Recorded - 1965
Released - October 22, 1965 (US), October 29, 1965 (UK)
#1 for week of December 25, 1965.
We end 1965 with one of the often overlooked British Invasion bands, The Dave Clark 5. The "DC5" had a unique setup, with their leader, Dave Clark, on drums. On lead vocals was keyboardist Mike Smith. The group was also one of the few non-R&B sounding British bands to have a saxophone player, in this case, Denis Payton.
The Dave Clark 5 already had a few number one hits in the UK, most notably with "Glad All Over" and "Bits And Pieces". Both songs showcase what I love most about the DC5: Their pure raw energy. However, those songs came out in late '63 and early '64 respectively, and by 1965, the group still sounded very grounded in 1963. You really could get the impression that the band were nostalgic about past music as opposed to what was popular at the time. Case in point is their only US #1, a cover of Bobby Day's 1958 hit, "Over And Over".
Well, I have good things and bad things to say about "Over And Over". For the positives, their classic saxophone-heavy sound is still very prominent. There is even a harmonica solo courtesy of Mike Smith. Also, the rhythm section of Dave Clark on drums and Rick Huxley on bass is very strong.
As for the negatives, I feel that this song lacks the energy that made some of their early hits so noteworthy. Now, I'm not saying that the DC5 couldn't tone it down. In fact, their 1964 hit, "Because", is a great example of a more mellow DC5. However, "Over And Over" borders on bubblegum due to its very simplistic melody and vocal arrangement. Compare this to something like "Anyway You Want It" or "I Like It Like That" which have a much more interesting arrangement.
The remaining five years of The Dave Clark 5's existence would be interesting to say the least. In '66, we got some of their final moments of true brilliance with "Look Before You Leap" and "I've Got To Have A Reason". 1968 by comparison showed the group struggling to keep up with the changing music scene with some very bandwagonesque attempts at psychedelia. These range from unoriginal, ("Maze Of Love"), to painful, ("Live In The Sky"). It is their early work which most people remember today and for good reason, it's some of the best early British Invasion music ever made.
Final Verdict - "Over And Over" may not be the strongest effort by The Dave Clark 5, but it still manages to showcase all that was good musically about the band, albeit with less energy and passion than before. If you want to get into the Dave Clark 5, this probably isn't the first song you should listen to. I'd recommend "Glad All Over" or "Because".
Coming Up Next - 1965 Reflection.
Until Next Time - I'm Dr. Rock, and I'm listening to these songs over and over and over again, and I don't mind! -
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