RA Retro Tracks Rewind Charts 1960 - 1969 completed

[raliverpool]

RA Retro Tracks Rewind Charts 1960 -

I'd like to thank Earl Purple for coming up with a great idea (which I've also seen utilized on UKMix), which I'm shamelessly going to copy for my own benefit.

The only difference is I'm retrospectively taking account the current circumstances. Hence the rewind/revisionism element of a chart compiled by a 43 year old who was minus 11.5 years when these charts start.

Firstly, regarding chart rules allowing tracks/songs rather than physical singles. This means album tracks from popular albums can be mined which should make life more interesting from the mid 1960s through to the late 1970s.

Secondly, I'm imagining that the musical listener had the world wide web available, and was able to locate tracks which originally became hits first in the USA, before becoming hits in the UK, or even worse fell victims to some inferior cover version filling the domestic void. Hence, as a rule I will attempt to chart tracks when they first became hits in either the USA or UK, as well as charting tracks which were only hits in the USA and flopped or were never released in the UK ....

I'm aiming at a minimum taking them up to when I first started my own Personal Charts at the beginning of 1984. However, when I get there I might decide to carry on as I only kept an update of my Personal Chart #1's and Year End Top 10's.

[raliverpool]

1960 Playlist





For each year I will set up at the beginning a Spotify playlist of tracks that make my Top 30 chart.

02/01/1960

1 Marty Robbins - El Paso (1wk 1)
2 Emile Ford And The Checkmates - What Do You Want To Make Them Eyes At Me For? (1wk 2)
3 Johnny Preston - Running Bear (1wk 3)
4 Frankie Laine - Rawhide (1wk 4)
5 Miss Toni Fisher - The Big Hurt (1wk 5)
6 Tommy Steele - Little White Bull (1wk 6)
7 Neil Sedaka - Oh Carol (1wk 7)
8 Cliff Richard and the Shadows - Travellin' Light (1wk 8)
9 Marty Wilde - Bad Boy (1wk 9)
10 Santo & Johnny - Teardrop (1wk 10)
11 Adam Faith - What Do You Want? (1wk 11)
12 Bobby Darin - Mack The Knife (1wk 12)
13 Marv Johnson - You Got What It Takes (1wk 13)
14 Frankie Avalon - Why (1wk 14)
15 Fats Domino - Be My Guest (1wk 15)
16 Connie Francis - Among My Souvenirs (1wk 16)
17 Sandy Nelson - Teen Beat (1wk 17)
18 Andy Williams - The Village Of St. Bernadette (1wk 18)
19 Elmer Bernstein - Staccato's Theme (1wk 19)
20 Guy Mitchell - Heartaches By The Number (1wk 20)
21 Jackie Wilson - Talk That Talk (1wk 21)
22 Dee Clark - How About That (1wk 22)
23 Duane Eddy And The Rebels - Some Kinda Earthquake (1wk 23)
24 Freddy Cannon - Way Down Yonder In New Orleans (1wk 24)
25 Michael Holliday - Starry Eyed (1wk 25)
26 Mark Dinning - Teen Angel (1wk 26)
27 Johnny and the Hurricanes - Reveille Rock (1wk 27)
28 The Coasters - What About Us (1wk 28)
29 Dion & The Belmonts - Where Or When (1wk 29)
30 Duane Eddy And The Rebels - Bonnie Come Back (1wk 30)


A mixture of UK & USA hits. Had my chart gone back to 1959, then it is fair to assume that Mack The Knife; Travellin' Light; and What Do You Want To Make Them Eyes At Me For? would have topped my chart. Of the USA hits its worth mentioning Dion & The Belmonts hit is a cover of the Rodgers and Hart's Babes In Arms musical standard. The gospel & RnB singer Dee Clark is the same person who had a 1975 UK Top Disco hit with Ride A White Horse.

[Earl Purple]

Your rules regarding UK/US hits are pretty similar to mine. And it will be interesting to compare our charts at least up to the point when you pull in album tracks, something I'm not going to do.

That makes your first chart and mine (or at least my first playlist plus one or two that came in later) very similar too. And we've made reasonably similar choices.

[suedehead]

Little White Bull was one of the few singles my father owned. That meant we got to hear it a lot!

