Almost nothing was off-limits in the music of the 1960s. Whether it was a love song, a sad song, or just a feel-good tune, the music of the 1960s remains one of the best eras in music. These are three of the best songs that came out in 1964. The lyrics didn’t make much sense, but we still love them today.
“C’mon And Swim” by Bobby Freeman
The title track of Bobby Freeman’s fourth and final album, “C’mon And Swim” was written by Thomas Coman and Sylvester Stewart. Although it may seem like it’s about being in the water, the song is actually about a dance.
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The simple lyrics say in part, “C’mon everybody, c’mon in / Bobby’s gonna show you how to do the swim / Kinda like The Monkey, kinda like The Twist / Pretend you’re in the water and you go like this / Now baby, swim / Baby, do The Swim.”
“C’mon And Swim” is Freeman’s second and final Top 5 single on the pop charts. The first was “Do You Want To Dance”, Freeman’s debut single. Numerous artists later covered “C’mon And Swim”, including Ray Anthony, Billy Strange, and Martha and the Vandellas.
“Bread And Butter” by The Newbeats
“Bread And Butter” is the first single by The Newbeats. It is also their biggest hit. On their freshman Bread & Butter album, “Bread And Butter” was written by Larry Parks and Jay Turnbow.
The song says, “Well, she don’t cook mashed potatoes / She don’t cook T-bone steaks / She don’t feed me peanut butter / She knows that I can’t take / He likes bread and butter / He likes toast and jam / That’s what his baby feeds him / He’s her loving man.”
“Um, Um, Um, Um, Um, Um” by Major Lance
“Um, Um, Um, Um, Um, Um” is the title track of Major Lance’s sophomore record. His only No. 1 R&B single, “Um, Um, Um, Um, Um, Um” also became a Top 5 pop single. It later became part of Major Lance’s Greatest Hits Recorded Live at the Torch, out in 1973.
“Um, Um, Um, Um, Um, Um” says, “Walking through the park, it wasn’t quite dark / There was a man sitting on a bench / Out of the crowd as his head lowly bowed / He just moaned and he made no sense / He’d just go / Um, um, um, um, um, um / Um, um, um, um, um, um / Um, um, um, um, um, um / Um, um, um, um, um, um.”
Photo by Gilles Petard/Redferns
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British rock band, Badfinger, filming a performance of 'Day After Day' to be used as an insert for the 'Top Of The Pops', music show, BBC Television Centre, London, 26th January 1972. It is unclear whether the segment was ever broadcast. Left to right: Mike Gibbins (1949 – 2005), Pete Ham (1947 – 1975), Tom Evans (1947 – 1983) and Joey Molland. (Photo by Michael Putland/Getty Images) -
Kyu Sakamoto. (1941-1985) Japanese singer, best known outside Japan for his international hit song "Ue o Muite Aruko" (known as "Sukiyaki" in English-speaking markets), which was sung in Japanese and sold over 13 million copies. It reached number one in the United States Billboard Hot 100 in June 1963, making Sakamoto the first Asian recording artist to have a number one song on the chart. (Photo by Sjöberg Bildbyrå/ullstein bild via Getty Images) -
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CIRCA 1965: Country singer Eddy Arnold poses for a portrait sitting in a chair in circa 1965. (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images) -
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – NOVEMBER 09: Alan Jackson performs onstage at The 56th Annual CMA Awards at Bridgestone Arena on November 09, 2022 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Terry Wyatt/WireImage) -
(MANDATORY CREDIT Koh Hasebe/Shinko Music/Getty Images) Pink Floyd live at Hakone Aphrodite, Kanagawa, August 6, 1971. (Photo by Koh Hasebe/Shinko Music/Getty Images) -
CIRCA 1959: Country singer Kitty Wells poses for a portrait holding an acoustic guitar in circa 1959. (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images) -
1978 AMERICAN MUSIC AWARDS – Broadcast Coverage – Airdate: January 16, 1978. (Photo by ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images) STEVIE WONDER, WINNER FAVORITE SOUL/R&B MALE ARTIST