(23rd September 1961)
John Barry obviously liked this - he lifted the twirling string intro for one Bond theme and the singer for several others. But after those first five seconds the song - another family-friendly export from the German hit factories - is dismally sedate. I’m hardly even able to comment on Bassey’s performance, there’s so little grip for her in the song: no tension, no climax, just a steady stupefying sway. 2
Written by Tom on Tuesday, August 24th, 2004 | 693 views |
The UK's 1000+ Number One Hits since 1952, reviewed, in order, irregularly, for as long as I can bear to keep doing it. A history of pop in the shape of a chart.
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rosie on July 27th, 2008
I thought there was something odd about this. I know it because one or other of my parents (probably my Dad) but I don’t recall it getting any radio play. Wikipedia has it as one half of a double A side with Climb Every Mountain, a big blockbuster from The Sound of Music and much more our Shirl’s kind of thing, and I’m pretty sure that’s what either parent would have bought it for. And I can’t begin to imagine why the sure-fire Climb Every Mountain would be relegated to the B side of this dirge.
DJ Punctum on July 28th, 2008
Also listed as a double A in Guinness and my mum confirms that “Mountain” got virtually all the airplay.
Tom on July 28th, 2008
Hmm, case for a rewrite then. I wonder why I picked this side - no recollection of writing it (or the song really!).
I should put something about the missing double A sides in the FAQ.