Tommy James & The Shondells are a great American pop rock/psychedelic rock band from the 60's. They had a lot of great hits such as "Hanky Panky", "Crimson & Clover", "I Think We're Alone Now", "Mirage", "Mony Mony", "Sweet Cherry Wine", "Ball Of Fire", "Do Something To Me" & "Crystal Blue Persuasion". When Tommy went solo in the 70's "Draggin' The Line" & "Three Times In Love" were hits for him.
I love tommy James ♥ you loved mony mony by Billy idol Tommy James sang it first ❤ crimson and clover by Tommy is one of the most hippest songs you'll love it 😀
A personal message to the two of you: I love watching people who really love music react to hearing something they hear for the first time, and you two express your emotions and opinions so transparently and so well. You're a delight to watch and to listen to.
This band is well-known for this song, plus "Crystal Blue Persuasion," "Mony Mony" (which Billy Idol covered), and "Crimson & Clover" (covered by Joan Jett). All of these songs sound different.
I recommend the remastered version of Crimson and Clover. The overdubbed guitar solos were recorded on a different tape than the original master. When they were copied over to the master tape, the overdub tape machine ran at a slightly slower speed than the master tape machine, causing the overdubs to be a bit flat compared to the rest of the tune. They fixed the error when they remastered it. Tommy James has said the remastered version is the way it was always meant to be heard.
Um, are you sure about that? I remember I think We’re Alone Now being one of their earlier hits when I was a kid in the 60s. UPDATE: I looked it up. The song was released and became a hit in 1967.
Crimson and Clover is their best selling single, but they had several hit songs. They had 14 top 40 hits. "Hanky Panky", "Say I Am (What I Am)", "It's Only Love", "I Think We're Alone Now", "Mirage", "I Like the Way", "Gettin' Together", "Mony Mony", "Do Something to Me", "Crimson and Clover", "Sweet Cherry Wine", "Crystal Blue Persuasion", "Ball of Fire", "She".
I read a book by James Michener called "Kent State" way back when.. One of the first lines in the book was "The 60's ended in 1973". That has always stayed with me.
They did the original version of "Mony Mony". You guys reacted to the Billy Idol version a little while ago. "Crystal Blue Persuasion" and "Crimson and Clover" are great listens too. Tommy James, lead vocals, was on the far right of the photo from the viewer perspective.
"Draggin' the LIne" peaked at #4 on the Billboard Hot 100 in August, 1971. Their biggest hits were "Crimson and Clover", "Crystal Blue Persuasion", "Mony, Mony", "Sweet Cherry Wine", "I Think We're Alone Now" and their earliest hit "Hanky Panky" recorded in 1964 but became a hit in 1966.
MUST listen to "Crimson & Clover"! It was groundbreaking for the time period, for sure. One of the first psychedelic-rock songs.. "I Think We're Alone Now" is a sentimental favorite forever!! ❤💯 ua-cam.com/video/GpGEeneO-t0/v-deo.html ua-cam.com/video/IkMFLUXTEwM/v-deo.html
I didn't find out until recently that Mr James wrote one of my favorite tunes from long ago. He wrote it for a group named Alive N Kickin', the song is Tighter and Tighter. Great song back in the day!
Oh YES..I'm 60 years old & I skated to this in my teens & still love them today. Good skate , house cleaning, driving, & making love music. Can't go wrong with Tommy James & The Shondells..Thank you for sharing this.
Lots of Tommy James hits available. Crimson and Clover is another song with a funky sound. Both Crimson and Clover and Draggin' The Line were sort of before their time. They could've been hits in the 80s too. Others are Mony, Mony (which was remade by Billy Idol in the 80s) I Think We're Alone Now (which was remade by Tiffany in the 80s), Sweet Cherry Wine, Crystal Blue Persuasion and Hanky Panky.
One classic 70's group you've yet to react to is Bachman Turner Overdrive (BTO) with a gritty voice that love. They have quite a catalog of hits, especially "Takin' Care of Business"--which you've no doubt heard in commercials before. However, there's also "Let It Ride" "You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet" "Rollin' on Down the Highway" "Four Wheel Drive" "Hey You"
Hey, check out another 60’s band that was my very favorite! Grass Roots & the song is from 1969 Midnight Confessions. Try to find a live version, because the lead singer, Rob Grill was such a heartthrob & he had the top poster spot on my bedroom door! Kissed him goodnight too! Along with Bobby Sherman, Davy Jones of the Monkees, & Peter Noone of the Herman Hermits! ♥️♥️♥️♥️ ♥️ The old white woman
Another Tommy James and the Shondells you would like is "Crystal Blue Persuasion." As for the 60s vibe, a fun tune by Simon and Garfunkel is "Feelin' Groovy/The 59th Street Bridge Song." Another 60s vibe artist you have yet to discover is Donovan. With him I'd suggest "Hurdy Gurdy Man" / "Sunshine Superman"/ "Mellow Yellow" / "Season of the Witch" and many more!
