1962: THE GREATEST SONGS. Concludes today.

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1962

THE 62 GREATEST SONGS

MCMLXII

 

The world held its collective breath as the Cuban Missile Crisis brought the planet close to a nuclear conflict. Pope John XXIII opened the Second Vatican Council. Rod Laver won Wimbledon. Among the year’s casualties was screen legend Marilyn Monroe. Johnny Carson took over hosting “The Tonight Show”. Audiences flocked to the cinema to see ‘Lawrence Of Arabia’ and ‘To Kill A Mockingbird’.

Here are 62 examples of the music that was the soundtrack for the year 1962:

 

1

 

HE’S A REBEL

The Crystals

 

Although credited to the girl group, none of The Crystals performed on this recording. Darlene Love is featured on lead vocals. The song was written by Gene Pitney and produced by Phil Spector.

2

 

TWIST AND SHOUT

The Isley Brothers

 

The concept behind this rock anthem was to capitalize on the twist craze sparked by Chubby Checker and The Isleys’ R&B classic “Shout”. It was later covered by acts such as The Beatles and Chaka Demus & Pliers.

 

3

 

MISIRLOU

Dick Dale

 

This guitar classic introduced new sounds to rock and roll. Dale was soon the leading exponent of surf rock.

 

4

 

UP ON THE ROOF

The Drifters

 

Another pop gem created by the couple Carole King and Gerry Goffin. It was produced by Leiber and Stoller.

5

 

TELL HIM

The Exciters

 

This snappy R&B track was produced by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller.

6

 

LOVE ME DO

The Beatles

 

The Fab Four began making inroads on the UK charts in 1962. This – The Beatles’ debut single- was an early preview of the pop classics the band would create during the rest of the decade.

 

7

 

SOMETHING’S GOT A HOLD ON ME

Etta James

 

Etta injects blues, gospel and soul into this R&B staple. She co-wrote the song.

8

 

SHERRY

The Four Seasons

 

This was the first US #1 single for the group from New Jersey. It was written by band member Bob Gaudio and produced by Bob Crewe.

 

9

 

THE LOCO-MOTION

Little Eva

 

After “The Twist” became a global sensation, countless other songs immortalized various dance crazes. Little Eva was a babysitter hired by songwriters Carole King and Gerry Goffin who penned this hit for her to record.

 

10

 

YOU’VE REALLY GOT A HOLD ON ME

Smokey Robinson & The Miracles

 

Motown was starting to score hits with its ever-expanding roster of acts. The label’s earliest successes were recorded by Mary Wells, Marvin Gaye and The Miracles. 

 

 

 

11 WHEREVER I LAY MY HAT (THAT’S MY HOME) Marvin Gaye

12 RETURN TO SENDER Elvis Presley

13 LEAH Roy Orbison

14 TWISTIN’ THE NIGHT AWAY Sam Cooke

15 BIG GIRLS DON’T CRY The Four Seasons

16 P.S. I LOVE YOU The Beatles

17 UPTOWN The Crystals

18 GREEN ONIONS Booker T & The MGs

19 IF I HAD A HAMMER Peter, Paul & Mary

20 ANY DAY NOW Chuck Jackson

 

21 BOOM BOOM John Lee Hooker

22 DON’T MAKE ME OVER Dionne Warwick

23 THE YOUNG ONES Cliff Richard

24 MASHED POTATO TIME Dee Dee Sharp

25 GOOD LUCK CHARM Elvis Presley

26 MONSTER MASH Bobby “Boris” Pickett & The Crypt-Kickers

27 TWO LOVERS Mary Wells

28 THE MAN WHO SHOT LIBERTY VALANCE Gene Pitney

29 WEST OF THE WALL Toni Fisher

30 BREAKING UP IS HARD TO DO Neil Sedaka

 

31 WORKING FOR THE MAN Roy Orbison

32 BEECHWOOD 4-5789 The Marvelettes

33 SEALED WITH A KISS Bryan Hyland

34 IT MIGHT AS WELL RAIN UNTIL SEPTEMBER Carole King

35 LOVER PLEASE Clyde McPhatter

36 YOU BEAT ME TO THE PUNCH Mary Wells

37 MULTIPLICATION Bobby Darin

38 BACHELOR BOY Cliff Richard

39 NIGHT TRAIN James Brown

40 LIMBO ROCK Chubby Checker

 

41 THE ONE WHO REALLY LOVES YOU Mary Wells

42 NOTHING CAN CHANGE THIS LOVE Sam Cooke

43 MOON RIVER Audrey Hepburn

44 THE SWISS MAID Del Shannon

45 DREAM BABY Roy Orbison

46 WONDERFUL LAND The Shadows

47 CHAINS The Cookies

48 TELSTAR The Tornados

49 BABY IT’S YOU The Shirelles   

50 NUT ROCKER B. Bumble & The Stingers

 

51 JAMIE Eddie Holland

52 STRANGER ON THE SHORE Mr. Acker Bilk

53 SLOW TWISTIN’ Chubby Checker (& Dee Dee Sharp)

54 LET’S DANCE Chris Montez   

55 I KNOW (YOU DON’T LOVE ME NO MORE) Barbara George

56 SHEILA Tommy Roe

57 I CAN’T STOP LOVING YOU Ray Charles

58 I’VE BEEN EVERYWHERE Lucky Starr   

59 ALL ALONE AM I Brenda Lee

    60 WAH-WATUSI The Orlons

 

61 SOLDIER BOY The Shirelles   

    62 THE STRIPPER David Rose’s Orchestra