Gene Pitney had some great hits. Try Town without Pity, It Hurts to be in Love, Only Love can Break a Heart and I’m Going to be Strong. I loved that voice. RIP Gene Pitney 🎼🎶🎤🙏🏾
@@OldBoiler62 I love Gene Pitney but if this is your favorite hit of his - you MUST listen to Cyndi Lauper's cover of it. She just belts it out and it showcases her range.
Liberty Valance movie starred John Wayne, Jimmie Stewart, Lee Marvin and Vera Miles as the main characters. Stewart played a lawyer with Miles as his wife. Marvin played the bad guy Liberty Valance and Wayne played the character who actually shot L. Valance. A very good movie with many other named stars who has since gone on to Cowboy heaven. Hari, many other good songs by Pitney. You should react to his song "Mecca".
Gene Pitney had such a distinctive voice! Sadly, he died of a heart attack at the age of 66, following a concert in Cardiff, Wales, in 2006. One of his early hits, “Every Breath I Take” (1961), is unique by virtue of being a “doo wop” song. It's worth a reaction!
Gene Pitney had a fantastic voice and he sounded exactly the same live i went to see Gene many times and always got on the stage to give him a kiss he was brilliant he didn’t mind at all he was the perfect gentleman my daughter and myself was going too see him they was talking to him on our local news the night before and said he was really looking forward to the concert and seeing his fans he looked absolutely gorgeous I just couldn’t wait but when I got up the next morning I heard it on the news that Gene had past away in his hotel room the maid found him in bed she thought he was asleep but then she realised he’d past away in his sleep I was absolutely devastated couldn’t believe it he had so much more to give 😢Love from Denise in Yorkshire England 🏴😢🌹🙏🙏🙏💔💔💔
Gene recorded another song written by Bacharach/David called "Only love can break a heart" a fantastic song. The drum roll after the line "The man who shot Liberty Valance" is supposed to sound like gunshots. I think 😎
Bacharach & David wrote modern-sounding movie music for a later western, "Butch Cassidy & the Sundance Kid" and won an Academy Award for it. On this song, I loved the way the violin was made to sound like a frontier fiddle.
Over 40 years ago I had an extremely nice registered Quarter Horse whose official name was Liberty Valance. He was a winning race horse and then a successful rodeo barrel racing horse with me. He was very beautiful and was very sweet. I still miss him.
James Stewart was one of my favourite actors. The song is so good. I used to listen to it over and over again. I still have a record of Gene Pitney at home.
I remember this song on the radio from ~1961, when in Australia as a 10 yo child. Still holds a certain mystery for me. Went to see Gene Pitney perform live in Adelaide, Australia in 1980's. He sounded great live, just like his recordings.
Your Bacharach-David week is a GREAT idea!! Even Marty Robbins did a Bacharach song early in his career - I always forget if it's The Hangin Tree of The Story of My Life. So many great artists relied a lot on their writing. One of the most interesting things I've seen is Chuck Jackson (there's a voice for you!!) doing a semi-live version of Any Day Now. I say that because it's obvious it's the record, bu they're attempting to make it appear. And there is a guy playing the organ (which is a crucial part of the record) and they say tha jt s Burt Bacharach!! I hope that's true, because it is just so cool!!
Mom had almost every record Pitney did, so I grew up listening to him. Pitney wrote hits for others, such as"Today's Teardrops" for Roy Orbison, "Rubber Ball" for Bobby Vee, "Hello Mary Lou" for Ricky Nelson, and "He's a Rebel" for the Crystals. "Rebel" kept his own No. 2 hit "Only Love Can Break a Heart", from the top spot on 3 November 1962, the only time that a writer shut themselves out of the No. 1 position.
The Man Who Shot Liberty Valence is one of the best westerns of all time. Well worth your time to watch it. Gene Pitney is an overlooked gem of a singer.
I got so excited to see the movie ONLY because THIS song would be with it. It was a big part of my 6th grade year. The Beach Boys & their Little Deuce Coupe was a big influence at that time, but Anyone that sang with SOUL, like Pitney, made me walk around in a daze in those halcyon days. The line between great country and rock & roll was VERY gray, and wonderful. Pitney songs were awesome. ALL of them. To heck with that movie theme song. What a FLAT TIRE.
