The Lion sleeps Tonight
"The Lion Sleeps Tonight" is a popular song sung by The Tokens in 1961. The song originally titled "Mbube" or "The Lion" was written by South African Zuly musician Solomon Popoli Linda and recorded by Solomon and his group The Evening Birds.
In 1951, Peter Seeger and his folk group The Weavers recorded their version of song and retitled it as "Wimoweh", a mishearing of the original song's chorus of 'uyimbube' (meaning "you're a lion"). The Kingston Trio also covered this version in 1959.
New lyrics to the song were written by George David Weiss, Luigi Creatore, and Hugo Peretti, based very loosely upon the meaning of the original song. The Tokens' 1961 cover of this version rose to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for 3 weeks (December 1961 to January 1962).
Robert John and Tight Fits are among the many artistes who have done their versions of this song.
Sunday, 28 February 2010
Saturday, 27 February 2010
1961 - His Latest Flame (Elvis Presley)
(Marie's The Name) His Latest Flame
"(Marie's the Name) His Latest Flame" is a song written by Doc Pomus and Mort Shuman for Elvis Presley. It is one of 25 songs Pomus and Shuman wrote for Presley.
It reached #4 on the Billboard Top 100. The single (a double A-side with "Little Sister") made #1 in the UK for 3 weeks in November 1961.
Lyrics:
A very old friend came by today
'cause he was telling everyone in town
About the love that he just found
And marie's the name of his latest flame
He talked and talked and i heard him say
That she had the longest blackest hair
The prettiest green eyes anywhere
And marie's the name of his latest flame
Though i smiled the tears inside were a-burning
I wished him luck and then he said goodbye
He was gone but still his words kept returning
What else was there for me to do but cry
Would you believe that yesterday
This girl was in my arms and swore to me
She'd be mine eternally
And marie's the name of his latest flame
"(Marie's the Name) His Latest Flame" is a song written by Doc Pomus and Mort Shuman for Elvis Presley. It is one of 25 songs Pomus and Shuman wrote for Presley.
It reached #4 on the Billboard Top 100. The single (a double A-side with "Little Sister") made #1 in the UK for 3 weeks in November 1961.
Lyrics:
A very old friend came by today
'cause he was telling everyone in town
About the love that he just found
And marie's the name of his latest flame
He talked and talked and i heard him say
That she had the longest blackest hair
The prettiest green eyes anywhere
And marie's the name of his latest flame
Though i smiled the tears inside were a-burning
I wished him luck and then he said goodbye
He was gone but still his words kept returning
What else was there for me to do but cry
Would you believe that yesterday
This girl was in my arms and swore to me
She'd be mine eternally
And marie's the name of his latest flame
Friday, 26 February 2010
1961 - Walkin' Back To Happiness (Helen Shapiro)
Walkin' Back To Happpiness
"Walkin' Back to Happiness", a popular song written by John Schroeder and Michael Edwin Hawker, was recorded by Helen Shapiro in 1961. The song topped the UK charts for 4 weeks (October to November) that year but could managed to reach #100 on the US Billboard Hot 100.
(This is the 2nd UK #1 single for Helen Shapiro who had earlier topped the charts for 3 weeks in August 1961 with her song "You Don't Know".)
Lyrics:
Funny, but it's true
What lonliness can do
Since I've been away
I have loved you more each day
Walking back to happiness, woopah oh yeah yeah
Said goodbye to lonliness, woopah oh yeah yeah
I never knew I'd miss you
Now I know what I must do
Walking back to happiness
I shared with you
(Yay, yay, yay, yay ba dum be do)
Making up for things we said, woopah oh yeah yeah
And mistakes to which they led, woopah oh yeah yeah
I shouldn't have gone away
So I'm coming back today
Walking back to happiness I threw away
(Yay, yay, yay, yay ba dum be do)
Walking back to happiness with you
Said farewell to lonliness I knew
Laid aside foolish pride
Learnt the truth from tears I cried
Spread the news I'm on my way, woopah oh yeah yeah
All my blues have blown away, woopah oh yeah yeah
I'm bringing you love so true
Cuz that's what I owe to you
Walking back to happiness I shared with you
(Yay, yay, yay, yay ba dum be do)
Walking back to happiness with you
Said farewell to lonliness I knew
Laid aside foolish pride
Learnt the truth from tears I cried
Spread the news I'm on my way, woopah oh yeah yeah
All my blues have blown away, woopah oh yeah yeah
I'm bringing you love so true
Cuz that's what I owe to you
Walking back to happiness I shared with you
(Yay, yay, yay, yay ba dum be do)
Walking back to happiness again
Walking back to happiness again
"Walkin' Back to Happiness", a popular song written by John Schroeder and Michael Edwin Hawker, was recorded by Helen Shapiro in 1961. The song topped the UK charts for 4 weeks (October to November) that year but could managed to reach #100 on the US Billboard Hot 100.