Crystal Blue Persuasion is the jam ! So much that "a Lighter Shade Of Brown" sample if for " On A Sunday Afternoon" and it makes the song so chill ! That Guitar !
TryTommy James & The Shondells "Crystal Blue Persuasion" “Crimson and Clover”, "I Think We're Alone Now" and their earlier hit "Hanky Panky" I love you guys! I feel like I'm sharing my music with my kids for the first time,
Here’s a suggestion: The Brothers Johnson. Strawberry Letter 23. “The song's chorus says "Strawberry Letter 22" instead of the actual title of the song. This is because the premise of the song is that a couple is exchanging love letters in musical form. The singer is creating "Strawberry Letter 23" as a reply to the song he has received from his lover, and he refers to her previous message as "Strawberry Letter 22" when replying.”
So so glad you did this great sing. Please note that Crystal Blue Persuasion is their best song. It is way cool and the Lyrics are so good. Looking forward to you both reviewing that one as well as Mony Mony. Take great care
"Mony Mony" was covered by Billy Idol and "I think we're alone now" was covered in the 80's by Tiffany, and I think a few others have covered that one as well. It is hugely popular. Tommy James and the Shondells is one of my all time favorite bands.
So awesome that you're doing Tommy James so soon after going bonkers over Billy Idol's "Mony Mony" (Tommy did the original version"). You'll also love "Hanky Panky", "Crystal Blue Persuasion", "I Think We're Alone Now". "Crimson and Clover" is also a classic, as is the cover that Joan Jett did! Tommy started the band in 1964 when he was seventeen, and now, fifty-eight years later, he's still going! (FYI - "Draggin' the Line" was actually billed as just Tommy, without the Shondells.)
Tommy James is currently DJing on SiruisXM channel 60s Gold (channel 73) on Sunday nights. His show is called "Gettin Together", named after one of his hit songs.
When you paused the video, Jay was asking who the band members were. The lead singer and founding member, Tommy James, is on the far right in the photo. This was Tommy James And The Shondells last hit record in 1970. They had their greatest success between 1966 and 1970. James started out with an early lineup of The Shondells in 1963 while in high school. In 1964, they recorded the song, "Hanky Panky" for Snap Records, a small record label in Michigan. It was a regional hit, but went nowhere after that. But in 1966, a dance DJ picked out the 45 RPM record out of a pile of records, and played it randomly at a dance. It became wildly popular at dances. The DJ contacted Tommy James about it, and James scrambled to purchase the master tape from the original record label, and used it to sign a contract with Roulette Records, and they distributed the song nationally, and it became a big hit, reaching "Number One" on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles Chart for two weeks. I came across fan-made music video for "Hanky Panky" from 1966 here on UA-cam. It combines footage from a TV performance by the group, combined with syndicated TV dancing footage from that time period. Here is the link to this TV performance of "Hanky Panky", by Tommy James And The Shondells: ua-cam.com/video/uCeCHe5sH2w/v-deo.html
Yes. Technically, this song is by Tommy James alone, no Shondells. But it gets included on all the Best of / Anthology collections *with* the Shondells, so it's always listed as with the whole group. Tommy James is the only singer on this track as far as I know -- his voice is double-tracked.
When I was about 7 years old, my cousin had the album "Crimson and Clover" and every time I came to his house, I played the album from stem to stern over and over. It is one of THE best representations of the era you can find.
This is a 1971 song. I drove to the beach with my first crush and this song was massively playing on AM radio. This is definitely a tune from the songbook of my life .❤❤❤❤
I knew you would get around to Tommy James & The Shondells! Try the song Crimson & Clover, the most unusual song!! 😉. Loved hearing this again, it’s been years!! Love, love, love your reactions!! 💗💙 ♥️The old white woman
Great band! Many hits, a lot of them covered later and became major hits for others. Three Dog Night another outstanding band not given their historical due. Hot after hit.
You guys have heard enough to know that some songs are pieces of brilliance that will never be forgotten, then there's medium stuff and then there are fillers - often just pop which was used as fillers and dance music. The thing is though, it doesn't matter what they are, they can still take us back to our youth or they might remind us of a special time in our lives. So thank you for digging deep. There's gold down there.:)
Tommy James is the lead singer of the band. He left after passing out in 1970 after a concert and went solo afterwards. Check out other songs by this group with him but get the live performance.
Tommy James And The Shondells...oh the skating rink and cruising the strip memories, even in the mid 1970s. Mony Mony, Crimson And Clover, I Think We're Alone Now...so much music
So glad to hear you resurrect this great song from 50 years ago! We loved to dance to this song and the beginning of the song is so unique that when we heard the first four notes, we knew it was "Draggin' the line" and we would hit the dance floor. Really enjoyed this reaction and thanks for the memories!
Boy does this take me back! I surprised myself by how much of the words I remembered. Thank you for being so open to all genres of music. You two are great!
