The Searchers - Popcorn, Double Feature (1967)

The Searchers’ drummer since 1960, Chris Curtis, had convinced the band to record a cover of Bobby Darin’s “When I Come Home.” Curtis was the band’s chief songwriter, song selector, a figurehead member, often the band's main public relations representative, and the only member who could sing the high harmonies. Unfortunately for Curtis (and the band), their 1966 release of “When I Come Home” didn’t do as well on the charts as they were used to, and the band indirectly laid the blame on Curtis’s song choice. Consequently, some internal strife came about between Curtis and the other members, ending with Curtis leaving the band in April 1966 after the end of an Australian tour. Notably, Curtis would go on to form the band Roundabout, which eventually evolved into Deep Purple.

With Curtis’s departure, a man by the name of John Blunt became the group’s new drummer. This latest incarnation of the band- which now consisted of Frank Allen (lead vocals, bass), John McNally (guitar, backing vocals), Mike Pender (lead vocals, guitar), and now John Blunt- was responsible for the song heard below.

Don’t forget to check out the exclusive story we received from Frank Allen!

The song heard below was composed by the acclaimed duo of Larry Weiss and Scott English, who would later be individually renowned for writing “Rhinestone Cowboy” for Glen Campbell and “Mandy” for Barry Manilow, respectively. It was first recorded and released by Time Wilde on Tower Records, to very little acclaim. The Searchers’ version of the song was released in January 1967, backed with the B-Side “Lovers,” on the Pye label.



The Searchers - Popcorn, Double Feature (1967)

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Lyrics:

Everybody’s goin’ through changes
Everybody’s got a bag of his own
Everybody’s talkin’ about places
Can only be found in the greater unknown

People are flyin’
And babies are cryin’
Don’t nobody care at all
There’s love and there’s laughter
And good things come after
Just follow the bouncing ball

Popcorn, double feature
Whole world’s a funny farm
Blind man is your teacher
No need to be alarmed

Music’s coming out of the woodwork
Soundin’ so strange and nobody sleeps
Met a little man on the corner
He’s holdin’ a flag and makin’ a speech

Coffee each mornin’
“Don’t Park” is the warnin’
They tow your machine away
There’s so much confusion
That’s built on illusion
What’s making the music play?

Popcorn, double feature
Whole world’s a funny farm
Blind man is your teacher
No need to be alarmed
Not much

Coffee each mornin’
“Don’t Park” is the warnin’
They’ll tow your machine away
There’s so much confusion
That’s built on illusion
What’s making the music play?

Popcorn, double feature
Whole world’s a funny farm
Blind man is your teacher
No need to be alarmed
Not much

Popcorn, double feature
Whole world’s a funny farm
Blind man is your teacher…

The Searchers - What Have They Done to the Rain (1964)

Feeling the success of stardom, bassist Tony Jackson left this group in the summer of 1964 to start his own band, The Vibrations. After releasing hits such as “Sweets for My Sweet,” “Sugar and Spice,” and their most famous song, “Needles and Pins,” things were looking pretty grim for the future of the group. Luckily, they were able to add Frank Allen from Cliff Bennett and The Rebel Rousers as their new bassist and continue their success with hits like "Take Me For What I'm Worth," the song heard below, and "Goodbye My Love".

This song was originally written and performed by the political activist and folk/blues singer, Malvina Reynolds, in 1962. First called “Rain Song,” it was written as a protest about the nuclear testing in the atmosphere that was causing fall-out. For this group, it reached number twenty-nine in the US and number thirteen in the UK. It was later covered, separately, by Marianne Faithfull and Joan Baez.

To read (a little bit) more and hear "Take Me For What I'm Worth," check out our previous post here.

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A Special Edition post with Frank Allen of The Searchers!
We've been hitting a lucky streak with these exclusive stories lately. Today's generous contribution comes from Frank Allen of The Searchers who was kind enough to share a tale from '60s music history with A Bit Like You And Me. Enjoy!

A Bit Like You And Me and readers,

One of our most amusing stories was of a concert secretary from a small social club who was very impressed with The Searchers while visiting another venue. This was in the ‘80s, or so, when we had transformed from teen idols into stalwarts of the adult cabaret/concert circuit.

The man rang our guitarist, John McNally, a few days later to enquire about booking us. When he was told the fee, the amount obviously shocked him and he replied that his establishment was a very small club and they could not afford such an amount. John gently explained that it was the price we went out for and there was nothing he could do about it.

After a short pause for thought the man replied, “We don`t actually need the four of you. How much for three?”

To this day I have not forgiven John McNally for asking him which three he wanted!

Frank Allen

Warmest thanks goes out to Frank and The Searchers for sharing this story with us.

To visit The Searchers' website, click here.
To see if they'll be coming to a city near you, check their touring schedule here!

And now that you've enjoyed this exclusive story, why not check out what other exclusive stories we've received?

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The Searchers - What Have They Done to the Rain (1964)

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Lyrics:

Just a little rain
Falling all around
The grass lifts its head
To the heavenly sound
Just a little rain
Just a little rain
What have they done to the rain?

Just a little boy
Standing in the rain
The gentle rain that falls
For years
And the grass is gone
The boy disappears
And rain keeps falling
Like helpless tears
And what have they done to the rain?

Just a little breeze
Out of the sky
The leaves nod their head
As the breeze blows by
Just a little breeze
With some smoke in its eye
What have they done to the rain?

Just a little boy
Standing in the rain
The gentle rain that falls
For years
And the grass is gone
The boy disappears
And rain keeps falling
Like helpless tears
And what have they done to the rain?

What have they done to the rain?

The Searchers - Take Me For What I'm Worth (1965)

Formed in 1959 and getting their name from a John Wayne film, this group was the second act out of Liverpool (the first being The Beatles) to have a hit in the United States. You may be familiar with their most well-known song "Needles and Pins."

This song was written and originally recorded by P.F. Sloan.



The Searchers - Take Me For What I'm Worth (1965)

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Lyrics:

Don't try and understand me, you never could do that
Aw, and in the end you'd wind up being hurt
I'm a man with too many problems that keep pounding on my brain

So if you want me you'll take me for what I'm worth
(If you want me you'll take me for what I'm worth)

I don't pretend to be a saint, my sins they are many
But there's no-one perfect in this universe
And though you think I'm weird, don't try and change me dear

'Cause if you want me you'll take me for what I'm worth
(If you want me you'll take me for what I'm worth)

Hear a howlin’ wind outside my door, there's restlessness within
Oh, I'm like a raincloud that one day may burst
We both know I'll be leavin' and if one little tear you grieve

Aw, it's alright 'cause that's all I'm really worth
(It's alright 'cause that's all I'm really worth)

And if you think about me in your lonesome hours
Aw, and on your lips there's a sweet word and not a curse
Aw, then I'll be comin' back one day when my wandering’s over

Aw, if you want me you'll take me for what I'm worth
(If you want me you'll take me for what I'm worth)
Aw, if you want me you'll take me for what I'm worth
(If you want me you'll take me for what I'm worth)