Guilty Pleasures Part Forty-Three -- What's Old, Pussycat?

If it's Thursday, it must be time to break out the Guilty Pleasures and once again I have my trusted assistant/consultant/partner in crime Fearless Maria with me to help out. We've decided to set the Wayback Machine to the year 1965.

There were a lot of great songs in 1965 -- it was the year that the Rolling Stones first arrived in force in America and it was a time when the Beatles were at the top of their form. And there were great songs coming out of Motown, Memphis and all over the British Isles. It was the dawning of a new era.

Dad, if you don't get to the songs, this post will turn out to be the yawning of a new era.

Good point, Maria! Okay, let's start at the very top song of 1965 according to Billboard. So do you think it was the Beatles, the Stones or a Motown great? Naaah. It was these guys, who look like refugees from a Shriners convention, duded up in a way that probably would earn them either a fatwa or. . . what would you say, Maria?

Maybe the International Prize of Weird. That's what I say, Dad. Now give it up for Sam the Sham and the Pharoahs, performing:

Wooly Bully

So that was the most popular song of 1965, Maria. What do you think?

Well, I hope that woman standing in the middle gets paid for working with those clowns! That couldn't have been too much fun! Rating: whatever!

Well, you'll be happy to know that there were a few people who knew what they were doing in 1965, unlike those clowns you just saw, Maria. Consider these two suave individuals, dressed to the nines in their supercool tuxedos. It's the Righteous Brothers, singing:

You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'

What do you think of those guys, Maria?

Well, they've got much nicer suits than that Sam the Sham guy. It's a great song, too -- I know Mom really likes that one a lot. One thing I noticed, though, Dad. You like songs with go-go dancers, right?

Why yes, Maria. Yes I do.

Well the dancers in the back on that song aren't exactly going anywhere, are they? They could probably step it up -- they look like no-go dancers to me! But it's a great song, like Mom says. Rating: snappy!

Okay, let's move on then to the Beatles, who were definitely at the top of their game in 1965.

Yes, Dad, the Beatles are way better than those Sam the Sham jerks!

Well I agree. And if they're going to win the contest, they might need a little:

Help!

Dad, do you see poor Ringo in the back with the umbrella? If anyone needs some help, it's poor Ringo! Someone should help him hold the umbrella so he can go play his drums! Someone should help them get out of the snow, too! Rating is: wacky but awesome!

Now for something completely different, Maria. We've done teen idols before, but this guy was really good at making the ladies swoon. I'm not sure why, but check this out. It's Tom Jones, doing inventory on his face as he belts out the ever-popular:

What's New, Pussycat?

Dad, why do the girls scream when he points at his nose? That's kind of odd, don't you think?

I'm not going to argue with you, Maria.

And why would a pussycat be delicious, Dad? That doesn't make any sense at all! I think the guy needs to stop pointing at stuff and just stick to singing! Rating: Weirdo!

I guess you had to be there, Maria. Anyway, here's the last one. These two had a little different idea of how to dress. From what I can tell, the guy is wearing an area rug and the girl is wearing curtains or something. It's Sonny and Cher, in all their goony glory, with their huge hit:

I Got You, Babe

So how do you like those guys, Maria?

ARE THEY TOMBOYS OR FOOTBALL PLAYER WEIRDOS? RATING: DORK-O-LICIOUS!

Man, you're tough, Maria! Well, let's see if our voters are more gentle in their assessment of the assembled talent than you are. Pick yer fave and vote in the comments! Anything you want to add, Maria?

Hmm, well. . . remember to check out Fearless Maria and I'll try to do a new post this weekend. But one other thing, Dad --

What's that, Maria?

I'm sure glad you didn't pick out Herman's Hermits!

Yeah, we dodged a bullet on that one.