And the painful cuts continue! I am so heartbroken you all decided to keep going with eliminating my scores over 9 (this was a 9.3 from me)! The 60s list was one of so many wonderful songs, and
There’s No Other Like My Baby is a shining example of this. Before the age of autotune took over pop music – you had this gorgeous
doo-wop sound with real voices harmonising wonderfully, and despite the crackling and beautiful imperfections to the voices – how heartfelt is that longing in Barbara Alston’s lead vocal? Not failing her are the wonderful backup vocals from the other girls, ensuring that searing desperation in the lyric is punctuated perfectly.
This sound is very angelic and since rumour has it it is derived from the gospel number “
There’s No Other Like My Jesus”, that isn’t too surprising. Unfortunately this reveals nothing of this song being tied with so much controversy! Songwriter
Phil Spector (keep this name in mind as we go further into the rate) released the song for his newly founded label Phillies Records not The Crystals’ then record label Liberty Records which resulted in the band not getting payment for the recording of the song. They eventually moved to Phillies Records but their business relationship was never truly perfect.
A few more problems arose, including others recording under The Crystals’ name due to the band being based in New York and not getting to LA fast enough for Spector’s recording needs. Truly, read their
Wikipedia page, it is quite an eye opener in the age we think the MKS drama is bad!
A little background on
The Crystals – they were based in New York and were considered one of the defining girl groups of the early 60s. They had a few chart hits from 1961-1964, some of which were listed on Rolling Stones 500 Greatest Songs Of All Time.
Let’s see what PopJustice thinks of this decorated act and number:
Unnameable (6)
musters a - not bad.
Ufint (6) Starts out so lovely, and the verses are pretty good, but those harmonies just sound muddy and doesn’t really elevate the song.
I disagree and so do the following listeners!
Iheartpoptarts (8.5) I love that style of 60s song that sounds like ‘Tears On My Pillow’ by Kylie. Apparently that’s called doo-wop according to the internet. I am learning things.
Happy this rate is making you enjoy homework :) DominoDancing (8) - Love this for its yearning chorus and the great harmonies.
I am fully behind team #DominoPoptarts!
Londonrain (0)
needs a bionic ear - This plodding chorus... yikes.
Empty Shoebox (3)
joins the party - Too slow, I'm finding nothing memorable in the arrangement and the lyrics do nothing for me.
Filippa (0)
completes the tasteless trio - Could have been good when listened to in the 60s but didn’t stand the test of the time. Frankly, I don’t like it.
Trouble In Paradise (10)
finds his voice in paradise - I’m afraid this song won’t do well cause it’s not a bop, but there’s some real grit and emotion to both the lyrics and delivery. The song really captures that sense of finding the one and knowing he’s the one you’re supposed to spend your life with.
Saviodxl (4.2)
has some explaining to do - I can imagine ABBA performing this song. But given it's The Crystals, that's the score they deserve.
ComeOnGloria (5)
is somewhere in between - Bit dirgy.
Kermit_The_Frog (8)
does more alluding to controversy - I adore The Crystals (especially the game of “guess who’s singing this one” that pre-dated Black Box by 40 years) Further Listening: He’s A Rebel.
We finish with Zar being Zar -
Zar-Unity (5) - Hmm, this one is too slow for me. Tech: 4 Taste:1 = 5 points