Little John and The Monks - Black Winds (1965)

The original lead singer of this band, Tom Davis, was born in Scotland, but moved to Klamath Falls, Oregon in 1963. There, he started a band called The Nomads which were soon offered an opportunity to audition with Jerden Records in Eugene, Oregon. Once in Eugene, Davis was solicited by a teenager-attracting nightclub owner to front a new band. Davis accepted the offer and the band he joined became the one featured today, who are not to be confused with the similarly named band of American GIs stationed in Germany.

The song heard below, written and sung by Tom Davis, was recorded in November 1965 but possibly not released until 1967. Information is difficult to find. The track was the A-Side of the only single the band ever put out, and it was backed on the B-Side with a cover of “Needles and Pins.” Although the song was never given the proper push needed to make a dent on the charts, it’s hard to imagine the radio stations of the day would have been comfortable playing its dark lyrics.



Little John and The Monks - Black Winds (1965)

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Lyrics:

Black winds, take this soul of mine
Take me to the dark below
Lord, I want to die
In the night, I killed my love
Black winds, take away my life
Oh, Lord, let me die

Now, there was a girl I loved
Caught her with another man
Killed them both with my knife
Now the black winds blow
Black winds, take away my life
Oh, Lord, let me die

Now, I could hear the same things
That broke my heart
Yes, she did
Things that she said
Only to him

I pulled my knife
And crying her name
I stood before them
And now their blood
Lies on the ground

Black winds, take this soul of mine
Take me to the dark below
Lord, I want to die
In the night, I killed my love
Black winds, take away my life
Oh, Lord, let me die

Oh, Lord, let me die
Let me die

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 Drifters - This Magic Moment (1960)

In the summer of 1958, with his original lineup of The Drifters being entirely disintegrated, George Treadwell was desperate to find a new lineup, call them The Drifters, and complete the remaining year’s worth of bookings he had signed his vocal group up for at The Apollo. Luckily for Treadwell, he was able to get into contact with Lover Patterson, the manager of the doo-wop group known as The Five Crowns. Through some finagling and persuading, Treadwell managed to take The Five Crowns and turn them into the “new” Drifters. Lead by Five Crowns lead singer Ben E. Nelson, the group featured Charlie Thomas, Dock Green, and Elsbeary Hobbs. Poppa James Clark had been a member of The Five Crowns but wasn’t invited to join The Drifters because of a drinking problem, a problem that plagued Treadwell’s last group. Ben E. Nelson changed his stage name to the now widely recognized Ben E. King and although these “new” Drifters were initially met with crowd hostility at their shows, they would go on to release hits such as “There Goes My Baby,” “Save the Last Dance for Me,” “Dance with Me,” and the hit heard below to be considered by many as the truly “golden” lineup of The Drifters history.

Written by Doc Pomus and Mort Shuman, this song was one of the best-selling hits of Ben E. King’s era of The Drifters. It’s almost one of the most recognizable songs by any Drifters lineup. Featuring the B-Side “Baltimore,” the song was released on Atlantic Records in 1960 and reached number sixteen. It has since been used in a wide variety of media; you may remember it being used in The Sandlot.



The Drifters - This Magic Moment (1960)

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Lyrics:

This magic moment
So different and so new
Was like any other
Until I kissed you

And then it happened
It took me by surprise
I knew that you felt it, too
By the look in your eyes

Sweeter than wine
Softer than the summer night
Everything I want, I have
Whenever I hold you tight

This magic moment
While your lips are close to mine
Will last forever
Forever ‘til the end of time

(Magic)
(Magic)
(Magic)
(Magic)

Sweeter than wine
Softer than the summer night
Everything I want, I have
Whenever I hold you tight

This magic moment
While your lips are close to mine
Will last forever
Forever ‘til the end of time

(Magic)
(Magic)
Magic moment
(Magic)
Magic moment
(Magic)
Magic moment
(Magic)
(Magic)
(Magic)…

Thurston Harris - Little Bitty Pretty One (1957)

Thurston Harris, born on July 11, 1931, got his first big break as a member of The Lamplighters, a vocal group that would later change their name to The Tenderfoots. The Tenderfoots, you may recall from our previous post, eventually transformed into The Sharps (albeit without Harris) and eventually bloomed into The Rivingtons. So although Harris was no longer a member of the group as they morphed into The Rivingtons, he did manage to have immense success with his one hit song, heard below, while being backed by The Sharps. After the large popularity of the song, Harris was able to reach the charts only once more with his hit “Do What You Did” reaching the Top 20 on the R&B charts. Sadly, after declining record sales, Harris was dubbed a one-hit wonder and became a bus driver in 1965 for twenty years in the Los Angeles, California area. In 1985, Harris took a job as a bus driver/tour guide for Universal Studios before succumbing to acute alcoholism and heart failure in 1990, passing away at the age of fifty-eight.

