The Rumors - Hold Me Now (1965)

Formed around 1963, this Los Angeles-based band was founded by keyboardist, lead singer, and sometimes-manager Ben Turner. The group was rounded out by guitarist (and ex-member of The Ventures) Ed Burkey, bassist Larry Scher, and drummer Norm Prinsky. The band only recorded one single, “Hold Me Now” b/w “Without Her,” which had been recorded at Gemcor Records. (Gemcor was a small, local label owned by Bill Bell which only pressed three singles in total before closing their doors.)

The band toured Los Angeles and the surrounding areas, often competing in “battle of the bands” tournaments and even being featured on local television programs. Somewhere in 1967 or 1968, disappointed in record sales, the band called it quits.

Heard below is the A-Side to the group’s only release, “Hold Me Now.” The music and lyrics were predominately written by the band’s Ben Turner, with some lyrical assistance by their drummer, Norm Prinsky. The song was originally released in June 1965 and has since been featured on numerous compilation albums, including Nuggets, Pebbles, and The Cicadelic Sixties.



The Rumors - Hold Me Now (1965)

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Lyrics:

I'm coming, baby
Coming home to you now
I'm running, baby
Running to be with you now
Ah, don't you know?
I'm gonna love you so
I need all your lovin'

After I went and left you, I was blue
I'm saving all my money for only you
I'm gonna' love you- love you 'til the day I die
I- you know what I've been doin', now

Around and around and up and down we go, baby
Around and around and up and down we go, baby
Around and around and up and down we go, baby
I need all your lovin'

Let's go!

Hold me, hold me, hold me, hold me, hold me, hold me, hold me now
All of the time

Hold me, hold me, hold me, hold me, hold me, hold me, hold me now
Hold me now
You'll be mine

Hold me, hold me, hold me, hold me, hold me, hold me, hold me now
You're so fine

I need all your lovin'
Right now!

The Sonics - Psycho (1965)

This band’s beginnings can be traced back to the living room of brothers Larry, Jerry, and Andy Parypas in Tacoma, Washington circa 1960. The brothers had been raised amongst the musical influences of their parents, who proudly supported the rock ‘n’ roll genre. Once the family jam sessions began to transition into the boys forming an actual band- around early 1964- their mother still sometimes sat in on bass if no one else was available.

By late 1964, after the personnel shuffling finally slowed down, the band was picked up by Etiquette Records and released their first single, “The Witch” b/w Little Richard's “Keep A-Knockin’.” But since the subject matter of the A-Side was somewhat taboo, it received little airplay. By the end of 1964, the band’s most memorable lineup had been established, consisting of Gerry Roslie (vocals), Andy Parypa (bass), Larry Parypa (guitar), Rob Lind (sax), and Bob Bennett (drums). This rendition of the band was the one featured on the band’s first two albums, Here Are the Sonics (March 1965) and Boom (February 1966). Although largely successful in the northwestern US, it was after these two albums were released that the band began a slow decline, until their complete dissolution sometime in 1968. From then onward, there has usually been some incarnation of The Sonics performing, but never the same one that matched the original lineup seen during the group’s heyday.

The song below was featured on the band’s first album, Here Are the Sonics, released in March of 1965. Written by lead singer Gerry Roslie, the song was the opening track to the back side of the album. Along with the rest of the album, the song is often cited as one of the influencing pieces to the punk rock and grunge genres popularized decades later.



The Sonics - Psycho (1965)

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Lyrics:

Baby, you're driving me crazy
I said baby, you're driving me crazy
The way you turn me on
Then you shut me down
Oh, well tell me, baby
Am I just your clown?
Psycho

Baby, you're driving me crazy
I said I'm losing my mind
You treat me so unkind
Psycho

Baby, you're driving me crazy
I'm going out of my head
And now I wish I was dead
Psycho

Baby, you're driving me crazy
I'm going out of my head
Now I wish I was dead
Psycho

Psycho
Psycho
Psycho

Me and Them Guys - I Loved Her (1966)

According to The Daily Banner newspaper from May 27, 1967, this band came from Greencastle, Indiana, a town about an hour’s ride southwest of Indianapolis, Indiana. Members of the band were Steve Pritchard, Steve Michael, Craig Terry, Rod Kersey and Martin Baker. In that same paper, it's said that the band would be playing Memorial Day for the official summer opening of Indiana Beach on Shafer Lake, two days from then on Monday, May 29th, 1967.

