“Cover Me” #42 1/6/1968

The latest effort from Percy Sledge, who not only was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2005, but the music halls of fame in two states. He achieved that honor in his adopted home of Alabama in 1993 and his native Louisiana in 2007. He was also recognized by the Carolina Beach Music Hall of Fame in 2004. With the rich music traditions of those places, it’s quite an accomplishment.

“Summer Rain” #14 1/6/1968

The 13th Top 40 record from Johnny Rivers, but his last one for almost five years. He wouldn’t chart this highly again until a remake of “Rockin’ Pneumonia And The Boogie Woogie Flu” first done by New Orleans’ own Huey “Piano” Smith and the Clowns. “Summer Rain” made reference to how the jukebox kept on playing “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.” That would’ve been a real trick, since jukeboxes of the era couldn’t play albums, and that song wasn’t on a US 45 until 1978. A total Wrecking Crew effort.

“He’s So Fine” #1 3/30/1963

Unquestionably George Harrison’s favorite song ever *sarcasm.* He spent years and mucho dinero defending himself against unintentional plagiarism charges over his “My Sweet Lord” sounding way too much like “He’s So Fine” - and lost. The Chiffons were NYC teenagers with no luck at all in the business before this tune, an intended B-side written by their manager, Ronnie Mack. He brought in Sylvia Peterson from Philly to join the group and sing lead. Ronnie died from cancer at 23 just after this reached #1 in the spring of 1963, and never fully enjoyed his success.

“The Other Man’s Grass Is Always Greener” #31 12/30/1967

Written by Tony Hatch and Jackie Trent, this would be Petula Clark’s last UK hit, save a 1988 dance remix of “Downtown.” In the States, this was a Top 5 easy listening entry for Pet. It’s actually a very well-written song, but by early ‘68 the American musical landscape was undergoing some serious upheaval and this almost sounded out of touch.

“Wear Your Love Like Heaven” #23 12/30/1967

A very artsy song from Donovan, later featured in a Simpsons episode where Homer partook of some medicinal marijuana and got all psychedelic. Like many other rockers, Donovan dabbled in art and the song describes a number of colors. His Scottish accent becomes quite thick and almost unintelligible here.

“Next Plane To London” #17 12/30/1967

A true 60’s one-hit wonder. The Rose Garden was from L.A. and started out as the Blokes, hoping a British-sounding band name would sell records. It didn’t, so they became the Giant Sunflower. This was the 60’s, after all. The group hired the stunning Diana De Rose (spelled Di Rose on the record) who pretended to be English but was actually from Parkersburg, WV and looked like Cher’s bad-girl sister. There wasn’t a guitar solo for this track written by Kenny O’Dell under his real name of Kenny Gist (see 1967’s “Beautiful People”) so they brought in an FM DJ, Don Elliot, as an airport PA voice. Their sole LP had songs written by Gene Clark, formerly of the Byrds, and Pat Vegas, part of Redbone in the 70’s with his brother Lolly. This band should’ve been way more successful, but qué sera, sera...

“Honey Chile” #11 12/30/1967

We begin 1968 with the first single credited to Martha Reeves and the Vandellas (note the name change), and their last Top 40 pop hit - also the first with Martha’s sister Lois in the group. Ms. Reeves was born in Eufaula, Alabama and the song contains quite a few black Southern expressions. Video starts with a jingle from CKLW, Windsor, Ontario (Detroit), one of the greatest Top 40 stations of them all.