Nick Santo of Doo Wop Group the Capris Dies
From Oldies Music:
Nick Santo (Santamaria), lead singer of the Capris, lost his battle with cancer Thursday (December 30). He was 69. Nick had retired from performing and disbanded the group over three years ago to battle the disease.
The Capris were formed in 1957 by teenagers in Queens, New York. Answering an ad placed by fledgling record producers, they cut "There's A Moon Out Tonight" in 1958, which was bought and released by Planet Records. The song went nowhere and the group disbanded. That is, until a New York City disk jockey played it two years later.
Released again on Lost Nite Records (and then picked up for national distribution by Old Town Records), the song spent a week in the #3 position on the Billboard charts in early 1961.
The group re-assembled and hit the charts three more times, with "Where I Fell In Love" (#74-1961), "Girl In My Dreams" (#82-1961) and "Limbo" (#98-1962). By the latter release, though, Nick had left for a solo career and ended up with the New York City Police Department.
He rejoined the Capris in 1982 and continued with the group until its dissolution. His composition, "Morse Code Of Love," though it never charted, is still considered a doo-wop standard. The Capris were named to the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2007.
Myrna Smith, Member of the Sweet Inspirations, Dies at Age 69
On Christmas Eve, December 24th, 69-year-old Myrna Smith died in a hospital in Los Angeles. The singer was one of the original members of the Sweet Inspirations, who in the seventies served as background singers for Elvis Presley.
In 1965, Myrna Smith joined the Sweet Inspirations, founded by Cissy Houston, mother of Whitney Houston and sister of Dionne Warwick. In 1967 they recorded background vocals for the Van Morrison hit "Brown Eyed Girl".
In 1968 they had a #5 U.S. R&B and #18 U.S. Pop hit with "Sweet Inspiration", which led to Elvis Presley requesting them to join him in his live comeback shows.
In the 1970s onward, Smith made a career for herself as a songwriter. She worked with, among others, ex-Beach Boy Carl Wilson. In 2010 she toured with "Elvis: In Concert" in Europe. The show reunited former Elvis band mates live on stage with a state of the art video-projected Elvis.
In March 2010, while on tour, Myrna developed pneumonia. Once back in the U.S., her condition continued to deteriorate, as she suffered kidney failure, further complicated by a severe stroke. She was confined to her bed since October.
The Top Ten Walking Songs
Some of you may be walking in a winter wonderland, so today, we're going to go the extra mile, walk softly and carry a big stick, and walk you through yet another list here at Rock The Jukebox. Hopefully, we won't have to walk on eggshells or, worse, walk the plank. If you haven't figured it out yet, this is our list of the Top Ten Walking Songs!
Walking can be many things besides the act of traveling by foot. It's also a metaphor for life. For example, when you hear the phrase, "You have to learn how to walk before you can run," it's a sentiment that's not limited to a good training method for running the New York Marathon.
As always the songs are organized by how well each has done on the various charts, although this time we slightly bend that rule on this list. I'll say it again: If you don't see your favorite (and that's bound to happen, by the sheer number of great walking songs,) be sure to leave a comment. Who knows, your submission could be the next entry!
Let's let our fingers do the walking and start at the bottom and work our way up to the #1 spot.
10. Walk a Mile in My Shoes
Joe South had a #12 (US) hit with this in 1969, but it's also been identified with Elvis Presley, who sang it live in concert in the 1970s. This is a song that basically says that you should never judge what you don't understand or haven't been through. True that.
Walk a mile in my shoes
Walk a mile in my shoes
Before you abuse, criticize and accuse
Walk a mile in my shoes
9. Walk Right Back
Here is is a song by written by Sonny Curtis that was recorded by the Everly Brothers. It went to #7 (US), and #1 in the UK charts. It's a great little song that was only half-finished at the time, with only one verse and refrain, so it was simply repeated twice. But hey, it was a big hit, so who am I to argue with that?
Walk right back
To me this minute
Bring your love to me
Don't send it
I'm so lonesome every day
8. Walk On By
Bacharach and David are one of the most successful songwriting duos of all time, and this tune is a good way of proving it. It's been recorded by many, but Dionne Warwick had the biggest hit of it (#6 US, #9 UK). It was recorded at the same session that produced another Bacharach/David-penned hit for Warwick: "Anyone Who Had a Heart". Hey, we'll have to do a list of the Top Ten Heart Songs...
If you see me walking down the street
And I start to cry each time we meet
Walk on by, walk on by
7. Walk Away Renée
Here's one that made our list of the Top Ten Girl Name Songs. It was written by the Left Banke's then-16-year-old keyboardist Michael Brown. It reached #5 in the US in 1966. It was also a big hit for the Four Tops, whose version reached #3 in the UK in 1969.
And when I see the sign that points one way
The lot we used to pass by every day
Just walk away Renee
You won't see me follow you back home
The empty sidewalks on my block are not the same
You're not to blame
6. You'll Never Walk Alone
This one is a classic inspirational song that transcends even this list's theme of bipedal transportation. "You'll Never Walk Alone" was penned by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II for the musical Carousel. It was also a #1 (UK) hit for Gerry and the Pacemakers in 1964. It was also a #1 (US R&B) hit for Roy Hamilton in 1954.
Walk on
Walk on
With hope in your hearts
And you'll never walk alone
You'll never walk alone
5. I'm Walkin'
No list of walking songs would be complete without "I'm Walkin'". The story goes that Fats Domino's car broke down, so as he walked down the road, a fan shouted, "Hey, look at Fats --- he's walking!" Domino thought to himself, "Yeah, I'm walking." Thus, a song was born. His version reached #4 (US) and #1 (US R&B). Ricky Nelson's version, which was his first single, also reached #4 (US).