The song below was written by members Steve Michael and Steve Pritchard. It was backed with the B-Side “Something Else” and pressed by Gre-Tle Records (an abbreviation of Greencastle). The record was released in 1966, and some websites claim that only five hundred copies were ever pressed. The song heard below was discovered through the compilation album Back from the Grave, Volume 3, a collection of sixties punk and garage rock.



Me and Them Guys - I Loved Her (1966)

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Lyrics:

I loved her so
I loved her so
I loved the way she walked
The way she talked
The way she held my hand
I loved the way that she sat close to me
And the way she said that I was her man
I loved her so

(I loved her so)
Now, I had a girl, just like you
(I loved her so)
She was fine, she was cool
(I loved her so)
She left me one night all alone
(I loved her so)
I loved her so, but now she’s gone

(I loved her so)
(I loved her so)
Oh, yeah!

(I loved her so)
She’s been gone many a’day
(I loved her so)
I really don’t know just what to say
(I loved her so)
She loved me so; what’s done is done
(I loved her so)
I loved her so; she had her fun

I loved her so
I loved her so
I loved the way she walked
The way she talked
I loved the way she walked
The way she talked
I loved the way she walked
And the way she talked
I loved her so
(I loved her so)
I loved her so
(I loved her so)
I loved her so
(I loved her so)
I said a’bye, bye, bye
Bye, bye, bye, bye
I said a’bye, bye, bye
Bye, bye, bye, bye
I said a’bye, bye, bye
Bye, bye, bye, bye
I said…

The Atlantics - Come On (1967)

This long-tenured band was formed in the southern side of Sydney, Australia in 1961. Located near Sydney’s beaches, the group gravitated toward the sounds of surf rock and would later go on to become among the first in their genre, in Australia, to write their own songs. They took their name from a local gas station company and had their most popular lineup finalized by 1962. There was Theo Penglis on lead and rhythm guitar; Jim Skaithitis on guitar; Bosco Bosanac on bass; and Peter Hood on drums.

The band was unique from other Australian instrumental acts in the sense that they were heavily influenced by European sounds. Each of the members had moved to Australia from Europe as youths, and their music reflected their families’ heritages (Greece, Yugoslavia, and Hungary). The band was signed to CBS Records in 1963 and released nine successful singles and three albums, the most notable single being “Bombora” in 1963.

In 1965, the band added vocalist and ‘50s rocker Johnny Rebb. A few singles and albums later, in March 1967, the band released the song heard below. It was written by the band’s drummer, Peter Hood, and sang by the latest addition to the band, Johnny Rebb. It was featured as the B-Side of a single which had “You Tell Me Why,” a cover of a song made popular by The Beau Brummels, as the A-Side.



The Atlantics - Come On (1967)

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Lyrics:

Work all day- get an aching back
I work so hard, my blisters turn black
I got to buy you everything
Should I buy you a golden ring?

Without your lovin’
I couldn't carry on
Without your kissin’
How could my life go on?
Without you baby
My dreams would never come true

So come on!
And love me
Come on!
And kiss me
Come on!
And give me all of your charms
Because I love you baby
You know I need you baby
And I give you all the loving a woman can want

I'm gonna slave until the day
When I know that I can say
“Girl, I love you, will you wear my ring?”
“I'm gonna buy you everything”

Without your lovin’
I couldn't carry on
Without your kissin’
How could my life go on?
Without you baby
My dreams would never come true

So come on!
And love me
Come on!
And kiss me
Come on!
And give me all of your charms
Because I love you baby
You know I need you baby
And I give you all the loving a woman can want

The Moods - Rum Drunk (1966)

Not to be confused with bands in Texas or New York of the same name, this band came from Melbourne, Australia. They released at least two singles (four songs), but I am only familiar with their second release, featuring the song heard below and backed with the B-Side “Say Hello to Me.” The band members were in their mid-teens and consisted of Kevin Fraser (lead vocals), John Livi (lead guitar & songwriting), Peter Noss (bass), Mick Hamilton (rhythm guitar) and Carl Savona (drums).

