It's My Party (1963)

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By: Lesley Gore (born Lesley Sue Goldstein May 2, 1946 in New York City.)

The song's chorus, "It's my party, and I'll cry if I want to", became a part of American pop cultural language as a phrase used to describe being utterly humiliated and miserable during an event that is supposed to be a happy occasion.

In March 1963, Phil Spector went to the music publishing firm owned by friend Aaron Schroeder. The staff included Wally Gold, co-writer of Elvis Presley's then biggest hit ever, "It's Now or Never". Spector knew that firm was reliable for good songs, so he visited often.

That day, Phil heard a demo of a song that Wally had written with John Gluck and Herb Weiner: "It’s My Party". Phil Spector wanted to record it, which excited Shroeder.

What they didn't know what that someone else had already chosen the song for her first record: 16-year old Lesley Gore.

In February, a month before, Quincy Jones, who had discovered her and became her producer, and would later produce albums for Michael Jackson, brought her the song, among 200 to 300 other demos to Lesley’s family home in Tenafly, New Jersey. They both agreed on "It’s My Party", and it was recorded by the end of March 1963.

Gore's label found out that Spector was also recording "It’s My Party" by coincidence. Quincy Jones was in Paris, France, and ran into Phil Spector, who, not knowing that Jones had recorded the song, told Jones about his recording of "It’s My Party"

Because of that, Lesley's version was rush-released, and became a hit. Spector's unfinished masterpiece was never released, and Phil never came to Shroeder's publishing firm again.

The song was featured in the 1990 film Problem Child.

Chart position: #1 (US), #1 (US R&B), #9 (UK).

It was #1 for two weeks in June 1963. It was preceded at #1 by "If You Wanna Be Happy" (Jimmy Soul) and succeeded by "Sukiyaki" (Kyu Sakamoto).

It stayed at #1 on the R&B charts for three weeks. It was preceded at #1 on the R&B charts by "Another Saturday Night" (Same Cooke) and was succeeded by "Hello Stranger" (Barbara Lewis).

The Top Ten Songs: July 8, 1963 (US Billboard Hot 100).

1. "It's My Party" (Lesley Gore)
2. "Sukiyaki" (Kyu Sakamoto) 
3. "Da Doo Ron Ron" (Crystals)
4. "I Love You Because" (Al Martino)
5. "You Can't Sit Down" (Dovells)
6. "Two Faces Have I" (Lou Christie)
7. "If You Wanna Be Happy" (Jimmy Soul)
8. "Still" (Bill Anderson)
9. "Those Lazy-Hazy-Crazy Days of Summer" (Nat King Cole)
10. "Surfin' U.S.A." (Beach Boys)

Written by: Wally Gold, John Gluck and Herb Weiner.

Also by: Dave Stewart and Barbara Gaskin, whose version was a UK number one hit single for four weeks in 1981; Bryan Ferry; the Chiffons; the Paris Sisters; Brenda Lee.

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Da Doo Ron Ron (1963) (1977)

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By: The Crystals, a girl group produced by Phil Spector (born Harvey Phillip Spector December 26, 1940 in The Bronx, New York.)

The Crystals' previous singles, "He's A Rebel" and "He's Sure The Boy I Love," were not actually recorded by any of the Crystals, but by the Blossoms (with Blossom member Darlene Love on lead vocal). However, as the owner of the Crystals' name and, Phil Spector had the right to record anything and label it as "The Crystals".

For "Da Doo Ron Ron" Spector had Love record the lead vocal in Los Angeles, CA. Love had received session fees for her previous work with Spector, but after singing on this, she asked to be signed to an artist's contract. In response, Spector erased Love's vocal and flew in the Crystals' actual lead singer Dolores "LaLa" Brooks from New York to record the lead vocal.

When this was recorded in 1963, Dolores "LaLa" Brooks was only 15 years old. The backup vocals were provided by the Blossoms, Darlene Love, Cher, and (legend has it) Sonny Bono. Bono was a record producer and songwriter at the time and knew Phil Spector.

"Da Doo Ron Ron" features Spector's signature "Wall Of Sound" production, with lavish orchestration including cello, oboe and sleigh bells. A perfect example of what Spector called "little symphonies for the kids."

John Lennon modeled his 16th-note rhythm guitar playing on the Beatles' "All My Loving" on "Da Doo Ron Ron".

In 2004, Rolling Stone magazine ranked "Da Doo Ron Ron" at #114 on their list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.

Chart position: #3 (US), #5 (UK).

The Top Ten Songs: July 8, 1963 (US Billboard Hot 100).

