The Best Songs of 1962 - Nos. 5 to 1
5. She’s Got You – Patsy Cline (She’s Got You)
Patsy made it to number one on the Country charts and number fourteen on the Pop charts with this wonderful follow-up to her two massive hits of the previous year. Another great story of lost love from the Country genre, Patsy sang it beautifully.
4. Misirlou – Dick Dale (Misirlou)
Misirlou started life in 1927. It was originally a Greek song in the rebetiko style, which I think is some sort of Greek version of the blues. Dick Dale, the King of the Surf Guitar, changed it into something completely different and gave birth to a new genre.
3. Dream Baby – Roy Orbison (Dream Baby)
Roy made it to number four on the charts with this one. This song just flows well. The driving beat and Roy’s interchange with the backup singers is all really great stuff. The song itself is a bit of a throwback to Roy’s earlier rockabilly roots.
2. You’ve Really Got A Hold On Me – Smokey Robinson & The Miracles (The Fabulous Miracles)
Damn, Smokey could sing! A huge hit for Smokey and for Motown, this song is one of those great desperate love songs. Those are usually the best ones after a break up. The Beatles did a really great cover of this one.
1. Green Onions – Booker T & The MGs (Green Onions)
This may be the best instrumental of the 60’s. These guys were the house band at Stax/Volt back in the day and they played on almost all of those great hits from Otis, Aretha, Sam & Dave, and Wilson Pickett. These guys were amazing and this was the best song of 1962.
5. Patsy Cline
4. Dick Dale
3. Smokey Robinson & The Miracles
2. Booker T & The MGs
1. Roy Orbison
Male Voice of 1962
5. Ray Charles
4. Ben E. King
3. Rudy Lewis of The Drifters
2. Smokey Robinson
1. Roy Orbison
Female Voice of 1962
1. Patsy Cline
Top Groups of 1962
4. The Duprees
3. The Drifters
2. Smokey Robinson & The Miracles
1. Booker T & The MGs
Top Albums and/or Singles of 1962
5. She’s Got You – Patsy Cline (45)
4. Miserlou – Dick Dale (45)
3. Dream Baby – Roy Orbison (45)
2. The Fabulous Miracles – Smokey Robinson & The Miracles (LP)
1. Green Onions – Booker T & The MGs (LP)
Comments and opinions are encouraged and appreciated.
2 comments:
Thanks for another great post. It must have been a really tough job because Gene Pitney(Town Without Pity) and Dion(The Wanderer and Lovers Who Wander) had a couple of great hits that year. Love every song on your top 15, that's for sure.
great --Green Onions one of my favorites- first time I ever saw it being preformed.
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