You guys MUST listen to their hit, "Crimson and Clover". It is one of my all time favorite songs, and in my opinion one of the best songs ever written. It really showcases Tommy's beautiful voice. I love it as much today, as all those years ago. 😊
*I have one of their "Best of..." CDs and listen to this and others by them still.* One day I hope you both try some Donovan songs; *Catch The Wind__Hurdy Gurdy Man__Colours__Mellow Yellow....would be some good ones by Donovan to begin with.*
Yes, Donovan! Why didn't I think of Donovan? Love the Mellow Yellow album, "Sand and Foam" is my favorite.. though it wasn't a 'hit.' Y'all who know Donovan, but don't remember Sand and Foam, give it a re-listen. It took me decades to notice how great it is. But the 4 you named are great, too. Thanks!
Crystal Blue Persuasion is the ultimate hippy-vibe song, both of you would love it, but Amber…….yeah!! Crimson and Clover as well, made for Amber songs! And I bet you’ve heard Mony Mony in movies or at sporting events without knowing.
I was thinking the same thing. Amber will love the hippy vibes of Crystal Blue Persuasion. Tommy James and the Shondells greatest hits was one of the first three albums I ever got. They are exceptional!
*THANK YOU* for branching out and listening to a new band. Although it's cool to circle around artists you've already heard there are so many you haven't touched on. Have you reacted to Louie Louie by the Kingsmen. The lyrics are amazing
Love Tommy James. There are so many TJ songs you need react too, such Hanky Panky, Crystal Blue Persuasion, Sweet Cherry Wine, Mony and my favorite song that takes me back to my first girlfriend, I Think We're Alone
1971, is when this song came out. Actually Tommy and the Shondells broke up just before this song in 1970. Tommy did this as B-Side to a solo 45. But the song was enough for the band to get back together to add a few more items to the song, and this is the final rendition. I was 12 years old when this come came out in 1971.. today I'm 64, and this song is still as good and powerful sound as it was way back then.. Mind you with todays rechnology they can make anything sound good.. or better.. Still a great Classic...
They had some great songs! A very strange one by them, and people either really liked it or hated it, is "Crimson And Clover". Others by them: "Crystal Blue Persuasion", "Sweet Cherry Wine", "I Think We're Alone Now", "Ball Of Fire".
This song really restored my faith and love for American music in the late sixties. It felt like everything from that era was all British artists. Nice to hear an incredible performance from an American group.
A great artist from the 70's and early 80's is Paul Davis. Try "I Go Crazy" or "Cool Night" or "65 Love Affair" he has a great mellow sound that I think you will really like.
I haven't listened to them for a very long time. Crystal Blue Persuasion is my favorite of theirs. This was an era where LSD was everywhere if you wanted it and the music of the time often showed it.
Tommy wrote a biography called "Me, the Mob, and the Music", detailing his rise to fame. In it he writes that he had no idea that the 'record company' he was recording for was actually the mob trying to muscle their way into the business and make as much money as they could. As I recall, he was their only act. They literally had no clue about how to be a record company - no idea how to make records, no idea how to distribute the records, no idea how to promote the band. In spite of this massive handicap Tommy James became a big star with many hit songs. There's no telling how big he could have been if he'd been working for an actual record company. Very interesting reading. Draggin the Line is a Tommy James song that my band plays to this day and it's always a hit.
I'm 63 yrs. young and was brought up during the great songs from the 60s and 70s, also the times of disco which I got really big on. I love all these songs including you both.♥️
Tommy James & The Shondells were HUGE in the 60s, Mony Mony, Hanky Panky, I Think We're Alone Now, Crimson And Clover, Crystal Blue Persuasion, Mirage, Get Out Now, etc.....Tommy is the singer and also plays guitar he's upper right in that photo. YOU NEED TO HEAR MORE OF THEM. Top suggestions I Think We're Alone Now and Mony Mony. Both of those have been covered in the 70s and 80s but were big hits for this group in the 60s and you will LOVE them.
This band had a bunch of great songs, and it seemed that every song sounded different from the other songs. Their music was definitely an important part of growing up in the 60's and 70's. Good choice
Dammit this sounds so familiar -so many of Tommy James hits have been made into great covers - but this one sounds more familiar due to the sound rather than the tune or the lyrics. I must have heard in a mvoie or show. Great stuff.
Man, I grew up listening to this epic group, TOMMY JAMES - AND THE SHONDELLS, many fond, happy memories, listening to these guys grooving!!! FAR OUT!!! Thank you for the great music.