1. "It's My Party" (Lesley Gore)
2. "Sukiyaki" (Kyu Sakamoto) 
3. "Da Doo Ron Ron" (Crystals)
4. "I Love You Because" (Al Martino)
5. "You Can't Sit Down" (Dovells)
6. "Two Faces Have I" (Lou Christie)
7. "If You Wanna Be Happy" (Jimmy Soul)
8. "Still" (Bill Anderson)
9. "Those Lazy-Hazy-Crazy Days of Summer" (Nat King Cole)
10. "Surfin' U.S.A." (Beach Boys)

Written by: Jeff Barry (born Joel Adelberg April 3, 1938, in Brooklyn, New York,) Ellie Greenwich (born Eleanor Louise Greenwich October 23, 1940 in Brooklyn, New York,) and Phil Spector.

The refrain of "Da Doo Ron Ron" came from nonsense syllables they stuck in as space filler.

The husband-and-wife team of Barry and Greenwich were one of the most successful songwriting duos of the 1960s, writing/co-writing such songs as "Baby I Love You", "Be My Baby", "Chapel Of Love", "Do Wah Diddy Diddy", "Hanky Panky", "I Can Hear Music", "Leader of the Pack", "Maybe I Know", "Montego Bay", "Then He Kissed Me", "River Deep, Mountain High", and many more.



Also by: Shaun Cassidy (son of actress Shirley Jones and half-brother of David Cassidy.) His version reached #1 (US, 1977). He was only 19 at the time, and it was his very first single.

It was also recorded by the Carpenters; Billy J. Kramer and the Dakotas; Jack Nitzsche; The Raindrops; The Searchers.


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Surfin' U.S.A. (1963)

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By: The Beach Boys, formed in 1961 by Brian Wilson (born June 20, 1942 in Hawthorne, California); his brothers, Dennis Wilson (born December 4, 1944, died December 28, 1983) and Carl Wilson (born December 21, 1946, died February 6, 1998); their cousin Mike Love (born March 15, 1941 in Los Angeles, California), and friend Alan Jardine (born September 3, 1942 in Lima, Ohio).

The Beach Boys are one the most influential groups in rock and pop music history, with 36 US Top 40 hits (including four #1 singles) and many million-selling albums
                                   
"Surfin’ U.S.A." was written by Brian to the tune of Chuck Berry's "Sweet Little Sixteen". It was released as a single and it also appeared on the 1963 album of the same name. The B-side of the single was "Shut Down". The song features Mike Love on lead vocals.

According to Brian, the song was also influenced by Chubby Checker's "Twistin' U.S.A.".

Wilson was aided by his then-girlfriend Judy Bowles' little brother Jimmy, who came up with the list of sixteen surfing spots included in the song.

Chart position: #3 (US), #34 (UK).

The Top Ten Songs: May 25, 1963 (US Billboard Hot 100).

1. "If You Wanna Be Happy" (Jimmy Soul)
2. "I Will Follow Him" (Little Peggy March)
3. "Surfin' U.S.A." (Beach Boys)
4. "Foolish Little Girl" (Shirelles)
5. "I Love You Because" (Al Martino)
6. "Losing You" (Brenda Lee)
7. "Two Faces Have I" (Lou Christie)
8. "Take These Chains From My Heart" (Ray Charles)
9. "It's My Party" (Lesley Gore)
10. "Another Saturday Night" (Sam Cooke)

Written by: Brian Wilson and Chuck Berry.

When the song was released in 1963, the original pressing listed Brian Wilson as the sole composer of the song.

As soon as the song became a hit, Chuck Berry claimed the melody was his (which was true, as it was a copy of "Sweet Little Sixteen".) However, Brian’s father, Murry Wilson, gave Berry the copyright without ever informing his son. Brian Wilson didn't know, for more than twenty-five years, that Murry also gave away Brian’s lyric royalties, which clearly weren't Berry's.

Despite there being tensions over the incident at the time, Chuck Berry later claimed that he actually liked the song. Carl Wilson later said the Beach Boys ran into Berry while on tour in Copenhagen, and told the Beach Boys that he loved "Surfin' USA".

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Sukiyaki (Ue o muite aruko) (1963)

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By: Kyu Sakamoto (born Hisashi Oshima on December 10, 1941 in Kawasaki, Japan, died August 12, 1985).

Kyu Sakamoto was a Japanese singer and actor best known internationally for his recording of "Ue wo muite arukō", more commonly known as "Sukiyaki", which was sung in Japanese and sold over 13 million copies worldwide.

Sakamoto was the ninth child of a Toko restaurant owner. His nickname of Kyu, meaning 'nine', is an alternate reading of the kanji (the Japanese pictorial writing system) for his given name of Hisashi.

Kyu started singing in jazz clubs while still a high school student, and eventual dropped out of school to pursue singing. In 1959, at the age of eighteen, Kyu signed with a talent company in Tokyo looking for a "boy-next-door" type. He was signed to a recording contract with Toshiba Records.

