The Bee Gees: Massachusetts
I was never a Bee Gees fan but this is tuneful. It was written by the group – brothers Barry, Maurice and Robin Gibb – and in 1967 it was … Continue readingThe Bee Gees: Massachusetts
Author: Margaret Ashworth
Square
Adam Faith: Someone Else’s Baby
Written by Perry Ford and Les Vandyke and released in 1960, this was Adam Faith’s third hit single. The first two (What Do You Want? and Poor Me) were chart-toppers but this stuck … Continue readingAdam Faith: Someone Else’s Baby
I’ll Be Seeing You
One of my favourite songs, I can include this in pop as there are great versions by the Poni Tails and Brenda Lee. I have written at some length about … Continue readingI’ll Be Seeing You
Hare cuts
ANOTHER gap in my knowledge came to light this week when I read that mountain hares in the Peak District may be at risk from global warming. (This report, needless … Continue readingHare cuts
Bob B Soxx and the Blue Jeans: Why Do Lovers Break Each Other’s Heart?
This was written by Phil Spector, Ellie Greenwich and Tony Powers and first recorded in 1962 by Bob B Soxx and the Blue Jeans, with Spector producing. It reached No … Continue readingBob B Soxx and the Blue Jeans: Why Do Lovers Break Each Other’s Heart?
Of sparrow and butterbur
MOST birds are pretty quiet in the winter, but house sparrows (Passer domesticus)do not know the meaning of the word. They never seem to stop chirping. There are a lot of … Continue readingOf sparrow and butterbur
Bob B Soxx and the Blue Jeans: Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah
This was composed by Allie Wrubel and Ray Gilbert for the 1946 Disney film Song of the South and sung by James Baskett. Phil Spector produced it with Bob B Soxx and … Continue readingBob B Soxx and the Blue Jeans: Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah
Chapel of Love
Next in the Phil Spector season is this song which he co-wrote with husband and wife team Jeff Barry and Ellie Greenwich. It was first recorded by Darlene Love in … Continue readingChapel of Love
Gene Pitney: Every Breath I Take
This is an early Spector production, pre-Wall of Sound, from 1961. It was written by Gerry Goffin and Carole King (in all honesty it is a long way from their … Continue readingGene Pitney: Every Breath I Take
Bonnie and the Treasures: Home of the Brave
Written by Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil, this sounds like a quintessential Spector number but it was produced by his protégé Jerry Riopelle for his Phi-Dan label. It reached No … Continue readingBonnie and the Treasures: Home of the Brave