9 October 1964
When The Bachelors went to number one in the UK earlier in 1964 with ‘Diane’ they weren’t the first Irish act to top the charts cross-channel – Ruby Murray had already done so in 1955. However, they were the first Irish group to have a UK number one with simpering, retrograde pop balladry, so in many ways they blazed a trail for Boyzone and Westlife.
‘I Wouldn’t Trade You For The World’ is a ’50s US country-blues-pop shuffle with close harmonies and a yodelling croon. It’s the only Irish number one for The Bachelors, which means that unlike Boyzone and Westlife they’ve at least shown me the courtesy of not grievously outstaying their welcome.
