Monday, August 28th: The Mamas & Papas – Monday, Monday
Written by John Phillips of the Mamas and Papas – it only took 20 minutes to write! On March 2, 1967, they won a Grammy Award for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal. The song was performed at the Monterey Pop Festival (California) in 1967. The performance was filmed for the movie of the festival, but not included in the final cut.
Tuesday, August 29th: Roy Orbison – Oh Pretty Woman
Roy wrote this after his friend inspired it with one phrase regarding Roy’s wife. Claudette (Roy’s wife) said that she was headed out, Roy asked if she needed some money. That’s when his friend (co-writer Bill Dees) said, “A pretty woman never needs any money.”
Wednesday, August 30th: Chris Isaak – Somebody’s Cryin’
He wrote this shortly after a break-up. When inspiration strikes, it strikes, he wrote this at a party. He had wandered into a room where he found a guitar, and made magic.
Thursday, August 31st: The Ronettes – Be My Baby
August 31st 1963 is the first and last time they reached the top 10 of the US singles chart. Producer Phil Spector was eventually sued by front woman/ex-wife Veronica Bennett (Ronnie Spector) for unpaid royalties.
Friday, September 1st: Ohio Players – Love Rollercoaster
A radio DJ inadvertently created an urban myth, a legend, a rumour about this song. That a person was murdered during the recording, due to the nature of the scream heard in the background.
Jimmy Williams explained the sound as: “Billy Beck does one of those inhaling-type screeches like Minnie Riperton did to reach her high note or Mariah Carey does to go octaves above.” [Source – Wikipedia].