This song, written by John Livi, was released on the band’s second single as the A-Side. What’s interesting is that the entire song revolves around the idea of using rum to soothe the singers woes. Livi, the song’s author, was only fifteen years old when he wrote it.



The Moods - Rum Drunk (1966)

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Lyrics:

I’m a boy
Lord, I’m good
I’ve got no one
No one ‘cept you

I was brought up
Brought up in the slums
Now I’ve come back
With nothin’ but rum

Got no money to pay my rent
Haven’t got one whole cent
My only hope is to get on the run
And bring with me my little bottle of rum

Alone, the people pass me by
But when they say I’m no good, it’s no lie
And though I might just lay down
And say I want to die
My precious little bottle of rum
Never passes me by

I’m a boy
Who’s down on my luck
Had a girl
For one whole month
My only hope is to get on the run
And bring with me my little bottle of rum

Alone, the people pass me by
And when they say I’m no good, it’s no lie
And though I might just lay down
And say I want to die
My precious little bottle of rum
Never passes me by

I’m a boy
Who’s down on my luck
Had a girl
For one whole month
My only hope is to get on the run
And bring with me my little bottle of rum

The Hides - Don't Be Difficult (1966)

This band was formed in Pennsylvania by John Marsiglio, Ed Sam, Ken Cheplik, and George Swanson. All of the members were from Irwin, Pennsylvania except for Cheplik, who came from Jeannette, PA. The band had been formed in the ashes of Marsiglio’s previous band, The Runaways (not to be confused with Joan Jett’s band of the same name from the ‘70s). Swanson, the band’s drummer soon quit the band and was replaced by another Jeanette local, Bruce Shutter. It was this final line-up that would go on to record two singles, totaling four songs.

Only one of the singles would be released, however. This song, written by Ed Sam and John Marsiglio, was recorded in 1966 and was chosen as the single’s B-Side. The A-Side, “When I See the One I Love,” wasn’t quite as catchy and the B-Side quickly took over. Marsiglio, tongue-in-cheek, claims on his website that he “promptly quit the band because he didn’t sing” the lead on this song.



The Hides - Don't Be Difficult (1966)

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Lyrics:

I went out with you late last night
We popped the corn, I held you tight
Then you said somethin’ to me
“Keep your hands where they ought to be”

I said, “Baby” (“Don’t be difficult”)
I said, “Baby” (“Don’t be difficult”)
I said, “Baby” (“Don’t be difficult”)
I said, “Baby,” yeah

We sat there and I want you
You looked at me and I looked at you
Then I tried, “Give some to me”
You made the hand, you slapped my cheek

I said, “Baby” (“Don’t be difficult”)
I said, “Baby” (“Don’t be difficult”)
I said, “Baby” (“Don’t be difficult”)
I said, “Baby,” yeah

I said, “Baby” (“Don’t be difficult”)
I said, “Baby” (“Don’t be difficult”)
I said, “Baby” (“Don’t be difficult”)
I said, “Baby,” yeah

And it was comin’ to this right now
It was a night that I couldn’t bare
When I got to your door and found
Kissin’, baby, was a reelin’ sound

I said, “Baby” (“Don’t be difficult”)
I said, “Baby” (“Don’t be difficult”)
I said, “Baby” (“Don’t be difficult”)
I said, “Baby,” yeah

I said, “Baby” (“Don’t be difficult”)
I said, “Baby” (“Don’t be difficult”)
I said, “Baby” (“Don’t be difficult”)
I said, “Baby,” yeah

Don’t be difficult
(Don’t be difficult)
Yeah, don’t be difficult
(Don’t be difficult)
Don’t be difficult
(Don’t be difficult)
Don’t be difficult, yeah

The Lollipop Shoppe - You Must Be a Witch (1968)

