The Hit Parade Era - Fantasy Programming

[Silkie]

>>Trivia: I wonder how many people know that this song was originally composed in 1928 for German opera, i.e., “Die Dreigroschenoper” (The Three Penny Opera)?>>

I certainly didn't.

Yes, I knew; and Louis Armstrong also did a great Dixieland version. It's a neat little tune.

But here are two more fantasy tunes:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8zAX5StHD6A - The Shirelles

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DMK3R8ALK8s&feature=related - Jesse Belvin

How many knew that Jesse Belvin also wrote "Earth Angel", popularized later by The Penguins and really done up by The Vogues?

 

[TheFonz]

I think "Mack the Knife" was on the charts for over 6 months which in those days was a very long time.

Mack the Knife was introduced to the United States hit parade by Louis Armstrong in 1954, but the song is most closely associated with Bobby Darin, who recorded his version in December, 1958. Darin's version reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and number six on the Black Singles chart in 1959 and received a Grammy Award for Record of the Year (1960).

Not sure how long it charted, but “Mack” was at the #1 position for a total of eight weeks in 1959, Oct 12-Nov 9, and then again Nov 23-Dec 7.

Funny, but I never really liked the song "back in the day". It signaled Darin's switch away from rock & roll, a direction that music seemed to be headed at the time. Darin did come back with a great two-sided rock & roll record in 1962: Irresistible you/Multiplication. Both songs fit well into the Twist craze.

 

[radioman148]

I think "Mack the Knife" was on the charts for over 6 months which in those days was a very long time.

Mack the Knife was introduced to the United States hit parade by Louis Armstrong in 1954, but the song is most closely associated with Bobby Darin, who recorded his version in December, 1958. Darin's version reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and number six on the Black Singles chart in 1959 and received a Grammy Award for Record of the Year (1960).

Not sure how long it charted, but “Mack” was at the #1 position for a total of eight weeks in 1959, Oct 12-Nov 9, and then again Nov 23-Dec 7.

Funny, but I never really liked the song "back in the day". It signaled Darin's switch away from rock & roll, a direction that music seemed to be headed at the time. Darin did come back with a great two-sided rock & roll record in 1962: Irresistible you/Multiplication. Both songs fit well into the Twist craze.

I agree Fonz I didn't care much for the song at the time either.

 

[landtuna]

When I saw the post about "Mack The Knife" last evening I wanted to post just how much I detested that song - then and now. But I thought maybe I was over the top and too negative. However, since the last two posters both had similar feelings, I'll add mine.

Whatever the reason, profoundly stupid lyrics, Darrin's style or the fact that it played in incredibly tight rotation for an overly long period of time I really hated that record and began to dislike Darrin the artist for doing it. I can't think of any other recording that I feel that way about (OK, maybe Volare, in the repetitive category). It is interesting to note that today it might not get airplay at all due to the lyrics....well, OK, maybe on a gangsta station. They'd love it I'm sure.

In a time when most pop music revolved around romance or the lack thereof this song takes the cake for being a huge downer.

 

[Silkie]

Two of my favorite Bobby Darin songs are "Clementine" and "Beyond the Sea". Although "Artificial Flowers" is another goodie.

Back to "Earth Angel", that is another one that was covered by more than one artist. The Clovers also did it; but speaking of covers The Clovers also did "Your Cash Ain't Nothin' But Trash", later covered by The Steve Miller Band - oh, about 20 years later.

 

[radioman148]

When I saw the post about "Mack The Knife" last evening I wanted to post just how much I detested that song - then and now. But I thought maybe I was over the top and too negative. However, since the last two posters both had similar feelings, I'll add mine.

Whatever the reason, profoundly stupid lyrics, Darrin's style or the fact that it played in incredibly tight rotation for an overly long period of time I really hated that record and began to dislike Darrin the artist for doing it. I can't think of any other recording that I feel that way about (OK, maybe Volare, in the repetitive category). It is interesting to note that today it might not get airplay at all due to the lyrics....well, OK, maybe on a gangsta station. They'd love it I'm sure.

In a time when most pop music revolved around romance or the lack thereof this song takes the cake for being a huge downer.

