(The Hit Hammer is where I'm reviewing each #1 song on the Billboard Hot 100. Starting from when the chart started in 1958 and eventually working my way to the present. To see my inspiration and more information about this blog, please CLICK HERE)
Freddie & the Dreamers - "I'm Telling You Now"
Hit Number 1: April 10, 1965
Stay at Number 1: 2 Weeks
It isn't necessarily the music that makes bands popular. In 1965, a song by Freddie & the Dreamers hit #1, but I have to think it wasn't because of the song itself. It was around this time the group's front man, Freddie Garrity, made up his own style of dance called "the Freddie". "The Freddie" is extremely ridiculous, and you can see it in action in the video above. It's where you move up your left arm and leg up at the same time, then do it with your right arm and leg, and repeat the process over and over. Garrity even made up his own song to commemorate "the Freddie". He was also quite the freak up on stage, constantly doing his animated dance, leaping up in the air, and doing a high pitch, eerie sounding laugh. You have to admit, the guy was certainly a character on stage. He was also easily recognizable due to his small 5'4" size and his wide glasses, along with his animated stage performances.
But with performance and attitude aside, let's take a deeper look at Garrity and his group's #1 hit, "I'm Telling You Now". There's nothing real crazy or silly about it, as you might expect from a group like this, as it's your generic love song. However, it's a love song that the band just can't help but make it sound silly. There's some twangy guitar struts, and of course, Garrity's high pitch voice is always hard to take seriously. I could never imagine a band like the Beatles or the Beach Boys doing this song. Scratch that, I can't imagine ANYONE besides these guys doing this song. But, they do find a way to make it work alright. The song is a little bit fun and lighthearted, and generally is a good time. I would seriously have to question anyone who thought this was a GREAT song, as the best case scenario for anyone would be to think it was "pretty good". Well, I'm telling you now, that "I'm Telling You Now" is in fact, a pretty good song. But that probably should've been their only attempt at a love song.
GRADE: 7/10
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