1001 Songs You Must Hear Before You Die - 1963

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Poll Results

OptionVotes
The Ronettes: Be My Baby 29
Roy Orbison: In Dreams 12
The Kingsmen: Louie Louie 9
The Trashmen: Surfin' Bird 8
Bob & Early: Harlem Shuffle 3
The Drifters: On Broadway 2
The Chiffons: One Fine Day 1
The Jaynetts: Sally Go "Round The Roses" 1
Garnet Mimms & The Enchanters: Cry Baby 0
Juliette Greco: La Javanaise 0
Gino Paoli: Sapore Di Sale 0


Hongroe (Geir Hongro), Saturday, 14 May 2011 23:31 (fourteen years ago)

Although, "From Me To You", "She Loves You" and "I Want To Hold Your Hand" are all better songs, "Be My Baby" is still the best thing I've voted for so far in these polls.

Hongroe (Geir Hongro), Saturday, 14 May 2011 23:32 (fourteen years ago)

This is my favourite year post-1955 for non-rock & roll pop: "Sukiyaki," "Can't Get Used to Losing You," "Wives and Lovers," and "Danke Schoen." There are great songs listed above, but truthfully, they're all played out for me. My three favourites from '63 are Little Peggy March's "I Will Follow Him," "Ring of Fire," and a couple of girl-group originals: the Orlons' "Don't Throw Your Love Away" and the Exciters' "Do Wah Diddy."

clemenza, Sunday, 15 May 2011 00:13 (fourteen years ago)

Louie Louie

Stomp! in the name of love (WmC), Sunday, 15 May 2011 00:16 (fourteen years ago)

The Kingsmen: Louie Louie
The Ronettes: Be My Baby
The Trashmen: Surfin' Bird

Choosing from these three is TOUGH. Probably will go Ronettes, but with slight regret.

Johnny Fever, Sunday, 15 May 2011 00:20 (fourteen years ago)

Everybody knows that the bird is the word.

kornrulez6969, Sunday, 15 May 2011 00:41 (fourteen years ago)

Orbison

President Keyes, Sunday, 15 May 2011 00:49 (fourteen years ago)

In Dreams. Fine field this time.

EZ Snappin, Sunday, 15 May 2011 01:08 (fourteen years ago)

As indicated above, two of these songs have become almost inseparable from iconic film scenes: "In Dreams" and Blue Velvet, "Be My Baby" and Mean Streets. I wouldn't say that's quite true of "Louie Louie":

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WsXBHIYjTPw

clemenza, Sunday, 15 May 2011 01:17 (fourteen years ago)

Was thinking about "Louie Louie" the other day. Were there any stylistic precedents for it? Obviously a very influential record on the American garage rock of the next few years.

timellison, Sunday, 15 May 2011 01:22 (fourteen years ago)

There would seem to be a line from "La Bamba" to "Louie Louie"--that ubiquitous three-chord progression--except I'm not sure if Richard Berry's original pre-dates "La Bamba," and I'm also not sure if it's the same three chords.

clemenza, Sunday, 15 May 2011 01:34 (fourteen years ago)

That's a good call! They both have a little bit of a laid back ride cymbal beat going on, too.

"Louie Louie" is a one-four-five progression like "La Bamba" except the five chord is minor.

timellison, Sunday, 15 May 2011 01:50 (fourteen years ago)

One Fine Day

Captain Hyrax (Phil D.), Sunday, 15 May 2011 03:47 (fourteen years ago)

X-Post what is certain anyway is that "Louie Louie" ---> "Wild Thing".

I don't like either much at all though.

Hongroe (Geir Hongro), Sunday, 15 May 2011 09:15 (fourteen years ago)

this was hard until i got to "In Dreams"

wanking on the moon (Noodle Vague), Sunday, 15 May 2011 10:17 (fourteen years ago)

I have missed Roy Orbison prior to this one. Not that much of a fan of "In Dreams", but "Crying" really should have been in there.

Hongroe (Geir Hongro), Sunday, 15 May 2011 10:42 (fourteen years ago)

between Harlem Shuffle, One Fine Day and In Dreams. amazing bunch of songs.

gospodin simmel, Sunday, 15 May 2011 13:13 (fourteen years ago)

She Loves You is a major omission.

kornrulez6969, Sunday, 15 May 2011 15:44 (fourteen years ago)

"I Want To Hold Your Hand" maybe even larger considering it was also the one that broke them in the US (and it was released in 1963).