[raliverpool]

09/01/1960

1 Marty Robbins - El Paso (2wks 1-1)
2 Emile Ford And The Checkmates - What Do You Want To Make Them Eyes At Me For? (2wks 2-2)
3 Johnny Preston - Running Bear (2wks 3-3)
4 Tommy Steele - Little White Bull (2wks 6-4)
5 Marty Wilde - Bad Boy (2wks 9-5)
6 Neil Sedaka - Oh Carol (2wks 7-6)
7 Miss Toni Fisher - The Big Hurt (2wks 5-7)
8 Frankie Laine - Rawhide (2wks 4-8)
9 Marv Johnson - You Got What It Takes (2wks 13-9)
10 Fats Domino - Be My Guest (2wks 15-10)

11 Adam Faith - What Do You Want? (2wks 11-11)
12 Santo & Johnny - Teardrop (2wks 10-12)
13 Cliff Richard and the Shadows - Travellin' Light (2wks 8-13)
14 Frankie Avalon - Why (2wks 14-14)
15 Elmer Bernstein - Staccato's Theme (2wks 19-15)
16 Connie Francis - Among My Souvenirs (2wks 16-16)
17 Michael Holliday - Starry Eyed (2wks 25-17)
18 Mark Dinning - Teen Angel (2wks 26-18)
19 Bobby Darin - Mack The Knife (2wks 12-19)
20 Dion & The Belmonts - Where Or When (2wks 29-20)

21 Johnny and the Hurricanes - Red River Rock (1wk 21 NEW)
22 Freddy Cannon - Way Down Yonder In New Orleans (2wks 24-22)
23 Duane Eddy And The Rebels - Bonnie Come Back (2wks 30-23)
24 Della Reese - Not One Minute More (1wk 24 NEW)
25 Andy Williams - The Village Of St. Bernadette (2wks 18-25)
26 Guy Mitchell - Heartaches By The Number (2wks 20-26)
27 Sandy Nelson - Teen Beat (2wks 17-27)
28 Jackie Wilson - Talk That Talk (2wks 21-28)
29 Dee Clark - How About That (2wks 22-29)
30 Jim Reeves - He'll Have To Go (1wk 30 NEW)


Only three new entries on a quiet week with a static top 3. New entries coming from a Rock'n'Roll instrumental version of a cowboy folk standard; A USA #16 gospel/jazz track by the future mother of the A Team's B.A. Baracus; and a country pop standard which made USA #2 prior to his untimely death.

[raliverpool]

16/01/1960

1 Johnny Preston - Running Bear (3wks 3-3-1)
2 Marty Robbins - El Paso (3wks 1-1-2)
3 Emile Ford And The Checkmates - What Do You Want To Make Them Eyes At Me For? (3wks 2-2-3)
4 Marv Johnson - You Got What It Takes (3wks 13-9-4)
5 Neil Sedaka - Oh Carol (3wks 7-6-5)
6 Tommy Steele - Little White Bull (3wks 6-4-6)
7 Marty Wilde - Bad Boy (3wks 9-5-7)
8 Miss Toni Fisher - The Big Hurt (3wks 5-7-8)
9 Michael Holliday - Starry Eyed (3wks 25-17-9)
10 Frankie Avalon - Why (3wks 14-14-10)

11 Frankie Laine - Rawhide (3wks 4-8-11)
12 Dion & The Belmonts - Where Or When (3wks 29-20-12)
13 Adam Faith - What Do You Want? (3wks 11-11-13)
14 Duane Eddy And The Rebels - Bonnie Come Back (3wks 30-23-14)
15 Jimmy Jones - Handy Man (1wk 15 NEW)
16 Freddy Cannon - Way Down Yonder In New Orleans (3wks 24-22-16)
17 Elmer Bernstein - Staccato's Theme (3wks 19-15-17)
18 Santo & Johnny - Teardrop (3wks 10-12-18)
19 Fats Domino - Be My Guest (3wks 15-10-19)
20 Jim Reeves - He'll Have To Go (2wks 30-20)

21 Cliff Richard and the Shadows - Travellin' Light (3wks 8-13-21)
22 Mark Dinning - Teen Angel (3wks 26-18-22)
23 Connie Francis - Among My Souvenirs (3wks 16-16-23)
24 Andy Williams - The Village Of St. Bernadette (3wks 18-25-24)
25 The Crickets - When You Ask About Love (1wk 25 NEW)
26 Clyde McPhatter - Let's Try Again (1wk 26 NEW)
27 Bobby Darin - Mack The Knife (3wks 12-19-27)
28 Della Reese - Not One Minute More (2wks 24-28)
29 Johnny and the Hurricanes - Red River Rock (2wks 21-29)
30 Spencer Ross - Tracy's Theme (1wk 30 NEW)


A new #1 with a similar cowboy/country and western feel to the track it replaced. The 4 new entries come from the blockbusting rock and roll hit song written by singer Jimmy Jones and songwriter Otis Blackwell; The Crickets track later covered by Matchbox; an early Atlantic soul legend; and a TV theme for which its' other side of the record became a very very big hit in 1960....

