So let's get immediately to the first new business of 2026. To wit:
Best or Favorite Hit Singles (in America) of the British Invasion NOT Recorded by the Holy Trinity of Beatles/Stones/Kinks!!!
No arbitrary rules, you're welcome very much, but let's stipulate that for purposes of our discussion we're defining the Brit Invasion as lasting from the years 1964 through mid-1966. And, come to think of it, let's reiterate that your nominees have to have been played on the radio here in the US of A. So don't try to sneak anything in by otherwise estimable Brit bands or artists like The Fourmost or The Creation, who never charted in the States.
Oh, and no -- the songs don't have to been written by the artists in question, as the following list will demonstrate.
Okay then -- and my totally Top of My Head Top 12 is...
12. Sandie Shaw -- Girl Don't Come
It's a two-fer -- she's a total cutie, and I just love the vibrato.
11. The Who -- Can't Explain
It's funny how nobody really thinks about the 'Oo as a singles band anymore. No larger point, I just think it's funny.
10. The Animals -- Boom Boom
God, I wanted to be able to play that Alan Price organ solo.
9. The Zombies -- Tell Her No
The echoed handclap at the end. Words fail me.
8. The Troggs -- With a Girl Like You
I had completely forgotten how cool this song is until I heard it last weekend in a Farmer's Dog tv commercial. If you had told me this would be true back in 1966, swear to god I would have taken a hostage.
7. The Dave Clark 5 -- Glad all Over...
...and -- it's a tie -- Because
At this point it's not exactly a secret, but was Mike Smith the most underrated singer of the Invasion or what?
6. The Searchers -- When You Walk in the Room
Written by the great Jackie DeShannon -- Byrdsian folk-rock begins here.
5. Unit 4 Plus 2 -- Concrete and Clay
Kind of unclassifiable genre-wise -- is it funky? vaguely Latin? -- but damn it's pretty, and the band (featuring future members of Argent) kills. BTW, the b-side of this -- a vaguely doo-wop-ish cover of the pop standard "When I Fall in Love -- is absolutely to die for, and you need to hear it. Trust me.
4. The Moody Blues -- Go Now
Have I mentioned I really really don't like the post-Denny Laine mellotron incarnation of the Moodies? But that's a subject for another posting. I should also add that I could (and still can) do the piano solo from this one.
3. The Hollies -- Look Through Any Window
Uh -- those harmonies? That 12-string riff? Like you didn't see that one coming.
2. The Yardbirds -- For Your Love
The official beginning of my life-long love affair with Graham Gouldman.
And the Number 1 it-totally-slays-me record of the era that kind of surprised me when I compiled this list is...
1. Dusty Springfield -- Wishin' and Hopin'
Jeebus, what a voice. And don't think I don't tend to compare it to the contemporary girl singers currently selling in the squillions and find theirs wanting by comparison. (I'm looking at YOU, Chappell Roan and Sabrina Carpenter!) 😎
Alrighty then -- what would YOUR choices be?
And have a great weekend, everybody!!!
12 comments:
"look through any window" reminds me of "from a window" a hit from billy j kramer and the dakotas - the direction of looking is different, one shows us humanity in general in its variety, one shows us "the one" - both joyous songs - Wikipedia tells us that on "from a window" paul mccartney can be heard harmonizing on the last word
I did not know that. 😎
In 1964, when we got our first record player that was just for us two kids, my big brother bought his first two singles - Roy Orbison's "Pretty Woman" and Gerry & the Pacemakers' "I Like It." So I have a sentimental attachment to that record.
The keyboard guy in the Pacemakers is very underrated, IMHO.
This is a good list but where are Freddie and the Dreamers?
Them - Baby Please Don't Go and Mystic Eyes
also Yardbirds - I'm a Man
It isn't fair that you get to name Glad All Over and Because. So I'll go with Everybody Knows and I Like It Like That. And yes, Mike Smith was an amazing singer. But not quite as amazing as Dusty, so I'll go with I Just Don't Know What To Do With Myself. Gerry and the Pacemakers Don't Let The Sun Catch You Crying. And for my next magical act, Wayne Fontana & the Mindbenders Game of Love. There's sooo many...
Not crazy about them.
not within the parameters of this weekend's category, nevertheless another notable performance of wishin' and hopin' appears at the opening of the movie "my best friend's wedding" - ani difranco is performing the music, and there are four very charming dancers - gemini tells me
The four women in the pink dresses are:
* **Bree Turner (The Bride):** This was one of her earliest roles. She became a well-known actress, starring as Rosalee Calvert in the TV series ***Grimm*** and appearing in films like *The Ugly Truth* and *Bring It On Again*.
* **Kelleia Sheerin:** A prolific professional dancer and actress who appeared in *The Curious Case of Benjamin Button* and several TV shows like *Heels*.
* **Raci Alexander:** A professional dancer and choreographer who worked on various film and TV projects, including *Austin Powers in Goldmember*.
* **Jennifer Garrett:** A professional dancer who appeared in other major 90s/2000s productions like *The Sweetest Thing*.
### Fun Facts About the Opening
* **The "Secret" Voice:** While the women on screen are lip-syncing, the vocals for that specific version of "Wishin' and Hopin'" were recorded by alternative folk artist **Ani DiFranco**.
* **The Choreographer:** The dance was choreographed by **Toni Basil**, the singer and choreographer best known for the 80s hit "Mickey."
* **The "Greek Chorus" Concept:** Director P.J. Hogan intended for these four women to act as a "Greek Chorus" for the movie, representing the idealized, sugary version of a wedding that Julia Roberts’ character is about to disrupt.
Hermans Hermits- Something Good
Petula Clarke - Downtown
Freddy and the Dreamers - I'm Telling You Now
rs
Another Who single - "I Can See for Miles". Pete was right, it should have been HUGE!
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