Song #213 - "Dizzy" - Tommy Roe

Recorded - August 22, 1968

Released - December 1968

#1 for weeks of March 15, 22 and 29 & April 5, 1969. 

     Remember Tommy Roe? The guy who had a #1 hit with the Buddy Holly soundalike clone "Sheila"? Well, turns out he had one more smash hit left in him. While Tommy Roe is all but forgotten to most people born after the 1980's, he was inescapable if you were a devoted listener to AM radio in the late 1960's. That's right, we've got another bubblegum pop hit on our hands. 

     Although I'd hasten to classify "Dizzy" on the same corporate pop level as say, The Ohio Express. For one, Tommy Roe produced "Dizzy" himself and composed the song alongside Freddy Weller. Second, it's can be rather entertaining at times. Most bubblegum pop is all about simplicity. To an extent, "Dizzy" is simplistic, but that's mostly in the lyrics and overall melody. They're the usual happy-go-lucky love lyrics, nothing outstanding.

     What makes "Dizzy" stand out a bit more is its numerous key changes. There are over ten of these in all, and just like the song's title, one can certainly get "Dizzy" just trying to keep track of all these changes. The music track on the other hand never really has any standout moments. There is a prominent Motown-esque string section, but no guitar solos or anything flashy. 

     Do I feel that "Dizzy" deserved a whole month on the top of the charts? Certainly not. I don't even feel it should have hit #1 in the first place. Don't get me wrong, it's a fine enough tune, but it lacks the complexity, maturity, or lasting quality of songs like, say "I Heard It Through The Grapevine". Then again, "Dizzy" was a song aimed more at non-serious music listeners so we can't expect a symphony. 

Final Verdict - "Dizzy" is a good enough tune, but I don't think it holds up as well today, nor do I consider it to be among the best songs of the year. I'd still recommend giving it a listen, but it's not exactly going to wow you. 

Coming Up Next - "Aquarius/Let The Sunshine In (The Flesh Failures)" by The 5th Dimension. 

Until Next Time, I'm Dr. Rock, and it makes me dizzy, looking back on all of the songs I've reviewed so far -