A Record a Week: The All American Pop Collection Box Set (Volumes 1-5)

So I had thought of doing this in 5 segments...but it is one box set and I am writing this over the course of a couple weeks.



VOLUME 1, SIDE 1.
DA DOO RON RON - Crystals
BOTTLE OF WINE - Jimmy Gilmer
BECAUSE THEY'RE YOUNG - Duane Eddy
RUBBER BALL - Bobby Vee
NEW ORLEANS - Gary "US" Bonds

VOLUME 1, SIDE 2.
LET'S TWIST AGAIN - Chubby Checker
BLUE MOON - MARCELS
TELL HIM - Exciters
MY BOYFRIEND'S BACK - Angels
LIMBO ROCK - Chubby Checker

VOLUME 2, SIDE 1.
LOUIE LOUIE - Kingsmen
TOSSIN' AND TURNIN' - Bobby Lewis
SURF CITY - Jan and Dean
RUN AWAY - Del Shannon
HE'S SO FINE - The Cliftons

VOLUME 2, SIDE 2.
LETS DANCE - Chris Montez
I FOUGHT THE LAW - Bobby Fuller Four
RHYTHM OF THE RAIN - Cascades
DONNA - Richie Valens
ROCKIN' ROBIN - Bobby Day

VOLUME 3, SIDE 1.
THE LETTER - Box Tops
COME BACK WHEN YOU GROW UP - Bobby Vee
RAINDROPS KEEP FALLIN' ON MY HEAD- B.J. Thomas
GOOD MORNING STARSHINE - Oliver
ONE TIN SOLDIER - Original Caste

VOLUME 3, SIDE 2.
WORST THAT COULD HAPPEN - Brooklyn Bridge
THEN YOU CAN TELL ME GOODBYE- Casinos
COUNT ME IN - Gary Lewis And The Playboys
KEEP SEARCHIN' - Del Shannon
GOIN' OUT OF MY HEAD - Little Anthony And The Imperials

VOLUME 4, SIDE 1.
PEPPERMINT TWIST - Joey Dee and the Starliters
LIGHTNING STRIKES - Lou Christie
UNDER THE BOARDWALK - The Drifters
SEA CRUISE - Frankie Ford
THE TWIST - Chubby Checker

VOLUME 4, SIDE 2.
RAINDROPS - Dee Clark
ONE FINE DAY - The Chiffons
PIPELINE - Chantays
TELL LAURA I LOVE HER - Ray Peterson
QUARTER TO THREE - Gary 'U.S.' Bonds

VOLUME 5, SIDE 1.
IT'S MY PARTY - Leslie Gore
LAST KISS - J. Frank Wilson
SOLDIER BOY - The Shirelles
REBEL ROUSER - Duane Eddy
CHARLIE BROWN - The Coasters

VOLUME 5, SIDE 2.
HONEYCOMB - Jimmy Rodgers
MY GUY - Mary Wells
SUGAR SHACK - Jimmy Gilmer
WIPE OUT - The Surfaris
DO YOU WANNA DANCE - Bobby Freeman

Oh, the era of the soda pop shop and the jukebox. Well, I suppose this collection came out in the 60's, which is technically a decade later than that, and some of the songs with a protest feel to them do reflect that. For the most part, however, the sweet soda pop rock sounds are all there. I love the fashion, the hair and the dancing from that era. Before Beatlemania and the hippie movement settled in, songs found on this record encouraged people to dance the swing and the jive (and helped form the beginning of dances like the twist).

I found myself taking my daughter's hand in mine and holding her against my neck as I danced around the basement. This was great because I love dancing (terribly) and the movements rocked her to a soft sleep on my shoulder. As this is a hits album, there aren't particularly 'off' songs. However, I grew up listening to about half of these on various records at the cottage, so I certainly enjoyed hearing those songs and sang along, as I tend to do with anything even remotely familiar. I really liked hearing Sea Cruise, because I have an aunt that I rarely get to see that plays that song. As a kid I always loved hearing her belt out 'OOOOOO-EEE, OOOOOO-EEE BABY, won't you let me take you on a sea cruise'.