"Hidden gems"

sowhat · Post by **sowhat** » Wed Oct 12, 2005 7:38 am

The Searchers had quite a few hits, some of them still known and still getting some airplay. However, there were some 'obscure' tracks (from albums or B-sides) that never charted for some reason but IMO deserved more. Here's some:
1. Does she really care for me? - an outstanding vocal performance.
2. Think of my life - an unusually bluesy number, lovely arrangement and funny vocals.
3. Bite it deep - craziest lyrics i've ever heard!
4. Infatuation - yep, quite 'Beatlesque' but still lovely and moving.
Just an example - waitin' for your suggestions!

jjr · Post by **jjr** » Wed Oct 12, 2005 2:00 pm

Which version of "Does She Really Care For Me"? I've heard one with Frank on lead, one with Chris.

jjr · Post by **jjr** » Wed Oct 12, 2005 2:02 pm

How about "I Count the Tears"?

admin · Post by **admin** » Wed Oct 12, 2005 3:16 pm

John: I love, I Count The Tears and you can throw in Where Have Your Been for good measure.

dbailey62 · Post by **dbailey62** » Wed Oct 12, 2005 6:49 pm

Infatuation is a good one. Crazy Dreams could have been a classic with a bit more production and more time in the studio. The title was a bit too obvious as well. A song with a lot of potential.

db

royclough · Post by **royclough** » Wed Oct 12, 2005 10:15 pm

John

Are you sure you are not thinking of I'll Be Doggone because to my knowledge only one version of Does She Really Care For Me, unless we debate stereo and mono, was available.

Anybody heard the original version of this song or would they like to.

mdenger · Post by **mdenger** » Wed Oct 12, 2005 10:23 pm

You are right, Roy. Does She ... is sung by Chris all alone.

royclough · Post by **royclough** » Wed Oct 12, 2005 10:27 pm

Thanks Michael but not entirely alone Mike's voice is prominent on the "She's So Fine" harmony.

My wife actually has just said have I got nothing better to do, frankly NO.

sowhat · Post by **sowhat** » Wed Oct 12, 2005 11:53 pm

Yep... was a bit stunned when i read bout "Does she..." version sung by Frank, the same suggestion came to my head...
Roy, seems like your wife has a lot in common with my bud, he's always tellin' me just the same...

PS: have not heard the original "I'll be doggone"...

jjr · Post by **jjr** » Thu Oct 13, 2005 4:30 am

I stand corrected. Got 'em mixed up.

From the Rockfield Days: "Everything but a Heartbeat", "It's Too Late", "September Gurls".

From earlier:"None Else Could Love Me", "Don't Cha Know", and "Saints and Searchers"

edcal · Post by **edcal** » Sat Oct 15, 2005 3:24 pm

I'll never understand why "When I Get Home" didn't do better on the charts. I thought it was a good song and the Searchers did a good job with it. Good harmony and bright vocals.

Ed

royclough · Post by **royclough** » Sun Oct 16, 2005 8:57 am

Funny you should mention that song Ed, John is toying with the idea of putting it into the stage show, hope he does.

tim · Post by **tim** » Tue Oct 18, 2005 8:34 am

I believe that this was the turning point in The Searchers' chart career. Although it was a nice enough song, I don't think it was strong enough to be a single. Although they recovered a bit with "Take Me For What I'm Worth". It was the first of their PYE singles to miss the Top Twenty.

royclough · Post by **royclough** » Tue Oct 18, 2005 8:46 am

Recovered a bit I agree Tim, but Take Me was the last time they would grace the top twenty, two singles later their chart career was at an end regretfully.

They appeared on the top TV show of the time Saturday Night At The London Palladium twice, once in 64 when they "topped the bill" performing needles,don't throw and sweets if I recall. The other appearance had them closing the first half of the show performing When I Get Home, considering this was a show seen by millions in it's day perhaps their time had come, the public's fascination with Merseybeat except The Beatles was over really.

tim · Post by **tim** » Wed Oct 19, 2005 9:17 am

The Searchers could have made the jump out of 'Merseybeat', "Goodbye My Love" proved that. Had their following singles been equally as strong they might have have succeeded.