Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

In February 65 The Reflections, a Detriot band, had a minot hit in US with this making number 55.

In May 65 The Rocking Berries, who meant nothing in US, took this to number 5 in UK


No contest for me but we'll see

Nice to hear a couple of records I hadn't heard before Roy. I think both of these versions are very good, I'm going to give a slight edge to the Reflections, mainly because I liked the arrangement a little more. It's quite different from their one major US hit, "Just Like Romeo & Juliet" (1964), which was almost a throwback stylistically to the doo wop records of 1950's.

Though The Rockin' Berries never made it in the US, their guitarist, Geoff Turton, had a modest American hit with "Baby Take Me in Your Arms" after he had left the group and gone solo (1968). The record was released under the name "Jefferson".

Close, but I think I lean towards the Reflections as well... Just a bit more interesting. (I'd completely forgotten this song!)

Rocking Berries.

I like The Rocking Berries verision. When I first listened to The Reflections verision, I immediately thought of Sam Cooke's Chain Gang.

Well, as a fence sitter, never heard either songs (although I loved "Just like Romeo and Juliet") -- loved both versions of this one. I tend to go to the UK version, as I'm British Invasion biased. SO I tossed it to my husband, Rick -- he preferred the Rockin Berries! And so the Brits get my vote again!

Thanks Roy, for treating me to a great "new" song!!

I absolutely love the melody of Poor Man's Son. While I first heard it sung by the Reflections (with a touch of Beach Boy's style) I certainly give the nod to the Rockin' Berries (with a touch of the Fortune's style) in this head-to-head contest.

REFLECTIONS ...for better everything.

Lead vocal sounds more distinctive, harmonies are good, and the arrangement pops just a bit more.

Rockin' Berries lush vocals are more memorable for me than the ingenious arrangement of the Reflections. I never heard this song before, either. Thanks, Roy!

To be honest I didn't expect Reflections version to get any votes over Rockin' Berries, clearly wrong, but overall the Rockin' Berries won by a handsome margin.