Written and originally recorded by Hollywood Flames member Bobby Day, this song was first brought to prominence through the voice and talents of today’s artist, while backup vocals were sung by The Sharps. Produced by Aladdin Records in Los Angeles, California, the song reached number six on the Billboard Hot 100 and number two on the R&B charts. It was later covered by Frankie Avalon, Frankie Lymon, Clyde McPhatter of The Drifters, The Dave Clark Five, The Jackson Five, Huey Lewis and the News, and many others. It has been used in numerous commercials, television shows, and movies.



Thurston Harris - Little Bitty Pretty One (1957)

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Lyrics:

Little, bitty, pretty one
Come on and talk to me
Lovey-dovey, lovey one
Come sit down on my knee

Tell you a story
Happened long time ago
Little, bitty, pretty one
I've been watchin' you grow

Little, bitty, pretty one
Come on and talk to me
Lovey-dovey, lovey one
Come sit down on my knee

Jerry Butler & The Impressions - For Your Precious Love (1958)

Born in Chicago, Illinois on December 8, 1939, Jerry Butler, Jr.’s family had very little money but attended church regularly. It was in a local housing community and the church choir that Butler would meet Curtis Mayfield, born June 3, 1942 in the mid-1950s. Together, the two boys sang in a gospel quartet known as the Northern Jubilee Gospel Singers. Inspired by artists such as Sam Cooke, Butler and Mayfield united with Arthur and Richard Brooks, brothers, to develop a vocal group of their own known as The Roosters. What they eventually became, with the addition of Sam Gooden, was The Impressions. After signing with Vee-Jay Records, the band released their first hit, heard below, in 1958. After their next hit, “Come Back My Love,” Jerry Butler left the band to embark on a solo career. Mayfield wrote most of his successful songs. Mayfield also became The Impressions’ new primary singer and songwriter as the group welcomed Fred Cash to the lineup, a member who had previously been with them for a short while when they were still known as The Roosters. The new Impressions soared to new heights, reaching number two with “Gypsy Woman,” number one with “It’s All Right,” number three with the famous “People Get Ready” (previously featured), and numerous others. Mayfield would eventually leave the group in 1970 to have a successful solo career of his own, but the group continued on. Although their last hit song, “Loving Power,” was released in 1976, the group is still together today featuring original member Sam Gooden and Roosters-era member Fred Cash.

Written by Jerry Butler with help from Arthur and Richard Brooks, this song was The Impressions first big hit. Released in 1958, it was put out with the credit being given to “Jerry Butler & The Impressions,” as the group was known before Butler parted ways. The song peaked at number eleven and has since been covered by Jerry Butler (as a solo artist in 1966), Otis Redding (in 1965), The Rolling Stones (in 1989), and various others.



Jerry Butler & The Impressions - For Your Precious Love (1958)

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Lyrics:

Your precious love
Means more to me
Than any love could ever be
For when I wanted you
I was so lonely and so blue
For that's what love will do

And darling, I'm-
(I'm so surprised)
Oh, when I first realized
That you were fooling me

And darling
They say that our love won’t grow
But I just wanna tell them
That they don't know

For as long
As you're in love with me
Our love will grow wider
Deeper than any sea

And of all the things that I want
In this whole wide world
Is just for you to say
That you’ll be my girl

And oh
(Wanting you)
Wanting you
(Oh, I'm lonely and blue)
I'm so lonely
(That's what love will do)

The Graham Bond Organisation - Wade in the Water (1965)

