Tommy is a fabulous songwriter, and he's been writing great music for many decades, up to only a few years ago. His songs have been covered by so many, and deservedly so. Next should be "Sweet Cherry Wine" or "Crystal Blue Persuasion," both from that same era. Album version of C & C is the right one to do!
Had drinks with him after his set on our honeymoon cruise out of Fort Lauderdale in the 80’s. He sat with me and my wife for hours at the bar just talking until it got so late we couldn’t keep our eyes open. 😂. Down to earth dude.
In the 80’s Tommy James songs had a bit of comeback as 3 of his hits were covered to be big hits again. “Crimson and Clover” by Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, “I Think We’re Alone Now” by Tiffany, and “Mony Mony” by Billy Idol.
One of my favorite bands when I was growing up. He was a real innovator in the use of effects. The tremolo all through providing the beat, then the wah-wah work was superb. Nobody had ever done the vocals through a tremolo before. Yeah, it was psychedelic pop music, and yeah we sorta danced to it. Great stuff. Crystal Blue Persuasion is next, but you can get back to his earlier music, too. Mony Mony, and I Think We're Alone Now are super. I also love the song She.
I hadn't actually heard this longer version of this song. It sounded like a different version and not just a cut version than the 45 version.. As mentioned below, Crystal Blue Persuasion is another good cut in this sort of psychedelic vein. Tommy James & the Shondells also had poppy sort of hits with I Think We're Alone Now, Mony Mony, Sweet Cherry Wine and Hanky Panky. My favorite of all their tunes was a bit of a heavier sort of song called Draggin' the Line and it is well worth a listen.
Had "The Best of Tommy James and The Shondells" on 8 track. Great road music in the early '70's. "Crystal Blue Persuasion", "I Think We're Alone Now", "Sweet Cherry Wine". Pick one, you won't go wrong.
The original short version was the first completed tune. As FM radio was starting to have major impact , that whole guitar solo bridge was added later. This was quite the departure for the band as they were more of a pop band. At first radio stations didn't air it since it sounded so strange. The repeating chrous vocals were fed through a guitar wah wah pedel.
hahahha Every Jr High School Dance. Embedded right into my 8th-grade self. Thanks Shawn Standing at the bleachers like a wallflower waiting on Jim Zipp to ask me to dance hahaahah. He was so cool
This record label, (Roulette), was run by the mob. The famous folk/pop singer Jimmie Rodgers was attacked by them. 'In his own autobiography, Me, the Mob and the Music, fellow Roulette recording artist Tommy James claims that Rodgers was the victim of an attack paid for by the label’s owner, Morris Levy, in response to Rodgers’ repeated demands for the royalties he had earned.'
OMG! This song came out my senior year of high school. Since a girlfriend lived across from the school, we'd go there for lunch, crank up her stereo full blast, and play this song over and over.(no pun intended). And yes, the teachers complained, asking us to at least play the whole album. Cherished memories. Thanks for the reaction, Shawn. Blessings all.
"Crystal Blue Persuasion" is probably their grooviest, most uplifting, inspiring and liberating of hit songs, but this one was also lot of fun. I could do that tremolo voice, which I Iater called "strobe voice", and can still do it, I just discovered. Like Cat Stevens and the Cowsills, "Crystal Blue" is medicine. A daily jolt of positivity.
Tommy James & the Shondells had a string of hits including "Mony, Mony" (1968), "I Think We're Alone Now" (1967), "Sweet Cherry Wine" (1969): ua-cam.com/video/ARdlyyP8f4A/v-deo.htmlsi=rkTBH5Pxu181wA-c & "Crystal Blue Persuasion" (1969). Thanks so much for playing this & your comments.
Tommy James still performs to this day at the age of 77 and doesn't sound any different and has performed since the 60's. He is just an awesome talent with so many hits. His music is considered Rock, Psychedelic and pop rock. He is just a great easy listening person exc÷pt for a few songs like Mony Mony.
Tommy James and the Shondells Mony Mony / sweet cherry Wine / crystal blue persuasion / dragging the line and of course Crimson and Clover. Sorry, I forgot I think we’re alone now. Another nice song from Tommy James..
