This my absolutely favorite of all Johnny Rivers songs. I never get tired of playing it. I grew up in the 60's when music was the best. Listening to this song takes me back to my carefree teen years. Thanks RUclips for allowing me to go back in time even for a few minutes.
Whenever I watch these old videos and see the young men, it strikes me that many of them never made it back from Vietnam. For some reason this song takes me back more than many of the other 1960 songs I grew up with. Not sure why... 🙄🙄
My favorite song every since the first time I heard it as a young teen .Johnny Rivers was 16 yrs old when he co wrote Poor Side Of Town with Lou Adler. He took some of the money he made from it and bought his mama and daddy a new house. I love every song Johnny ever recorded. Didn't matter if it was a cover, once he recorded it...he owned it ! Johnny Rivers has and will remain my number 2 singer right under Elvis until the last breath in my body is gone. As I sit here I look to my soul and think of the tracks of my tears , as I remember summer rain. I wish life had a rewind button, I'd hit it hard and go back to those days. Best days of my life only I couldn't see it then.Well, I see it now.
Always impressed by the orchestral arrangements of strings and wind instruments on this track.And the chorus near the end: "So tell me, how much you love me... Come near to me, and say you need me now." , just brilliant !♥️
Backup voices of The Blossoms (Darlene Love)...Backup instrumentals courtesy of The Wrecking Crew who contributed to many artists' hits in the 60's. (The Ronettes, Glen Campbell, Frank Sinatra, The Beach Boys etc)
This song locks 1966 into my head forever. Innocent times ... growing up, starting to discover the world ... and listening to the wide variety of MAGICAL sounds that constituted "pop" music back then - so vibrant, so rich, and with such substance. I'm so glad to have grown up during those times. Thank you, Johnny Rivers, for delivering to us such great music - including this song, which is an absolute gem, in my opinion.
Amen to that comment..I grew up tough and in love to some of the greatest music ever produced and song by some of the greatest artist to ever grace the stage of our music.
Dave Cyr! I'm born 1956 and grew up within musicians famaly! I Feel the same way!! I'm also part of a garage band and R&R R&Blues is all we play and no one gets tired playing does songs Love that mid 50's up To mid 70's era! as it goes for music!
Stringalong Mike It's good to you and me because of all the good memories right? But to some kid, he could care less. Those fleeting great memories that seem to push out the bad ones. Right?
Bill Gillis iz it the music. the words. The age of the listener i would sit and listen to 50 thru80s stuff allday but its like cars every yr gets a new model but who am i ...69yrs old. and living in the past
NOW IN MY 70"S THIS WAS THE VERY BEST TIME OF MY LIFE, THE 60's WERE THE GREATEST. THE BEST WORK, GOOD PEOPLE, CARS WERE CHEAP AND FUN TO DRIVE. I MET MY WIFE AND SOME OF THE GREATEST MUSIC EVER. I WISH I COULD GO BACK IN TIME. SO ALL WE CAN DO IS LOOK AT THE VIDEOS AND PICTURES, WE DIDN'T KNOW HOW GREAT THOSE YEARS WERE.
Agree w/ everything except the 2nd part of your last statement. I'm in my mid 60's now & I knew the 50's & 60's were special while we were living them; it was such a good time! However, I didn't know those wonderful times would end so soon.
M. MIKER I’m 70 now, graduated 67. Those were the best years for everything! My daddy had a car without a radio! No problem, I hung my transistor radio from the rear view mirror!! I often remember how good the times were back then! Just wish I’d appreciated more back then! When you’re young you think it’s going to last forever!
"to him you were nothing but aa little play thing, to me you were the greatest thing this boy had ever found" Love these words and the way he sings it.
I remember being on the wrong side of town and really struggling when we were young . Still there, actually.My lovely wife stood by me and persevered with me and my faults. She is such a wonderful person. This song brings back feelings of great love for her.The greatest thing this boy had ever found was her. I know she wanted more. But we're comfortable now and I love the area and I have learnt to be multicultural. My son has married an indonesian. An she is so good .Jesus loves us and he has a great future for us in this poor side of town.
