And in the spirit of "Go Away Little Girl," I give you "Young Girl" by Gary Puckett & The Union Gap. It only made it to #2 on Billboard (somehow "Number 2" seems appropriate here) so I guess it was out of contention for this list. But it made MY Spotify playlist called "Songs for Stalkers & Other Pervs" (originally named "Songs for Rapists, Pedophiles, Stalkers & Other Pervs." Spotify made me change it a few years ago.) https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1nxTPVd2pjLsgelCLhab7G?si=79ec19a9643544ed
Fascinating analysis but I'm wondering if it's fair to apply modern sensibilities to the 'lowlights' of the 60's. Most of the negative comments pertained to lyric interpretations at a time when, at least myself as a kid, I would only catch snippets of these songs on the radio, and didn't have the means nor mentality to fully put them in context.
That’s a fair criticism. But ultimately as I note there is a subjective nature to this. But I think it’s very important to try to understand why we feel the way we do about certain songs.
I hate to even type the name of this song as I consider it is the ultimate ear-worm. It is, drum roll please, I'm Henry the VIII, I am, by Herman's Hermits.
Now I am going to go listen to great music to try to get this damn thing out of my head!
I believe I write in the book that if a team of musician scientists got together in a lab and worked for 100 years, they could not come up with something as annoying as Henry VIII
Such a fun post! Question for the Honest Broker and everyone else: the graph that shows the dramatic drop off in songs with key changes— why do you think that is and does it say something about the quality/ diversity of song-writing?
I think it’s a complex question. Most people see it as a decline in musical sophistication but in reality most of the earlier key changes were just gear shifts, meaning up a half or whole step in the last chorus—not the most sophisticated harmonic device. I think the biggest contributor to the decline is the rise of hip-hop which, in very broad strokes, builds complexity through rhythm and lyricism rather than harmony and melody. That’s my read
Omigosh, I'm ordering it this minute. I own surveys, yearbooks, record guides, etc., and your book sounds like both a perfect complement and a really fun read.
I'm working on an as-yet-unreleased podcast (that no one will listen to, since it's a podcast, LOL). It identifies 1-3 songs released each year (1927 to, I hope, 2027) that really makes me want to MOVE, that engages my HIPS. Quite subjective.
For the 1960s? I Just Want to Make Love to You, Etta James (1960); Jump in Line, Harry Belafonte (1961); Twistin' the Night Away, Sam Cooke (1962); I Saw Her Standing There, The Beatles (1963); You Really Got Me, The Kinks (1964); Papa's Got a Brand New Bag, James Brown (1965); Cleo's Mood, Junior Walker & the All Stars (1966); TIE: Gimme Some Lovin', Spencer Davis Group, and Steppin' Stone, The Monkees (1967); Dance to the Music, Sly & the Family Stone (1968); and for 1969... I'm having serious trouble choosing.
It's between Born on the Bayou, Creedence Clearwater Revival; Time Machine, Grand Funk Railroad; Spirit in the Sky, Norman Greenbaum; Venus, Shocking Blue; It's Your Thing, The Isley Brothers; I Want You Back, The Jackson 5; and I Can't Get Next to You, The Temptations. I need to lose at least four! Tragic.
Note, these selections are subject to change. Right now I'm only up to the 1930s. :)
Crumbs, that's an impossible can of worms. Trevor Horne produced a good (BBC?) program about this, but I can't remember the title. The conclusion was (pretty much) simpler and simpler structures, less modulation, fewer freaky chords.
One Rainy Wish changes time, so does Floyd's Money which starts off in a bizarre time anyway. For mainstream(ish) pop, I'd nominate The Zombies She's Not There and The Easybeats Friday on My Mind.
The number-one hits that resurface in my mind from earliest listening days include “Hit the Road, Jack,” “Midnight in Moscow,” and “Monster Mash.” Also, definitely, “I Heard It through the Grapevine.”
I would nominate "Run Joey Run" as one of the ten worst. The local radio station in our small town must have played it every hour for a year. It's SOOO melodramatic you can't help singing along in a mocking tone. I've never met anyone not from our town who has ever heard it, so I was surprised to discover it charted and was covered in "Glee".
Love the song subject critiques made thru a 2025 lens. Remember all these tunes well and but less of the dark sides. “For the times they are a changin’”.
I'll be 80 in January and this best sings list sure hit lots of my old favorites. And gotta say, the worst pretty much nailed it too. As others have said, lots of other bad songs in that era that weren't number ones.
And in the spirit of "Go Away Little Girl," I give you "Young Girl" by Gary Puckett & The Union Gap. It only made it to #2 on Billboard (somehow "Number 2" seems appropriate here) so I guess it was out of contention for this list. But it made MY Spotify playlist called "Songs for Stalkers & Other Pervs" (originally named "Songs for Rapists, Pedophiles, Stalkers & Other Pervs." Spotify made me change it a few years ago.) https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1nxTPVd2pjLsgelCLhab7G?si=79ec19a9643544ed
Spotify has a conscious? Curious... did The Jaggerz and The Rapper make this list?
