Definitely a beautiful song. I dug both versions, still do. Johnny was so cool of a singer. Awesome voice! Harri, thanks for bringing his great music to light again, sadly it was forgotten by many. Much appreciate all those who requested his great songs.
Poor side Of Town is a must hear if you haven't done it yet. Other hits: Memphis Tennesee, Swayin To The Music, Secret Agent Man, Midnight Special, summer Rain and Mountain Of Love among others.
Holland-Dozier-Holland, who wrote this song told Johnny that they listened to his version over and over when they got it and couldn’t believe how good it was. The fantastic Darlene Love and the Blossoms provided the backing vocals.
Originally done by The Four Tops in 1964, in the Motown style, this was their first million dollar record, making it to Number 4 on the Billboard Hot 100's. Johnny River's version puts an orchestral pop style spin on the original with backing vocals by the LA Phil musicians who sang on The Mamas and Papas hits. His beautiful vocals made this song climb to Number 3 on the Billboard Hot 100's. Great reaction Harri. Thanks Harri and Craig. 👏👏 Cheers from Canada 🇨🇦
Johnny Rivers was a unique act in popular music. More than half of all the hits he had (and there were many) were covers. He probably holds the record for doing the most cover songs. They may have been covers but he somehow managed to make them his own and could still make them sound fresh and unique. You should check out another Motown cover he did called "The Tracks of My Tears", a song that was a big hit for Smoky Robinson and the Miracles. Johnny had a long and successful career spanning 3 decades. He even owned his own record company, Soul City, which played a big part in making "The Fifth Dimension" big stars. Johnny sold more than 30 million records, had 29 chart hits, had 17 gold records, and won 2 Grammy Awards. You always knew when you were listening to a Johnny Rivers song, and it always sounded great.
Johnny Rivers sang the the theme song for the Brittish series Secret Agent Man starring Patrick McGoohan way back in the 60's. Loved the the series here in Canada. 😊
Phil Collins covered Diana Ross and the Supremes "You can't hurry Love,"brilliantly. James Taylor covered Marvin Gaye's "How sweet it is to be Loved by you",sounds great
Watching him live at the Whisky A go go all those many years back in LA was magical even though I didn't realize it till years later. His voice live was so pure.
Love Johnny Rivers and his many hits, especially Poor Side of Town. Saw Johnny in concert some years ago and he was great. Also a big fan of him doing Secret Agent Man. His rendition of this song is really good, and as you said it’s different from Levi and the Tops. I remember when this came out and it really climbed the charts. Thanks for this. 👏👏
The great Johnny Rivers. Johnny was the first artist to play for the famous Whiskey A Go Go in 1964 when it opened. Gorgeous voice. Check out Secret Agent Man. Major hits all.
As you stated, this is one of the few Motown covers that is different enough from the Motown version that makes it stand on its own with its own set of fantastic nuances.
Usually I don't like covers as much as the originals , and having said that I also really love Levi Stubbs and the 4 Tops as a vocal group. But this one, I really think I prefer this to the original...I think the slower tempo is what really brings it home for me.
Great Reaction Harri, I love when I hear a song that is done by several different performers and each does their own special magic with the song and you get a completely unique feel from each version and this is definitely one of those. I grew up with Johhny Rivers and I love his music and his songs always brings back such wonderful memories for me, such a greatly needed thing in this troubled world we live in today, I think if it wasn't for the old music sometimes I would never survive. God Bless Mate and Cheers from across the Pond. 🤠
Johnny Rivers was HUGE in the 1960s and 70s, has ten of millions of fans and has sold more records that you can shake a stick at. Yet the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has snubbed him. Need I say what I think of of the RRHoF?
Great reaction and insight, Harri! It's always been a hard choice for me between Johnny River's version and the Four Tops version. So, I decided not to choose. I love and appreciate both. At the teen dances we used to have back in the 60's, Johnny's version we could slow dance to. The Four Tops version was a little more upbeat, so we could fast dance to (especially if I didn't want to be 'close' to the guy who asked me to dance 😅). Two different styles. Both exceptional.
We had two of Johnny's albums in my house when I was growing up and I used to play them back to back almost every day. That's where I learned to sing it's!
Baby I Need Your Lovin'" was covered in 1967 by Johnny Rivers, reaching No. 3 on Billboard Hot 100, topping the original version in chart performance.[6] The song reached #1
Saw him a couple of times in the 80s and discovered he also was a great new orleans blues guitarrist which he played with a big band blues group ala the blues brothers, GREAT SHOWS!!!
