Ronnie's Record Page FROM MAY 24TH!
Ronnie's Radio Page
NEW Wanda Jackson radio interview show!
INTRODUCING OUR BRAND NEW CUSTOM COUNTDOWN!
"DJ Mary" now counts down the hits on our Top 100 popularity chart.
She's an honorary Jersey Girl and our own "Casey Kasem" and the price is right.
Listen to her count down the
Top 20
or the
Top 10
or the
Top 5
Barbara Evans has been #1 on our Top 100 with "Souvenirs" for the past several weeks and in our top ten for
almost as long with "Charlie Wasn't There."
I've been in contact with her son and he informed me that, sadly, Barbara passed away in April of 2000.
We are planning on doing a special tribute to her and her music in the near future.
Every record that you see listed here is one that I either am crazy
about or simply find interesting for some reason.
There are presently 242 playable records on this page.
Your comments and suggestions are most welcome. Please email me at
RonnieOldiesGuy@aol.com.
The records presented here and my comments represent strictly my own (sometimes warped)
musical tastes and opinions and in no way necessarily represent
those of the two Jersey Girls.
THE TOP 100
Sunday, May 24, 2009 -- 1 AM Eastern Time
1 Through 20
#1 Souvenirs -- Barbara Evans
#2 OK With Me -- Diane Renay
#3 The Way Of A Clown -- Teddy Randazzo
#4 Charlie Wasn't There -- Barbara Evans
#5 Down At Papa Joe's -- The Dixiebelles
#6 Go Away -- Tracey Dey
#7 Boy -- Lulu
#8 Honeymooners Rap -- Joe Piscopo and Eddie Murphy
#9 Beach Ball -- The City Surfers
#10 Song Of The Sewer -- Art Carney
#11 Long Cool Woman (In A Black Dress) -- The Hollies
#12 This Is Monte -- The Big Loser (and Friends)
#13 Bad Motorcycle -- The Storey Sisters
#14 Blackstrap Molasses -- Danny Kaye, Jimmy Durante, Groucho Marx and Jane Wyman
#15 Angel On My Shoulder -- Shelby Flint
#16 Rappin' Rodney -- Rodney Dangerfield
#17 Your Song Sucks -- Alan O'Day
#18 Gilly, Gilly, Ossenfeffer, Katzenellen Bogen By The Sea -- The Four Lads
#19 Little Miss Fool -- Marcie Blane
#20 I Love Onions -- Susan Christie
You can now listen to "DJ Mary" count down the
Top 20
or the
Top 10
or the
Top 5
21 Through 100
[21-25] There's No Tomorrow (Nabors) : Will You, Willyum : My Baby Left Me : Roll Over Beethoven : Vanilla Olay
[26-30] I Made A Fool Of Myself... : Kentucky Means Paradise : Achy Breaky Song : Oh Neil : O Solo Mio (Lafaro)
[31-35] Tritzem Yodel : Your Cheatin' Heart : Cry Baby : Dominique : I've Got A Lovely Bunch Of Coconuts
[36-40] Hello D.J. : I'm A Little Busybody : Oh Boy : The Moose : Witch Doctor (Lang)
[41-45] The Lone Twister : Sarah Jackman : Mother, Please! : Pink Thunderbird : Ragtime Sound
[46-50] No Charge : Wonderful Baby : Juvenile Delinquent : Istanbul (The Four Lads) : High Blood Pressure
[51-55] Daisy A Day : Reunion : K'nish Doctor : If I Were A Tishman : Doin' The Napoleon
[56-60] Iko Iko : O Sole Mio (Lanza) : Ajax Liquor Store : Daddy Come Home : The Day That Curly Billy Shot Down...
[61-65] Song Of The Barefoot Mailman : Hot Diggity : Donna Loves Jerry : Mexican Hat Dance : Istanbul (They Must...
[66-70] White Levis : Pineapple Princess : Eternal Flame : Cocoanut Woman : Moments To Remember
[71-75] Your Boyfriend's Back : Hello Melvin... : I Taut I Taw A Puddy Tat : Shiddle-Ee-Dee : Lavender Blue (Ives)
[76-80] I Can't Sit Down : See You Later Linda : The Ballad Of J.C. : Lavender Blue (Turner) : Spanish Flea
[81-85] Ding Dong : Alone : Happy Times : Coconut : The Fifties
[86-90] Witch Doctor (Seville) : Too Much Monkey... : Juanita Banana : There's No... (Martin) : Yesterday, When...
[91-95] Lullaby Of Birdland : Shticks And Stones : Domani : How D'ye Do And Shake... : Walkin' Through A Cemetery
[96-100] More : Rock And Roll Thunderbird : Jaguar And Thunderbird : Here, There, Everywhere : Twelfth Street Rag
The above is a popularity chart based on total listens, current clout and continued interest.
Since the previously-posted chart:
records shown in green have moved up
records shown in yellow have stayed at the same position
records shown in red have moved down
records shown in blue are making their first appearance
records shown in violet have returned to the chart
I'M SO VAIN
(I probably think these records are done by me ..... and in fact they are)
only released single
Flip Over You -- Ronnie Allen
[1961] This single was Dapt 205. I wrote the song and played the piano and
sang my heart out. Unfortunately "Flip" was a flop.
Ronnie's Swanee -- Ronnie Allen
[1961] This was the "Flip" flip. The opening portion of the clip is from the classic Jackie Gleason
"Honeymooners" episode entitled "The $99,000 Answer" and is not a part of my recording. Golly, I wish it
had been!
three unreleased tracks recorded at the "Flip Over You" session
You Fooled Me -- Ronnie Allen
[1961] I wrote the song. My inspiration was Elvis Presley's ballad hit "One Night."
Now if Randy Jackson listened to this he'd probably say "Dog, check it out. I like the enthusiasm
but you were a bit pitchy in spots." He'd be right. I still cringe at the note I ALMOST hit correctly
around 1:13 into the track. Yet I am proud of the song and I believe I did a decent job on the piano.
And I believe that this would have been a hit ..... if Elvis had recorded it!
Gypsy In My Soul -- Ronnie Allen
[1961] The man who published my songs and got me my record deal was songwriter Moe Jaffe, who wrote standards
including "Collegiate," "Bell-Bottom Trousers" and this one. I was trying to emulate Carl Mann, one of my
favorite rockabilly artists, who had a big hit with "Mona Lisa."
Don't Bring Lulu -- Ronnie Allen
[1961] It was my mom who suggested that I record this song. In 1925 it was a #5 hit in two separate versions
by Billy Jones and Ernie Hare (AKA the "Happiness Boys") and Billy Murray; later on the Andrews Sisters did
their version of it. I changed the second line in the song to be "You can bring Ruth, that gal from Duluth"
because I was dating a girl named Ruth at the time. I had never heard any of the old versions so I had no idea
what the song was SUPPOSED to sound like! I simply had sheet music that included lyrics. I decided to do it
in the style of Freddy Cannon.
I plan to post the three aforementioned versions of the song on this page within the next few days.
It's interesting that in each of my five tracks I tried to emulate someone else! "Flip" = Jerry Lee Lewis;
"Swanee" = Buddy Holly; "Fooled" = Elvis Presley; "Gypsy" = Carl Mann; and "Lulu" = Freddy Cannon.
Your Cat Can Do The Cube -- Ronnie Allen and the Missing Pieces
[1982] A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO JEFF MORRIS FOR MAKING THIS CLIP AVAILABLE TO ME.
PLEASE VISIT HIS WONDERFUL WEBSITE: http://www.dmdb.org/.
I was a Rubik's Cube fanatic. Back in 1982 the New York Times Best Seller List contained many books
about (how to solve) Rubik's Cube and about cats. I wrote and recorded this novelty song called
"Your Cat Can Do The Cube," which tells the story of a guy who figures he can get rich by writing a book
with that title. The "Missing Pieces" on the recording are myself (overdubbed several times) and my
daughter Jennie. No record company dared to release it. However Dr. Demento (bless his heart) played it on
his syndicated radio show. This clip is taken from that actual show: Dr. Demento himself introduces the
record and then plays it. I hope that you enjoy it.
Unreleased recording from 1982 about my favorite pastime. This clip includes Dr. Demento introducing it
and playing it on his syndicated radio program.
Song Of The Barefoot Mailman -- Billy Leach
[1957] The term "barefoot mailman" refers to the carriers on the first U.S. Mail route
between Palm Beach and the settlements around the body of water known as Lake Worth on the north
and Miami, Cocoanut Grove, and Lemon City on the south. It came about in 1885.
As there was no road at the time connecting Palm Beach and Miami to each other
(or to anywhere else, for that matter), the carrier traveled by boat and by walking along the beach.
The mail carriers walked the beach barefooted to take advantage of the firmer sand along the water's edge.
From the title you might think that this is a novelty record, but it isn't.
an allan sherman quadruple play
Sarah Jackman -- Allan Sherman (with Christine Nelson)
[1962] From the album "My Son The Folk Singer." This is a parody of "Frere Jacques."
Christine, who plays the part of Sarah, went on to record her own album called
"Did'ja Come To Play Cards Or To Talk."
Oh Boy -- Allan Sherman
[1962] From the album "My Son The Folk Singer." It's a bit different from his other recordings.
The original track runs over four minutes and I tried to pick out what I feel are the best portions,
editing it down to 2 and a half minutes.
Mexican Hat Dance -- Allan Sherman
[1963] From the album "My Son The Celebrity."
The Jarabe Tapatío, known in English as the "Mexican Hat Dance," is the title of the musical piece
and the dance that accompanies it, which is accorded the title of the "national dance of Mexico".
Allan's lyrics are, of course, totally original.
If I Were A Tishman -- Allan Sherman
[1967] From the album "Togetherness." We skip forward a few years to Allan's final album for Warner Brothers.
This is a parody of "If I Were A Rich Man," from the musical "Fiddler On The Roof."
Unlike his previous albums, this one was not recorded in front of an audience. This album was roundly
criticized as a whole but I think that this recording from it more than holds its own.
coconuts anybody?
I've Got A Lovely Bunch Of Coconuts -- Freddy Martin (vocal by Merv Griffin).mp3
[1949] This became Merv's signature song, even though was technically a Freddy Martin record.
Cocoanut Woman -- Harry Belafonte
[1957] A rolicking track by the wonderful Belafonte and the "A" side of "Island In The Sun,"
which I plan to add in the near future.
Coconut -- Nillson
[1972] I guess right after this record became a hit most of us started putting the lime in the coconut.
Reunion -- Bobbie Gentry
[196?] The whimsical side of the "Ode To Billie Joe" girl.
A groovy get-together?
which doctor do your prefer?
Witch Doctor -- David Seville
[1958] The most famous version of this song, performed by its composer, AKA Ross Bagdasarian.
Witch Doctor -- Don Lang
[1958] The hit version in the United Kingdom.
K'nish Doctor -- Mickey Katz
[1958] A somewhat different take on the song, done by the celebrated Yiddish entertainer
who was the father of stage and screen actor Joel Grey.
all the same tune
O Sole Mio -- Mario Lanza
[19??] "O Sole Mio" is a globally-known Neapolitan song written in 1898. It has been performed and covered
by a multitude of artists. The original lyrics were written by Giovanni Capurro and the melody was composed
by Eduardo di Capua. Two sets of English lyrics were eventually written to the tune (not translations)
and they evolved into the the pop hits "There's No Tomorrow" (Tony Martin) and
"It's Now Or Never" (Elvis Presley), samples of which are included in this grouping.
If you listen to these in order, you must admit that Mario is a great opening act and Rlvis is a great
closing act!
O Solo Mio -- Lafaro
[19??] A very different interpretation and a slightly different title but it's the same tune.
There's No Tomorrow -- Tony Martin
[1949] This record based on "O Sole Mio" got to #2 in the chart.
Eleven years later Elvis got one position higher with his take on the tune.
There's No Tomorrow -- Jimmy Nabors
[1958] Shazam!
Yes indeed, it's the informal name of the man who, as "Jim," would eventually become TV's "Gomer Pyle."
It's certainly a very different rendering of what Tony Martin recorded in 1949.
I wonder if this Nabors record may have inspired Conway Twitty to do his similar "slow then fast"
version of "Danny Boy." (My guess is NO, because the Nabors record wasn't that well-known.)
It's Now Or Never -- Elvis Presley
[1960] It's the King!
This Is Monte -- The Big Loser (and Friends)
[1962] This record was as popular as Monte was with the girls.
Poor baby.
Kentucky Means Paradise -- The Green River Boys featuring Glen Campbell
[1962] A toetappin' winner!
Glen's first charted country single. Yee-haw!
two goodies by four legends
Blackstrap Molasses -- Danny Kaye, Jimmy Durante, Groucho Marx and Jane Wyman
[1951] This peaked at #29 on the chart. Appetizing!
How D'ye Do And Shake Hands -- Danny Kaye, Jimmy Durante, Groucho Marx and Jane Wyman
[1951] This was the flipside of "Blackstrap Molasses." Friendly!
Beach Ball -- The City Surfers
[1963] I can't for the life of me figure out why this one didn't become a smash. It got plenty of play on
WABC in New York City; it was their Pick Hit Of The Week.
The City Surfers were a studio group that recorded a couple of surf singles for Capitol Records in 1963.