By 1963, Sakamoto was very popular in Japan, having had 15 singles and eight albums that were best-sellers there. He had also appeared in ten movies and was on seven different weekly TV shows and two radio shows.

The real title of the song is "Ue O Muite Aruko", which translates "I Look Up When I Walk". Louis Benjamin, the head of Britain's Pye records, brought the song to English jazz musician Kenny Ball after hearing the song while in Japan on business in 1962. Since British DJs were not likely going to pronounce the real title correctly, Pye records released the single under the Japanese name "Sukiyaki", a Japanese dish consisting of thin beef strips cooked with onions, greens and soy sauce. A Newsweek music critic pointed out at the time that this was like releasing "Moon River" in Japan with the title "Beef Stew".

American DJ Rich Osborne of station KORD in Pasco, Washington, got a copy of Kyu Sakamoto's original version and played it on his show. Listeners began requesting the song, and the station started playing it regularly. Soon after Capitol Records picked up distribution rights and released it under its British title of "Sukiyaki". It became the second song sung in a foreign language to top the Hot 100 (the other was "Volare" by Domenico Modugno.)

Sadly, Kyu Sakamoto died on-board Japan Airlines Flight 123, which killed over 500 people when it crashed into a mountain outside of Tokyo on August 12, 1985. Found among the wreckage of this plane was a "goodbye note" addressed to his wife that Kyu had time to write knowing what would be his fate in moments. He was 43 years old.

Chart position: #1 (US, three weeks), #6 (UK).

"Sukiyaki" remains the only Japanese-language song to hit #1 in the United States. It was also the first Japanese-language song to appear on the UK charts.

It sold over one million copies in the US.

The Top Ten Songs: June 15, 1963 (US Billboard Hot 100).

1. "Sukiyaki" (Kyu Sakamoto)
2. "It's My Party" (Lesley Gore)
3. "You Can't Sit Down" (Dovells)
4. "Da Doo Ron Ron" (Crystals)
5. "I Love You Because" (Al Martino)
6. "Blue on Blue" (Bobby Vinton)
7. "Those Lazy-Hazy-Crazy Days of Summer" (Nat King Cole)
8. "Still" (Bill Anderson)
9. "Hello Stranger" (Barbara Lewis)
10. "18 Yellow Roses" (Bobby Darin)

Written by: Hachidai Nakamura (music) and Rokusuke Ei (lyrics).

The lyrics were inspired by Rokusuke Ei's breakup with actress Meiko Nakamura.

They translate into English as: "I look up when I walk, so the tears won't fall, remembering those happy spring days, but tonight I'm all alone. I look up when I walk, counting the stars with tearful eyes, remembering those happy summer days, but tonight I'm all alone. Happiness lies beyond the clouds, happiness lies above the sky. I look up when I walk, so the tears won't fall, though my heart is filled with sorrow, for tonight I'm all alone. Remembering those happy autumn days, but tonight I'm all alone. Sadness hides in the shadow of the stars, sadness lurks in the shadow of the moon. I look up when I walk, so the tears won't fall, though my heart is filled with sorrow, for tonight I'm all alone."

Also by: Country singer Clyde Beavers, whose English-translated version, titled "My First Lonely Night", reached #21 (US Country); A Taste of Honey, whose version, also with English lyrics but different from Beavers' version, reached #3 in 1981; a cappella group 4 P.M., whose version reached #8 in 1994.

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Ring of Fire (1963)

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• Johnny Cash - Ring of Fire (MP3)
• Anita Carter - (Love's) Ring of Fire (MP3)

By: Johnny Cash (born J. R. Cash February 26, 1932 in Kingsland, Arkansas, died of complications from diabetes September 12, 2003 in Nashville, Tennessee.) He was named J. R. because his parents could only agree on his initials, not a particular name. He adopted John R. Cash as his legal name when he joined the US Air Force as a radio operator.

The Man in Black is considered one of the most influential and important American musicians of all time, known for his distinctive voice and famous introduction: "Hello, I'm Johnny Cash." Cash sold over 50 million records in his nearly 50 year career.

As Cash's popularity grew in the early 1960s, he drank heavily and became addicted to amphetamines (to stay awake during tours) and barbiturates (to fall asleep). Cash shared an apartment with fellow singer Waylon Jennings, who was also addicted to amphetamines. Friends joked about his erratic behavior, ignoring the signs of his escalating drug problem.

Though he kept having country hits, he hadn't had a US Top 20 hit since 1958's "Big River". He recorded "Ring of Fire" on March 25, 1963. He added the somewhat incongruous mariachi horn arrangement himself. (He later said that the horn part came to him in a dream.)

