18 May 1968 Continuing the turbulent social upheaval of May 1968: here's Engelbert with tear gas for the ears. Originally an Italian song called 'Quando m'innamoro' from that year's Sanremo festival, it ended up being recorded in at least ten other European languages; 'A Man Without Love' is repping the language of Shakespeare and Shakin' … Continue reading Engelbert Humperdinck – ‘A Man Without Love’
Tag: 60s
Cliff Richard – ‘Congratulations’
27 April 1968 The claim that Eurovision 1968 was rigged by Franco so that Spain as winners would host the following year's event to showcase his country and regime, denying hot favourite Cliff Richard and the UK the win in the process, gets re-aired occasionally without much in the way of hard evidence. Of course, … Continue reading Cliff Richard – ‘Congratulations’
Pat McGeegan – ‘Chance Of A Lifetime’
20 April 1968 Representing Ireland at Eurovision 1968—the first to be televised in colour—and finishing a creditable fourth is not the most celebrated live performance by Pat McGeegan. His real name was Pat McGuigan, he was the father of '80s world champion boxer Barry, and in lieu of a national anthem he famously sang 'Danny … Continue reading Pat McGeegan – ‘Chance Of A Lifetime’
Tom Jones – ‘Delilah’
31 March 1968 Content warning: violence, misogyny. She was my woman. As she deceived me I watched and went out of my mind. I could see that girl was no good for me. When that man drove away I was waiting. She stood there laughing. I felt the knife in my hand and she laughed … Continue reading Tom Jones – ‘Delilah’
Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick & Tich – ‘The Legend Of Xanadu’
24 March 1968 As a young man called David Harman, Dave Dee was a police cadet who was called to the scene of Eddie Cochran's fatal car crash in Wiltshire in April 1960. Back at the police station that night, he strummed Cochran's famous red Gretsch electric guitar. Now there's an essential rock n' roll … Continue reading Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick & Tich – ‘The Legend Of Xanadu’
Johnny McEvoy – ‘Nora’
17 March 1968 Trad. arr: O'Casey, says the writing credit on this record, and that is indeed the iconic Dublin playwright Seán O'Casey entering Irish Number Ones stage left. When Jack Clitheroe sings 19th century folk ballad 'Maggie' to his wife in The Plough And The Stars, he changes it to her name - Nora. … Continue reading Johnny McEvoy – ‘Nora’
Emmet Spiceland – ‘Mary From Dungloe’
24 February 1968 Like '80s 'Mary's Prayer' hitmakers Danny Wilson, Emmet Spiceland is a band, not a person. Like '80s 'Paradise City' hitmakers Guns N' Roses, Emmet Spiceland got their name from the amalgamation of two earlier bands, in their case the Emmet Folk Group and the Spiceland Folk Group. Two of these Spice Boys, … Continue reading Emmet Spiceland – ‘Mary From Dungloe’
Manfred Mann – ‘Mighty Quinn’
17 February 1968 Inuit and Yupik are among the preferred terms today for Quinn and his people, rather than the outdated and improper one used in this song. That bloody Bob Dylan, eh? The unfortunate nomenclature is a pity because otherwise 'Mighty Quinn' would be mightily enjoyable. The rolling piano chords and lilting flute are … Continue reading Manfred Mann – ‘Mighty Quinn’
Engelbert Humperdinck – ‘Am I That Easy To Forget’
25 January 1968 I can imagine the showbands and cabaret acts of 1968 Ireland immediately and gleefully slipping chart-topper 'Am I That Easy To Forget' into their antediluvian repertoire. Its unctuous blend of country balladry and easy listening—written and first recorded by a singer actually called Country Johnny Mathis!—sounds ready-made for the likes of Dickie … Continue reading Engelbert Humperdinck – ‘Am I That Easy To Forget’
The Monkees – ‘Daydream Believer’
11 January 1968 Is Monkees-snark even a thing any more? Anyway, not that I particularly care but just if any elderly male white rock fans are reading, apparently the piano on this single is indeed played by Peter and the guitar by Mike, meaning more Monkees played instruments on 'Daydream Believer' than Byrds did on … Continue reading The Monkees – ‘Daydream Believer’
Irish Number Ones 