Ray’s Song Pick of the Day from Monday 2 March 2009

Tease for Monday 2 March 2008
Tonight the first Sun record to be released here, a US#2(4) with 21 weeks in the Top 100 from 3 March 1956, a US Country #1(3 weeks) and this artist’s only million-seller, which he composed in 1955. It was written on a potato sack on a Jackson housing project and sold 2 million altogether. For our artist the song, became a Grammy Hall of Fame Award winner in 1986.

Tease for Tuesday 3 March 2008
US#1(5) from 5 March 1966 and a Monster Hit in N.Z. (NZ#7)
Inspired by Robin Moore's book about a US Special Forces Unit, the song was written by the author, with music by the singer who had qualified for his ‘badge’ as a combat medic.

Tease for Wednesday 4 March 2008
Tonight a Au#1(5) from 5 March and NZ#1(1), 6 March 1969. US re-release in 1976 had "Julia" as the B-side. Australian 1969 release listed as a double-sided No 1

Tease for Thursday 5 March 2008
Tonight a UK#1(2) from 6 March 1975. It was primarily on the back of the popularity of the TV Series Kojak, that the lead actor had his only UK#1.

Tease for Friday 6 March 2008
Lerner and Loewe set out to write hit musicals, not hit singles, yet they managed two No 1s in the UK with this one, a UK#1(3) from 7 March 1970 and earlier with Vic Damone – On the Street Where You Live, from ‘My Fair Lady’

And the songs;
Monday, Carl Perkins – Blue Suede Shoes
Tuesday, SSgt Barry Sadler – The Ballad Of The Green Berets
Wednesday, The Beatles – Ob-La-Di Ob-La-Da
Thursday, Telly Savalas – If
Friday, Lee Marvin – Wand’rin’ Star