The Apollas - I'm Under the Influence of Love (1967)

In 1961, five young women brought their voices together and began calling themselves The Apollos. Over the next four years, the members in the group came and went as they released singles for the likes of Galaxy Records and Tiger Records, using group names like The Apollos, Leola & The Love Joys, and The Love Joys. None of their material during this time charted.

By 1965, the roster of the group had been solidified to include Leola Jiles, Ella Jamerson, and Billie Barnum. Leola Jiles and Ella Jamerson had come from Louisiana and Georgia, respectively, while Billie Barnum was the sister of pianist and child actor H. B. Barnum. The girls also made the final decision to use the name The Apollas.

The girls were signed to Loma Records, a subsidiary of Warner Bros. Records, which had been opened the previous year in 1964 to combat with the success of Motown. Loma tried to promote the girls, but the general public didn’t seem to notice because record sales were quite poor. Despite having wonderful talent and vocal power, the girls never managed to chart a single one of their many songs.

In 1968, The Apollas made their last recording for Loma and folded soon after. In the same year, Loma was absorbed into their parent company, Warner Bros. Records. All three members of the group continued their careers by becoming back-up singers for acts such as Van Dyke Parks, Lionel Richie, and others. As of the date of this post, all three members still reside in California.

The song below was released by The Apollas in 1967. It was written primarily by Barry White, with help from Paul Leo Politi. The song was produced by Dick Glasser of Loma Records and notably arranged by Gene Page, who had been responsible for arranging songs for countless big acts of the 1960s, ‘70s, and ‘80s.



The Apollas - I'm Under the Influence of Love (1967)

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Lyrics:

Walking on a cloud
Feeling high
It happens every time
Whenever I’m with my guy

I’m tripping on love
And it feels so good
I can’t help myself
And I wouldn’t if I could

‘cause he’s got that certain touch
That I’m a addicted to
Love’s really got a hold on me
And there ain’t nothing I can do

I’m under the influence of love
And I know there ain’t no doubt about it
I’m under the influence of love
And I know I just can’t live without it

I need another dose
Can’t get enough
I’ve just got to have
All of my baby’s love

And when I’m alone
Feeling sad and blue
He gives me a shot of love
And I’m as good as new

Helpless as I am
Ask me if I don’t care
His tenderness is what I miss
Whenever he’s not here

I’m under the influence of love
And I know there ain’t no doubt about it
(Yeah, yeah)
I’m under the influence of love
And I know I just can’t live without it

There ain’t no other guy
Who can bring out the love in me
So many guys have divine
He’s the only one I see

I’m under the influence of love
And I know there ain’t no doubt about it
(Yeah, yeah)
I’m under the influence of love
And I know I just can’t live without it
(Baby, yeah)

I’m under the influence of love
And I know there ain’t no doubt about it
I’m under the influence of love
And I know I just can’t live without it
(Yeah, yeah)

I’m under the influence of love
And I know there ain’t no doubt about it
(Yeah, yeah)
I’m under the influence of love…

The Toys - A Lover's Concerto (1965)

This female trio met in high school and got their big break when they were discovered at a talent show in their home state of New York. Coming from Jamaica, New York, the trio consisted of Barbara Harris, Barbara Parritt, and June Montiero. Vince Marc, who was given the credit for their discovery, paired the girls up with the songwriting team of Sandy Linzer and Denny Randell. Linzer and Randell would be responsible for the writing credits of nearly all of the girls’ songs, including their number two hit single below. They toured with Gene Pitney; appeared on Shindig!, Hullabaloo, and American Bandstand; and had a cameo in the 1967 beach movie It’s a Bikini World. When the group’s cover of “Sealed with a Kiss” just barely managed to chart in 1967, the girls decided to pursue other endeavors and finalized their dissolution in 1968.

Written by the girls’ songwriting team of Sandy Linzer and Denny Randell, this song was first recorded and released in 1965 by The Toys. Released as a single, the song went to number two on the Billboard charts in the United States as well as reaching number five in the UK. The melody was based on the classical “Minuet in G major,” which at the time had been thought to be written by Johann Sebastian Bach. It was deciphered in the 1970s that, more than likely, “Minuet in G major” was probably written by Christian Petzold. The song also appeared on the girls’ sole album The Toys Sing “A Lover’s Concerto” and “Attack!” in 1966, as well as making an appearance in the 1995 film Mr. Holland’s Opus.