One of the first songs I listened to in my childhood and most likely a favorite. The harmonies of the background singers, Johnny's voice, and the unforgettable yearning and sentimental flute sound that accompanies the orchestra. The flute reminds me of another favorite song by Glen Campbell "By The Time I Get To Phoenix." They don't make music like this anymore and likely never will. I would rather listen this song nonstop for 24 hours than spend a single minute listening to putrid rap music.
Beautiful song. AMERICAN BANDSTAND(1956-1984)was the best show on TV,bar none. Dick Clark was the greatest and there will never be another like him. RIP Dick. You certainly will always be missed. Dick gave a lot of stars their starts and beginnings.
+J thomas I agree 100%. I always say that the three people who had he most impact on the birth of Rock and Roll, not counting performers, were Dick Clark, Alan Freed and Sam Phillips!
on poor side of town @the 2:35 mark is a very beautiful girl if you look real close you can see the actress areal kebble from the films of 2015,16,17 I would swear this girl is a direct descendant of some kind grandmother or possibly great grandmother. although the girl in the video has dark brown hair and aerial kebble is sort of blonde the face is an exact match I would bet my paycheck on it. hope those of you who have a chance look up this modern actress put her face next to the girl dancing to poor side of town.
The memories from this time come roaring back when I hear this song. This song is so beautiful - the words and music are perfect. It sounds like angels are singing in the background.
Great song of Johnny's! And then there's Darlene Love and The Blossoms doing backing vocals and the Wrecking Crew as the music. This is a wonderful can't miss hit that sends chills up my spine!!
I saw Johnny Rivers in Boston at the Charles River Esplanade over 20 years ago. Even got an autograph on T-Shirt--he seemed almost shy (as some of us vied to get to the table!). Very handsome--even as he got older. His voice sounded just like his records--incredible! One of my favorites was 'Secret Agent Man'. There was an oldies radio station who put about 6 different groups together during the summer and almost all were incredible! I miss those days!!!
This Song is So Beautiful, it makes me cry inside, reminds me of my past life with women I loved, now single dad, yet I rock this song in karaoke, it moves my soul...
A truly romantic song by the great Johnny Rivers. This is pure Americana and elicits a sense of wonder and spirituality. Many songs through the 60`s to today compared to this to me are crap.
My parents had the 45 record of Poor Side of Town that my brother and I used to listen too. As kids we loved our parents music even before we liked anything modern. Now our parents are gone but just listening to this I can imagine them in their younger years. Makes me happy and depressed at the same time.
cresci escutando esses classicos assim como outras bandas na epoca era fita cassete disco que saudades desse tempo que passou hoje em dia o que resta e um mundo sem amor cheio de pessoas de mal com a vida
Have to agree with the comments below. I always loved hearing Johnny Rivers sing his songs, especially this masterpiece. The story it tells, the arrangement, the soul quality, his epic voice and originality, all so special. Can't believe he's not in the Rock'n Roll hall of fame.
+nyterpfan I have the sort of same reaction. I've been around the edges of music and wonder if it really is a flute. I listened and listened and began to suspect that it is a piccolo which is a small flute, half size of a standard flute, that plays an octave higher than a standard flute. I'm not sure tho'.
+nyterpfan But the greater question is, who is this wonderful musician who could play this flute, or piccolo, so delightfully well? What is his or her name? Is he or she known for any other wonderful effort?
+John1948SevenD Thank you ever so much. And, of course, the flute (standard, not piccolo) player in "Canned Heat's "Going up the Country" well known from Woodstock and many more credits listed in his Wiki page.
Clâssico, um dos maiores cantores de todos os tempos, anos 60, tempo de inocência e respeito com as mûsicas, que tempo maravilhoso, em 10 canções 08 eram do mais alto nîvel.
About Johnny Rivers.....I'm white and I grew up listening to the great music of the 60s and loved Motown especially The Four Tops. When I heard Johnny Rivers cover a number of Four Top songs, something really hit me....I loved the tunes but Rivers southern twang.....sound.....added a new level for me....I felt at home.....haven't ever really felt that with another performer.....