Hey guys glad you like 60s music so well. A great time to be alive. Tommy James and the Shondells were a major contributor to the joyous variety of those years. Just to set the record straight this song was released as an "A" side single in 1971 and was a solo hit for Tommy James. The Shondells split up a year earlier. His biggest hit and still a great song. Keep up the good work!
thank you guys once again you nailed it this guys were epic with their iconic songs which you already reacted with Mony Mony cover done by Billy Idol also you guys should react with Crimson And Clover amazing psychedelic pop also Joan Jett did an stunning cover too
The full version of Crimson and Clover is a must listen. It is a 17 year old Tommy James and his engineer the first week 16 track recording became available in his studio. They did all of the parts on this song themselves
I'm glad you reviewed my favorite Tommy James track. Rarely will a reviewer ever get to this one. They do a couple others such as Crystal Blue Persuasion and stop. I got Tommy James on the phone one day randomly when he called to book a flight. I told him Draggin' the Line was my favorite of his solid catalog. He thought it was obvious that Crystal Blue Persuasion was his best.
Tommy James & The Shondells are a great American pop rock/psychedelic rock band from the 60's. They had a lot of great hits such as "Hanky Panky", "Crimson & Clover", "I Think We're Alone Now", "Mirage", "Mony Mony", "Sweet Cherry Wine", "Ball Of Fire", "Do Something To Me" & "Crystal Blue Persuasion". When Tommy went solo in the 70's "Draggin' The Line" & "Three Times In Love" were hits for him.
Great song list.:)) Such a great band!
I love tommy James ♥ you loved mony mony by Billy idol Tommy James sang it first ❤ crimson and clover by Tommy is one of the most hippest songs you'll love it 😀
@@kellygillis2488 Mony Mony was inspired by a sign outside his hotel room in New York. The sign? MONY - Mutual of New York.
I first heard this song on.the movie. Don't Tell Mom The Babysitters Dead..
I couldn’t agree more with your list🙋🏻♀️
Tommy James is the lead, now 74 years old....still kickin...
I love Tommy James and the Shondells. “Crimson and Clover”, “Mony Mony”
Love "Crimson and Clover".
also "Sweet Cherry Wine" and "I Think We're Alone Now."
@@sourisvoleur4854 Absolutely!
Crystal Blue Persuasion and She.
Yes and Billie Idols cover of Mony Mony too.
Tommy James played all the instruments on this song. He left the Shondells and went out on his own after this.
A personal message to the two of you: I love watching people who really love music react to hearing something they hear for the first time, and you two express your emotions and opinions so transparently and so well. You're a delight to watch and to listen to.
Made this old woman feel like a teenager again!!!
I hear you sister ❤✌
This band is well-known for this song, plus "Crystal Blue Persuasion," "Mony Mony" (which Billy Idol covered), and "Crimson & Clover" (covered by Joan Jett). All of these songs sound different.
I think they already listened to Crystal blue persuasion.
Also, "I Think We're Alone Now" covered by Tiffany.
"Crimson and Clover" will knock your socks off, it's unique and haunting.
Just make sure to listen to the album cut , and not the three minute AM radio version , that had to cut out all o the good parts .
I recommend the remastered version of Crimson and Clover. The overdubbed guitar solos were recorded on a different tape than the original master. When they were copied over to the master tape, the overdub tape machine ran at a slightly slower speed than the master tape machine, causing the overdubs to be a bit flat compared to the rest of the tune. They fixed the error when they remastered it. Tommy James has said the remastered version is the way it was always meant to be heard.
@@willdwyer6782 maybe so , but I can still remember when it came out in '68 , so that's the version that I'm used to .
"I Think We're Alone Now" might be the group's biggest hit. This song actually came out in 1971, but the group was legitimately a 60's band.
Um, are you sure about that? I remember I think We’re Alone Now being one of their earlier hits when I was a kid in the 60s. UPDATE: I looked it up. The song was released and became a hit in 1967.
I always thought of Crimson and Clover as their biggest hit. Was my favorite.
Crimson and Clover is their best selling single, but they had several hit songs. They had 14 top 40 hits. "Hanky Panky", "Say I Am (What I Am)", "It's Only Love", "I Think We're Alone Now", "Mirage", "I Like the Way", "Gettin' Together", "Mony Mony", "Do Something to Me", "Crimson and Clover", "Sweet Cherry Wine", "Crystal Blue Persuasion", "Ball of Fire", "She".
I read a book by James Michener called "Kent State" way back when.. One of the first lines in the book was "The 60's ended in 1973". That has always stayed with me.
Lene Lovich did a great version of I think we're alone now back in 79.
Tommy James and the shondells rocked
They did the original version of "Mony Mony". You guys reacted to the Billy Idol version a little while ago. "Crystal Blue Persuasion" and "Crimson and Clover" are great listens too. Tommy James, lead vocals, was on the far right of the photo from the viewer perspective.
Crimson and Clover were covered by both The Bee Gees and Joan Jett.
Tommy James in his 70s!
Crystal Blue Persuasion!! Yes
@@ElectroT0y The Bee Gees never covered Crimson and Clover.
"Draggin' the LIne" peaked at #4 on the Billboard Hot 100 in August, 1971. Their biggest hits were "Crimson and Clover", "Crystal Blue Persuasion", "Mony, Mony", "Sweet Cherry Wine", "I Think We're Alone Now" and their earliest hit "Hanky Panky" recorded in 1964 but became a hit in 1966.
