Tuesday, 31 December 2019

UK Number 40s: Bobby Darin - Baby Face (1962)


Once again we have an act who's had a record peak at both 1 and 40, the same as the 3 other acts to have had a number 40 so far in 1962. Bobby Darin also joins Roy Orbison with also have a record peak at 50, a month or so after Roy Orbison hit that milestone.

It's a song known to many but maybe not this particular version. It was written in 1926 by Harry Akst and Benny Davis and has been recorded by many artists over the years.

The first version to chart in the UK was by Little Richard in 1959. At that point in time Bobby Darin had just 2 minor hits to his name, the 2nd of which (Queen of the Hop) dropping out the charts when Little Richard peaked. It would go on to be the most successful year of Bobby Darin's chart career with 2 number ones.

Most of his following records would make the Top 10 including the number 2 "Things" earlier on in 1962. This wasn't the end of his Top 40 career though, a minor hit with "Eighteen Yellow Roses" followed in 1963, then in 1966 after 3 years away he returned to the Top 10 with "If I Were A Carpenter" which would be his final top 40 hit.

Another version of "Baby Face" would chart in 1976 by Wing And A Prayer Fife & Drum Corps which would reach 12.

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