Category: M’s Track of the Day

Helen Shapiro was only 14 when she recorded this song, written by John Schroeder and Mike Hawker in 1961. It was her first No 1 hit (in Britain) and earned … Continue readingHelen Shapiro: You Don’t Know

This has always been one of my favourites, though it was not John Leyton’s most successful single (Johnny Remember Me topped the chart in 1961). Written by Les Vandyke and produced … Continue readingJohn Leyton: Cupboard Love

This was a No 1 on both sides of the Atlantic in 1966. It was written and produced by Motown’s main production team, Holland–Dozier–Holland (Lamont Dozier and brothers Brian and … Continue readingThe Four Tops: Reach Out (I’ll Be There)

This was written by Dick Glasser and first released by Vic Dana in 1962, reaching No 47 in America. It was a bit limp, but Billy Fury gave it a … Continue readingBilly Fury: I Will

Another drama from the great Roy. He co-wrote it with Bill Dees and released it in 1964. It reached No 8 in the US and No 1 in Britain. Here … Continue readingRoy Orbison: It’s Over

This was composed by Rudy Clark and was first released as a single in 1963 by Merry Clayton. It got nowhere; I can’t see why because when Betty Everett did … Continue readingBetty Everett: The Shoop Shoop Song (It’s in His Kiss)

This was written by Keith McCormack, a one-time member of the String-A-Longs, who gave us the immortal Wheels in 1961. Sugar Shack was recorded in 1963 by Jimmy Gilmer and the Fireballs at … Continue readingJimmy Gilmer and the Fireballs: Sugar Shack

This was written by Sonny West, Bill Tilghman and Norman Petty, inspired by a line from Carl Perkins’s 1956 song Dixie Fried. It was first released by West in February 1958 … Continue readingBuddy Holly: Rave On

This was their second single. It was produced by Terry Melcher, Doris Day’s son, and the falsetto was provided by his friend Bruce Johnston of the Beach Boys. Melcher and … Continue readingThe Rip Chords: Gone

The incomparable Orbison wrote this terrific song with his long-time collaborator Joe Melson. It made No 1 in the US Cashbox chart in 1961, but does not seem to have … Continue readingRoy Orbison: Crying