6 of the 60s: 5/28/14 (1964)

Hey gang, it's 60s time again, and this week I'm back to 1964, the year hundreds of students marched in Times Square and San Francisco to protest the Vietnam War....

Mary Wells - "My Guy"
from the album Mary Wells Sings My Guy (1964)
Billboard Hot 100 peak: #1
Songwriter: Smokey Robinson

The biggest hit for Motown's first big star, the song has hit the chart for more acts than you can count on both hands, but it's Mary's perky original that retains its innocent sweetness the best.

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Gale Garnett - "We'll Sing In The Sunshine"from the album My Kind Of Folk Songs (1964)
Billboard Hot 100 peak: #4
Songwriter: Gale Garnett

Moving from Canada from New Zealand as a child, this folk singer ruled the easy-listening chart for almost two months with this Grammy-winner for best "Ethnic or Folk Recording".

Shirley Ellis - "The Nitty Gritty"
from the album In Action (1964)
Billboard Hot 100 peak: #8
Songwriter: Lincoln Chase

The first hit single for the Bronx born soul singer was much "grittier" than her later novelty fare.

Lesley Gore - "Thats The Way Boys Are"
from the album Boys, Boys, Boys (1964)
Billboard Hot 100 peak: #12
Songwriters: Mark Barkan, Ben Raleigh

This single from the girl who brought us "It's My Party" seemed to excuse men's philandering, but I guess it didn't resonate in her personal life - she came out of the closet in 2004.

Irma Thomas - "Wish Someone Would Care"
from the album Wish Someone Would Care (1964)
Billboard Hot 100 peak: #17
Songwriter: Irma Thomas

The Soul Queen Of New Orleans' first hit, it would take her another 43 years before she won her first Grammy.

Rita Pavone - "Remember Me"
from the album The International Teenage Sensation (1964)
Billboard Hot 100 peak: #26
Songwriter: Shelly Coburn

The singer and actress from Turin, Italy had a breakout English-language hit with a little help from her appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show.

That's all for today's 60s trip...I'll be back tomorrow with 7 more from 1974 and 8 from 1984...