Formed in the early ‘60s, this band was originally known as the Graham Bond Quartet. Mixing jazz with elements of rhythm & blues, the group was centered around frontman Graham Bond, a classically trained pianist who “dabbled” with the saxophone (he played it in a very avant-garde way). Not being entirely pleased with a deal they had received to sign with EMI, the band decided to sign with Decca Records in 1964. They opened for Marvin Gaye and toured the UK backing Chuck Berry, but were constantly in turmoil because of the clashing between drummer Ginger Baker and bassist Jack Bruce. Eventually, Graham Bond told Baker that he should ask Bruce to leave the band. When Bruce was asked to leave, he hadn’t been informed it was actually Bond’s request and thought it was merely Baker telling him to leave. Bruce felt he had just as much claim to the band as Baker did, so he kept showing up to perform at their concerts until Baker finally convinced him to quit for good at knifepoint backstage before a show in August 1965. Ironically, it was less than a year later in July 1966 when Ginger Baker quit the band and he and Bruce were reunited in the supergroup Cream with Eric Clapton. In late-1966, Graham Bond attempted to reform his band as a trio consisting of himself, original member Dick Heckstall-Smith, and newcomer Jon Hiseman; but, their commercial success was severely lacking. Although the band officially broke up in 1967, Bond would again unite with his original bandmates when he briefly played in Ginger Baker’s Air Force and toured with Jack Bruce in the 1970s. After years of substance abuse, it was reported that Bond had apparently been clean by this period, but also had a growing obsession with black magic and the occult. On May 8, 1974, Graham Bond died of an apparent suicide after lying down (or falling) in front of a train.

Released on the band’s first album, The Sound of ’65, this song is a traditional track that, for the sake of this band, was arranged by John Group and Paul Getty. Regarding the history of the song, it’s author is unknown, but it was first published in New Jubliee Songs as Sung by the Fisk Jubilee Singers by brothers John Wesley Work, Jr. and Frederick J. Work in 1901. The song, which originally contained lyrics referencing the Bible, was a spiritual song for enslaved African Americans in the United States.



The Graham Bond Organisation - Wade in the Water (1965)

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Lyrics:

(instrumental)

The Rivingtons - Papa-Oom-Mow-Mow (1962)

Although the band name above was created in the very early 1960s, the men behind the name had been performing with one another for quite some time before that. Their lead singer, Al Frazier, had been in groups since high school. One group he was in, the Mello-Moods, is notable for containing a future member of The Platters, Paul Robi. That group fizzled when Frazier left to fight in The Korean War. When he came back, he quickly got back into the swing of things and picked up the other members of this group piece by piece with a new band name each time along the way. The Emanons (“no name” backward), The Lamplighters, The Tenderfoots, The Jacks, The Sharps, The Rebels, The Four After Fives, and The Crenshaws were all various attempts at stardom with little or no success. Finally, around early 1962, the band renamed themselves after a street in New York’s Lower East Side that two of the members had at one point lived on: Rivington Street. Finally, with their new name, The Rivingtons, the group broke out into the charts with the 1962 song heard below. They would follow it up with their 1963 hit “The Bird’s the Word,” but disappeared from the public’s eye soon after. Although they lost their record deal and had trouble getting resigned by 1967, the band continued to perform through the early ‘90s in various oldies circuits. Al Frazier passed away on November 13th, 2005.

As The Rivingtons’ first hit in their already lengthy career, this song came about when the group’s bass singer, Turner “Rocky” Wilson, began to sing the “papa-oom-mow-mow” hook while goofing off in the studio. Naturally the rest of the group loved it and they built a song around it. After being turned down for release by Capitol Records the song eventually went to Liberty Records who waited six months before releasing it because they “couldn’t figure out how to market such a nonsensical song.” Once released, however, the song was a hit and reached number forty-eight on the Billboard’s and thirty-five on the Cashbox charts. The song went on to inspire numerous artists to cover it and sample it, including The Trashmen, The Beach Boys, Jan and Dean, Kermit the Frog, and more recently Rob Zombie. The Trashmen merged the song with another Rivingtons' hit, “The Bird’s the Word,” renamed the two “Surfin’ Bird,” took the song to number four. But, heard below, is the original as created by The Rivingtons.



The Rivingtons - Papa-Oom-Mow-Mow (1962)

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Lyrics:

(Doot-doot-doot)
(Doot-doot-doot)

The funniest sound I ever heard
And I can't understand a single word
Now is he serious or is he playing?
“Oom-mow-mow” is all he's saying
Papa-oom
Papa-papa-papa-oom
(Doot-doot-doot)
(Doot-doot-doot)

I said, “Hey there partner, what's your name?”
Now don’t you dare tell me, “the same old thing”
The words you sing, I can’t figure out
But you’ve got a sound, make me stomp and shout
Papa-oom
Papa-papa-papa-oom
(Doot-doot-doot doot doot)
(Doot-doot-doot doot doot)
(Doot-doot-doot)
(Doot-doot-doot)
(Doot-doot-doot)