I'm walkin'
Yes indeed, I'm talkin'
By you and me
I'm hopin'
That you'll come back to me
4. Walk Like a Man
What can be said about this one except, "Walk like a man, sing like a girl"? Just kidding! The story goes that during recording, smoke and water were seeping into the studio, as the room directly above the studio was on fire and being fought by firemen. So there you go. It was the third #1 (US) hit for Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, in 1963. It also reached #12 in the UK that same year.
Walk like a man
Talk like a man
Walk like a man my son
No woman's worth
Crawling on the earth
Just walk like a man my son
3. Walk Right In
"Walk Right In" dates back to 1929, when it was recorded by Gus Cannon and His Jug Stompers. The most successful version, with its distinctive 12-string guitar sound, was recorded by the Rooftop Singers. It reached #1 (US) and #10 (UK) in 1962. Before that, Gus Cannon, in his mid-70s, had been forced to pawn his banjo in order to pay his heating bill. The songwriting royalties he received and the renewed interest in his music led to Gus Cannon landing a recording contract. How about that?
Walk right in, sit right down
Daddy, let your mind roll on
Walk right in, sit right down
Daddy, let your mind roll on
2. These Boots are Made for Walkin'
You shouldn't be surprised to see this one so high up on a list of songs about walking. After all, it was so huge a hit, it was credited with increasing the sale of go-go boots! Wow! But wait, there's more! This tune, written by Lee Hazlewood and recorded by Nancy Sinatra, was #1 in both the US and UK (for four weeks) in 1966.
These boots are made for walkin'
And that's just what they'll do
One of these days
These boots are gonna walk all over you
And now it's time to finish up our long walk with the number one spot. If you don't agree with it, and think I'm crazy to have left out other more suitable selections, then feel free to hand me my walking papers. Hopefully, you will agree that, for this list of the Top Ten Walking Songs, the top song is...!
1. I Walk the Line
"I Walk the Line" is one of the classic songs, one of those that transcends genre, space and time, and all that other stuff. Johnny Cash wrote and recorded this. Though it only reached #17 (US), it was a #1 US Country hit for Johnny Cash. It remained on the record charts for over 43 weeks, and sold over 2 million copies. But even forgetting all that, this is one of those songs that is a must-hear for any fan of good music. And it's number one.
I keep a close watch on this heart of mine
I keep my eyes wide open all the time
I keep the ends out for the tie that binds
Because you're mine, I walk the line
And just for fun, here's an honorable mention that was a #1 hit in 1959 for Santo and Johnny...
Sleep Walk
Do you agree with this list? Have any suggestions for honorable mentions? I can think of a few myself, but I want you to decide.
Check out all of the lists here at Rock The Jukebox:
Walking can be many things besides the act of traveling by foot. It's also a metaphor for life. For example, when you hear the phrase, "You have to learn how to walk before you can run," it's a sentiment that's not limited to a good training method for running the New York Marathon.
As always the songs are organized by how well each has done on the various charts, although this time we slightly bend that rule on this list. I'll say it again: If you don't see your favorite (and that's bound to happen, by the sheer number of great walking songs,) be sure to leave a comment. Who knows, your submission could be the next entry!
Let's let our fingers do the walking and start at the bottom and work our way up to the #1 spot.
10. Walk a Mile in My Shoes
Joe South had a #12 (US) hit with this in 1969, but it's also been identified with Elvis Presley, who sang it live in concert in the 1970s. This is a song that basically says that you should never judge what you don't understand or haven't been through. True that.
Walk a mile in my shoes
Walk a mile in my shoes
Before you abuse, criticize and accuse
Walk a mile in my shoes
9. Walk Right Back
Here is is a song by written by Sonny Curtis that was recorded by the Everly Brothers. It went to #7 (US), and #1 in the UK charts. It's a great little song that was only half-finished at the time, with only one verse and refrain, so it was simply repeated twice. But hey, it was a big hit, so who am I to argue with that?
Walk right back
To me this minute
Bring your love to me
Don't send it
I'm so lonesome every day
8. Walk On By
Bacharach and David are one of the most successful songwriting duos of all time, and this tune is a good way of proving it. It's been recorded by many, but Dionne Warwick had the biggest hit of it (#6 US, #9 UK). It was recorded at the same session that produced another Bacharach/David-penned hit for Warwick: "Anyone Who Had a Heart". Hey, we'll have to do a list of the Top Ten Heart Songs...
If you see me walking down the street
And I start to cry each time we meet
Walk on by, walk on by
7. Walk Away Renée
Here's one that made our list of the Top Ten Girl Name Songs. It was written by the Left Banke's then-16-year-old keyboardist Michael Brown. It reached #5 in the US in 1966. It was also a big hit for the Four Tops, whose version reached #3 in the UK in 1969.
And when I see the sign that points one way
The lot we used to pass by every day
Just walk away Renee
You won't see me follow you back home
The empty sidewalks on my block are not the same
You're not to blame
6. You'll Never Walk Alone
This one is a classic inspirational song that transcends even this list's theme of bipedal transportation. "You'll Never Walk Alone" was penned by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II for the musical Carousel. It was also a #1 (UK) hit for Gerry and the Pacemakers in 1964. It was also a #1 (US R&B) hit for Roy Hamilton in 1954.
Walk on
Walk on
With hope in your hearts
And you'll never walk alone
You'll never walk alone
5. I'm Walkin'
No list of walking songs would be complete without "I'm Walkin'". The story goes that Fats Domino's car broke down, so as he walked down the road, a fan shouted, "Hey, look at Fats --- he's walking!" Domino thought to himself, "Yeah, I'm walking." Thus, a song was born. His version reached #4 (US) and #1 (US R&B). Ricky Nelson's version, which was his first single, also reached #4 (US).
