Hollies Top Twenty Two - The 60s

[moorlock2003]

1. WHAT’S WRONG WITH THE WAY I LIVE
2. I’m Alive
3. Clown
4. I Am a Rock
5. Would You Believe
6. Signs that will never change
7. Then the heartaches begin
8. Take Your Time
9. Wings
10. On a Carousel
11. Pay You Back With Interest
12. Bus Stop
13. Listen to me
14. Mr. Moonlight
15. Don’t You Even Care?
16. I Can’t Let Go
17. Carrie-Anne
18. Look through any window
19. You Know He Did
20. Tell me to my face
21. Do the best you can
22. When your light’s turned on

Mr. Moonlight is often derided as one of the worst tracks by The Beatles. I strongly disagree! It’s got a great Lennon vocal and that cool organ break. I also love the fact that The Hollies also recorded it, and did it differently. It’s admittedly a goofy lyric but it has a lot of charm for that reason. The Merseybeats also did it and released their version before both bands. The fact that 3 of the top British bands recorded it (and others did it live I would imagine) says something about the song’s appeal.

I did some research and discovered the first version was a B side by Dr. Feelgood and the Interns, a US R&B group, 1962.

[peterc]

'Mr. Moonlight' is a GREAT song! Nothing beats the original for me though (Dr. Feelgood also recorded under the name 'Piano Red'. He was a weird-looking black albino, but highly talented and influential).  Having said that, I'd rather hear The Beatles do 'Mr. Moonlight' than pretty much anything from 'Abbey Road'.

[baz]

Jan 18, 2024 7:58:07 GMT peterc said:

'Mr. Moonlight' is a GREAT song! Nothing beats the original for me though (Dr. Feelgood also recorded under the name 'Piano Red'. He was a weird-looking black albino, but highly talented and influential).  Having said that, I'd rather hear The Beatles do 'Mr. Moonlight' than pretty much anything from 'Abbey Road'.

'Mr. Moonlight' is my fave track off that first album! I like the energy and spirit The Hollies bring to it and its a great example of how Allan and Graham harmonised (heard best in stereo with their voices split across the channels) before Tony added the crucial third voice to the blend. Way superior to The Beatles' version which feels lacklustre by comparison. I find the Star Club take more engaging and the way they sound in 1964 is similar to how they sounded in 1969 when they did all the old rock and roll stuff during the Get Back/Let It Be sessions - tired, uninspired and going through the motions.

[rokinrobinoflocksley]

Best version to worst: Dr. Feelgood, Hollies, Beatles. Always thought The Beatles version was their worst song ever, way before I knew anyone else thought the same. Rock on...

[moorlock2003]

I listened to the original version. I still prefer the beat group versions by The Beatles, The Hollies, and The Merseybeats. I like ringing guitars and strong harmony vocals. The Brits were experts at that. My love for British beat groups knows no bounds.