SEARCHING FOR A SONG

The Searchers throughout their career were reliant on finding songs they could adapt to suit their own style. Even though in my view they were well capable of writing their own songs, they, in the main, tended to stick to B sides or album tacks for their own literary efforts

In fact of all the singles they have released over the years only 2 singles at PYE were A sides, 1 at RCA and 1 at Sire.

I therefore thought it may be of interest to do an article highlighting who made the original version of their songs, I do not intend to cover every song, Only the singles and selected tracks, otherwise it may be a book and I am not in Frank Allen’s league when it comes to book writing.

Also any reference to original version is the first recorded and commercially released version, in some cases it can be argued, quite rightly, that the original version belongs to the person who wrote it, but it does not always follow that the person who wrote a song released the first recorded version.

Unless you follow my excellent original v hit theme on Facebook or Clough’s Classics ( the adage “if you don’t blow your own trumpet no one else will” springs to mind here) you would, if asked the question, who released the original version of “Don’t Let The Sun Catch You Crying” respond confidently Gerry and The Pacemakers, but you’d be wrong, the first released version was by a young British girl singer Louise Cordet (remember “I’m Just A Baby”, you do, you’re as old as I am) I do concede Gerry may have recorded it first but his release was after LC’s.

Anyway here goes

Sweets For My Sweet

Original was by The Drifters and one assumes that was the version that The Searchers first heard, Chris Curtis rightly or wrongly has been credited with finding a lot of the songs they recorded but there were so many groups in Liverpool, that they could well have heard some other Liverpool band do a version and latched onto it that way, The Searchers version, except lyrically, is nothing like The Drifters version.

Sugar And Spice

Searchers version was the original, a song given to them by Tony Hatch under the pseudonym Fred Nightingale, allegedly they were not overkeen on it, but hey he had just produced a number 1 record for them, they weren’t going to argue.

An interesting fact (well to me) is that this was the first and last time another act covered a song done by The Searchers, it was a minor hit in US for Cryan’ Shames (not them who did “Please Stay”).

Amusingly on a you tube video recently someone posted a compilation under heading, five Songs From a Bygone era “Carl Perkins Searchers Byrds Chad & Jeremy Buckinghams” montage of unrelated pictures from 60s set to songs by acts above, except they posted Cryan’ Shames version of Sugar & Spice, I felt the need to correct them and I note the video has subsequently been credited correctly, I see it as a public service!

Needles And Pins

The big one and originally done by Jackie De Shannon though Sonny Bono was a co-writer and I have a suspicion that the song was destined for Cher, she did record it after De Shannon. However no less than Frank Allen himself has claimed that The Searchers probably first heard the song in Hamburg when a young Mr Allen performed it with Cliff Bennett and The Rebel Rousers. I have an unfounded suspicion actually that Needles was only destined originally to be a B side, Saturday Night Out was of course B side of Needles but consider the facts, Tony Jackson had been lead vocalist on first two singles and majority of tracks on first two albums, they had been given a spot in the British Movie of the same name, in which they performed the track Saturday Night Out, why change a winning formula and take a chance on changing the vocalists. Perhaps Chris Curtis convinced Tony Hatch to go with Needles.

Don’t Throw Your Love Away

Song was originally recorded by The Orlons though it was only a B side, the A side was a ditty called Bob Doo Wah, one assumes again that Curtis may have heard this, he claimed some years later in a interview with Spencer Leigh that he was always on the lookout for tracks and got a lot of singles from a shop in Liverpool. If you have never heard Orlon’s version, don’t bother, Searchers dramatically changed it, Tony Jackson took credit for the twiddly guitar bit that is an integral part of the song.

Some Day We’re Gonna Love Again

This had been an unsuccessful single for an American songstress called Barbara Lewis and yet again totally re-arranged by the group, I read somewhere that John McNally didn’t think song was strong enough and had said he didn’t think it would make the Top 10, but was probably overruled by CC. John was right, it stalled at number 11.

When You Walk In The Room

Originally recorded and written by Jackie de Shannon, but was it her version the group first heard?, I recall reading somewhere that Billy J Kramer claimed that John McNally had a version done by Billy J and Billy was a bit miffed that the Searchers then supposedly rushed out their version, Billy’s version was released but about a month after Searchers version, but only in Europe, little point releasing it as a single in UK as Searchers had restored themselves to the top 5 by this time. In fact Billy’s version did not appear on a release in UK till many years later.

What Have They Done To The Rain

A song written by Malvina Reynolds and many cite her version as being the original version of this song, however Joan Baez released the first recorded version, I suspect it is this version by Baez that Searchers probably heard and went with.

He’s Got No Love

A Searchers original for a change penned by Mike Pender and Chris Curtis, the group’s first and last self penned hit.

