1001 Songs You Must Hear Before You Die - 1963

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.

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."

Louie Louie

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.

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_G1FoqNg-sko/SwWx79O_nMI/AAAAAAAAACM/pc7xSyJcPXA/s320/Blue+Velvet+Dean+Stockwell.jpg

Everybody knows that the bird is the word.

Orbison

In Dreams. Fine field this time.

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

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.

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.

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.

One Fine Day

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

I don't like either much at all though.

this was hard until i got to "In Dreams"

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.

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

She Loves You is a major omission.

"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).

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

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")

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.

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

"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.

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

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

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."

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

"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.....)

Automatic thread bump. This poll is closing tomorrow.

It's Be My Baby, innit?

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

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.

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

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.

That's the right order...

Wow Scorsese in a 2:1 lead over Lynch

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

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