I remember seeing this movie when I was just a little kid...John Wayne and Jimmy Stewart starred. James Taylor also did a great cover version of this one years later.
Harri, a week or so ago you asked if we knew any songs that featured whistling in them. I replied thay Gene Pitney had a song called Only Love Can Break a Heart. I wasn't sure if you know Gene Pitney. He had a great voice.
It was such a blessing to be a young kid during this time! The songs were just wonderful. I enjoy listening to reactions from those who have never heard of them!!!! I was blessed to live in those times!!!😍🥳😃😎
So many great songs by Gene Pitney you can react to, Harri .. He was a brilliant singer .. I can recommend "I'm Gonna Be Strong", "It Hurts To Be In Love", "Yesterday's Hero", and "Twenty Four Hours To Tulsa" .. But you really can't go wrong with any of his hits .. Cheers, Wayne
@Tawroset Sure does ! .. It's just about my favourite Gene Pitney song .. Cyndi Lauper did a pretty decent cover of it when she was with the band Blue Angel ( co-incidentally the name of another Gene Pitney song ) .. But nobody can sing it like Gene .. As you said, he makes it a real heartbreaker.
This song was never played in the movie by the same name though for some reason. Hmmmmm! Thank you for listening to this song and reacting to it. I listen to this song every single day as it is on my playlist!
Please, react to his song Only Love Can Break a Heart. I was a huge Gene Pitney fan, especially in junior high, and I listened to his greatest hits album till I'm surprised my Mom didn't break it into tiny pieces while I slept. I'm Gonna Be Strong is another great one, which Cyndi Lauper covered years later and also did a great job on. Instead of doing a week of Bachrach and David, how about a week of Gene Pitney? It would be so easy and so great. Just think about it.
Nice reaction. I'm 65, and this song has always appealed to me, probably due to the movie, but Gene had an interesting voice. When I play it in public, young people are fascinated by this catchy ballad. Speaking of "Gene", I'm a distant cousin of Gene Autry, the only man to have four stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Keep on, Brother.
I love how my parents, and grandparents' influences have shaped my tastes. Try Glenn Miller Moonlight Serenade...also Harry Connick Jr It Had to be You for some old time music from a modern singer...also David Bowie and Bing Crosby Little Drummer Boy
One of my favorite westerns starring John Wayne Lee Marvin and Jimmy Stewart and you should definitely do town without pity and Only love can break a heart!
Great job Harri. Funny you mentioned Marty Robbins. His country hit from 1957, The story of my life, was written by none other than Bacharach/David. As was the above song by Gene Pitney. Only love can break a heart. Gene was also a fantastic songwriter. He wrote some great songs including: Hello Marylou, and Rubber Ball, and his biggest song "He's a Rebel" by the Crystals. A sad story about Gene was that his biggest hit was "Only love can break a heart" written by Bacharach and David, this great song was held out of the #1 spot by the song; "He' s a Rebel" by the Crystals which was written by none other than "Gene Pitney". How Ironic.👍🙃
Harri, you're right. This song should not have been in the movie. The film is a classic John Ford western and this song would have reduced it to a successful B movie. Still, it is a good song.
Thank you Daniel Volk. At last a Gene Pitney reaction. Not my favourite of his but still a great song. 'Nobody Needs Your Love' is his best and '24 Hours From Tulsa' is his best known. Wonderful artist and lovely man.
Twenty four hours from Tulsa was also written by Bacharach and David . Thanks for listening. I like to request songs that are not quite as well known. Although this was pretty well known.
I think they were still hoping to get the song in the film, but it was actually during the recording session that they got word the film was being released.
I’ve seen the movie on tv several times. It’s definitely worth a watch. Great cast and directed by an equally great director, John Ford. You should also watch North to Alaska. The title song was sung by Johnny Horton. I thought it was kinda funny that Fabian was in the movie, but he didn’t sing the title song.
Not mentioned yet but my favorite Gene Pitney song is "Last Chance to Turn Around" - The production on this was way ahead of its time. I think Gene did his own producing and wrote a lot of hits (mentioned in other comments). He did "He's a Rebel" which was performed by The Crystals & produced by Mr. Wall of Sound, Phil Spector. Have commented before to you that Cyndi Lauper does an amazing job covering "I'm Gonna Be Strong." She just wails on it and shows extraordinary range. Gene would be proud.
