The one hundred and thirty-third song: Tous les garcons et les filles - Francoise Hardy
When I think French songs, my mind usually goes first to chansons, the heavier songs of an Edith Piaf. More recent music is quite different, but that's where the sixties seem to be for that country. Here it sounds quite different though, still having some of the vocal stylings, but in a faster, upbeat song that combines sadness with something happier.
The one hundred and thirty-fourth song: You’ve Really Got a Hold on Me - The Miracles
I thought this sort of music was starting to die out. A good R&B vocal performance, it's a slow and sweet love song. At the same time, the music doesn't really get its hooks on me and starting drifting into the background quite soon.
The one hundred and thirty-fifth song: Boom Boom - John Lee Hooker
Speaking of which, here's some more blues. There's part of me that's waiting for the guitars to really kick in, there's something rocking in this song that never really comes out. I suppose it's one of those songs and stylings that predates and prepares the rock music that is to follow, but I wish it would commit to it a bit more here - it sounds good and interesting still, just holds back.
The one hundred and thirty-sixth song: He’s a Rebel - The Crystals
If he's a rebel, he probably would not have been listening to this. Not because the song is back - this is a real girl band sound (Phil Spector penned) that I'm not sure we've heard quite to this extent, but I'm sure we'll hear loads more coming up. It would be fairly inoffensive pop now, but for this list still sounds very fresh and enjoyable.
The one hundred and thirty-seventh song: Do You Love Me - The Contours
At least there's something more rocky in the year, something that swings more. It sounds a bit raw - the vocals aren't perfect - but the dancing that's described comes through in how the sound comes across and it sounds like it would be an amazing live performance. With this being an impromptu recording (done because they couldn't find the Temptations), there's something oddly happy about being able to do this performance.
The one hundred and thirty-eighth song: Your Cheating Heart - Ray Charles
And the last song of the year starts with more of a showtune feel, although that quickly reduces to something sweet and slow - an early soul track. It's a sweet, maudlin song, using background singers and extended strings to emphasize the point, but letting Ray Charles do his own thing when it's his turn, focusing on him and what he's saying. Best when it's at its simplest, it still sounds as maudlin as it should.