Songs I Like

[hardrockminer]

The Beatles were great because they liked to experiment in ways not yet done with popular music.  They were the first group to use orchestral arrangements along with their songs.  Yesterday is an early example of using string instruments.  Other groups followed, and this group took things to a new level.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XKElk9zTB04

[hardrockminer]

Christmas is only 10 days away.  It's time for a little Christmas music.  This French group had a few hits back in the late 70's and early 80's.  Here is one of their best.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rpDj1UTIn4Y

[Steve G.]

   On this date, December 16, 1967, The Lemon Pipers massive hit song " Green Tambourine" debuted at #68 on the US Billboard Hot 100. It would reach #1.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Po0CDHbnI4o


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SN123JukWFY         Extended version with interview.



Chart (1967–1968)   Peak
position


Australia (Go-Set)[11]   3
Belgium (Wallonia)[12]   30
Canada RPM 100[13]   3
Germany[12]   10
Netherlands[14]   9
New Zealand (Listener)[15]   3
South Africa (Springbok)[16]   6
Switzerland (Swiss Hitparade)[17]   7
U.S. Billboard Hot 100[7]   1
U.S. Cash Box Top 100[19]   1
U.S. Record World 100 Top Pops[20]   1
UK Record Retailer[18]   7


Certifications
Region   Certification   Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[24]   Gold   1,000,000^

[hardrockminer]

This band had a lot of hits before the lead singer died a couple of years ago.  Believe it or not, they issued a Christmas song.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qPoHul8ngNw

[Steve G.]

  On this date, December 17, 1969,  Chicago Transit Authority's self-titled debut album [Chicago]  is awarded a Gold Record by the R.I.A.A. The LP would stay on the Billboard 200 chart for a then record of 171 weeks and was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2014.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xoJpyYu_NMk&list=PLVMgMdYqIEkboVaFK7HUlFXlRqa4DPXv6&index=2   "Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?"      Includes 1 minute prelude.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lI-BMDnti4c&list=PLVMgMdYqIEkboVaFK7HUlFXlRqa4DPXv6&index=3         "Beginnings"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0TKaFqhmmg4&list=PLVMgMdYqIEkboVaFK7HUlFXlRqa4DPXv6&index=4    " Questions 67 and 68".

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cBGyFrHF1eU&list=PLVMgMdYqIEkboVaFK7HUlFXlRqa4DPXv6&index=9        " I'm a Man"



Certifications
Region   Certification   Certified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada)[48]   Platinum   100,000^
United States (RIAA)[49]   2× Platinum   2,000,000^

[hardrockminer]

This group had many hits, and they still tour but have a couple of new members. 


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Rv3wfwIVBc

[Steve G.]

  December 18, 1961, The Tokens' huge hit " The Lion Sleeps Tonight", reaches #1 on many top 100 charts in various countries.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQlByoPdG6c   Original track.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NavvTqVusAk       PBS Studios, New York.






Weekly charts
Chart (1961–1962)   Peak
position
Australia Kent Music Report   15
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[36]   6
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)[37]   13
Canada CHUM Chart   1
New Zealand Lever[38]   1
UK Singles (OCC)[39]   11
US Billboard Hot 100[40]   1
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[41]   7
US Cash Box Top 100   1
West Germany (GfK)[42]   23



Certifications for "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" by The Tokens
Region   Certification   Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[44]   Gold   1,000,000^

[hardrockminer]

That's one of my favourite songs, and I enjoy the Token's version but prefer Ladysmith Black Mombaso's

This group has been together for a couple of decades but came to fame when they appeared on the cover of Rolling Stone.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KxN2cKBWbJ4

[Steve G.]

December 19, 1969, The Hollies' version of " He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother", debuted at #100 on the Billboard Hot 100.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jl5vi9ir49g





Chart (1969–1970)   Peak
position
Australia (KMR)[14]   8
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[15]   16
Canadian Adult Singles[17]   35
Canadian Top Singles[16]   11
Finland (Soumen Virallinen)[18]   16
Ireland (Irish Singles Chart)[19]   3
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[20]   15
New Zealand (Listener)[21]   7
Norway (VG-lista)[22]   7
South Africa (Springbok)[23]   1
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[24]   5
UK Singles (OCC)[11]   3
US Billboard Hot 100[25]   7
US Cash Box Top 100[26]   8
West Germany (GfK)[27]   9
Chart (1988)   Peak
position
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[28]   6
Ireland (Irish Singles Chart)[19]   2
UK Singles (OCC)[29]   1
Year-end charts

Chart (1970)   Rank
Australia[30]   54
Canada[31]   68
South Africa[32]   16
US Billboard Hot 100[33]   46
US Cash Box[34]   58
Chart (1988)   Rank
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[35]   95
UK Singles (OCC)[36]   8

Certifications
Region   Certification   Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)[37]   Gold   400,000‡

[hardrockminer]

Probably their best song.

This guy is a true bike and he's been around the R&R scene for a long time.  Like most R&R stars...he has a Christmas album.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=76WFkKp8Tjs

[hardrockminer]

Couldn't do Christmas songs and leave this group out.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ovX5bcIxTQ8

[hardrockminer]

That group deserves another one!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z7w-oRGLbac

[hardrockminer]

This is one of my all time favourite Christmas songs.  There are some familiar faces in the band.  See if you can name them.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QFa5Mn4wh_0