Category: M’s Track of the Day

One of the high drama numbers in which Pitney specialised. This one was written by Fred Anisfield and Willie Denson and released in 1966, reaching No 2 in America and … Continue readingGene Pitney: Backstage

This was written by Larry Banks and Milton Bennett for Banks’s ex-wife Bessie Banks who released it in January 1964, reaching No 40 in America. It was covered in Britain … Continue readingBessie Banks: Go Now

This was written by Howard Greenfield and Jack Keller and recorded in 1962 by Jimmy Clanton, reaching No 7 in America. Britain’s Mark Wynter made a very respectable cover which … Continue readingJimmy Clanton: Venus in Blue Jeans

The hot weather put me in mind of this, which reached No 1 in America and No 8 in Britain in 1966. It was written by the group’s leader John … Continue readingLovin’ Spoonful: Summer in the City

The god-daughter of Prince Philip, Louise had a terrific voice, but this was her only hit. It was written by Jerry Lordan and produced by the former Shadows drummer Tony … Continue readingLouise Cordet: I’m Just a Baby

This was written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David and released by Lou Johnson in 1964. It reached No 49 in the US. It was covered (poorly) by British singer … Continue readingLou Johnson: (There’s) Always Something There to Remind Me

Written by Burt Bacharach, Luther Dixon and Mack David, brother of Hal David, this reached No 8 in America in 1961. It was recorded by the Beatles on their debut … Continue readingThe Shirelles: Baby It’s You

This is in my all time Top Ten (currently extending to 22). The Beach Boys mainly recorded songs they wrote themselves, but on this occasion they chose a folk song … Continue readingThe Beach Boys: Sloop John B

To my mind Andy Fairweather Low had one of the best voices in 60s pop. This song was written in Italian by Lucio Battisti in 1968 as Il paradiso della vita … Continue readingAmen Corner: (If Paradise is) Half as Nice

I’ll never forget watching the Eurovision Song Contest in 1974 when Abba burst on to the stage, in their weird costumes, with the captivating Waterloo. As pop technicians they take … Continue readingAbba: One Of Us