Originally formed as The Weeds in Portland, Oregon, this group never managed to appear on any charts. They were managed by “Lord” Tim Hudson, who was also the manager of The Seeds and would later be a voice actor for characters in the Disney films The Aristocats and The Jungle Book. Once under the tutelage of Hudson, the group was convinced that they should change their name to something that would fit in with the popularity of bubblegum music and that wouldn't sound so similar to his other group, The Seeds. The name seen above is what resulted, but the band still continued to play their garage/psychedelic material that they preferred. Although they never managed to score a hit song, they did open for acts such as The Doors and Janis Joplin, as well as appearing on the soundtrack to a ‘60s biker movie called Angels from Hell. Releasing only one album and a handful of singles, the group decided to call it quits in 1969 soon after their last single was released.

This song, arguably the most “successful” by the group, was released in 1968 as the single to the group’s only full length album, Just Colour. The band was clearly attempting to make listeners think they were from England, as they chose to spell “color” with its English spelling. Unfortunately for the band, the album passed by with only lukewarm attention. Luckily for us, the song is a great garage rocker that sounds nowhere near what the band’s bubblegum-sounding name would suggest.

[Update: Fred Cole of The Lollipop Shoppe provided us with an exclusive story. Check it out.]



The Lollipop Shoppe - You Must Be a Witch (1968)

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Lyrics:

Why do you try and look into me?
Why do you always look and never see?
Always look and never see
Always look and never see

You plea and decree
You're talking obscene
You’re making my life into a dream
You're wearing your colors
To be like the others
An easy life in heaven
With a thousand other guys
Yeah, yeah

The place, the time
Don't seem to matter much
'cause “guys” to you
Is pushing people with your touch
Pushing people with your touch
Pushing people with your touch

Your willing decree
You're talking obscene
You’re making my life into a dream
You're wearing your colors
To be like the others
An easy life in heaven
With a thousand other guys
Yeah, yeah

You must be a witch
I don’t need your love now
You must be a witch
I don’t need your love now
Yeah, oh

Easy life in heaven
With a thousand other guys
Yeah, yeah

Your eyes can't see
There's something wrong with you
It's sad to say
I never wanna be like you
I never wanna be like you
No, no, no
I never wanna be like you

The Kinks - Father Christmas (1977)

In 1965, The Kinks were touring Australia and New Zealand with Manfred Mann and The Honeycombs. At one particular show at The Capitol Theater in Cardiff, Wales on May 19th, Dave Davies was apparently upset about the way Mick Avory was drumming to “You Really Got Me.” In his anger, Davies decided to kick over Avory’s drum set in front of the audience. Now equally angry, Avory picked up his set’s high hat and clubbed Davies over the head, knocking him completely unconscious. Thinking he had just killed his bandmate, Avory fled the scene. Meanwhile, Davies was taken to the nearby hospital, Cardiff Royal Infirmary, and received sixteen stitches to his head. Later on, in an effort to avoid serious punishment, Avory told the local police that the entire event was part of a new act during their concerts in which the members had pre-planned to throw their instruments at one another. Needless to say, events like this led to The Kinks being banned from touring in the United States for four years, late 1965-1969, greatly reducing their exposure during the British Invasion.

As they consistently put out albums until the early ‘90s, it’s no wonder that The Kinks have a very large library of music. This song, coming out in time for the holidays, was first released as a single featuring the B-Side “Prince of the Punks.” It was written and produced by Ray Davies and released on the Arista label on November 25th, 1977.



The Kinks - Father Christmas (1977)

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Lyrics:

When I was small, I believed in Santa Claus
Though I knew it was my dad
And I would hang up my stocking at Christmas
Open my presents and I'd be glad

But the last time I played Father Christmas
I stood outside a department store
A gang of kids came over and mugged me
And knocked my reindeer to the floor

They said,
“Father Christmas, give us some money
Don't mess around with those silly toys
Well beat you up if you don't hand it over
We want your bread, so don't make us annoyed
Give all the toys to the little rich boys”

“Don't give my brother a Steve Austin outfit
Don't give my sister a cuddly toy
We don't want a jigsaw or Monopoly money
We only want the real McCoy”