Goodbye My Love

This song was originally released in 63 by Robert Mosley who co –wrote the song, though title was actually Goodbye My Lover Goodbye, however the Searchers had been played a version by Big Dee Irwin (he of swinging on a star fame) and this version was by Jimmy Hughes. In US Hughes version was called Goodbye My Lover Goodbye but when released in UK title changed to Goodbye My Love.

Gene Pitney had a hand in this in a way because he dropped in on a Searchers recording session and the song was mentioned but no one had a copy of Hughes release, GP came to the rescue and got the group a copy.

The Searchers more or less stuck to Hughes version, but with the help of double tracking made it their own, a song which in my view should be in every set list, why ignore a number 4 record. When they do play it some artistic licence is taken and it is referred to as a top three record, in fact John McNally states it made number 1 --- In Liverpool Echo!

When I Get Home

Originally a Bobby Darin single that failed to chart in either UK or US, Searchers version was, in my view, far better but stuck mainly to same arrangement. Some pundits would argue that this track, despite them performing it on Sunday Night At The London Palladium, was the start of the group’s demise as a chart act, it was the first single on PYE to fail to make top 3, Frank Allen stated in some book he wrote! that Chris Curtis chose the song and was therefore to blame, a view I don’t agree with, I liked the song they did an excellent version but in my view the public’s fascination with Merseybeat was at a end apart from the moptops, all the groups who rode in so to speak on the crest of the Liverpool wave were now beginning to flounder in terms of hit records

Take Me For What I’m Worth

The Searchers last top 20 entry (just) originally a sort of folk protest song, by a guy called P F Sloane, the group made it more appealing with the twangy backing and a great middle 8 guitar break, we’ve all heard I am sure the nylon sheets intro to this in the live set.

Take It Or Leave It

This just failed to make top 30 (31) and of course was featured on a Rolling Stones album originally, doubt Jagger and Richards gave it the Searchers, but they probably heard it when they toured with them in 66, they did a excellent job on this vocally and instrumentally superior to the Stones version though doubt a Stones fan would agree.

Have You Ever Loved Somebody

Unbelievably the last chart entry by the group sneaking in to top 50 for 2 weeks and peaking at number 48, now there is some debate on this as to original, based on criteria I set at start of article (don’t tell me you’ve forgot) - pause while you check.

Song was of course written by The Hollies under the name L Ransford and featured on an album (Evolution) by them but the first recorded version, I am sure was by The Everly Brothers, on a fine album produced by The Hollies for the Everlys called Two Yanks In England.

OK I know you have probably gathered by now that I am somewhat biased but The Searchers version had far more energy than either of the afore mentioned versions and was taken at a faster pace, great track deserved better.

It may interest some younger avids to know that there was another version released at same time as Searchers version, by Paul and Barry Ryan, it did not do as well though only making number 49! The significance however is that Chris Curtis, who had left The Searchers some months earlier, produced the record, I assume he knew his ex mates were releasing a version.

Popcorn Double Feature

The first single on PYE to fail to chart, for many years I thought this was the only version though not written by the band, however on a music forum I noted some American producer Artie Wayne state he had produced the original of the song, I wrote to him not expecting a reply but he kindly sent the original which was by a guy called Tim Wilde. Taken at a slowly tempo to Searchers version and for me Searchers version wins hands down.

I wish they would do this in their set a forgotten gem, the recorded version would be hard to reproduce as strings were added but the group did a guitar led version on Saturday Club in the 60s, a great version that would in my view go down well. Not many may remember it though.

I suspect they didn’t have too much faith in the track to be honest in a radio interview, Frank Allen mentioned it was their new single and stated it was aimed at US market, then as a afterthought said “but we hope it does well here too”

If Take Me For What I’m Worth was their protest period this song was their “we haven’t a clue what it’s about, but we need a hit period”.

Western Union

This song had been a top 5 record in USA for an American group The Five Americans, Searchers version was again superior being more guitar led, I love the brief, but great, guitar break in it.

Secondhand Dealer

After 4 previous singles had failed to make top 30 and two of those had failed to make charts at all, they or someone went a song written by two of the group Allen/Pender, I believe lyrics were Frank’s and melody Mike’s.

The single attracted no airplay at all as I recall and is probably now the rarest single on PYE

Umbrella Man/ Kinky Kathy Abernathy/Somebody Shot The Lollipop Man

The PYE era was now over and the above three tracks were all issued as singles on Liberty, the latter being issued under the name Pasha. I am not aware that any of these had been or indeed have ever been recorded by anyone else.

Desdemona

Once again Searchers found themselves on another label RCA, I don’t believe this song had been recorded by anyone prior to Searchers but the writers Valerie Avon/Harold Spiro had a decent resume, actually writing a Eurovision winner Long Long Live Love for Olivia Newton John, Valarie Avon(real name Murtagh) had actually been in a group in late 50’s, remember the Avons ( Seven Little Girls Sitting In The Back Seat) probably only one anyone remembers, but they did have three other hits including their version of Rubber Ball (Bobby Vee/Marty Wilde).