(This is the 2nd UK #1 single for Helen Shapiro who had earlier topped the charts for 3 weeks in August 1961 with her song "You Don't Know".)
Lyrics:
Funny, but it's true
What lonliness can do
Since I've been away
I have loved you more each day
Walking back to happiness, woopah oh yeah yeah
Said goodbye to lonliness, woopah oh yeah yeah
I never knew I'd miss you
Now I know what I must do
Walking back to happiness
I shared with you
(Yay, yay, yay, yay ba dum be do)
Making up for things we said, woopah oh yeah yeah
And mistakes to which they led, woopah oh yeah yeah
I shouldn't have gone away
So I'm coming back today
Walking back to happiness I threw away
(Yay, yay, yay, yay ba dum be do)
Walking back to happiness with you
Said farewell to lonliness I knew
Laid aside foolish pride
Learnt the truth from tears I cried
Spread the news I'm on my way, woopah oh yeah yeah
All my blues have blown away, woopah oh yeah yeah
I'm bringing you love so true
Cuz that's what I owe to you
Walking back to happiness I shared with you
(Yay, yay, yay, yay ba dum be do)
Walking back to happiness with you
Said farewell to lonliness I knew
Laid aside foolish pride
Learnt the truth from tears I cried
Spread the news I'm on my way, woopah oh yeah yeah
All my blues have blown away, woopah oh yeah yeah
I'm bringing you love so true
Cuz that's what I owe to you
Walking back to happiness I shared with you
(Yay, yay, yay, yay ba dum be do)
Walking back to happiness again
Walking back to happiness again
Thursday, 25 February 2010
1961 - Take Good Care Of My Baby (Bobby Vee)
Take Good Care Of My Baby
"Take Good Care of My Baby" is a song written by Carole King and Gerry Goffin and made famous by Bobby Vee.
It reached the #1 spot on U.S. Billboard Hot 100 for 3 weeks (September - October 1961) and managed to hit the #1 spot in UK chart for a week in December.
The song was covered by The Beatles during their audition at Decca Records on January 1, 1962. Gary Lewis & The Playboys recorded a cover version in 1965. In 1968, it became a hit again with Bobby Vinton's version. It is also covered by Smokie in 1981.
Lyrics:
My tears are fallin'
'Cause you've taken her away
And though it really hurts me so,
There's something that I've got to say
Take good care of my baby
Please don't ever make her blue
Just tell her that you love her
Make sure that you thinking of her
In everything that you say and do
Take good care of my baby
Now don't you ever make her cry
Just let your love surround her
Paint rainbow all around her
Don't let her see you cloud the sky
Once upon a time
That little girl was mine
If I'd been true,
I know she'd never be with you
So, Take good care of my baby
Be just as kind as you can be
And if you should discover
That you don't really love her
Just send my baby back home to me
Well, Take good care of my baby
Be just as kind as you can be
And if you should discover
That you don't really love her
Just send my baby back home to me
Ah, take good care of my baby
Well, take good care of my baby
Just, take good care of my baby
Oh, take good care of my baby
"Take Good Care of My Baby" is a song written by Carole King and Gerry Goffin and made famous by Bobby Vee.
It reached the #1 spot on U.S. Billboard Hot 100 for 3 weeks (September - October 1961) and managed to hit the #1 spot in UK chart for a week in December.
The song was covered by The Beatles during their audition at Decca Records on January 1, 1962. Gary Lewis & The Playboys recorded a cover version in 1965. In 1968, it became a hit again with Bobby Vinton's version. It is also covered by Smokie in 1981.
