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’
Tag: 60s
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’
Jim Reeves – ‘I Won’t Forget You’
24 July 1964 'I Won't Forget You' went to number one in Ireland in July 1964, was deposed for four weeks by our next chart-topper, and then regained the number one spot at the end of August for a further six weeks. Why the second, longer run at number one? Well, it's probably because on … Continue reading Jim Reeves – ‘I Won’t Forget You’
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’
Dickie Rock and The Miamis – ‘I’m Yours’
29 May 1964 Here's the other half of Ireland's only joint number one single, along with Eileen Reid and The Cadets' 'Fallen Star'. I see Dickie Rock's group have here dropped the word 'Showband' from their name and are going by The Miamis, perhaps to seem like a proper '60s outfit. The only version of … Continue reading Dickie Rock and The Miamis – ‘I’m Yours’
The Searchers – ‘Don’t Throw Your Love Away’
22 May 1964 No prizes for guessing which Liverpool four-piece pop group the Irish record-buying public of 1964 loved most. That's right, it's The Searchers, here with their third Irish number one in only nine months and our eighth chart-topping single from a Merseyside act in a year. Their version of 'Don't Throw Your Love … Continue reading The Searchers – ‘Don’t Throw Your Love Away’