It was released that year on the album Ring of Fire: The Best of Johnny Cash, despite not being solely a "greatest hits" album. Six of the songs on that album became Top 20 US Country hit singles, with "Ring of Fire" achieving the biggest success on both the Country and Pop charts.

He caused a literal "ring of fire" two years later in June 1965, while camping at Los Padres National Forest in California, when a defective exhaust on Cash's trailer caused a fire that destroyed over 500 acres of forest, the foliage of three nearby mountains, and killed 49 endangered condors. He was sued by the federal government. (He paid them $82,000 in a settlement.) When the judge asked Cash why he did it, Cash said, "I didn't do it, my truck did, and it's dead, so you can't question it."

Chart position: #17 (US), #1 (US Country).

It was #1 on the US Country chart for 7 weeks in July, August, and September 1963. It was preceded at #1 by "Act Naturally" (Buck Owens) and succeeded by "Abilene" (George Hamilton IV).

The Top Ten Songs: September 7, 1963 (US Billboard Hot Country Singles).

1. "Ring of Fire" (Johnny Cash)
2. "Abilene" (George Hamilton IV)
3. "Talk Back Tremblin' Lips" (Ernest Ashworth)
4. "Six Days On the Road" (Dave Dudley)
5. "Guilty" (Jim Reeves)
6. "Detroit City" (Bobby Bare)
7. "You Comb Her Hair" (George Jones)
8. "Act Naturally" (Buck Owens)
9. "Sands of Gold" (Webb Pierce)
10. "Tips of My Fingers" (Roy Clark)

Written by: June Carter, later June Carter Cash (born June 23, 1929, died May 15, 2003) and Merle Kilgore (born August 9, 1934, died February 6, 2005.)

June was born into The Carter Family (her mother was Maybelle Carter,) a pioneering country music group, becoming a performing member in 1939. In 1950, the family became part of the Grand Ole Opry, along with accompanying guitarist Chet Atkins, where they befriended Hank Williams, Elvis Presley, to whom they were distantly related, and Johnny Cash. She also wrote such songs as "I'm a Worried Man", "If Today Were Yesterday", and "The Kneeling Drunkard's Plea".

The song was written by June (who later married Johnny Cash,) describe Carter's struggle with her love for Cash as she dealt with his alcoholism and drug addiction, hence, the Ring of Fire. (Johnny later said that June saved his life by helping him to get off of drugs.)

Merle Kilgore also wrote such songs as "Wolverton Mountain", "Johnny Reb", and "The Folk Singer".

Originally by: Anita Carter, June Carter Cash's sister, as "(Love's) Ring of Fire", in 1962.

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• Johnny Cash - Ring of Fire (MP3)
• Anita Carter - (Love's) Ring of Fire (MP3)

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Be My Baby (1963)

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• The Ronettes - Be My Baby (MP3)

By: The Ronettes, which consisted of Veronica Bennett (later known as Ronnie Spector, born August 10, 1943 in New York City); her sister, Estelle Bennett (born July 22, 1941, died of colon cancer February 11, 2009) and their cousin Nedra Talley (born January 27, 1946 in New York.)

In 2007 the Ronettes were inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame.

Producer Phil Spector (born Harvey Phillip Spector December 26, 1940 in The Bronx, New York) rehearsed "Be My Baby" with Ronnie for weeks before recording began. During recording it took 42 takes before Spector was satisfied.

"Be My Baby" is arguably one of the greatest pop songs of all time. Critic Jason Ankeny wrote, "No less an authority than [Beach Boy] Brian Wilson has declared 'Be My Baby' the greatest pop record ever made — no arguments here." At that time, Wilson would listen to his 45 single of the song up to 100 times a day.

Wilson later said, "That's my all-time favorite song. When I first heard it in my car, I had to pull over to the side of the street to listen to it. It blew my mind."

The Beach Boys' "Don't Worry Baby" was written by Wilson with the hope that the Ronettes would record it as a follow-up. Spector rejected it, as he preferred to record only songs of his choosing.

As part of her divorce settlement with Phil Spector, Ronnie Spector is not allowed to perform "Be My Baby" on television.

In 2004, Rolling Stone magazine ranked "Be My Baby" at #22 on their list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.

The song's famous drum intro (played by Hal Blaine) has been replicated on a number of other songs.

Chart position: #2 (US), #4 (UK).

It was #2 in the US for 3 weeks in October 1963. It was kept from #1 by "Sugar Shack" (Jimmy Gilmore And The Fireballs.)

The Top Ten Songs: October 12, 1963 (US Billboard Hot 100).

