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Song For The Modern Age -- #1 In America, 1965

By
Home Inspector with King of the House Home Inspection, Inc. Home Inspector Lic #207

Folk music was very popular in the United States in the early 1960's. The Kingston Trio; Peter, Paul & Mary and the New Christy Minstels all had some big, and long remembered, hits. The artist, who is the topic of today's blog post, was the lead singer of the New Christy Minstrels on their biggest hit -- "Green Green".

By 1965, what had been popular was changing. The 1965 Mustang was the rage on the road.

And, as a society, people were worried about big problems -- racial unrest, the Vietnam war and possible annihilation by nuclear bombs. The bomb had been used during WWII, to end the war, and it was not going to go away anytime soon. We all understand that even today as talk of Iran and the bomb is daily news fodder.

The song that wend to #1 in September 1965, has endured over the years. The gravely voiced singer, who had a perfect delivery of the song, has since become a gospel performer. And, as he says at his performances, the song is as meaningful today as it was 46 years ago when it was dominating the Billboard Hot 100.

To see a live performance of this controversial hit, by the original artist, you need to change channels. Tell Mitch Miller that you have had enough of "Sing Along With Mitch" and then click on the vintage TV. When you do so, you will be transported back to the fall of 1965.

Posted by

Steven L. Smith

If you enjoy nostalgia and music of yesteryear, click on Elvis' gold record to visit This Day In History. To explore The Stories Behind The Music blog posts click on the electric guitar. 

 

        

 

 

 

 

Comments (11)

Michele Miller ~ REALTOR®, LMC, HSE, CHS, SRES, CMRS
ERA Key Realty~Worcester County Realty Group - Worcester, MA
'Helping You Make the Best Move"

Good morning Steven,

Never heard that song before!

Thanks for sharing.

Hope you have a great weekend!

Aug 12, 2011 04:21 AM
Al Raymondi
Ocean View Realty Group in Ormond By The Sea Florida - Ormond Beach, FL
Ormond By The Sea Florida - Home and Condo Sales

Nice post Steven, and you are correct, that song is as appropriate as it was then. 

Aug 12, 2011 04:23 AM
James Quarello
JRV Home Inspection Services, LLC - Wallingford, CT
Connecticut Home Inspector

The first time I heard that song I liked. And you are right it is fitting today as it as when it came out.

Aug 12, 2011 06:15 AM
Leslie Prest
Leslie Prest, Prest Realty, Sales and Rentals in Payson, AZ - Payson, AZ
Owner, Assoc. Broker, Prest Realty, Payson,

We were on the edge then, we're on the edge now. Different wars, same problems. As pointless now as then.

Aug 12, 2011 06:48 AM
Donald Hester
NCW Home Inspections, LLC - Wenatchee, WA
NCW Home Inspections, LLC

Steve,

Now ain't that a cheery little ditty. I have not hear that song in a long long time.

Aug 12, 2011 10:12 AM
Steven L. Smith
King of the House Home Inspection, Inc. - Bellingham, WA
Bellingham WA Home Inspector

Barry had a gravely way of making it sound serious, that is for sure.

Aug 12, 2011 10:50 AM
Jay Markanich
Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC - Bristow, VA
Home Inspector - servicing all Northern Virginia

I liked that song a lot.  Didn't know he was into Gospel now though.  Interesting...

Aug 13, 2011 12:25 AM
Sussie Sutton
David Tracy Real Estate - Houston, TX
David Tracy Real Estate for Buyers & Sellers

Good picture of Mitch Miller on the boob tube and didn't you like those dancers in the back doing modern dance moves?

Aug 13, 2011 04:47 PM
Steven L. Smith
King of the House Home Inspection, Inc. - Bellingham, WA
Bellingham WA Home Inspector

Susie,

Yes, there were sort of caught in the 60's weren't they?

Aug 13, 2011 04:49 PM
Dale Baker
Baker Energy Audits and Commercial Properties Inspections - Claremont, NH
New Hampshire Relocation Real Estate Information

Howdy and evening Steve

Steve,
I sure do remember Eve of Destruction. I sure did also liked and still do like The Kingston Trio.

Have a good one
Dale in New Hampshire

Aug 14, 2011 11:54 AM
Steven L. Smith
King of the House Home Inspection, Inc. - Bellingham, WA
Bellingham WA Home Inspector

Dale,

I plan to do a post on Tom Dooley by the trio. I saw them live once.

Aug 15, 2011 02:52 AM