It’s nearing Q4 2023 as we head back to surf the sounds of April, 1963…
Songs of the month
“All I Have To Do Is Dream” – Richard Chamberlain
“Baby Workout” – Jackie Wilson
“Blame It On The Bossa Nova” – Eydie Gorme
[new] “Can’t Get Used To Losing You” – Andy Williams
[new] “Charms” – Bobby Vee
“Do The Bird” – Dee Dee Sharp
[new] “Don’t Be Afraid Little Darlin'” – Steve Lawrence
[new] “Don’t Say Nothin’ Bad” – Cookies
“Don’t Set Me Free” – Ray Charles
[new] “Follow The Boys” – Connie Francis
[new] “Foolish Little Girl” – Shirelles
“He’s So Fine” – Chiffons
“Hey Paula” – Paul And Paula
[new] “I Got What I Wanted” – Brook Benton
“I Wanna Be Around” – Tony Bennett
[new] “I Will Follow Him” – Little Peggy March
[new] “If You Wanna Be Happy” – Jimmy Soul
“In Dreams” – Roy Orbison
“Laughing Boy” – Mary Wells
“Let’s Limbo Some More” – Chubby Checker
[new] “Losing You” – Brenda Lee
[new] “Mecca” – Gene Pitney
[new] “Mr. Bass Man” – Johnny Cymbal
[new] “On Broadway” – Drifters
“One Broken Heart For Sale” – Elvis Presley
“Our Day Will Come” – Ruby And The Romantics
“Our Winter Love” – Bill Pursell
[new] “Out Of My Mind” – Johnny Tillotson
[new] “Over The Mountain” – Bobby Vinton
[new] “Pipeline” – Chantays
[new] “Puff The Magic Dragon” – “Peter Paul And Mary”
[new] “Reverend Mr. Black” – Kingston Trio
“Rhythm Of The Rain” – Cascades
“Ruby Baby” – Dion
[new] “Sandy” – Dion
“South Street” – Orlons
[new] “Surfin’ Usa” – Beach Boys
[new] “Take These Chains From My Heart” – Ray Charles
“The End Of The World” – Skeeter Davis
[new] “Tom Cat” – Rooftop Singers
“Twenty Miles” – Chubby Checker
“Walk Like A Man” – Four Seasons
[new] “Watermelon Man” – Mongo Santamaria
“What Will Mary Say” – Johnny Mathis
“Wild Weekend” – Rebels
[new] “You’re The Reason I’m Livin'” – Bobby Darin
“You’re The Reason I’m Living” – Bobby Darin
[new] “Young And In Love” – Dick And Deedee
[new] “Young Lovers” – Paul And Paula
[new] = New to the chart this week.
You can listen to the full playlist on Youtube via this link.
This month in history
On the 4th The Beatles performed at Stowe School in Buckinghamshire, UK, for a fee of £100, having accepted a personal request from schoolboy David Moores, a fellow Liverpudlian (and later chairman of Liverpool F.C.)
The next day the Soviet Union accepted an American proposal to establish a Moscow–Washington hotline so that the leaders of the two nations could communicate directly with each other in order to avoid war. Originally, the hot line was a teletype system rather than a direct voice line.
Then on the 8th at the 35th Academy Awards ceremony, Lawrence of Arabia won the Best Picture Oscar. Gregory Peck won Best Actor for To Kill a Mockingbird, while Anne Bancroft won Best Actress for portraying Helen Keller’s teacher in The Miracle Worker.
What’d Sadie think?
3 weeks at the top for “He’s So Fine” by the Chiffons before newcomer “I Will Follow Him” by Little Peggy March rounds out the month.
Loved ’em
Our favourite song from April, 1963… wasn’t actually meant to be on our charts. Due to a error in the script that builds our youtube music playlists – “I Wish I Were a Princess” by (Little) Peggy March appeared. Unlike “I Will Follow Him” which peaked at number 1, this tune by the 15-year old singer, only rose as high as number 32. (Our cut-off for inclusion is number 30 on the charts) But Sadie absolutely loved the tune and it has been on repeat all weekend back here in 2023. So happy error!
- “Surfin’ Usa” – Beach Boys
- “Can’t Get Used To Losing You” – Andy Williams
- “Foolish Little Girl” – Shirelles
- “Puff The Magic Dragon” – “Peter Paul And Mary”
- “I Will Follow Him” – Little Peggy March
- “If You Wanna Be Happy” – Jimmy Soul
- “Losing You” – Brenda Lee
- “On Broadway” – Drifters
- “Take These Chains From My Heart” – Ray Charles
Liked ’em
- “Charms” – Bobby Vee
- “Don’t Be Afraid Little Darlin'” – Steve Lawrence
- “Don’t Say Nothin’ Bad” – Cookies
- “Follow The Boys” – Connie Francis
- “I Got What I Wanted” – Brook Benton
- “Mecca” – Gene Pitney
- “Mr. Bass Man” – Johnny Cymbal
- “Out Of My Mind” – Johnny Tillotson
- “Over The Mountain” – Bobby Vinton
- “Pipeline” – Chantays
- “Sandy” – Dion
- “Tom Cat” – Rooftop Singers
- “Watermelon Man” – Mongo Santamaria
- “You’re The Reason I’m Livin'” – Bobby Darin
- “Young Lovers” – Paul And Paula
Leave ’em
- “Reverend Mr. Black” – Kingston Trio
- “Young And In Love” – Dick And Deedee
Now go listen to the full playlist on Youtube via this link.