Rock music in the early 1960s had its own unique sound and style. An era of music that is nearly timeless, these are three of the best rock songs that came out in 1963. They are so good, I can’t help but smile when I hear them today.
“(You’re The) Devil In Disguise” by Elvis Presley
“(You’re The) Devil In Disguise” is one of Presley’s many hit singles. The song, written by Bill Giant, Bernie Baum, and Florence Kaye, peaked in the Top 5, although it hit No. 1 in numerous other countries.
Videos by American Songwriter
A song calling out a woman for her indiscretions, “(You’re The) Devil In Disguise” says,” You’re the devil in disguise / Oh, yes you are / The devil in disguise / You fooled me with your kisses / You cheated, and you schemed / Heaven knows how you lied to me / You’re not the way you seemed.”
When “(You’re The) Devil In Disguise” was released, it was not originally part of an album. Five years later, in 1968, Presley included this song on his compilation project, Elvis’ Gold Records, Vol. 4.
Presley released more than a dozen singles after“(You’re The) Devil In Disguise”. Still, this song is his last Top 5 hit until “Crying In The Chapel”, out in 1965.
“My Boyfriend’s Back” by The Angels
The Angels’ only big hit, “My Boyfriend’s Back” remains one of the most popular songs of the 1960s. The title track of their sophomore album, Bob Feldman, Jerry Goldstein, and Richard Gottehrer are the three writers of the uptempo tune.
“My Boyfriend’s Back” says, “My boyfriend’s back he’s gonna save my reputation / Hey-la-day-la my boyfriend’s back / If I were you I’d take a permanent vacation / Hey-la, hey-la, my boyfriend’s back / Yeah, my boyfriend’s back.”
The song has since been covered multiple times, including by The Chiffons and Martha and the Vandellas. In 1983, Melissa Manchester had a Top 40 hit with her version of this song.
“It’s My Party” by Lesley Gore
“It’s My Party” is Lesley Gore’s debut single. It is also the only No. 1 hit of her career. On her freshman I’ll Cry If I Want To record, the song was written by Herb Wiener, John Gluck Jr., and Wally Gold.
An innocent song about lost love, “It’s My Party” begins with the chorus, which says, “It’s my party, and I’ll cry if I want to / Cry if I want to / Cry if I want to / You would cry too, if it happened to you.”
Although Gore didn’t have another single reach the top of the charts, she did have other successful songs. “Judy’s Turn To Cry”, “She’s A Fool”, and “You Don’t Own Me” all reached the Top 5.
“It’s My Party” was produced by Quincy Jones. In 2010, Amy Winehouse released a cover of this song for Q Soul Bossa Nostra, a Quincy Jones tribute album.
Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
More The List
-
(MANDATORY CREDIT Koh Hasebe/Shinko Music/Getty Images) Elton John performs on stage at Shibuya-Kokaido, Tokyo, Japan, 10th May 1971. (Photo by Koh Hasebe/Shinko Music/Getty Images) -
George Harrison of The Beatles pop group pictured at the Apple Headquarters in London, 2nd January 1969. (Photo by Steel/Mirrorpix/Getty Images) -
Photo by Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images -
English rock band Procol Harum posed outside the Centre Point office building at St Giles Circus in London in May 1967. Members of the group are, from left, Ray Royer, Bobby Harrison (1939-2022), David Knights, Gary Brooker (1945-2022) and Matthew Fisher. (Photo by Ivan Keeman/Redferns) -
Toto, Group shot, f.l.t.r.: Steve Porcaro, Jeff Porcaro, David Paich, Mike Porcaro, Steve Lukather, Amsterdam, Netherlands, 27th September 1982 (Photo by Rob Verhorst/Redferns) -
British singer-songwriter David Bowie performing at BC Place in Vancouver, during his Serious Moonlight tour, Canada, 9th August 1983. (Photo by Armando Gallo/Getty Images)