(Doot-doot-doot doot doot)
(Doot-doot-doot doot doot)
(Doot-doot-doot doot doot)
(Doot-doot-doot doot doot)

Now I hear this sound everywhere I go
On the records, TV, and the radio
And now it’s spread all over the land
I still can’t seem to understand
Papa-oom
Papa-papa-papa-oom
Papa-oom
(Doot doot doot)
(Doot-doot-doot)
Papa-oom
(Doot doot doot)
(Doot-doot-doot)
Papa-papa-papa-oom
(Doot doot doot)
Papa-papa-papa-oom
(Doot doot doot)
Papa-papa-papa-oom
(Doot doot doot)
Papa-papa-papa-oom
(Doot doot doot)…

The Butts Band - I Won't Be Alone Anymore (1974)

When The Doors’ lead singer, Jim Morrison, died in 1971, the remaining members of The Doors were in disarray about their group’s future. Should they find a replacement? They released two albums without their lead man before considering the idea of bringing in a new lead vocalist. After a few failed auditions in London in 1973, The Doors’ keyboardist Ray Manzarek decided to head back to California and consequently left the band. The remaining members, John Densmore and Robby Krieger, decided to form an entirely new band that same year. Gathering a group of musicians to play by their side, they chose a name to mimic their feelings of desperation and desire to start creating again; the chosen name was what you read above. After the release of their first album, The Butts Band, the pressure of the band members’ homes being split between Los Angeles and London was too much for the group and they split up. Densmore and Krieger continued under the same name by bringing together new musicians. They released one last album, Hear and Now, in 1975, before calling it quits for the final time.

Written by Robby Krieger, this song was the opening track to the group’s first album, The Butts Band, released in 1974. With a juvenile name for their band and the public’s pre-conceived notion that they were going to be as close as one could imagine to The Doors’ continuation, the general populace was somewhat surprised when they heard tracks like the one heard below. Gone was the intensity and keyboard-centered songs of yesteryear. In its place was a laid-back folky sound leaning toward the jazz that would soon take over Robby Krieger’s style. Don’t expect to hear The Doors here.



The Butts Band - I Won't Be Alone Anymore (1974)

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Lyrics:

I’ve been alone most all of my life
Loneliness had me at the point of a knife
You came and you taught me what lovin’ was for
Now I feel fine ‘cause you opened the door

And we won’t be alone anymore, no
Together like the sea and the shore
Woah, we won‘t be alone anymore, no, no, no
So tell me, baby, what’s life for?
If ain’t to love you more and more?
I love you, babe, and that’s for sure

I’ve been alone and it wasn’t my choice
Needing an answer, the sound of a voice
The hope of an angel was I living for
You came along and you opened the door

And we won’t be alone anymore, no
Stick together like the sea and the shore
Woah, we won’t be alone anymore, no, no, no
So tell me baby, what’s life for?
If ain’t to love you more and more?
I love you, babe, and that’s for sure, now

And we won’t be alone anymore, no
Stickin’ together like the sea and the shore
Woah, we won’t be alone anymore, no, no, no
So tell me, baby, what’s life for?
If ain’t to love you more and more?
I love you, babe, and that’s for sure

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

The Rascals - I Believe (1969)

Three out of four members of this band had originally been replacement members in Joey Dee and the Starliters, who were known for putting out “Peppermint Twist” in 1961. Originally going by the name “Rascals” when they started their own group, there was a complaint made by Johnny Puleo and Borrah Minnevitch to alter their name because it was too similar to their “Harmonica Rascals.” Switching to “The Young Rascals,” the name stuck for over two years. After the release of their single “It’s Wonderful,” the band released all future singles and albums under their final name seen above. Known for hit songs such as “Good Lovin’,” “Groovin’,” and “A Beautiful Morning,” the group began to dissolve in 1970 and completely disbanded in 1972. Widely recognized for refusing to play where crowds were segregated, they are credited with influencing many white acts, such as Leslie West (Mountain) and Vanilla Fudge, in the pursuit of performing rhythm and blues.

This song was released as the B-Side of a single in 1969, a few years after the group’s peak. Featuring “Hold On” as its A-Side, the single was released in mid-December and charted best in Canada, where it reached number twenty-two. Having been on Atlantic Records from their beginnings, this single and the two that followed would be their last releases for Atlantic before switching over to Columbia in mid-1971.