Fascinating analysis but I'm wondering if it's fair to apply modern sensibilities to the 'lowlights' of the 60's. Most of the negative comments pertained to lyric interpretations at a time when, at least myself as a kid, I would only catch snippets of these songs on the radio, and didn't have the means nor mentality to fully put them in context.
That’s a fair criticism. But ultimately as I note there is a subjective nature to this. But I think it’s very important to try to understand why we feel the way we do about certain songs.
Agreed. But at the time, a catchy chorus on a timely subject could take a song far. Maybe not so much now.
My copy should be arriving any day. As a fan of Chris’ column, looking forward to it!
(I wrote a whole column on “Honey” when I was at CNN.com. I still find it excruciating.)
Thank you so much for sharing this, Ted! The book is available wherever books are sold. Feel free to reach out if anybody has a question.
Not in the UK! Only as a Kindle and i've a illogical aversion to using Kindles x
It should be available on Amazon, Bookshop, or Waterstones in the UK
Only Kindle on Amazon, not available yet on Waterstones. But pre-ordered it. Looking forward to a good read!
Thank you!
I posted a question above in the comments—would love to hear your thoughts.
I hate to even type the name of this song as I consider it is the ultimate ear-worm. It is, drum roll please, I'm Henry the VIII, I am, by Herman's Hermits.
Now I am going to go listen to great music to try to get this damn thing out of my head!
I believe I write in the book that if a team of musician scientists got together in a lab and worked for 100 years, they could not come up with something as annoying as Henry VIII
Such a fun post! Question for the Honest Broker and everyone else: the graph that shows the dramatic drop off in songs with key changes— why do you think that is and does it say something about the quality/ diversity of song-writing?
I think it’s a complex question. Most people see it as a decline in musical sophistication but in reality most of the earlier key changes were just gear shifts, meaning up a half or whole step in the last chorus—not the most sophisticated harmonic device. I think the biggest contributor to the decline is the rise of hip-hop which, in very broad strokes, builds complexity through rhythm and lyricism rather than harmony and melody. That’s my read
But I'd wither without hip hop. Again, completely subjective, but: What happened to use of a bridge in a pop song?
Omigosh, I'm ordering it this minute. I own surveys, yearbooks, record guides, etc., and your book sounds like both a perfect complement and a really fun read.
I'm working on an as-yet-unreleased podcast (that no one will listen to, since it's a podcast, LOL). It identifies 1-3 songs released each year (1927 to, I hope, 2027) that really makes me want to MOVE, that engages my HIPS. Quite subjective.
For the 1960s? I Just Want to Make Love to You, Etta James (1960); Jump in Line, Harry Belafonte (1961); Twistin' the Night Away, Sam Cooke (1962); I Saw Her Standing There, The Beatles (1963); You Really Got Me, The Kinks (1964); Papa's Got a Brand New Bag, James Brown (1965); Cleo's Mood, Junior Walker & the All Stars (1966); TIE: Gimme Some Lovin', Spencer Davis Group, and Steppin' Stone, The Monkees (1967); Dance to the Music, Sly & the Family Stone (1968); and for 1969... I'm having serious trouble choosing.
It's between Born on the Bayou, Creedence Clearwater Revival; Time Machine, Grand Funk Railroad; Spirit in the Sky, Norman Greenbaum; Venus, Shocking Blue; It's Your Thing, The Isley Brothers; I Want You Back, The Jackson 5; and I Can't Get Next to You, The Temptations. I need to lose at least four! Tragic.
Note, these selections are subject to change. Right now I'm only up to the 1930s. :)
Crumbs, that's an impossible can of worms. Trevor Horne produced a good (BBC?) program about this, but I can't remember the title. The conclusion was (pretty much) simpler and simpler structures, less modulation, fewer freaky chords.
One Rainy Wish changes time, so does Floyd's Money which starts off in a bizarre time anyway. For mainstream(ish) pop, I'd nominate The Zombies She's Not There and The Easybeats Friday on My Mind.
The number-one hits that resurface in my mind from earliest listening days include “Hit the Road, Jack,” “Midnight in Moscow,” and “Monster Mash.” Also, definitely, “I Heard It through the Grapevine.”
I would nominate "Run Joey Run" as one of the ten worst. The local radio station in our small town must have played it every hour for a year. It's SOOO melodramatic you can't help singing along in a mocking tone. I've never met anyone not from our town who has ever heard it, so I was surprised to discover it charted and was covered in "Glee".
If you need a laugh, here it is: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Run_Joey_Run
Love the song subject critiques made thru a 2025 lens. Remember all these tunes well and but less of the dark sides. “For the times they are a changin’”.
I don’t know that I’ve ever been in total agreement with any of these such lists. But here I am.
While no fan of Pat Boone, I did like John Fogerty's cover of "Moody River." https://youtu.be/AIwhPkZLRiM?si=gXGHFxfUprEEX6TV
I'll be 80 in January and this best sings list sure hit lots of my old favorites. And gotta say, the worst pretty much nailed it too. As others have said, lots of other bad songs in that era that weren't number ones.
Aw shucks... I like "In The Year 2525" but I never claimed to be the harbinger of good taste!
Or punctuation marks...
Great selection. Roy Orbison is a favorite of my mother and I'm a fan too. Loved seeing ticket to ride. Help and hard day's night are gems