Hongroe (Geir Hongro), Sunday, 15 May 2011 19:34 (fourteen years ago)

I wonder if the early Dave Davies lead guitar style comes from the "Louie Louie" solo, too.

timellison, Sunday, 15 May 2011 20:42 (fourteen years ago)

As indicated above, two of these songs have become almost inseparable from iconic film scenes: "In Dreams" and Blue Velvet, "Be My Baby" and Mean Streets. I wouldn't say that's quite true of "Louie Louie"

don't forget "Surfin' Bird"/Full Metal Jacket; before I saw this, I wz going to post Lynch vs. Scorsese vs. Kubrick (even though I'm gonna end up voting for "Harlem Shuffle")

not some creepy dyspnea fetish (loves labored breathing), Monday, 16 May 2011 15:50 (fourteen years ago)

Don't forget about "Louie Louie"'s iconic usage in "Down Periscope" as well.

Seriously, I voted for "Louie Louie", due to its genuinely iconic status as well as influence, but it's close enough that I may switch it later.

justfanoe (Greg Fanoe), Monday, 16 May 2011 15:51 (fourteen years ago)

there's something vaguely unsettling about seeing the phrase "Before You Die" every time i look at ILM new answers

suggest ban the subbest man (some dude), Monday, 16 May 2011 15:52 (fourteen years ago)

"I Want To Hold Your Hand" maybe even larger considering it was also the one that broke them in the US (and it was released in 1963).

That's a neat trick considering they didn't record it until October 1963 and it wasn't released in the US until the day after Christmas. It didn't chart until January 1964.

Captain Hyrax (Phil D.), Monday, 16 May 2011 15:59 (fourteen years ago)

Uh, ignore that, I thought you said "early 1963."

Captain Hyrax (Phil D.), Monday, 16 May 2011 16:00 (fourteen years ago)

"Be My Baby" over "Louie Louie" and "In Dreams"

Brad C., Monday, 16 May 2011 16:07 (fourteen years ago)

I think I prefer "He's So Fine" to "One Fine Day," "Da Doo Ron Ron" to "Be My Baby," and I miss "Heat Wave."

timellison, Monday, 16 May 2011 16:40 (fourteen years ago)

I had to go with "Surfin' Bird." I just had to.

shake it, shake it, sugary pee (Tarfumes The Escape Goat), Monday, 16 May 2011 17:13 (fourteen years ago)

"Da Doo Ron Ron" should have been here besides "Be My Baby". Phil Spector was the most important thing going on in American music in 1963. (However, the most important things in pop music in 1963 happened in Liverpool.....)

Hongroe (Geir Hongro), Monday, 16 May 2011 18:58 (fourteen years ago)

Automatic thread bump. This poll is closing tomorrow.

System, Thursday, 19 May 2011 23:01 (fourteen years ago)

It's Be My Baby, innit?

broodje kroket (dog latin), Friday, 20 May 2011 16:06 (fourteen years ago)

Just sayin...maybe 5 days is too much time with these polls. The comments usually stop after 2 or 3 days.

kornrulez6969, Friday, 20 May 2011 16:21 (fourteen years ago)

They do tend to catch some steam after the pre-bump. I decided to give this one a couple days extra, but it may be that 3-4 days is enough.

Hongroe (Geir Hongro), Friday, 20 May 2011 20:11 (fourteen years ago)

Automatic thread bump. This poll's results are now in.

System, Friday, 20 May 2011 23:01 (fourteen years ago)

damn. hoped The Chiffons, The Jaynetts and the Harlem Shuffle would get more votes. then again, they were up against juggernauts such as Be My Baby, Louie Louie, In Dreams and Surfin' Bird so no wonder.

gospodin simmel, Friday, 20 May 2011 23:23 (fourteen years ago)

That's the right order...

Mark G, Friday, 20 May 2011 23:25 (fourteen years ago)

Wow Scorsese in a 2:1 lead over Lynch

excitebikable boy (Drugs A. Money), Friday, 20 May 2011 23:46 (fourteen years ago)

Geez, you just made me realize that I overlooked what is absolutely my favourite song from '63--I went through my media player by year, so I don't know how I missed it:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oVIA1vqQfb8

clemenza, Friday, 20 May 2011 23:56 (fourteen years ago)

I am proud to have cast the one and only Chiffons vote.

Shart Shaped Box (Phil D.), Saturday, 21 May 2011 00:20 (fourteen years ago)


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