The Rascals - I Believe (1969)

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Lyrics:

(I believe, I believe, I believe, I believe)
(I believe, I believe, I believe, I believe)

Love, your magic is everywhere
You know, sweet vibrations just fill the air
Yeah

Bright star that’s shinin’ in your diamond eyes
Lights up my each and every day
When one heart finds another on the road of life
Time stops and joy takes you away

Love, your magic is everywhere
Peace vibrations are always there

The warm sunshine reminds me of your gentle touch
I see your smile in every hill, every tree
The secret garden of my heart belongs to you alone
Like a flower was meant for the bee

(I believe, I believe, I believe, I believe)
Oh, child
(I believe, I believe, I believe, I believe)
Oh

In each beat of my heart I can hear your name
I feel love with every breath that I take
With your love I’ve become awake
In a wondrous and a beautiful place

It’s love, your magic is everywhere
Those sweet vibrations just fill the air

When I see a flower or a tree
I can see your smiling face in everything that I see
In the mountain, in the stream

It’s love, your magic is everywhere
Those sweet vibrations just fill the air

Jimi Hendrix & Curtis Knight and The Squires - I'm A Man [Live] (1964)

Curtis Knight, born in 1929, is often credited with the aid of helping “discover” Jimi Hendrix. It was Knight who acquainted Hendrix with record producer Ed Chalpin, whom Hendrix signed his first contract with. Unfortunately for Chalpin, Hendrix soon forgot that he had signed it and left for England to form The Jimi Hendrix Experience. After The Experience hit it big, Chalpin sued Hendrix and his management/record companies to no avail. But as the legal action was playing out, Chalpin released jam session material that he claimed Hendrix had been a part of, using Knight as his main witness. After Hendrix’s death in 1974, Knight would use his connection with Hendrix to write a book, Jimi: An Intimate Biography of Jimi Hendrix, and to keep his musical career alive for many years.

Inspired by Muddy Waters' 1954 song “Hoochie Coochie Man,” Bo Diddley wrote and released the original version of this song in 1955. This rare cover version featuring Hendrix and Knight was recorded in Hackensack, New Jersey, at Club 20 on December 26th, 1964. It's worth noting that Hendrix strays from the original lyrics and that some sources claim the recording took place in 1965 rather than '64.



Jimi Hendrix & Curtis Knight and The Squires - I'm A Man [Live] (1964)

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Lyrics:

Yeah!
Down in Louisiana a way, baby
Yeah, I’m gonna tell you somethin’
I’m gonna tell you how big and bad I am

Hey
When I was a little boy
At the age of five
I had somethin’ in my pocket, baby, woo
Keep a whole lot of folks alive

Now I’m a man
Age twenty-one
You know, baby
We can have us a whole lot of fun

‘cause I’m a man
Spelt with a capital “m”
“a,” child
“n,” boy
Mannish boy
What’d I say, baby?

Woo! I feel so suspicious
Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah
Oh, aw!

All you big healthy women
Stand in line
I’m gonna make love to ya, baby
In an hour’s time

The line I shoot
Will never miss
The way I make love to ya, baby
Aw, you just can’t resist

Goin’ down south
To Kansas, do
Bring back my second cousin
Little Willie John the conqueroo

‘cause I’m a man
Spelled with a capital “a”
“n”
Man

A’like a rollin’ stone
Ain’t gonna gather no cannon moss
Oh, oh, oh, yeah!
Look out, baby
Woo! Woo!

All you pretty women
Like I said before
Stand in line
I’m gonna make love to ya, baby
In about an hour’s time

Goin’ down South
To Caroline
I’ve got a big ol’ fat pig down there
She’s lookin’ almost fine
Woah, hey, woah, yeah!

I got a girl
Named ‘Louise’
She’s out of sight, mama
She was goin’ to please

I got a little booga-bear
Her name is ‘Sue’
She ain’t all that handsome, but, uh
She know just what to do

There was two old maids
Layin’ in a bed
One say to the other one, brother
He looked up and said
“Wake up, old maid
You’ll just sleep so damn sound
You know whatcha promised
When you first laid down”

‘cause I’m a man
Spelled “m”
“a,” child
“n,” boy
What I’m sayin?

Mannish boy
Oh, oh, oh, stop! Oh
It’s alright, baby
To do it tonight
The snow is comin’ down
Still had no reason for bein’ around

What I say?