Just a quick anecdote, in 1975 these guys played at my senior prom. played their 6 songs and then left. to this day i still dont know why they had to do a high school prom, but we were thrilled to have them. oh and it hard to believe that I'm still in my 30's, oh yeah my 50th reunion is coming next year, maybe they will come back!
The Tremelo pedal effect was brand new back in 1968 when they recorded this. It was an extremely novel effect for the time. This is one of those songs that made me fall in love with rock and roll
Tommy James and the Shondells are a great group and they did one of my favorite songs of all time that you should really check out. It’s called Crystal Blue Persuasion. This song was definitely a slow dance song and definitely psychedelic, Shawn. Please check out Crystal Blue Persuasion next.
The younger generations are probably more familiar with Joan Jett and the Black Hearts cover of this song, which they did give a valiant effort, but this is the best. IMHO
Crystal Blue Persuasion next - so relevant even today! I was 11 when I got this album. My dad was convinced the vinyl was warped because of the distortion and said I needed to exchange it for another copy 😂😂
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 "Crystal Blue Persuasion", "Hanky Panky", "I Think We're Alone Now", "Mirage", "Mony Mony", "Sweet Cherry Wine", "Ball Of Fire", "Do Something To Me" etc. When Tommy went solo in the 70's he had a couple of hits "Draggin' The Line" & "Three Times In Love".
I love this version, and very much respect the sounds they got with the equipment of the time. For a edgier sound try listening to the Joan Jett cover of this.
Seems as if most of his hits were covered in the 80's. The one you mentioned, this song by Joan Jett, I Think We're Alone Now was a huge hit for Tiffany (?). And "Weird" Al even parodied that last one.
This was a great tune and a major hit song. The ending i think was a risk as the song was already fire. The ending verse caused the sing to absolutely blow up the charts. We had never heard anything like that before
I read the following story years ago. In the early summer months of 1969 seems Tommy James secretary took a phone call wile Tommy stood close by going through his mail. As she hung up the phone chuckling, Tommy asked, "Who was that?" She responded, "Some East Coast promoter wanted to know if we would consider playing at a paying gig at some guys pig and horse farm. I turned him down Tommy." Tomy responded with a laugh, "that was probably a good idea." They weren't laughing months later when they read about the highly successful and probably historic arts and music festival that just concluded on Max Yasgurs farm in Upstate NY. Yup, "Woodstock" Tommy forgave his secretary.
Yes!! Yes!! Yes!! Have to listen to: “Crystal Blue Persuasion “ just as great as this one , different sounds!! “Draggin’ The Line” is another great one by them!!
Tommy James was considered a singles artist and was never taken very seriously by record critics. He wrote so many iconic songs throughout the decade of the 60's. He's still performing. Saw him a couple of months ago playing hit after hit sounding just like he did in the day.
that is why I don't connect with MOST of the music from today. But the music from the '50s, '60s & '70s (when I was a child, a teen, and in my 20s) always filled me with every kind of emotion.....happy, joyful, sad, melancholy, broken heart sobbing, excited, loving....etc. Today's music leaves me with no emotion.
You gotta think dude, the stuff you’ve always love has been inspired a lot by many of these people we’re recommending you. I love this song by the way.. I heard it first when I was 15ish in the mid 2000’s. I’ve loved it since. It’s an absolute vibe and I’m enjoying a j right now. Thanks for the good music choices and reactions.
7th grade, living in Germany going to an American school…my friend Scott’s and my favorite for a while. Scott’s older brother in 9th grade and his best friend, the preachers son 😉, stole the preachers VW and took it across country. Two week manhunt later and they were grabbed trying to take a ferry to England. Great memories.
We were close -dancing to this masterpiece. Girls would throw a party in their bedroom, invite boys and girls…the lights went out when a slow dance starts. Parents were upset and often powerless.
Try listening to "Eloise" by Barry Ryan in the 60's as well. Such a classic song very epic. This song was a great 1 hit wonder for him. I still love listening to it to this day!
Ah Shawn! Perfect, fun & very informative reaction! 😀 I just loved it! Thank you! 😀 You will definitely love “Crystal Blue Persuasion!!” .. Also Draggin’’ the Line” .. “Sweet Cherry Wine” .. “I think we’re alone now” .. “Mirage” & more! You’re the best! 😀
I had this album on eight track and carried my player around the house playing this song and Crystal Blue Persuasion non-stop to the point my mother hid my eight track player. I was seven years old.
