The "Insane World Of Mike Sain" airs every Wednesday at 9:00 AM Eastern Time on WPON-AM 1460 Detroit. Today's show theme, "Sixteen Reasons," was inspired by the Connie Stevens 1960 hit of the same name. "Sixteen Reasons" was used to kick off today's show, and all songs that followed thereafter were somehow related to one of the 16 reasons mentioned in that song. Before each song, a short excerpt from "Sixteen Reasons" with a reason was played.
- Sixteen Reasons - Connie Stevens - 1960
(This song was the inspiration for today's show.) - Walk Hand In Hand - Gerry And The Pacemakers - 1965
(Reason #1: "the way you hold my hand ...") - Laughing Boy - Mary Wells - 1963
(Reason #2: "your laughing eyes ...") - I'll Make You Understand - The Performers - 1956
(Reason #3: "the way you understand ...") - Lend Me Your Comb - The Beatles - 1962
(Reason #5: "the way you comb your hair ...") - Take Good Care (Of My Heart) - Lesley Gore - 1969
(Reason #7: "the way you say you care ...") - Shoppin' For Clothes - The Coasters - 1960
(Reason #8: "your crazy clothes ...") - Psychedelic Used Car Lot Blues - The Southbound Freeway - 1967
(Reason #9: "snuggling in the car ...") - I Wish I Were - Andy Kim - 1971
(Reason #10: "your wish upon a star ...") - Whispering Bells - The Dell-Vikings - 1957
(Reason #11: "whispering on the phone ...") - Kiss Away - Ronnie Dove - 1965
(Reason #12: "your kiss when we're alone ...") - I'll Thrill You - Shirley And Lee - 1958
(Reason #13: "the way you thrill my heart ...")
Disclosure: This page includes links that will take you to various online merchants outside of allbutforgottenoldies.net that sell recordings with some of the songs featured on this page. Please note that these are referral or affiliate links from which allbutforgottenoldies.net may receive, at no additional cost to you, a commission if you should make any purchases through them.
Notes:
- Connie Stevens is a well known singer and actress who has appeared in many movies and TV shows. From 1959-1965, she made a splash on the pop charts with several hits that include her best known song, "Sixteen Reason" (1959), which was the inspiration for today's show. "Sixteen Reasons" later also charted for LaVerne & Shirley in 1976.
- "Walk Hand In Hand" was a minor hit for Gerry and the Pacemakers in 1965 (peaking at only #103). This song charted previously in 1956 for Tony Martin, Andy Williams, and Denny Vaughn, with Tony Martin's version making the Top 10.
- Detroit-born Mary Wells was one of the top Motown artists of the 1960s. Besides her signature song, "My Guy" (1964), she had many other hits that included "Laughing Boy" (1963) as heard this morning.
- The Performers were a doo-wop group formed in 1956. Key members included Perry Heyward, Joseph "Rocky" Washington, Fred Johnson (all formerly with the Sparrows) and Fred's brother Gilbert Johnson. Their noncharting "I'll Make you Understand" (written by Fred Johnson) was released as a single in 1956 (All Star 714; Tip Top 402 b/w "Give Me Your Heart"). Although the Performers never charted nationally, "I'll Make You Understand" received considerable airplay on WINS by deejay Alan Freed. The Performers' "I'll Make You Understand" is included on the following CDs: The Encyclopedia of Doo Wop, Vol. 2, The Tip Top Records Story, Doo Wop Memories, Doo Wop 45s on CD, Vol. 8, Legends of Doo-Wop, Vol. 1, The Golden Era of Doo-Wops: Tip Top Records.
- The Beatles' early and noncharting "Lend My Your Comb" dates back to 1962 when this song was performed live on New Year's Eve at the Star-Club in Hamburg, Germany. This concert was taped and, in 1977, remixed and released on the album, "The Beatles Live! At The Star-Club in Hamburg, Germany, 1962" (Lingasong LS-27001). "Lend Me Your Comb" was written in 1957 by Kay Twomey, Benjamin Weisman, and Fred Wise and previously covered by Carl Perkins. This song is included on the CD, 1962 Live at the Star Club in Hamburg [LIVE].
- Lesley Gore's noncharting "Take Good Care Of My Heart" was released as a single in 1969 (Mercury 72892. Two versions were released with different flip songs, i.e., "I Can't Make It Without You" and "You Sent Me Silver Bells"). Gore is best remembered for "It's My Party" (1963) and its sequel, "Judy's Turn To Cry" (1963).
- "Shoppin' For Clothes" was a hit for the Coasters in 1960 and is also the song used in this show's weekly Baron's Clothing ad. The Coasters were a highly acclaimed doo-wop group with a flair for comedy. They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987.
- "Psychedelic Used Car Lot Blues" by the Detroit-based Southbound Freeway was released as a single in 1967 on several different labels (Tera Shirma 67001; Red Rooster 67001; Roulette 4739; Roulette 55936, all b/w "Southbound Freeway"). Key members of the Southbound Freeway included Marc Chover who was the group founder and lead singer. Although the Southbound Freeway never charted nationally, "Psychedelic Used Car Blues" had a fair amount of airplay on Detroit's CKLW and other local stations. This song is included on the hard-to-find CD, "Michigan Nuggets."
- Singer and songwriter Andy Kim (b. Andrew Joachim in Montreal) is best remembered for "Baby, "I Love You" (1969) and his chart topping "Rock Me Gently" (1974). His many other hits also included "I Wish I Were" (1971) as heard this morning.
- The Dell-Vikings (a.k.a. Del Vikings) were a doo-wop group formed in Pittsburgh in 1955. They made a splash in 1957 with "Come Go With Me," "Cool Shake," and "Whispering Bells" as heard today. Each Dell-Viking hit had a different lead singer, with "Whispering Bells" featuring Kripp Johnson.
- Ronnie Dove had a string of hits on the pop charts from 1964-1969 that included "Kiss Away" (1965) as heard this morning. He later had several hits on the country charts from 1972-1987.
- Shirley and Lee were R&B duo Shirley Goodman and Leonard Lee from New Orleans. They are best remembered for their 1956 hit, "Let The Good Times Roll" which topped the R&B charts and was their Pop/Rock chart debut song. They were known as the "Sweethearts of the Blues" because of their continuing saga of songs from the early-mid 1950s that played out a tumultuous romance. Their noncharting "I'll Thrill You," written by Leonard Lee, was released as a single in 1958 (Aladdin 3405 b/w "Love No One But You"). Shirley Goodman later became a member of Shirley (And Company).
Click here for a complete list of "Insane World Of Mike Sain" playlists available on this web site.
