Category: M’s Track of the Day

I don’t know why it has taken me so long to get to the genius Joe Meek, who produced this hit in 1962. It reached No 1 in both the … Continue readingThe Tornados: Telstar

This was written by Ed Cobb, who was a member of the Four Preps and wrote Tainted Love for Gloria Jones (1964). Every Little Bit Hurts was recorded in 1964 by Brenda Holloway, then … Continue readingBrenda Holloway: Every Little Bit Hurts

Eden Kane’s real name was Richard Sarstedt and he was the elder brother of Peter, who had a hit with Where Do You Go To My Lovely? in 1969 and Clive, who … Continue readingEden Kane: Boys Cry

One of the all-time great pop songs by one of the all-time great singers. This was written by Doc Pomus and Mort Shuman and recorded in 1960 by the Drifters … Continue readingThe Drifters: Save the Last Dance for Me

This was recorded in 1973, which is more or less the end of pop music for me, but it sounds much earlier with its Spector-like backing. It got to No … Continue readingDave Edmunds: Born to be With You

This was written by Phil Spector, Ellie Greenwich and Tony Powers, and produced by Spector. It reached No 39 in America in 1963.

A rare vocal number from the Shads, with Hank Marvin and Bruce Welch singing. Written by Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil, it went to No 10 in Britain in 1965. … Continue readingThe Shadows: Don’t Make my Baby Blue

This was Pitney’s biggest UK hit, reaching No 2 in 1964. It made No 9 in the States. It was written by husband and wife team Barry Mann and Cynthia … Continue readingGene Pitney: I’m Gonna Be Strong

This was slightly unusual for the time as it featured saxophones in addition to the usual guitars and drums. The song had an impressive pedigree, written by Jerry Ragavoy (co-writer … Continue readingCliff Bennett and The Rebel Rousers: One Way Love

This was based on Bull Doze Blues, recorded in 1928 by Texas bluesman Henry Thomas, which you can hear on a Vocalion record here: These are the words: I’m going away, babe, … Continue readingCanned Heat: Going Up The Country