Ray's Song Pick of the Day from 16 June

Elvis Presley
SURRENDER Victor [USA]
US#1(2) from 20 March & UK#1(4) from 1 June 1961 and 15th Top No 1 of 1961 in the US. The 32nd million-seller for Elvis had a reputed global sale of 5 million. Similiar to "It's Now Or Never" of the year before, this was another successful adaption of an old Italian song "Torna A Sorrento" - 'Return To Sorrento' from 1911. The new English words were by Doc Pomus and Mort Schuman in 1960. "Surrender" was #1 in its first week in Britain. MONSTER HIT in N.Z.
Featured – Mon 16 June, 2008

Further to the above and using "Torna A Sorrento" - 'Return To Sorrento' as the basis of a question to give away a copy of Mario Lanza - The Definitive Collection, I wondered if Mario Lanza's song, track 20, Torna A Surriento was the same as that 1911 song. Then I asked what Elvis hit was adapted from this Italian song. After getting a few "It's Now Or Never" answers, I hinted it rhymed with the suggested Love Me Tender and Return To Sender. It wasn't until I played the Elvis "Surrender" that I got a winner in Delia, who coming from the Swiss/Italian border assured me the two spellings were the same song, one was just a little more poetic.
Thank you Delia.

Roy Orbison
RUNNING SCARED Monument [USA]
US#1(1) from 5 June 1961, 17wks in the Top 100 and 21st Top No 1 of 1961
His first US#1, but his 3rd million seller and one of 3 million-sellers for Roy in 1961, co-written by Roy with his regular song writing partner, Joe Melson back in 1952 (according to Encyclopedia of Million Sellers) MONSTER HIT in N.Z.
Featured – Tue 17 June, 2008

The Beatles
PAPERBACK WRITER UK#1(2) from 23 June 1966 and US#1(2) from 25 June
This sold over million in the States and over 500,000 in Britain and was No 1 simultaneously for two weeks in The US from 25 June and in England from 23 June and the 10th consecutive No 1 for the Beatles in the UK. It was also a No 1 hit in Holland, Norway, Denmark, Germany, Austria, and Ireland in the Northern hemisphere, and on the other side of the world, in Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, Australia and New Zealand. A Paul McCartney song featuring Paul double-tracked singing lead and the first Beatle A-side that wasn’t considered a love song.
Featured – Wed 18 June, 2008

Bonds, Gary (U.S.) - Quarter To Three
US#1(2) from 26 June 1961, 15 weeks in the Top 100 (13th Top No1 of 1961)
The 1st million-seller for Gary Anderson, (the artist's real name and co-written by him. Florida born in 1939 he began singing in his church group at age 9. In 1952 he formed his own group, The Turks and became a solo artist after the group disbanded. His first record was "New Orleans" which was a top 10 hit, then came "Quarter To Three" followed by three more Top 10's. MODERATE HIT in N.Z.
Featured – Thu 19 June, 2008

The Hollies
I'M ALIVE, Graham Nash (b Feb 1942) and Allan Clarke (b Apr 1942) first sang together at their Salford Primary school. Later, as the Two Teens, they performed hits by Lonnie Donegan, Cliff Richard and the Everly Brothers for the Manchester Cabaret circuit. A number of name changes and increase in group size, they became The Hollies in tribute to Buddy Holly. The Hollies recorded a string of reworked American Rhythm & Blues until their EMI producer Ron Richards in 1965 began to find good original numbers for them, including their first million seller from 1966 by Graham Gouldman (later with 10cc) with “Bus Stop”. “I’m Alive” though was by Clint Ballard, who also wrote the hits; “Good Timin’” for Jimmy Jones and “The Game Of Love” by Wayne Fontana. (p 123 Guiness Book of No 1 Hits). A UK#1(1) 24 June and again #1(2) from 8 July 1965. Big Hit in N.Z.
Featured – Fri 20 June, 2008