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Manfred Mann - Do Wah Diddy Diddy

Manfred Mann - Do Wah Diddy Diddy Lyrics and Youtube Music Videos

Album: Original Hits
Released: 1964

Do Wah Diddy Diddy Lyrics

There she was just a-walkin' down the street, singin' "Do Wah Diddy Diddy dum diddy do"
Snappin' her fingers and shufflin' her feet, singin' "Do wah diddy diddy dum diddy do"
She looked good (looked good), she looked fine (looked fine)
She looked good, she looked fine and I nearly lost my mind

Before I knew it she was walkin' next to me, singin' "Do wah diddy diddy dum diddy do"
Holdin' my hand just as natural as can be, singin' "Do wah diddy diddy dum diddy do"
We walked on (walked on) to my door (my door)
We walked on to my door, then we kissed a little more

Whoa-oh, I knew we was falling in love
Yes I did, and so I told her all the things I'd been dreamin' of

Now we're together nearly every single day, singin' "Do wah diddy diddy dum diddy do"
A-we're so happy and that's how we're gonna stay, singin' "Do wah diddy diddy dum diddy do"
Well I'm hers (I'm hers), she's mine (she's mine)
I'm hers, she's mine, wedding bells are gonna chime

Whoa-oh, I knew we was falling in love
Yes I did, and so I told her all the things I'd been dreamin' of

Now we're together nearly every single day, singin' "Do wah diddy diddy dum diddy do"
A-we're so happy and that's how we're gonna stay, singin' "Do wah diddy diddy dum diddy do"
Well I'm hers (I'm hers), she's mine (she's mine)
I'm hers, she's mine, wedding bells are gonna chime

Whoa-oh-oh-oh, oh yeah
Do wah diddy diddy dum diddy do, we'll sing it
Do wah diddy diddy dum diddy do, oh yeah, oh, oh yeah
Do wah diddy diddy dum diddy do

Writer/s: BARRY, JEFF / GREENWICH, ELLIE
Publisher: Universal Music Publishing Group, BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Do Wah Diddy Diddy

This was written by the songwriting team of Jeff Barry and Ellie Greenwich, who were looking to recreate the gibberish gold they struck on The Crystals hit "Da Doo Ron Ron." They stumbled upon "Do Doo Ron Ron," but found that creating a nonsense phrase on purpose was not easy, as it had to sound good and sing well. They settled on "Do Wah Diddy," and pictured it as another girl group hit. It was first recorded (as "Do-Wah-Diddy") in 1963 by The Exciters, who were coming off their hit song "Tell Him."

This female version ("There he was, just walking down the street...") topped out at #78, but got the attention of the British group Manfred Mann, who started performing it at their shows. Since The Beatles had some success covering songs by American girl groups (The Shirelles "Boys" and The Marvelettes "Please Mr. Postman"), Manfred Mann decided to give it a shot and recorded "Do-Wah-Diddy," adding their extra Diddy to make it "Do Wah Diddy Diddy."

In the UK, where Manfred Mann was established with the hits "5-4-3-2-1" (#5) and "Hubble Bubble (Toil And Trouble)" (#11), the song topped the chart in July, 1964. In America, it took a little longer, but in October they had the #1 hit for two weeks, joining the British Invasion.

The original Exciters version of this song was a rare miss for Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, who produced the track. When it tanked, they started working with the song's writers, Jeff Barry and Ellie Greenwich, who were going to record it themselves as The Raindrops. When they started recording it, they got word that Manfred Mann's version was on its way from England, which made their version pointless. At first, Greenwich was put off by her song getting transformed by a male group, but she quickly came around. "We thought, 'With the British Invasion, maybe this is a lucky charm, and it sure was," she said.

A brief history of "Diddy" on the US charts:

1963:
"Hum Diddy Doo" by Fats Domino (#124)

1966:
"Diddy Wah Diddy" by The Remains (#129)

When Puff Daddy changed his name to P. Diddy, he hit #66 with a song called "Diddy" in 2001.

Jimmy Durante - I'm the Guy Who Found The Lost Chord

Jimmy Durante - I'm the Guy Who Found The Lost Chord Lyrics and Youtube Music Videos

Album: The Best Loved Songs Of Jimmy Durante
Released: 1964

I'm the Guy Who Found The Lost Chord Lyrics

I'm the Guy Who Found The Lost Chord

"I'm the Guy Who Found The Lost Chord" was co-written by Durante and Earl K. Brent. Perhaps unwisely it was released as a single on the MGM label in 1964 backed by "It's My Noses' Birthday."

When he introduced this song on his BBC Radio music programme in July 2013, Desmond Carrington said it was best to remember that first and foremost Jimmy Durante was a comedian, and that it would have been better if not only the chord but the song had been not simply lost but forgotten. Durante performed this in the 1947 film This Time For Keeps.

The Supremes - Come See About Me

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The Supremes - Come See About Me Lyrics and Youtube Music Videos

Album: Where Did Our Love Go
Released: 1964

Come See About Me Lyrics

Come See About Me

One month after this song's release (and two days after Christmas), The Supremes performed this song while making their debut guest appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show. The Supremes would go on to appear 19 more times on show, which is more than any other Pop act.

Songstress Freda Payne covered this song for her 2001 album of the same name.

In 1967, Motown group Junior Walker & The All Stars took this to #24 in the US with their saxophone-driven version.

Neil Sedaka covered this song for his 1984 album of the same name. Supreme Mary Wilson provided backup vocals for his version.

Martina McBride put her own take on this song for her 2014 collection of covers, Everlasting. She told Billboard magazine: "It wasn't on our list to do. We were looking at this other song, but it popped up on iTunes, and we all just looked at each other and said 'We should do that song.' It's really fun and will be familiar to a lot of people."

