"We Belong Together" by Ritchie Valens.

OK, girls and boys, back to the 50s: Robert Carr, Johnny Mitchell and Hy Weiss co-wrote this romantic 1958 R&B/doo-wop classic. First recorded by Carr and Mitchell as Robert and Johnny. #12 R&B, #32 Billboard Hot 100. Covered by The Fleetwoods shortly thereafter. Perhaps the best-known version was by a Mexican-American singer/songwriter/guitarist recorded shortly before his untimely death in a plane crash at age 17 in '59. Featured in the 1987 "La Bamba" movie sung by Los Lobos. Song? Singer? Answer: "We Belong Together" by Ritchie Valens. Every time I hear that tune I can't help recalling sitting on a sofa with my guitar amid a very talented group of singers at a cast party after one of the Comedia musicals. Gifted singer Jenny Whittlesey starts singing "We Belong Together" out of the blue. I quickly figured out the chords and, next thing you know, we came up with some pretty doggone decent harmonies. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EONn2gj1ngA https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NIo5eQ5dujk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t_-E90kPXg4 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1w01hsQ8ImI

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

"Surf City" by Jan and Dean.

OK, (two) girls and (one) boys (hint, hint!), back to the 60s: Brian Wilson penned this surf classic in '60 as "Goody Connie Won't You Come Back Home". He "gave" it to Jan Berry and Dean Torrence who altered it and gave it its well-known name. Their '63 recording topped the pop charts for 2 weeks and peaked at #3 on the R&B charts (!). First surf song ever to hit #1 on Billboard. Through Dean's efforts, Huntington Beach, CA has been nicknamed after this song and at least 65 of its businesses incorporate the title in their names. Covered by The Ramones and by The Go-Go's. Answer: "Surf City" by Jan and Dean. As Belinda Carlisle would have it, "Two boys for every girl!"! We had the privilege of seeing Jan & Dean live in '79 opening for McGuinn, Clark & Hillman at the Valley Forge Music Fair - what a thrill it was! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ERrwjR4ZlfI https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EP5pjan45ZA https://w...
Read more

"In The Summertime" by Mungo Jerry.

OK, girls and boys, with the summer (hint, hint!) quickly aprroaching, more 70s one-hit wonders: Lead singer and guitarist Ray Dorset wrote this 1970 seasonal classic for his British pop-blues band - their first and only U.S. hit (#3). It sold over 16 million copies worldwide. One of the highest selling singles of all time and the world's top-selling summer song. Band? Song? Answer: "In The Summertime" by Mungo Jerry. Has anyone else ever noticed that the instrumental break in this song is interchangeable with the one from Canned Heat's "Going Up the Country"? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wvUQcnfwUUM
Read more

"Theme from 'The Endless Summer' " by The Sandals.

OK, boys and girls, back to the 60s: A few days ago I read a post by my friend and Puerto Rican surfing legend Mundi Fernandez. He graciously mentioned many other surfers in our circle, most are still with us but, unfortunately, some have left us for that wonderful beach in heaven. Frankie Astor, Andy Romeu, Panchito Castro and our recently-departed dear childhood friend Arturo Marchand immediately come to mind. Even though I was by no means a surfer, I was always fascinated by the sport, admired its participants and, most important for me, relished in its music. This classic 1966 documentary film was created by Bruce Benson. It follows surfers Mike Hynson and Robert August on a six year quest around the globe trying to find "the perfect wave". The unforgettable surf-rock soundtrack and, especially, the theme song were composed by Gaston Georis and John Blakeley and performed by their group The Sandals. Arguably the most beloved theme in the surf movie genre. Movie?...
Read more