My song today is ‘Because They’re Young’. This instrumental was performed by Duane Eddy. It appeared on his 1960 album,’ $1000,000 Worth of Twang’. "Because They're Young" was written by Aaron Schroeder and Don Costa. It ranked Number 37 on Billboard magazine's Top 100 Songs’ hot spot of 1960.
‘Because They're Young’ reached Number 2 on the ‘UK Singles Chart’. In the US, it went to Number 4 on the ‘Billboard Hot 100’ and Number 17 on the R&B chart. Helen Shapiro put out her rendition and recording of the song on 10th, March 1962.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
When this song was first released, it had its own remarkable sound that was sufficient to make the tune instantly identifiable by the listener after playing one or a few notes only. There was a popular television show at the time called ‘Guess that Tune’. If my memory recalls correctly, the show contestants had 15 seconds after the commencement of the tune to ‘guess that song’. Of course, 15 seconds was usually required before the song title could possibly register with the listener, but if a contestant could correctly guess the song before 15 seconds, they were usually on course to buzzing first and winning that bout. Anyone who buzzed too quickly and was incorrect in their guess of the song would be excluded for the rest of that round.
The show’s popularity and viewing ratings rapidly grew week upon week. I will never forget when ‘Because they’re Young’ by Duane Eddy started to play one week, the buzzers of the contestants started to be instantly pressed after the very first few notes had been played (not only by every show contestant but by each one of the nation’s armchair viewers), which would often top twenty million people watching the show. I guess that Duane Eddy did have $100,000 of twang that was so recognisable to fall into this league.
Love and peace
Bill xxx