THE HIT HAMMER: The Shirelles' "Soldier Boy"

(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.)

The Shirelles - "Soldier Boy"

Hit Number 1: May 5, 1962

Stay at Number 1: 3 Weeks

When "Soldier Boy" was first written out, it was titled "I'll Be True to You". There were no intentions of there being a soldier in the song, but in the studio, the Shirelles themselves gave the song a much better title, and made the song a little more special. When the song was first written, it was only about a girl who claims to be true to some guy. But after turning the song into a song about being true to a soldier while he's away, it makes the song much more memorable, and much better period.

The Shirelles of course have already appeared in this blog once with the smash hit "Will You Love Me Tomorrow" which was basically a song about a one night stand. Unfortunately, "Soldier Boy" does not have that same excitement and energy that "Will You Love Me Tomorrow" had. Instead, it's sort of a drippy slow ballad type song about being true to your soldier boyfriend while he's gone. However, that's not to say that "Soldier Boy" can't be a good song. I would have liked it a lot less if it was a slow, drippy song about love, which it almost was, but this isn't your ordinary love song. It's about true devotion. I have to admire the story it tells. But alas, "Soldier Boy" sort of continues this string I've found myself in during the early part of 1962 of good song, not great songs.

GRADE: 7/10

JUST MISSED:

Dee Dee Sharp's "Mashed Potato Time" (which is basically "Please Mr. Postman" just with different words) was stuck at #2 behind "Soldier Boy" for 2 weeks. It's also a 7.