“Side by Side” was written by Harry M. Woods in 1927.
This time, I’d like to share the Mitch Miller & The Gang version of this classic song.

Why You Should Listen

“Side by Side” has become a well-known standard and has been recorded by many artists over the years.
The Mitch Miller & The Gang version features a cheerful sing-along style and catchy lyrics with many rhyming phrases.

Highlights

・Cheerful sing-along style
・Catchy lyrics with many rhyming phrases
・Classic American popular song

About the Song

“Side by Side” was written by Harry M. Woods in 1927.
One of the best-known versions was recorded by Kay Starr.
Her version was released in the early 1950s and reached the top 10.
My favorite version is the one by Mitch Miller & The Gang.
This was the first version of the song I heard.
Over the years, “Side by Side” has become a well-known standard and has been recorded by many artists.

About the Artist

Mitch Miller was an American choral conductor, record producer, record-industry executive, and professional oboist.
He worked as an artist and repertoire (A&R) executive for Columbia Records for many years.
He also became very popular with Mitch Miller & The Gang and hosted the television show “Sing Along with Mitch.”

Conclusion

“Side by Side” is a classic song that has been recorded by many artists over the years.
The Mitch Miller & The Gang version is especially enjoyable for its cheerful sing-along style.

Video courtesy of the official YouTube channel.

“Up, Up and Away” was written by Jimmy Webb and recorded and released by the American soul-pop group The 5th Dimension in 1967.

It became one of The 5th Dimension’s signature songs and remains one of the most popular sunshine pop recordings of the 1960s.

Why You Should Listen

If you enjoy beautiful vocal harmonies and sophisticated orchestral arrangements, this song is well worth listening to.

Its uplifting melody and optimistic atmosphere perfectly capture the spirit of late-1960s sunshine pop.

Highlights

・Beautiful vocal harmonies
・Excellent orchestration
・An uplifting and memorable melody

About the Song

“Up, Up and Away” was written by Jimmy Webb and recorded and released by the American soul-pop group The 5th Dimension in 1967.

The song topped the singles charts in Australia and Canada, reached No. 7 on the Billboard Hot 100, and peaked at No. 9 in New Zealand.

It has been covered by many artists over the years.

I especially enjoy Frank Sinatra’s version.

About the Artist

The 5th Dimension is an American vocal group formed in 1966.

Their music combines sunshine pop, pop soul, and psychedelic soul.

Their debut single, “You’re Good Enough for Me,” was released as a non-album single in 1966 but failed to chart.

Their first charting single, “Go Where You Wanna Go,” was released as their third single in 1966. It reached No. 16 on the Billboard Hot 100, No. 18 in Canada, and No. 75 in Australia.

Their debut studio album, “Up, Up and Away,” was released in 1967.

It reached No. 6 in Canada, No. 8 on the Billboard 200, and No. 10 on the Billboard R&B Albums chart.

The album was certified Gold in the United States.

The group’s recordings are known for their rich harmonies and uplifting sound.

Whenever I listen to their music, I feel relaxed.

Conclusion

“Up, Up and Away” is one of Jimmy Webb’s most successful compositions and one of The 5th Dimension’s signature songs.

With its beautiful harmonies, memorable melody, and sophisticated orchestration, it remains a classic example of sunshine pop.

Video courtesy of the official YouTube channel.

“He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother” was written by Bobby Scott and Bob Russell and recorded by various artists.

This time, I’d like to share The Hollies version with you.

Why You Should Listen

The Hollies recorded this song several times.

Highlights

• Beautiful performance by the band and orchestra
• Lyrical arrangement and heartfelt lyrics
  

About the Song

“He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother” was written by Bobby Scott and Bob Russell and was first recorded by Kelly Gordon in 1969.

The title was inspired by a book from the 1880s. In the same year, The Hollies released their version of the song, and Neil Diamond covered it in 1970.

The Hollies version was recorded at EMI Studios and released in 1969.

It peaked at No. 3 in the UK and Ireland, No. 7 in the US, and reached the top 10 in several other countries. The song was re-issued in 1988 and topped the UK Singles Chart.

About the Artist

The Hollies are a British rock band formed in 1962.

Their debut single “(Ain’t That) Just Like Me” was released in 1963 and reached No. 25 on the UK Singles Chart, although it did not chart in other countries.