Takes me back to high school dances. I had the album this was on and between cuts it had the sounds of a circus, it was really cool and different. You need to check out Poor Side of Town.
Johnny also cover Chuck Berry's Memphis. Even though it changed to tone of the song' Even Chuck copied Johnny's style and beat for the song. Most people have not heard of the original.
A decade ago I realised what a legacy of great numbers this man put out. I think he has been underrated. And although I have never bought a lot of Pop records, I have come to appreciate good Pop for what it is. Young people nowadays will unashamedly sing karaoke to all sorts of songs I dismissed as lightweight popular music at the time. More fool me.
You are right on about the contrast between Johnny Rivers and Levi Stubbs ...I heard and loved the Four Tops first but Johnny Rivers grew on me over time and i consider both versions classics to be honest... Love your reactions by the way Sir !! 😃
He is right behind Levi Stubbs in this song, which happens to be one of my favorites. The Four Tops is my favorite Motown group by a mile, and for me, Levi Stubbs is at the top as one of the top vocalists. Having said that, I really do enjoy the talent of Johnny Rivets and grew up in the 60s listening to both.
Hi, I just came across you a couple of days ago and I would like to say thank you, I am a child of the sixties yes I am a mature woman, now you know my age, I'm still very young at heart though (big smile). My favorite will always be The Four Tops, you really have brought me back in time to the wonderful sound of Motown. I honestly believe that every Black person was born with rhythm and you are a joy to watch whether singing or dancing. Thank you again I will continue to watch and enjoy your channel.
Another artist I grew up with. Johnny could sing different genres of music including pop, folk, blues & rock 'n' roll. He had a lot of hits during the 60's-70's such as "Memphis", "Maybelline", "The Seventh Son", "Secret Agent Man", "Summer Rain", "Midnight Special", "Where Have All the Flowers Gone?" etc.
Johnny also has a very good song which was on the 45 rpm flip side of "Poor Side Of Town" titled "A Man Can Cry." He also released a good song in '80 which is relatively unknown titled "China." Harri B, I'd like to pass along another good '60's to early '70's singer that many of you may like. You may know southern boy Billy Joe Royal by only one song named "Down In The Boondocks." His first '65 LP/CD titled "Down In The Boondocks" has a lot of other really good country/pop songs on it. They are: 1) I Knew You When 2) Pollyanna 3) Those Railroad Tracks In Between 4) Leaning On You 5) King Of Fools 6) Heartaches And Teardrops 7) Funny How Time Slips Away 8) I've Got To Be Somebody * 9) Cherry Hill Park (This was Billy's last big hit song from '69).* Enjoy!
Always loved "Secret Agent Man". Maybe not his best song, but it was a really cool show. As was it's semi sequel "The Prisoner". "They've given you a number and taken away your name".
johnny rivers covers songs like no one else. he makes the songs his own. he does songs better than the originals. rivers covers are all the versions we remember.
You hit it right, Harri. Mr. Stubbs was always at the top of his emotions (in my opinion). Rivers relied on his smooth voice but put emotion of his own in there, esp when he cracks his voice at a few points. Love your reactions as always.
He also stands toe to toe with The Miracles & Linda Ronstadt with a great version of Tracks Of My Tears & actually outcharts them both. BY the way, he also produced the first few hit singles from The Fifth Dimension.
Johnny (often overlooked and underappreciated) did very well chart wise with some other Motown covers (definitely worth looking into) plus some other great hits. Some people remember his live cover of Memphis and the title song, Secret Agent Man, from the U.S. released version of the British TV series, Danger Man. Great Song, Great Production. Great Reaction. :)
While I adore The Four Tops original version, I still give a slight edge to Johnny River's version. Not sure why. Probably because I like Johnny's voice (not that Levi Stubbs is a slouch when it comes to amazing singing voices!) just a bit better in this one. It was before my time, but I heard it on oldies radio stations enough to get very fond of it.
I always enjoy your reactions Harri, you seem to genuinely love music and give perspectives I have not even thought of. It’s like revisiting these songs all over again. Thank you ☺️
One of the best Johnny Rivers' songs is "Secret Agent Man" which has one of the best ever guitar riffs. Hope you get a chance to check it out one day. By the way, Human Nature is an Australian group who had a few hits in the late 1990s and then became a big success in Las Vegas.
Not the best voice but he had "it"! Something that kept us coming back for more, again and again.... And for slow dancing? Perfection?.... Try secret agent man..... It was pretty cool....
He deserves to be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. A crime that he isn't.
He's one of my all time favorites. Sum mer Rain and Poor Side of Town..
