It's been a while I have done a Singles Going Steady, since most of time I been combining what I found in various top tens, but the reality is that I haven't found much in terms of 45s, I did found a few up in Madison a couple months ago and maybe I'll find more in Arizona but somebody donated a collection of scratched up goodies of varying degree and as much as I try to find pristine ones, I bought a few for historical value. Most are from the 60s and a couple from the 70s. Besides, it's the first time I haven't talked about the weather in a long time.
Here's a selective Ten, with the exception of Hannibal can be found on You Tube in various configurations.
1. Makin' The Best Of A Bad Situation-Dick Feller 1974 Asylum AS-11037 His biggest charting single and I heard this a few times on KOEL FM, which to me was the best country station at that time, now a distant memory and replaced by yet another top forty format to which I avoid like the plague. This actually made the Billboard pop chart at number 85 according to Bullfrogspond. Feller would move over to United Artists for a pretty good album Dick Feller Wrote. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-XH-bV6g3X8
2. Love Machine-The Roosters 1968 Phillips 40504 Chart position #106 Billboard. Produced by Snuff Garrett, co wrote by James Griffin who would later move on to a certain pop band named Bread http://www.dustbury.com/music/roosters.html
3. Like Columbus Did-The Reflections 1964 Golden World GW 12 Another loosely rewriting of their Just Like Romeo And Juliet, actually it's Romeo And Juliet with different words. Only made it number 96 on the charts. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nBHD5lpiFWw
4. Ain't That Love-Hannibal 1963 King 45-5720 Johnny Guitar Watson has his name on this and I'm guessing he also produced this session of a unknown R and B singer who has a bit more grit to his vocal than Johnny Guitar Watson ever did. Watson plays guitar I know that but outside of that, little is known about the elusive Hannibal.
5. Mr. Businessman-Ray Stevens 1968 Monument 45-1083 Granted Ray Stevens can do straight music or comedy but this number 28 chart seeking single is one of his most serious songs, far from the goofy The Streak or Ahab The Arab.
6. Gee Baby-Ben & Bea 1962 Phillips 40000 A cover of a song originally done by Joe And Ann for Ace Records in 1960 (ACE 577). Ben and Bea's single was the first of many many releases on The Phillips label and this song is a bit more tougher than the Joe And Ann's version but it didn't make much of an impression on the charts either. Highest position was 116 in 62. B Side was a cover of Shirley & Lee's Let The Good Times Roll http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FWUgYd3msfM
7. From Me To You-Del Shannon 1963 Big Top 45-3152 There was actually two copies of this 45 up at the Salvation Army, but I think I got the better copy. The first actual cover of a Beatles song and it only made it to number 77 on the Billboard chart but Del Shannon's version is very very good. Should have charter higher me thinks. I don't know maybe I didn't get the better copy, it's pretty scratchy. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H55MFCtiB-I
8. Angela-Professor Morrison's Lollipop 1968 WW 288 Originally from Omaha Nebraska and known as The Coachmen before White White changed their name it seems. Joey Levine, famed bubble gum songwriter and producer of Ohio Express fame and the Kasenetz/Katz production team produced their White Whale singles. It's bubblegum all right, would fit right at home on Buddah. Fun fact: Duba Duba Do is Angela backwards. Probably the find the day.
9. Bird Dance Beat-The Trashmen 1964 Garrett 4003 The follow up to Surfin Bird that you don't hear from the radio anymore or see on any surfin comps. I swear the drummer foretold the second coming of Jim Dandy of Black Oak Arkansas New Link .https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IBqEfBI29So
10. Yes, No Maybe So-Barrett Strong 1960 Anna 1116 The Beginnings of Motown on a early single distributed by Chess Records. Cowritten by Barry Gordy and Smokey Robinson and originally on Tamla 54029. The call and response of the Rayber Voices who later come into play on later singles from Marvin Gaye (Pride And Joy) and Eddie Holland (Leaving Here). As raw as it gets for early Motown. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JW-jLhNdC4U
The Rest:
Rinky Dink-Dave Baby Cortez Chess 1829
Sometimes I Wonder-Willie Mabon USA 787
Meet Me At The Station-Freddy King Federal 45-12515
The Welfare Turns Its Back On You Freddy Federal 45-12499
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