March 6, 2021 - GJ - By The Numbers: Nine, Three and Five

Rockin’ Remnants

Rockin’ Remnants is broadcast from WVBR-FM Ithaca. Check out our webpage, like us on Facebook, and tune in to 93.5 FM or stream the show every Saturday night from 6-9 p.m. Eastern. (Or download the WVBR+app now available for iOS and Android.)

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Date:    March 6, 2021

Host:    Gregory James

Feature: Nine, three and five

Birthday Calendar

February 28

Joe South (b. 1940  d. 2012)

Brian Jones (b. 1942  d. 1969)

March 1

Mike d’Abo  (Manfred Mann)   77 years old

Roger Daltrey 77 years old

Harry Belafonte 94 years old

March 2

Lawrence Payton (b. 1938  d. 1997)

Karen Carpenter (b. 1950  d. 1983)

Lou Reed (b. 1942  d. 2013)

March 3

Mike Pender 79 years old

March 4

Bobby Womack (b. 1944  d. 2014)

Paul Mauriat (b. 1925  d. 2006)

Mick Wilson     (Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick and Tich)   77 years old

March 5

Andy Gibb (b. 1958  d. 1988)

Teena Marie (b. 1956  d. 2010)

Murray Head 75 years old

March 6

Mary Wilson (b. 1944  d. February 8, 2021)

David Gilmour 75 years old

Sylvia Robinson    (Mickey and Sylvia)   

(b. 1936   d. 2011)

Sam (the Sham) Samudio   84 years old

Playlist

* songs with * were requests

* all chart information comes from the Billboard Top 100 (for chart dates before/during July 1958) or Billboard Hot 100 (for subsequent dates) unless otherwise noted

* glossary of terms is below the playlist

6:00-7:00

OPENING THEME: Good Old Rock n’ Roll—Cat Mother and the All Night Newsboys (1969, #29, produced by Jimi Hendrix)

Pick Up the Pieces Average White Band  1975 #9

Scotland’s most famous funk band had an eventual #1 hit with this track, which was inducted into the RRHOF. The sax solo is by Malcolm Duncan.

Lonely Teardrops Jackie Wilson  1959    #9

Berry Gordy, who co-wrote the song, used the revenue from the record to form Motown Records.

Back on the Chain Gang Pretenders   1983 #9

Billy Bremner’s guitar solo was recorded in one take. A pregnant Chrissie Hynde recorded her vocals alone in the studio after the instrumentals were recorded.

What Will (My) Mary Say?  Johnny Mathis  

1963   #9 

Mathis was on his way to becoming an Olympic high jumper when he got an invitation by Columbia Records to make an album. The rest, fortunately for posterity, is history.

Ferry Cross the Mersey   Gerry/Pacemakers  

1965  #9

The song was included in a movie of the same name starring, you guessed it, Gerry and the Pacemakers. The movie got mixed reviews, but you can see the trailer here.

 

Lotta Love Nicolette Larson 1979   #9

The backing musicians are a who’s who of session players, including a few members of the Doobie Brothers. Plas Johnson played the flute solo and Linda Ronstadt sang backing vocals. The video below is not a live version, but it does show Larson in performance.

Touch Me Doors   1969 #9

Curtis Amy played the smoking sax solo and Harvey Brooks was on bass.

Rocky Mountain High John Denver 1973   #9

This is one of two official Colorado state songs.

Tweedle Dee Georgia Gibbs   1955    #3

Gibbs recorded sixty singles, several of which were cover versions as “Tweedle Dee” was. The video is not live, but it gives a sense of Gibbs' dance skills.

Build Me Up Buttercup  Foundations 1969  #3  

The song was co-written by Mike d’Abo, who also played piano on the track.  The group was comprised of musicians from the West Indies, Britain and Sri Lanka. They created a British version of the Motown sound during the U.K.’s soul music trend in the mid-sixties. The video has some audio dropouts, but is still worth watching.

Rhythm of the Rain  Cascades 1963 #3  

The group was named after the powdered dishwasher soap. Hal Blaine, Carol Kaye and Glen Campbell played on the track. 