This track returned the Searchers to the charts in US may only have reached 94 in top 100 but a top 100 entry is a hit in US.

Interestingly the demo played to the group was performed by some upstart called Elton John, wonder what became of him.

Love Is Everywhere

Again I can’t find another version, written by Errol Brown of Hot Chocolate it wasn’t a bad number but in their search for a song that would give them a hit, they were clutching at straws somewhat.

Sing Singer Sing

Third A side (remember them) to be written by the group though credited to Allen, McNally, Pender was in fact a John McNally song, to my mind they should have entre it for Eurovision, that is not meant in a despairingly way just in my view wit had a Eurovision fell to it, don’t forget as a country we still did quite well in the contest before politics took over.

The song made number 1 in Bangkok of all places.

Needles And Pins

Already covered, but this single was the re-recorded version from the album Second Take

Vahevala

Back to covers of other's songs, in this instance the original was by Loggins & Messina, not as good as Searchers version which seemed to have more of an heavy sound. I know Frank Allen felt their version was not as good as the original, in my view it was better.

Solitaire

They found this number when their producer at RCA played them an album by Neil Sedaka, who was on a bit of a comeback at this stage. That album was Solitaire and they felt the title track was right for them. With radio exposure it could well have been a hit but sadly that didn’t happen, also they rarely played the track gigs, as it was difficult to reproduce.

Hearts In Her Eyes

The Sire period and rave reviews ensued for the first album on Sire though badly marketed, the album was recalled, cover totally re-vamped and album re-issued but impetus had been lost. This song was originally done and written by The Records who never had any commercial success.

It’s Too Late

Title probably said it all, but I am not aware of anyone else having recorded this either before or after Searchers version, a couple of local radio DJ’s I had got to know at the time, kindly started playing tracks form the Sire albums at my request and one of them had told me that based on a industry periodical he received there was every chance this track could well hit the charts, the compiling of charts had now altered a lot from 60s, radio plays taken into consideration, I believe. Sadly it didn’t happen.

Love’s Melody

This track appeared on the re-issued first album, but the single version and the one that appeared on the American album Love’s Melodies was a re-mixed version taken at a faster tempo than the aforementioned album version, I actually preferred the album version. The song had been released previously as a single by a group called Ducks De Luxe, Searchers version feature the trademark jangly guitar sound.

Another Night

The final single on Sire and another group composition, though in reality a John McNally number, a great guitar sound but vocally whilst a strong performance by MP I find some of the lyrics indecipherable.

I Don’t Want To Be The One

A one off single on PRT written for the group as far as I know, great sound but again despite a promo spot on Leo Sayer show it sank without trace as they say.

Forever In Love/ Needles and Pins/No Other Love

The SJ era and I have included these singles though they were not actually issued in UK, of course this was the third time they had released Needles as a single albeit the new synthesised version, the other two track never recorded by anyone else as far as I know, in fact the only 2 tracks on Hungry Hearts apart from the re-vamped Sweets, Needles of course that were recorded by anyone else before The Searchers were Somebody Told Me You Were Crying, original version is by a American Christian rock group Allies who split up a long while ago. I have that version and not a patch on Searchers version but I am obviously biased.

Lonely Weekend was recorded before Searchers version by a band called Bad Boys Blue and both versions nearly identical, not surprising as guy who co-owned Coconut records T Hendrick was involved with that group.

Somebody told me etc had already been a feature in Searchers live shows for about three years, I believe John first heard the track when in States. They had in fact recorded it in the hope some record company would be interested, Frank of course has said for years, at gigs that had they had the song in the 60s it would have been a massive hit for them, good song, well performed and well received by their audience but not a hit recording then or now in my view.

To finish this piece off may do an Album one someday, just a brief mention of some of their newer songs that have been featured n the act since Spencer joined.

The Rose, Young Girl

Originally done by Bette Midler and Gary Puckett respectively but Searchers really based their versions on demos recorded by a young SJ.

Can’t Cry Hard Enough/In This Life/ Every River

Can’t Cry etc originally done by a duo called Williams Brothers, not to be confused with a gospel group of same name, they are nephews of Andy Williams, Searchers stuck pretty close to original arrangement. Searchers did record a studio version of the song and some American guy was hoping to try and get them a deal based on strength of it, sadly didn’t happen. Smokie did go on to record a version. John McNally found this song I believe.

There a couple of songs by this duo that I feel Searchers could make a great job of, Broken Things and Love Never Ever Fails Us.

In This Life was originally done by Colin Raye and it was this version that Searchers based theirs on though they did insert a bit of Bette Midler’s version that wasn’t on the original.

Every River was originally done by a young Canadian girl Kim Richey, but Searchers version is based on Brooks and Dunn cover version.

In a Q & A session with Frank Allen in the magazine and website a while back he stated when asked, who had given them the above two songs, that he believed Spencer had found them, he was incorrect I happen to know the person who did find them very well.

If you lasted to the end of this article hope you enjoyed it as much as I did writing it.