Lyrics:
My tears are fallin'
'Cause you've taken her away
And though it really hurts me so,
There's something that I've got to say
Take good care of my baby
Please don't ever make her blue
Just tell her that you love her
Make sure that you thinking of her
In everything that you say and do
Take good care of my baby
Now don't you ever make her cry
Just let your love surround her
Paint rainbow all around her
Don't let her see you cloud the sky
Once upon a time
That little girl was mine
If I'd been true,
I know she'd never be with you
So, Take good care of my baby
Be just as kind as you can be
And if you should discover
That you don't really love her
Just send my baby back home to me
Well, Take good care of my baby
Be just as kind as you can be
And if you should discover
That you don't really love her
Just send my baby back home to me
Ah, take good care of my baby
Well, take good care of my baby
Just, take good care of my baby
Oh, take good care of my baby
Tuesday, 23 February 2010
1961 - Travellin' Man (Ricky Nelson)
Travellin' Man
"Travellin' Man", a popular song written by Jerry Fuller, was first made popular by pop idol Ricky Nelson in the early 60s.
It topped the US Billboard Hot 100 for 2 weeks in June 1961.
Lyrics:
I'm a travelin' man
I've made a lot of stops all over the world
And in every part I own the heart
Of at least one lovely girl
I've a pretty Senorita waiting for me
Down in old Mexico
If you're ever in Alaska stop and see
My cute little Eskimo
Oh my sweet Fraulien down in Berlin town
Makes my heart start to yearn
And my China doll down in old Hong Kong
Waits for my return
Pretty Polynesian baby over the sea
I remember the night
When we walked in the sands of the Waikiki
And I held you oh so tight
[instrumental break]
Oh my sweet Fraulien down in Berlin town
Makes my heart start to yearn
And my China doll down in old Hong Kong
Waits for my return
Pretty Polynesian baby over the sea
I remember the night
When we walked in the sands of the Waikiki
And I held you oh so tight
Oh, I'm a travelin' man
Yes, I'm a travelin' man
"Travellin' Man", a popular song written by Jerry Fuller, was first made popular by pop idol Ricky Nelson in the early 60s.
It topped the US Billboard Hot 100 for 2 weeks in June 1961.
Lyrics:
I'm a travelin' man
I've made a lot of stops all over the world
And in every part I own the heart
Of at least one lovely girl
I've a pretty Senorita waiting for me
Down in old Mexico
If you're ever in Alaska stop and see
My cute little Eskimo
Oh my sweet Fraulien down in Berlin town
Makes my heart start to yearn
And my China doll down in old Hong Kong
Waits for my return
Pretty Polynesian baby over the sea
I remember the night
When we walked in the sands of the Waikiki
And I held you oh so tight
[instrumental break]
Oh my sweet Fraulien down in Berlin town
Makes my heart start to yearn
And my China doll down in old Hong Kong
Waits for my return
Pretty Polynesian baby over the sea
I remember the night
When we walked in the sands of the Waikiki
And I held you oh so tight
Oh, I'm a travelin' man
Yes, I'm a travelin' man
1961 - Runnaway (Del Shannon)
Runnaway
"Runaway" was Del Shannon and keyboardist Max Crook and became a major international hit for Shannon in 1961.
The song was released in February and immediately became very successful. In April, Shannon appeared on Dick Clark's American Bandstand helping to catapult it to the #1 spot on the Billboard charts where it remained for 4 weeks (April - May 1961). It first top the UK chart briefly in May for 1 week and resurfaced later to reached #1 for 3 weeks (June - July 1961).
The instrumental break in the song is by Max Crook who played a clavioline-based electric keyboard called a Musitron.
Among the artistes who have covered the songs are Lawrence Welk, Small Faces, Bonnie Raitt and Travelling Wilburys.
Lyrics:
As I walk along,
I wonder what went wrong,
With our love, a love that was so strong.
And as I still walk on,
I think of the things we've done
Together, a-while our hearts were young.
I'm a-walkin' in the rain,
Tears are fallin' and I feel the pain,
Wishin' you were here by me,
To end this misery
And I wonder--
I wah-wah-wah-wah-wonder,
Why,
Why, why, why, why, why she ran away,
Yes, and I wonder,
A-where she will stay-ay,
My little runaway,
Run, run, run, run, runaway.
(instrumental break)
I'm a-walkin' in the rain,
Tears are fallin' and I feel the pain,
Wishin' you were here by me,
To end this misery
And I wonder--
I wah-wah-wah-wah-wonder,
Why,
Why, why, why, why, why she ran away,
Yes, and I wonder,
A-where she will stay-ay,
My little runaway,
Run, run, run, run, runaway.