“Father Christmas, give us some money
Well beat you up if you make us annoyed
Father Christmas, give us some money
Don't mess around with those silly toys”

“But give my daddy a job ‘cause he needs one
He’s got lots of mouths to feed
But if you’ve got one, I'll have a machine gun
So I can scare all the kids down the street”

“Father Christmas, give us some money
We got no time for your silly toys
Well beat you up if you don't hand it over
We want your bread, so don't make us annoyed
Give all the toys to the little rich boys”

Have yourself a merry, merry Christmas
Have yourself a good time
But remember the kids who got nothin’
While you're drinkin’ down your wine

“Father Christmas, give us some money
We got no time for your silly toys
Father Christmas, please hand it over
We’ll beat you up, so don’t make us annoyed”

“Father Christmas, give us some money
Don’t mess around with those silly toys
Well beat you up if you don't hand it over
We want your bread, so don't make us annoyed
Give all the toys to the little rich boys”

Ty Wagner with The Scotchmen - I'm A No-Count (1966)

Born August 12, 1945, this obscure artist’s largest hit, heard below, was a precursor to what would later be known as punk rock. With a sound that definitely falls into the “garage” rock category, Ty Wagner began his life in Buffalo, New York but grew up on the other side of the country in Tustin, California. He performed with backing groups under the titles Ty Wagner with The Scotchmen or Ty Wagner with The Ones. He opened for The Byrds and found local success with the single release “Slander.”

This song, sometimes credited as being released in 1965 and sometimes in 1966, was written by Wagner. Although a local success, it didn’t fare well nationally.



Ty Wagner with The Scotchmen - I'm A No-Count (1966)

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Lyrics:

Four score and seven years ago
Forefathers left their home to roam
Light bright is awfully dim
I’m a no-count just like them

(No-count, no-count, you better move on)
Yeah, I’ll move on now
(No-count, no-count, you better be gone)
I won’t be around no more
(No-count, no-count, don’t show your face)
I’m a no-count, I gotta leave this place

Got a giant hole in my shoe
My big toe, it sticks through
Ain’t had a haircut in four years
You can’t even see my ears

(No-count, no-count, you better move on)
They don’t want me around me no more
(No-count, no-count, you better be gone)
Yeah, I’ll be gone
(No-count, no-count, don’t show your face)
I’m a no-count, I gotta leave this place

I don’t wanna be around no more
I don’t want people lookin’ at me bad
I’m getting tired of being sad
I wanna be free like a bird way up in a tree
Alright

Had a pretty girl once but she set me free
Said, “Sorry, that’s the way it’s gotta be”
I was so broken up, I couldn’t talk
Grabbed my things and I took a walk

(No-count, no-count, you better move on)
(No-count, no-count, you better be gone)
(No-count, no-count, don’t show your face)
I’m a no-count, I gotta leave this place

I don’t wanna be around no more, baby
I don’t need your money, honey
I ain’t never coming back
I don’t even need your Cadillac, baby
I’m gonna be free
I don’t wanna be around no more
I don’t need your lovin’, honey
Alright…

Link Wray and his Ray Men - Rumble (1958)

This man is responsible for pioneering the distorted noise made by electric guitars heard in nearly all rock music. He has the honored title of being the inventor of the “power chord” and thus making punk rock and heavy rock music possible. As part Shawnee Indian, he frequently incorporated his heritage into his performances and song titles. Unfortunately, he passed away from heart failure in 2005 at the age of seventy-six.

Originally titled “Oddball,” this song marks the defining moment where distortion and feedback became popular in rock and roll music. It’s said to be the first song to ever use the “power chord” and was banned in several regions because the guitar’s harsh noises “glorified juvenile delinquency.” Censors also weren’t fond of the title, which was a slang term for a gang fight. Despite its censoring, the song climbed to number sixteen in the charts and eventually made an impact all the way over in Britain, where groups like The Kinks and The Who have cited it as a large influence. To sum it up, Bob Dylan called it “the best instrumental ever.”



