Category: M’s Track of the Day

I doubt if this would be acceptable today. It was written by Jiles Perry Richardson, better known as The Big Bopper, and recorded by Johnny Preston in 1958 with Richardson … Continue readingJohnny Preston: Running Bear

One of the all-time great records, and an early portent of Phil Spector’s wonderful talent. He was inspired to write the song by the words on his father’s gravestone, ‘To … Continue readingThe Teddy Bears: To Know Him Is To Love Him

This hit No 2 in the UK in 1970 and No 4 in the US. Wikipedia says: ‘According to drummer Simon Kirke, All Right Now was written by Free bassist Andy Fraser … Continue readingFree: All Right Now

This brilliant ballad was written by Orbison and his frequent collaborator Joe Melson. It was released in March 1961 and went to No 1 in America and No 9 in … Continue readingRoy Orbison: Running Scared

It is hard to find details about this great song. It was written by Holly and his manager Norman Petty and released in 1958 as the B-side to I’m Gonna Love … Continue readingBuddy Holly: Listen to Me

This was written in 1967 by Graham Nash (although it was credited jointly to him, Allan Clarke and Tony Hicks) after he had visited America. He wanted to take the … Continue readingThe Hollies: King Midas in Reverse

This was written by Don Everly and released by The Everly Brothers in 1960 as a single and on the album It’s Everly Time. It got to No 7 in the States … Continue readingThe Everly Brothers: So Sad (To Watch Good Love Go Bad)

This was Procol Harum’s follow-up single to A Whiter Shade of Pale, both released in 1967. It was written by pianist Gary Brooker and the group’s lyricist Keith Reid. Homburg reached No 6 … Continue readingProcol Harum: Homburg

This song was written by Jeff Barry, Ellie Greenwich and Phil Spector. The Dixie Cups took it to No 1 in the US in 1964, and No 22 in Britain. … Continue readingThe Dixie Cups: Chapel of Love

This was written by Aaron Schroeder, Wally Gold and George Goehring (the first two were also responsible for Elvis Presley’s It’s Now or Never). Released in 1962, it reached No 12 … Continue readingGene Pitney: Half Heaven – Half Heartache