A compendium of musical delights by Alan and Margaret Ashworth
This was their second single (the first was the rather similar Do you Believe in Magic https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JnbfuAcCqpY , written by members Steve Boone and John Sebastian and released in 1965. It reached No … Continue readingThe Lovin’ Spoonful: You Didn’t Have to Be so Nice
One from the great Phillies stable. It was written by Phil Spector, Ellie Greenwich and Jeff Barry and recorded in April 1963 with lead vocals by Darlene Love and Bobby … Continue readingBob B Soxx and the Blue Jeans: Not Too Young to Get Married
Shannon co-wrote this with Maron McKenzie and released it in 1962. It reached No 12 in America and 4 in the UK. It was covered by ELO as a bonus track when … Continue readingDel Shannon: Little Town Flirt
This may have been the last single I acquired, a gift for my 21st birthday in June 1970. It reached No 1 in Britain and 3 in the States.
Written by Gene Pitney and produced by Phil Spector, no wonder this is one of the all-time great pop songs. It topped the US chart in November 1962, beating Pitney’s … Continue readingThe Crystals: He’s a Rebel
I’m afraid I am one of those who think Dylan’s songs were nearly always better performed by other artistes. Alan disagrees. Most of the lyrics of this song are impenetrable … Continue readingThe Byrds: My Back Pages
The first recording of this song by Cat Stevens was released by P P Arnold in May 1967, reaching 18 in the British chart. Much better is the singer’s own … Continue readingCat Stevens: The First Cut Is the Deepest
This was written in 1952 by Dan Belloc, Lew Douglas, Cliff Parman and Frank Levere, and was originally a hit for Nat King Cole in 1953. I love this version … Continue readingGerry and the Pacemakers: Pretend
This was written by Barry Mason and Les Reed, and released by The Fortunes in 1965. It reached No 4 in Britain and 27 in the US. It was the … Continue readingThe Fortunes: Here It Comes Again
This was Doris Troy’s only hit, reaching No 10 in the US in 1963. She co-wrote it using her earlier stage name, Payne. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tM_nfDPgcuI In April 1964 The Hollies took … Continue readingDoris Troy: Just One Look