound like their first chart topper "Where Did Our Love Go" right down to the foot stomps in the intro. That's how things were done back in the day, and it seemed to work.

Supremes - Baby Love