1. "Sugar Shack" (Jimmy Gilmer and the Fireballs)
2. "Be My Baby" (Ronettes)
3. "Blue Velvet" (Bobby Vinton)
4. "Cry Baby" (Garnet Mimms and the Enchanters)
5. "Sally Go 'Round The Roses" (Jaynetts)
6. "Busted" (Ray Charles)
7. "My Boyfriend's Back (Angels)
8. "Mean Woman Blues" (Roy Orbison)
9. "(Love Is Like A) Heat Wave" (Martha and the Vandellas)
10. "Donna The Prima Donna" (Dion)

Written by: Jeff Barry (born Joel Adelberg April 3, 1938, in Brooklyn, New York,) Ellie Greenwich (born Eleanor Louise Greenwich October 23, 1940 in Brooklyn, New York), & Phil Spector.

The husband-and-wife team of Barry and Greenwich were one of the most successful songwriting duos of the 1960s, writing/co-writing such songs as "Baby I Love You", "Chapel Of Love", "Da Doo Ron Ron", "Do Wah Diddy Diddy", "Hanky Panky", "I Can Hear Music", "Leader of the Pack", "Maybe I Know", "Montego Bay", "Then He Kissed Me", "River Deep, Mountain High", and many more.

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• The Ronettes - Be My Baby (MP3)

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My Boyfriend's Back (1963)

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• The Angels - My Boyfriend's Back (MP3)

By: The Angels, formed in New Jersey by sisters Barbara Allbut (born September 24, 1940, in Orange, New Jersey) and Phyllis "Jiggs" Allbut (born September 24, 1942, in Orange, New Jersey) and Linda Jansen, who left the group in 1962 and was replaced by Peggy Santiglia (born May 4, 1944 in New Jersey).

The Angels had their first hit in 1961 with "Till" (#14 US). That was followed in 1962 by "Cry Baby Cry" (#38 US) on the Caprice label.

In 1963 they signed to Mercury Records' Smash label and began working with songwriters Bob Feldman, Jerry Goldstein, and Richard Gottehrer (who wrote "My Boyfriend's Back".)

Peggy Santiglia sang the lead on the Angels' recording of "My Boyfriend's Back" . But it was actually a demo recording intended for the Shirelles ("Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow", etc.) to record. But the Angels' demo was released as a single instead. In four weeks' time it was a #1 hit.

After having a few minor hits thereafter the Angels went on to work as backing vocalists. They can be heard on Lou Christie's "Lightnin' Strikes". The Angels eventually disbanded in 1968.

Chart position: #1 (US), #2 (US R&B), #50 (UK).

The Angels were the first all-white girl group to have a #1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 (which began in 1955).

It was #1 in the US for three weeks in August and September 1963.

It was preceded at #1 by "Fingertips Pt. 2" (Little Stevie Wonder) and succeeded by "Blue Velvet" (Bobby Vinton).

Written by: Bob Feldman, Jerry Goldstein, and Richard Gottehrer.

Feldman, Goldstein, and Gottehrer also wrote/co-wrote such songs as "Sorrow" (a #4 UK hit for the Merseys,) "Night Time" and "I Want Candy" (both of which the trio turned into hits under a different name: the Strangeloves). They also arranged and produced the McCoys' version of "Hang On Sloopy" (#1 US in 1965).

The idea for "My Boyfriend's Back" came to co-writer Bob Feldman when he overheard a conversation between a high school girl and the boy she was rebuffing.

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• The Angels - My Boyfriend's Back (MP3)

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Wipe Out (1963)

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• The Surfaris - Wipe Out (MP3)

By: The Surfaris, who were elevated to international status with the release of the "Surfer Joe" and "Wipe Out" single.

At their first recording session, the Surfaris wrote the song on the spot in the studio as a B-side for their song "Surfer Joe". They collaborated on an instrumental based on a melody from guitarist Jim Fuller's instrumental "Switchblade". The drums were lift from Preston Epps' #14 hit "Bongo Rock".

Legend has it one of the band members suggested that a sound simulating a wipeout on a surfboard be emulated, and that it was achieved by cracking a half-broken 2x4 into a microphone.

The now-classic spoken introduction was by the band's manager, Dale Smallen.

Chart position: #2 (US), #5 (UK).

It charted at #2 in the US in June 1963. It was kept from #1 in the US by "Fingertips (Part 2)" (Little Stevie Wonder).

It returned to the Hot 100 in 1966, reaching #16 in its second national chart run.

The Top Ten Songs: August 10, 1963 (US Billboard Hot 100).

1. "Fingertips (Part 2)" (Little Stevie Wonder)
2. "Wipe Out" (Surfaris)
3. "(You're the) Devil in Disguise" (Elvis Presley)
4. "Blowin' in the Wind" (Peter, Paul and Mary)
5. "So Much in Love" (Tymes)
6. "Judy's Turn to Cry" (Lesley Gore)
7. "Surf City" (Jan and Dean)
8. "Candy Girl" (Four Seasons)
9. "Easier Said Than Done" (Essex)
10. "More" (Kai Winding)

Written by: The Surfaris: Bob Berryhill, Pat Connolly, Jim Fuller and Ron Wilson.