Billy J. Kramer & the Dakotas - Little Children

Billy J. Kramer & the Dakotas - Little Children Lyrics and Youtube Music Videos

Album: Story
Released: 1964

Little Children Lyrics

Little Children, you better not tell on me
I'm tellin' you
Little children, you better not tell what you see
And if you're good
I'll give you candy and a quarter
If you're quiet like you oughta be
And keep a secret with me

I wish they would go away
Little children, now why aren't you playin' outside
I'm askin' you
You can't fool me, 'cause I'm gonna know if you hide
And try to peek
I'm gonna treat you to a movie
Stop your gigglin', children do be nice
Like little sugars and spice

You saw me kissin' your sister
You saw me holdin' her hand
But if you snitch to your mother
Your father won't understand

I wish they would take a nap
Little children, now why don't you go bye-bye
Go anywhere at all
Little children, I know you would if you tried
Go up the stairs
Me and your sister, we're goin' steady
How can I kiss her when I'm ready to
With little children like you around
I wonder what can I do around
Little children like you

Writer/s: SHUMAN, MORT / MCFARLAND, J. L.
Publisher: Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., THE SONGWRITERS GUILD OF AMERICA
Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Little Children

This was written by Mort Shuman and John Leslie McFarland. Shuman had written hits for Elvis Presley.

This is about a guy who tries to convince his girlfriend's younger siblings to keep quiet so he doesn't get in trouble.

Kramer was a British Rail fitter until Beatles manager Brian Epstein signed him in 1963. Epstein put him with the Manchester group The Dakotas and got them to record some songs written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney. They immediately scored a #2 UK hit with "Do You Want To Know a Secret," the first ever cover of a Lennon and McCartney song to chart. The follow up "Bad To Me," which was written specifically by John Lennon for the group, became their first UK chart topper. After another Lennon and McCartney Top Five single, "I'll Keep You Satisfied," they recorded this, which became their second UK #1 hit and their first American hit.

Kramer's real name is William Ashton. John Lennon suggested adding the "J" so he would stand out from other singers with the same last name.

Herman's Hermits - I'm Into Something Good

Herman's Hermits - I'm Into Something Good Lyrics and Youtube Music Videos

Album: Introducing Herman's Hermits
Released: 1964

I'm Into Something Good Lyrics

Woke up this mornin' feelin' fine
There's somethin' special on my mind
Last night I met a new girl in the neighbourhood, whoa yeah
Somethin' tells me I'm Into Something Good
(Somethin' tells me I'm into somethin')

She's the kind of girl who's not too shy
And I can tell I'm her kind of guy
She danced close to me like I hoped she would
(she danced with me like I hoped she would)
Somethin' tells me I'm into something good
(Somethin' tells me I'm into somethin')

We only danced for a minute or two
But then she stuck close to me the whole night through
Can I be fallin' in love
She's everthing I've been dreamin' of
She's everthing I've been dreamin' of

I walked her home and she held my hand
I knew it couldn't be just a one-night stand
So I asked to see her next week and she told me I could
(I asked to see her and she told me I could)
Somethin' tells me I'm into something good
(Somethin' tells me I'm into somethin')
(Somethin' tells me I'm into somethin', ahhh)

I walked her home and she held my hand
I knew it couldn't be just a one-night stand
So I asked to see her next week and she told me I could
(I asked to see her and she told me I could)
Somethin' tells me I'm into something good
(somethin' tells me I'm into somethin')
Somethin' tells me I'm into something good
(somethin' tells me I'm into somethin')
To something good, oh yeah, something good
(somethin' tells me I'm into somethin')
To something good, something good, something good

Writer/s: GOFFIN, GERRY / KING, CAROLE
Publisher: Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

I'm Into Something Good

The prolific songwriting team of Gerry Goffin and Carole King wrote this. They wrote popular songs for The Monkees, Aretha Franklin, The Crystals and many others.

This was originally recorded by Earl-Jean (real name Ethel McCrea), who had been the lead singer the R&B vocal group The Cookies. Her version peaked at #38 in the US. Producer Mickie Most heard it and decided to cover it with a new British group, Herman's Hermits. The band was fronted by 16-year-old John F. Kennedy lookalike Peter Noone, who had already appeared in the British TV soap Coronation Street, and Most replaced the rest of the band with top session players like Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones, both future members of Led Zeppelin.

This was Herman's Hermits' only song to reach #1 in the UK, but they went on to further success in both the UK and US, including the American #1 hits "Mrs. Brown You've Got A Lovely Daughter" and "I'm Henry The Eighth I Am."

Peter Noone recorded a new version of this song for the 1988 movie The Naked Gun. Herman's Hermits recorded for Cameo/Parkway Records, which was bought by Allen Klein, who as a result owned the rights to the songs Herman's Hermits recorded for the label as well as tracks by The Animals, Chubby Checker, Bobby Rydell and many others. Klein rarely allowed the songs he controlled to be used in movies.

Before Allen Klein's death in 2009, Peter Noone explained to the Forgotten Hits newsletter how this song ended up in The Naked Gun: "They wanted to use the song in the movie. Klein declined because he knew he would have to ACCOUNT TO SOMEBODY (eg Paramount). As he hates to account to anyone, because he can't cheat and lie, he had to say no. The producers and writers contacted me with their story and I said, 'I can make a copy exactly like the original and nobody will be able to tell the difference.' When it was done, we decided you couldn't tell the difference so we took off the guitar and replaced it with a whahhoo machine so Klein wouldn't say it was the original. It's a tragedy that Klein and his witless children stop all the product they control from being in movies so they can steal ALL the money. A question: Have any songs under the Klein families' control ever been used in movies, commercials, TV shows? Doesn't anyone ever wonder why? Surely there would be one Herman's Hermits song, one Animals song. One song from a Cameo / Parkway artist, one Sam Cooke song, just one, that would work in a motion picture?"

Donny Osmond recorded this when he was 13 for his second album To You With Love, Donny in 1971. Other artists to record it include Graham Parker and The Surfaris.

In late 2005, this was used in a commercial for Yogurt Blast Cheerios.

The Beatles - Every Little Thing

The Beatles - Every Little Thing Lyrics and Youtube Music Videos

Album: Beatles For Sale (UK)
Released: 1964

Every Little Thing Lyrics

When I'm walking beside her
People tell me I'm lucky.
Yes, I know I'm a lucky guy.
I remember the first time
I was lonely without her.
Can't stop thinking about her now.

