The Analog Kid

The Billboard Top 5 from September 4, 1965, is completely ridiculous. Every single song is a classic.

Before you browse down and listen to the songs from 1965, please make a note of the Billboard Top 5 during the second week of September from THIS year. This Top 5 is also completely ridiculous, but for very different reasons. Feel free to compare and contrast if you’d like, although you will have to find the 2013 songs yourself because I don’t own any of them.

5. “Wake Me Up” By Avicii

4. “Holy Grail” by Jay-Z & Justin Timberlake

3. “Royals” by Lorde

2. “Blurred Lines” by Robin Thicke

1. “Roar” by Katy Perry

The Billboard Top 5: September 4, 1965

#5:

Four Tops: “It’s The Same Old Song” (Holland/Dozier/Holland)

From the album Second Album

Motown Records, 1965

It’s The Same Old Song

I don’t care if “It’s The Same Old Song” is essentially a remake of “I Can’t Help Myself.” If you’re going to steal, steal from yourselves!

#4:

The Righteous Brothers: “Unchained Melody” (Alex North/Hy Zaret)

From the album Just Once In My Life…

London Records, 1965

Unchained Melody

“Unchained Melody” was a hit two times for The Righteous Brothers. It peaked at #4 on September 4, 1965, and went as high as #13 when it was re-released following its appearance in the movie Ghost in 1990. Although credited to the band, Bobby Hatfield actually recorded it solo without any contribution from fellow Brother Bill Medley. Hatfield died from a heart attack (induced by a cocaine overdose) in 2003.

“The Righteous Brothers were neither righteous nor brothers. Discuss…”

#3:

The Beach Boys: “California Girls” (Brian Wilson/Mike Love)

From the album Summer Days (And Summer Nights)

Capitol Records, 1965

California Girls

Brian Wilson supposedly wrote the beginning of “California Girls” during his first LSD trip, and Mike Love helped him finish the rest of the song the next day. “California Girls” peaked at #3 in September of 1965, a chart position that was matched by David Lee Roth’s remake in 1985. Somebody get me a doctor.

#2:

Bob Dylan: “Like A Rolling Stone” (Bob Dylan)

From the album Highway 61 Revisited

Columbia Records, 1965

Like A Rolling Stone

“Like A Rolling Stone” almost wasn’t released at all because Columbia Records thought it was way too long. The label eventually released the song unedited, and “Like A Rolling Stone” became Bob Dylan’s biggest hit (it peaked at #2). How does it feel to have never had a #1 hit, Bob?

I shouldn’t tease Bob. After all, Bruce Springsteen has never had a #1 hit either. Rolling Stone did rank “Like A Rolling Stone” at #1 on its list of the 500 Greatest Songs Of All Time in 2010, so that’s not too shabby.

#1:

The Beatles: “Help!” [James Bond Intro] (John Lennon/Paul McCartney)

From the album Help!

Capitol Records, 1965

Help

It’s funny that “Help!” kept “Like A Rolling Stone” from the #1 slot, as you can clearly hear Bob Dylan’s influence creeping its way into John Lennon’s songwriting. “Help!” spent three weeks at #1, and Lennon often cited it as one of his favorite Beatle compositions.

Note: I’ve included the hard-to-find U.S. version  of “Help!” with its pseudo James Bond intro. Classic!

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Bonus Tracks!

The first rule of The Analog Kid blog is that if you write about a song on the Analog Kid blog, you share the song on the Analog Kid blog.

Four Tops: “I Can’t Help Myself” (Holland/Dozier/Holland)

From the album Second Album

Motown Records, 1965

I Can’t Help Myself

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Bonus Bonus Tracks!

Here’s an alternate universe Top 5 for your listening pleasure…

#5:

KC & The Sunshine Band: “It’s The Same Old Song” (Holland/Dozier/Holland)

From the album Who Do Ya (Love)

TK Records, 1978

It’s The Same Old Song

#4:

U2: “Unchained Melody” (Written By Alex North & Hy Zaret)

From the 12″ single All I Want Is You

Island Records, 1989

Unchained Melody

#3:

David Lee Roth: “California Girls” (Brian Wilson/Mike Love)

From the EP Crazy From The Heat

Warner Brothers, 1985

California Girls

#2:

Jimi Hendrix: “Like A Rolling Stone” (Bob Dylan)

From the album The Monterey International Pop Festival

Rhino Records, 1992

Like A Rolling Stone

#1:

The Carpenters: “Help” (John Lennon/Paul McCartney)

From the album Close To You

A&M Records, 1970

Help