Definitely a beautiful song. I dug both versions, still do. Johnny was so cool of a singer. Awesome voice! Harri, thanks for bringing his great music to light again, sadly it was forgotten by many. Much appreciate all those who requested his great songs.
No one has ever done it like Johnny Rivers for me. The backup vocals are impeccable!
@@reneerocha1796 I agree, so sad he's become a forgotten singer. Big fan of his.
Oh, yes, Summer Rain!
Ya...Poor side of town!!
Rivers was absolutely HUGE in the 60s, hit after hit after hit. Don't know if you could fit them all on one album. Love it.
Yes, I remember him appearing a lot on the numerous variety TV shows back in the 60’s
shame he's not in the HoF
@@Hobodeluxe960 No kidding !!!
I've got his greatest hits cd.
@@sherrybrown6136 I'm still listening to the cassette, LOL, great music.
Poor side Of Town is a must hear if you haven't done it yet. Other hits: Memphis Tennesee, Swayin To The Music, Secret Agent Man, Midnight Special, summer Rain and Mountain Of Love among others.
Holland-Dozier-Holland, who wrote this song told Johnny that they listened to his version over and over when they got it and couldn’t believe how good it was. The fantastic Darlene Love and the Blossoms provided the backing vocals.
Originally done by The Four Tops in 1964, in the Motown style, this was their first million dollar record, making it to Number 4 on the Billboard Hot 100's.
Johnny River's version puts an orchestral pop style spin on the original with backing vocals by the LA Phil musicians who sang on The Mamas and Papas hits. His beautiful vocals made this song climb to Number 3 on the Billboard Hot 100's. Great reaction Harri. Thanks Harri and Craig. 👏👏 Cheers from Canada 🇨🇦
You’re welcome!
Check out more of Johnie Rivers!
Johnny Rivers was a unique act in popular music. More than half of all the hits he had (and there were many) were covers. He probably holds the record for doing the most cover songs. They may have been covers but he somehow managed to make them his own and could still make them sound fresh and unique. You should check out another Motown cover he did called "The Tracks of My Tears", a song that was a big hit for Smoky Robinson and the Miracles. Johnny had a long and successful career spanning 3 decades. He even owned his own record company, Soul City, which played a big part in making "The Fifth Dimension" big stars. Johnny sold more than 30 million records, had 29 chart hits, had 17 gold records, and won 2 Grammy Awards. You always knew when you were listening to a Johnny Rivers song, and it always sounded great.
The super beautiful backing voices of the song is Darlene Love and the Blossoms heavenly voices 👍👍
No way! Mrs. Murtaugh (Lethal Wespon) is singing back up vocals? AWESOME!💕💕💕
Johnny Rivers sang the the theme song for the Brittish series Secret Agent Man starring Patrick McGoohan way back in the 60's. Loved the the series here in Canada. 😊
Love Johnny try summer rain and mountain of love
He’s done Mountain Of Love
Phil Collins covered Diana Ross and the Supremes "You can't hurry Love,"brilliantly.
James Taylor covered Marvin Gaye's "How sweet it is to be Loved by you",sounds great
Watching him live at the Whisky A go go all those many years back in LA was magical even though I didn't realize it till years later. His voice live was so pure.
Another great from Johnny is "Swaying to the Music". Thanks much for todays play and your nice reation.
Love Johnny Rivers and his many hits, especially Poor Side of Town. Saw Johnny in concert some years ago and he was great. Also a big fan of him doing Secret Agent Man. His rendition of this song is really good, and as you said it’s different from Levi and the Tops. I remember when this came out and it really climbed the charts. Thanks for this. 👏👏
I think Poor Side of Town is still my favorite by Johnny Rivers but this is great too.
Seen him several times over the last 20 years and he’s even better live.
The great Johnny Rivers. Johnny was the first artist to play for the famous Whiskey A Go Go in 1964 when it opened. Gorgeous voice. Check out Secret Agent Man. Major hits all.
Always loved Johnny Rivers. Takes me back to school sock hops and dances at the skating rink in the late 60's. Thanks Harri!!
"Rockin Pneumonia and The Boogie Woogie Flu" and "Poor Side of Town". Johnny sang the shit out of those songs. 👌💯
harri you've got to see him sing this on the ed sullivan show with all the girls dancing to his singing
Wow, haven’t heard this in years. Memphis, Poor Side of Town, Secret Agent (TV show theme song )
As you stated, this is one of the few Motown covers that is different enough from the Motown version that makes it stand on its own with its own set of fantastic nuances.
You need to hear (Slow Dancin') Swayin' to the Music by this artist, Harri!
