Elton John: Your Song
I recently watched the film Rocketman and much enjoyed it, though something tells me it may not be quite the full story. Elton and Bernie Taupin produced some great numbers, and when … Continue readingElton John: Your Song
A compendium of musical delights by Alan and Margaret Ashworth
I recently watched the film Rocketman and much enjoyed it, though something tells me it may not be quite the full story. Elton and Bernie Taupin produced some great numbers, and when … Continue readingElton John: Your Song
This (to me) underrated song was written by Gerry Goffin and Carole King. It was released in 1964 by The Tokens, who took it to No 43 in the US. … Continue readingThe Tokens: He’s in Town
This was written by the group’s co-founders Bob Geldof and Johnnie Fingers and refers to the 1979 Cleveland Elementary School shooting in San Diego, when 16-year-old Brenda Spencer killed two … Continue readingBoomtown Rats: I Don’t Like Mondays
This great song was written by Iain Sutherland of the Sutherland Brothers duo and recorded with the band Quiver as Sutherland Brothers & Quiver. It was released in March 1976 … Continue readingEverly Brothers: Arms of Mary
This was released in 1971 and reached No 31 in Britain. It features drumming by 25 members of the Ingoma people in Burundi recorded in 1967, with a guitar and … Continue readingBurundi Steiphenson Black: Burundi Black
This was written by Jones and Otis Blackwell. It was released in December 1959 and in early 1960 got to No 2 in America and No 3 in Britain. In … Continue readingJimmy Jones: Handy Man
It was a toss-up which to headline between this and the Carl Perkins original, but there is only one King. Perkins (whom I had the privilege of meeting when I … Continue readingElvis Presley: Blue Suede Shoes
This is from 1987, so years too late for my usual range, but I love the voice, and it’s a great tune. It was written by Michael Ward and Rob … Continue readingAlison Moyet: Weak in the Presence of Beauty
This is the original of a song that proved successful for several performers. It was written by Clint Ballard Jr and released in 1963 by Dee Dee Warwick (sister of … Continue readingDee Dee Warwick: You’re No Good
This was written by Fred Tobias and Clint Ballard Jr and released in 1963 as the group’s third single. Like the previous two and the next one, it failed to … Continue readingBrian Poole and the Tremeloes: A Very Good Year for Girls