Every Little Thing she does,
She does for me, yeah.
And you know the things she does,
She does for me, oooh.
When I'm with her I'm happy
Just to know that she loves me.
Yes, I know that she loves me now.

There is one thing I'm sure of,
I will love her forever.
For I know love will never die.

Every little thing she does,
She does for me, yeah.
And you know the things she does,
She does for me, ooh.
Every little thing she does,
She does for me, yeah.

And you know the things she does,
She does for me, ooh.
Every little thing.
Every little thing.
Every little

Writer/s: LENNON, JOHN / MCCARTNEY, PAUL
Publisher: Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Every Little Thing

Many sources say that John Lennon played the 12-string Rickenbacker opening signature lick, as well as the solo, since George Harrison showed up at Studio Two a couple of hours after the initial tracking was recorded. Some believe John "borrowed" George's guitar, which was already set up in Studio Two, while others claim it was George on the electric 12-string. (thanks, Barry Kesten - Bellmore, United States)

In a departure from their standard instrumentation, a timpani (kettle drum) is used on the refrains. (thanks, Bertrand - Paris, France)

This was intended to be a single, but ended up just an album cut.

Chuck Berry - Promised Land

Chuck Berry - Promised Land Lyrics and Youtube Music Videos

Album: St. Louis to Liverpool
Released: 1964

Promised Land Lyrics

I left my home in Norfolk Virginia,
California on my mind.
Straddled that Greyhound, rode him past Raleigh,
On across Caroline.

Stopped in Charlotte and bypassed Rock Hill,
And we never was a minute late.
We was ninety miles out of Atlanta by sundown,
Rollin' 'cross the Georgia state.

We had motor trouble it turned into a struggle,
Half way 'cross Alabam,
And that 'hound broke down and left us all stranded
In downtown Birmingham.

Straight off, I bought me a through train ticket,
Ridin' cross Mississippi clean
And I was on that midnight flier out of Birmingham
Smoking into New Orleans.

Somebody help me get out of Louisiana
Just help me get to Houston town.
There's people there who care a little 'bout me
And they won't let the poor boy down.

Sure as you're born, they bought me a silk suit,
Put luggage in my hands,
And I woke up high over Albuquerque
On a jet to the Promised Land.

Workin' on a T-bone steak a la carte
Flying over to the Golden State,
The pilot told me in thirteen minutes
We'd be headin' in the terminal gate.

Swing low sweet chariot, come down easy
Taxi to the terminal zone,
Cut your engines, cool your wings,
And let me make it to the telephone.

Los Angeles give me Norfolk Virginia,
Tidewater four ten O nine
Tell the folks back home this is the promised land callin'
And the poor boy's on the line.

Writer/s: LINDSEY/VERGES/JAMES
Publisher: Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group, BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Promised Land

Berry wrote this when he was serving time in jail for transporting a girl across state lines for immoral purposes. He had to borrow an atlas of the US from the prison library to plot his hero's journey from Virginia to California.

In 1974, Elvis Presley recorded a version of this which reached #9 in the UK and #14 in the US. (thanks, Edward Pearce - Ashford, Kent, England, for above 2)

The Rolling Stones - I'm A King Bee

The Rolling Stones - I'm A King Bee Lyrics and Youtube Music Videos

Album: The Rolling Stones
Released: 1964

I'm A King Bee Lyrics

I'm A King Bee

This was originally recorded by Blues musician Slim Harpo, who was long a favorite of Mick Jagger. The Stones faithfully reproduced Harpo's version, even including all of his spoken asides. Mick Jagger didn't understand why listeners would choose the Stones version over Harpo's. He even stated in 1968, "I mean what's the point in listening to us do 'I'm A King Bee' when you can listen to Slim Harpo doing it?" (thanks, Joel - Chicago, IL)

Slim Harpo originally recorded this song in 1957. The Rolling Stones played it at their concerts in 1963-64 before recording it on their first album. (thanks, Bertrand - Paris, France)

Chad & Jeremy - A Summer Song

Chad & Jeremy - A Summer Song Lyrics and Youtube Music Videos

Album: Yesterday's Gone
Released: 1964

A Summer Song Lyrics

Trees swayin' in the summer breeze
Showin' off their silver leaves
As we walked by

Soft kisses on a summer's day
Laughing all our cares away
Just you and I

Sweet sleepy warmth of summer nights
Gazing at the distant lights
In the starry sky

They say that all good things must end some day
Autumn leaves must fall
But don't you know that it hurts me so
To say goodbye to you
Wish you didn't have to go
No no no no

And when the rain
Beats against my window pane
I'll think of summer days again
And dream of you

They say that all good things must end some day
Autumn leaves must fall
But don't you know that it hurts me so
To say goodbye to you
Wish you didn't have to go
No no no no

And when the rain
Beats against my window pane
I'll think of summer days again
And dream of you
And dream of you

Writer/s: METCALF, CLIVE/STUART, DAVID/NOBLE, KEITH
Publisher: Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

A Summer Song

This was the biggest hit by the British duo Chad & Jeremy, who were sometimes confused with another British duo: Peter & Gordon.

The melody bears some resemblance to Buddy Holly's "Words of Love," which was covered by The Beatles the same year. The lyrics and the melody are both upbeat and lushly melancholic. (thanks, Charles - Charlotte, NC, for above 2)

Buck Owens - Together Again

Buck Owens - Together Again Lyrics and Youtube Music Videos

Album: Together Again/My Heart Skips a Beat
Released: 1964

Together Again Lyrics

Together Again
My tears have stopped falling
The long lonely nights
Are now at an end

The key to my heart
You hold in your hand
And nothing else matters
We're together again

Together again
The gray skies are gone
Your back in my arms
Now where you belong

The love that I knew
Is living again
And nothing else matters
We're together again

And nothing else matters
We're together again
Writer/s: OWENS, BUCK
Publisher: Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Together Again

Country singer Gene Watson and Bluegrass/Country singer Rhonda Vincent recorded a duet of this song in 2007. They recorded their parts at the studio at separate times so, to their surprise, they first met when they went on stage to perform it at the Grand Ol' Opry. "I walk in, walk up to the stage, and we sang that song on live TV before we ever even said hello," Rhonda recalled in a Songfacts interview .

