THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

887-The Bachelors-Hello Dolly!

1966-Number 38 single.

Best Bit-At 0.52. The Bachelors were originally called ‘The Harmonichords,’ but at the suggestion of Dick Rowe, (1921-1986) A&R at Decca Records, he recommended the name change to ‘The Bachelors,’ ‘Because that’s the kind of boy, a girl likes.’

‘Hello Dolly!’ was written by Jerry Herman, (1931-2019) for the 1964 musical of the same name, with music and lyrics by Jerry Herman, and a book by Michael Stewart, (1924-1987) based on Thornton Wilder’s (1897-1975) 1938 farce ‘The Merchant of Yonkers,’ which Wilder revised, and retitled ‘The Matchmaker’ in 1955. Jerry Herman was born Gerald Sheldon Herman on July 10th, 1931, in New York City, United States, he died on December 26th, 2019, at the age of 88. Herman was also the composer and lyricist for other successful Broadway Musicals, including ‘Mame,’ (1966) and ‘La Cage aux Folles’ (1983.) Herman who was openly gay, wrote ‘I Am What I Am,’ for ‘La Cage aux Folles,’ which has become a ‘Gay Pride’ anthem, and was a 1983 hit single for Gloria Gaynor (UK Number 13.)

‘Hello Dolly!’ was first sung by the American actress Carol Channing, (1921-2019) who starred as Dolly Gallagher Levi, in the original 1964 Broadway cast. The American Jazz trumpeter, and vocalist Louis Armstrong (1901-1971) (see also best songs 1039-767-286-231 and 100) was asked to make a demonstration recording of ‘Hello, Dolly!’ for the song’s publisher to use to promote the show. When the Louis Armstrong recording was issued as a single in 1964, it went all the way to Number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in America, breaking a 14 weeks run at the top by three consecutive Beatles singles. When Armstrong was asked about his new Number 1 song, he replied, ‘It sure feels good to be up there with those Beatles.’ ‘Hello Dolly!’ became the best selling single of Armstrong’s career, and at the age of 62, he was the oldest ever artist to have a Billboard Number 1, since the charts modern day inception in 1958. In 1969 ‘Hello Dolly!’ was made into a musical romantic comedy starring Barbra Streisand, (see also best songs 699 and 145) where Louis Armstrong made a guest appearance performing part of the song.

Just prior to the release of the film version of ‘Hello Dolly!’ the American songwriter Mack David (1912-1993) filed a lawsuit against Jerry Herman for infringement of copyright, claiming that the first four bars of ‘Hello, Dolly!’ were the same as those in the refrain of David’s song ‘Sunflower,’ from 1948. Herman claimed that he had never heard ‘Sunflower’ before the lawsuit, and wanted a chance to defend himself in court, but, for the sake of those involved in the show, and the potential film, he reluctantly agreed to pay a settlement before the case would have gone to trial. