Love Potion Number Nine

Most people credit The Searchers as having recorded this as an original song in 1964. Actually, it was first recorded by The Clovers in 1959. Since then, the song has been covered by numerous artists, including Herb Alpert, The Ventures and Neil Diamond.

Love is Blue II

Here's a second rendition of "Love is Blue".

Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree

In keeping with the season, here's one of my favourite Christmas songs...

Love is Blue

This is an instrumental song done by Paul Mauriat and his orchestra in 1968. It stayed at number one for five weeks. Sadly, I just found out that Paul Mauriat passed away in 2006.

I'm a Stranger Here

This is another song by the Canadian group "Five Man Electrical Band". It's a kind of a wake up call for the human race.

Signs

Another song by the Canadian group "Five Man Electrical Band". I hadn't realized just how many great songs this group made. Many of them are "gimmick" songs. This one was originally released in 1970 as a "B" side and then re-released in 1971 on the "A" side, reaching number three on the Billboard chart.

Ballad of the Roller Dung Beetle

This video features an original song by a friend. David, thanks for providing the lovely song. It was a pleasure making this video.

Hair

Performed by The Cowsills, it's the theme song from the smash Broadway hit musical "Hair" from 1968.

Brandy (You're a Fine Girl)

This song was a million-selling #1 hit by Looking Glass in 1972. The harbour town pictured near the start of this video is actually a shot of the town in southern Italy where I was born. Most of the images used were colour photos made black-and-white for effect.

To Sir with Love

Theme song from the movie of the same name from 1967 sung by Lulu, who was also in the movie and starring Sidney Poitier as a black teacher in a rough school in London's east end. It's quite a touching story. Rent it if you've never seen it.

Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds

Not much to say about this one--yet another hit by The Beatles.

California Girls

The title says it all...

Come a Little Bit Closer

This song was released by Jay and The Americans in 1964.

The Snake

This song was a hit for Al Wilson in 1968.

Brand New Key

This song was recorded by "Melanie" (Safka) in 1972, who only went by her first name. Some of her other hits were "Look What They've Done to my Song, Ma" and "Lay Down". She was a quintessential "flower child" and performed at Woodstock in 1969.

Maxwell's Silver Hammer

Until I looked up the lyrics to this Beatles song, I always thought they said "Precinct 31 said we got a dirty one". It had personal meaning to me, since I was no stranger to the police station in my neighbourhood, 31st precinct, in my youth. Apparently, the words are "P.C. 31" (Patrol Constable).

Minutes after I was finished with the blackboard scene, I was researching the next part when I happened to discover that the reason Paul McCartney was chuckling while singing that segment, is that John Lennon was mooning him in the studio. You'll notice a coincidence when you watch that part.

Rock and Roll Heaven

When I watched this one in its entirety for the first time, it almost brought a tear to my eye. I grew up during the time that all these performers were big stars. Yes...I'm that old.

The Righteous Brothers recorded this song in 1974 as a tribute to music artists who had met with untimely deaths: Bobby Darin, Otis Redding, Jim Morrison, Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin and Jim Croce.

I am the Walrus

I offer up this video as proof that even the most bizarre lyrics can be made sense of...kinda sorta....ok, they can't. Actually, Lennon wrote this song specifically in defiance that anyone can find meaning in its lyrics.

Werewolf

This hit was recorded by the Canadian group "Five Man Electrical Band" in 1974.