My Hubby's Birthday is today and I can't believe he is, officially, a senior citizen. He has to almost always show his ID to prove that he is actually as old as he is, because he looks much, much younger. He has hardly any grey hairs on his head and does have a full head of hair. I was going to ask him his 3 favourite songs but, I will do that another day so, I am focusing on the top 3 songs of 1957. I have to show his Kaspar since he adores this pussy cat. Here they are...
1. ALL SHOOK UP SUNG BY ELVIS
I have to say, I love Elvis...hubby, not so much but Elvis was getting really big at this time. This song was written by Otis Blackwell and Elvis took this song to the top spot for 8 weeks. It's a great song no matter if you like this early Rock "n Roll or not.
2. LOVE LETTERS IN THE SAND SUNG BY PAT BOONE
I am not a Pat Boone fan and neither is my hubby but this song was all the rage around our birthdays back in the day. It was actually written by J. Fred Coots (music) and Nick and Charles Kenny back in 1931. Pat Boone made this song the most famous back in the day with his plastic hair and white plastic shoes. Gosh, he was so clean cut that you just wish some evil lass came up to him and showed him a thing or 3 in the bedroom to tousle that hair of his. This was another huge hit back in the day (not his sex life but the song).
3. LITTLE DARLIN' SUNG BY THE DIAMONDS
This song was written by Maurice Williams and introduced by The Gladiolas but it became famous by the Diamonds, a Canadian 4 man group that made it big with this rendition which also became huge right around our birthdays.
We went early Rock N Roll, 1957, for my hubby. Happy Birthday To You.
By the way.....Welcome Harley!
Hi, Birgit!
ReplyDeleteHappy 65 to your husband, dear friend! As I indicated last week, 65 is the new 25, so let him rejoice still being so young. Based on your description, he must look more like 25 than 65. Thanks for posting a pic of Kaspar the friendly kitty.
These three big hits from your husband's birth year, 1957, are three of the biggest songs on the soundtrack of my youth. I was age 7 and 8 that year and already had a keen interest in popular music. Starting at age 5, I had been been spending a lot of my time playing DJ, spinning my parents' and big brother's records on my tiny tinny turntable in the basement. These three were included.
The idiom "all shook up" was already in use before Elvis came along but, as I recall, it became a much more commonly heard expression in the wake of his smash hit recording of a song written by Otis Blackwell. Presley's platter topped the chart for 8 weeks in the spring of '57, giving "all shook up" plenty of time to be absorbed into the vocabularies of millions of people, especially young hipsters.
My big brother is the one who bought 45s by Elvis the Pelvis. My folks avoided rock & roll and went with safe, wholesome, bland singers like Pat Boone. Crooner Boone's version of the 1931 popular song "Love Letters In The Sand" was a huge hit in 1957, spending nearly 3/4 of the year on the chart and holding the #1 position for 5 weeks that summer. The song brings back memories of my family's vacation at the seashore that July. Pat's platter played frequently on the radio and we sang along.
"Little Darlin'' by the Canadian pop vocal group The Diamonds, was another huge hit that was at its zenith on the chart when your hubby was born in late May, 1957. As you noted, The Diamonds' version is a cover of a song originally waxed by the Nashville-based doo-wop R&B group The Gladiolas led by singer/songwriter Maurice Williams. Williams later changed the name of the group to Maurice Williams And The Zodiacs and scored a major hit with 'Stay." The Diamonds' single release of "Little Darlin'" raced up the chart and seemed destined to reach #1. However, the record halted at #2 and stayed there 8 weeks, the exact same 8 weeks that Elvis Presley's "All Shook Up" held the #1 spot. The Diamonds version of "Little Darlin'" is regarded by critics as an unusual example of a cover being better than the original.
I thoroughly enjoyed listening to these rock & roll biggies from 1957. Once again, happy b-day to your husband. Have a super day, dear friend BB. I'll see you tamale in the balcony-- "At the Movies!"
Birgit, obviously those pictures of Harley were not yet posted when I commented this morning. At the time, I didn't understand who or what Harley was, and so I remained silent. Now that I can see him, I am overjoyed that you added a new dog to your family.. I hope you will tell us more about him as time goes by. Harley is a handsome fellow and looks very happy to be part of your life. You look happy, too, dear friend BB!
DeleteMy phone was dead and I had the pics of Harley on the phone. I will talk more about him later. He is a sweetie. I thought you might like these songs even vanilla Pat because of fond memories. I knew you could add more to the songs too. Talk to ya tamale
DeleteHappy Birthday to your hubby. I still remember the Elvis vs. Pat Boone arguments when I was growing up. Most of my elders thought Elvis was a passing fad.
ReplyDeleteYes, many thought Elvis would be and now he's an icon. My uncle loved him
DeleteHi Birgit - happy birthday to your hubby ... great seeing Kaspar .. and then the music you've given us for him. I remember these songs - happy very early memories - cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed listening to a bygone era
DeleteHappy birthday to your husband and welcome Harley!
ReplyDeleteI told my hubby about the well wishes and gave Harley a hug
DeleteHappy Birthday to your Husband Birgit, I hope he's had a fabulous day.
ReplyDeleteKasper is gorgeous and Hello Harvey, he looks a jolly doggy, Kate x
He had a good day and enjoyed getting his air fryer. Kaspar is sweet and Harley is funny
DeleteHappy birthday, Michael! I have two months to go …
ReplyDeleteAnd a big welcome to Harley too.
I told hubby your well wishes. Harley is just so great
DeleteHappy 65th to your dear husband!
ReplyDeleteI shall let him know
DeleteHappy birthday to your husband.
ReplyDeleteThanks and told him the well wishes here
DeleteHappy birthday to your husband, dear Birgit. A milestone. I didn't bother listening to the first two, because I have NEVER been a fan of Elvis and Pat Boone is someone I know from TV selling some kind of gold or bonds or something. However, I really enjoyed listening to The Diamonds. That was a really fun song to listen to and watch.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on getting a new dog, dear. Enjoyed seeing you in the photo, too.
Looks like I've missed some entries, so I will now go back and watch them. Hope you are able to see my comments.
My hubbybis not an Elvis fan..hahaaa. Pat Boone us just too vanilla for me. I love that last song like you. Kaspar has to get used to Harley. Harley us scared of Kaspar. I will check out your comments
Delete65 next year for me. Medicare, here I come! Happy birthday to your husband!
ReplyDeleteHubby is now going to be on old age and Canada pension. He's not happy....hahaaa
DeleteLook at that new baby.
ReplyDeleteHappy BDay to your hubby.
Kaspar is gorgeous.
He's my sweet baby who is scare of Kaspar and Kaspar is scared of him. His tail bushed out like a skunk. I have told my hubby about the well wishes
DeleteAww! Harley is too adorable :D
ReplyDeleteHe is so sweet that I just font get why he was brought back twice
Delete