A wipeout is a misfortune that can occur in surfing, involving a surfer crashing and burning, usually with physical danger.

Also by: The Fat Boys, featuring the Beach Boys, whose version reached #12 (US) and #10 (US R&B).

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• The Surfaris - Wipe Out (MP3)

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Roll Over Beethoven (1956) (1963)

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• Chuck Berry - Roll Over Beethoven (MP3)
• George Harrison - Roll Over Beethoven (Live) (MP3)

By: Chuck Berry (born Charles Edward Anderson Berry born October 18, 1926 in St. Louis, Missouri.)

One of the pioneers of rock and roll music and rock guitar. John Lennon said, "If you tried to give rock and roll another name, you might call it 'Chuck Berry'."

Berry was one of the first musicians to be inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame on its opening in 1986.

In 2004, Berry was rated #5 in Rolling Stone Magazine's 100 Greatest Artists of All Time.

In 2004, Rolling Stone magazine ranked "Roll Over Beethoven" at #97 on their list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.

During the mastering (final mixing) of "Roll Over Beethoven", the finished track was intentionally sped up half a step.

In 1973, "Tell Tchaikovsky the news" took on new meaning. The new owners of NYC classical music station WNCN announced a change of format to rock & roll by interrupting a performance of the Mozart Requiem with "Roll Over Beethoven". The station's classical audience was so outraged they successfully petitioned the FCC to force a return to the previous format.

Chart position: #29 (US), #2 (US R&B).

Written by: Chuck Berry.

Berry also wrote and recorded such songs as "Maybellene", "Johnny B. Goode", "Memphis, Tennessee", "Rock And Roll Music", "Sweet Little Sixteen", "School Days", "No Particular Place To Go" and "Promised Land".

Berry wrote the song as an affectionate dig at his sister Lucy, who spent so much time playing classical music on the family piano that young Chuck rarely got a turn.



Also by: The Beatles, whose version (with lead vocal and lead guitar by George Harrison) reached #68 in the US in 1965.

Never intended to be released as a single, it was originally a track on their 1963 album With The Beatles, which had advance orders of more than 500,000 copies. It sold another 500,000 copies by September 1965, making it the second album to sell a million copies in the UK, the first being the South Pacific soundtrack.

With The Beatles stayed at the #1 for 21 weeks, displacing their debut album Please Please Me. Because of this, the Beatles occupied the top spot for the equivalent of almost an entire year (51 consecutive weeks.)

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• Chuck Berry - Roll Over Beethoven (MP3)
• George Harrison - Roll Over Beethoven (Live) (MP3)

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Act Naturally (1963) (1965)

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• Buck Owens - Act Naturally (MP3)
• Ringo Starr and Buck Owens - Act Naturally (MP3)

By: Buck Owens (born Alvis Owens, Jr., August 12th, 1929 in Sherman, Texas, died in his sleep of heart attack March 25, 2006 in Bakersfield, CA.)

His nickname of "Buck" was self-anointed when he was just a toddler, and came from a mule on the family farm.

In the 1950s, Buck Owens, along with Wynn Stewart, Merle Haggard and others local country musicians, pioneered a rock and roll-influenced country music style in Bakersfield, CA called the "Bakersfield sound," a then unique and fresh sound defined by being stylistically clean and crisp, with no fiddles or pedal steel, and characterized by sharp, twangy guitar riffs and a strong back-beat. Their influence was so great that Bakersfield is considered today second only to Nashville, Tennessee in their influence on the entire country music genre.

The name of Owens' band, the Buckaroos, was named by Merle Haggard, who was a former member.

Chart position: #1 (US Country).

"Act Naturally" was Owens' first #1 country hit.

It was #1 on the US Country chart for 6 weeks in June and July 1963. It was preceded by "Lonesome 7-7203" (Hawkshaw Hawkins) and succeeded by "Ring of Fire" (Johnny Cash).

All together, Owens had 20 #1 hits on the country music charts.

The Top Ten Songs: June 29, 1963 (US Billboard Country Singles).

1. "Act Naturally" (Buck Owens)
2. "Loneseome 7-7203" (Hawkshaw Hawkins)
3. "We Must Have Been Out Of Our Minds" (George Jones and Melba Montgomery)
4. "Still" (Bill Anderson)
5. "Ring Of Fire" (Johnny Cash)
6. "Six Days On The Road" (Dave Dudley)
7. "Roll Muddy River" (Wilburn Brothers)
8. "Old Showboat" (Stonewall Jackson)
9. "Pearl, Pearl, Pearl" (Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs)
10. "The Man Who Robbed The Bank At Santa Fe" (Hank Snow)

Written by: Voni Morrison & Johnny Russell, who also together wrote the Porter Wagoner/Dolly Parton duet "Making Plans".

