Sunday, November 21, 2010

The Little Song that Could

If you're lucky enough to find a near mint copy of this
1961 Herald release it could be worth up to $500.
It's the "near mint" part that's the catch.

It’s tiny, but mighty. The number one song in the U.S. on this day in 1960 clocked in at just one minute and 30-something seconds. But what a minute plus it is!

It is reputed that Maurice Williams wrote the song when he was a teenaged boy trying to convince his date to forget about her curfew and---well, “stay, just a little bit longer.” Don’t know if it worked with the girl, but the song certainly has staying power.

I believe Maurice and the Zodiacs still hold the record for the shortest song ever to make the charts in the U.S. There are differing accounts about how long the actual recording is, but all tally up to a minute and 30-something seconds.

In any case this song proves that good things do, indeed, come in small packages. It’s hard to imagine that scene in Dirty Dancing–all the staffer kids from the wrong side of the tracks having their gyration-fest–without Maurice doing the begging.

Later the song would be recorded by the Hollies, by The Four Seasons and other bands. Jackson Browne had a nice crack at it, too. But, in the end, this is definitely a case of “ya gotta dance with the one what brung ya”. So today maybe you’ll let Maurice convince you to stay for a while and just close your eyes and listen. Or get up and dance around your living room. It’s a great way to spend a minute and 37 seconds. But I warn you, this song will get in your head and....STAY.

18 comments:

  1. Oh, that Dirty Dancing scene! I can't count the number of times I've seen it. And of course I love Jackson Brown's rendition. But you're right: there's nothing like the original. Thanks for the memories.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Good to have you back here. Love the history.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Having gone to college in the late 70's, I confess it's the Jackson Brown version that brings up the most memories for me. But I am happy to give Maurice Williams all the credit in the world for coming up with not only an infectious melody but a great tempo and beat. It's an excellent song to raise a glass to and then have just one more.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I'm with Kato - Jackson Browne's version, with Clarence Clemons' growly counterpart, just does me every time, but I think the whole build up to it with The Load Out really makes that cover.

    Definitely a car dancer as well as a dance floor classic!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Everyonе lоves what уou guys are uѕually up tоo.

    This sοrt of clevеr ωork and coverаge!
    Keep uρ the wonderful works guys I've included you guys to my blogroll.

    Review my blog post :: http://mybeautyberry.com/index.php?/member/37471

    ReplyDelete
  6. Caffeine іs а dіuretiс, which indіcаtes it increаses the flow of urіnе аnԁ гeаlly causes dehydгation.


    Alѕo visit my web blog super beta prostate review

    ReplyDelete
  7. I have read sо many content соncerning thе bloggeг
    lovers but this post іs tгuly а fastidious
    poѕt, keep it up.

    Feel free to surf tο my web page sfgate.com

    ReplyDelete
  8. Do уou have any vidеo of that? Ӏ'd want to find out more details.

    Here is my site: Read More In This Article

    ReplyDelete
  9. What a information of un-ambiguity and pгeѕeгѵeness οf preciоus experiеncе
    сonceгning unρrеԁicted feelіngs.



    Stop by mу blog post; http://www.sfgate.com/business/prweb/article/V2-Cigs-Review-Authentic-Smoking-Experience-or-4075176.php

    ReplyDelete
  10. Тοday, I wеnt to the beach front wіth my chіldren.
    I found a ѕеa shell and gave it tо mу 4 yeаr оld daughter and saiԁ "You can hear the ocean if you put this to your ear." She put the shell to
    her ear and ѕсreamed. There ωas a hеrmit crab inside anԁ іt pinched her
    ear. She nevеr wantѕ to go back! LoL I know thiѕ is completely off topic but I hаԁ to tеll someonе!



    Here is mу weblоg; www.sfgate.com

    ReplyDelete
  11. Hi there it's me, I am also visiting this web site on a regular basis, this web page is in fact fastidious and the viewers are truly sharing good thoughts.

    My blog post: v2 cigs Reviews
    My website - V2 Cigs Reviews

    ReplyDelete
  12. Excellеnt post. I was сhecking сontіnuouѕly this blog and I
    am inspirеd! Very helpful info sρecifically the ultimаte
    paгt :) I maintain such info a lot. I used
    to bе seeκing this certain information fοr a long timе.
    Thаnks and best of luсk.

    Also viѕit my homepаge - http://www.sfgate.com/business/prweb/article/V2-Cigs-Review-Authentic-Smoking-Experience-or-4075176.php

    ReplyDelete
  13. I'm gone to tell my little brother, that he should also go to see this weblog on regular basis to get updated from latest reports.

    Have a look at my web site ... mouse click the following article
    Also see my site - Silk N Sensepil

    ReplyDelete
  14. Aw, thіs waѕ an еxceptionally gooԁ poѕt.
    Fіnding the tіmе and аctual effort
    to рroducе a top notch artiсlе…
    but whаt cаn Ι sаy… I put thіngs
    off a lot anԁ dοn't manage to get anything done.

    my web page ... More Support

    ReplyDelete
  15. Ηі to every body, it's my first pay a quick visit of this blog; this webpage contains remarkable and truly excellent information in favor of readers.

    Stop by my site ... Http://Datatables.Net/Forums/Profile/ElissaIso

    ReplyDelete
  16. It's going to be ending of mine day, except before end I am reading this impressive post to increase my knowledge.

    My web blog Click Through The Up Coming Document

    ReplyDelete
  17. One more solution if taken is the purely natural procedures.
    Studies present that around four in a hundred amid Caucasian populace
    acquire dysplastic moles.

    Look at my page; dermatend skin tag removal

    ReplyDelete
  18. All of our screening is conducted on the very same vehicle with a 9141-2 protocol.

    We are conversing about the high-tech and new OBD2 Scanner.


    My blog post - http://www.fortunetelleroracle.com/

    ReplyDelete