Their first worldwide hit, “Just One Look,” was released in 1964 and peaked at No. 2 in the UK, No. 4 in New Zealand, No. 6 in Ireland, No. 8 in Sweden, No. 29 in Australia, and No. 98 in the US.

Their debut studio album, “Stay with The Hollies,” was released in 1964 and reached No. 2 on the UK Albums Chart.

After that, they released many hit singles and albums.

Conclusion

The Hollies version has become one of their signature songs.

Thanks for enjoying another “oldies master – oldies but goodies”.

Video courtesy of the official YouTube channel.

“Try a Little Kindness” was written by Curt Sapaugh and Bobby Austin, and was first recorded and released by Glen Campbell in 1969.

Why You Should Listen

You can enjoy Glen Campbell’s powerful vocal performance along with acoustic guitar and string arrangements.

Highlights

• Powerful vocal performance
• Warm acoustic guitar and string sounds
• Positive and uplifting message

About the Song

“Try a Little Kindness” was written by Curt Sapaugh and Bobby Austin, and was first recorded and released by Glen Campbell in 1969.

The song topped the Billboard Easy Listening chart, the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart, the Canadian RPM Country Tracks chart, and the Canadian RPM Adult Contemporary chart.

It also peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart, No. 4 on the New Zealand Singles chart, No. 5 on the Canadian Top Singles chart, and No. 23 on the Billboard Hot 100.

About the Artist

Glen Campbell (Glen Travis Campbell) was an American country singer, guitarist, and actor who began his music career in the 1950s.

His debut single, “Dreams for Sale”, was released in 1958, but it did not chart.

His first major hit single, “By the Time I Get to Phoenix”, was written by Jimmy Webb in 1965, and Glen Campbell’s version was released in 1967.

The song topped the Canadian Country Tracks chart and peaked at No. 9 on the Canadian Top Singles chart and No. 2 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart.

Before becoming successful, Glen Campbell spent many years working as a session musician. His debut studio album, Big Bluegrass Special, was released in 1962, but it was not a commercial success.

Glen Campbell was especially known for his excellent vocal ability and guitar playing.

Conclusion

“Try a Little Kindness” became one of Glen Campbell’s signature hits and clearly showcases his excellent vocal performance.

Video courtesy of the official YouTube channel.

Their first single “Why Should We Not” as non-album single was released in 1963, didn’t hit at all.

Their first charted single “5-4-3-2-1” was released as the third one in 1964, ranked #5 on the UK single chart.

The first studio album “The Five Faces of Manfred Mann” was released in 1963, reached #3 on the UK chart.

Now, “I Can’t Believe What You Say” was released in 1965.

Unfortunately, I couldn’t search the detail.

They were popular in UK from the major debut, but they were not in US.

Therefore, roughly until 1963, their songs was released by some minor labels in US.

In 1964, their popularity have been all over the world, finally, their songs were released Capitol record, one of the major labels in US.

Now, “Get Back” was released in 1969, topped on the many major country’s single charts.

This live performance has been well-known, it’s called rooftop session.

He released some other singles in 1950s, but didn’t hit, as well.

His first hit single was “Only the Lonely (Know the Way I Feel)” released in 1960, it reached #2 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Now, “Oh, Pretty Woman” was written by Orbison and Bill Dees, released in 1964, topped on the Billboard Hot 100 for 2 weeks.

After that, it was used 1990 film “Pretty Woman” and becomes well known and popular until now.

Video courtesy of the official YouTube channel.

He had started his career as a musician since 1949.

His first single “Rock Island Line” was released in 1955, peaked #8 on the single charts in UK & US.

The first studio album “New Orleans Joys” was released in 1954, but it didn’t rank.

Now, “I Wanna Go Home (The Wreck of the John ‘B’)” was released in 1960, peaked #5 on the UK single chart.

In 1966, The Beach Boys covered it, topped on the Billboard Hot 100, and has well known widely.

Video courtesy of the official YouTube channel.

Their first single “Why Should We Not” as non-album single was released in 1963, didn’t hit at all.

Their first charted single “5-4-3-2-1” was released as the third one in 1964, ranked #5 on the UK single chart.

The first studio album “The Five Faces of Manfred Mann” was released in 1963, reached #3 on the UK chart.

Now, “I Can’t Believe What You Say” was released in 1965.

Unfortunately, I couldn’t search the detail.

Video courtesy of the official YouTube channel.