The group featured a young, pre-Byrds Roger McGuinn (who was still known as Jim McGuinn at the time)
on guitar and songwriter Frank Gari on vocals. And, oh yes, Bobby Darin on drums!
Darin had hired McGuinn a year earlier to play guitar and add some folk flair to his live act.
After a few months, however, Darin lost his voice and was forced to temporarily rest it.
He shifted McGuinn to his music publishing company, T.M. Music, as a songwriter, and McGuinn and Gari
came up with some tunes in an attempt to cash in on the hot surf music craze.
So with Darin playing drums and a young Terry Melcher sitting in on piano,
"Beach Ball" was born. Though it didn't take wings, it is a rarity that has been eagerly sought by
surf-era enthusiasts over the years.
It didn't bounce up the record chart but it sure is catchy! Snap your fingers and tap your toes!
what were they thinking? (questionable follow-ups to huge hits)
Walkin' Through A Cemetery -- Claudine Clark
[1962] Follow-up to "Party Lights." Claudine's chart career pretty much died with this release.
Doin' The Napoleon -- Napoleon XIV
[1966] Follow-up to "They're Coming To Take Me Away, Ha-Haaa!" Napoleon (AKA Jerry Samuels) firmly cemented
his stature as a one-hit wonder with this masterpiece. "Doin' The Jerry" might have done better!
Shiddle-Ee-Dee -- Clint Holmes
[1973] Follow-up to "Playground In My Mind." With a title like "Shiddle-Ee-Dee," how could this record
possibly miss? (Easily!!!)
I Made A Fool Of Myself Over John Foster Dulles -- Carol Burnett
[1957] John Foster Dulles served as U.S. Secretary of State under President Dwight D. Eisenhower
from 1953 to 1959. Carol's career was just beginning to take wings when she recorded this offbeat
musical tribute to the man. She performed it often on the New York nightclub circuit and also on
"The Tonight Show" (then hosted by Jack Paar) and Ed Sullivan's "Toast Of The Town." Though it never
became a hit single, the record is treasured by her fans throughout the world.
A comedic treasure by this beloved entertainer.
four 1956 sides (two singles) by the "singin' barber"
Hot Diggity -- Perry Como
[1956] The "A" side of RCA Victor 6427, the melody of this tune was based on Chabrier's "Espana Rhapsody":
the lyrics were written by Al Hoffman and Dick Manning, who also wrote the Four Lads'
"Gilly Gilly Ossenfeffer..." song that's also on this page. It got to #2 on the pop chart and was a popular
sing-along tune back then. Listen carefully and you'll hear Perry actually sing "hot ziggity" at one point;
they decided to leave that in the record just so I could make this inane comment about it!
Juke Box Baby -- Perry Como
[1956] This was the "B" side of RCA Victor 6427 and it reached #10 on the pop chart. Its lyrics mentioned
many of the hit songs of the day, including Perry's recent hit entitled "Tina Marie."
More -- Perry Como
[1956] This was the "A" of RCA Victor 6554 and it reached #4 on the pop chart.
It's an absolutely beautiful song. It's a different song from the "More" that came out a few years later
and was the theme from the motion picture "Mondo Cane."
Glendora -- Perry Como
[1956] This was the "B" side of RCA Victor 6554 and it reached #8 on the pop chart.
It's probably the most successful hit tune ever written about a department store mannequin.
two sides (one single) by the "bobby's girl" wannabee
Little Miss Fool -- Marcie Blane
[1963] Brooklyn-born Seville Records artist Marcie had a #3 smash with "Bobby's Girl,"
then followed-up with the much-less-successful "What Does A Girl Do."
So what did THIS girl do after that? In my opinion she followed-up with a FABULOUS
single with two excellent sides. Though both sides got plenty of airplay in New York City and many other
big cities, it simply became one of those "could've, should've, would've but didn't" singles.
Listen carefully to this ballad, the "A" side of Seville 126, and you'll probably detect a bit of a
Linda Scott influence.
Ragtime Sound -- Marcie Blane
[1963] Totally different from the "A" side, Marcie will really make you tap your toes with this uptempo
ditty. Her prediction in this song that in 1993 they'd "bring back the twist" didn't exactly come about.
Nevertheless this "B" side of Seville 126 is a fun record!
for mom
No Charge -- Melba Montgomery
[1974] This recording brings tears to my eyes whenever I hear it.
I.O.U. -- Jimmy Dean
[1976] Jimmy's heartfelt tribute to his Mom.
Mama -- Connie Francis
[1960] Touching.
My Yiddishe Momme -- Jackie Wilson
[196?] Precious.
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