Author: Margaret Ashworth

This was written by Brian Wilson and Mike Love and released on The Beach Boys’ 1963 album Surfer Girl. Here is a live performance from 1977.

Billy wrote this, his debut single. It was recorded on November 26, 1958, and released on January 16, 1959.  It got to No 18 in Britain. To be honest, it’s … Continue readingBilly Fury: Maybe Tomorrow

This is credited to Don Raye and John Jacob Niles. It was first recorded by Peggy Lee in 1959 as the B-side of her single Hallelujah, I Love Him So. Cliff … Continue readingCliff Richard: I’m Looking out the Window

I can’t bear this but it was hugely popular in 1967 and seems to have become a symbol of the idiotic 60s Flower Power movement. It was written by John … Continue readingScott McKenzie: San Francisco (Be Sure to Wear Flowers in Your Hair)

This was written by Geoff Goddard and produced by Joe Meek. It was released in 1961. Despite (or because of) being banned by the BBC because of its death theme, … Continue readingJohn Leyton: Johnny Remember Me

Ok, it’s corny, but I love it, particularly the Edith Piaf original. It was written in 1940 in French as Les Trois Cloches by Jean Villard, known as Gilles. It was recorded … Continue readingThe Browns: The Three Bells

Written by Bert Berns (co-writer of Twist and Shout), this was the group’s biggest hit. It was recorded in October 1964 with Jimmy Page on guitar, and was expected to be … Continue readingThem: Here Comes the Night