They must have hit it off, because they collaborated on "Staying Together" in 2009 and released the duet album Your Money and My Good Looks in 2011.

Owens recorded the song "Play Together Again, Again" with Emmylou Harris in 1979 after she released a successful version of this song on her Elite Hotel album a few years earlier.

Other notable covers came from Ray Charles in 1966 and a duet from Kenny Rogers and Dottie West in 1983.

Tom Brumley played the steel guitar on this song and inspired the Grateful Dead's Jerry Garcia to learn to play. His friend and fellow musician Pete Grant remembered: "'Together Again' came on the radio, with that memorable solo by Tom Brumley. We both listened in reverent awe, and said, 'Man, we gotta learn pedal steel.'"

Traditional - Hymn To Ninkasi

Traditional - Hymn To Ninkasi Lyrics and Youtube Music Videos

Album: stone tablet only
Released: 1964

Hymn To Ninkasi Lyrics

Hymn To Ninkasi

Alternatively "Hymn To Nin-kasi", this is one of the oldest extant songs in the world. It can be dated to around the 18^th Century BC, and can be viewed as either a prayer and/or a drinking song and/or a beer brewing recipe! Ninkasi was the Sumerian goddess of beer.

The words were inscribed on a clay tablet that was found in what is now Iraq. Although the music has been lost - assuming there was music, as most likely there was, along with the name of the composer(s) - something far more important was recovered. The words were translated in 1964 by Miguel Civil at the University of Chicago.

In August 1991 it was reported that Solomon Katz of the University of Pennsylvania had teamed up with Fritz Maytag of the Anchor Brewing Company to brew the actual beer as described in the hymn/song/poem/recipe. It is said to have a dry flavor similar to apple cider but retaining the flavor of dates. (thanks, Alexander Baron - London, England, for above 2)

by Dionne Warwick - Walk On

by Dionne Warwick - Walk On Lyrics and Youtube Music Videos

Album: Make Way for Dionne Warwick
Released: 1964

Walk On 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
And walk on by (don't stop)
And walk on by (don't stop)
And 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
Is all that I have left
So let me hide
The tears and the sadness you gave me
When you said goodbye
Walk on by
And 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
Is all that I have left
So let me hide
The tears and the sadness you gave me
When you said goodbye
Walk on by
And walk on by
Walk on by (don't stop)
Walk on by (don't stop)

Writer/s: BACHARACH, BURT / DAVID, HAL
Publisher: Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Walk On

The songwriting team of Burt Bacharach and Hal Davis wrote this. Bacharach came up with the music, and David wrote the lyrics about a woman asking her former lover to leave her alone.

This was released as the B-side to Warwick's single "Any Old Time Of The Day." She'd had several releases that went nowhere, and her latest tune was, in the opinion of her label, her manager, and herself, her last shot at making the Top 40. Murray the K, whose show on radio station WINS was the top-rated program in New York, wouldn't play it. No matter how many people called and pleaded with him, he played the B-side instead because he knew that was the tune with potential. Warwick's record company wasn't happy with this, but listeners agreed with Murray and "Walk On By" became the hit. (thanks to Peter at the Murray the K archives)

Isaac Hayes did a 12-minute version on his album Hot Buttered Soul. A Punk band called The Stranglers also recorded it.

Other artists who have covered this song include the Carnival, D Train, the Four Seasons, Connie Francis, Aretha Franklin, Gabrielle, Gloria Gaynor, Kool & the Gang, Cyndi Lauper, Steve Lawrence, The Lettermen, Little Anthony And The Imperials, Johnny Mathis, The Miracles, Mitch Ryder And The Detroit Wheels, Helen Shapiro, and Mel Torme. (thanks, Jerro - New Alexandria, PA)

Burt Bacharach (from Record Collector magazine): "'Walk On By' was the first time that I tried putting two grand pianos on a record in the studio. I can't remember if I played and Artie Butler played or if Paul Griffin and Artie Butler played but here were two grand pianos going on. I knew the song had something. It was a great date. I walked out of that studio and we had done two tunes in a three-hour session, 'Walk On By' and 'Anyone Who Had A Heart.' I felt very good leaving knowing that I had two monster hits on my hands. You never know for sure but you feel a great satisfaction."

On May 12, 2002 Warwick was arrested at Miami International Airport after baggage screeners found marijuana inside a lipstick container she was carrying. The UK publication The Sun reported the story with the headline: "Walk on high, Dionne." (thanks, Alexander Baron - London, England)

This was given the Q Classic Song honor at the 2012 Q Awards. Presenting the gong to Dionne Warwick, Tim Burgess (frontman of The Charlatans UK) said: "The song involves tears in the street, unrequited love and Groundhog Day-style heartbreak. If you listen properly it's everything but easy listening. It's utter devastation, given dignity by Dionne's rich, beautiful voice - one of the most soulful performances ever given."