I never could hear all of the lyrics as a kid. Now after on-line searching I see: "From the moment a girl gets to be full grown The very first thing she learns"
I remember going to see this movie in the theater when I was in high school, 1964. Good movie with great ironic twist. I don’t remember the song not being played over the closing credits. But it was played constantly on the radio then, so maybe that’s what I’m remembering.
The Rockville Rocket is from the town I lived in for 20 years! Downtown there is a plaque telling his story! Great Artist! His song town without Pity is about Rockville!
This is a year late and I hope you read it. The song was never rejected for the movie. Hal David saw the movie and felt inspired, then went home and wrote the lyrics.
Many years ago The final jeopardy question was , "He played the title role in The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance ? " Everyone said Jimmy Stewart - and Alex Tribek was like "No , you're All stupid , it's John Wayne " - and that's why Alex Tribek is my hero ! ! !
Gene Pitney is so underrated! He had his share of hits! Strong voice!
Gene Pitney had some great hits. Try Town without Pity, It Hurts to be in Love, Only Love can Break a Heart and I’m Going to be Strong. I loved that voice. RIP Gene Pitney 🎼🎶🎤🙏🏾
Don’t forget Half Heaven, Half Heartache, 24 Hours to Tulsa, and Tower Tall!
My favorite is "I'm Going To Be Strong". The story of the end of my first marriage.
How about "Mecca"? What a voice!
@@OldBoiler62 I love Gene Pitney but if this is your favorite hit of his - you MUST listen to Cyndi Lauper's cover of it. She just belts it out and it showcases her range.
@@serenade4739 I just listened to it and I'll take Gene Pitney's version. His version is a lot smoother. Just personal preference.
Liberty Valance movie starred John Wayne, Jimmie Stewart, Lee Marvin and Vera Miles as the main characters. Stewart played a lawyer with Miles as his wife. Marvin played the bad guy Liberty Valance and Wayne played the character who actually shot L. Valance. A very good movie with many other named stars who has since gone on to Cowboy heaven.
Hari, many other good songs by Pitney. You should react to his song "Mecca".
Woody Strode? Andy Devine?
"Mecca" is awesome.
Gene Pitney had such a distinctive voice! Sadly, he died of a heart attack at the age of 66, following a concert in Cardiff, Wales, in 2006. One of his early hits, “Every Breath I Take” (1961), is unique by virtue of being a “doo wop” song. It's worth a reaction!
and every breath he did with Phil Spector.
Try '24 hours from Tulsa' - a great emotion-packed vignette/story; a yearning apology for which his voice is perfect.
24 hours from Tulsa was another Bacharach/David song. 👍🙃
Gene Pitney had a fantastic voice and he sounded exactly the same live i went to see Gene many times and always got on the stage to give him a kiss he was brilliant he didn’t mind at all he was the perfect gentleman my daughter and myself was going too see him they was talking to him on our local news the night before and said he was really looking forward to the concert and seeing his fans he looked absolutely gorgeous I just couldn’t wait but when I got up the next morning I heard it on the news that Gene had past away in his hotel room the maid found him in bed she thought he was asleep but then she realised he’d past away in his sleep I was absolutely devastated couldn’t believe it he had so much more to give 😢Love from Denise in Yorkshire England 🏴😢🌹🙏🙏🙏💔💔💔
Great movie. Great cast. Liked the song as a kid. This is the kind of "story telling" Marty Robbins did so well.
Gene recorded another song written by Bacharach/David called "Only love can break a heart" a fantastic song. The drum roll after the line "The man who shot Liberty Valance" is supposed to sound like gunshots. I think 😎
wonder who the drummer was
@@oldermusiclover It was Gary Chester. He played on tons of hits. He was one of the great East coast session drummers.
@@JOHNWLOUCKS thanks so much for the info
@@oldermusiclover Oh, you're welcome. When it comes to pop music trivia I'm your person.
"I'm Gonna Be Strong" " 24 Hours From Tulsa"
Bacharach & David wrote modern-sounding movie music for a later western, "Butch Cassidy & the Sundance Kid" and won an Academy Award for it. On this song, I loved the way the violin was made to sound like a frontier fiddle.
