Hard times in the crows’ nest
I DON’T suppose many share this view, but I have rather a soft spot for crows. They are beautiful birds and I have been entertained over the summer by a … Continue readingHard times in the crows’ nest
Author: Margaret Ashworth
Square
Ricky Nelson: Hello Mary Lou
This was written by the great Gene Pitney. It was first recorded by country singer Johnny Duncan but doesn’t seem to have made any impression on the charts. In 1961 … Continue readingRicky Nelson: Hello Mary Lou
God Be in My Head
THE first appearance of this short hymn is in a French text dating from around 1490: Jesus soit en ma teste et mon entendement. Jesus soit en mes yeulx et … Continue readingGod Be in My Head
The Spotnicks
One of the outstandingly weird groups of the pop era, the Spotnicks were from Sweden. I don’t think their singles merit individual posts, but it is worth seeing their videos. … Continue readingThe Spotnicks
The Toys: A Lover’s Concerto
I think the punctuation should be Lovers’, not Lover’s, on the grounds that it is a concerto for all lovers, not just one. It was recorded in 1965 by the … Continue readingThe Toys: A Lover’s Concerto
Not so much a hospital, more a small town
MY travels this week took me past a terrace of houses unlike any I have ever seen, with beautiful tile work on the front. I stopped to take a picture … Continue readingNot so much a hospital, more a small town
Johnny Burnette: Dreamin’
This was Burnette’s third single, reaching No 11 in America and No 5 in Britain in 1960. It was written by Barry De Vorzon and Ted Ellis. In 1964 Burnette … Continue readingJohnny Burnette: Dreamin’
Be Thou My Vision
THIS often comes near the top of British hymn popularity charts, but it has its roots in the long-distant Irish past. The original words, entitled Rop tú mo baile, were written … Continue readingBe Thou My Vision
The Allisons: Are You Sure
This was Britain’s Eurovision Song Contest entry in 1961, finishing in second place out of 16. It was written by the Allisons, who were marketed as brothers but were not … Continue readingThe Allisons: Are You Sure
Paul and Paula: Hey Paula
Paul and Paula were Ray Hildebrand and Jill Jackson. This was their first single, written by Hildebrand. In 1963 it topped the charts in America and reached No 8 in … Continue readingPaul and Paula: Hey Paula