“‘He’s a Rebel’ is a song written by Gene Pitney that was originally recorded by Vikki Carr and by the girl group the Blossoms. Produced by Phil Spector, the Blossoms’ version was issued as a single credited to the Crystals, which topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart in November 1962. … The song is about a girl in love with a young man who spurns society’s conventions. Despite his being misunderstood by others, the singer claims he is sweet and faithful and vows to be the same towards him. Steve Douglas performs a saxophone solo during the song’s bridge. The piano riff at the beginning was contributed by Al DeLory. … The quintet was then obliged to add “He’s a Rebel” to their live repertoire, even though lead singer Barbara Alston could not mimic Blossoms lead singer Darlene Love. …” W – He’s a Rebel
YouTube: Didn’t it rain, children
YouTube: Patsy Cline – Crazy
YouTube: He’s A Rebel – The Crystals
YouTube: The Shirelles – Will You Love Me Tomorrow
YouTube: Little Eva – Loco-motion
YouTube: You Dont Own Me – Lesley Gore
YouTube: Dusty Springfield – I Only Want To Be With You
YouTube: Dionne Warwick (Live 1964) – Anyone Who Had A Heart
YouTube: Dancing In The Street – Martha and the Vandellas
YouTube: Petula Clark – Downtown
YouTube: Aretha Franklin – Respect
YouTube: Bobby Gentry – Ode to Billie Joe
YouTube: Tammy Wynette – Stand By Your Man
YouTube: Ain’t Got No, I Got Life – Nina Simone
YouTube: Janis Joplin – Ball & Chain
“‘Ode to Billie Joe’ is a song by American singer-songwriter Bobbie Gentry released by Capitol Records in July 1967, and later used as the title-track of her debut album. … The song takes the form of a first-person narrative performed over sparse acoustic guitar accompaniment with strings in the background. It tells of a rural Mississippi family’s reaction to the news of the suicide of Billie Joe McAllister, a local boy to whom the daughter (and narrator) is (unknown by the rest of the family) connected. The song received widespread attention, leaving its audience intrigued as to what the narrator and Billie Joe threw off the Tallahatchie Bridge. Gentry later clarified that she intended the song to portray the family’s indifference to the suicide in what she deemed ‘a study in unconscious cruelty,’ while she remarked the object thrown was not relevant to the message. …” W – Ode to Billie Joe
1960s: Days of Rage
1960s: Days of Rage 