[raliverpool]

23/01/1960

1 Johnny Preston - Running Bear (4wks 3-3-1-1)
2 Marty Robbins - El Paso (4wks 1-1-2-2)
3 Emile Ford And The Checkmates - What Do You Want To Make Them Eyes At Me For? (4wks 2-2-3-3)
4 Marv Johnson - You Got What It Takes (4wks 13-9-4-4)
5 Jimmy Jones - Handy Man (2wks 15-5)
6 Frankie Avalon - Why (4wks 14-14-10-6)
7 Everly Brothers - Let It Be Me (1wk 7 NEW)
8 Michael Holliday - Starry Eyed (4wks 25-17-9-8)
9 Neil Sedaka - Oh Carol (4wks 7-6-5-9)
10 Miss Toni Fisher - The Big Hurt (4wks 5-7-8-10)

11 Dion & The Belmonts - Where Or When (4wks 29-20-12-11)
12 Tommy Steele - Little White Bull (4wks 6-4-6-12)
13 Duane Eddy And The Rebels - Bonnie Come Back (4wks 30-23-14-13)
14 Freddy Cannon - Way Down Yonder In New Orleans (4wks 24-22-16-14)
15 Eddie Cochran - Hallelujah I Love Her So (1wk 15 NEW)
16 Percy Faith - Theme From 'A Summer Place' (1wk 16 NEW)
17 Frankie Laine - Rawhide (4wks 4-8-11-17)
18 Jim Reeves - He'll Have To Go (3wks 30-20-18)
19 Adam Faith - What Do You Want? (4wks 11-11-13-19)
20 Marty Wilde - Bad Boy (4wks 9-5-7-20)

21 Mr Acker Bilk & His Paramount Jazz Band - Summer Set (1wk 21 NEW)
22 Clyde McPhatter - Let's Try Again (2wks 26-22)
23 The Crickets - When You Ask About Love (2wks 25-23)
24 Elmer Bernstein - Staccato's Theme (4wks 19-15-17-24)
25 Cliff Richard & The Shadows - A Voice In The Wilderness (1wk 25 NEW)
26 Bobby Darin - La Mer (Beyond The Sea) (1wk 26 NEW)
27 The Coasters - Run Red Run (1wk 27 NEW)
28 Santo & Johnny - Teardrop (4wks 10-12-18-28)
29 Cliff Richard and the Shadows - Travellin' Light (4wks 8-13-21-29)
30 Fats Domino - Be My Guest (4wks 15-10-19-30)

A static top 4; but 7 new entries including the latest new releases from some very big hitters of the time. The two less well known new entries comes from Eddie Cochran's cover of the Ray Charles early standard; and The Coasters minor USA Top 40 hit again penned by Lieber & Stoller for Atco (Atlantic) records.

[Earl Purple]

You are obviously digging further down the US chart than I did. Eddie Cochran didn't turn up on my list. (Nor did the Crickets) I was still only using the top 20 at this point. You're compiling so fast now you'll overtake me pretty soon.

You must have come across "First Name Initial" and rejected it.

[Deleted]

Very inspired by both retrospectives, maybe will start something like this after the personal retro charts for 1983. Only don't know about a good year for start.

Is it possible to find anywhere a list of the singles, which were released in UK for any retro year, but didn't reach the official chart ?

[raliverpool]

Feb 18, 2015 7:20:51 GMT 1 Earl Purple said:

You are obviously digging further down the US chart than I did. Eddie Cochran didn't turn up on my list. (Nor did the Crickets) I was still only using the top 20 at this point. You're compiling so fast now you'll overtake me pretty soon.

You must have come across "First Name Initial" and rejected it.

Yes, I'm trying to select tracks which I know and like which will result in some minor USA only early Atlantic R'n'B soul tracks, Country crossover tracks or Rock'n'Roll tracks charting, etc.

I'm planning on trying to post circa 3 to 4 months per week, with the aim of getting the 1960s complete by the end of the year (2015), as I did a fair bit of preparation in the past six months with my combined record collection + Spotify searches + Wikipedia discography researches on major acts, etc.

I'm not a fan of the Annette Funicello USA hit, for the same reason I don't like "Seven Little Girls Sitting In The Back Seat" as they are the wrong side of too corny for my personal tastes.