I'm walkin'
Yes indeed, I'm talkin'
By you and me
I'm hopin'
That you'll come back to me
4. Walk Like a Man
What can be said about this one except, "Walk like a man, sing like a girl"? Just kidding! The story goes that during recording, smoke and water were seeping into the studio, as the room directly above the studio was on fire and being fought by firemen. So there you go. It was the third #1 (US) hit for Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, in 1963. It also reached #12 in the UK that same year.
Walk like a man
Talk like a man
Walk like a man my son
No woman's worth
Crawling on the earth
Just walk like a man my son
3. Walk Right In
"Walk Right In" dates back to 1929, when it was recorded by Gus Cannon and His Jug Stompers. The most successful version, with its distinctive 12-string guitar sound, was recorded by the Rooftop Singers. It reached #1 (US) and #10 (UK) in 1962. Before that, Gus Cannon, in his mid-70s, had been forced to pawn his banjo in order to pay his heating bill. The songwriting royalties he received and the renewed interest in his music led to Gus Cannon landing a recording contract. How about that?
Walk right in, sit right down
Daddy, let your mind roll on
Walk right in, sit right down
Daddy, let your mind roll on
2. These Boots are Made for Walkin'
You shouldn't be surprised to see this one so high up on a list of songs about walking. After all, it was so huge a hit, it was credited with increasing the sale of go-go boots! Wow! But wait, there's more! This tune, written by Lee Hazlewood and recorded by Nancy Sinatra, was #1 in both the US and UK (for four weeks) in 1966.
These boots are made for walkin'
And that's just what they'll do
One of these days
These boots are gonna walk all over you
And now it's time to finish up our long walk with the number one spot. If you don't agree with it, and think I'm crazy to have left out other more suitable selections, then feel free to hand me my walking papers. Hopefully, you will agree that, for this list of the Top Ten Walking Songs, the top song is...!
1. I Walk the Line
"I Walk the Line" is one of the classic songs, one of those that transcends genre, space and time, and all that other stuff. Johnny Cash wrote and recorded this. Though it only reached #17 (US), it was a #1 US Country hit for Johnny Cash. It remained on the record charts for over 43 weeks, and sold over 2 million copies. But even forgetting all that, this is one of those songs that is a must-hear for any fan of good music. And it's number one.
I keep a close watch on this heart of mine
I keep my eyes wide open all the time
I keep the ends out for the tie that binds
Because you're mine, I walk the line
And just for fun, here's an honorable mention that was a #1 hit in 1959 for Santo and Johnny...
Sleep Walk
Do you agree with this list? Have any suggestions for honorable mentions? I can think of a few myself, but I want you to decide.
Check out all of the lists here at Rock The Jukebox:
All Shook Up (1957)
Click the YouTube video below to listen:
Download MP3s from Amazon.com:
By: Elvis Presley (born Elvis Aron Presley January 8, 1935 in Tupelo, Mississippi, died August 16, 1977 in Memphis, Tennessee.)
Called the King of Rock 'n' Roll, Elvis is generally considered to be the most important, iconic entertainer of the 20th Century. He has sold over one billion records worldwide, more than anyone in record industry history. He has had 150 albums and singles certified gold, platinum and multi-platinum, 149 charting songs in the US, 114 of which were Top 40 hits, 40 of which were Top 10 hits, and 18 #1 hits.
In 2004, Rolling Stone Magazine ranked him #3 on their list of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time.
When Elvis listened to the demo for "All Shook Up", recorded by songwriter Otis Blackwell, he, along with producer Steve Sholes and Colonel Tom Parker, thought it was a hit, so it was scheduled for his next recording session. Sholes said, "What could be a more perfect marriage than a song called 'All Shook Up' and a singer who couldn’t stop shaking when he sang?"
On January 19, 1957 (the same day he recorded all of the songs on the EP Peace in the Valley, the best selling EP in the history of music,) Elvis recorded "All Shook Up" at the Los Angeles Radio Recorders' studio.
Because he did not read music, Elvis learned the song by listening to the demo over and over again, never looking at the notated lyric sheet. Therefore, Presley was influenced by Otis Blackwell’s singing style, down to his vocal inflections and word pronunciations.
The final version of "All Shook Up" contains the sound of Elvis slapping the back of his guitar to keep the song at the pace he wanted. In some places, the slap is the only instrumental sound heard on the recording.
"All Shook Up" was recorded in 10 takes.
Chart position: #1 (US, 8 weeks), #1 (US Country), #1 (UK, 7 weeks).
"All Shook Up" was Elvis' second-biggest hit in the US (after "Don't Be Cruel"/"Hound Dog").
The Top Ten Songs: April 27, 1957 (US Billboard Hot 100).
Written by: Otis Blackwell (born February 6, 1932, died May 6 2002).
Blackwell also wrote "Don't Be Cruel", "Return to Sender", and "One Broken Heart for Sale", all of which were hits for Elvis Presley. Blackwell also wrote "Fever" (Peggy Lee, #8 US) and “Great Balls Of Fire” (Jerry Lee Lewis, #2 US).
Otis Blackwell often joked, "I can write a song about anything." Aaron "Goldie" Goldmark, one of the owners of Shalimar Music (Blackwell's publishing company) constantly brought him off-the-wall ideas, and Otis would always come up with something. One day, Goldmark bought a Pepsi from a vending machine, but before opening it, he dropped the bottle on the floor. Knowing that opening it would mean spraying it everywhere, he walked over and set in in front of Blackwell at his desk and said, "You say you can write about anything. Well, write about this." Blackwell studied the Pepsi for a moment, shaking it and watching the fizz. According to legend, he wrote "All Shook Up" so quickly that the drink was still cold by the time he was finished.