Johnny Russell was a singer and songwriter who also wrote/co-wrote such songs as Jim Reeve's "In a Mansion Stands My Love" (which was recorded by Reeves at the suggestion of then RCA producer Chet Atkins, and was released as the B-side of Reeves' hit "He'll Have To Go",) "Have I Told You Lately That I Love You", The Statler Brothers' "You'll Be Back Every Night (In My Dreams)", and George Strait's #1 country hit "Let's Fall to Pieces Together".

The song came to be when Russell broke a date with a girlfriend when he was offered a recording session in Hollywood, and apologetically explained to her that "they're gonna put me in the movies."



Also by: The Beatles, released on their 1965 album Help!, which, ironically, was the soundtrack for their movie of the same name.

Ringo Starr sang the lead vocal (with Paul McCartney singing harmony). Starr was an avid fan of country music. The Beatles performed this on their third appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show, marking the only time Ringo sang on the show.

Another song performed on that show was a solo number by McCartney: "Yesterday", which held at #1 in the US for 4 weeks. "Act Naturally" was the B-side, and it reached #47 (US.)

Buck Owens and Ringo Starr later became good friends, and in 1989 recorded "Act Naturally" as a duet, which was nominated for a Grammy award.

Download MP3s from Amazon.com:

• Buck Owens - Act Naturally (MP3)
• Ringo Starr and Buck Owens - Act Naturally (MP3)

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She Loves You (1963)

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By: The Beatles.

The Beatles are perhaps the most critically acclaimed and commercially successful popular music bands in history. Their highly influential music and style revolutionized the music industry in the 1960s, and they continue to be held in high regard for their artistic achievements and role in the history of popular music.

"She Loves You" was recorded on July 1, 1963, with Paul McCartney (born James Paul McCartney June 18, 1942) on vocal and bass, John Lennon (born John Winston Lennon October 9, 1940, died December 8, 1980) on vocal and rhythm guitar, George Harrison (born February 24, 1943, died November 29, 2001) on harmony vocal and lead guitar and Ringo Starr (born Richard Starkey July 7, 1940) on drums.

Oddly, Electrola Gesellschaft, the German division of EMI (the parent of The Beatles' British record label, Parlophone Records), felt the only way to sell Beatles records in Germany was to rerecord them in German.  The Beatles hated the idea, but were forced to comply, recording "Sie Liebt Dich" on January 29, 1964, along with a few other German versions of their songs, at the Pathe Marconi Studios in Paris.

In October 2005, Uncut Magazine ranked "She Loves You" at #3 on their list of songs that changed the world, behind Elvis Presley's "Heartbreak Hotel" and Bob Dylan's "Like a Rolling Stone".

Chart position: #1 (US).

"She Loves You" was #1 for two weeks in March 1964. It was preceded at #1 by "I Want to Hold Your Hand" (Beatles) and succeeded by "Can't Buy Me Love" (Beatles).

During the week of April 4, 1964, they occupied the Top 5 in the US (#1: "Can't Buy Me Love", #2: "Twist and Shout", #3: "She Loves You", #4: "I Want to Hold Your Hand" and #5: "Please Please Me",) the only group in the history of music to achieve that.  They also had 7 other charting songs (#31: "I Saw Her Standing There", #41: "From Me to You", #46: "Do You Want to Know A Secret?", #58: "All My Loving", #65: "You Can't Do That", and #68: "Roll Over Beethoven",) totaling 12 songs on the charts that week, a feat never matched before or since.

Written by: John Lennon and Paul McCartney.

Lennon and McCartney are two of the most popular composers and singers of popular music. Paul McCartney is listed in the Guinness World Records as the most successful composer in popular music history, with a record twenty-nine US number one singles (twenty of them with The Beatles, the rest with his group Wings and as a solo artist). McCartney has written/co-written credit on over 50 top ten hits, more than any other songwriter.

The duo wrote "She Loves You" in the Beatles' hotel room after a concert at the Majestic Ballroom in Newcastle, England while on tour with Roy Orbison and Gerry and the Pacemakers.  It was inspired by Bobby Rydell's "Forget Him" as an answer song. 

The "Yeah, yeah, yeah's" were added just before the song was completed, becoming the subject of controversy.  McCartney's father objected, suggesting they change it to the better sounding (in his opinion) "yes, yes, yes."

