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Over and Over (Bobby Day song)

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"Over and Over"
Single by Bobby Day
A-side"Rockin' Robin"
Released1958
Recorded1958
GenreDoo-wop[1]
Length2:20
LabelClass
Songwriter(s)Robert James Byrd
Bobby Day singles chronology
"Rockin' Robin"
(1958)
"Over and Over"
(1958)
""The Bluebird, The Buzzard And The Oriole""
(1958)
"Over and Over"
Single by The Dave Clark Five
B-side"I'll Be Yours (My Love)"
ReleasedNovember 1965
GenreBeat[2]
Length2:00
LabelEpic
Songwriter(s)Robert James Byrd
Producer(s)Dave Clark
The Dave Clark Five singles chronology
"Catch Us If You Can"
(1965)
"Over and Over"
(1965)
""Try Too Hard" (UK)
"At the Scene" (US)"
(1966)

"Over and Over" is a song written by Robert James Byrd and recorded by him using the stage name Bobby Day. Day's version entered the Billboard Hot 100 in 1958, the same week a version of the same song by Thurston Harris entered the chart. Day's version reached #41, and was the B-side to "Rockin' Robin".[3] Thurston Harris' version peaked at #96. In the song, the singer describes going to a party with misgivings of having a good time, until he sees a pretty girl. The singer attempts to ask her out, but she is waiting for her date to arrive. He vows to try "over and over".

Dave Clark Five version

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In 1965, the most successful version was recorded by the Dave Clark Five, one of the early British Invasion bands of the mid-1960s. This version was sung by lead singer and keyboardist Mike Smith. It followed the group's signature sound of thumping, 4
4
drum beats accompanied by a wailing saxophone. It omits the final verse of the song.[4] In the US, "Over and Over" was the group's 12th Top 40 hit and was their only #1 hit.[5] It was also the last #1 hit of 1965. Despite its success in the United States and the popularity of the group on both sides of the Atlantic, the single only reached number 45 in the band's native United Kingdom.[6] The DC5 also had only one UK number 1, Glad All Over, whilst this was their only US chart-topper. The Dave Clark Five omitted Bobby Day's last verse to the song, while the line "everybody went stag" as originally written by Bobby Byrd (Day's real name) was sung as “everybody there was there” on the DC5 version.[7]

Cash Box described it as a "lively, hard-driving rendition" with "a danceable, pulsating beat."[8] Record World said that "The Dave Clark Five go to the top over and over, and 'Over and Over' will be no exception."[9]

Covers

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In 1981, Mike Love of The Beach Boys covered the song on his solo album Looking Back With Love.[10] Love recorded it again on his 2019 album 12 Sides of Summer.[11] French singer Sacha Distel stayed very close to DC5 arrangements and made a hit with his french version entitled `Les Yeux Bleus`. A very dynamic video is available on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XT7fS3FTVGs, giving a glimpse at these years`s spirit.

References

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  1. ^ Marsh, Dave (1989). The Heart of Rock & Soul: The 1001 Greatest Singles Ever Made. Plume. p. 429. ISBN 0-452-26305-0.
  2. ^ Breihan, Tom (15 November 2022). "The Beatles - "I Want To Hold Your Hand". The Number Ones: Twenty Chart-Topping Hits That Reveal the History of Pop Music. New York: Hachette Book Group. p. 45.
  3. ^ Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-2004. Record Research. p. 148.
  4. ^ Phill Marder (11 August 2011). "Bobby Day may have provided the cornerstones of Rock's foundation". Goldmine Magazine blog. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
  5. ^ Whitburn, Joel (2004). The Billboard Book of Top 40 Hits: Eighth Edition. Record Research. p. 129.
  6. ^ Bronson, Fred (2003). The Billboard Book of Number One Hits (5th ed.). New York: Billboard Books. p. 189. ISBN 978-0823076772. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
  7. ^ "Over And Over Misheard Lyrics". Amiright.com. Retrieved 29 September 2016.
  8. ^ "CashBox Record Reviews" (PDF). Cash Box. 6 November 1965. p. 24. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
  9. ^ "Single Picks of the Week" (PDF). Record World. 6 November 1965. p. 1. Retrieved 19 July 2023.
  10. ^ "Mike Love - Looking Back With Love". Discogs.
  11. ^ Grow, Kory (20 May 2019). "Hear the Beach Boys' Mike Love Cover the Ramones' 'Rockaway Beach'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 13 October 2024.