"All Shook Up" is credited to "Otis Blackwell/Elvis Presley", even though Blackwell was the sole songwriter.
Download MP3s from Amazon.com:
Want to submit facts and trivia about this song? Leave a comment!
Download MP3s from Amazon.com:
By: Elvis Presley (born Elvis Aron Presley January 8, 1935 in Tupelo, Mississippi, died August 16, 1977 in Memphis, Tennessee.)
Called the King of Rock 'n' Roll, Elvis is generally considered to be the most important, iconic entertainer of the 20th Century. He has sold over one billion records worldwide, more than anyone in record industry history. He has had 150 albums and singles certified gold, platinum and multi-platinum, 149 charting songs in the US, 114 of which were Top 40 hits, 40 of which were Top 10 hits, and 18 #1 hits.
In 2004, Rolling Stone Magazine ranked him #3 on their list of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time.
When Elvis listened to the demo for "All Shook Up", recorded by songwriter Otis Blackwell, he, along with producer Steve Sholes and Colonel Tom Parker, thought it was a hit, so it was scheduled for his next recording session. Sholes said, "What could be a more perfect marriage than a song called 'All Shook Up' and a singer who couldn’t stop shaking when he sang?"
On January 19, 1957 (the same day he recorded all of the songs on the EP Peace in the Valley, the best selling EP in the history of music,) Elvis recorded "All Shook Up" at the Los Angeles Radio Recorders' studio.
Because he did not read music, Elvis learned the song by listening to the demo over and over again, never looking at the notated lyric sheet. Therefore, Presley was influenced by Otis Blackwell’s singing style, down to his vocal inflections and word pronunciations.
The final version of "All Shook Up" contains the sound of Elvis slapping the back of his guitar to keep the song at the pace he wanted. In some places, the slap is the only instrumental sound heard on the recording.
"All Shook Up" was recorded in 10 takes.
Chart position: #1 (US, 8 weeks), #1 (US Country), #1 (UK, 7 weeks).
"All Shook Up" was Elvis' second-biggest hit in the US (after "Don't Be Cruel"/"Hound Dog").
The Top Ten Songs: April 27, 1957 (US Billboard Hot 100).
- "All Shook Up" (Elvis Presley)
- "Round and Round" (Perry Como)
- "Little Darlin'" (Diamonds)
- "Butterfly" (Andy Williams)
- "Party Doll" (Buddy Knox)
- "Marianne" (Easy Riders)
- "Why Baby Why?" (Pat Boone)
- "Come Go With Me" (Del-Vikings)
- "I'm Walkin'" (Fats Domino)
- "Gone" (Ferlin Husky)
Written by: Otis Blackwell (born February 6, 1932, died May 6 2002).
Blackwell also wrote "Don't Be Cruel", "Return to Sender", and "One Broken Heart for Sale", all of which were hits for Elvis Presley. Blackwell also wrote "Fever" (Peggy Lee, #8 US) and “Great Balls Of Fire” (Jerry Lee Lewis, #2 US).
Otis Blackwell often joked, "I can write a song about anything." Aaron "Goldie" Goldmark, one of the owners of Shalimar Music (Blackwell's publishing company) constantly brought him off-the-wall ideas, and Otis would always come up with something. One day, Goldmark bought a Pepsi from a vending machine, but before opening it, he dropped the bottle on the floor. Knowing that opening it would mean spraying it everywhere, he walked over and set in in front of Blackwell at his desk and said, "You say you can write about anything. Well, write about this." Blackwell studied the Pepsi for a moment, shaking it and watching the fizz. According to legend, he wrote "All Shook Up" so quickly that the drink was still cold by the time he was finished.
"All Shook Up" is credited to "Otis Blackwell/Elvis Presley", even though Blackwell was the sole songwriter.
Download MP3s from Amazon.com:
Want to submit facts and trivia about this song? Leave a comment!
Secret Agent Man (1966)
Click the YouTube video below to listen:
Download MP3s from Amazon.com:
By: Johnny Rivers (born John Henry Ramistella November 7, 1942 in New York City, New York, raised in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.)
Johnny got his stage name while on a trip to New York in 1958, where he met DJ Alan Freed, who advised him to change his name. Johnny took the name 'Rivers' after the Mississippi River, near Baton Rouge.
From 1964 to 1977, Rivers had 17 Top 40 hits, 9 of them being Top Ten US hits, one of them a #1 US hit ("Poor Side of Town") and has sold over 25 million records worldwide.
In 1964 Elmer Valentine gave Rivers a one-year contract to play at his new club, Whiskey a Go Go, in Hollywood, California. It opened 3 days before the Beatles' "I Want To Hold Your Hand" and the British Invasion took over the charts.
Rivers was so popular there that producer Lou Adler decided to release a live album recorded there. Johnny Rivers Live At The Whiskey A Go Go
reached #12 on the US album chart, and the single from that album, "Memphis" (a Chuck Berry cover), reached #2. Rivers continued to record hits live at the Go Go, with songs such as "Maybellene" (another Berry cover,) "Mountain of Love," "Midnight Special," "Seventh Son" (a Willie Dixon cover), "Where Have All The Flowers Gone" (a Pete Seeger cover,) and "Secret Agent Man".
In 1965, the British TV series "Danger Man" was to air on CBS in the US, but the producers asked a number of publishers to come up with a new theme for the US version.