During recording, George Martin, The Beatles' producer, didn't agree with Lennon and McCartney about the ending chord.  Martin felt that a G major 6th was "too jazzy".  They agreed to try something else once, and all three agreed it wasn't as good.  Martin later said, "I told them it was corny.  I told them Glenn Miller was doing it twenty years ago. But they said, 'So what?' That was what they wanted."

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(Love Is Like A) Heat Wave (1963)

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Download MP3s from Amazon.com:

• Martha and The Vandellas - (Love Is Like A) Heat Wave (MP3) 
• Linda Ronstadt - Heat Wave (MP3)

By: Martha and the Vandellas, formed in 1960 in Detroit Michigan and fronted by Martha Reeves (born July 18, 1941 in Eufaula, Alabama).

Martha and the Vandellas were Motown's second most-successful girl group (after The Supremes). The name Vandella was said to be a combination of a street that Martha Reeves lived near, Van Dyke Street, and Della Reese, Reeves' favorite singer.

They had 13 Top 40 US hits and and seven Top 40 UK hits, including "Dancing In The Street", "Jimmy Mack", "I'm Ready For Love", "My Baby Loves Me", and "Nowhere to Run".

In 1995, Martha and the Vandellas were inducted to the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame, the second girl group to be inducted and the fifth Motown group to be inducted.

Often referred to as "Heat Wave", the full title is "(Love Is Like A) Heat Wave". It was released in July 1963.

It features veteran Motown bassist Jame Jamerson on upright bass.

In 1964, "(Love Is Like A) Heat Wave" was nominated for a Grammy award for Best R&B Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group. It was their only Grammy award nomination.

In a 2007 DVD The Lovin' Spoonful with John Sebastian - Do You Believe in Magic, John Sebastian explained that he took the three-chord intro from "(Love Is Like a) Heat Wave" and sped it up to come up with the intro to his 1965 hit for the Lovin' Spoonful, "Do You Believe in Magic?".

It was also sampled by R&B singer Solange Knowles (sister of Beyonce Knowles) for her 2008 single "I Decided".

Chart position: #4 (US), #1 (US R&B).

The Top Ten Songs: September 28, 1963 (US Billboard Hot 100).

1. "Blue Velvet" (Bobby Vinton)
2. "Sally Go 'Round The Roses" (Jaynetts)
3. "Be My Baby" (Ronettes)
4. "(Love Is Like A) Heat Wave" (Martha and the Vandellas)
5. "My Boyfriend's Back (Angels)
6. "Then He Kissed Me" (Crystals)
7. "Wonderful! Wonderful!" (Tymes)
8. "Mickey's Monkey" (Smokey Robinson and the Miracles)
9. "Cry Baby" (Garnet Mimms and the Enchanters)
10. "If I Had A Hammer" (Trini Lopez)

Written by: Lamont Dozier and brothers Brian Holland and Edward Holland, Jr.

The song trio of Holland/Dozier/Holland also wrote and produced hits such as "Where Did Our Love Go", "Baby Love", "Come See About Me", "Baby I Need Your Loving", "You're a Wonderful One", "Dancing in the Street", "How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)", "Stop! In the Name of Love", "Nowhere to Run", "I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch)", "Back in My Arms Again", "It's the Same Old Song", "You Can't Hurry Love", "I Hear a Symphony", "Reach Out I'll Be There", "Standing in the Shadows of Love", "This Old Heart of Mine (Is Weak For You)", "You Keep Me Hangin' On", "Bernadette", "Jimmy Mack", "Reflections", "Give Me Just a Little More Time", "Band of Gold" and many more.

A heat wave is a long period of excessively hot weather, often accompanied by high humidity. The term is relative to the usual weather in a given area. Severe heat waves have caused catastrophic crop failures, thousands of deaths from hyperthermia, and widespread power outages due to increased air conditioning.

Also by: Linda Rondstadt. Her version, retitled "Heat Wave", reached #5 (US) in 1975; the Supremes; the Who; Joan Osbourne; Kimberley Locke; Jennifer Hudson; Vonzell Solomon; Lil Rounds.

My two cents: This actually wasn't one of my favorites while I was growing up. I'm a little ashamed to admit that because I now like it a lot! The baritone sax stabs, the drums, and Martha's impassioned lead vocal make this a classic.

Honestly, I came to like this song through the back door, so to speak. I had to hear another version of the song in order to appreciate the original. The version by the Who did that for me. Hearing the song in a different context -- in a lower key, with the emphasis on electric guitar, electric bass and loud, brash drums.

I came back to the Martha and the Vandellas version with fresh ears, and found a new appreciation for its instrumentation, melody, chords and vocal performance. It's definitely one of the coolest (or hottest?) summertime songs of all time!

Download MP3s from Amazon.com:

• Martha and The Vandellas - (Love Is Like A) Heat Wave (MP3) 
• Linda Ronstadt - Heat Wave (MP3)

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