My mother adores him...she is 76...so I knew about him since I was a child. Liberty Valance and A Town without Pity are my favorites. ❤
Over 40 years ago I had an extremely nice registered Quarter Horse whose official name was Liberty Valance. He was a winning race horse and then a successful rodeo barrel racing horse with me. He was very beautiful and was very sweet. I still miss him.
James Stewart was one of my favourite actors. The song is so good. I used to listen to it over and over again. I still have a record of Gene Pitney at home.
Love his voice. Had so many great songs.
Gene Pitney has a large catalog of hits. Try Town Without Pity and 24 Hours From Tulsa.
I remember this song on the radio from ~1961, when in Australia as a 10 yo child. Still holds a certain mystery for me. Went to see Gene Pitney perform live in Adelaide, Australia in 1980's. He sounded great live, just like his recordings.
I’m so glad you reacted to Gene Pitney. I‘ve loved his music since I was a child. Please react to some more of his songs
Great song and great movie.
Gene Pirney is a spectacular singer. I saw the movie and the song told the story.
This guy was on AM radio every ten minutes.
Your Bacharach-David week is a GREAT idea!! Even Marty Robbins did a Bacharach song early in his career - I always forget if it's The Hangin Tree of The Story of My Life. So many great artists relied a lot on their writing. One of the most interesting things I've seen is Chuck Jackson (there's a voice for you!!) doing a semi-live version of Any Day Now. I say that because it's obvious it's the record, bu they're attempting to make it appear. And there is a guy playing the organ (which is a crucial part of the record) and they say tha jt s Burt Bacharach!! I hope that's true, because it is just so cool!!
One of my favorite karaoke songs. Another great Gene Pitney song is Twenty Four Hours From Tulsa.
One of the best movie theme songs of All-Time!
Mom had almost every record Pitney did, so I grew up listening to him.
Pitney wrote hits for others, such as"Today's Teardrops" for Roy Orbison, "Rubber Ball" for Bobby Vee, "Hello Mary Lou" for Ricky Nelson, and "He's a Rebel" for the Crystals. "Rebel" kept his own No. 2 hit "Only Love Can Break a Heart", from the top spot on 3 November 1962, the only time that a writer shut themselves out of the No. 1 position.
He was one of the greatest Singers of the era!
Loved Him.
You really have to see the movie and then listen to this again. One of my all-time favorites!
The Man Who Shot Liberty Valence is one of the best westerns of all time. Well worth your time to watch it. Gene Pitney is an overlooked gem of a singer.
I got so excited to see the movie ONLY because THIS song would be with it. It was a big part of my 6th grade year. The Beach Boys & their Little Deuce Coupe was a big influence at that time, but Anyone that sang with SOUL, like Pitney, made me walk around in a daze in those halcyon days. The line between great country and rock & roll was VERY gray, and wonderful. Pitney songs were awesome. ALL of them. To heck with that movie theme song. What a FLAT TIRE.
Love Gene Pitney especially his version of “Cara Mia”……,the man had so many hits and such a great voice…RIP
I remember this from the "oldies" station when I was in middle school (junior high). Haven't thought of it in years. Great song.
I saw the movie on the T.V. My stepfather loved westerns.
Gene Pitney had one of the best voices. The movie itself was a great film my favorite western .Do yourself a favor and see the film.
You need to listen to more Pitney--HALF HEAVEN, HALF HEARTACHE, TOWN WITHOUT PITY, IT HURTS TO BE IN LOVE, ONLY LOVE CAN BREAK A HEART, many others...
I love this one Harri, its a great sing along song and my fav Gene Pitney song ☺
One of my favorite songs when I was a kid.
This was one of my first records ever .... played it like a thousand times! I still love this song! :-)
Great song, Gene Pitney was one of the best singers and songwriters. One of my favourites is “A Town Without Pity”. Thanks for the memories!
Thanks for reviewing this. It's one of my favorite songs of Gene's. Yes, the film is pretty good.
I remember seeing this movie when I was just a little kid...John Wayne and Jimmy Stewart starred. James Taylor also did a great cover version of this one years later.
I liked the classic movie and this song. Great reaction Harri!
Gene Pitney also wrote some great songs.