Roy Orbison - (Oh) Pretty Woman

Roy Orbison - (Oh) Pretty Woman Lyrics and Youtube Music Videos

Album: Greatest Hits
Released: 1964

(Oh) Pretty Woman Lyrics

Pretty woman, walkin' down the street
Pretty woman the kind I like to meet
Pretty woman I don't believe you, you're not the truth
No one could look as good as you, mercy

Pretty woman won't you pardon me
Pretty woman I couldn't help but see
Pretty woman that you look lovely as can be
Are you lonely just like me

Pretty woman stop awhile
Pretty woman talk awhile
Pretty woman give your smile to me
Pretty woman yeah, yeah, yeah
Pretty woman look my way
Pretty woman say you'll stay with me
'Cause I need you, I'll treat you right
Come with me baby, be mine tonight

Pretty woman don't walk on by
Pretty woman don't make me cry
Pretty woman don't walk away, hey, okay
If that's the way it must be, okay
I guess I'll go on home, it's late
There'll be tomorrow night, but wait
What do I see?
Is she walkin' back to me?
Yeah, she's walkin' back to me
Oh, oh, pretty woman

Writer/s: DEES, BILL / ORBISON, ROY
Publisher: Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Barbara Orbison Music Company, Orbi-Lee Music, R-Key Darkus, BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

(Oh) Pretty Woman

Roy Orbison was writing with his songwriting partner Bill Dees at his house when he told Dees to get started writing by playing anything that came to mind. Orbison's wife Claudette came in and said she was going to go into town to buy something. Orbison asked if she needed any money, and Dees cracked, "Pretty woman never needs any money." Inspired, Orbison started singing, "Pretty woman walking down the street." Bill Dees recalls in 1000 UK #1 Hits by Jon Kutner and Spencer Leigh: "He sang it while I was banging my hand down on the table and by the time she returned we had the song. I love the song. From the moment that the rhythm started, I could hear the heels clicking on the pavement, click, click, the pretty woman walking down the street, in a yellow skirt and red shoes. We wrote Oh Pretty Woman on a Friday, the next Friday we recorded it, and the next Friday it was out. It was the fastest thing I ever saw. Actually, the yeah, yeah, yeah in Oh Pretty Woman probably came from The Beatles."

In the same book Bill Dees recounts how the distinctive growling cry of "Mercy" came about: "I can't do that growl like Roy, but the "Mercy" is mine. I used to say that all the time when I saw a pretty woman or had some good food. Still do."

Orbison and his wife Claudette had recently reconciled after some tough times, but as this song was climbing the charts, Roy found out she had been cheating on him and filed for divorce. In 1966, they remarried, but two months later Claudette was killed when the motorcycle she was riding was hit by a truck. Orbison faced tragedy again when his two oldest sons died in a fire at his home in 1968. He was on tour at the time.

This was Orbison's last big hit. His career faded fast, but was revived in the '80s when prominent musicians like Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan and George Harrison cited him as an influence and invited him to join various projects. He was inducted to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and joined The Traveling Wilburys with Dylan, Tom Petty, Harrison and Jeff Lynne. As he was enjoying this career revival, he died of a heart attack on December 6, 1988 at age 52.

With his dark sunglasses and plaintive voice, Orbison gave the impression that he was always longing and sometimes miserable, which was not the case. Speaking with the NME in 1980, he explained what's going on in this song: "There's a ballad in the mid-section of it there: he's very sure of getting the girl when he first sees her, and then he's not so sure, and then he gets desperate, and then he says forget it, and then she comes back. It's quite complicated, but it's probably in the presentation, or if I'm really singing like I know I can and I'm doing the job that I should be doing, then it could be that the voice quality in parts has a melancholy something."

This was used in the 1990 movie of the same name starring Julia Roberts and Richard Gere. It also featured in the films Dumb and Dumber (1994) and Au Pair (1999).

In 1989, the controversial rap group 2 Live Crew recorded a parody of this song, using the alternate title "Pretty Woman" for their album Clean As They Wanna Be. The Crew sampled the distinctive bassline, but the romantic lyrics were replaced by talk about a hairy woman and her bald-headed friend and their appeal to the singer. Orbison's publisher, Acuff-Rose Music, sued 2 Live Crew on the basis that the fair use doctrine did not permit reuse of their copyrighted material for profit. The case, Campbell vs. Acuff-Rose Music, went all the way to the US Supreme Court. In 1994, the Court ruled that 2 Live Crew's parody did not violate federal copyright laws. (thanks, Bertrand - Paris, France and Graham - Perth, Australia)

In 1964, Orbison was the only American artist to have a #1 UK hit, and he did it twice - with "(Oh) Pretty Woman" and "It's Over." (thanks, David - Akron, OH)

The Supremes - Baby Love

The Supremes - Baby Love Lyrics and Youtube Music Videos

Album: Where Did Our Love Go
Released: 1964

Baby Love Lyrics

Baby Love, my baby love, I need you oh how I need you
But all you do is treat me bad
Break my heart and leave me sad
Tell me what did I do wrong to make you stay away so long
'Cause baby love, my baby love, been missing ya, miss kissing ya
Instead of breaking up
Let's start some kissing and making up
Don't throw our love away
In my arms why don't you stay?

Need ya, need ya, baby love, my baby love

Baby love, my baby love, why must we separate my love?
All of my whole life through
I never love no one but you
Why you do me like you do, I guess it's me
Ooh, need to hold you once again my love, feel your warm embrace my love
Don't throw our love away, please don't do me this way
Not happy like I used to be, loneliness has got the best of me my love

My baby love, I need ya oh how I need ya
Why you do me like you do
After I've been true to you
So deep in love with you
Baby, baby ooh
'Til it hurt me, 'til it hurt me
Ooh baby love
Don't throw our love away
Don't throw our love away

Writer/s: HOLLAND, EDWARD JR. / DOZIER, LAMONT / HOLLAND, BRIAN
Publisher: Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Baby Love

The Motown songwriting team of Holland-Dozier-Holland wrote this innocent song about teenage love. They wrote 14 US Top-10 hits for The Supremes.
Explaining how the trio wrote to NME in 1984, Lamont Dozier said: "I would collaborate with Eddie on lyrics and with Brian on melodies. Then Brian and I would go into the studio and produce the actual record although Eddie should have been put down as one of the producers because he helped teach the artists the tune when the lyric was finished."

A musician named Lorenzo Pack filed a lawsuit against Motown in 1966, claiming the Holland-Dozier-Holland songwriting team based "Baby Love" on his 1962 song "I'm Afraid." Pack had little evidence to support his assertion, and Motown won the lawsuit. The testimony, however, revealed some insights on this song, as Brian Holland told the court: "When we write a song, we try to express real feelings about a real situation. In writing the song for The Supremes it was obvious that we were writing for pretty young girls, of whom one is the so-called lead singer. Therefore, in writing 'Baby Love,' we pictured a simple story about a girl whose boyfriend has left her and who loves him very dearly and who would like the boy to come back. The music fits this simple story."

