THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

499-The Rays-Silhouettes.

1957-Has never charted in the UK.

Best Bit-At 1.55. A farcical case of mistaken identity (silly sod) but thankfully a happy ending.

The Rays were an American ‘Doo-Wop’ group formed in New York City in 1955 by Harold Miller (lead singer) Walter Ford (tenor) David Jones (tenor) and Harry James (baritone) they remained active into the early 1960’s. They recorded the original version of ‘Silhouettes,’ which reached Number 3 on Billboard in 1957, giving them their only Pop hit.’Silhouettes’ was co-written by Bob Crewe (1930-2014) and Frank Slay (1930-2017) who both also co-owned the small independent record label ‘XYZ,’ in Philadelphia, United States, also the label the Rays were signed to. This song went on to become the first million seller for Crewe who in later years would go on to great success with the Four Seasons, and others. Other notable songs written by Frank Slay include ‘Daddy Cool,’ and ‘Tallahassee Lassie.’ As a producer he was responsible for the 1967 Billboard Number 1 single ‘Incense and Peppermints’ by Strawberry Alarm Clock.

The version by the Rays had competition from a version by the Canadian band ‘The Diamonds’ who made Number 10 on Billboard, when released concurrently in 1957. The song became a hit in the UK when covered by Herman’s Hermits in 1965, reaching Number 3, and in 1990 a live version by Cliff Richard made Number 10 in the UK. John Lennon has stated that the Beatles song ‘No Reply’ was inspired by him hearing ‘Silhouettes’.

Bob Crewe (see also best songs 1007-914-863-739-393-284-164-112 and 83) has said that he was travelling by train when he spotted a silhouette of a couple embracing inside a house at one of the stops. The song tells of someone who sees his sweetheart in an embrace with another behind closed curtains, in a dimmed light. He is overcome with dismay, until he realises that he is in the wrong street, and it is not his sweetheart after all.

‘Lost control; and rang your bell, I was sore. Let me in, or else I’ll beat down your door. When two strangers who have been two silhouettes on the shade said to my shock,’You’re on the wrong block.”