-#cheers-- !-
MUST listen to "Crimson & Clover"! It was groundbreaking for the time period, for sure. One of the first psychedelic-rock songs..
"I Think We're Alone Now" is a sentimental favorite forever!! ❤💯
ua-cam.com/video/GpGEeneO-t0/v-deo.html
ua-cam.com/video/IkMFLUXTEwM/v-deo.html
I didn't find out until recently that Mr James wrote one of my favorite tunes from long ago. He wrote it for a group named Alive N Kickin', the song is Tighter and Tighter. Great song back in the day!
Oh YES..I'm 60 years old & I skated to this in my teens & still love them today. Good skate , house cleaning, driving, & making love music. Can't go wrong with Tommy James & The Shondells..Thank you for sharing this.
I'm 64 this year, and remember many a Saturday night at the rink.
Roller skating, I assume? Me, too!
Lots of Tommy James hits available. Crimson and Clover is another song with a funky sound. Both Crimson and Clover and Draggin' The Line were sort of before their time. They could've been hits in the 80s too. Others are Mony, Mony (which was remade by Billy Idol in the 80s) I Think We're Alone Now (which was remade by Tiffany in the 80s), Sweet Cherry Wine, Crystal Blue Persuasion and Hanky Panky.
And Crimson and Clover was covered successfully by Joan Jett & the Blackhearts in the 80s.
Crimson and Clover was their biggest hit, I think. Love this band.
One classic 70's group you've yet to react to is Bachman Turner Overdrive (BTO) with a gritty voice that love. They have quite a catalog of hits, especially "Takin' Care of Business"--which you've no doubt heard in commercials before. However, there's also "Let It Ride" "You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet" "Rollin' on Down the Highway" "Four Wheel Drive" "Hey You"
Hey, check out another 60’s band that was my very favorite! Grass Roots & the song is from 1969 Midnight Confessions. Try to find a live version, because the lead singer, Rob Grill was such a heartthrob & he had the top poster spot on my bedroom door! Kissed him goodnight too! Along with Bobby Sherman, Davy Jones of the Monkees, & Peter Noone of the Herman Hermits! ♥️♥️♥️♥️
♥️ The old white woman
Dino Danelli from the Young Rascals, too. 🥰 That's another band Jordan & Amber should listen to!
@@d.j.starling3559 Indeed! Great suggestion!
Yay! 👏
I’ve been trying to suggest Grassroots for a while.
@@bigsteve9279 They give the people what they want!! ♥️
@Linda
That’s why we love em’! ❤️
TOMMY JAMES HAD AN AWESOME VOICE, THEY WERE 60S FAVORITES,
They had so many hits but the one that always, always sticks in my head is Crimson and Clover.
Another Tommy James and the Shondells you would like is "Crystal Blue Persuasion." As for the 60s vibe, a fun tune by Simon and Garfunkel is "Feelin' Groovy/The 59th Street Bridge Song." Another 60s vibe artist you have yet to discover is Donovan. With him I'd suggest "Hurdy Gurdy Man" / "Sunshine Superman"/ "Mellow Yellow" / "Season of the Witch" and many more!
Crystal Blue Persuasion is the jam ! So much that "a Lighter Shade Of Brown" sample if for " On A Sunday Afternoon" and it makes the song so chill ! That Guitar !
Harper’s Bizarre for Feeling Groovy (59th Street Bridge Song)
or Oliver's "Good Morning Starshine" from the Hair soundtrack... Such a great song and always makes me smile when I hear it 🌟💛
Love Donavan! Have all his LP's!
Oh yeah...60's and 70's were the real deal.
First! Ahem... love you guys! I love this song, too. Crimson and Clover is another "groovy" song by them that you'll like.
The Bass Riff is bad ass. Feel Like a Movie Theme. Good Job
It was actually used as the theme for "Don't Tell Mom The Babysitters Dead" with Christina Applegate.
But this song came out in 1971 , And its not with the Shondells lol ,Tommy was by him self in the 70s ,,
TryTommy James & The Shondells "Crystal Blue Persuasion" “Crimson and Clover”, "I Think We're Alone Now" and their earlier hit "Hanky Panky"
I love you guys! I feel like I'm sharing my music with my kids for the first time,
Here’s a suggestion: The Brothers Johnson. Strawberry Letter 23.
“The song's chorus says "Strawberry Letter 22" instead of the actual title of the song. This is because the premise of the song is that a couple is exchanging love letters in musical form. The singer is creating "Strawberry Letter 23" as a reply to the song he has received from his lover, and he refers to her previous message as "Strawberry Letter 22" when replying.”
Loved that tune. As well as a couple other of Brothers Johnson songs...
Great suggestion there are many good songs coming from Brothers Johnson… 1980s
Still have that 45, and another one from a couple of years earlier "Wake Up Everybody" by Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes
@@Helloitsme328 ~ That one too. Along with "I'll Be Good To You" & "Get The Funk Out Of My Face". These are all great tracks from Brothers Johnson...
