Category: M’s Track of the Day

Cotton Fields was written by Huddie Ledbetter, better known as Leadbelly, who made the first recording of the song in 1940. I’m not sure if this is the first but it … Continue readingThe Beach Boys: Cotton Fields/Cottonfields

I have a clear memory of listening to this in a booth on the first floor of the electrical shop in Beckenham with friends after school. I can’t quite remember … Continue readingThe Shadows: Atlantis

This was written by Jimmy Campbell, Reg Connelly and Harry M. Woods and was first recorded on December 8, 1932, by the Ray Noble Orchestra with vocals by Val Rosing. … Continue readingOtis Redding: Try a Little Tenderness

I’m not a great Motown fan but I think this one is great. It was written by group members Smokey Robinson (lead vocalist), Pete Moore (bass vocalist), and Marv Tarplin … Continue readingThe Miracles: Tracks of My Tears

This was written by Pat Ballard and released in 1954 by the Four Aces, who got to No 9 in both America and Britain . . .  . . . … Continue readingThe Chordettes: Mr Sandman

Written by Gerry Goffin and Jack Keller, this was the 1961 follow-up to Take Good Care of My Baby, which I wrote about here. https://am-records.com/2020/03/30/bobby-vee-take-good-care-of-my-baby/ It got to No 2 in the US … Continue readingBobby Vee: Run to Him

Co-written by Vinton and Gene Allen, this was released on Vinton’s first album Roses are Red in 1962, but was given to Buddy Greco to release as a single. It reached No … Continue readingBobby Vinton: Mr Lonely

This was written by Tony Macaulay and John MacLeod and was the Foundations’ debut single in 1967, topping the UK chart and reaching No 11 in the States. This video … Continue readingThe Foundations: Baby Now That I’ve Found You

This was written by Sylvia Fricker in 1962. She and her husband-to-be Ian Tyson, performing as Ian and Sylvia, recorded it for their 1964 album Northern Journey. In 1965 it was … Continue readingCrispian St Peters: You Were On My Mind

This was written and first recorded by John D. Loudermilk in 1960. It was not a hit. Mickie Most produced a more raucous version by the Nashville Teens in 1964, … Continue readingNashville Teens: Tobacco Road