Welcome Back To Fitzy’s Way-Back Sound Machine’s Music Blog.
Today we set the Way-Back dial to 1964 thru 1970. I am going to share
with you My top 12 favorite Beatles songs, and I hope you share your
favorites with me as well. We all know about the Beatles unless you were
born in the last 5 to 10 years, So I will not even go over the history
besides it is safe to say the Beatles helped make Music what it is
today.
It is extremely hard to pick favorite songs from the Beatles,
because they were such an eclectic group from the early years of Rock
and Roll as well as they were a strong influence in the “Free Love”
generation and into both the Korean war (some call it the Korean
Conflict, I call it a war) and the Viet Nam war ( Some call this a
Police Action I call it a war) years. That being said and political
views a side here are my top 12 favorites, in no particular order of
course. I hope you enjoy them as well.
If you don’t have these songs in your personal music library you
can download them or you can listen and see the Videos for free by
heading over to my youtube Channel and click on the Play list #7 - The
Beatles to hear all these songs. www.youtube.com/user/fatdog14 feel
free to leave feedback here and on the youtube site. Next time we tune
the Way-Back dial to Classic Rock Songs in Movies. See you next time.
“Love Me Do" - was The Beatles’ first ever single,
P.S I Love You was the "B" side. When the single was originally released
in the United Kingdom on 5 October 1962, it peaked at No. 17; in 1982
it was re-promoted (not re-issued, retaining the same catalogue number)
and reached No. 4. In the United States the single was a No. 1 hit in
1964. It is off of the Please Please me Album
“Please Please Me" - was the 2nd single released by
The Beatles in the U.K., and the 1st to be issued in the United States.
It was also the title track of their 1st Album, which was recorded to
capitalize on the success of the single. John Lennon was once quoted as
saying this was his attempt to write a "Roy Orbison" song. Ask me way
was the "B" side of the original release. The single was released in the
UK on 11 January 1963 and reached #1, The single, as initially released
with "Ask Me Why" on the "B" side, failed to make much impact in the
U.S., but when re-released in the U.S. in January 1964 (this time with
"From Me To You" on the "B"side), it reached #3 on the Hot 100.
“Eight Days a Week" - released in December 1964 on
the Beatles for Sale album. The song was released as a single only in
the U.S. in February 1965, becoming a #1 hit (their seventh). The "B:
side was "I don’t want to spoil the party". The single release in the US
was the result of DJ’s playing the song from imported copies of the Beatles for Sale
album as an exclusive since it was not included on the album’s US
counterpart “Beatles ‘65, nor was the “B” side. Later, it and the “B”
side made a US album appearance on “Beatle VI. Although it was a big
U.S.hit, the group did not think highly of the song (Lennon called it
“lousy”) and they never performed it live. McCartney only played it live
on his 2013 “Out There Tour”.
“Dear Prudence" - It was released as the 2nd track on their 1968 double-disc album entitled "The Beatles", commonly known as The White Album.
The subject of the song is Prudence Farrow, actress Mia Farrow’s
sister, who was present when They went to India to study with Mahatishi
Mahesh Yogi, but don’t let that sway you from giving this song a chance.
This song has countless covers from the year of it’s release all the
way up to 2010, and was one of the biggest hits for Siouxsie and the
Banshees.
“Day Tripper" - released as a Double "A" side single
with " We can work it out". Both songs were recorded during the
sessions for the"Rubber Soul" album. The single topped the U.K.charts
and the song peaked at #5 in the U.S. on the Hot 100 in January 1966.
“Yesterday" - was originally recorded for their 1965
album "HELP!". The song is one of the most covered songs in the history
of recorded music as stated by The Guinness Book of Records. It hit #1
on many music chart lists in many countries, and it only hit #8 in the
U.K.
“We Can Work It Out" - was released as a "Double "A"
side" single with "Day Tripper"", the first time both sides of a single
were so designated in an initial release. Both songs were recorded
during the "Rubber Soul" sessions. The song reached #1on both sides of
the Atlantic, the Beatles’ fastest-selling single since "Cant buy me
love". It has sold 1.39 million copies in the UK.
“Getting Better" - It was recorded for the 1967
album "Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club band". I find me just stopping
whatever I am doing and just listening to this one.
“While My Guitar Gently Weeps" - written by George Harrison, it was first recorded by The Beatles in 1968 for their Double Album known as The White Album.
The song features a lead guitar solo by Eric Clapton, although he was
not formally credited on the album. was ranked #136 on Rolling Stones
list of “Top 500 Greatest Songs of all times”, #7 on their list of the 100 Greatest Guitar Songs of All Time, and #10 on their list of The Beatles 100 Greatest Songs.
“The Long and Winding Road" - a ballad written by
Paul McCartney, but credited to Lennon-McCartney. was the 10th track on
The Beatles’ Let It Be album. It became the group’s 20th and last #1
song in the United States in June 1970, and was the last single released
by the quartet while all four remained alive. "The Long and Winding
Road" was listed with "For You Blue" as a double-sided hit when the
single hit #1on the US Billboard Hot 100 in 1970.
