1961

There are a lot of songs here that have become novelty songs, mostly because they are immediately identifiable and have been used so much in other contexts. I've talked about this a lot, but it's harder to remember, simply because the songs are so old, a time when "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" or "Hit the Road Jack" were not attached to Disney movies and cracker commercials (or whatever). Or for that matter, "Runaway," "Barbara Ann," "She Thinks I Still Care," Please Mr. Postman," "Michael," Stand By Me," "I Can't Help Falling in Love With You," or the fantastic "Crazy." All of them have been run into the ground to varying success, but divorced from everything they stand up remarkably well, which is the best thing I've discovered from making these mixes. When you take these songs at face value, it's easy to see why they were so successful in their time.

There are some great lesser-known songs here too though. Bobby Blue Bland was a great singer who has been unjustly forgotten by the majority of the population, and "Big Boss Man" may be the best blues song represented on these mixes.

Then there is "At Last," one of the best songs ever and truly deserving of its place at the end of this mix. Hope you enjoy.

Download the mix here.

1. The Lion Sleeps Tonight - Tokens - 2:39
2. Runaround Sue - Dion - 2:34
3. Hit the Road Jack - Ray Charles - 2:01
4. Runaway - Del Shannon - 2:19
5. Tossin' and Turnin' - Bobby Lewis - 2:35
6. Blue Moon - Marcels - 2:15
7. Barbara-Ann - The Regents - 2:16
8. Hello Mary Lou - Ricky Nelson - 2:19
9. Mother-in-law - Ernie K-Doe - 2:36
10. Turn On Your Love Light - Bobby Blue Bland - 2:38
11. Hideaway - Freddy King - 2:36
12. Rainin' In My Heart - Slim Harpo - 2:34
13. Big Boss Man - Jimmy Reed - 2:51
14. Hello Walls - Faron Young - 2:24
15. She Thinks I Still Care - George Jones - 2:35
16. My True Story - The Jive Five - 2:34
17. I Like It Like That - Chris Kenner - 1:58
18. Take Good Care Of My Baby - Bobby Vee - 2:38
19. It Will Stand - The Showmen - 2:25
20. Quarter To Three - Gary U.S. Bonds - 2:30
21. Let's Go Trippin' - Dick Dale & His Del Tones - 2:10
22. It's Gonna Work Out Fine - Ike & Tina Turner - 3:04
23. I Don't Want To Take A Chance - Mary Wells - 2:49
24. Mama Said - The Shirelles - 2:11
25. Please Mr. Postman - The Marvelettes - 2:30
26. Gypsy Woman - Curtis Mayfield And The Impressions - 2:20
27. Michael (Row the Boat Ashore) - The Highwaymen - 2:45
28. I Can't Help Falling In Love With You - Elvis Presley - 3:05
29. Crazy - Patsy Cline - 2:43
30. Stand By Me - Ben E. King - 2:54
31. At Last - Etta James - 2:58