One of the my favorite songs from one of my favorite groups!!! Another psychedelic song about getting high on mushrooms!!! Also "Crystal Blue Persuasion" is great too.
We all loved this song when it came out. We always heard the shortened radio version, but even that one was awesome. We all tried to sing the vocals at the end of the sing 😂 Joan Jett did a punk/alternative version you may want to listen to.✌️🎶
A treasure. It's funny that some of the greatest psychedelic songs of that era were not from the Grateful Dead or Jefferson Airplane, but from Pop groups like Tommy James. The only one better than this is one you must hit soon, and that's Time has Come Today by the Chambers Brothers. That's when I'll hit the subscribe button!
Ditto on the CRYSTAL BLUE PERSUASION, as well as Tommy James solo DRAGGIN' THE LINE. That vocal effect which sounds all shimmery/watery is called TREMOLO - not to be confused with Vibrato, as in the Whammy Bar on a Fender Stratocaster which they ERRONEOUSLY call a "Tremolo Arm" (Tremolo varies the VOLUME of a voice or instrument by oscillation - at various speeds-, whereas Vibrato varies/bends the PITCH of a Note). TJ & The Shondells had a dozen top 40 hits - CRIMSON AND CLOVER and HANKY PANKY were their only #1 hits.
Hi Shawn love listening to your reactions they are great! If you want to listen to different songs with a psychedic touch from the 60's and you like Steve Winwood listen to the early group 'Traffic' he was a part of - "Paper Sun" and "Hole in my Shoe" You will love these 2 artistic creative songs!!!
Crystal Blue Persuasion is a MUST play !!!!
Great tune!❤
What a great message !
Sure is
“Crystal Blue Persuasion”, “Draggin’ the Line”, “Mony Mony”, “My Baby Does the Hanky Panky” to name a few - love his stuff!
I forgot they wrote so many songs
"I Think We're Alone Now" was another biggie by them.
♥ this Song!
Tommy James and the Shondells,"Crystal Blue Persuasion" is a great song.
Tommy is a fabulous songwriter, and he's been writing great music for many decades, up to only a few years ago. His songs have been covered by so many, and deservedly so. Next should be "Sweet Cherry Wine" or "Crystal Blue Persuasion," both from that same era. Album version of C & C is the right one to do!
Had drinks with him after his set on our honeymoon cruise out of Fort Lauderdale in the 80’s. He sat with me and my wife for hours at the bar just talking until it got so late we couldn’t keep our eyes open. 😂. Down to earth dude.
In the 80’s Tommy James songs had a bit of comeback as 3 of his hits were covered to be big hits again. “Crimson and Clover” by Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, “I Think We’re Alone Now” by Tiffany, and “Mony Mony” by Billy Idol.
One of my favorite bands when I was growing up. He was a real innovator in the use of effects. The tremolo all through providing the beat, then the wah-wah work was superb. Nobody had ever done the vocals through a tremolo before. Yeah, it was psychedelic pop music, and yeah we sorta danced to it. Great stuff. Crystal Blue Persuasion is next, but you can get back to his earlier music, too. Mony Mony, and I Think We're Alone Now are super. I also love the song She.
I hadn't actually heard this longer version of this song. It sounded like a different version and not just a cut version than the 45 version.. As mentioned below, Crystal Blue Persuasion is another good cut in this sort of psychedelic vein. Tommy James & the Shondells also had poppy sort of hits with I Think We're Alone Now, Mony Mony, Sweet Cherry Wine and Hanky Panky. My favorite of all their tunes was a bit of a heavier sort of song called Draggin' the Line and it is well worth a listen.
Had "The Best of Tommy James and The Shondells" on 8 track. Great road music in the early '70's. "Crystal Blue Persuasion", "I Think We're Alone Now", "Sweet Cherry Wine". Pick one, you won't go wrong.
Sweet Cherry Wine is amazing.
Crystal Blue Persuasion , another Tommy James song, has been my favorite song since 1969.
Its the all time Feel Good song for a blue day ✌❤
Dragging the Line is another good one, great reaction
Eighth grade Y-teens dance. These guys were great. Many more to choose from.