I didn't mean to imply that I hated "Mack the Knife" I just didn't like the change in style for Darin at the time & I got sick of hearing the song at that time. I would never choose to listen to it today, but I don't hate it.
There are other songs that as soon as I hear them I will change the station immediately.

 

[GridLeakBias]

Something told me to jump to the Hit Parade of 50 years ago – 1959 as a pro jock for over 40 years, as well as a professional muscian/producer/other odd musical hats..i've allowed myself to be cajoled into dj'ing the local high school class of '59 50th reunion this June..Probably done 300 or so shows like this over the years..but nothing for a group as old as this...got over 4000 tunes on my hard drive..but very few backwards of 1963(for me rock starts with dead mans curve)..so this thread and list helped quite a bit..downloaded more than enough to wear out that bunch in short order...

Class of 1959, huh? Funny, 1959 was 50 years ago, but the music of that year, and indeed, the era, lives in our memories as though it was only yesterday.

Good luck with the reunion, a good DJ makes the all the difference at these venues.

 

[GridLeakBias]

>>Trivia: I wonder how many people know that this song was originally composed in 1928 for German opera, i.e., “Die Dreigroschenoper” (The Three Penny Opera)?>>

I certainly didn't.

Yes, I knew; and Louis Armstrong also did a great Dixieland version. It's a neat little tune.

But here are two more fantasy tunes:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8zAX5StHD6A - The Shirelles

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DMK3R8ALK8s&feature=related - Jesse Belvin

The Jesse Belvin version of “Goodnight My Love” is an extreme favorite of mine, the Sarah Vaughn and McGuire Sisters recordings are also great.

With Belvin, I detect a great similarity to the vocals of Johnnie Ray (in the bridge), however he exudes the timbre of Nat Cole in the verse and chorus.

How many knew that Jesse Belvin also wrote "Earth Angel", popularized later by The Penguins and really done up by The Vogues?

The 1954 recording of "Earth Angel (Will You Be Mine) (Dootone 348) by The Penguins was one of the first records which could be described as rock and roll to hit the national pop charts.

There is a twofold controversy with this recording: writing credits have been disputed, with The Penguins' baritone singer Curtis Williams receiving initial credit and both Jesse Belvin and Gaynel Hodge being given co-writer credit after a 1956 legal dispute.

Secondly, a controversy which most surely never will be resolved, is in the similarity of it’s piano intro, chord progressions and changes (known as the 50s progressions)to at least three other early tunes. The "Will you be mine?" hook is said to be borrowed from the #9 R&B hit of the same name by the Swallows.

That said, "Earth Angel" is in the top 25 of my top 100 R&B singles.

 

[radioman148]

Interesting story--thanks Grid.

 

[GridLeakBias]

Who among us remembers the year 1958 and the Hit Parade?

Lollipop – The Chordettes
Oh-Oh, I’m Falling in Love Again – Jimmie Rodgers
Looking Back – Nat King Cole
Are You Sincere – Andy Williams
Patricia – Perez Prado
Fever – Peggy Lee
A Wonderful Time Up There – Pat Boone
Everybody Loves a Lover – Doris Day
Twilight Time – The Platters
Catch a Falling Star – Perry Como
26 Miles (Santa Catalina) – The Four Preps
March from the River Kwai – Mitch Miller
That Old Black Magic – Louis Prima/Keely Smith
Sugartime – The McGuire Sisters
Secretly – Jimmie Rodgers
All I Have to Do Is Dream – The Everly Brothers
Return to Me – Dean Martin
Who’s Sorry Now? – Connie Francis
Put a Light in the Window – The Four Lads
Magic Moments – Perry Como
He’s Got the Whole World (In His Hands) – Laurie London
Sail Along Silvery Moon – Billy Vaughn
It’s All in the Game – Tommy Edwards
Tom Dooley – The Kingston Trio

To all on this thread: All of the Hit Parade songs I have posted on this thread are recordings from my own personal collection of 45s and 78s. I catalog my music by genre and year, rather than artist and title., therefore the reason I post it by year.

My thanks to Hornet61 for starting this interesting thread, as I’ve added many songs to my collection due to the memories of others here, and I have renewed a waning interest in early pop music.

I hope I’ve added to the memories of those who delight in the hits of yesterday.

