Author: Margaret Ashworth

Otis wrote this when he was vocalist/driver for Pat Teacake’s Band. A producer heard him singing it and signed him to Stax Records. It was his first single for the … Continue readingOtis Redding: These Arms of Mine

This was the wonderful Billy Fury’s last Top 30 hit, reaching No 25 in 1965. It was written by George Fischoff and Tony Powers.

The Chiffons reached No 5 in the US and 29 in the UK in 1963 with this great Goffin and King song. In 1980, King covered it herself and went … Continue readingThe Chiffons: One Fine Day

This was their first single, written by Pete Townshend and released in 1965. It reached No 8 in Britain and 93 in the US. Here is the single: Here is … Continue readingThe Who: Can’t Explain

Written by Twinkle, real name Lynn Ripley, Terry was her first single and only Top Ten hit. It was released in 1964 and promptly banned by the BBC and ITV … Continue readingTwinkle: Terry

Spector wrote this with Jerry Leiber and recorded it as a demo. I’m not sure what year. It was eventually released in 2006 on The Phil Spector Collectionalbum. The song was … Continue readingPhil Spector: Spanish Harlem

I have said somewhere on this site that pop music ends for me in about 1972, but this number from the 1983 album An Innocent Man feels as if it is straight … Continue readingBilly Joel: For the Longest Time

One of the high drama numbers in which Pitney specialised. This one was written by Fred Anisfield and Willie Denson and released in 1966, reaching No 2 in America and … Continue readingGene Pitney: Backstage