This was The Supremes' first and only song to reach #1 in the UK. The Supremes were the first girl-group to have a #1 hit in Britain. It turned out to be The Supremes' only UK #1, though they had many more in the US.

In August of 1974, this song was reissued in Britain, where it reached UK #12. (thanks, Jerro - New Alexandria, PA, for above 2)

According to Rolling Stone magazine, when this song was finished, Berry Gordy thought it wasn't catchy enough and sent the group back into the studio, which is when they came up with the "Oooooh" at the beginning.

This song, "Where Did Our Love Go" and "Come See About Me" were written by Holland-Dozier-Holland in one session and were all recorded within two weeks. Berry Gordy required the songwriters to punch a clock when they came in and left for work at Motown, which is something he learned working for Ford. The H-D-H team was especially proficient, often completing 2 or 3 songs a day.

This song received a Grammy nomination for Best Rhythm & Blues Recording in 1965; it lost to Nancy Wilson's "How Glad I Am."

This was the second US #1 hit for The Supremes, following "Where Did Our Love Go." They were the first Motown act with two #1 hits. (thanks, Bertrand - Paris, France)

This was featured in the 1997 film Jackie Brown.

The Beach Boys - Don't Worry Baby

The Beach Boys - Don't Worry Baby Youtube Music Videos and Lyrics

Album: Shut Down, Vol. 2
Released: 1964

Don't Worry Baby Lyrics

Well its been building up inside of me
For oh I don't know how long
I don't know why
But I keep thinking
Something's bound to go wrong

But she looks in my eyes
And makes me realize
And she says "Don't Worry Baby"
Don't worry baby
Don't worry baby
Everything will turn out alright

Don't worry baby
Don't worry baby
Don't worry baby

I guess I should've kept my mouth shut
When I started to brag about my car
But I can't back down now because
I pushed the other guys too far

She makes me come alive
And makes me want to drive
When she says "Don't worry baby"
Don't worry baby
Don't worry baby
Everything will turn out alright

Don't worry baby
Don't worry baby
Don't worry baby

She told me "Baby, when you race today
Just take along my love with you
And if you knew how much I loved you
Baby nothing could go wrong with you"

Oh what she does to me
When she makes love to me
And she says "Don't worry baby"
Don't worry baby
Don't worry baby
Everything will turn out alright

Don't worry baby
Don't worry baby
Don't worry baby

Writer/s: WILSON, BRIAN DOUGLAS / CHRISTIAN, ROGER VAL / MARGO, MITCHELL STUART / MARGO, PHILIP / MEDRESS, HENRY / SIEGEL, JAY
Publisher: Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Don't Worry Baby

This was conceived as a followup to the Ronettes' #2 hit "Be My Baby." When he heard the Ronettes' song on the radio, Brian Wilson wondered aloud if he could match it. Wilson's wife Marilyn reassured him, saying, "Don't worry, baby." Wilson remembered it when it came time to write songs with his DJ friend Roger Christian.

Brian Wilson told Goldmine in 2011 regarding this track: "I wrote that with Roger Christian and it took me two days to write it. I started out with the verse idea and then wrote the chorus. It was a very simple and beautiful song. It's a really heart and soul song, I really did feel that in my heart. Some say it's about a car and others say it's about a girl, who's right? It's both. It's about a car and a woman."

Philip Lambert, author of Inside The Music of Brian Wilson, said of the similarities between this song and "Be My Baby": "They're in the same key - E Major - and they start the same. The phrase structure is the same, the chord progressions are almost the same, the melodies are almost the same." Lambert points out that the key change in this song is an unexpected touch that helps make the song memorable. The drums at the beginning are the same rhythm as "Be My Baby."

This song was recorded in two 8-hour sessions. Brian Wilson often used the famous Los Angeles session musicians on his songs, but this one was mostly in the family: Brian played piano and bass, Carl Wilson played guitar, and Dennis Wilson played the drums.

The Beach Boys used as the B-side of their hit, "I Get Around."

B.J. Thomas covered this in 1977. His version hit #17 in the US.

This song was used in the Drew Barrymore film Never Been Kissed. It also appeared in Good Morning Vietnam.

Billy Joel sang this at the "Tribute to Brian Wilson" concert that aired on July 4, 2001. (thanks, Jim - Melbourne, FL)

Weezer frontman Rivers Cuomo covered this in 1993. Fifteen years later he included his version on his solo Alone II album. He told Billboard magazine that this song was immensely influential on his songwriting. Cuomo explained: "I discovered the Beach Boys around that time in 1992-93, and to help me learn how to write those kinds of melodies and harmonies and chord progressions, I would learn their songs and record my own versions of them more like Weezer-style, with distorted guitars."
Cuomo added: "I love Brian Wilson's melody when he's saying, 'Well, it's been building up inside of me for oh, I don't know how long.' I love the lyrical innocence. It's just like a straightforward pop song, singing about a girl as opposed to something like the Pixies, where the lyrics were pretty abstract. And I love the big harmonies in the chorus -- actually five-part vocal harmonies -- and I carefully transcribed them in my bedroom on my tape player. But then I added the element of the modern crunchy guitar sound. And that's what really helped me figure out what I wanted to do as a songwriter and a performer in Weezer."

Al Jardine told Mojo magazine June 2012 that this was his favorite Beach Boys recording session. He recalled: "(Engineer) Chuck Britz got such a great sound on that song; the drums, the singing, the clicky sound on the Fender Precision bass. There's something about the way the track sat. Just about everything about it was an era-change for us."

