(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 refer to the "Poor Little Fool" post.)
Gary U.S. Bonds - "Quarter to Three"
Hit Number 1: June 26, 1961
Stay at Number 1: 2 Weeks
There are some theories as to why "Quarter to Three" sounds so rough and murky, and not like usual songs. The most popular theory, however, is that it was recorded by accident on a tape recorder, and that no one even knew that it was recording. You can also tell that it wasn't recorded in a studio, cause when the song first starts out, you hear a bunch of people cheering and clapping like it's a concert, and Bonds yelling "One more time!" and then counting "One, two, a one, two, three, four!" like he's a bandleader. Despite the song's rough sound and unique beginning, the song blows up into a real fun banger.
The song is adapted and expanded from "A Night With Daddy 'G' - Part 1", which was an instrumental by the "Church Street Five" who are the band that Bonds' keeps giving shout outs to throughout the song. The "Daddy G" is famed saxophonist Gene Barge, who is still kickin' it today at the age of 93. Apparently the rough sound you hear on the track was somewhat intentional, as the producer, Frank Guida, has said that it was the sound he wanted, and I have to say, it works very well on the track. And I'm not alone either, cause "Quarter to Three" has a pretty big legacy tied to it. Dion DiMucci has said that the song format on "Quarter to Three" was his inspiration for his own song and eventual #1 hit "Runaround Sue". (It will appear in this blog shortly) "Quarter to Three" also appears on the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's "500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll" list. Bruce Springsteen even performs it at the end of some of his concerts. (Bruce Springsteen will, unfortunately, not show up in this blog. He does have a brief appearance in "We Are the World" which will eventually appear in here. He was also the songwriter of "Blinded By the Light" and recorded his own version, but the version that went to #1 was a cover by Manfred Mann's Earth Band. I will tell you that my favorite Springsteen song is "Glory Days", and that one is a 9)
I've always been a pretty big fan of "Quarter to Three". I love the excitement and energy that song gives off, and it's clear that everyone involved on the track is having lots of fun themselves. Daddy G's saxophone wailing away in the song gives it a good groove, and I will say that that is one of the most underrated saxophone solos of all time. And Bonds has a similar sounding song to "Quarter to Three" with "New Orleans" which made it to #6 in 1960. (It's an 8) Like "Quarter to Three" it's a lot of fun, it's bluesy, and features kickass saxophone in it too. But the kick of the ass by "Quarter to Three" is a lot harder, and it's more memorable. If you are looking for fun songs to add to a playlist full of lively and energetic songs, then this song is one for you right here. Who knows, it make keep you "dancin' till a quarter to three".
GRADE: 9/10
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