Category: M’s Track of the Day

This terrific Goffin-King number was first recorded by Tony Orlando in 1961 when he was 16. It was ok and got to 39 in the States, but it didn’t make … Continue readingBilly Fury: Halfway to Paradise

This wonderful song was written by Jeff Barry, Ellie Greenwich and Phil Spector for the Ronettes. It was released in 1966 and unbelievably was a flop, spending just one week … Continue readingThe Ronettes: I Can Hear Music

Released in late 1969, this made No 3 in America and No 1 in Britain. Greenbaum (b 1942) said in 2006 that he was inspired to write the words and … Continue readingNorman Greenbaum: Spirit in the Sky

Orbison specialised in songs which developed from beginning to end instead of the usual verse/chorus/middle 8 format. He wrote In Dreams and released it as a single in January 1963. It got … Continue readingRoy Orbison: In Dreams

When Alan and I were in Mallorca a few years ago we started singing this and amazed ourselves that we could remember every word, fifty-odd years later. It was written … Continue readingThe Merseybeats: I Think of You

This is one of the many two-part songs that my friend Helen and I used to sing at school. The Caravelles, a British duo, comprised Lois Wilkinson and Andrea Simpson. … Continue readingThe Caravelles: You Don’t have to be a Baby to Cry

I was given the Live at Leeds album for my 21st birthday. About a year earlier I saw The Who at my university, when they mainly did stuff from Tommy. Extraordinary, but I’m afraid … Continue readingThe Who: Magic Bus (Live at Leeds)

The Marbles were cousins Graham Bonnet and Trevor Gordon, born in Skegness but Gordon grew up in Australia. Only One Woman,notable for Bonnet’s powerful vocals, was written for them by Barry, … Continue readingThe Marbles: Only One Woman

Losing You, written by Jean Renard and Carl Sigman, was Brenda Lee’s last Top Ten pop hit in America, reaching No 6 in 1963.  It got to No 10 in Britain. … Continue readingBrenda Lee: Losing You

I didn’t realise till now that this song was written in 1926, by Roy Turk and Lou Handman. Here is a lovely old version by Charles Hart, released in 1927. … Continue readingElvis: Are you Lonesome Tonight?