Author: Margaret Ashworth

This was written by Wayne Carson and released by the Box Tops in 1967. Lead singer Alex Chilton was 16. It got to No 1 in America and No 5 … Continue readingThe Box Tops: The Letter

This classic was written by Jerome Kern and Otto Harbach for the 1933 Broadway musical Roberta. Here is the first hit version of it, by Paul Whiteman and his Orchestra with … Continue readingThe Platters: Smoke Gets in Your Eyes

I recently watched the film Rocketman and much enjoyed it, though something tells me it may not be quite the full story. Elton and Bernie Taupin produced some great numbers, and when … Continue readingElton John: Your Song

This (to me) underrated song was written by Gerry Goffin and Carole King. It was released in 1964 by The Tokens, who took it to No 43 in the US. … Continue readingThe Tokens: He’s in Town

This was written by the group’s co-founders Bob Geldof and Johnnie Fingers and refers to the 1979 Cleveland Elementary School shooting in San Diego, when 16-year-old Brenda Spencer killed two … Continue readingBoomtown Rats: I Don’t Like Mondays

This great song was written by Iain Sutherland of the Sutherland Brothers duo and recorded with the band Quiver as Sutherland Brothers & Quiver. It was released in March 1976 … Continue readingEverly Brothers: Arms of Mary

This was released in 1971 and reached No 31 in Britain. It features drumming by 25 members of the Ingoma people in Burundi recorded in 1967, with a guitar and … Continue readingBurundi Steiphenson Black: Burundi Black