🎶💙Lucky to see him in concert. I noticed how small he was but what a huge voice. 💙🎶
Love his voice. Have you heard him do “Rocking Pneumonia and the Boogie Woogie Flu??
Always one of my favorites when I was a teen. Mountain of Love and Secret Agent Man are two more worth reactions.
He has done Mountain Of Love
Fantastic!
My Johnny Rivers lovers coming Brasil, tô do a show.
My friend, Johnny, Very,Very Good.
This song was made for Johnny Rivers
Usually I don't like covers as much as the originals , and having said that I also really love Levi Stubbs and the 4 Tops as a vocal group. But this one, I really think I prefer this to the original...I think the slower tempo is what really brings it home for me.
Great Reaction Harri, I love when I hear a song that is done by several different performers and each does their own special magic with the song and you get a completely unique feel from each version and this is definitely one of those. I grew up with Johhny Rivers and I love his music and his songs always brings back such wonderful memories for me, such a greatly needed thing in this troubled world we live in today, I think if it wasn't for the old music sometimes I would never survive. God Bless Mate and Cheers from across the Pond. 🤠
Oh yeah,Heard this on the radio alot during childhood. ❤️
loved this song then
and now!
Hard to find a bad version of this song! Try "rockin pneumonia and the boogie woogie flu"😊
Another great performer that I haven't heard in a long time
Great reaction. Johnny does a good job with this Holland-Dozier-Holland song.
One of the great ones!!!! ❤❤
Johnny Rivers was HUGE in the 1960s and 70s, has ten of millions of fans and has sold more records that you can shake a stick at. Yet the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has snubbed him. Need I say what I think of of the RRHoF?
Great reaction and insight, Harri! It's always been a hard choice for me between Johnny River's version and the Four Tops version. So, I decided not to choose. I love and appreciate both. At the teen dances we used to have back in the 60's, Johnny's version we could slow dance to. The Four Tops version was a little more upbeat, so we could fast dance to (especially if I didn't want to be 'close' to the guy who asked me to dance 😅). Two different styles. Both exceptional.
We had two of Johnny's albums in my house when I was growing up and I used to play them back to back almost every day. That's where I learned to sing it's!
Baby I Need Your Lovin'" was covered in 1967 by Johnny Rivers, reaching No. 3 on Billboard Hot 100, topping the original version in chart performance.[6] The song reached #1
Great request Craig. Nice review from Harri. 🌺✌️
I love the music of Johnny Rivers. He should be in the RRHOF. Great, Great Reaction to his song.
Johnny Rivers was another one of those ubiquitous multi-talented Italian-American singer/musicians who was successful in numerous genres of music.
Love this version by Johnny Rivers. Totally agree with your reaction, Harri
Slow Dancing (swayin to the music) , Poor Side of Town, Memphis Tennessee, Mountain of Love,
Saw him a couple of times in the 80s and discovered he also was a great new orleans blues guitarrist which he played with a big band blues group ala the blues brothers, GREAT SHOWS!!!
Takes me back to high school dances. I had the album this was on and between cuts it had the sounds of a circus, it was really cool and different. You need to check out Poor Side of Town.
Johnny also cover Chuck Berry's Memphis. Even though it changed to tone of the song' Even Chuck copied Johnny's style and beat for the song. Most people have not heard of the original.
When Rivers heard it his manager hurried JR into the studio cuz they were afraid Elvis was going to do it first
Craig Craig Craig. I love it. Hit Harri in the face with this one.
Thanks!
love this
A decade ago I realised what a legacy of great numbers this man put out. I think he has been underrated. And although I have never bought a lot of Pop records, I have come to appreciate good Pop for what it is. Young people nowadays will unashamedly sing karaoke to all sorts of songs I dismissed as lightweight popular music at the time. More fool me.
Really like this song and enjoyed your reaction and recap!
Loved J. Rivers back in the day
You are right on about the contrast between Johnny Rivers and Levi Stubbs ...I heard and loved the Four Tops first but Johnny Rivers grew on me over time and i consider both versions classics to be honest... Love your reactions by the way Sir !! 😃
He is right behind Levi Stubbs in this song, which happens to be one of my favorites. The Four Tops is my favorite Motown group by a mile, and for me, Levi Stubbs is at the top as one of the top vocalists. Having said that, I really do enjoy the talent of Johnny Rivets and grew up in the 60s listening to both.
