A compendium of musical delights by Alan and Margaret Ashworth
This first appeared in French in 1964 as Dans le monde entire, with words and music by Francoise Hardy, then aged 20. It featured on her album Mon amie la rose. The lyrics … Continue readingFrancoise Hardy: All Over the World
Sedaka wrote this with Howard Greenfield in 1958. It was a reference to his high school girlfriend Carol Klein, who by that time had married Gerry Goffin and was known … Continue readingNeil Sedaka: Oh! Carol
This was written by group members Jim McGuinn (lead guitar) and Chris Hillman (bass) in response to the success of the manufactured group The Monkees. It was included on the … Continue readingThe Byrds: So You Want to be a Rock ’n’ Roll Star
IF YOU were to watch BBC and Channel 4 gardening programmes (which I don’t) I’m sure you wouldn’t hear much mention of bedding plants such as lobelia, alyssum, begonias and … Continue readingSalute to the English country garden
Yet another of those songs that deceived me into thinking I would emerge from my chrysalis on June 14, 1965. Sam Cooke wrote it and it was released in 1959, … Continue readingSam Cooke: Only Sixteen
I’ve never been quite sure if I like this one or not. It’s certainly unusual. It was written by brothers Dewayne and Ronald Blackwell and released in 1964. It reached … Continue readingEverly Brothers: The Ferris Wheel
LAST week I mentioned that there was to be a vintage tractor rally that day. I duly went along and found a delightful crowd of enthusiasts admiring the old things. There must … Continue readingAttracted to tractors
ONE of the many pleasures of living in the country is that there are occasional tractor runs, when vintage farm vehicles parade through the village before driving around for a … Continue readingTransports of delight
This was written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards. It was recorded by the Rolling Stones in 1966, and released in January 1967. It was the group’s fourth chart-topper in … Continue readingMelanie: Ruby Tuesday
WE are having some wonderful warm weather, which is very welcome. Not so welcome are the biting insects which accompany it. A few days ago a little wretch got inside … Continue readingOnce bitten . . .