Clarence "Frogman" Henry - (I Don't Know Why) But I Do (1961)

Born in 1937 in New Orleans, Louisiana, this artist grew up admiring the music and style of Fats Domino and Professor Longhair. His debut song in 1956, “Ain’t Got No Home,” was a big hit for him that would eventually become his signature song. Following more success in the early ‘60s, his popularity led him to opening for The Beatles on eighteen different occasions in 1964. In 1981, he was booked to perform at a private party held by The Rolling Stones aboard a riverboat in his hometown of New Orleans.

This song, written by Paul Gayten and Bobby Charles (credited as Robert Guidry), was Henry’s biggest hit in the US, reaching number four. It was also featured in the movies Forrest Gump (1994) and Mickey Blue Eyes (1999).



Clarence "Frogman" Henry - (I Don't Know Why) But I Do (1961)

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Lyrics:

I don't know why I love you, but I do
I don't know why I cry so, but I do
I only know I'm lonely and that I want you only
I don't know why I love you, but I do

I can't sleep nights because I feel so restless
I don't know what to do; I feel so helpless
And since you've been away, I cry both night and day
I don't know why I love you, but I do

My days have been so lonely
My nights have been so blue
I don't know how I manage, but I do

Each night I sit alone and tell myself
That I will fall in love with someone else
I guess I'm wastin' time, but I've got to clear my mind
I don't know why I love you, but I do

Fats Domino - Blueberry Hill (1956)

Born Antoine Domino, Jr. in New Orleans, Louisiana, this artist’s first language was Creole. He first gained nation-wide attention when his single, “The Fat Man,” sold over a million copies in 1949 (and is widely accepted as the first rock and roll record to do so). His success continued through the ‘50s, where rock and roll was king, and he slowly rolled into retirement by the 1980s. As he once stated, retirement to his home in Louisiana came easy, since he “couldn’t get any food” that he liked anywhere else in the country.

Originally released in 1940 by six different artists, including Glenn Miller, Gene Autry, and Jimmy Dorsey, this song had its lyrics written by Al Lewis and its music written by Vincent Rose. Its most successful rendition was released by this artist in 1956, spending eight weeks at number one on the R&B charts, and becoming his staple song.



Fats Domino - Blueberry Hill (1956)

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Lyrics:

I found my thrill on Blueberry Hill
On Blueberry Hill, when I found you

The moon stood still on Blueberry Hill
And lingered until my dream came true

The wind in the willow played love's sweet melody
But all of those vows you made were never to be

Though we're apart, you're part of me still
For you were my thrill on Blueberry Hill

The wind in the willow played love's sweet melody
But all of those vows you made were only to be

Though we're apart, you're part of me still
For you were my thrill on Blueberry Hill

The G-Clefs - I Understand (Just How You Feel) (1961)

This group, formed in Massachusetts in 1952, consisted of four brothers and one childhood friend. Growing up, the Scott brothers created their own gang, “The Band of Angels,” to guard what police referred to as “Scotty’s Alley”. The group had two moderate successes in the charts: 1956’s “Ka-Ding-Dong” and the song heard below.

This song is an amalgam of the group’s lyrics with the tune of the New Year’s traditional song, “Auld Lang Syne,” which is also sung in the background. “Auld Lang Syne” itself is the combination of a Scottish poem written in 1788 by Robert Burns and a traditional folk song. The phrase “auld lang syne” translates to “long long ago” and “for auld lang syne” therefore indicates “for old time’s sake”.



The G-Clefs - I Understand (Just How You Feel) (1961)

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Lyrics:

I understand just how you feel
(Should old acquaintance be forgot)
Your love for me; why not be mine?
(And never brought to mind?)
It's over now but it was grand
(Should old acquaintance be forgot)
I understand; I understand
(And days of auld lang syne?)

If you ever change your mind
(For auld lang syne, my dear)
Come back to me and you will find
(For auld lang syne)
Me waiting there at your command
(We’ll spill a cup of wine, my dear)
I understand; I understand
(For auld lang syne)

I miss you so
Please believe me when I tell you
I just can't stand to see you go
You know

If you ever change your mind
(Should old acquaintance be forgot)
Come back to me and you will find
(And never brought to mind?)
Me waiting there at your command
(Should old acquaintance be forgot)
I understand; I understand
(And days of auld lang syne)

I understand just how you feel. Let bygones be bygones. But always remember: I love you, I love you, I love you.

