18 December 1964 Our first actual Beatles music video! The literal-minded treatment for 'I Feel Fine' is to have the lads mime the song with some gym equipment. John and Paul are try-hard larkish. George looks uncomfortable and chances singing into a punchbag like a microphone. Naturally, Ringo as the coolest Beatle—fact—steals the show. I … Continue reading The Beatles – ‘I Feel Fine’
Tag: 1964
Butch Moore and The Capitol Showband – ‘Down Came The Rain’
11 December 1964 'Down Came The Rain' is, after 'Rhythm Of The Rain' by The Cascades in 1963, our second Irish number one single about rain - and Butch Moore will be back in 1965 with another Irish number one about rain. It won't be until 1966 that Ireland has a number one single about … Continue reading Butch Moore and The Capitol Showband – ‘Down Came The Rain’
Dickie Rock and The Miami Showband – ‘From The Candy Store On The Corner To The Chapel On The Hill’
30 October 1964 At thirteen words, 'From The Candy Store On The Corner To The Chapel On The Hill' is the longest title of any number one single in Ireland, holding off Sandi Thom's 'I Wish I Was A Punk Rocker (With Flowers In My Hair)' by one word, without recourse to add-ons in brackets. … Continue reading Dickie Rock and The Miami Showband – ‘From The Candy Store On The Corner To The Chapel On The Hill’
Roy Orbison – ‘Oh, Pretty Woman’
23 October 1964 Yes, that's what it's called, although the 'oh' doesn't show up until the last line. Before that, however, 'Oh, Pretty Woman' gives us one of the most sensational openings of any hit single: strutting drumbeat; sashaying guitar. Familiarity may have you overlook it, but I defy you not to be swept up … Continue reading Roy Orbison – ‘Oh, Pretty Woman’
Herman’s Hermits – ‘I’m Into Something Good’
16 October 1964 Calling yourselves Herman's Hermits is a clear sign your core brand value is English whimsy. Sure enough, the following year these guys will surf the British Invasion by playing the stage Englishman for ravenous US audiences with the George Formby-esque 'Mrs. Brown, You've Got A Lovely Daughter' and then 'I'm Henry VIII, … Continue reading Herman’s Hermits – ‘I’m Into Something Good’
The Bachelors – ‘I Wouldn’t Trade You For The World’
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 … Continue reading The Bachelors – ‘I Wouldn’t Trade You For The World’
Brendan Bowyer and The Royal Showband – ‘Bless You (For Being An Angel)’
3 July 1964 Wow: a snippet of live audience at the start of 'Bless You (For Being An Angel)' to capture the hormone-fuelled frenzy of Bowyermania! And then we segue into an Irish showband iteration of a pre-Emergency US jazz ballad. The Ink Spots indeed released this in 1939, and they're a fine and important … Continue reading Brendan Bowyer and The Royal Showband – ‘Bless You (For Being An Angel)’
The Beatles – ‘A Hard Day’s Night’
7 August 1964 Sgt Pepper is Temple Bar '60s. Revolver is cold and chippy. Rubber Soul has 'Run For Your Life'. Abbey Road is '70s soft rock. The White Album is bloated. My favourite Beatles album is A Hard Day's Night. Handily, its title track is a perfect overture for the album. 'A Hard Day's … Continue reading The Beatles – ‘A Hard Day’s Night’
Roy Orbison – ‘It’s Over’
12 June 1964 I'm still finding it weird to see Roy Orbison on these early-'60s record covers as smiling, avuncular uncle Roy. In particular, I'm finding it weird just to see his eyes through clear glasses, and them being bright, happy eyes rather than bloodshot pools of febrile heartbreak. Anyway, I'll soldier on. 'It's Over' … Continue reading Roy Orbison – ‘It’s Over’
Millie – ‘My Boy Lollipop’
5 June 1964 The urban myth that a young pre-fame Rod Stewart played the harmonica on Millie's 'My Boy Lollipop' got an unexpected second wind in 2016 when it was repeated in an interview by Millie herself. For what it's worth, Rod says a session player called Pete Hogman played it, Hogman says he himself … Continue reading Millie – ‘My Boy Lollipop’
Irish Number Ones 