"I Can't Explain" #93 4/3/1965

Normally, I wouldn't get this geeked about a 45 that only charted for one week and at that, topped out at #93 - but it was the first American release for the Who. Pete Townshend admitted this was totally based on the Kinks' "All Day And All Of The Night" which is understandable, since both bands shared a record producer. Nowadays this song is a staple of classic rock radio. A personal favorite.

Who - I Can't Explain

"Do The Clam" #21 4/3/1965

This was an attempt to provide Elvis with a dance craze record. It didn't catch on. From his movie "Girl Happy" which was set at spring break in Fort Lauderdale. Definitely not the debauchery we see these days at Panama City Beach and South Padre Island.

Elvis Presley - Do The Clam

"Red Roses For A Blue Lady" (Vic Dana) #10 4/3/1965

Here's the second of three versions of this song appearing simultaneously on the Hot 100 in the spring of 1965. Vic Dana was a tap dancer and singer, and was discovered by Sammy Davis, Jr. who had a similar set of tools. Vic made the Top 50 in 1970 with Neil Diamond's "Red Red Wine" which was a bigger hit for UB40 in the 80's.

Vic Dana - Red Roses For A Blue Lady

"Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood" #15 4/3/1965

Some pretty intense music from Eric Burdon and the Animals. It was originally done at a much slower tempo by Nina Simone, then re-done in the 70's by Santa Esmerelda with a much faster disco arrangement. Video is from the Ed Sullivan show.

Animals - Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood

"Shotgun" #4 4/3/1965

One of the ultimate party records of the 60's, with that blistering sax from Junior Walker. Years later he would contribute a similarly smokin' solo to Foreigner's "Urgent." If you can't dance to this, please check yourself into the local funeral parlor. That is all.

Jr. Walker and the All Stars - Shotgun

"Chains" (Beatles) Album Cut

The Fab Four recorded for Capitol in the US and Parlophone in the UK, both run by EMI. Capitol passed on their first three 45's, so EMI licensed those to other US labels. When Beatlemania happened, Vee-Jay re-released their material, which caused a protracted legal battle settled by Capitol for a tidy sum, who then put out this album and called it "The Early Beatles" which contains today's song. Vee-Jay also had rights to all the early Four Seasons records...and still went broke! This was originally done by the Cookies in 1962.

Beatles - Chains

"Please Let Me Wonder" #52 3/27/1965

Here's the B-side of the Beach Boys' "Do You Wanna Dance" which would itself peak in a few weeks. It was another instance of the A- and B-sides of a 45 charting separately, which Billboard did from 1958 until late 1969. Far be it for me to explain their methodology.

Beach Boys - Please Let Me Wonder