1963 Reflection

   What a long soft trip 1963 has been! There was lots of soft-pop hits and relatively few R&B or Rock songs that hit #1. Because of this, I'd rank this year as the weakest so far. It's not that there were an abundance of bad songs, it's just that there were so many softer pop songs that all seem to blend together as one homogenized blob of unmemorable music.

     Many of the songs I have reviewed from this year come across as not only very dated, but also very old fashioned  It's as if the pop market was taking giant steps backwards instead of forward. As fate would have it, this would be the last year for quite a while that this would happen. 

     Yet, above all of this sameness, are several noteworthy songs that not only stand out above the rest, but also are among the first to come to mind when you think of American music in 1963. Unlike previous years, I easily was able to decide which was the most deserved classic, and which one wasn't - 

Best #1 Hit Song Of 1963 - "Fingertips Pt. 2" - Little Stevie Wonder. 

     Practically a given, and I didn't expect any song to come any closer. Runners up include "Surf City", "Walk Like A Man" and "He's So Fine". The reason I didn't pick those songs is that the latter two, while great songs, aren't very innovative. In the case of "Surf City", the song's lyrics are incredibly dated, and by 1965, the song would practically be an antique in that regard. 

     "Fingertips", on the other hand, is not only fresh but has a nice timeless sound to it. It's a stellar improvisational extravaganza. Even by only judging part 2 of the song, I had no second guessing when it came to naming it the best #1 hit song of 1963.  

Worst #1 Hit Song Of 1963 - "Dominique" - The Singing Nun. 

     Another given, although unlike other "Worst" songs, this one isn't so bad. The reason the song is ranked weakest has to do with the fact that the song is incredibly kitschy and outdated sounding. If it wasn't for the events of November 22, 1963, which led to mostly soft-pop on the radio, there's no way this song would ever have had widespread radio airplay. It was meant for a smaller audience and that's where it should have stayed. 

     The only song that could be a runner up for worst is "I Will Follow Him". However, my main problems with that song are the way it is sung and the lyrics. At least "I Will Follow Him" has hooks and enough variations in the music to keep me interested, unlike "Dominique". It's not among the worst, but I can't deny that "Dominique" is the weakest #1 hit song of 1963. 


     Now we move on to 1964, the music world, (and this blog) will never be the same again! New styles of music replace the old, and the 1960's finally start to have a musical identity that isn't trapped in the innocent 1950's. All of this is made possible by The British Invasion. 

                           Coming Up Next - 1964 Overview. 

                 Until Next Time - I'm Dr. Rock - See you in '64!