1961: The Year In Music

Let’s keep the music history train running!

Once again I’ll be looking at the popular hits of 1961, as well as the highest-rated singles and albums in order to get a comprehensive look at the year’s overall musical quality.

Before we begin, you can check out some of my related blog posts below:

Billboard Top 10 (Popular) Singles

Source: Wikipedia

10 – Wooden Heart (Joe Dowell)

That electric organ sound gets grating quickly, and that saxophone solo is uninspired. I’m not surprised “Wooden Heart” hasn’t stood the test of time.

9 – Raindrops (Dee Clark)

The crash of thunder at the beginning is a nice production touch, and the strings sound pretty good.

“Raindrops” has a solid vocal performance from Clark and some vibrant instrumentation across the board. Good stuff.

8 – Wheels (The String-A-Longs)

A purely instrumental track. I’ve heard better.

7 – Pony Time (Chubby Checker)

I’m surprised “Pony Time” got on the top 10 biggest hits over the much more famous Checker song “Let’s Twist Again”.

This has a decent 12-bar Blues thing going on, but it’s a little stale.

6 – My True Story (The Jive Five)

I really like the five-part harmonies that The Jive Five offer, but “My True Story” doesn’t stick out that much.

5 – Runaway (Del Shannon)

The first true classic in this top ten!

Del Shannon’s songwriting and vocal chops are on full display on “Runaway”, and that chorus is excellent.

4 – Crying (Roy Orbison)

The slow start and Orbison’s solemn vocals are a match made in heaven.

“Crying” only goes from strength to strength, building on string and vocal harmonies until Orbison gives an incredible final chorus.

3 – Michael (The Highwaymen)

This is what I wanted from a biggest hits list – “Michael” is different enough from the competition to make it stand out in a positive way.

The melancholy Folk guitar is gorgeous, and the softly-delivered vocals add to the subdued vibe.

2 – I Fall to Pieces (Patsy Cline)

Patsy Cline was one of the best voices of the 60’s, and “I Fall to Pieces” is one of her best.

The walking double bass groove is very slick, and if there was more variety in the instrumentation and song structure it could’ve been the best of the year.

1 – Tossin’ and Turnin’ (Bobby Lewis)

After the four great songs we’ve had in a row, “Tossin’ and Turnin'” sounds much staler in comparison.

No slight on Bobby Lewis and the excellent band’s performances, but this sounds like a generic 60’s hit with nothing meaningful to say. Also, is that a kazoo solo in the middle?!?

FAVOURITE – “Crying” (Roy Orbison)

LEAST FAVOURITE – “Wooden Heart” (Joe Dowell)

Top-Rated Songs

Source: http://www.besteveralbums.com

10 – America (West Side Story)

“West Side Story” is probably my joint-favourite musical alongside Les Mis, and “America” is definitely one of the better songs.

Leonard Bernstein’s composition is so much fun across the board, and the energetic performances go a long way in adding to the joyous atmosphere.

9 – Everytime We Say Goodbye (John Coltrane)

Yet another John Coltrane classic (this is far from the last you’ll be seeing of him on these upcoming lists!).

His performance on “Everytime We Say Goodbye” is packed with emotion and flair, and the soprano saxophone (I think) works well with the piano.

8 – Olé (John Coltrane)

It’s that man again.

“Olé” is far jazzier and complex than the previous Coltrane number, and the upright bass is especially noteworthy.

7 – Runaround Sue (Dion)

I was amazed “Runaround Sue” didn’t make the Billboard hits – Dion’s vocals are unbelievably catchy!

I know it’s not on any 1961 list, but “The Wanderer” from the same album should’ve definitely featured on one if not both of these top tens.

6 – Stolen Moments (Oliver Nelson)

Another great Blues song with some fantastic performances across the board.

5 – Crazy (Patsy Cline)

I said “I Fall To Pieces” was one of Patsy Cline’s best, but that’s because “Crazy” is my outright favourite.

The walking bass and whimsical piano are delightful, and Cline’s lyrics and vocals paint a vivid image of tarnished love.

4 – Can’t Help Falling In Love (Elvis Presley)

From one love song to another, “Can’t Help Falling In Love” may sound simple and cheesy but my goodness is it effective.

It’s one of the best Presley songs – and that’s saying something.

3 – Only The Lonely (Roy Orbison)

“Crying” was my favourite song of the Billboard hits, and “Only The Lonely” is just as – if not more – iconic. Suffice it to say, Roy Orbison had a great 1961!

The opening harmonies set a great tone, and Orbison commands the soundwaves with his powerful vocals. The excellent string arrangements also make a return, and they’re arguably at their best here.

2 – Runaway (Del Shannon)

Like with “Cathy’s Clown” in 1960, “Runaway” is 1961’s track to make both the popular and highest-rated lists.

The song structure and instrumental are more intelligent than other hits from the era, and as I said before Del Shannon crushes it in every departmnet.

1 – My Favourite Things (John Coltrane)

The opening number from the album of the same name, “My Favourite Things” is Coltrane and co. on top form.

It’s a 14-minute epic with a strong rhythm backbone and some exciting musical solos throughout.

BEST SONG OF 1961 – “Only The Lonely” (Roy Orbison)

Top-Rated Albums

Source: http://www.besteveralbums.com

5 – Eastern Sounds (Yusef Lateef)

As the title suggests, “Eastern Sounds” by Yusuf Lateef impressed me with its varied genres and new approach to jazz.

4 – Olé Coltrane (John Coltrane)

John Coltrane had arguably the best 1961 out of any artist, and “Olé Coltrane” isn’t even his second best album of the year.

It’s still great, though, and Coltrane is only going from strength to strength as the years go by.

3 – The Blues And The Abstract Truth (Oliver Nelson)

The Blues-iest album of the year, and Oliver Nelson competes with Coltrane for coolest cat of 1961.

2 – Africa / Brass (John Coltrane Quartet)

It’s that man yet again. “Africa / Brass” might not be as adventurous as something like “Olé Coltrane”, but it’s just as grand.

1 – My Favourite Things (John Coltrane)

Oh look, it’s Coltrane again for the third time in these top five albums … I’m a little disappointed by the lack of variety, but this is definitely the best album so far.

All four songs here are classics, and I can’t sing Coltrane’s praises enough.

BEST ALBUM OF 1961 – “My Favourite Things” (John Coltrane)

Final Thoughts

Compared to 1960, 1961 had much better popular hits and high-rated songs … but even less variety in the high-rated albums. In my mind, both years are pretty equal in quality – in other words, I wanted more from both.

Overall Grade: D+

Aaaaand that’s my list! You can check out some of my latest blog posts below: