Record #0832: (You’re the) Devil In Disguise / Please Don’t Drag That String Around – ELVIS PRESLEY WITH THE JORDANAIRES

 

RCA Victor 47-8188 (original) Germany, 18. June 1963
Words & Music by:  Side A – Bill Giant, Bernie Baum, Florence Kaye; Side B – Otis Blackwell, Winfield Scott
Musicians: Elvis Presley (lead vocals), Scotty Moore (rhythm guitar), Thomas “Grady” Martin (lead guitar), Harold Bradley (6-string bass guitar), Bob Moore (upright bass), Floyd Cramer (piano), D.J. Fontana (drums), Murrey “Buddy” Harman (drums), Gordon Stoker, Neal Matthews & Ray Walker (backing vocals), Millie Kirkham, Joe Babcock (backing vocals), Homer “Boots” Randolph (shakers on side A, sax on side B)
Recording sessions: Produced by Steve Sholes at RCA Studio B, Nashville, TN, on Sunday 26. May 1963
Highest chart positions: Side A – Germany #2, US #3, Canada #1, Australia #2, New Zealand #3, UK #1, Ireland #1, France #1, Netherlands #1, Belgium #1, Norway #1, Sweden #1, Finland #1; Side B – none

As I was making the list of musicians, a thought crossed my mind. Back in 1954 it was Elvis, Scotty and Bill. 9 years later they needed 14 people to record a song. Oh, well. Having said that, the musicians are top notch, and the record did really well.

The single topped the charts in many countries around the world. In Finland it was on the top in October 1963. In November it was pushed to #2 by the Beatles’ “Twist and Shout” (Parlophone 45-DPY 654).

Estimated value: A list price not found. One copy (vinyl NM, picture sleeve VG+) was sold for €19 in eBay in 2018.

Index 0301-0400

 

Record #0831: World Without Love / If I Were You – PETER AND GORDON

Columbia 45-DYC 1180 (original) Finland, by July 1964
Words & Music by:  Side A – John Lennon, Paul McCartney; Side B – Peter Asher, Gordon Waller
Musicians: Peter Asher (vocals & acoustic guitar), Gorden Waller (vocals & acoustic guitar), Vic Flick (VOX 12-string guitar), others unknown
Recording sessions: Produced by Norman Newell at EMI Studios (Abbey Road), London, UK, 21. January 1964 (not 100% sure, if Side B was in the same session)
Highest chart positions: Side A – Finland #21, USA #1, Canada #1, UK #1 Ireland #1 Australia #2, New Zealand #1, Norway #8; Side B – none

Paul McCartney wrote “World Without Love” at the age of 16, before the Beatles were formed. He later decided that the song was not good enough for the band and offered it to Peter and Gordon. They released it as their debut single, and it went on to sell more than a million copies.

The single entered the Finnish charts in July 1964 and peaked at #21 in August and again in October. The Esquires, a Finnish rock/pop group recorded a cover version “Maailma ilman rakkautta” (Decca 45-SD 5628), which hit #23 in October.

I think it’s a good pop song. The opening line is just a bit odd and funny:” Please, lock me away…”
Maybe John should’ve helped Paul to re-write the lyrics. 😊

Estimated value: Discogs.com median price is 8 euros.