These are some unusual Patreon requests. What's next "North to Alaska"?
Check out the other comments - Debbie Elholm - Sure enough, she's suggesting Harry listen to that lemon! Lord Have Mercy!
I’ve been a Gene Pitney fan since I was a kid (68 now).
Gene Pitney was one of the greatest singers, had a very special voice. I have my old Gene Pitney albums. Had a lot of great songs and all were hits!!
I love this song
Harri, a week or so ago you asked if we knew any songs that featured whistling in them. I replied thay Gene Pitney had a song called Only Love Can Break a Heart. I wasn't sure if you know Gene Pitney. He had a great voice.
It was such a blessing to be a young kid during this time! The songs were just wonderful. I enjoy listening to reactions from those who have never heard of them!!!! I was blessed to live in those times!!!😍🥳😃😎
The movie did come out and stared John Wayne, Lee Marvin and Jimmy Steward
So many great songs by Gene Pitney you can react to, Harri .. He was a brilliant singer .. I can recommend "I'm Gonna Be Strong", "It Hurts To Be In Love", "Yesterday's Hero", and "Twenty Four Hours To Tulsa" .. But you really can't go wrong with any of his hits .. Cheers, Wayne
"I'm Gonna Be Strong" is just amazing, it'll rip your heart out!
@Tawroset Sure does ! .. It's just about my favourite Gene Pitney song .. Cyndi Lauper did a pretty decent cover of it when she was with the band Blue Angel ( co-incidentally the name of another Gene Pitney song ) .. But nobody can sing it like Gene .. As you said, he makes it a real heartbreaker.
See the movie, John Wayne & Jimmy Steward...What more could you want!?
Lee Marvin - oh he played the title role!
I remember when I finally saw the movie. I was so disappointed to learn this song wasn't in it.
Dam harri,. This was one of my favorite westerns ❤️❤️❤️❤️. John Wayne,. James Stewart. Best cowboy movie ever. Thanks harri 😍
Another early Burt Bacharach and Hal David tune. Pitney had a great cross-genre voice.
I LOVE BURT and DAVID!!! I didn't know that they wrote this, but I'm not surprised. Jimmy Stewart was the unlikely guy who "shot Liberty Valance."
Saw him Live, sounds just like he does on record, stunning!
The movie was good also. John Wayne, Jimmy Stewart, Lee Marvin. Great western.
This song was never played in the movie by the same name though for some reason. Hmmmmm! Thank you for listening to this song and reacting to it. I listen to this song every single day as it is on my playlist!
Please, react to his song Only Love Can Break a Heart. I was a huge Gene Pitney fan, especially in junior high, and I listened to his greatest hits album till I'm surprised my Mom didn't break it into tiny pieces while I slept. I'm Gonna Be Strong is another great one, which Cyndi Lauper covered years later and also did a great job on. Instead of doing a week of Bachrach and David, how about a week of Gene Pitney? It would be so easy and so great. Just think about it.
Nice reaction. I'm 65, and this song has always appealed to me, probably due to the movie, but Gene had an interesting voice. When I play it in public, young people are fascinated by this catchy ballad. Speaking of "Gene", I'm a distant cousin of Gene Autry, the only man to have four stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Keep on, Brother.
One of the best movies ever made.
I love how my parents, and grandparents' influences have shaped my tastes. Try Glenn Miller Moonlight Serenade...also Harry Connick Jr It Had to be You for some old time music from a modern singer...also David Bowie and Bing Crosby Little Drummer Boy
He was a great songwriter and singer. I only had four record albums as a girl, and one was Gene Pitney.
One of my favorite westerns starring John Wayne Lee Marvin and Jimmy Stewart and you should definitely do town without pity and Only love can break a heart!
pitney is a forgotten superstar. when i was a kid....orbison, pitney and elvis ruled....rick nelson also had a bunch of hits.
That was also the name of a movie..Really good...
Great Movie, too!
