“Let Me” #20 7/5/1969

From an LP titled “Alias Pink Puzz,” which was the name used by Paul Revere and the Raiders as an attempt to get their songs played on FM radio. The ruse didn’t work but this still made the Top 20, their tenth single to do so. Not bad for a band from Boise that started out in 1959 when Revere, a restaurant owner, was picking up hamburger buns from a bakery where Mark Lindsay worked. Ah, serendipity.

“Black Pearl” #13 7/5/1969

A quintessential Phil Spector back-to-mono Wall Of Sound production, done by Sonny Charles and Checkmates, Ltd. Phil co-wrote the song with Irwin Levine and Toni Wine. Toni co-wrote “A Groovy Kind Of Love” and “Candida” and sang with Tony Orlando on the first Dawn album before the act was even assembled. That’s Ms. Wine on “Candida” and “Knock Three Times,” plus the female voice on Gene Pitney’s “It Hurts To Be In Love,” the Archies’ “Sugar, Sugar” and Willie Nelson’s “Always On My Mind.” She was married to Memphis record producer Chips Moman. Toni was the cat voice in the Meow Mix ads, too (“meow, meow, meow, meow...”).

“Spinning Wheel” #2 7/5/1969

One from Blood, Sweat & Tears that, like their previous single, peaked at #2. The album version is now the preferred take. BS&T played Woodstock, but since they didn’t agree to be recorded or filmed nor were they paid, their appearance was thought to be lost. A 2019 very limited $799 50th anniversary box set of virtually all the Woodstock performances will change all that. Money talks. At the end of the LP version drummer Bobby Colomby said, “That wasn’t too good.” I beg to differ.

“No Matter What Sign You Are” #31 6/28/1969

The breakup of Diana Ross and the Supremes was careening toward its inevitable conclusion. This single was planned to be the last with Ross before she went solo; since it barely reached the Top 40, that idea was shelved. Once again, neither Mary Wilson or Cindy Birdsong appeared on the record. With Berry Gordy’s OK, they were already rehearsing with Jean Terrell for the post-Diana version of the group. Drama!

“Don’t Let The Joneses Get You Down” #20 6/28/1969

No doubt the Temptations were moving farther away from the ballads that were the mainstay of their early career. The album “Puzzle People” was loaded with plenty of psychedelic soul tracks, of which this is an example. Once again all five Temps took a turn on lead vocals with a song bemoaning the pressures of keeping up with the neighbors and their social status. A long way from “My Girl” for sure.

“Israelites” #9 6/28/1969

Probably the most well-known pure reggae song to be a hit in America as done by Desmond Dekker with his backing group, the Aces. It was also the first reggae track to top the British charts. The lyrics are kind of indecipherable, but it recognizes Rastafarians and how they identify with the persecution of the Twelve Tribes of Israel. Desmond was a welder by trade, and recommended fellow welder Bob Marley to the head of his record label. Yah, mon.

“One” #5 6/28/1969

The third single proved to be the charm for Three Dog Night with the first of 11 Top 10 entries. Chuck Negron took his turn on lead vocals here. Harry Nilsson wrote the song based on a droning telephone busy signal. Amazing how the simplest things can provide inspiration. Nilsson went on to become a respected songwriter/singer.