1961 HITS ARCHIVE: The Astronaut - Jose Jimenez (Bill Dana)

The Astronaut (Dana-Hinckley) by Jose Jimenez, interviewed by Don Hinckley
Taken from the LP “Jose Jimenez at The Hungry i,” this single by comedy star Dana entered the Billboard charts several weeks after Alan Shepard piloted Freedom 7 on America’s first manned mission into space.
Pop Peaks: #19 on all three national singles charts (Billboard, Cash Box, Music Vendor)
THE 1961 HITS ARCHIVE - here in one place, a good-quality library of original-release-version best-sellers and songs which made an impact that were either released or enjoyed a major chunk of their popularity within the calendar year 1961 (some were recorded in 1960).

[@oldiesmusic76]

This gem reached #1 in Los Angeles in September 1961 for a week on the Fab 40!

[@reginaldlawrence412]

That's probably how some of the astronauts were feeling.

[@Jim_Julian]

Magnificent job by Bill Dana.

[@t40onbass]

Only two spoken word recordings sans musical accompaniment hit the top 40 during the Rock era. This one and Cheech & Chong's "Sister Mary Elephant" in 1974.

[@jimhilliker2450]

It's still funny.

[@reginaldlawrence412]

That's probably some of the astronauts were feeling.

[@oldbeatpete]

another example of how people don't realize what they're laughing towards ('the other').

[@peteremmert8551]

Later on, and even now in 2020, this record would be banned from airplay on oldies stations due to its racial insulting.

[@alanbuxbaum3190]

It is definitely politically incorrect.

[@Jim_Julian]

And that's soooo bad. Get rid of the wokesters. VOTE!

[@damonfordham9803]

A bit early for me, but sounds like Desi Arnaz on a bad day.