The song was written by P.F. Sloan and Steve Barri as only one verse and a chorus when it was recorded by Rivers for the show, which was retitled "Secret Agent" in the US. Imperial Records began receiving calls asking for Johnny to be released as a single, so Rivers re-recorded it with additional verses.
"Secret Agent Man"'s famous riff was created by the song's co-writer P.F. Sloan and performed by Rivers. Johnny considered himself a rhythm guitarist, but wound up playing it only because he didn't have a lead guitarist in his group.
Chart position: #3 (US).
The Top Ten Songs: April 23, 1966 (US Billboard Hot 100).
Written by: P.F. Sloan (born September 18, 1945 in New York City, New York) and Steve Barri (born February 23, 1942 in Brooklyn, New York.)
Together, Sloan and Barri also wrote such songs as "A Must to Avoid", "Eve of Destruction", "Where Were You When I Needed You", and "You Baby".
Also by: The Ventures, whose version reached #54 in March 1966, at the same time that Johnny Rivers' version was climbing the charts.
Download MP3s from Amazon.com:
Want to submit facts and trivia about this song? Leave a comment!
Download MP3s from Amazon.com:
By: Johnny Rivers (born John Henry Ramistella November 7, 1942 in New York City, New York, raised in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.)
Johnny got his stage name while on a trip to New York in 1958, where he met DJ Alan Freed, who advised him to change his name. Johnny took the name 'Rivers' after the Mississippi River, near Baton Rouge.
From 1964 to 1977, Rivers had 17 Top 40 hits, 9 of them being Top Ten US hits, one of them a #1 US hit ("Poor Side of Town") and has sold over 25 million records worldwide.
In 1964 Elmer Valentine gave Rivers a one-year contract to play at his new club, Whiskey a Go Go, in Hollywood, California. It opened 3 days before the Beatles' "I Want To Hold Your Hand" and the British Invasion took over the charts.
Rivers was so popular there that producer Lou Adler decided to release a live album recorded there. Johnny Rivers Live At The Whiskey A Go Go
reached #12 on the US album chart, and the single from that album, "Memphis" (a Chuck Berry cover), reached #2. Rivers continued to record hits live at the Go Go, with songs such as "Maybellene" (another Berry cover,) "Mountain of Love," "Midnight Special," "Seventh Son" (a Willie Dixon cover), "Where Have All The Flowers Gone" (a Pete Seeger cover,) and "Secret Agent Man".In 1965, the British TV series "Danger Man" was to air on CBS in the US, but the producers asked a number of publishers to come up with a new theme for the US version.
The song was written by P.F. Sloan and Steve Barri as only one verse and a chorus when it was recorded by Rivers for the show, which was retitled "Secret Agent" in the US. Imperial Records began receiving calls asking for Johnny to be released as a single, so Rivers re-recorded it with additional verses.
"Secret Agent Man"'s famous riff was created by the song's co-writer P.F. Sloan and performed by Rivers. Johnny considered himself a rhythm guitarist, but wound up playing it only because he didn't have a lead guitarist in his group.
Chart position: #3 (US).
The Top Ten Songs: April 23, 1966 (US Billboard Hot 100).
- "(You're My) Soul and Inspiration" (Righteous Brothers)
- "Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down)" (Cher)
- "Secret Agent Man" (Johnny Rivers)
- "Daydream" (Lovin' Spoonful)
- "Time Won't Let Me" (Outsiders)
- "Good Lovin'" (Young Rascals)
- "Kicks" (Paul Revere and the Raiders)
- "Sloop John B" (Beach Boys)
- "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry" (B.J. Thomas and the Triumphs)
- "Monday, Monday" (Mamas and the Papas)
Written by: P.F. Sloan (born September 18, 1945 in New York City, New York) and Steve Barri (born February 23, 1942 in Brooklyn, New York.)
Together, Sloan and Barri also wrote such songs as "A Must to Avoid", "Eve of Destruction", "Where Were You When I Needed You", and "You Baby".
Also by: The Ventures, whose version reached #54 in March 1966, at the same time that Johnny Rivers' version was climbing the charts.
Download MP3s from Amazon.com:
Want to submit facts and trivia about this song? Leave a comment!
Breaking Up Is Hard To Do (1962) (1975)
Click the YouTube video below to listen:
Download MP3s from Amazon.com:
By: Neil Sedaka (born March 13, 1939 in Brooklyn, New York.)
Neil Sedaka formed the Tokens with Jay Siegel in 1954 at the age of 15. By the time the group had a hit with "The Lion Sleeps Tonight", Sedaka had long since moved on.
Sedaka recorded "Breaking Up Is Hard to Do" with the Cookies singing backing vocals. The Cookies went on to record "Chains" and "Don't Say Nothing Bad (About My Baby)", both top 10 R&B hits.
The session musicians thought Sedaka was crazy for adding backing vocals throughout the entire song even before recording his lead vocal, which he triple-tracked. Inspired by Les Paul & Mary Ford, Sedaka was one of the first singers to overdub multiple tracks of his own voice.
Chart position: #1 (US), #7 (UK).
It was preceded at #1 by "Roses Are Red (My Love)" (Bobby Vinton) and succeeded by "The Loco-Motion" (Little Eva.)
Sedaka had a hit again with "Breaking Up Is Hard to Do" recorded as a slow ballad in 1975, which reached #8, the only US #1 single to be re-recorded by the same artist and become a Top Ten hit all over again.
The Top Ten Songs: October 25, 1962 (US Billboard Hot 100).
Sedaka and Greenfield also wrote such songs as "Where The Boys Are", "Is This the Way to Amarillo" (which was a #1 hit for Tony Christie when reissued in 2005), "Stupid Cupid", "Happy Birthday Sweet Sixteen", "Everybody's Somebody's Fool", "Love Will Keep Us Together", "Calender Girl", etc.