[Earl Purple]

I see you like them morbid. Paul Evans would have a morbid hit of his own 19 years later.

I reckon for the "7 little girls" song he must have been driving a stretch limo if they could fit 7 females and a guy in the back safely. That they were "little girls" is not of course politically correct these days.

And "Little White Bull" is rather corny but you charted that. I'll wait to see how you react when "My Old Man's A Dustman" turns up. Not far away.

[raliverpool]

Feb 18, 2015 7:43:33 GMT 1 @alexrange said:

Very inspired by both retrospectives, maybe will start something like this after the personal retro charts for 1983. Only don't know about a good year for start.

Is it possible to find anywhere a list of the singles, which were released in UK for any retro year, but didn't reach the official chart ?

Alas I'm not aware of any, not least as the list would be rather large.

The best place for all round discography's is Ultimate Music Database A-Z artists guide:

As an example Abba:
www.umdmusic.com/default.asp?Lang=English&Umd=A205&View=I

[raliverpool]

30/01/1960

1 Johnny Preston - Running Bear (5wks 3-3-1-1-1)
2 Marty Robbins - El Paso (5wks 1-1-2-2-2)
3 Jimmy Jones - Handy Man (3wks 15-5-3)
4 Everly Brothers - Let It Be Me (2wks 7-4)
5 Marv Johnson - You Got What It Takes (5wks 13-9-4-4-5)
6 Emile Ford And The Checkmates - What Do You Want To Make Them Eyes At Me For? (5wks 2-2-3-3-6)
7 Dion & The Belmonts - Where Or When (5wks 29-20-12-11-7)
8 Percy Faith - Theme From 'A Summer Place' (2wks 16-8)
9 Michael Holliday - Starry Eyed (5wks 25-17-9-8-9)
10 Mr Acker Bilk & His Paramount Jazz Band Summer Set (2wks 21-10)

11 Bobby Darin - La Mer (Beyond The Sea) (2wks 26-11)
12 Frankie Avalon - Why (5wks 14-14-10-6-12)
13 Jim Reeves - He'll Have To Go (4wks 30-20-18-13)
14 Freddy Cannon - Way Down Yonder In New Orleans (5wks 24-22-16-14-14)
15 Neil Sedaka - Oh Carol (5wks 7-6-5-9-15)
16 Cliff Richard & The Shadows - A Voice In The Wilderness (2wks 25-16)
17 Adam Faith - Poor Me (1wk 17 NEW)
18 Miss Toni Fisher - The Big Hurt (5wks 5-7-8-10-18)
19 Eddie Cochran - Hallelujah I Love Her So (2wks 15-19)
20 Duane Eddy And The Rebels - Bonnie Come Back (5wks 30-23-14-13-20)

21 Tommy Steele - Little White Bull (5wks 6-4-6-12-21)
22 Platters - Harbour Lights (1wk 22 NEW)
23 Little Anthony & The Imperials - Shimmy Shimmy Ko Ko Bop (1wk 23 NEW)
24 Frankie Laine - Rawhide (5wks 4-8-11-17-24)
25 Clyde McPhatter - Let's Try Again (3wks 26-22-25)
26 Jimmie Rodgers - T.L.C. Tender Love And Care (1wk 26 NEW)
27 Johnny Mathis - Misty (1wk 27 NEW)
28 Adam Faith - What Do You Want? (5wks 11-11-13-19-28)
29 The Coasters - Run Red Run (2wks 27-29)
30 Jack Scott - What In The World's Come Over You (1wk 30 NEW)

A static country & western top two, but I suspect a shake up is imminent in the next few weeks. Another six new entries come from UK teen idol 2nd successive UK #1 hit; a Californian vocal group with their final US Top 10 & UK Top 40 hit; the Brooklyn vocal group most famous for Tears On My Pillow; A US pop singer who shares his name with a  famous1930s C&W singer; a cover of the 1954 jazz standard written by pianist Erroll Garner; and a Canadian crooning singer who did a John Peel session in 1977! (according to Wikipedia).

