THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

407-Zombies-Time of the Season.

1967-Has never charted in the UK.

Best Bit-At 3.07. It’s uncanny, but when listening to this song, it makes you feel nostalgic for an era when you weren’t even born.

The Zombies were formed in St Albans, Hertfordshire, England, in 1961, by Rod Argent, (keyboards) Hugh Grundy (drums) and Paul Atkinson, (1946-2004) (guitar) they were soon joined by Colin Blunstone, (vocals) and Chris White, (bass) to complete the classic line up.White was the last to join the group, being the replacement for the original bassist Paul Arnold who lost interest in the group, leaving to pursue a career as a physician in 1962. It was Arnold who chose the bands name.

The Zombies remained active until 1967, but have reformed with varying line ups, on and off since 1968. There have been three studio Albums released, the latest ‘R.I.P.’ which wasn’t released until 2000 consisted of material mainly recorded between 1964-1966. They also released 18 singles between 1964-1969, their only top 40 hit in the UK was their first release ‘She’s Not There,’ (see also best songs 158) while in America on Billboard, where they were part of ‘The British Invasion,’ they charted on three occasions.

After the release of the bands debut Album ‘Begin Here,’ re-titled ‘The Zombies,’ for the American market was released on Decca records in 1965, the band moved to Columbia records where they recorded the critically acclaimed second Album ‘Odessey and Oracle.’ The Album is often included in ‘best of’ lists, with ‘Rolling Stone’ magazine placing it at Number 100 in their ‘500 Greatest Albums of All Time,’ Paul Weller of The Jam has stated it is one of his all time favourites. Shortly before the release of ‘Odessey and Oracle’ the band decided to split, with Rod Argent going on to form the Rock band ‘Argent,’ in 1969, and then pursuing a solo career with the release of his debut Album ‘Moving Home’ in 1978. Colin Blunstone went on to record 12 Albums between 1971-2012, and achieve four UK top 40 singles, one of them being a cover version of the Zombies ‘She’s Not There,’ recorded using the name Neil MacArthur, and reaching Number 34 in 1969.

‘Time of the Season’ was written by Rod Argent who has said of the song,’One of my favourite records was George Gershwin’s ‘Summertime,’ we used to do a version of it when we started out. The words in the verse,’What’s your name? Who’s your daddy? Is he rich like me,?’ were an affectionate nod in that direction.'(see also best songs 231.)

It was the A&R representative at Columbia records Al Kooper (see also best songs (see also best songs 204-12 and 7) who had faith in the ‘Odessey and Oracle’ Album that made ‘Time of the Season’ a surprise hit. Kooper saw the songs potential, and kept on promoting it, and after months of bubbling under it finally took off, eventually peaking at Number 3 on Billboard in 1969.

‘It’s the time of the season when love runs high, and this time give it to me easy, and let me try with pleasured hands to take you in the sun to promised lands.’