Tive a oportunidade de assistir a 2 de seus shows: um gratuito no estacionamento do Mappin da Juscelino e outro pago no Palace. Revivi incríveis momentos de minha adolescência quando não tinha dinheiro para comprar discos do Elvis, mas deu para comprar o do Johnny Rivers e, então, imitava o Elvis ouvindo Secret Agent Man.😂
Just heard this for the first time on our new local Caroline community radio station,made me stop and took me back to simple days with happy memories of family,before this world turned bad
This my absolutely favorite of all Johnny Rivers songs. I never get tired of playing it. I grew up in the 60's when music was the best. Listening to this song takes me back to my carefree teen years. Thanks RUclips for allowing me to go back in time even for a few minutes.
This song brought me back to tears of joy and tenderness, something that is greatly missed during 2023. ❤️🙏🏻💎🥰
Whenever I watch these old videos and see the young men, it strikes me that many of them never made it back from Vietnam. For some reason this song takes me back more than many of the other 1960 songs I grew up with. Not sure why... 🙄🙄
My favorite song every since the first time I heard it as a young teen .Johnny Rivers was 16 yrs old when he co wrote Poor Side Of Town with Lou Adler. He took some of the money he made from it and bought his mama and daddy a new house. I love every song Johnny ever recorded. Didn't matter if it was a cover, once he recorded it...he owned it ! Johnny Rivers has and will remain my number 2 singer right under Elvis until the last breath in my body is gone. As I sit here I look to my soul and think of the tracks of my tears , as I remember summer rain. I wish life had a rewind button, I'd hit it hard and go back to those days. Best days of my life only I couldn't see it then.Well, I see it now.
Best singer in the 60s.
Johnny Rivers is very known in South America, mainly in Brazil where he came down many times for concerts. Johnny is one of the greatest.
Amo ...❤
Adoro essa música dele
Que maravilha, fico aqui imaginando, caramba que dias maravilhosos! Pena que esse dia terminou o tempo passou e só restou saudades.
Love this song from 1966! I have the 45 record, 1966 is probably my favorite year for collecting 45s!
What do you admire most about Johnny
Its sad this guy isn't in the rock and roll hall of fame. Hope he makes it one day.
Good Luck.
For God’s sake, when is this talent going to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame? Clock is ticking.
You got that right 👍❤
Isto é uma obra de arte ,👏
Always impressed by the orchestral arrangements of strings and wind instruments on this track.And the chorus near the end: "So tell me, how much you love me... Come near to me, and say you need me now." , just brilliant !♥️
Backup voices of The Blossoms (Darlene Love)...Backup instrumentals courtesy of The Wrecking Crew who contributed to many artists' hits in the 60's. (The Ronettes, Glen Campbell, Frank Sinatra, The Beach Boys etc)
This song locks 1966 into my head forever. Innocent times ... growing up, starting to discover the world ... and listening to the wide variety of MAGICAL sounds that constituted "pop" music back then - so vibrant, so rich, and with such substance. I'm so glad to have grown up during those times. Thank you, Johnny Rivers, for delivering to us such great music - including this song, which is an absolute gem, in my opinion.
Amen to that comment..I grew up tough and in love to some of the greatest music ever produced and song by some of the greatest artist to ever grace the stage of our music.
me too
Check out the live version.
Dave Cyr! I'm born 1956 and grew up within musicians famaly! I Feel the same way!! I'm also part of a garage band and R&R R&Blues is all we play and no one gets tired playing does songs
Love that mid 50's up To mid 70's era! as it goes for music!
I grew up with these songs. So easy to relax and just 🎶 listen
INCREDIBLE song, a timeless classic!
Music will never be this good again.
A tragedy if ever there was one
Stringalong Mike Amen
nothing ever is
Amen to that
Stringalong Mike It's good to you and me because of all the good memories right? But to some kid, he could care less. Those fleeting great memories that seem to push out the bad ones. Right?
THEY DONT MAKE SONGS LIKE THIS ANYMORE. THANK YOU
Bill Gillis why
Bill Gillis iz it the music. the words. The age of the listener i would sit and listen to 50 thru80s stuff allday but its like cars every yr gets a new model but who am i ...69yrs old. and living in the past
Muzicá. Dos. Anos. Yes
I consider it a sad song.