In 1952, sixteen year old Greenfield and 13 year old Sedaka, both lived in the same apartment building in Brooklyn. However, they didn't know of each other until Greenfield's mother had a chance meeting with the young Sedaka, suggesting to the young pianist that "You should meet my son; he writes great lyrics." The rest is history.
Initially, no one was impressed by "Breaking Up Is Hard to Do", even Greenfield, whom Sedaka persistantly goaded for months to supply lyrics to the tune. Often when they would run out of lyrics while writing, they would often thrown throw in nonsense syllables, which soon became a trademark.
The "down dooby doo down down" refrain was intentionally incorporated into the song by Sedaka.
Also by: The Partridge Family/David Cassidy, who was the first singer to record "Breaking Up Is Hard to Do" as a slow ballad; the Four Seasons; The Carpenters; Carole King; Gloria Estefan; Freddy Fender; Little Eva; Tom Jones; Eydie Gorme.
Download MP3s from Amazon.com:
Want to submit facts and trivia about this song? Leave a comment!
Download MP3s from Amazon.com:
By: Neil Sedaka (born March 13, 1939 in Brooklyn, New York.)
Neil Sedaka formed the Tokens with Jay Siegel in 1954 at the age of 15. By the time the group had a hit with "The Lion Sleeps Tonight", Sedaka had long since moved on.
Sedaka recorded "Breaking Up Is Hard to Do" with the Cookies singing backing vocals. The Cookies went on to record "Chains" and "Don't Say Nothing Bad (About My Baby)", both top 10 R&B hits.
The session musicians thought Sedaka was crazy for adding backing vocals throughout the entire song even before recording his lead vocal, which he triple-tracked. Inspired by Les Paul & Mary Ford, Sedaka was one of the first singers to overdub multiple tracks of his own voice.
Chart position: #1 (US), #7 (UK).
It was preceded at #1 by "Roses Are Red (My Love)" (Bobby Vinton) and succeeded by "The Loco-Motion" (Little Eva.)
Sedaka had a hit again with "Breaking Up Is Hard to Do" recorded as a slow ballad in 1975, which reached #8, the only US #1 single to be re-recorded by the same artist and become a Top Ten hit all over again.
The Top Ten Songs: October 25, 1962 (US Billboard Hot 100).
- "Breaking Up Is Hard to Do" (Neil Sedaka)
- "The Loco-Motion" (Little Eva)
- "Roses Are Red (My Love)" (Bobby Vinton)
- "The Wah Watusi" (Orlons)
- "You Don't Know Me" (Ray Charles)
- "Things" (Bobby Darin)
- "Ahab The Arab" (Ray Stevens)
- "Little Diane" (Dion)
- "Speedy Gonzales" (Pat Boone)
- "Sealed With A Kiss" (Brian Hyland)
Sedaka and Greenfield also wrote such songs as "Where The Boys Are", "Is This the Way to Amarillo" (which was a #1 hit for Tony Christie when reissued in 2005), "Stupid Cupid", "Happy Birthday Sweet Sixteen", "Everybody's Somebody's Fool", "Love Will Keep Us Together", "Calender Girl", etc.
In 1952, sixteen year old Greenfield and 13 year old Sedaka, both lived in the same apartment building in Brooklyn. However, they didn't know of each other until Greenfield's mother had a chance meeting with the young Sedaka, suggesting to the young pianist that "You should meet my son; he writes great lyrics." The rest is history.
Initially, no one was impressed by "Breaking Up Is Hard to Do", even Greenfield, whom Sedaka persistantly goaded for months to supply lyrics to the tune. Often when they would run out of lyrics while writing, they would often thrown throw in nonsense syllables, which soon became a trademark.
The "down dooby doo down down" refrain was intentionally incorporated into the song by Sedaka.
Also by: The Partridge Family/David Cassidy, who was the first singer to record "Breaking Up Is Hard to Do" as a slow ballad; the Four Seasons; The Carpenters; Carole King; Gloria Estefan; Freddy Fender; Little Eva; Tom Jones; Eydie Gorme.
Download MP3s from Amazon.com:
Want to submit facts and trivia about this song? Leave a comment!
(I Never Promised You A) Rose Garden (1970)
Click the YouTube video below to listen:
Download MP3s from Amazon.com:
By: Lynn Anderson (born Lynn Rene Anderson September 26, 1947 in Grand Forks, North Dakota.)
In 1970, Anderson moved to Nashville, Tennessee and signed with Columbia Records. She was determined to record "(I Never Promised You A) Rose Garden". Columbia didn't think it was an appropriate song for a female to sing.
While in the studio, there was just enough time left in the session to record the song; had it not been for that, Anderson later said, the song would have never been recorded. It became the biggest hit of her career and her signature song.
In 1971, she won the Grammy award for Best Female Country Vocal Performance for the song. Joe South also won a Grammy as the song's writer.
In 1971, The album Rose Garden was released, selling over a million copies in the US, and was the biggest selling country album by a female for 24 years.
The American Rose Society named a rose after her: the Lynn Anderson rose.
Chart position: #3 (US), #1 (US Country, 5 weeks), #5 (US Adult Contemporary), #1 (UK).
It was preceded at #1 (US Country) by "Coal Miner's Daughter" (Loretta Lynn) and succeeded by "Flesh and Blood" (Johnny Cash).
The Top Ten Songs: February 13, 1971 (US Billboard Hot 100).
Written by: Joe South (born Joseph Alfred Souter February 28, 1940 in Atlanta, Georgia.)