I agree totally, Levi owned this song. Johnny Rivers version is very good, but The 4 Tops version is the best in my opinion.😊
Darlene Love and The Blossoms singing background, Magic
They make the so ever more beautiful there backing voice are superb excellent lovely 👌👌Angelic voices gives you the chills
Hi, I just came across you a couple of days ago and I would like to say thank you, I am a child of the sixties yes I am a mature woman, now you know my age, I'm still very young at heart though (big smile). My favorite will always be The Four Tops, you really have brought me back in time to the wonderful sound of Motown. I honestly believe that every Black person was born with rhythm
and you are a joy to watch whether singing or dancing. Thank you again I will continue to watch and enjoy your channel.
☮️❤️🔥🔥🔥🎵🎶🎵...😎
Another artist I grew up with. Johnny could sing different genres of music including pop, folk, blues & rock 'n' roll. He had a lot of hits during the 60's-70's such as "Memphis", "Maybelline", "The Seventh Son", "Secret Agent Man", "Summer Rain", "Midnight Special", "Where Have All the Flowers Gone?" etc.
Johnny also has a very good song which was on the 45 rpm flip side of "Poor Side Of Town" titled "A Man Can Cry." He also released a good song
in '80 which is relatively unknown titled "China."
Harri B, I'd like to pass along another good '60's to early '70's singer that many of you may like. You may know southern boy Billy Joe Royal by only
one song named "Down In The Boondocks." His first '65 LP/CD titled "Down In The Boondocks" has a lot of other really good country/pop songs on it.
They are: 1) I Knew You When 2) Pollyanna 3) Those Railroad Tracks In Between 4) Leaning On You 5) King Of Fools 6) Heartaches And Teardrops
7) Funny How Time Slips Away 8) I've Got To Be Somebody * 9) Cherry Hill Park (This was Billy's last big hit song from '69).* Enjoy!
Always loved "Secret Agent Man". Maybe not his best song, but it was a really cool show. As was it's semi sequel "The Prisoner". "They've given you a number and taken away your name".
I do like your reaction videos.
johnny rivers covers songs like no one else. he makes the songs his own. he does songs better than the originals. rivers covers are all the versions we remember.
You hit it right, Harri. Mr. Stubbs was always at the top of his emotions (in my opinion). Rivers relied on his smooth voice but put emotion of his own in there, esp when he cracks his voice at a few points. Love your reactions as always.
I really like The Four Tops, but I do prefer listening to Johnny Rivers sing this song. 😊
I like it 💖
Hi! Hari, if you haven't already, could you do some Otis Redding? Dock of the Bay? Tenderness?
He also stands toe to toe with The Miracles & Linda Ronstadt with a great version of Tracks Of My Tears & actually outcharts them both.
BY the way, he also produced the first few hit singles from The Fifth Dimension.
🔥🔥🔥🔥
Mountain of Love has always caught at my mind…find myself
singing it often. 60 or so years! He has such a legacy right? ❤️🔥
Great pick Harri!
Johnny (often overlooked and underappreciated) did very well chart wise with some other Motown covers (definitely worth looking into) plus some other great hits. Some people remember his live cover of Memphis and the title song, Secret Agent Man, from the U.S. released version of the British TV series, Danger Man. Great Song, Great Production. Great Reaction. :)
While I adore The Four Tops original version, I still give a slight edge to Johnny River's version. Not sure why. Probably because I like Johnny's voice (not that Levi Stubbs is a slouch when it comes to amazing singing voices!) just a bit better in this one. It was before my time, but I heard it on oldies radio stations enough to get very fond of it.
You should hear his cover of Smokey Robinsons “Tracks of my Tears” I like it better than the original, and that’s saying something!
I always enjoy your reactions Harri, you seem to genuinely love music and give perspectives I have not even thought of. It’s like revisiting these songs all over again. Thank you ☺️
One of the best Johnny Rivers' songs is "Secret Agent Man" which has one of the best ever guitar riffs. Hope you get a chance to check it out one day. By the way, Human Nature is an Australian group who had a few hits in the late 1990s and then became a big success in Las Vegas.
You need to do. Summer Rain
Johnny Rivers version is goose-pimples worthy. He could have made bad lyrics sound great.
It takes balls to cover Levi Stubbs
I'm sorry but he can't beat the Four Tops singing this!
Not the best voice but he had "it"! Something that kept us coming back for more, again and again.... And for slow dancing? Perfection?.... Try secret agent man..... It was pretty cool....
He was always a favorite over far better voices.He was special in a way I've never quite understood, he was real, and that was cool....
Man, you must be tone deaf. Their is no way he compare to Levi Stubb's. Johnny Rivers always sing off tune.
Huh?
That is just a silly statement. Period.