[raliverpool]

06/02/1960

1 Everly Brothers - Let It Be Me (3wks 7-4-1)
2 Jimmy Jones - Handy Man (4wks 15-5-3-2)
3 Percy Faith - Theme From 'A Summer Place' (3wks 16-8-3)
4 Johnny Preston - Running Bear (6wks 3-3-1-1-1-4)
5 Dion & The Belmonts - Where Or When (6wks 29-20-12-11-7-5)
6 Bobby Darin - La Mer (Beyond The Sea) (3wks 26-11-6)
7 Marty Robbins - El Paso (6wks 1-1-2-2-2-7)
8 Mr Acker Bilk & His Paramount Jazz Band Summer Set (3wks 21-10-8)
9 Marv Johnson - You Got What It Takes (6wks 13-9-4-4-5-9)
10 Jim Reeves - He'll Have To Go (5wks 30-20-18-13-10)

11 Platters - Harbour Lights (2wks 22-11)
12 Cliff Richard & The Shadows - A Voice In The Wilderness (3wks 25-16-12)
13 Adam Faith Poor Me (2wks 17-13)
14 Michael Holliday - Starry Eyed (6wks 25-17-9-8-9-14)
15 Dinah Washington & Brook Benton - Baby (You've Got What It Takes) (1wk 15 NEW)
16 Emile Ford And The Checkmates - What Do You Want To Make Them Eyes At Me For? (6wks 2-2-3-3-6-16)
17 Little Anthony & The Imperials - Shimmy Shimmy Ko Ko Bop (2wks 23-17)
18 Johnny Mathis - Misty (2wks 27-18)
19 Fats Domino - Country Boy (1wk 19 NEW)
20 Eddie Cochran - Hallelujah I Love Her So (3wks 15-19-20)

21 Frankie Avalon - Why (6wks 14-14-10-6-12-21)
22 Freddy Cannon - Way Down Yonder In New Orleans (6wks 24-22-16-14-14-22)
23 The Olympics - (Baby) Hully Gully (1wk 23 NEW)
24 Jimmie Rodgers - T.L.C. Tender Love And Care (2wks 26-24)
25 Sarah Vaughan - Eternally (1wk 25 NEW)
26 Neil Sedaka - Oh Carol (6wks 7-6-5-9-15-26)
27 Miss Toni Fisher - The Big Hurt (6wks 5-7-8-10-18-27)
28 Duane Eddy And The Rebels - Bonnie Come Back (6wks 30-23-14-13-20-28)
29 Bobby Rydell - Wild One (1wk 29 NEW)
30 Chuck Berry - Let It Rock (1wk 30 NEW)

Phil & Don score their first chart topper on my chart (although I suspect they would have had a handful more if my chart had gone further backwards). My six new entries come from US acts: Ruth Jones & Benjamin Peay whose most famous duet was covered badly by "Shaky & Bonnie"; the USA #25 hit for the New Orleans' late 1950s/early 1960s hitmaker; the American doo-wop group; the legendary female jazz singer's USA #41 hit; the US teen idol with a superior teen pop song; and one of the pioneers of Rock n'Roll music who had that USA #64 track covered as the B-side to the Rolling Stones' 1971 single Brown Sugar.

[raliverpool]

13/02/1960

1 Everly Brothers - Let It Be Me (4wks 7-4-1-1)
2 Jimmy Jones - Handy Man (5wks 15-5-3-2-2)
3 Percy Faith - Theme From 'A Summer Place' (4wks 16-8-3-3)
4 Bobby Darin - La Mer (Beyond The Sea) (4wks 26-11-6-4)
5 Platters - Harbour Lights (3wks 22-11-5)
6 Dion & The Belmonts - Where Or When (7wks 29-20-12-11-7-5-6)
7 Mr Acker Bilk & His Paramount Jazz Band Summer Set (4wks 21-10-8-7)
8 Johnny Preston - Running Bear (7wks 3-3-1-1-1-4-8)
9 Cliff Richard & The Shadows - A Voice In The Wilderness (4wks 25-16-12-9)
10 Jim Reeves - He'll Have To Go (6wks 30-20-18-13-10-10)

11 Adam Faith - Poor Me (3wks 17-13-11)
12 Dinah Washington & Brook Benton - Baby (You've Got What It Takes) (2wks 15-12)
13 Marv Johnson - You Got What It Takes (7wks 13-9-4-4-5-9-13)
14 Marty Robbins - El Paso (7wks 1-1-2-2-2-7-14)
15 Fats Domino - Country Boy (2wks 19-15)
16 Johnny Mathis - Misty (3wks 27-18-16)
17 Sarah Vaughan - Eternally (2wks 25-17)
18 Barrett Strong - Money (That's What I Want) (1wk 18 NEW)
19 Little Anthony & The Imperials - Shimmy Shimmy Ko Ko Bop (3wks 23-16-19)
20 Michael Holliday - Starry Eyed (7wks 25-17-9-8-9-14-20)