Bill Gillis All caps lowers the quality of your post.
NOW IN MY 70"S THIS WAS THE VERY BEST TIME OF MY LIFE, THE 60's WERE THE GREATEST. THE BEST WORK, GOOD PEOPLE, CARS WERE CHEAP AND FUN TO DRIVE. I MET MY WIFE AND SOME OF THE GREATEST MUSIC EVER. I WISH I COULD GO BACK IN TIME. SO ALL WE CAN DO IS LOOK AT THE VIDEOS AND PICTURES, WE DIDN'T KNOW HOW GREAT THOSE YEARS WERE.
M. MIKER kids today just can't seem to get it, harmonious combination with the right instruments there's nothing like it today and may never be again
Agree w/ everything except the 2nd part of your last statement. I'm in my mid 60's now & I knew the 50's & 60's were special while we were living them; it was such a good time! However, I didn't know those wonderful times would end so soon.
M. MIKER i Couldn't Agree More🌋
M. MIKER I’m 70 now, graduated 67. Those were the best years for everything! My daddy had a car without a radio! No problem, I hung my transistor radio from the rear view mirror!! I often remember how good the times were back then! Just wish I’d appreciated more back then! When you’re young you think it’s going to last forever!
Great decade of music
"to him you were nothing but aa little play thing, to me you were the greatest thing this boy had ever found" Love these words and the way he sings it.
Love these words too
THE TIMES OF THE 60S AND 70S AND THE SONGS OF THAT ERA NEVER TO BE REPEATED AGAIN !!!....
The 50s were just as good too.
I remember being on the wrong side of town and really struggling when we were young . Still there, actually.My lovely wife stood by me and persevered with me and my faults. She is such a wonderful person. This song brings back feelings of great love for her.The greatest thing this boy had ever found was her. I know she wanted more. But we're comfortable now and I love the area and I have learnt to be multicultural. My son has married an indonesian. An she is so good .Jesus loves us and he has a great future for us in this poor side of town.
rp316117 good for you all may God bless you all
That's really lovely.
Words cannot describe this man's talent
One of the first songs I listened to in my childhood and most likely a favorite. The harmonies of the background singers, Johnny's voice, and the unforgettable yearning and sentimental flute sound that accompanies the orchestra. The flute reminds me of another favorite song by Glen Campbell "By The Time I Get To Phoenix." They don't make music like this anymore and likely never will. I would rather listen this song nonstop for 24 hours than spend a single minute listening to putrid rap music.
Beautiful song. AMERICAN BANDSTAND(1956-1984)was the best show on TV,bar none. Dick Clark was the greatest and there will never be another like him. RIP Dick. You certainly will always be missed. Dick gave a lot of stars their starts and beginnings.
+J thomas I agree 100%. I always say that the three people who had he most impact on the birth of Rock and Roll, not counting performers, were Dick Clark, Alan Freed and Sam Phillips!
Fantastic Show! Lots of great memories of so many great artist...no other show now....Loved the dancing too.
on poor side of town @the 2:35 mark is a very beautiful girl if you look real close you can see the actress areal kebble from the films of 2015,16,17 I would swear this girl is a direct descendant of some kind grandmother or possibly great grandmother. although the girl in the video has dark brown hair and aerial kebble is sort of blonde the face is an exact match I would bet my paycheck on it. hope those of you who have a chance look up this modern actress put her face next to the girl dancing to poor side of town.
yes he did. what wonderful soul he was ,! He probably save a million souls by having American bandstand on every afternoon loved him so !
Actually 1956-1989
I was in.the Army 20 yrs old 1966 VNM when I heard this . Really touched my Soul .
Love , love this song
Fabulous song/singer with fabulous back up by Darlene Love and the Blossoms.
One of my favourite songs from the 60's--so moving, touching--Johnny you're the best!
Quantos bailinhos em casa de amigos, quantas paqueras, quantos amores ao som de Johnny Rivers. Não trocaria jamais minha época por esta.
Eu concordo plenamente com vc?
