(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.)
Lawrence Welk - "Calcutta"
Hit Number 1: February 13, 1961
Stay at Number 1: 2 Weeks
Somehow for a couple weeks in 1961, the most popular song in the country was a mostly instrumental piece of music by bandleader Lawrence Welk and his orchestra called "Calcutta". The song is pretty energetic and lively, with some handclaps and la las thrown in there for good measure. But even with that being considered, it is pretty shocking how not only a piece of music like this could ever even come close to #1, let alone hitting it, but that the artist who occupied the top spot on the charts was Lawrence Welk. Welk, of course, hosted the Lawrence Welk Show (shocking, right?) which was a show that has the famous stereotype attached to it that it was something only old people watched. This makes the story of "Calcutta" even more strange, because obviously teenagers and younger children were buying this record to send it to the top of the charts.
"Calcutta" was named after the Indian City of Kolkata, and was written by composer Heino Gaze. There is a German version that actually has lyrics, along with a version in English that has lyrics of its own. The Welk version has no lyrics though. The closest thing to lyrics in the song are the la las in there, and the instrumentation of the song has many trademarks that Welk's orchestra were known for, such as the harpsichord and accordion. But in the song are handclaps and a "rock rhythm" that Welk had otherwise never incorporated into his songs. Those changes are likely what struck a chord with America, and made them like the song. Welk also had two dancers that would regularly appear on his show that made their own dance routine to "Calcutta". I mean, it is a pretty easy song to dance to I guess.
The whole point of this blog is just me going on and on about my opinions of each #1 song. There have and will be songs that I absolutely can't stand, songs that I really don't care for, and songs that I love. "Calcutta" isn't any of these though. It's a really schmaltzy and stupid song that bares no meaning to it, and never had any business hitting the top spot on the charts. And I try to be as subjective as I can with each post I make, so don't let it be too much of a shocker to you when I say this: I like "Calcutta". Though I'm pretty embarrassed to say I do. It's such a weird little tune, but it's one that I could never bring myself to dislike. The las are really hard to not sing a long with, and I almost always find it impossible to not let this song put me in a better mood. The handclaps towards the end give it some more livelihood and personality, turning it into something so lighthearted and fun that I have to admit, I enjoy. Let me put it under the category of: "Stupid song, but it makes me feel good." I have no cool memories attached to it that make me nostalgic or anything like that (the song was #1 36 years before I was even born), it's just a song that I have no reason to strongly dislike. Maybe that's why so many people liked it in 1961. If that's the case, then I can relate to that.
GRADE: 7/10
10 ALERT!!!:
The Miracles and Smokey Robinson (who will eventually appear in this blog) peaked at #2 with their song "Shop Around" behind "Calcutta". I like this song a lot too, but I'm not as embarrassed to say I do. It's a 10. Do yourself a favor and check it out.
My two cents....this song came along not too long after the big band era and a lot of people still related to that type of music. The new medium of television enabled Welk to reach a lot of people. I think you are on to something when you say it was a good song to dance too. Teenagers were always looking for a new song to dance to.. Kids are different today. Not too big on the la la la stuff but it does give a little hook to the song. I agree with your score but not ashamed to say I like the song!