21 Little Dippers - Forever (1wk 21 NEW)
22 Emile Ford And The Checkmates - What Do You Want To Make Them Eyes At Me For? (6wks 2-2-3-3-6-16-22)
23 Emile Ford And The Checkmates - On A Slow Boat To China (1wk 23 NEW)
24 Bobby Rydell - Wild One (2wks 29-24)
25 Jimmie Rodgers - T.L.C. Tender Love And Care (3wks 26-24-25)
26 The Olympics - (Baby) Hully Gully (2wks 23-26)
27 Eddie Cochran - Hallelujah I Love Her So (4wks 15-19-20-27)
28 Chuck Berry - Let It Rock (2wks 30-28)
29 Brenda Lee - Sweet Nothin's (1wk 29 NEW)
30 Debbie Reynolds - Am I That Easy To Forget (1wk 30 NEW)

Another static top three, but plenty of movement elsewhere with five new entries coming from the first hit record for Berry Gordy's Motown Records enterprise (he also co-wrote the track); a USA one hit wonder group who in 1961 changed their name to The Anita Kerr Singers when signing to RCA Victor; a well known 1948 pop standard penned by Frank Loesser; the USA top 40 breakthrough hit for country pop's Little Miss Dynamite; and Carrie Fisher's mum whom at one point in the 1980s was mother-in-law to Paul Simon.

[rubcale]

Do you actually listen to all these songs on whatever?

It would almost seem impossible!

I know some of them from Pick of the Pops but many are unfamiliar.

[Earl Purple]

rubcale do you not use Spotify? You can also find most of them on youtube.

I make a playlist of about 36 songs at a time which covers several weeks. It was 8 weeks from 9th January to 27th February and I posted the last of those yesterday.

The latest one has more songs as I've expanded to US top 30 and UK top 40 which allows Barrett Strong in, for example and some which did make the top 20 get in a week or two earlier now. I'm compiling a top 25 then publishing the top 20. But I'll see how big my playlists grow and decide whether my chart can be a top 25 or top 30.

Debbie Reynolds was herself the female star of the film "Singing In The Rain". Whilst her version of that song is better than Engelbert's I'm not sure I'll chart it. It's on my playlist this week. I also have Paul Anka's "Puppy Love". I expected it to be removed quickly but it's still on it. Far better than Donny Osmond's dreadful version but maybe still not good enough. But the fact it was written for Annette is currently winning favour with me too...

[rubcale]

Feb 19, 2015 13:27:49 GMT 1 Earl Purple said:

rubcale do you not use Spotify? You can also find most of them on youtube.

I make a playlist of about 36 songs at a time which covers several weeks. It was 8 weeks from 9th January to 27th February and I posted the last of those yesterday.

The latest one has more songs as I've expanded to US top 30 and UK top 40 which allows Barrett Strong in, for example and some which did make the top 20 get in a week or two earlier now. I'm compiling a top 25 then publishing the top 20. But I'll see how big my playlists grow and decide whether my chart can be a top 25 or top 30.

Debbie Reynolds was herself the female star of the film "Singing In The Rain". Whilst her version of that song is better than Engelbert's I'm not sure I'll chart it. It's on my playlist this week. I also have Paul Anka's "Puppy Love". I expected it to be removed quickly but it's still on it. Far better than Donny Osmond's dreadful version but maybe still not good enough. But the fact it was written for Annette is currently winning favour with me too...

I do use Spotify but it mostly consists of playing Diana Ross and Cliff Richard tracks while working on the web!

I just wouldn't have the time to search and play all those different songs

[raliverpool]

Feb 19, 2015 10:00:22 GMT 1 rubcale said:

Do you actually listen to all these songs on whatever?

It would almost seem impossible!

I know some of them from Pick of the Pops but many are unfamiliar.

I've spent about 7-8 months doing research on Spotify & youtube of UK & USA hits (between 1960-1999) and gave each song an initial score out of 10 (for the familiar songs I did not need very long to reacquaint myself with them, but for unknown songs at the very least I would listen to the verse and the chorus).

As a result my Spotify "collection" now has over 56,000 tracks, and I've scored out of 10 over 27,000 songs in preparation for this thread.

When I come to do my weekly rewinds I reappraise my initial score, and their rise and fall mirrors to a degree how the track initially performed in the charts, so normally if it was a USA hit first I would chart it then, so by for an example 8 weeks later it hits the UK charts it is often already on the way down my chart.

[rubcale]

A labour of love