“I’ll Follow the Sun" - was released in 1964 on the
Beatles for Sale album in the United Kingdom and on Beatles ‘65 in the
U.S., but was written long before that year: a version recorded in 1960
can be found in the bootleg record You Might As Well Call Us the Quarrymen.
One reason they didn’t use the song on their previous albums was
because it wasn’t tough enough for their leather-jacketed early image.
By the time they did record it for their fourth LP, the rhythm had
changed from a rockabilly shuffle to a gentle cha-cha. Ringo Starr kept
the beat by smacking his palms on his knees.
“Let It Be" - released in March 1970 as a single,
and (in an alternate mix) as the title track of their Let It Be album.
At the time, it had the highest debut on the Hot 100, coming in at #6.
It was their final single before McCartney announced his departure from
the band. Both the Let It Be album and the US single “The Long
and Winding Road” were released after McCartney’s announced departure
from and subsequent break-up of the group. The song is #3 in the top 100
Best Beatles Songs list. “Let It Be” won Academy Awards in 1971 in the
Original Song Score category as a part of documentary film Let It Be. It
also won Grammy Awards for “Best Original Score Written for a Motion
Picture or a TV special”. For me personally it keeps the memory of My
Best friend Justin Dilks alive in my mind and in my heart.
Welcome Back To Fitzy’s Way-Back Sound Machine’s Blog. Today we set
the Way-Back dial this week to Classic Rock Cover songs. There are so
many to choose from, but there are my favorite ones. Do you have a
favorite cover song, let’s hear it or just share your thoughts on these
here.
If you don’t have these songs in your personal music library you can
download them or you can listen and see the Videos for free by
heading over to my youtube Channel and click on the ”Play list #5 -
Classic Rock Cover songs”. To hear all these songs. www.youtube.com/user/fatdog14 feel
free to leave feedback here and on the youtube site. Next Week we turn
The Way-Back Dial to Van Morrison, See you next time.
Song Title Original Artist Cover Artist
All along the Watchtower Bob Dylan Jimi Hendrix
Proud Mary Ike & Tina Turner Creedence Clearwater Revival
Twist and Shout The Isley Brothers The Beatles
I heard it thru the Grape vine Gladys Knight & the Pips Creedence Clearwater Revival
Lucy in the shy with Diamonds The Beatles Elton John
Got to get you into my life The Beatles Earth Wind & Fire
Hazy Shade of Winter Simon & Garfunkel The Bengals
Brown Eyed Van Morrison Jimmy Buffet
Aint that a shame Fats Domino Cheap Trick
She’s not There The Zombies Santana
See you next time on the Way-Back Sound Machine
We set the way-back sound machine for the Mid to Late 1950’s
this time around to explore the Singers and Groups that kicked off Rock
and Roll. Without them, who knows what we would be listening to now. I
know we are a bit of the topic of Classic Rock, but with out these
Magnificent 7 there would be no Rock and Roll at all.
If you don’t have these songs in your personal music library
you can download them or you can listen and see the Videos for free by
heading on over to my youtube Channel and click on the Play list #4 Magnifecent 7 of Rock and Roll music to hear all these songs. www.youtube.com/user/fatdog14 feel free to leave feedback here and on the youtube site. See you next time when we spotlight a few of out favorite Classic Rock Cover Songs.
Bill Haley & His Comets - Rock Around the Clock - 1955 -
Rock Around the Clock is widely considered to be the song that, more
than any other, brought Rock and Roll into mainstream culture around the
world. The song is ranked #158 on the Rolling Stone magazine’s list of
The Top 500 Greatest Songs of all Time. It hit #1 on Bilboards hot 100
for 8 weeks and stayed on the charts for 24 weeks untill it was
re-released in 1974 and hit the chart again in the #38 spot for 1 week.
Buddy Holly - Peggy Sue 1957 - Buddy Holly is considered to
be one of the pioneers of Rock and Roll and credited with influencing
The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan and Elvis Costello. Holly was
one of the inaugural inductees into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in
1986. In 2004, Rolling Stone place Holly in the #13 slot of “The 100
Greatest Artists of All Time”. Peggy Sue hit the chat in 1957 and stayed
on the charts for 16 weeks and made it to #3. Buddy Holly,Richie
Valens, JP “Big Bopper”Richardson and the pilot were killed en route to
Moorhead, Minnesota, when their plane crashed.
Elvis Presley - Don’t Be Cruel 1956 - Elvis is known for
being the “King of Rock and Roll” with 107 songs to be on the Billboards
hot 100 charts,The song is currently ranked as the 92nd greatest song
of all time, as well as the fifth best song of 1956
Fats Domino - Aint that a shame 1955 - Fats real name is
Antoine “Fats” Domino Jr. He had 36 Top 40 hits. Aint that a
shame reached #1 on the “Black Singles” chart and #10 on the “Billboards
hot 100” chart. The song is ranked #438 on the Rolling Stone magazine’s
list of The 500 Greatest Songs of all time. Pat Boone hit #1 in
1955,The Four Seasons version hit #22 on the Billboard charts in
1963,Cheap Trick had it hit #35 in 1979.