Joe South wrote such songs as "Down in the Boondocks", "Hush", "Yo-Yo", "Don't It Make You Wanna Go Home", "Walk a Mile in My Shoes", and "Games People Play" (a Top 10 hit for South in the US and UK that won two Grammy awards, for Best Contemporary Song and Song of the Year.)
South was also a session guitarist, who played guitar on Aretha Franklin's "Chain of Fools", Tommy Roe's "Sheila", and the electric guitar part added to Simon & Garfunkel's "The Sound of Silence" (the original recording was just Simon & Garfunkel singing, with Paul Simon on acoustic guitar.)
The title was taken from the bestselling 1964 novel I Never Promised You a Rose Garden
, written under the pen name of Hannah Green by author Joanne Greenberg (born 1932 in Brooklyn, New York). It was adapted into a 1977 movie and a 2004 play of the same name.
Also by: Dobie Gray (1969); Johnny Mathis (1971); Loretta Lynn (1971); Andy Williams (1971); Martina McBride, whose version was a Top 20 (US Country) hit in 2005; Pete Fountain; Jim Nabors; Percy Faith; Lawrence Welk; Buddy Merrill; Boots Randolph.
Originally by: Joe South, whose version was released on his debut 1969 album Introspect
, but wasn't successful.
Download MP3s from Amazon.com:
Want to submit facts and trivia about this song? Leave a comment!
Download MP3s from Amazon.com:
- Lynn Anderson - (I Never Promised You A) Rose Garden (MP3)
- Joe South - (I Never Promised You A) Rose Garden (MP3)
By: Lynn Anderson (born Lynn Rene Anderson September 26, 1947 in Grand Forks, North Dakota.)
In 1970, Anderson moved to Nashville, Tennessee and signed with Columbia Records. She was determined to record "(I Never Promised You A) Rose Garden". Columbia didn't think it was an appropriate song for a female to sing.
While in the studio, there was just enough time left in the session to record the song; had it not been for that, Anderson later said, the song would have never been recorded. It became the biggest hit of her career and her signature song.
In 1971, she won the Grammy award for Best Female Country Vocal Performance for the song. Joe South also won a Grammy as the song's writer.
In 1971, The album Rose Garden was released, selling over a million copies in the US, and was the biggest selling country album by a female for 24 years.
The American Rose Society named a rose after her: the Lynn Anderson rose.
Chart position: #3 (US), #1 (US Country, 5 weeks), #5 (US Adult Contemporary), #1 (UK).
It was preceded at #1 (US Country) by "Coal Miner's Daughter" (Loretta Lynn) and succeeded by "Flesh and Blood" (Johnny Cash).
The Top Ten Songs: February 13, 1971 (US Billboard Hot 100).
- "One Bad Apple" (Osmonds)
- "Knock Three Times" (Tony Orlando and Dawn)
- "(I Never Promised You A) Rose Garden" (Lynn Anderson)
- "I Hear You Knocking" (Dave Edmunds)
- "Lonely Days" (Bee Gees)
- "My Sweet Lord"/"Isn't It A Pity" (George Harrison)
- "Groove Me" (King Floyd)
- "Your Song" (Elton John)
- "If I Were Your Woman" (Gladys Knight and the Pips)
- "Mama's Pearl" (Jackson 5)
Written by: Joe South (born Joseph Alfred Souter February 28, 1940 in Atlanta, Georgia.)
Joe South wrote such songs as "Down in the Boondocks", "Hush", "Yo-Yo", "Don't It Make You Wanna Go Home", "Walk a Mile in My Shoes", and "Games People Play" (a Top 10 hit for South in the US and UK that won two Grammy awards, for Best Contemporary Song and Song of the Year.)
South was also a session guitarist, who played guitar on Aretha Franklin's "Chain of Fools", Tommy Roe's "Sheila", and the electric guitar part added to Simon & Garfunkel's "The Sound of Silence" (the original recording was just Simon & Garfunkel singing, with Paul Simon on acoustic guitar.)
The title was taken from the bestselling 1964 novel I Never Promised You a Rose Garden
, written under the pen name of Hannah Green by author Joanne Greenberg (born 1932 in Brooklyn, New York). It was adapted into a 1977 movie and a 2004 play of the same name.Also by: Dobie Gray (1969); Johnny Mathis (1971); Loretta Lynn (1971); Andy Williams (1971); Martina McBride, whose version was a Top 20 (US Country) hit in 2005; Pete Fountain; Jim Nabors; Percy Faith; Lawrence Welk; Buddy Merrill; Boots Randolph.
Originally by: Joe South, whose version was released on his debut 1969 album Introspect
, but wasn't successful.Download MP3s from Amazon.com:
- Lynn Anderson - (I Never Promised You A) Rose Garden (MP3)
- Joe South - (I Never Promised You A) Rose Garden (MP3)
Want to submit facts and trivia about this song? Leave a comment!
These Boots Are Made For Walkin' (1966)
Click the YouTube video below to listen:
Download MP3s from Amazon.com:
By: Nancy Sinatra (born June 8, 1940 in Jersey City, New Jersey) is the daughter of singer and actor Frank Sinatra and his first wife, Nancy Barbato. For her fourth birthday, Phil Silvers and Jimmy Van Heusen wrote the song "Nancy (With the Laughing Face)"
, which her father recorded.
Nancy has had 24 Billboard-charting hits, including "How Does That Grab You, Darlin'?"
, "You Only Live Twice"
, "Sugar Town"
, "Summer Wine"
(with Lee Hazlewood), "Lightning's Girl"
, "Jackson"
(with Lee Hazlewood), "Some Velvet Morning"
(with Lee Hazlewood), "Lady Bird"
(with Lee Hazlewood), "Somethin' Stupid"
(with Frank Sinatra,) "Love Eyes"
, "Did You Ever?"