Dusty Springfield - I Only Want to Be With You

Dusty Springfield - I Only Want to Be With You Youtube Music Videos and Lyrics

Album: Stay A While - I Only Want To Be With You
Released: 1964

I Only Want to Be With You Lyrics

I don't know what it is that makes me love you so
I only know I never want to let you go
'Cause you started something, can't you see
That ever since we met you've had a hold on me
I happens to be true, I Only Want to Be With You

It doesn't matter where you go or what you do
I want to spend each moment of the day with you
Look what has happened with just one kiss
I never knew that I could be in love like this
It's crazy but it's true, I only want to be with you

You stopped and smiled at me
Asked me if I'd care to dance
I fell into your open arms
I didn't stand a chance

Now, listen, honey, I just want to be beside you everywhere
As long as we're together, honey, I don't care
'Cause you started something, can't you see
That ever since we met you've had a hold on me
No matter what you do, I only want to be with you

You stopped and smiled at me
Asked me if I'd care to dance
I fell into your open arms
I didn't stand a chance

Now hear me darling, I just want to be beside you everywhere
As long as we're together, honey, I don't care
'Cause you started something, can't you see
That ever since we met you've had a hold on me
No matter what you do, I only want to be with you
I said, no matter, no matter what you do, I only want to be with you

Writer/s: RAYMONDE, IVOR / HAWKER, MIKE
Publisher: Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

I Only Want to Be With You

This was Springfield's first single as a solo artist - she was previously a member of The Springfields with her brother Tom - the group had 5 Top-10 hits in the UK and one in the US ("Silver Threads and Golden Needles") before Dusty's departure. The song launched Dusty's Hall of Fame career, and became the first hit by a British artist since The Beatles started their run. Springfield was 24 when the song was released.

This song is about a girl who has finally found the guy of her dreams - or at least she thinks so. It's very much a teenage crush song in the same vein as many of the girl group songs Springfield loved. When she came to America and began her solo career, Dusty took more of a Pop/R&B direction inspired by groups like The Shirelles and The Crystals.

Springfield performed this on the first ever episode of the British TV show Top Of The Pops on January 1, 1964. The Rolling Stones, The Dave Clark Five and The Hollies also performed on that show. (thanks, Bertrand - Paris, France)

A 1989 cover version of this was the last hit for British singer Samantha Fox, who rose to stardom after appearing topless in a British newspaper and scoring hits with "Touch Me (I Want Your Body)," "Naughty Girls (Need Love Too)," and "I Wanna have Some Fun." Her version reached #35.

The Bay City Rollers released a version in December 1976 that reached #12 in the US. The song was also a #4 hit in the UK for The Tourists, who were the group Annie Lennox and Dave Stewart were in before they formed Eurythmics.

This was written by Mike Hawker and Ivor Raymonde, who also wrote Springfield's song "Stay Awhile." Hawker also wrote "Walking Back to Happiness" for Helen Shapiro.

Springfield performed this song on the first season of the British TV series Ready Steady Go! twice in 1963. She handled hosting duties on some early episodes of the show, and even interviewed The Beatles on the program.

Vic Flick, who performed on many of the James Bond themes, played guitar on this track. He told us: "Dusty was always good to work with. She knew what she wanted, both from the musicians and from herself. I first met her in 1959 when she was part of a girl trio, the Lana Sisters. I did a couple of arrangements for them to use on the live show we were doing. I had just started with John Barry Seven and everything was happening at once. Good days."

Jumpin' Gene Simmons - Haunted House

Jumpin' Gene Simmons - Haunted House Youtube Music Videos and Lyrics

Album: Jumpin' Gene Simmons
Released: 1964

Haunted House Lyrics

Haunted House

Jumpin' Gene Simmons was the lead singer of the Bill Black Combo in the early '60s (not to be confused with the schoolteacher-turned-KISS member of the '70s, '80s, and '90s).

When Hi Records attempted to get Domingo Samudio (later better known at Sam the Sham) to re-record his "Haunted House" (he recorded it for Dingo Records), Simmons volunteered to do the job.

Simmons attributed the success of this to the overexposure of British acts on the radio. (thanks, Brad Wind - Miami, FL)

James Brown - I Got You (I Feel Good)

James Brown - I Got You (I Feel Good) Youtube Music Videos and Lyrics

Album: Out Of Sight
Released: 1964

I Got You (I Feel Good) Lyrics

Whoa! I feel good, I knew that I would, now
I feel good, I knew that I would, now
So good, so good, I got you
Whoa!

I feel nice, like sugar and spice
I feel nice, like sugar and spice
So nice, so nice, I got you

When I hold you in my arms
I know that I can do no wrong
And when I hold you in my arms
My love won't do you no harm
And I feel nice, like sugar and spice
I feel nice, like sugar and spice
So nice, so nice, I got you

When I hold you in my arms
I know that I can do no wrong
And when I hold you in my arms
My love can't do me no harm
And I feel nice, like sugar and spice
I feel nice, like sugar and spice
So nice, so nice, well I got you

Whoa! I feel good, I knew that I would, now
I feel good, I knew that I would
So good, so good, 'cause I got you
So good, so good, 'cause I got you
So good, so good, I got you
Hey!

Writer/s: BROWN, JAMES / TERRY, JOHNNY
Publisher: Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group, CARLIN AMERICA INC
Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

I Got You (I Feel Good)

This is a reworking of "I Found You," a song recorded and released by Yvonne Fair and produced by James Brown in 1962. Fair was one of Brown's backup singers on the road.

This is the song that became Brown's signature tune and gave him his famous catch phrase, "I Feel Good."

This song has a very convoluted release history. Brown recorded it in September 1964 and leased it, along with some of his other songs, to Smash Records, who planned to release it as a single but couldn't because Brown's label, King Records, filed a lawsuit. In October 1964, a judge ruled that Smash Records would be allowed to issue only instrumental recordings by Brown, and all masters of vocals by JB would become property of King Records.

The song was pulled, but Brown had already been promoting it: he played it on the road (335 nights a year) and performed it on The T.A.M.I. Show and Shindig, as well as a movie called Ski Party. Brown then recorded a new version of the song in May 1965 at Criteria Studios in Miami, creating the first gold record to come out of Criteria, where the Eagles did Hotel California and Derek and the Dominos did Layla. Released by King Records, it shot to the top of the R&B charts, where it stayed for six weeks, and also went to #3 on the Hot 100, Brown's highest placing on that chart.