The Toys - A Lover's Concerto (1965)

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Lyrics:

How gentle is the rain
That falls softly on the meadow?
Birds, high up in the trees
Serenade the flowers with their melodies

Oh, see there beyond the hill?
The bright colors of the rainbow
Some magic from above
Made this day for us just to fall in love

Now, I belong to you
From this day until forever
Just love me tenderly
And I'll give to you every part of me

Oh, don't ever make me cry
Through long, lonely nights without love
Be always true to me
Keep this day in your heart eternally

Someday, we shall return
To this place upon the meadow
We'll walk out in the rain
Hear the birds above singing once again

Oh, you'll hold me in your arms
And say once again you love me
And if your love is true
Everything will be just as wonderful

You'll hold me in your arms
And say once again you love me
And if your love is true
Everything will be just as wonderful

You'll hold me in your arms
And say once again you love me
And if your love is true
Everything will be…

Little Peggy March - I Will Follow Him (1963)

Peggy March was born March 8, 1948 in Lansdale, Pennsylvania. Her birth name was Margaret Annemarie Battavio and she was first discovered at the age of thirteen while singing at her cousin’s wedding. She was introduced to the record producing cousins, Hugo Peretti and Luigi Creatore. Given that the thirteen year old girl was only four feet nine inches (1.4478 meters), she was nicknamed “Little Peggy March.” In early January 1963, at the age of fourteen, March would record what would be her most famous song, which can be heard below. Although it would be her only Top Ten hit in the United States, March found continuing success in Germany, where she remained popular through the 1970s. March continues to sing to this day, having recently released a new album in 2010 titled Always and Forever.

This song was originally a French song titled “Chariot” with lyrics written by Jacques Plante and music written by Franck Pourcel and Paul Mauriat, who used the pseudonyms J.W. Stole and Del Roma, respectively). In early 1963, the song was adapted into English by Arthur Altman, using Norman Gimbel to translate the lyrics. Although Petula Clark had a number one hit with “Chariot” in France in 1962, it was Little Peggy March who took the English version to number one in the United States in April 1963. Having been fourteen years old when she recorded and released it, she had only just become fifteen by the time the song reached number one, making her the youngest female artist to this day to have a number one hit on the US charts.



Little Peggy March - I Will Follow Him (1963)

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Lyrics:

I love him
I love him
I love him
And where he goes
I'll follow
I'll follow
I'll follow

I will follow him
Follow him wherever he may go
There isn't an ocean too deep
A mountain so high it can keep
Me away

I must follow him
(Follow him)
Ever since he touched my hand, I knew
That near him I always must be
And nothing can keep him from me
He is my destiny
(Destiny)

I love him
I love him
I love him
And where he goes
I'll follow
I'll follow
I'll follow

He'll always be
My true love
My true love
My true love
From now until
Forever
Forever
Forever

I will follow him
(Follow him)
Follow him wherever he may go
There isn't an ocean too deep
A mountain so high it can keep
Keep me away
Away from my love

I love him
I love him
I love him
And where he goes
I'll follow
I'll follow
I'll follow

He'll always be
My true love
My true love
My true love
From now until
Forever
Forever
Forever

I will follow him
(Follow him)
Follow him wherever he may go
There isn't an ocean too deep
A mountain so high it can keep
Keep me away
Away from my love

(And where he goes)
I'll follow
I'll follow
I'll follow
I know I’ll always
Love him
I love him
I love him
And where he goes
I'll follow
I'll follow
I'll follow
I know I’ll always
Love him
I love him…

The Ronettes - Be My Baby (1963)