(We'll sip a cup of wine, my dear, for Auld Lang Syne)
I understand

Otis Redding - Merry Christmas, Baby (1967)

At the age of fifteen, he dropped out of school and worked with Little Richard’s backing band, The Upsetters, in an effort to earn money for his family. By the age of seventeen he had joined The Pinetoppers, and toured the southern United States. By twenty-three, he had his big break and was signed as a solo artist, gaining popularity with both black and white audiences. Unfortunately, in 1967, at the age of twenty-six, he died in a plane crash, crippling the failing record company he was signed to.

This song was originally released in 1947 by Johnny Moore’s Three Trailblazers. It has also been covered by B.B. King, Chuck Berry, Elvis Presley, and Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band.



Otis Redding - Merry Christmas, Baby (1967)

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Lyrics:

Merry Christmas, baby
Sure did treat me nice
Merry Christmas, baby
Sure did treat me nice
You bought me a diamond ring for Christmas
I feel like I'm in paradise

I feel mighty fine, y'all
I've got music on my radio
Feel mighty fine, girl
I've got music on my radio, oh, oh, oh
I feel like I'm gonna kiss you
Standing beneath that mistletoe

Santa came down the chimney
Half past three, y'all
Left all them a-good ol’ presents
For my baby and for me- hahaha

Merry Christmas, baby
Sure did treat me nice
Ya bought me all those good ol’ presents
I’ll love you baby- rest of my life

Merry Christmas, girl
Merry, merry, merry Christmas, baby
Sure did treat me nice
Merry Christmas, baby
I said, “You sure did treat me nice”
You bought me all those lovely things, yeah
I feel like I'm in paradise

I wish you a Merry Christmas, baby
Happy New Year
Merry Christmas, honey
Everything here is beautiful

I love you, baby
For everything that you give me
I love you, honey
More, Lord, have mercy
A merry Christmas…

Dionne Warwick - Walk On By (1964)

When it comes to the most charted female vocalists in history, this artist is second only to Aretha Franklin. In thirty-six years, she had fifty-six singles chart on the Billboard Hot 100. She later pursued acting and guest starred in television episodes of The Bold and the Beautiful, Walker, Texas Ranger, and others. She is also the cousin of singer Whitney Houston.

This song, composed by Burt Bacharach and lyrics by Hal David, was the second hit for Warwick. It has been covered by numerous artists, including Gloria Gaynor, Isaac Hayes, Cyndi Lauper, Alicia Keys, and Seal. Warwick also recorded a German version of the song, titled “Geh Vorbei”.



Dionne Warwick - Walk On By (1964)

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Lyrics:

If you see me walking down the street
And I start to cry each time we meet
Walk on by
Walk on by

Make believe
That you don't see the tears
Just let me grieve
In private 'cause each time I see you
I break down and cry
Walk on by (don't stop)
Walk on by (don't stop)
Walk on by

I just can't get over losing you
And so if I seem broken and blue
Walk on by
Walk on by

Foolish pride
That’s all that I have left
So let me hide
The tears and the sadness you gave me
When you said goodbye
Walk on by (don’t stop)
Walk on by (don’t stop)
Walk on by (don’t stop)
Walk on

Walk on by
Walk on by
Foolish pride
That’s all that I have left
So let me hide
The tears and the sadness you gave me
When you said goodbye
Walk on by (don't stop)
Walk on by (don't stop)

Now you really gotta go, so walk on by (don’t, don’t stop)
Baby, leave; you never see the tears I cry (don’t, don’t stop)
Now you really gotta go, so walk on by (don’t, don’t stop)
Baby, leave; you never see the tears I cry (don’t, don’t stop)...

The Impressions - People Get Ready (1965)

Formed in 1958 as a doo-wop group, The Roosters, this band eventually evolved into doing more gospel, soul, and R&B music as the years progressed. Their hit songs through the ‘60s served as anthems for the Civil Rights Movement in America. In 1965, their best known song, heard below, was released and would go on to be considered one of the top songs of all time.

This is that song. For as many artists on this site that cannot be summed up in one paragraph, this song cannot be summed up in one either. It has been covered by Alicia Keys, Bob Dylan, Bob Marley, Bruce Springsteen, The Doors, John Denver, Phil Collins, Prince, Rod Stewart, Seal, U2, and many, many others, each with their own unique story. With vocals like this, you don’t need to be religious to enjoy this gospel and soulful song.