Link Wray and his Ray Men - Rumble (1958)

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Lyrics:

(instrumental)

The Troggs - I Can't Control Myself (1966)

Originally called The Troglodytes, this group came together in 1964 and was signed by The Kinks manager Larry Page in 1965. They’re primarily remembered for their largest hit, “Wild Thing,” that reached the top of the charts in the US and number two in the UK. Their success in the US dwindled due to not touring there until 1968, and in 1969 the band finally called it quits.

This song was first released as a single in 1966 with the B-side “Gonna Make You”. It met some censorship around the globe for its provocative lyrics, but ultimately became a hit for the group.



The Troggs - I Can't Control Myself (1966)

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Lyrics:

Oh no!

(Ba ba ba ba ba ba ba ba ba)
(Ba ba ba ba ba ba ba ba ba)

I can't stand still 'cause you've got me goin'
(Ba ba ba ba ba ba ba ba ba)
Your slacks are low and your hips are showin'
(Ba ba ba ba ba ba ba ba ba)

I thank you girl as you're standing there
Your low-cut slacks and your long black hair
I want you going; I want no one else
'Cause when I'm with you I can't control myself

Defenses down and you got me shakin'
(Ba ba ba ba ba ba ba ba ba)
You got me so that my nerves are breakin'
(Ba ba ba ba ba ba ba ba ba)

If you knew me like I know you, girl
Your knees would bend and your hair would curl
You make me move, yeah, like no one else
And when I'm with you I can't control myself

I've got this feeling that's inside of me
It makes me think of how things used to be
It makes me feel all right
When I'm with you at night
And we love
And we love

(Ba ba ba ba ba ba ba ba ba)
(Ba ba ba ba ba ba ba ba ba)

You fill me so, with this big temptation
(Ba ba ba ba ba ba ba ba ba)
This kind of feeling could move a nation
(Ba ba ba ba ba ba ba ba ba)

But I'm ok when I'm here with you
I do the things that you want me to
I do these things for no one else
But when I'm with you I can't control myself

(Ba ba ba ba ba ba ba ba ba)
I can't control myself
(Ba ba ba ba ba ba ba ba ba)
I can't control myself
(Ba ba ba ba ba ba ba ba ba)
I can't control myself, baby
(Ba ba ba ba ba ba ba ba ba)
Ahh!
(Ba ba ba ba ba ba ba ba ba)…

? and the Mysterians - 96 Tears (1966)

Only known as “?,” the front-man of this group claims to be a Martian who, in a past life, lived with dinosaurs. He also claims to have been to the future and to have visited other planets. This might seem like a funny gimmick… except he’s been keeping it up for fifty years. He and his group were the first to be called “punk rock” in print (May 1971), and are also credited as the first Latino rock group to have a mainstream hit album in the U.S.

Originally called “Too Many Teardrops,” this song was renamed to “69 Tears” when the band decided they wanted a title with more appeal. Fearing the new title might restrict their airplay, they inverted the digits and the title was finalized. It reached the top of the charts in 1966, sold over one million copies, and John Lennon (who was probably under the influence of something) called it “…the best rock 'n’ roll song ever."



? and the Mysterians - 96 Tears (1966)

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Lyrics:

Too many teardrops for one heart to be cryin'
Too many teardrops for one heart to carry on
You're way on top now since you left me
You're always laughin' way down at me
But watch out now, I'm gonna get there
We'll be together for just a little while
And then I'm gonna put you way down here
And you'll start cryin' ninety-six tears
Cry cry

And when the sun comes up, I'll be on top
You'll be right down there lookin' up
And I might wave, “Come up here”
But I don't see you wavin' now
I'm way down here wonderin' how
I'm gonna get you
But I know now
I'll just cry- cry- I'll just cry

Too many teardrops for one heart to be cryin'
Too many teardrops for one heart to carry on
You're gonna cry ninety-six tears
You're gonna cry ninety-six tears
You're gonna cry; cry, cry, cry now
You're gonna cry; cry, cry, cry ninety-six tears
Come on, let me hear you cry, now
Ninety-six tears; I wanna hear you cry
Night and day, yeah, all night long
Ninety-six tears; cry, cry, cry
C'mon baby, let me hear you cry now, all night long
Ninety-six tears; yeah, c'mon now
Ninety-six tears