Elenore Gee, I think you’re swell And you really do me well You’re my pride and joy, et cetera…
After the huge success of their “Happy Together,” The Turtles’ record label asked them for another love song in a similar vein. Jokingly, they turned in “Elenore.” It became their eighth US top 40 hit, reaching number 6 on the Billboard Hot 100.
The Turtles’ Mark Volman was born on this date in 1947. A few songs from his band are included on today’s playlist.
In 1964, the musical landscape was undergoing a seismic shift. From the electrifying British Invasion to the soulful sounds of Motown, 1964 was a year that truly had something for everyone.
One cannot discuss the music of 1964 without acknowledging the unparalleled influence of The Beatles. With their chart-topping hit “I Want To Hold Your Hand,” the Fab Four ignited a phenomenon that would forever alter the course of popular music. Their harmonious blend of catchy melodies and innovative arrangements captivated audiences worldwide, laying the groundwork for the British Invasion that would dominate the airwaves in the years to come.
The UK also brought us The Animals, whose “House Of The Rising Sun” captivated audiences with its electrifying intensity, while The Kinks offered a more garage-band, raw sound with “You Really Got Me.”
But 1964 was not just about the British Invasion; it was also a time of soulful sounds and Motown magic. Artists like Martha & The Vandellas, The Supremes, and The Four Tops delivered soul-stirring performances on classic hits.
The surf rock craze was in full swing, with The Beach Boys’ “I Get Around” capturing the carefree California lifestyle. And for those who preferred a more melancholic sound, there were ballads like Dionne Warwick’s “Walk On By.”
Beyond the well-known names associated with 1964, this playlist unearths other soundtracks of the year, like “My Boy Lollipop” by Millie Small, a ska track that became a surprise summer hit, and “The Girl From Ipanema” by Stan Getz & Astrud Gilberto, a bossa nova masterpiece that brought a touch of Brazilian cool to the airwaves.
This playlist is just a taste of the incredible music that 1964 had to offer, though even a brief exploration of 1964’s music reveals a year brimming with creativity and cultural impact. From the infectious melodies of pop anthems to the raw energy of rock and roll, these songs continue to resonate with listeners today, reminding us of the enduring power of music to capture a moment in time and transport us back. It was a year that changed the landscape of popular music forever, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire and entertain generations of listeners.
“This is a song I wrote for my first album. It was the only song I ever wrote that was a Top 10 hit. It wasn’t for me, it was for a group called Manfred Mann’s Earth Band. They were a great band, but they changed the lyrics. And it pissed me off. Because I have a big ego. And I wanted to hear my words coming out of the radio. But they had a hit, so I was happy about that. But what they did was, they took out one of my lines and they put in one of their own. And their line became one of the most misunderstood lines of all time. In my version, the line went: ‘Cut loose like a deuce, another runner in the night.’ A deuce is a 1932 Ford Coupe, a very hot car back in the day. But they changed it to: ‘Blinded by the light, revved up like a deuce, you know the runner in the night.’ Now that makes no sense. But that’s OK, because it rhymed. But then people started to mishear that line. And they misheard it as: ‘Blinded by the light, wrapped up like a douche, another rumor in the night.’ A douche is not a car. It’s a feminine hygiene product. And it doesn’t even rhyme! So I don’t know how they got that. But that’s what people heard. And that’s what they’ve been singing for 40 years.” – Bruce Springsteen
Manfred Mann was born Manfred Lubowitz on this date in 1940. A few of his hits are on today’s playlist.
Judy Craig, the lead singer of The Chiffons, was a senior in high school when “He’s So Fine” hit number one. Written by the group’s manager, Ronnie Mack, the song was recorded with the band The Tokens providing the instrumentation. The Tokens brought the recording to their record label, Capitol, to see if they’d be interested in releasing it, but the label president thought it “too trite.” Laurie Records signed the group and made “He’s So Fine” one of the biggest hits of 1963. The group hit the top ten twice more, with “One Fine Day” and “Sweet Talkin’ Guy.” Judy Craig, who turns 79 today, still tours with The Chiffons, now comprised of her, her daughter and her niece.
Today’s playlist celebrates the August 11 birthdays of A Tribe Called Quest’s Ali Shaheed Muhammad, Joe Jackson, The Postal Service/Death Cab For Cutie’s Ben Gibbard, Raspberries’ Eric Carmen, Kris Kross’s Chris “Mac Daddy” Kelly, Tierra Whack, The Regents’ Guy Villari, songwriter Kenneth Gamble, and Mike Douglas; and the August 12 birthdays of Dire Straits’ Mark Knopfler, Sparks’ Ron Mael, Pat Metheny, Kid Creole & the Coconuts’ August Darnell, Del the Funkee Homosapien, Buck Owens, Sir Mix-A-Lot, Porter Wagoner, Joe Jones, Felt’s Lawrence, Tanita Tikaram, Infernal’s Lina Rafn, and Michael Ian Black.