He wrote a autobiography it's title is Me, the Mob, and the Music.
The original short version was the first completed tune. As FM radio was starting to have major impact , that whole guitar solo bridge was added later. This was quite the departure for the band as they were more of a pop band. At first radio stations didn't air it since it sounded so strange. The repeating chrous vocals were fed through a guitar wah wah pedel.
Great song! He played all the instruments on the song.
Joan Jett & The Blackhearts had a great remake of this song worth checking out.
hahahha Every Jr High School Dance. Embedded right into my 8th-grade self. Thanks Shawn Standing at the bleachers like a wallflower waiting on Jim Zipp to ask me to dance hahaahah. He was so cool
This record label, (Roulette), was run by the mob. The famous folk/pop singer Jimmie Rodgers was attacked by them. 'In his own autobiography, Me, the Mob and the Music, fellow Roulette recording artist Tommy James claims that Rodgers was the victim of an attack paid for by the label’s owner, Morris Levy, in response to Rodgers’ repeated demands for the royalties he had earned.'
OMG! This song came out my senior year of high school. Since a girlfriend lived across from the school, we'd go there for lunch, crank up her stereo full blast, and play this song over and over.(no pun intended). And yes, the teachers complained, asking us to at least play the whole album. Cherished memories. Thanks for the reaction, Shawn. Blessings all.
I was 15 when it came out -they seem to have more of an impact when you hear them as a teen-love this song
OMG this may be Shawn’s best weekend of music ever? But in my mind he’s batting 1000 and this is a grand slam weekend, Thank you Shawn.
One of my favorite bands from the 60's and early 70's. They have a lot of great hits. Tommy James was ahead of his time with the effects they used.
Takes me back to my grade eight school dance party, many moons ago.
"Crystal Blue Persuasion" is probably their grooviest, most uplifting, inspiring and liberating of hit songs, but this one was also lot of fun. I could do that tremolo voice, which I Iater called "strobe voice", and can still do it, I just discovered. Like Cat Stevens and the Cowsills, "Crystal Blue" is medicine. A daily jolt of positivity.
Tommy James & the Shondells had a string of hits including "Mony, Mony" (1968), "I Think We're Alone Now" (1967), "Sweet Cherry Wine" (1969): ua-cam.com/video/ARdlyyP8f4A/v-deo.htmlsi=rkTBH5Pxu181wA-c & "Crystal Blue Persuasion" (1969). Thanks so much for playing this & your comments.
Tommy James was the KING of psychedelic bubblegum. He made bubblegum respectable.
The talking at the beginning is from a radio station album I used to own-I believe it was either WPOP or CKLW.
I saw Tommy James for the first time back in 1976....loved him 👍💯
I remember this as a young teen. Love this
Tommy James has a great book called Me The Mob and The Music. It details his experience on Roulette records with Morris Levy.
Tommy James still performs to this day at the age of 77 and doesn't sound any different and has performed since the 60's. He is just an awesome talent with so many hits. His music is considered Rock, Psychedelic and pop rock. He is just a great easy listening person exc÷pt for a few songs like Mony Mony.
Tommy James and the Shondells Mony Mony / sweet cherry Wine / crystal blue persuasion / dragging the line and of course Crimson and Clover. Sorry, I forgot I think we’re alone now. Another nice song from Tommy James..
This is such a classic!! "Draggin the Line" is another great one.
Sweet Cherry Wine is another great song 😊
I love sweet cherry wine. That is an excellent song
Just a quick anecdote, in 1975 these guys played at my senior prom. played their 6 songs and then left. to this day i still dont know why they had to do a high school prom, but we were thrilled to have them. oh and it hard to believe that I'm still in my 30's, oh yeah my 50th reunion is coming next year, maybe they will come back!
The Tremelo pedal effect was brand new back in 1968 when they recorded this. It was an extremely novel effect for the time. This is one of those songs that made me fall in love with rock and roll
about a year later my brother had a guitar amp with a Tremolo knob - can't remember the brand, but I wish I had that amp now! Such a cool effect.
Tommy James and the Shondells are a great group and they did one of my favorite songs of all time that you should really check out. It’s called Crystal Blue Persuasion. This song was definitely a slow dance song and definitely psychedelic, Shawn. Please check out Crystal Blue Persuasion next.