Run, run, run, run, runaway.
Run, run, run, run, runaway.
"Runaway" was Del Shannon and keyboardist Max Crook and became a major international hit for Shannon in 1961.
The song was released in February and immediately became very successful. In April, Shannon appeared on Dick Clark's American Bandstand helping to catapult it to the #1 spot on the Billboard charts where it remained for 4 weeks (April - May 1961). It first top the UK chart briefly in May for 1 week and resurfaced later to reached #1 for 3 weeks (June - July 1961).
The instrumental break in the song is by Max Crook who played a clavioline-based electric keyboard called a Musitron.
Among the artistes who have covered the songs are Lawrence Welk, Small Faces, Bonnie Raitt and Travelling Wilburys.
Lyrics:
As I walk along,
I wonder what went wrong,
With our love, a love that was so strong.
And as I still walk on,
I think of the things we've done
Together, a-while our hearts were young.
I'm a-walkin' in the rain,
Tears are fallin' and I feel the pain,
Wishin' you were here by me,
To end this misery
And I wonder--
I wah-wah-wah-wah-wonder,
Why,
Why, why, why, why, why she ran away,
Yes, and I wonder,
A-where she will stay-ay,
My little runaway,
Run, run, run, run, runaway.
(instrumental break)
I'm a-walkin' in the rain,
Tears are fallin' and I feel the pain,
Wishin' you were here by me,
To end this misery
And I wonder--
I wah-wah-wah-wah-wonder,
Why,
Why, why, why, why, why she ran away,
Yes, and I wonder,
A-where she will stay-ay,
My little runaway,
Run, run, run, run, runaway.
Run, run, run, run, runaway.
Run, run, run, run, runaway.
1961 - Blue Moon (The Marcels)
Blue Moon
"Blue Moon" is a classic, written by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart in 1934, and has become a standard ballad.
The first crossover recording to rock 'n' roll came from Elvis Presley, but the version that really stirred things up came from The Marcels, a doo-wop group.
The record reached #1 on the US Billboard Pop chart for 3 weeks in April 1961 and also topped the UK charts for 2 weeks one month later. The Marcels' version of "Blue Moon" sold a million copies.
The famous introduction to the song ("bomp-baba-bomp" and "dip-da-dip") was an excerpt of an original song that the group had in its act.
The song has also been recorded by manyartistes and among them are: Bob Dylan, The Marvericks, Louis Armstrong, Sam Cooke, Chris Isaak, Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, Bobby Vinton, The Supreme and Sha Na Na.
Lyrics:
Blue moon, you saw me standing alone,
Without a dream in my heart,
Without a love of my own.
Blue moon, you knew just what I was there for,
You heard me saying a prayer for,
Someone I really could care for.
And then there suddenly appeared before me,
The only one my arms will ever hold,
I heard somebody whisper please adore me,
and when I looked the moon had turned to gold.
Blue moon, now I'm no longer alone,
Without a dream in my heart,
Without a love of my own.
"Blue Moon" is a classic, written by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart in 1934, and has become a standard ballad.
The first crossover recording to rock 'n' roll came from Elvis Presley, but the version that really stirred things up came from The Marcels, a doo-wop group.
The record reached #1 on the US Billboard Pop chart for 3 weeks in April 1961 and also topped the UK charts for 2 weeks one month later. The Marcels' version of "Blue Moon" sold a million copies.
The famous introduction to the song ("bomp-baba-bomp" and "dip-da-dip") was an excerpt of an original song that the group had in its act.
The song has also been recorded by manyartistes and among them are: Bob Dylan, The Marvericks, Louis Armstrong, Sam Cooke, Chris Isaak, Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, Bobby Vinton, The Supreme and Sha Na Na.
Lyrics:
Blue moon, you saw me standing alone,
Without a dream in my heart,
Without a love of my own.
Blue moon, you knew just what I was there for,
You heard me saying a prayer for,
Someone I really could care for.
And then there suddenly appeared before me,
The only one my arms will ever hold,
I heard somebody whisper please adore me,
and when I looked the moon had turned to gold.
Blue moon, now I'm no longer alone,
Without a dream in my heart,
Without a love of my own.
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