Category: M’s Track of the Day

One of Motown’s biggest hits, this was written by Marvin Gaye, William ‘Mickey’ Stevenson and Ivy Jo Hunter and released in 1964 by Martha and the Vandellas. It reached No … Continue readingMartha and the Vandellas: Dancing in the Street

The Jamies were an American singing group, led by siblings Tom and Serena Jameson. Tom wrote this song which got to No 26 in America in 1958. It was re-released in … Continue readingThe Jamies: Summertime, Summertime

Originally called Tell Her, this was written by Bert Berns, who also wrote Twist and Shout. The first release was by Johnny Thunder in 1962, but it got nowhere. Jerry Leiber and … Continue readingThe Exciters: Tell Him

Written by Jerry Ragovoy (who also wrote Stay With Me Baby) and Bert Berns (who wrote Twist and Shout), this was first recorded by Erma Franklin, older sister of Aretha, in 1967. … Continue readingErma Franklin: Piece of My Heart

Written by Burt Bacharach, Luther Dixon and Mack David, brother of Hal David, this reached No 8 in America in 1961. 8 I have to say I find it a … Continue readingThe Shirelles: Baby It’s You

Another of those ‘Wow, you’re suddenly all grown up’ songs. This was written by Brian Wilson and released in 1965. It is said that radio stations did not like the … Continue readingThe Beach Boys: The Little Girl I Once Knew

A commenter reminded me of this slightly odd song released in 1975 by Reparata, former lead singer of Reparata and the Delrons. It was first recorded in 1973 by a … Continue readingReparata: Shoes

Written by Sylvester Bradford and Al Lewis, this was a million seller for Little Anthony and the Imperials in 1958, reaching No 4 in the US charts.

New Yorkers Harold and Herbert Kalin, or Hal and Herbie, had a couple of flops before they found When, written by Paul Evans and Jack Reardon, in a pile of … Continue readingThe Kalin Twins: When

This was written by Richard Berry who recorded it in 1955. It was based on El Loco Cha Cha performed by the Latin R&B group Ricky Rillera and the Rhythm Rockers. It … Continue readingThe Kingsmen: Louie Louie