What Makes A Classic?

Scastles · Post by **Scastles** » Wed Apr 19, 2006 8:59 am

Some one-hit songs which come to mind, and not necessarily all classics to me, but likely to many others are: Louie, Louie, The Kingsmen, 96 Tears, ? and the Mysterians, For What It's Worth, Buffalo Springfield, Green Onions, Booker T and Dock of the Bay. Otis Redding.

royclough · Post by **royclough** » Wed Apr 19, 2006 9:01 am

For sake of clarity Peter in relation to Love Potion Number Nine, it was never issued as a single in UK, but was The Searchers biggest hit in the States.

I suspect record company would normally have released it as a single in UK, after it was such a hit in States, but of course the lead singer on it, Tony Jackson had left.

admin · Post by **admin** » Wed Apr 19, 2006 9:25 am

I appreciate the clarity Roy. If only deciding on the definition of a classic song was as straightforward. Just curious, but since when did a record company care if an artist had left a group if it meant making more money?

sowhat · Post by **sowhat** » Wed Apr 19, 2006 10:05 am

"That was all in my past,
You can't live on memories, they don't last..." (Billy J. Kramer) - not that i agree, just like the song...
When i hear the word "classic", the first two songs that come to my mind are "16 tons" and "Fever" - goodness knows why...

royclough · Post by **royclough** » Thu Apr 20, 2006 6:40 am

Peter your point is valid on record companies but in this case here in UK the group would not have been too enamoured to find that a single was released featuring an ex member on lead vocal, at time of release in States, 5 singles, without TJ, had already been released, interestingly whilst love potion was their biggest hit in States, it was also their last, certainly in terms of top 40.