Author: Margaret Ashworth

This was originally a French song called Prière Sans Espoir (Hopeless Prayer) with music by Charles Danvers and lyrics by Pierre Benoit Buisson, released by Lucien Lupi in 1956. English lyrics were … Continue readingThe Angels: Till

Written by John Marascalco and producer Robert ‘Bumps’ Blackwell, this was recorded by Little Richard in October 1956 but the first release was by the Valiants in 1957. Little Richard’s … Continue readingLittle Richard: Good Golly Miss Molly

Young wrote this for his 1970 album After the Gold Rush. Released as a single it reached No 33 in the US.

Written by Jagger and Richards, this is the opening track on the 1969 album Let it Bleed. It was never released as a single but in 2021 it was ranked at … Continue readingRolling Stones: Gimme Shelter

This was written by Boudleaux Bryant. The Everlys recorded it on February 18, 1960 for their album The Fabulous Style of the Everly Brothers which was released that spring. Like Strangers was released as … Continue readingThe Everly Brothers: Like Strangers

When I was writing about Bobby Vee’s Devil or Angel https://am-records.com/2022/08/02/bobby-vee-devil-or-angel/ yesterday, I came across this one which I had forgotten. I think it’s a lot better, a kind of paradigm of pop … Continue readingBobby Vee: How Many Tears

This was written by Blanche Carter, described online as an ‘amateur songwriter’, and first released by the Clovers in 1955. Bobby Vee recorded it in 1960 and took it to … Continue readingBobby Vee: Devil or Angel

This was written by Drifters lead singer Ben E King under his real name Benjamin Earl Nelson, Lover Patterson and the group’s manager George Treadwell. It was recorded on March … Continue readingThe Drifters: There Goes My Baby

This was written by group members Ian Eyre, Sonja Kristina and Darryl Way for their Second Album. It was released as a single in July 1971 and reached No 4 in … Continue readingCurved Air: Back Street Luv

Written and produced by Motown’s main production team Holland–Dozier–Holland, this was the  Supremes’ first No 1 hit in the States. It reached No 3 in Britain.