On another note, I have tickets and look forward to attending a Glenn Miller Orchestra concert this Sunday. “String Of Pearls”, “In The Mood”, “Moonlight Serenade”, “Dawn Patrol”.... Music was never better than this. Perhaps we should do a thread on The Big Band Era when (and if) we run out of Hit Parade tunes to add?

 

[radioman148]

Who among us remembers the year 1958 and the Hit Parade?

Lollipop – The Chordettes
Oh-Oh, I’m Falling in Love Again – Jimmie Rodgers
Looking Back – Nat King Cole
Are You Sincere – Andy Williams
Patricia – Perez Prado
Fever – Peggy Lee
A Wonderful Time Up There – Pat Boone
Everybody Loves a Lover – Doris Day
Twilight Time – The Platters
Catch a Falling Star – Perry Como
26 Miles (Santa Catalina) – The Four Preps
March from the River Kwai – Mitch Miller
That Old Black Magic – Louis Prima/Keely Smith
Sugartime – The McGuire Sisters
Secretly – Jimmie Rodgers
All I Have to Do Is Dream – The Everly Brothers
Return to Me – Dean Martin
Who’s Sorry Now? – Connie Francis
Put a Light in the Window – The Four Lads
Magic Moments – Perry Como
He’s Got the Whole World (In His Hands) – Laurie London
Sail Along Silvery Moon – Billy Vaughn
It’s All in the Game – Tommy Edwards
Tom Dooley – The Kingston Trio

To all on this thread: All of the Hit Parade songs I have posted on this thread are recordings from my own personal collection of 45s and 78s. I catalog my music by genre and year, rather than artist and title., therefore the reason I post it by year.

My thanks to Hornet61 for starting this interesting thread, as I’ve added many songs to my collection due to the memories of others here, and I have renewed a waning interest in early pop music.

I hope I’ve added to the memories of those who delight in the hits of yesterday.

On another note, I have tickets and look forward to attending a Glenn Miller Orchestra concert this Sunday. “String Of Pearls”, “In The Mood”, “Moonlight Serenade”, “Dawn Patrol”.... Music was never better than this. Perhaps we should do a thread on The Big Band Era when (and if) we run out of Hit Parade tunes to add?

1958 was my favorite. I'll add:

Topsy Pt 2--Cozy Cole
Bimbombay--Jimmy Rodgers
Oh Julie--Cresendos
Poor Little Fool--Ricky Nelson
My Buckets Got A Hole In It--Ricky Nelson
Tequila--Champs
Big Man--4 Preps

Among others.

 

[radioman148]

How could I forget "Get A Job" by the Silhouttes

 

[Tom Wells]

How could I forget "Get A Job" by the Silhouttes

I added that to my AM 1620 playlist last week as "good luck charm".

This morning I got an e-mail that I am under consideration for a position at the Chicago Tribune in the production department.
I should have added it on January 23rd!

Send all thoughts and wishes for my success with this, mentally, psychic-ly, toward Chicago.

Time to go scrape adhesive from a basement tile floor in preparation for the sale of my parents' house.

 

[radioman148]

Good luck Tom!

 

[hornet61]

Poor little "Lawrence London-He's Got The Whole World"............ mistakenly listed as "Laurie" by the label, and forever went down in Rock and Roll history as a girl, and the sad part is, he doesn't even play tennis.

 

[radioman148]

Did he ever have another charted record in the US?

 

[hornet61]

Laurie London a true one hit wonder............but, a big one all the way to number one. Another couple of Number 1 .....one hit wonder's.. The Singing Nun with "Dominique" and Joan Weber "let me go Lover"

Dominique is also one of 4 foreign language songs to go to #1

Volare
Dominique
sukiyaki
La Bamba-los lobos

 

[landtuna]

Poor little "Lawrence London-He's Got The Whole World"............ mistakenly listed as "Laurie" by the label, and forever went down in Rock and Roll history as a girl...

Laurie can be a male or female name in Europe. I've even heard it here in the U.S. but it is rare.

Dumb song though. Wayne Newton-ish. Very forgettable.

 

[radioman148]

It was a very big hit at the time--giant hit!

 

[hornet61]

That may be true in London ..............but it was Capitol Records who boo booed and thought he was a she, and listed he as she...being 13 and the voice hadn't changed was probably the contributing factor.
Made alot of noise in the US and on radio.