*Grazing in the Grass Friends of Distinction     1969  #3 

Requested via rockinremnants.com by Scottie for Brooktondale Peggy and the Honey Hive Crew. Harry Elston, who toured with Ray Charles earlier in his career, wrote the lyrics that the Friends added to Hugh Masekela’s melody. Elston says he was inspired by all the cows he saw out the window while he was on tour with Ray Charles.

I Will Survive Gloria Gaynor 1979 #3

This track earned the Grammy for Best Disco Recording in 1980, the only year that award was given. The song is a towering anthem about prevailing, not just over a break-up, but over any adversity. Gaynor recently made a Tik Tok video (below) demonstrating proper hand washing technique while singing “I Will Survive.”

My Eyes Adored You Frankie Valli 1975 #3

This was Frankie Valli’s first solo #1 hit. Demetri Callas played an outstanding lead guitar.  Check out the live, but low-res, video of Valli singing live on "Midnight Special."

You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’   Righteous Brothers  1965   #3

Barry Mann wrote the song’s opening line, which was influenced by an earlier lyric he had co-written which went: “I love how your eyes close whenever you kiss me.” 

7:00-8:00

Games People Play  Joe South     #12   1968 

Great melody, great lyrics and the 1968 Grammy Song of the Year.

I Am Waiting   Rolling Stones  1966   NR

Brian Jones plays the dulcimer. The video is not live, but offers some interesting visuals, including Charlie Watts wearing glasses.

Mighty Quinn Manfred Mann   #10  1968

Was Quinn really an Eskimo, or did he just bring some snow? The video does not pretend to be live, but it is an early example of psychedelic videography.

Music Must Change The Who 1978   NR

This underrated track really showcases Daltrey’s voice.

First Time Ever I Saw Your Face  Harry Belafonte   1967    NR

This folk song was written in 1957 by Ewan MacColl for Peggy Seeger. Roberta Flack’s mega-hit version came out in 1972, so Belafonte’s version actually pre-dated Flack’s.

Until You Love Someone Four Tops    1966  

This was the B-side to “Reach Out.”  The Andantes and the Funk Brothers added a lot of value to this track.

Still Crazy After All These Years     Karen Carpenter   

NR    1980

From her only solo LP recorded in 1980 but not released until 1996. Guitar solo was by David Brown.

The Shoop Shoop Song    Searchers   1964   NR

The Searchers did a lot of covers. This one has some great falsetto backing vocals.

It’s All Over Now    Valentinos 1964   #94

The Valentinos were also known as the Womack Brothers who recorded on Sam Cooke's SAR label. The Rolling Stones heard the Valentinos' version of Bobby Womack’s composition and wanted to cover it for their "12 x 5" LP. With the approval of producer and label owner Sam Cooke (and over the objections of Bobby Womack), the Stones' version was released in 1964, peaking at #26 in the U.S. on the H100. Six months later, Womack received his first royalty payment from the Rolling Stones. The story of both versions of the song is told in the film “One Night in Miami.”

Love is Blue   Paul Mauriat      #1    1968

Easy listening had a child with pop music, and this was the result.

Zabadak    Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick and Tich   #52   1968

Most of the lyrics are in a made up language, never heard before or since this recording.

I Just Want to Be Your Everything     Andy Gibb   #1 1977

This was the young Andy’s first charting solo single released in the U.S. Joe Walsh played guitar.

Baby Don’t Go Supremes    1962 NR

Mary Wilson sang lead on this track penned by Berry Gordy Jr. for the very first Supremes LP “Meet the Supremes.”

Now That I Have You Teena Marie 1980     NR

Written by Richard Rudolph intended for his wife Minnie Ripperton who died before she could record it. Rudolph subsequently gave the song to Teena Marie who recorded it for Gordy/Motown records after the label moved operations to Los Angeles.

Boy on the Bridge    Murray Head 1975 NR

From his LP “Say It Ain’t So.”

8:00-9:00

Wooly Bully    Sam the Sham and the Pharaohs #2  1965

The meaning of the lyric “Let’s not be L-7” will be clear to you if you hold the fingers of your left hand up in the shape of an L and your right hand up in the shape of a 7. Got it? Let’s not be square!