So so glad you did this great sing. Please note that Crystal Blue Persuasion is their best song. It is way cool and the Lyrics are so good. Looking forward to you both reviewing that one as well as Mony Mony. Take great care
Absolutely their best song and I hope they react to it… Unbelievable song
A song which I feel makes reference to the return of Christ. Absolutely their best song.
Got to agree with this T.J., plus it has a great message in the lyrics and amazing music. Chrystal blue persuasion is a vibe.
Amber This song CAME OUT IN 1971,,,,,, Not the 60s , Telling you in LOVE THOUGH
"Mony Mony" was covered by Billy Idol and "I think we're alone now" was covered in the 80's by Tiffany, and I think a few others have covered that one as well. It is hugely popular. Tommy James and the Shondells is one of my all time favorite bands.
R.e.m covered this song right here that their reacting to
Joan Jett also covered Crimson and Clover.
So awesome that you're doing Tommy James so soon after going bonkers over Billy Idol's "Mony Mony" (Tommy did the original version"). You'll also love "Hanky Panky", "Crystal Blue Persuasion", "I Think We're Alone Now". "Crimson and Clover" is also a classic, as is the cover that Joan Jett did! Tommy started the band in 1964 when he was seventeen, and now, fifty-eight years later, he's still going! (FYI - "Draggin' the Line" was actually billed as just Tommy, without the Shondells.)
Tommy James is currently DJing on SiruisXM channel 60s Gold (channel 73) on Sunday nights. His show is called "Gettin Together", named after one of his hit songs.
When you paused the video, Jay was asking who the band members were. The lead singer and founding member, Tommy James, is on the far right in the photo. This was Tommy James And The Shondells last hit record in 1970. They had their greatest success between 1966 and 1970. James started out with an early lineup of The Shondells in 1963 while in high school. In 1964, they recorded the song, "Hanky Panky" for Snap Records, a small record label in Michigan. It was a regional hit, but went nowhere after that. But in 1966, a dance DJ picked out the 45 RPM record out of a pile of records, and played it randomly at a dance. It became wildly popular at dances. The DJ contacted Tommy James about it, and James scrambled to purchase the master tape from the original record label, and used it to sign a contract with Roulette Records, and they distributed the song nationally, and it became a big hit, reaching "Number One" on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles Chart for two weeks.
I came across fan-made music video for "Hanky Panky" from 1966 here on UA-cam. It combines footage from a TV performance by the group, combined with syndicated TV dancing footage from that time period. Here is the link to this TV performance of "Hanky Panky", by Tommy James And The Shondells: ua-cam.com/video/uCeCHe5sH2w/v-deo.html
Tommy James went solo in late 1970 and he had 14 chart singles, but Tommy James & The Shondells had 19 billboard singles
Yes. Technically, this song is by Tommy James alone, no Shondells. But it gets included on all the Best of / Anthology collections *with* the Shondells, so it's always listed as with the whole group. Tommy James is the only singer on this track as far as I know -- his voice is double-tracked.
I recommend the 1971 recording of Dave Edmunds, “I hear you knockin’”. It’s a great rock tune with an awesome guitar riff!
And Rockpile, Dave’s band in the 80s-fantastic rockabilly.
When I was about 7 years old, my cousin had the album "Crimson and Clover" and every time I came to his house, I played the album from stem to stern over and over. It is one of THE best representations of the era you can find.
1971,at 18.stepped into my first bar and had a beer.this was first song that came on,the rest was history.
FYI: Rob these guys wrote and did "Mony,Mony" your Billy Idol fav. song. so many great tunes. See Dagmar's coment for more great tunes by them.
So many great songs from this band!
This is a 1971 song. I drove to the beach with my first crush and this song was massively playing on AM radio. This is definitely a tune from the songbook of my life .❤❤❤❤
I knew you would get around to Tommy James & The Shondells! Try the song Crimson & Clover, the most unusual song!! 😉. Loved hearing this again, it’s been years!! Love, love, love your reactions!! 💗💙
♥️The old white woman
I have been asking them for awhile now. They definitely need to listen to Crimson and Clover
@@johndalley1288 Great minds think alike! 😂 John Dalley!
But this was Tommy by him self Thats what every ones over looking here , And the song is from 1971 Its 70s not 60s
Out of a few dozen reaction channels, i really enjoy your because you break down your favorite parts, which often agree with my favorite parts.
Great band! Many hits, a lot of them covered later and became major hits for others. Three Dog Night another outstanding band not given their historical due. Hot after hit.
You guys have heard enough to know that some songs are pieces of brilliance that will never be forgotten, then there's medium stuff and then there are fillers - often just pop which was used as fillers and dance music. The thing is though, it doesn't matter what they are, they can still take us back to our youth or they might remind us of a special time in our lives. So thank you for digging deep. There's gold down there.:)
Tommy James is the lead singer of the band. He left after passing out in 1970 after a concert and went solo afterwards. Check out other songs by this group with him but get the live performance.
