Back in 1992, singer Maureen McGovern decided to record an album of the songs she loved when she went to High School dances in the 1960s. I went to similar dances back then so I’m familiar with all of these songs. Maureen McGovern is best known for her hit songs “The Morning After” from the movie The Poseidon Adventure (1972) and “We May Never Love Like This Again” from The Towering Inferno (1974). McGovern also had a Number One hit on Billboard’s Adult Contemporary Chart with “Different Worlds” from the television series Angie. The songs McGovern chose to cover are from 1955 to 1970. I have to admit, Maureen McGovern’s versions are not as good as the original songs. But, this CD brought back a lot of memories and it’s very listenable. Check out the sample below. GRADE: B+
TRACK LIST:
1. “Are You There (With Another Girl)” Burt Bacharach, Hal David 3:36
2. “I Will” John Lennon, Paul McCartney 2:37
3. “Baby I’m Yours” Van McCoy 3:37
4. “It’s All in the Game” Carl Sigman, Charles Dawes 4:41
5. “Angel on My Shoulder” Shelby Flint 2:58
6. “Sincerely” Harvey Fuqua, Alan Freed 3:50
7. “Things We Said Today/For No One” John Lennon, Paul McCartney 5:18
8. “You Belong to Me” Pee Wee King, Redd Stewart, Chilton Price 3:42
9. “Gonna Get Along Without You Now” Milton Kellem 3:40
10. “Put Your Head on My Shoulder” Paul Anka 4:12
11. “Blue on Blue” Burt Bacharach, Hal David 3:49
12. “You Don’t Have to Say You Love Me” P. Donaggio, Vicki Wickham, Simon Napier-Bell 3:37
13. “Anyone Who Had a Heart” Burt Bacharach, Hal David 4:09
14. “You Can Close Your Eyes” James Taylor 3:35
At my High School dances we got The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, the Who, Kinks etc. My band played at a lot of these dances. 1964 to 1966. Never would have included something by the odious Paul Anka (Having My Baby, My Way, the terrible songs in NO Way Out). Always liked Anyone Who Had a Heart and the Beatles songs she covers.
Steve, like you I was not a fan of Paul Anka.
I’m a few years older than most of you – when I was a teenager doing dance lessons Paul Anka’s first hit (first song?) Diana was kind of revolutionary!
Wolf, many of those songs from the 1950s still sound pretty good. I love The Drifters’s “Sweets for My Sweet.”
She chose well. Almost all of them bring back memories.
Patti, I had forgotten all about those High School dances until I listened to BABY I’M YOURS. Maureen McGovern channels her inner teenager on this CD.
I agree—her choices are good, but I’m not a fan of her singing style, so do not think this compilation would be for me. The most interesting part of reading the set list was discovering that Van “Do the Hustle” McCoy also wrote “Baby, I’m Yours”!
Deb, you’re right about Maureen McGovern’s singing style. Her soundtrack hits are more her speed. But, I give her credit for singing the songs she grew up with.
What Deb said. We tried to see Barbara (“Baby I’m Yours” and “Hello Stranger”) twice in the last 10 years at do-wop/oldies concerts, but she cancelled both times, sadly. Good choices for the most part, but not up to the originals.
Here’s a Jeopardy question for you: He was the only Vice President of the United States (not to mention, co-winner of the Nobel Peace Prize) to compose a #1 hit song.
Who is Charles G. Dawes?
You could look it up (although I’ll tell you he wrote it in 1921 and was long dead when they put lyrics to it and made it #1 in 1958).
Jeff, I never knew “It’s All in the Game” came from a Vice-President. Very cool!
I fondly remember her on PRAIRIE HOME COMPANION belting out “There is a Tavern in the Town”
Dan, I think Maureen McGovern is an underrated singer.
Many good songs, but, as usual, I’ll take the original in every case. I liked Anka’s “Put Your Head On My Shoulder”, but not much else by him. Barbara Lewis was a favorite of mine too, Jeff.
Rick, I have a couple CDs of Barbara Lewis music. Excellent!
Well, the selections are good.
I’ll give this a try too.
Beth, I like Maureen McGovern’s choices, too. The memories of those High School dances came rushing back to me while I was listening!
Jeff: “It’s All in the Game,” by Tommy Edwards.
As for this album, why on earth would I want these covers when I can listen to the originals, which are better? PASS!
Bob, I agree. The original versions of these songs are better. But, Maureen McGovern gives her best effort.