I have always LOVED this song. So glad you liked it too :)
This is another one of those songs that just transports me back to being 18.
Saw them live my freshman year 1967 or 1968 at East Carolina University...far out!
This is the long album version. There was a short version for AM radio
A great throwback to the days of the battle of AM vs FM versions, and the need to buy the album. Always opt for the long version.
I remember, as a kid, emulating that vocal effect by rapidly tapping my throat while singing....It was only partially effective. ;-]
The younger generations are probably more familiar with Joan Jett and the Black Hearts cover of this song, which they did give a valiant effort, but this is the best. IMHO
Love Tommy James and the Shondells! Great song, a great request, and a great reaction!💜
Crystal Blue Persuasion next - so relevant even today! I was 11 when I got this album. My dad was convinced the vinyl was warped because of the distortion and said I needed to exchange it for another copy 😂😂
Psychedelic gem. Tommy James should be in the Rock Hall.
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 "Crystal Blue Persuasion", "Hanky Panky", "I Think We're Alone Now", "Mirage", "Mony Mony", "Sweet Cherry Wine", "Ball Of Fire", "Do Something To Me" etc. When Tommy went solo in the 70's he had a couple of hits "Draggin' The Line" & "Three Times In Love".
I love this version, and very much respect the sounds they got with the equipment of the time. For a edgier sound try listening to the Joan Jett cover of this.
They also had a hit called Mony Mony and it was covered by Billy Idol in the 80’s.
Seems as if most of his hits were covered in the 80's. The one you mentioned, this song by Joan Jett, I Think We're Alone Now was a huge hit for Tiffany (?). And "Weird" Al even parodied that last one.
This was a great tune and a major hit song. The ending i think was a risk as the song was already fire. The ending verse caused the sing to absolutely blow up the charts. We had never heard anything like that before
Probably the most innovative and underrated band of all time. My favorite in high school along with Gary Lewis and the Playboys.
Yes! Gary Lewis & the Playboys had some really really good songs!
Yes, I danced to Crimson & Clover in 1968! I was 19 in 1968 & had my first baby boy!!! 👍👏👏👏💙💙💙👶🏻
I read the following story years ago.
In the early summer months of 1969 seems Tommy James secretary took a phone call wile Tommy stood close by going through his mail.
As she hung up the phone chuckling, Tommy asked, "Who was that?"
She responded, "Some East Coast promoter wanted to know if we would consider playing at a paying gig at some guys pig and horse farm. I turned him down Tommy."
Tomy responded with a laugh, "that was probably a good idea."
They weren't laughing months later when they read about the highly successful and probably historic arts and music festival that just concluded on Max Yasgurs farm in Upstate NY.
Yup, "Woodstock"
Tommy forgave his secretary.
Yes!! Yes!! Yes!!
Have to listen to:
“Crystal Blue Persuasion “
just as great as this one , different sounds!!
“Draggin’ The Line” is another great one by them!!
This song is such a jam. 😎
Tommy James was considered a singles artist and was never taken very seriously by record critics. He wrote so many iconic songs throughout the decade of the 60's. He's still performing. Saw him a couple of months ago playing hit after hit sounding just like he did in the day.
Brings up great memories! Great song.
I think this has to be everybody's favorite song at least for a minute of their lives.
that is why I don't connect with MOST of the music from today. But the music from the '50s, '60s & '70s (when I was a child, a teen, and in my 20s) always filled me with every kind of emotion.....happy, joyful, sad, melancholy, broken heart sobbing, excited, loving....etc. Today's music leaves me with no emotion.
Very well said! 👍
Great band,great song,still getting used to the 'full' version,bought it as a single in the day!
You gotta think dude, the stuff you’ve always love has been inspired a lot by many of these people we’re recommending you. I love this song by the way.. I heard it first when I was 15ish in the mid 2000’s. I’ve loved it since. It’s an absolute vibe and I’m enjoying a j right now. Thanks for the good music choices and reactions.
This is awesome, also, Joan Jett and the Black Hearts do a great cover.
