Workers replacing the roof of the United Methodist Church on Main Street in Nashua brought back memories a popular 1960s tune.
Up on the Roof was recorded in 1962 by the Drifters, a soul/R&B group. Released late that year, the song became a major hit in early 1963, reaching number 5 on the U.S. pop singles chart and 4 on the U.S. R&B singles chart. In the U.K., it was also a Top Ten hit for solo artist Kenny Lynch. It's one of The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll. Two years later in 1964, the Drifters recorded Under the Boardwalk.
The song was written by husband and wife songwriters, Gerry Goffin and Carole King. King had suggested that Goffin write lyrics for the tune which had come to her while she was driving. She suggested My Secret Place as the title. Goffin kept King's suggested focus of a rooftop haven, combining it with his enthusiasm for the 1961 movie musical West Side Story which contained scenes on rooftops of NYC Upper West Side tenements.
Here's a fuzzy YouTube video of the Drifters performing with lead singer Johnny Moore.
And, now you know, more of the story. (Sorry, if it causes an earworm.)
Enjoy Your Weekend, Everyone.
We're going to find a "castle" in the NH woods
24 comments:
Vaguely remember that song. My world a steep roof.
A blast from the past. I remember that song. Thanks for the video. And thanks for the history of the song. I was not aware of that. Enjoy your day and your visit to the castle, hugs, Edna B.
No earworm for me as I don't know the song and I am not going to be tempted to play it. I am old enough to know it, but I must have been listening to Johnny Mathis that year. 🎶
Goffin and King wrote some marvellous songs. It was a hit over here for Kenny Lynch. Love it.
There's a church here that's having that work done. It probably makes sense right now to get something done that would be otherwise disruptive.
Love this song!
I haven't heard this song in so many years. It sent me back in time to my younger days. Loved it!
Hi I really enjoyed reading of the song writers and I LOVE listening to the Drifters. That song has always brought out my dancing shoes lol. Too bad I can't dance with my knee right now but I like it stuck in my head along with Under the boardwalk.
Have a awesome weekend xoxoxo Beth
Hmm, don't really remember it as one of the songs high schoolers were listening to in those days. However, when I listened to it, it was vaguely familiar.
I remember when this song came out (and Under The Boardwalk, too). started listening to my very own transistor radio when I was 10 in 1961. Brought back memories. :)
Since I have an incredible fear of heights, it will take me awhile to recover from that photo!
"At night the stars put on a show for free..."
Now this is my kind of earworm! I love this song.
I had no idea that Gerry Goffin and Carole King wrote "Up on the Roof", though I shouldn't be surprised, given all the great tunes they turned out.
"Under the Boardwalk" is another classic and another song that I could hear every day.
Thanks so much!
such a divine song dear Dorothy !
i loved it ,reminds me of night sky from my life spent in my native town :)
thank you for lovely gift :)
blessings to you and family!
OMG, both this song and "Under the Boardwalk" remind me of my childhood. I was only nine years old at the time, but I clearly remember hearing these songs on the radio. And I also think my older sister had these songs on 45 records.
LOVED the video and the location. My favorite city...New York!
Thanks for the great memories. And have fun finding the castle!
Beatrice, Love the old music! My CD player (yes, some of us still have one) is currently loaded with the first 5 CDs from the Time-Life Rock and Roll series. Takes me back to my early to late teens... Stay Safe and Take Care, Big Daddy Dave
I think that's one that used to be on my Sweating to the Oldies DVD. Always loved that song!
Waaa these brave workers reminded me of our drive earlier with my sister, we saw 40 foot electric towers with workers perched on top of them without a harness, fixing it. OMG It was so wild and I pray for each and everyone of their safety!
Earworm yes, but it is a fine one to have...and perfectly illustrated with your photo. ... . we saw a musical a couple of years ago about the life of Carole King (traveling Broadway theater here in Eugene) ... it was so good! Can’t remember the name of it, but loved it...all the good songs and her interesting story. ...(oh the good old days when we could enjoy live entertainment).
I just looked it up...it is called “Beautiful: The Carole King Story” ...Even if I didn’t remember, I probably should have been able to guess it , at least the part after the colon )) !
I ran Bobby Vee's fan club for 10 years so I know all about the classic songs from this era!
That's a very steep roof, I wouldn't want to be up there. Nice song, fits perfectly with the photo. Nice post!
My knees feel like jello when I see roofers on very steep roofs! Especially slate roofs! We have a lot of old cathedral like churches in Allentown, Bethlehem, Easton area of PA where I live. I am a big fan of 50s and 60s music. I still listen to those mentioned and sing along with them on XM while driving. 💖
Good info! Thansk for sharing the video. I wish today's music was equally enjoyable. I'm not a fan of some of today's music themes.
Trabalhar num telhado com esse declive não deve ser nada fácil.
Gosto muito de música soul.
Abraço.
Juvenal Nunes
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