Jony Rivers. Eterno nome da boa música. Essa música é inesquecível.Nunca será apagada da história da arte. Sobretudo da arte de cantar e compor.
The memories from this time come roaring back when I hear this song. This song is so beautiful - the words and music are perfect. It sounds like angels are singing in the background.
Great song!!!!
Sweet memories................. thanks
Yeah.
Great song of Johnny's! And then there's Darlene Love and The Blossoms doing backing vocals and the Wrecking Crew as the music. This is a wonderful can't miss hit that sends chills up my spine!!
Traduzir para o português
Esse vocal é um espetáculo nessa música
60s 70 s. Best times for great music. Feelings from the heart. Our new loves.
One of my favorite songs of all time
I love it also never get tired of Johnny Rivers and the memories of those songs
This is probably one of the best produced singles ever.
I saw Johnny Rivers in Boston at the Charles River Esplanade over 20 years ago. Even got an autograph on T-Shirt--he seemed almost shy (as some of us vied to get to the table!). Very handsome--even as he got older. His voice sounded just like his records--incredible! One of my favorites was 'Secret Agent Man'. There was an oldies radio station who put about 6 different groups together during the summer and almost all were incredible! I miss those days!!!
This Song is So Beautiful, it makes me cry inside, reminds me of my past life with women I loved, now single dad, yet I rock this song in karaoke, it moves my soul...
amo essa musica fico reparando no jeito simples e doce das garotas dequele tempo..valeu cara matou minha SAUDADE
It's now June 25, 2024. It's hard to believe he's 81 years old. His " Live at the Whiskey A Go-Go" album still gets played on my stereo!!❤
A truly romantic song by the great Johnny Rivers. This is pure Americana and elicits a sense of wonder and spirituality. Many songs through the 60`s to today compared to this to me are crap.
Volta as lembranças de uma juventude feliz e sadia, ouvindo as canções de Johnny Rivers, pelos cantos de uma cidade pequena.Brasil. Amamos Johnny.
this is the best song
Na verdade eu amoooo w mto essa música desde sempre t amo jone Rivers t amoooooo❤💖
They don't write songs like this anymore. I rediscovered it recently and was awed by the artistry. Genius.
Eu amo essa musica pool side of towm ..bem vinda ao lado pobre da cidade grande Jonny Rivers. 👏👏👏
My parents had the 45 record of Poor Side of Town that my brother and I used to listen too. As kids we loved our parents music even before we liked anything modern. Now our parents are gone but just listening to this I can imagine them in their younger years. Makes me happy and depressed at the same time.
I still have my 45, still in it’s record jacket
I was born in 1960, grew up with the oldies, I never knew the names of the artists but I knew alot of these songs. Thanks
1 .
I grew upon J R,,s songs and learn them all on guitar.
Always been cool dude, never heard anything negative about him . Very good artist .
Boa musica!!!! Época que não volta!
What a big beautiful hit for Johnny back in the day.
1966 was a great year in music. So many great soul songs you never heard came out in 1966.
Just love this song
Wow, later......the most pluses I did so far, I just luv what u posted, 😊😊😊😊😊
william munar Thank you so much.
Denise Estes s. DENISE. Gratos recuerdos del café Taurino. En Atzcapot. 1965. Sec, noct No XX. Tlalpujahua
Denise Estes me to
So do I
cresci escutando esses classicos assim como outras bandas na epoca era fita cassete disco que saudades desse tempo que passou hoje em dia o que resta e um mundo sem amor cheio de pessoas de mal com a vida
Have to agree with the comments below. I always loved hearing Johnny Rivers sing his songs, especially this masterpiece. The story it tells, the arrangement, the soul quality, his epic voice and originality, all so special. Can't believe he's not in the Rock'n Roll hall of fame.
Absolutely beautiful
Esta canción tiene una de las más hermosas letras y melodía ero también miles de casos en el mundo,... simplemente extraordinaria canción
One of my Favorite songs! Love his music!❤️
Johnny still the best
Só musica linda, dos meus melhores anos de vida
Na minha opinião é uma das musicas mais bonitas de Johnny Rivers
Great lyrics
Man my heart just melts when I hear that beautiful, haunting flute in the background---sounds like the mournful cry of a bird!!