Composed of sisters Veronica and Estelle Bennett and their cousin, Nedra Talley, these three girls first began singing together at their grandmother’s house when they were just teenagers. Originally accompanied by the Bennett’s other cousins, Diane, Elaine, and the only male, Ira, the six relatives landed a gig at amateur night at the Apollo in the late ‘50s. When it came time to perform, Ira, who was supposed to be the lead singer, froze. Veronica, now going by her nickname Ronnie, rushed to the rescue and belted out the lead of Frankie Lymon’s “Why Do Fools Fall In Love.” After that night, Ira, Diane, and Elaine left the group. Ronnie, with her sister and cousin, continued on as Ronnie and the Relatives, signing to Colpix Records in 1961. When their first two singles failed to chart, the girls found themselves at the front door of a club, the Peppermint Lounge, trying to get in despite being underage. After receiving some tips from the girls’ mothers about how to look and act older, the doorman mistook the trio as dancers scheduled to perform on stage with Joey Dee and the Starliters. The girls were brought on stage, danced, and Ronnie was even handed the microphone to sing a song. Soon, Ronnie and the Relatives were making regular appearances at the Peppermint Lounge and renamed themselves The Ronettes.

Released in August 1963, this song was written by Phil Spector, Jeff Barry, and Ellie Greenwich. It was the first song to be released on Spector’s label, Philles Records, and reached number two in the US and four in the UK. The technique used to record the song was Phil Spector’s “wall of sound,” a technique that involved recording multiple instruments in unison for supreme clarity on AM radio and jukeboxes. Among the many musicians and vocalists heard on the track are Sonny and Cher, Darlene Love, and The Wrecking Crew. The song is said to have had a huge impact on The Beach Boys’ Brian Wilson (who wrote "Don't Worry Baby" as a response-song), The Beatles, and nearly everyone else of the '60s pop era. It has been covered countless times by famous artists and is one of the most enduring songs of the 1960s.



The Ronettes - Be My Baby (1963)

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Lyrics:

The night we met
I knew I needed you so
And if I had the chance
I’d never let you go
So, won’t you say you love me?
I’ll make you so proud of me
We’ll make ‘em turn their heads
Every place we go

So won’t you, please
(Be my- be my baby)
Be my little baby?
(My one and only baby)
Say you’ll be my darling
(Be my- be my baby)
Be my baby now
(My one and only baby)

I’ll make you happy, baby
Just wait and see
For every kiss you give me
I’ll give you three
Oh, since the day I saw you
I have been waiting for you
You know I will adore you
‘til eternity

So won’t you please
(Be my- be my baby)
Be my little baby?
(My one and only baby)
Say you’ll be my darling
(Be my- be my baby)
Be my baby now
(My one and only baby)

So, come on, and please
(Be my- be my baby)
Be my little baby
(My one and only baby)
Say you’ll be my darling
(Be my- be my baby)
Be my baby now
(My one and only baby)

(Be my- be my baby)
Be my little baby
(My one and only baby)
(Be my- be my baby)
(My one and only baby)

(Be my- be my baby)
(My one and only baby)
(Be my…)

The Dixie Cups - People Say (1964)

This singing trio was originally composed of the Hawkins sisters, Barbara Ann and Rosa Lee, as well as their cousin Joan Marie Johnson. Having sung together since elementary school, the trio was trying to make a name for themselves in their hometown of New Orleans, Louisiana, performing as The Meltones. When they performed at a local talent show, they were discovered by Joe Jones, a singer who had recorded a few hits of his own. Impressed with the girls’ vocals, he brought them to New York and presented them to a pair of producers and songwriters, Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller. Convinced that the act had star potential, a new label, Red Bird Records, was formed around the girls, attracting songwriters Jeff Barry and Ellie Greenwich.

Barry and Greenwich brought with them a song they had written with Phil Spector, titled “Chapel of Love.” Having been recorded but not released by The Ronettes and The Crystals, the girls of this trio recorded the song in early 1964 and released it to nationwide success. They were almost known as Little Miss and the Muffets, but they chose a group name that was more associated with their Southern roots. The song reached the number one spot in the charts, knocking off The Beatles’ “Love Me Do,” and thus becoming the first American act to reach number one amongst the British Invasion. “Chapel of Love” remained in the top spot for three weeks.

Determined to continue the success of “Chapel of Love,” the girls continued to release songs in 1964 and 1965, including the hit song heard below, “You Should Have Seen the Way He Looked At Me,” “Little Bell,” “Iko Iko,” and others. This particular track was backed with the B-Side “Girls Can Tell” and reached number twelve in 1964.