Loved this great song from the 60’s, love the 60’s music…Tommy James & The Shondells, yes! 👍💜
Next "Sugar on Sunday" "Crystal Blue Persuasion"
7th grade, living in Germany going to an American school…my friend Scott’s and my favorite for a while. Scott’s older brother in 9th grade and his best friend, the preachers son 😉, stole the preachers VW and took it across country. Two week manhunt later and they were grabbed trying to take a ferry to England. Great memories.
Shawn, you gotta play Crystal Blue Persuasion by these guys, you will love it!👍👏👏👏♥️
Great song, my favorite by Tommy James…..glad you enjoyed it
Dragging' the Line is another Tommy song you gotta check out!
Oldie but a goodie
We were close -dancing to this masterpiece. Girls would throw a party in their bedroom, invite boys and girls…the lights went out when a slow dance starts. Parents were upset and often powerless.
Try listening to "Eloise" by Barry Ryan in the 60's as well. Such a classic song very epic. This song was a great 1 hit wonder for him. I still love listening to it to this day!
You gotta do their song Crystal Blue Persuasion, love that song!!
Ah Shawn! Perfect, fun & very informative reaction! 😀 I just loved it! Thank you! 😀 You will definitely love “Crystal Blue Persuasion!!” .. Also Draggin’’ the Line” .. “Sweet Cherry Wine” .. “I think we’re alone now” .. “Mirage” & more! You’re the best! 😀
great song! ♥
Fantastic request and reaction♥
"Crystal Blue Persuasion" was the theme for my high school prom!
Takes me back to school dances when I started high-school. ❤😊
Great song, they had alot of good music.
One of your best reactions yet!!
CRYSTAL BLUE PERSUATION is another great song by Tommy James and the Shondells
Cellophane Symphony is a great album 👌
Several more good tunes from this band.
I had this album on eight track and carried my player around the house playing this song and Crystal Blue Persuasion non-stop to the point my mother hid my eight track player. I was seven years old.
Omg. The chillzzzat the opening took me right back to 14 ❤.
Have you done any of The Kinks yet.
A great contribution to the British Invasion.
Definitely psychedelic. One of the greatest examples of psychedelic rock/pop from the Psychedelic era.
Crystal Blue Persuasion seems to go with this one-should do it next
Mirage
Draggin’ The Line
I Think We’re Alone Now
Mony Mony
Sweet Cherry Wine
One of the my favorite songs from one of my favorite groups!!! Another psychedelic song about getting high on mushrooms!!! Also "Crystal Blue Persuasion" is great too.
A psychedelic slow dance song. Yep, that's pretty much it!
Love your content! Please keep it up.
A pop masterpiece.
It’s a great song you might try crystal blue persuasion and dragging the line and I loved. I think we’re alone now.
We all loved this song when it came out. We always heard the shortened radio version, but even that one was awesome. We all tried to sing the vocals at the end of the sing 😂
Joan Jett did a punk/alternative version you may want to listen to.✌️🎶
love this one!
A treasure. It's funny that some of the greatest psychedelic songs of that era were not from the Grateful Dead or Jefferson Airplane, but from Pop groups like Tommy James. The only one better than this is one you must hit soon, and that's Time has Come Today by the Chambers Brothers. That's when I'll hit the subscribe button!
You need to listen to Draggin The Line the bass line is kicking
Yes… that’s a great song!
Lots hits ‐ CRYSTAL BLUE PERSUASION and I THINK WERE ALONE NOW are two to follow up with.,
Ditto on the CRYSTAL BLUE PERSUASION, as well as Tommy James solo DRAGGIN' THE LINE. That vocal effect which sounds all shimmery/watery is called TREMOLO - not to be confused with Vibrato, as in the Whammy Bar on a Fender Stratocaster which they ERRONEOUSLY call a "Tremolo Arm" (Tremolo varies the VOLUME of a voice or instrument by oscillation - at various speeds-, whereas Vibrato varies/bends the PITCH of a Note). TJ & The Shondells had a dozen top 40 hits - CRIMSON AND CLOVER and HANKY PANKY were their only #1 hits.
Mony Mony is also one of their best
How about “For What It’s Worth” by Buffalo Springfield.
Hi Shawn love listening to your reactions they are great! If you want to listen to different songs with a psychedic touch from the 60's and you like Steve Winwood listen to the early group 'Traffic' he was a part of - "Paper Sun" and "Hole in my Shoe" You will love these 2 artistic creative songs!!!