+nyterpfan I have the sort of same reaction. I've been around the edges of music and wonder if it really is a flute. I listened and listened and began to suspect that it is a piccolo which is a small flute, half size of a standard flute, that plays an octave higher than a standard flute. I'm not sure tho'.
+nyterpfan But the greater question is, who is this wonderful musician who could play this flute, or piccolo, so delightfully well? What is his or her name? Is he or she known for any other wonderful effort?
+Tudorbug It was the great James Ronald "Jim" Horn (born November 20, 1940), an American saxophonist, woodwind player, and session musician.
+John1948SevenD Thank you ever so much. And, of course, the flute (standard, not piccolo) player in "Canned Heat's "Going up the Country" well known from Woodstock and many more credits listed in his Wiki page.
nyterpfan something touches the soul like good or in this case great lyrics and musical arrangements
Adored this song long before I ever knew who sang it..... and now, I'm living it.... much to my chagrin....but I'll always adore it.....always !
Never get tired of hearing Johnny Rivers smooth silky voice in this song. Oh the memories❣️🥰💎
Makes me happy, when I listen to him.
So young and so talented, this song seems to have been composed by someone of greater age and maturity of life.
Tempos dourados
Bela cancao
Viajem ao passado
Muitas saudades
A Longtime favorite of mine by Johnny Rivers! Thanks for Sharing! R.K. 3/9/2021.
Miss you Ricky, think heaven must be the place your gonna stay
What do you admire most about Johnny
Essa machuca o coração!!!linda música!!!
Clâssico, um dos maiores cantores de todos os tempos, anos 60, tempo de inocência e respeito com as mûsicas, que tempo maravilhoso, em 10 canções 08 eram do mais alto nîvel.
Vdd cara!!! 😔
Essa musica faz lembrar o passado. Legal boas lembranças.
💕 One of my favorite songs by Johnny
Rivers. Awesome great song..💕
That's what I call good listening, No one can never play Johnny Rivers songs the way this man can sing it.
Hard to understand how he's not in the R&R Hall of fame.
grew up dancing to these songs...I still have 2 of Johnny Rivers Albums
Classic
When I feel sad about my past I will play this tune to inspire me!
melhor epoca para os jovens,inesquecivel...
Q pena q n voltamos mais e q saudadeeeeee
About Johnny Rivers.....I'm white and I grew up listening to the great music of the 60s and loved Motown especially The Four Tops. When I heard Johnny Rivers cover a number of Four Top songs, something really hit me....I loved the tunes but Rivers southern twang.....sound.....added a new level for me....I felt at home.....haven't ever really felt that with another performer.....
I love this song JOHNNY is so fantastic I love his VOICE THE words THE BK UP SINGERS OHMYGOSH JOHNNY you should be in hall of FAME!!👍🙏❤
I love this song from Jonny rivers
Born in 64,and grew up to all types of music. One of my faves since i can remember. It seemed to be on the radio an awful lot
Tive a oportunidade de assistir a 2 de seus shows: um gratuito no estacionamento do Mappin da Juscelino e outro pago no Palace. Revivi incríveis momentos de minha adolescência quando não tinha dinheiro para comprar discos do Elvis, mas deu para comprar o do Johnny Rivers e, então, imitava o Elvis ouvindo Secret Agent Man.😂
Never gets old
Johnny Rivers should be in the Rock and Role Hall of Fame. Can't understand why he isn't there by now.
Memories of home, Mom, Dad and siblings. It was great dreaming of things to come then; things that would come true and not. Great song.
Beautiful song by the great Johnny Rivers.
Just heard this for the first time on our new local Caroline community radio station,made me stop and took me back to simple days with happy memories of family,before this world turned bad
Tempos muito lindos
A wonderful presentation of sentimental music combined with the innocence of youth . . . .
linda amoooo
Good old days. Great music!
nao canso de ouvir bons tenpos .
Amazing thank you.
Great tune ! Perfect rhythm. Many thanks for this 1
Amo muito!