Tommy James And The Shondells...oh the skating rink and cruising the strip memories, even in the mid 1970s. Mony Mony, Crimson And Clover, I Think We're Alone Now...so much music
That bass line is awesome. "My dog Sam eats purple flowers." That is my favorite part of the song.
AND SO 70s
This song always takes me back to the beach in the summertime. CRYSTAL BLUE PERSUASION and CRIMSON & CLOVER are a couple great ones.
So glad to hear you resurrect this great song from 50 years ago! We loved to dance to this song and the beginning of the song is so unique that when we heard the first four notes, we knew it was "Draggin' the line" and we would hit the dance floor. Really enjoyed this reaction and thanks for the memories!
This song is From 1971 , NOT THE 60s like Amber said , And its with Tommy by him self in the 70s , I dont know where she gets her information from
Boy does this take me back! I surprised myself by how much of the words I remembered. Thank you for being so open to all genres of music. You two are great!
Crystal Blue Persuasion is a must
You guys MUST listen to their hit, "Crimson and Clover". It is one of my all time favorite songs, and in my opinion one of the best songs ever written. It really showcases Tommy's beautiful voice. I love it as much today, as all those years ago. 😊
*I have one of their "Best of..." CDs and listen to this and others by them still.* One day I hope you both try some Donovan songs; *Catch The Wind__Hurdy Gurdy Man__Colours__Mellow Yellow....would be some good ones by Donovan to begin with.*
Yes, Donovan! Why didn't I think of Donovan? Love the Mellow Yellow album, "Sand and Foam" is my favorite.. though it wasn't a 'hit.' Y'all who know Donovan, but don't remember Sand and Foam, give it a re-listen. It took me decades to notice how great it is. But the 4 you named are great, too. Thanks!
Season of the Witch is one of my favorites.
Crystal Blue Persuasion is the ultimate hippy-vibe song, both of you would love it, but Amber…….yeah!! Crimson and Clover as well, made for Amber songs! And I bet you’ve heard Mony Mony in movies or at sporting events without knowing.
I was thinking the same thing. Amber will love the hippy vibes of Crystal Blue Persuasion. Tommy James and the Shondells greatest hits was one of the first three albums I ever got. They are exceptional!
They reacted to the Billy Idol remake of Mony Mony already and I suggested the Tommy James original back then. Good choices.
I Think We're Alone Now was their first hit. Really a must react song
Tommy James is a devoted Christian and spreads his gift of God's love to everyone
Absolutely Wonderful
nobodys perfect
*THANK YOU* for branching out and listening to a new band. Although it's cool to circle around artists you've already heard there are so many you haven't touched on. Have you reacted to Louie Louie by the Kingsmen. The lyrics are amazing
Crimson and Clover was way ahead of its time. Great song. Classic.
Love Tommy James. There are so many TJ songs you need react too, such Hanky Panky, Crystal Blue Persuasion, Sweet Cherry Wine, Mony and my favorite song that takes me back to my first girlfriend, I Think We're Alone
1971, is when this song came out. Actually Tommy and the Shondells broke up just before this song in 1970. Tommy did this as B-Side to a solo 45. But the song was enough for the band to get back together to add a few more items to the song, and this is the final rendition. I was 12 years old when this come came out in 1971.. today I'm 64, and this song is still as good and powerful sound as it was way back then.. Mind you with todays rechnology they can make anything sound good.. or better.. Still a great Classic...
They had some great songs! A very strange one by them, and people either really liked it or hated it, is "Crimson And Clover". Others by them: "Crystal Blue Persuasion", "Sweet Cherry Wine", "I Think We're Alone Now", "Ball Of Fire".
Tommy James and the shondells have so many great songs , Ball of fire and Sweet Cherry Wine are my favorites
Thank you for playing one of my requests
This song really restored my faith and love for American music in the late sixties. It felt like everything from that era was all British artists. Nice to hear an incredible performance from an American group.
Awww, shoulda done "I Think We're Alone Now" first. Their biggest hit.
This is 1000x better than I think we're alone now
Tommy James and the Shondells . ❤️My Fav song , since 1969 is Crystal Blue Persuasion. Has NEVER left the top spot from1st listen .☮️❤️🎶
Their Crimson and Clover has got to be your next reaction to Tommy James and the Shondells. Just a grooving’ song!
This group was so ahead of their time. My oldest sister was 18 years older than me so I learned things.
Thank you! An absolute favourite! Such a cool sound. They were great! Crimson and Clover please!! Played the heck out of that 45.
And everything by them. ‘Ball of Fire’ is really unique.
This is my favorite Tommy James song and one of my all time favorite songs.
Crimson and clover by Tommy James is awesome. It was covered by Joan Jett
This is my favorite song by them. Great band, a lot of their songs have been covered.
A great artist from the 70's and early 80's is Paul Davis. Try "I Go Crazy" or "Cool Night" or "65 Love Affair" he has a great mellow sound that I think you will really like.