Great job Harri. Funny you mentioned Marty Robbins. His country hit from 1957, The story of my life, was written by none other than Bacharach/David. As was the above song by Gene Pitney. Only love can break a heart. Gene was also a fantastic songwriter. He wrote some great songs including: Hello Marylou, and Rubber Ball, and his biggest song "He's a Rebel" by the Crystals. A sad story about Gene was that his biggest hit was "Only love can break a heart" written by Bacharach and David, this great song was held out of the #1 spot by the song; "He' s a Rebel" by the Crystals which was written by none other than "Gene Pitney". How Ironic.👍🙃
Harri, you're right. This song should not have been in the movie. The film is a classic John Ford western and this song would have reduced it to a successful B movie. Still, it is a good song.
I love his song Town Without A Pity. Worth a reaction.
Thank you Daniel Volk. At last a Gene Pitney reaction. Not my favourite of his but still a great song. 'Nobody Needs Your Love' is his best and '24 Hours From Tulsa' is his best known. Wonderful artist and lovely man.
Twenty four hours from Tulsa was also written by Bacharach and David . Thanks for listening. I like to request songs that are not quite as well known. Although this was pretty well known.
Pitney has many good songs!
I think they were still hoping to get the song in the film, but it was actually during the recording session that they got word the film was being released.
I’ve seen the movie on tv several times. It’s definitely worth a watch. Great cast and directed by an equally great director, John Ford. You should also watch North to Alaska. The title song was sung by Johnny Horton. I thought it was kinda funny that Fabian was in the movie, but he didn’t sing the title song.
Not mentioned yet but my favorite Gene Pitney song is "Last Chance to Turn Around" - The production on this was way ahead of its time. I think Gene did his own producing and wrote a lot of hits (mentioned in other comments). He did "He's a Rebel" which was performed by The Crystals & produced by Mr. Wall of Sound, Phil Spector. Have commented before to you that Cyndi Lauper does an amazing job covering "I'm Gonna Be Strong." She just wails on it and shows extraordinary range. Gene would be proud.
I love the ingenuity of the lyrics. "Alone and afraid she prayed that he'd return that fateful night." Good stuff.
I love "Something's Got A Hold Of My Heart". The duet with Marc Almond was so good. Gene had so many hits.
I'm Going To Be Strong is one of his best. The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance is a great John Wayne and Jimmy Stewart movie. Just like the song
It Hurts To Be In Love, Twenty Four Hours From Tulsa, Heartbreaker, Only Love Can Break A Heart.
i know this song from the royal guardsman. they did snoopy and the red baron
You should check out Gene Pitney & Mark Almond "Something's gotten hold of my heart".
I never could hear all of the lyrics as a kid. Now after on-line searching I see:
"From the moment a girl gets to be full grown
The very first thing she learns"
I could never decipher that line back then either. 😉👍
Another movie with same name. Love Gene Pitney.
I remember going to see this movie in the theater when I was in high school, 1964. Good movie with great ironic twist. I don’t remember the song not being played over the closing credits. But it was played constantly on the radio then, so maybe that’s what I’m remembering.
Look up Town Without Pity by Gene Pitney.
An absolute CLASSIC.
The Rockville Rocket is from the town I lived in for 20 years! Downtown there is a plaque telling his story! Great Artist! His song town without Pity is about Rockville!
great tune and a great movie
Hi Mr. Harri, Mr. Gene had another song that was also a movie; "Town Without Pity".. ♠W.G.
It hurts to be in love was my favorite. Please take a listen to it. LOVE TO YOU!!
i have seen the film several times on TV worth a watch , great twist
My favourite song
Great movie!!
It was a great John Wayne movie.
The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance Lee Marvin John Wayne and James Stewart very good movie made sometime in the 50s
This is a year late and I hope you read it. The song was never rejected for the movie. Hal David saw the movie and felt inspired, then went home and wrote the lyrics.
Many years ago The final jeopardy question was , "He played the title role in The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance ? " Everyone said Jimmy Stewart - and Alex Tribek was like "No , you're All stupid , it's John Wayne " - and that's why Alex Tribek is my hero ! ! !
I thought this came from a movie 🤷🏻♀️🌺✌️
No, Town without Pity
The song was played for the 1962 movie with the same with John Wayne, Jimmy Stewart, Lee Marvin and Andy Devine.
Those strings were like from a fiddle in the old west so it seems right Harri. IMHO ☺
I agree with you completely. The fiddle was a staple of music in the old west. 👍😉🕊️
I think that song is older than me. Mid 50's