Category: M’s Track of the Day

Written by Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil, this sounds like a quintessential Spector number but it was produced by his protégé Jerry Riopelle for his Phi-Dan label. It reached No … Continue readingBonnie and the Treasures: Home of the Brave

Written by Gerry Goffin, Carole King and Phil Spector, this was the follow-up to the Righteous Brothers’ first hit, You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’. Although to my ear it is … Continue readingThe Righteous Brothers: Just Once in My Life

This is a prototype Wall of Sound recording. It was written by Barry Mann and Larry Kolber and released in 1961 by the Paris Sisters (who actually were sisters). It … Continue readingThe Paris Sisters: I Love How you Love Me

I thought we would have a short Phil Spector season. This was written by Spector and the husband and wife team Cynthia Weil and Barry Mann and released on the 1964 album Presenting the Fabulous … Continue readingThe Ronettes: You, Baby

AS a tribute to the pop genius Phil Spector, who has died at the age of 81, here is the record he considered his best. I disagree, but that doesn’t … Continue readingIke and Tina Turner: River Deep – Mountain High

The lyrics were written by Dick Manning to an 1876 melody called Dance of the Hours by Ponchielli. It was first recorded in 1962 by Nancy Sinatra who did well with it … Continue readingMaureen Evans: Like I Do

This was written by Phil Spector, Pete Andreoli and Vini Poncia, and released in 1964. It was comparatively unsuccessful, reaching No 34 in America and No 35 in Britain. This … Continue readingThe Ronettes: Do I Love You?

I can’t say I was a particular Donovan fan, but this one is OK. It was his first single, which he wrote. It was released in 1965 and reached No … Continue readingDonovan: Catch the Wind

This was written by John D Loudermilk and released in 1961. In the US it was the B-side of Walk Right Back, which reached No 8. The record was a double A-side … Continue readingEverly Brothers: Ebony Eyes

This was written by Jeff Barry and first recorded by American singer Ginny Arnell in 1960 as the B-side of her single Look Who’s Talkin’, which was not a hit. … Continue readingHelen Shapiro: Tell Me What He Said