The Impressions - People Get Ready (1965)

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Lyrics:

People get ready
There's a train a-comin'
You don't need no baggage
You just get on board
All you need is faith
To hear the diesels hummin'
Don't need no ticket
You just thank the Lord

So, people get ready
For the train to Jordan
Picking up passengers
Coast to coast
Faith is the key
Open the doors and board them
There's hope for all
Among those loved the most

There ain't no room
For the hopeless sinner
Who would hurt all mankind
Just to save his own (believe me now)
Have pity on those
Whose chances grow thinner
For, there’s no hiding place
Against the kingdom’s throne

So people get ready
There's a train a-comin'
You don't need no baggage
You just get on board
All you need is faith
To hear the diesels hummin'
Don't need no ticket
You just thank the Lord

Bo Diddley - Pills (1961)

This man was a large influence on Buddy Holly, The Yardbirds, Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, The Who, The Velvet Underground, The Clash, and countless others. He was nicknamed “The Originator” for transforming blues to rock and roll in the 1950s. He was one of the first artists to include women in his band as well as one of the first to set up a home recording studio. His story is an interesting one that should be read about in a dedication much longer than the one provided on this page.

This song may not be “Mona” or “Before You Accuse Me,” but it’s one of my favorite songs by this legend. It was recorded in 1961, but not released on an album until The Originator in 1966. Like most of his songs, it’s been covered numerous times by various artists.



Bo Diddley - Pills (1961)

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Lyrics:

While I was layin’ in a hospital bed
A rock n' roll nurse went to my head
She says, “Hold out your arm and stick out your tongue”
“I got some pills, boy, I'mma give you one”

She went to my head, to my head
To my head, to my head
She went to my head, to my head
While I was layin' in a hospital bed

She gave me pills for my toes and they didn’t ache
She gave me pills for my love; but a little too late
She gave me pills for my heart, to put me at ease
The rock n' roll nurse shook me dead to my knees

She went to my head, to my head
To my head, to my head
She went to my head, to my head
While I was layin' in a hospital bed

Nurse, nurse, can't you see?
I don't dig this jive you givin' me
You give me a pill; you give me a shot
You got me wonderin' what- what have I got?

She went to my head, through my head
To my head, to my head
To my head, she went to my head
While I was layin' in a hospital bed

Doctor, doctor, run here and see
I don't dig this jive this nurse givin' me
She give me a shot; she give me your pills
I'm takin' this junk against my will

She went to my head, to my head
To my head, to my head
He went to my head, to my head
While I was layin' in that hospital bed

Ow! Look out, man, ow!

Sam Cooke - A Change Is Gonna Come (1964)

The original King of Soul, he was an amazing singer who indirectly led to the rise of Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, Otis Redding, and James Brown by propelling soul music into the mainstream music scene. He had many hit songs in the height of his popularity between 1957 and 1964. Tragically, he was killed by gunshot in a bizarre hotel shooting surrounded in mystery.

In 1963, after hearing “Blowin’ in the Wind” by Bob Dylan, he was so moved that somebody who wasn’t black could write such a poignant song about racism in America, he felt he needed to address more serious topics in his own songs. This song was the result that is now widely considered his masterpiece. Unfortunately, he was killed before he could see its success.



Sam Cooke - A Change Is Gonna Come (1964)

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Lyrics:

I was born by the river in a little tent
Oh, and just like the river, I've been running ever since
It's been a long- a long time comin’
But I know a change gonna come
Oh, yes it will

It's been too hard living, but I'm afraid to die
‘cause I don't know what's up there beyond the sky
It's been a long- a long time comin’
But I know a change gonna come
Oh, yes it will

I go to the movie and I go downtown
Somebody keep tellin’ me “Don't hang around”
It's been a long- a long time comin’
But I know a change gonna come
Oh, yes it will

Then, I go to my brother
And I say, “Brother, help me please”
But he winds up knockin’ me
Back down on my knees

Ohh, there’ been times that I thought I couldn't last for long
But now I think I'm able to carry on
It's been a long- a long time comin’
But I know a change gonna come
Oh, yes it will

Booker T. & The M.G's - Green Onions (1962)

One of the first racially integrated rock groups, this band was influential in shaping Memphis soul music. They provided background music for Wilson Pickett and Otis Redding at the beginning of their career and had continued success through the early ‘70s.

This song, completely instrumental, has been a lasting classic making appearances in television shows and films for decades. You may remember it being played in Happy Gilmore, X-Men: First Class, or American Dad!, but for me, it’s always been connected with The Sandlot.



Booker T. & The M.G's - Green Onions (1962)

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Lyrics:

(instrumental)