I FEEL BLESSED TO HAVE GROWN UP WITH THEIR MUSIC, THEY HAD THE GREATEST VIBE!!
I haven't listened to them for a very long time. Crystal Blue Persuasion is my favorite of theirs. This was an era where LSD was everywhere if you wanted it and the music of the time often showed it.
Tommy wrote ‘Crystal Blue Persuasion’ when he was reading his Bible… in the Book of Revelations, when he had a moment of spiritual clarity
One of the greatest bands of all time. Hit after hit after hit. Tommy James has an outstanding voice. Grade A.
This is a great song. I haven't heard it in years. I love the lyric: My dog Sam eats purple flowers,💜
Wow! Been a long looong minute since I’ve heard this song. Love it!
Loved them. A part of my teen years when they were making hits.
From Norman Oklahoma... Lots of snow and bright sunshine....Feb42022.... Enjoy your show.... Definitely the sounds of the 60s and70s nothing compares
Tommy wrote a biography called "Me, the Mob, and the Music", detailing his rise to fame. In it he writes that he had no idea that the 'record company' he was recording for was actually the mob trying to muscle their way into the business and make as much money as they could. As I recall, he was their only act. They literally had no clue about how to be a record company - no idea how to make records, no idea how to distribute the records, no idea how to promote the band. In spite of this massive handicap Tommy James became a big star with many hit songs. There's no telling how big he could have been if he'd been working for an actual record company. Very interesting reading. Draggin the Line is a Tommy James song that my band plays to this day and it's always a hit.
I'm 63 yrs. young and was brought up during the great songs from the 60s and 70s, also the times of disco which I got really big on. I love all these songs including you both.♥️
Tommy James & The Shondells were HUGE in the 60s, Mony Mony, Hanky Panky, I Think We're Alone Now, Crimson And Clover, Crystal Blue Persuasion, Mirage, Get Out Now, etc.....Tommy is the singer and also plays guitar he's upper right in that photo. YOU NEED TO HEAR MORE OF THEM. Top suggestions I Think We're Alone Now and Mony Mony. Both of those have been covered in the 70s and 80s but were big hits for this group in the 60s and you will LOVE them.
Finally...definitely check out more Tommy James. So many Great tunes and several of them have been covered...for good reason
This band had a bunch of great songs, and it seemed that every song sounded different from the other songs. Their music was definitely an important part of growing up in the 60's and 70's. Good choice
Pick anything from the late 60's and early 70's,
you can't lose
So now, you have to react to "Crimson And Clover," "Sweet Cherry Wine" and "Crystal Blue Persuasion. There's more, but that's enough to get started.
Tommy James sings both Dragging the line verses! Great group!
Nobody has mentioned "She" - lesser known song but my favorite of theirs. The strings in that make the song.
Love that song and "Adrienne" too.
Love it ! An old favourite . A driving song. but REALLY love their MONY MONY! a dancing song.
Dammit this sounds so familiar -so many of Tommy James hits have been made into great covers - but this one sounds more familiar due to the sound rather than the tune or the lyrics. I must have heard in a mvoie or show. Great stuff.
Pure Musical Talent...........Vocally, you HAVE to remember there was NO AUTUNE!!! Until 1997!!!
"Tommy James and the Shondells Crystal Blue Persuasion", “Crimson and Clover” a must listen.
Man, I grew up listening to this epic group, TOMMY JAMES - AND THE SHONDELLS, many fond, happy memories, listening to these guys grooving!!! FAR OUT!!! Thank you for the great music.
Great group. So many wonderful songs and feelings to enjoy.
Love watching young people grooving to great music like these classics ... the both of you make me feel young 👍👍
Hey guys glad you like 60s music so well. A great time to be alive. Tommy James and the Shondells were a major contributor to the joyous variety of those years. Just to set the record straight this song was released as an "A" side single in 1971 and was a solo hit for Tommy James. The Shondells split up a year earlier. His biggest hit and still a great song. Keep up the good work!
Tommy James & The Shondells so many great hits so many of their songs were covered by others
thank you guys once again you nailed it this guys were epic with their iconic songs which you already reacted with Mony Mony cover done by Billy Idol also you guys should react with Crimson And Clover amazing psychedelic pop also Joan Jett did an stunning cover too
"Crimson and Clover", "Crystal Blue Persuasian"...........Thank you for bringing this group up!
The full version of Crimson and Clover is a must listen. It is a 17 year old Tommy James and his engineer the first week 16 track recording became available in his studio. They did all of the parts on this song themselves
Awesome band
I'm glad you reviewed my favorite Tommy James track. Rarely will a reviewer ever get to this one. They do a couple others such as Crystal Blue Persuasion and stop. I got Tommy James on the phone one day randomly when he called to book a flight. I told him Draggin' the Line was my favorite of his solid catalog. He thought it was obvious that Crystal Blue Persuasion was his best.
All their music is good