Love is Strange Mickey and Sylvia    #11   1957

The song is based on a guitar riff by Jody Williams. The song was written by Bo Diddley but, for legal and/or tax reasons, was credited to Ethel Smith, who was Didddley’s wife at the time.

Another Brick in the Wall   Pink Floyd #1 1980

The young singers on the chorus were coached to adopt a heavy Cockney dialect and to shout “Hey, teacher!” rather than sing it.

Stray Cat Strut Stray Cats 1983 #3

When this track was originally released in 1981 it did not crack the Hot 100. The band then released “Rock This Town” which made the top ten.  “Stray Cat Strut” was re-released and it reached a peak position of #3 during this week of 1983.

Charlie Brown Coasters   1959 #5

This was the first of three top ten hits for the Coasters in 1959. The sax solo was by King Curtis. The high pitched voices singing “Yeah, you” seems to be an homage to Alvin and the Chipmunks who came onto the music scene the year before in 1958.

Ko Ko Mo Perry Como 1955 #5

This was, according to some sources, the first “rock n’ roll” record released by RCA Victor. The original Gene and Eunice recording was covered by at least 17 performers, including Perry Como who could swing, but had a little trouble rockin’ on this side.

Sixteen Candles Crests 1959 #3

Possibly the best teenage birthday song ever.

You’re the Reason I’m Living     Bobby Darin    

1963      #5

The success of this country-flavored single was the impetus for Darin to record a full album of the same name with similar material.

Eight Days a Week Beatles 1965 #5

This was the first time that a pop music record began with a fade-in.

Crimson and Clover Tommy James/Shondells   1969 #5

To get the tremolo effect on Tommy James’ closing vocals, his microphone was plugged into a guitar amp with the tremolo function turned on. This video from the Ed Sullivan Show is not live, but the camera work attempted to be as groovy as the song.

Love Train O’Jays 1973 #5

This Gamble and Huff composition topped the R&B and Hot 100. It entered the Top 40 the day the Paris Peace Accords were signed, which was the peace treaty ending the Vietnam War. Here is a live, more uptempo version with some vocal improvisation.

A Little More Love     Olivia Newton-John 1979   #5

This track, from her LP “Totally Hot” was her attempt to change her image to someone more, well, totally hot.

Hungry Like the Wolf    Duran Duran 1983   #5

The record was going nowhere until MTV put it into heavy rotation. The video for the song won the 1984 Grammy for “Best Short Form Music Video.” Today the video is a little cringe-worthy.

Eleanor Rigby Beatles  #11  1966

Ringo did not play on this track.

Lonely People America 1975 #5 

The song was written in response to Eleanor Rigby’s lyric “All the lonely people where do they all belong.” George Martin produced and arranged the song and Geoff Emerick engineered it.

Lonely School Year Hudson Brothers  

#57   1975

The song was written by the Hudsons and their producer Bernie Taupin. What a lonely school year this has been for so many students.

Rice Krispies Jingle Rolling Stones 1964

Presumably written by Brian Jones, the ad was produced by J.W. Thompson for Kellogg’s Great Britain and was titled “Juke Box.” It never aired in the U.S., but it turned up on the internet in 2016. Check out the commercial.

Last Song Edward Bear 1973 #3 

CLOSING THEME: Sleep Walk – Santo and Johnny #1  1959 

Glossary of Terms:

dnc = did not chart

nr = not released as a single at the time

AC = Billboard’s chart for Adult Contemporary records

BB = Billboard Magazine, publisher of the Hot 100 and other charts

H100 = Billboard Hot 100

Bubbling Under = songs that were ranked but fell below the top 100

CW = Billboard’s chart for country and western records

R&B = Billboard’s chart of rhythm and blues records

RRHOF = Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

RS 500 = Rolling Stone Magazine’s ranking of the top 500 singles of all time.

Host March 13, 2021: 

Jan Hunsinger with Song Titles That Contain the Word "I."

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Thanks again to our sponsors Island Health & Fitness and Rasa Spa for their support every week!