(with Lee Hazlewood) and 'The Highway Song"
.
"These Boots Are Made For Walkin'" was produced by its writer, Lee Hazlewood, who is best known for his work with guitarist Duane Eddy in the late 1950s and with Nancy Sinatra in the 1960s.
The distinctive glissando riff was played on upright bass by Chuck Berghofer. Other musicians on the record were Hal Blaine on drums, Al Casey, Tommy Tedesco, Billy Strange and Mike Deasy on guitars, Ollie Mitchell, Roy Caton and Lew McCreary on horns, and Carol Kaye on electric bass. (It was a common practice among record producers in the 1960s, such as Phil Spector and Brian Wilson, to add dimension to the bass sound with more than one bassist.)
Nancy Sinatra said in 1970: "The image created by 'These Boots Are Made For Walkin'' isn't the real me. 'Boots' was hard, and I'm as soft as they come."
Release date: February 1966.
Chart position: #1 (US, 1 week), #1 (UK, four weeks).
It was preceded at #1 in the US by "Lightnin' Strikes"
(Lou Christie) and succeeded by "The Ballad Of The Green Berets"
(SSgt. Barry Sadler).
It was preceded at #1 in the UK by "Michelle"
(Overlanders) and succeeded by "The Sun Ain't Gonna Shine Anymore"
(Walker Brothers).
Nancy Sinatra was the first American female vocalist to have a #1 UK hit since Connie Francis, with "Stupid Cupid"
in 1958.
The Top Ten Songs: February 26, 1966 (US Billboard).
Other hit songs written/co-written by Hazlewood include "The Fool"
, "Rebel Rouser"
, "Houston"
, "How Does That Grab You, Darlin'?", "Sugar Town", "Summer Wine", "Lightning's Girl", "Some Velvet Morning", "Lady Bird", "Love Eyes", and more.
Hazlewood is considered partly responsible, as record producer, for the distinctive "twang" sound of guitarist Duane Eddy.
Download MP3s from Amazon.com:
Want to submit facts and trivia about this song? Leave a comment!
Download MP3s from Amazon.com:
By: Nancy Sinatra (born June 8, 1940 in Jersey City, New Jersey) is the daughter of singer and actor Frank Sinatra and his first wife, Nancy Barbato. For her fourth birthday, Phil Silvers and Jimmy Van Heusen wrote the song "Nancy (With the Laughing Face)"
, which her father recorded.Nancy has had 24 Billboard-charting hits, including "How Does That Grab You, Darlin'?"
, "You Only Live Twice", "Sugar Town", "Summer Wine" (with Lee Hazlewood), "Lightning's Girl", "Jackson" (with Lee Hazlewood), "Some Velvet Morning" (with Lee Hazlewood), "Lady Bird" (with Lee Hazlewood), "Somethin' Stupid" (with Frank Sinatra,) "Love Eyes", "Did You Ever?" (with Lee Hazlewood) and 'The Highway Song"."These Boots Are Made For Walkin'" was produced by its writer, Lee Hazlewood, who is best known for his work with guitarist Duane Eddy in the late 1950s and with Nancy Sinatra in the 1960s.
The distinctive glissando riff was played on upright bass by Chuck Berghofer. Other musicians on the record were Hal Blaine on drums, Al Casey, Tommy Tedesco, Billy Strange and Mike Deasy on guitars, Ollie Mitchell, Roy Caton and Lew McCreary on horns, and Carol Kaye on electric bass. (It was a common practice among record producers in the 1960s, such as Phil Spector and Brian Wilson, to add dimension to the bass sound with more than one bassist.)
Nancy Sinatra said in 1970: "The image created by 'These Boots Are Made For Walkin'' isn't the real me. 'Boots' was hard, and I'm as soft as they come."
Release date: February 1966.
Chart position: #1 (US, 1 week), #1 (UK, four weeks).
It was preceded at #1 in the US by "Lightnin' Strikes"
(Lou Christie) and succeeded by "The Ballad Of The Green Berets" (SSgt. Barry Sadler).It was preceded at #1 in the UK by "Michelle"
(Overlanders) and succeeded by "The Sun Ain't Gonna Shine Anymore" (Walker Brothers).Nancy Sinatra was the first American female vocalist to have a #1 UK hit since Connie Francis, with "Stupid Cupid"
in 1958.The Top Ten Songs: February 26, 1966 (US Billboard).
- "These Boots Are Made For Walkin'" (Nancy Sinatra)
- "Lightnin' Strikes" (Lou Christie)
- "The Ballad Of The Green Berets" (SSgt. Barry Sadler)
- "Uptight (Everything's Alright)"
(Stevie Wonder)
- "My World Is Empty Without You"
(Supremes)
- "My Love"
(Petula Clark)
- "Don't Mess With Bill"
(Marvelettes)
- "California Dreamin'"
(The Mamas And The Papas)
- "Elusive Butterfly"
(Bob Lind)
- "Working My Way Back To You"
(Four Seasons)
Other hit songs written/co-written by Hazlewood include "The Fool"
, "Rebel Rouser", "Houston", "How Does That Grab You, Darlin'?", "Sugar Town", "Summer Wine", "Lightning's Girl", "Some Velvet Morning", "Lady Bird", "Love Eyes", and more. Hazlewood is considered partly responsible, as record producer, for the distinctive "twang" sound of guitarist Duane Eddy.
Download MP3s from Amazon.com:
Want to submit facts and trivia about this song? Leave a comment!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
