THE perfect popsong ? Not sure, but it comes close to it. The tune has that typical late 60s "sound". Bombastically orchestrated in the "Barry Ryan style"... it's a melodrama with lots of
catchy hooks... IF you can find it, you will love it ... I usually rate a song not higher than
8/10, but this one... well, what can I say... 11/10 !!!
Let it be known that I HATE covers... I like originals, but there is the odd exception and this is one of them. Amen Corner had a hit version with the song, but when you hear the 1969 Dave Clark Five version you will immediately forget the Amen Corner one. DC5 started out as a beat group and I don't like 1963-1966 beat. But like many groups they tried to survive in the music business and adapted to the new "sound" of the decade. They gave this song the late 60s treatment the way it should have sounded in the first place. Dramatic, musicall over-produced and full of power. If you like a strong orchestrated poptune, this is one of them. DC5 deserved the hit... not the Amen Corner.
18 Jun 02 ·n-jeff: I was always quite fond of the version by Clive Langer and the Boxes from about 82. Sung in a terrible fake South London accent.
If Parodice woz alf as naice as evven wen oym kissin yew. But I've not heard the DC5 version. Must say, I'm intrigued.
A non-lp track... I went nuts where I first played this. If you want a song that will stuck in your mind for the rest of the week, then play this one :) Very very catchy and lyrics that will put a smile on your face "Mr Peacock, Mr Peacock, no one else can be so groovy". A song full of surprising hooks, building to a harmony climax. Man oh man ... this IS music ... makes you wonder how it all turned sour in the mid 70s... when orchestras and catchy melodies were replaced by synthesizers and drum-pads ...
30 Jul 04 ·moe: Based on your enthusiastic description, I tracked this song down (it wasn't an easy task!), and I can't say I was disappointed. Very groovy indeed! The best song ever written about peacocks. 31 May 06 ·deathshadow: For those who don't know - the song is from the movie "The Love God" starring Don Knotts.
Harper & Rowe... two unknowns who made one album in 1969... and what a surprise it was. Makes you wonder if these tunes had been given airplay, how many hits could they have had.
Some songs are pure pop, while others are more pop-psyche, but they all have a strong melody line in common and of course... an big orchestra. All songs on the album are good, but for some reason Love Machine stands out. It's very uptempo... and I play it loud (apologies to my neighbours) ;)
Jefferson (Geoff Turnton) was a member of the Rockin' Berries in the mid 60s. A couple of years later, top producer Tony MacAuley took him under his wings and he released a solo album. What can I say... these songs are 'tailor-made' for me, as if they written especially for my personal musical taste. He also released a couple of singles for PYE and some were meant for a second album, which was never released. I picked the single "You know how it is with a woman" but 'City girl" is equally good. I wouldn't know which one to choose... A recommendation ? 100% yeeeeeeeeees ! Did I mention it's all melodic and hugely orchestrated ? I guess not, but by now I think you'll know I like songs like that ;)