Little Richard - Tutti-Frutti 1956 - “Tutti Frutti” (1955)
was included in the Library of Congress’ National Recording Registry in
2010, claiming the “unique vocalizing over the irresistible beat
announced a new era in music.”Tutti Frutti” became his first major hit
record. In April 2012, Rolling stone magazine declared that the song
“still contains what has to be considered the most inspired rock lyric
ever recorded: “”A-wop-bom-a-loo-mop-a-lomp-bom-bom!!”
Everly Brothers - Bye Bye Love 1957 - Done and Phil Everly,
were elected to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1986 and the Country
Music Hall of Fame in 2001. The song reached #2 on the Billboard charts
and #1on the Cash Box Best Selling Record charts. also enjoyed major
success as a country song, reaching #1 in the spring of 1957. The
Everlys’ “Bye Bye Love” is ranked 210th on Rolling Stone magazine’s list
of the 500 Greatest Songs of all time. The song was covered by George
Harrison, Connie Francis, Roy Orbison, Ray Charles, Trini Lopez, Simon
and Garfunkel and Ray Stevens,
Jerry Lee Lewis - Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ 1957 - Jerry
is known by the nickname “The Killer” and is often viewed as “Rock
& Roll’s first great wild man.” 3 on the Billboard Chart and #1 on
the Billboard R&B Charts. The single also hit #1 on the Country
Charts and #38 in the UK. It was a cover version of Big Maybelle
1955 hit.
See you Next Time on the Way-Back Sound Machine
We set the way-back sound machine for the mid 1960’s Just after the
Beatles kick in the door for other British bands to beat the drums on
the air waves. This group of 10 are not even the tip of the list, but
these are some examples of what the Beatles help inspire. Some you
heard before some you may not of. some may say I will just take the
Beatles and stop the British Invasion right there.
The Truth of it is The British beat help define radio and records
for decades to come all the way through the 1980’s, I hate to say it but
if it wasn’t for the British invasion we would all be listening to
Country full time and that would be it, although that is only my
opinion.
If you don’t have these songs in your personal music library you can
download them or you can listen and see the Videos for free by
heading on over to my youtube Channel and click on the “Play list #3-British Beat" to hear all these songs. www.youtube.com/user/fatdog14 feel free to leave feedback here and on the youtube site. See you next time when we spot light the Magnificent 7 of Rock and Roll.
Los Bravos - Black Is Black 1966 - Technocally Los Bravos
were a Spanish beat group, formed in 1965 and based in Madrid. but
recored in the U.K. Their single “Black is Black” reached no. 2 in the
U.K in July 1966 and no. 4 in the United States (the first Spanish group
to do so), selling over a million records
Silkie - Youve Got To Hide Your Love Away 1965 - This cover of the
Beatles peaked at #10 on the U.S. Billboard hot 100 and peaked at #28 on
the U.K. Charts for the Silkie
Billy J Kramer - BadToMe 1964 - Billy J. Kramer in
the 1960s he was managed by Brian Epstein, who also managed The Beatles,
and he recorded several original Lennon and McCartney compositions this
is one of them.
Chad And Jeremy - A Summer Song 1964 - hit No. 7 on the Billboard hot 100 in October 1964
Manfred Mann - DoWahDiddyDiddy 1964 - Originally recorded earlier in
1964 by the Exciters Manfred Mann Madce the bigger and more sucessful
hot
Zombies - Shes Not There 1964 - formed in 1962, The group scored
British and American hits in 1964 with “She’s Not There”. In the US, two
further singles, “Tell Her No” and, in 1969, “Time of the Season”, were
also successful
Donovan - Sunshine Superman 1966 - Sunshine Superman released in the
United States in July 1966, reached the top of the Billboard hot 100
Gerry And The Pacemakers - Ferry Cross The Mersey 1965 - released in
late 1964 in the U.K. and in 1965 in the United States. It was a hit on
both sides of the Atlantic, reaching #6 in the United States and #8 in
the UK. The song is from the film with the same name and was released on
its soundtrack album.
Yardbirds - For Your Love 1964 - The Yardbirds had a
string of hits in the mid-1960s, including “For your Love”, “Over Under
Sideways Down” and “Heart full of Soul”. The group is notable for
having started the careers of three of rock’s most famous guitarists:
Eric Clapton, Jrff Beck and Jimmy Page, all of whom were in the top five
of Rolling Stone’s 100 Top Guitarists list (Clapton at No. 2, Page at No. 3 and Beck at No. 5)
Procol Harum - A Whiter Shade Of Pale 1967 - Procol Harum formed in
1967.The record reached number one in the U.K. Singles chart on 8 June
1967, and stayed there for 6 weeks. Without much promotion, it reached
No. 5 on the US charts as well.
See You Next Time on The Way-Back Sound Machine
