We tend to think of the British Invasion in terms of the so-called “beat” groups, who crashed the charts with their peppy songs full of hard-charging electric guitars and drums. But some groups relied on other traits to get their music across to the public at large.
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In the case of The Fortunes, their vocal harmonies are what set them apart. And when they needed it most, those golden voices helped them to a breakthrough hit in the 1965 single “You’ve Got Your Troubles.”
Fortunes Rising
The first incarnation of The Fortunes began in 1960 when group members Rod Allen and Barry Pritchard teamed up while still just in their teens. They were, at various times, The Strollers and The Cliftones, before they settled on their long-term group name.
They also changed their musical focus a few times. Pirate radio maven Reg Calvert championed them, although he initially thought they’d be better suited as a supporting act behind a strong lead singer. Eventually, Glen Dale joined Allen and Pritchard to perfect the Fortunes’ vocal blend. Other members during their heyday were keyboardist David Carr and drummer Andy Brown.
Calvert got them a record deal with Decca Records. Decca had originally passed on The Beatles but had made up for it by landing an impressive stable of artists, including The Rolling Stones. Unfortunately, The Fortunes’ first batch of singles struggled to gain exposure, and they were in danger of losing their deal.
“Troubles” No More
Decca producer Noel Walker convinced his bosses The Fortunes possessed the kind of vocal ability to break through with the right material. He urged the band to try recording a single where the instrumentation was handled by session musicians. That would allow Allen, Pritchard, and Dale to concentrate on their harmonies.
All that they needed at that point was a song. Luckily, writers Roger Greenaway and Roger Cook rose to the occasion with a track called “You’ve Got Your Troubles.” The duo created a song that played into the group’s strengths, including a melody perfect for harmony singing and even a section where a vocal countermelody was needed.
On top of that, producer Walker devised an arrangement that utilized horns to play off the vocals. “You’ve Got Your Troubles” not only provided a breakthrough for The Fortunes in their native UK, but it also rushed the U.S. charts, hitting No. 7 in 1965.
What is “You’ve Got Your Troubles” About?
The song’s narrator is listening to the complaints of a loser in love, but he’s a bit too distracted by his own issues to be very sympathetic, constantly replying, You’ve got your troubles, I’ve got mine. I too have lost my love today, he explains about his surly mood. All of my dreams have flown away.
By the end of the song, he’s apologizing for his attitude: And so forgive me if I seem unkind (I ain’t got no pity for you). At least he promises he’ll eventually yield some assistance when his own storm has passed: I’ll help another place, another time.
The Fortunes proved to have a bit more staying power than many British bands of that era. For example, they managed a Top-20 U.S. single in 1971 with “Here Comes That Rainy Day Feeling Again.” Great voices never go out of style, and “You’ve Got Your Troubles” provided the first evidence of that for this group.
Photo by Don Paulsen/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
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