The Dixie Cups - People Say (1964)

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Lyrics:

Don’t you ever leave me sad and blue
Don’t you ever tell me we are through
Don’t you ever hurt me; if you do
Everything they’re saying will be true

People say it’s just a summer romance
People say our love won’t last for long
They’re so sure we will part
But I know deep in my heart
That they are wrong
(I don’t care what the people say)
So wrong
(I don’t really care what the-)

People say it’s just the way the stars shine
And it really isn’t love at all
But each time that we kiss
I just know we’ll be like this
Summer, winter, and fall

(I don’t care what the people say)
(I don’t really care what the people say)

Well, don’t you ever leave me sad and blue
Don’t you ever tell me we are through
Don’t you ever hurt me; if you do
Everything they’re saying will be true

And people say it’s just a summer romance
But I know our love is here to stay
Let’s go strolling by the sea
‘cause it doesn’t bother me
What the people say

(I don’t care what the people say)
What the people say
(I don’t really care about the people)

(I don’t care what the people say)
What the people say
(I don’t really care about the people)
Yeah, yeah, yeah

(I don’t care what the people say)
What the people say
(I don’t really care about the people)
Yeah, yeah, yeah

(I don’t care what the people say)
What the people say
(I don’t really)…

The Crystals - Santa Claus is Coming to Town (1963)

This American vocal group from New York, New York was of the premiere girl groups, which dominated the charts in the first half of the 1960s. When they were first discovered by Phil Spector in 1961, none of the five members were even close to finishing high school. Signed to Spector’s label, Philles Records, the girls shot to stardom with hit songs like “Da Doo Ron Ron” and “Then He Kissed Me.” Although the 1960s saw talent come and go, Dolores “Dee Dee” Kenniebrew rekindled the group in 1971 and still performs with new Crystals members to this day. Eventually the relationship between Spector and the girls soured, as many of the girls believed that Spector was withholding royalty money from them. Spector was also giving the girls far less attention, as his new obsession was on his latest discovery, The Ronettes. The group left Philles Records in 1964 and eventually disbanded in 1967. It wasn’t until 1971, as mentioned above, that they reunited around Dee Dee.

Written by John Frederick Coots and Haven Gillespie, this song was first sung in November 1934 on a radio show by Eddie Cantor. Cantor decided to give the song a chance after many other famous vocalists had rejected the song as being “too childish” and “silly.” This particular version of the song was recorded and released in 1963 on the album A Christmas Gift for You from Phil Spector.



The Crystals - Santa Claus is Coming to Town (1963)

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Lyrics:

Jimmy, I just came back from a lovely trip along the Milky Way
I stopped off at the North Pole to spend the holiday
I called on old, dear Santa Claus to see what I could see
He took me to his workshop and told his plans to me

Now Santa is a busy man, he has no time to play
He's got millions of stockings to fill on Christmas day
You better write your letter now and mail it right away
Because he's getting ready his reindeers and his sleigh

You'd better watch out, you'd better not cry
You'd better not pout, I'm telling you why
Santa Claus is coming to town
Santa Claus is coming to town
Santa Claus is coming to town

He's making a list, he's checking it twice
He's gonna find out who’s naughty or nice
Santa Claus is coming to town
Santa Claus is coming to town
Santa Claus is coming to town

He sees when you are sleeping
He knows when you're awake
He knows if you've been bad or good
So be good for goodness sake

Oh, you'd better watch out, you'd better not cry
You'd better not pout, I'm telling you why
Santa Claus is coming to town
Santa Claus is coming to town
Santa Claus is coming to town

With little tin horns and little toy drums
Rooty-toot-toots and rummy-tum-tums
Curly head dolls that toddle and coo
Elephants, boats, and kiddie cars too
Santa Claus is coming to town
Santa Claus is coming to town
Santa Claus is coming to town

The kids in Girl’s and Boy Land will have a jubilee
They're going to build a Toyland all around the Christmas tree
So, you’d better watch out, you’d better not cry
You’d better not pout, I'm telling you why
Santa Claus is coming to town
Santa Claus is coming to town
Santa Claus is coming to town

Santa Claus is coming to town