The original 1964 version of this song had no guitar. When Brown redid it 1965, he made his screams more pronounced and added some instrumentation, including more sax. Some of the players on the recording were Maceo Parker on sax, his brother Melvin Parker on drums, Nat Jones on organ and Bernard Odum on bass.

This is a great example of a funk song with lyrics supporting the groove. It's not poetry, but Brown's series of single-syllable words are accented to hit the beats and support the song's rhythm.

Some of the movies that used this song include Good Morning, Vietnam, The Nutty Professor, White Men Can't Jump, Undercover Brother and Transformers. TV shows that used it include The Simpsons, Miami Vice and The Cosby Show.

A little chart history on James Brown: He had 16 #1 R&B hits, third to Aretha Franklin (20) and Stevie Wonder (18). On the Billboard Hot 100, "I Got You (I Feel Good)" was the highest-ranking of Brown's 91 chart entries, 44 of which made the Top 40. His next-highest entry was "Living In America," which made #4 in 1986. The Godfather of Soul made more Hot 100 visits without a #1 hit than any other artist.

James Brown - Out Of Sight

James Brown - Out Of Sight Youtube Music Videos and Lyrics

Album: Out Of Sight
Released: 1964

Out Of Sight Lyrics

You got your high-heeled sneakers on
Slip-in mules
You got your high-heeled sneakers on
And your slip-in mules
You're more than alright
You know you're Out Of Sight
You got a shapely figure mama
That's keepin' me uptight
You got a shapely figure mama
And keep me uptight
You're too much
You know you're out of sight

Hey, the way you do the things you do
The way you kiss me too
The way you do the things you do
The way you kiss me too
A heart delight, that's what you are
You know you're out of sight

Ho, hey, hey

You got a sweet disposition
Ho, you're always right
You got a sweet disposition
You know you're always right
You know just what you're doin' baby
You know you're out of sight

Ow, you're too much
You're the end
You're so hip baby
You know just where it's at
You're beautiful mama
Most of all, you're honest
There's no doubt, you're out of sight
Out of sight, whoo, wee
Out of sight

Writer/s: BROWN, JAMES
Publisher: Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., CARLIN AMERICA INC
Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Out Of Sight

In 1964, Brown and his agent formed Fair Deal Records and began leasing new recordings to Smash Records. When this was released by Smash, Brown's old label, King Records, sued him for breach of contract. While the lawsuit was percolating through the system, this reached #24 on the singles charts, and Smash readied "I Got You (I Feel Good)" for release, which it did in the summer of '64.

In October 1964, a judge ruled that Smash would be allowed to issue only instrumental recordings by Brown, and all masters of his vocals would become property of King Records. Distribution of "I Got You (I Feel Good)" was halted upon the ruling.

This was King Record's third Smash single, after "Caldonia" (a big-band version of Louis Jordan's classic hit) and a cover of Guitar Slim's "The Things I Used to Do."

Brown recorded this with his band, The Famous Flames. (thanks, Brad Wind - Miami, FL, for all above)

The Hondells - Little Honda

The Hondells - Little Honda Youtube Music Videos and Lyrics

Album: Go Little Honda
Released: 1964

Little Honda Lyrics

GO!
I'm gonna wake you up early cause I'm gonna take a ride with you.
We're goin' down to the Honda shop, I'll tell you what we're gonna do.
Put on a ragged sweatshirt, I'll take you where you want me to.

First gear, it's all right (Honda, Honda, go faster, faster)
Second gear, I'll lean right (Honda, Honda, go faster, faster)
Third gear, hang on tight (Honda, Honda, go faster, faster)
Faster, it's all right.

It's not a big motorcycle,
Just a groovy little motorbike.
It's more fun than a barrel of monkeys,
That two-wheeled bike.
We'll ride on out of town
To anyplace I know you like.

First gear, it's all right (Honda, Honda, go faster, faster)
Second gear, I'll lean right (Honda, Honda, go faster, faster)
Third gear, hang on tight (Honda, Honda, go faster, faster)
Faster, it's all right.

It climbs the hills like a Matchless,
Cause my Honda' built really light.
When I go in to the turns
Better hang on tight.
I'd better turn on the lights
So we can ride my Honda tonight.

First gear, it's all right (Honda, Honda, go faster, faster)
Second gear, Ill lean right (Honda, Honda, go faster, faster)
Third gear, hang on tight (Honda, Honda, go faster, faster)
Faster, it's all right.

Writer/s: WILSON, BRIAN DOUGLAS / LOVE, MIKE E.
Publisher: Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Little Honda Song Chart

Looking into the origins on this song on Forgotten Hits , Artie Kornfeld recalls riding with Wilson on a 60 cc motorcycle that the Honda corporation gave him for writing this song. Wilson pushed it way too hard and wiped out, inspiring the bloody riders to compose the Jan & Dean hit "Dead Man's Curve."
"Little Honda" charted for the first time on September 12, 1964, while "Dead Man's Curve" made its debut on March 7, 1964. Investigating this discrepancy, Kornfeld contacted Wilson's mentor P.F. Sloan , who recalls Wilson writing the song for a Honda commercial.

This was originally recorded and released by The Beach Boys in 1964 on the album Four By The Beach Boys. As The Beach Boys were enjoying a #1 hit ("I Get Around") and had another song scheduled for release (#9 "When I Grow Up (to Be a Man"), producer Gary Usher assembled a studio group consisting of Brian Wilson, Kurt Boetcher, Glen Campbell, Chuck Girard, Joe Kelly, and Ritchie Burns to record this and an accompanying LP.

Background singer Ritchie Burns worked in a bank. He asked 3 of his co-workers to pose for the cover photo of the Hondells' LP. The group didn't actually exist until the single charted - then Burns toured with a Hondells group that he put together at the behest of Usher. (thanks, Brad Wind - Miami, FL, for above 2)

In 1966, The Beach Boys performed this song on The Andy Williams Show, but took out all references to "Honda," changing the song to "Little Cycle" so as not to provide a free advertisement. Williams sang with the group on the performance.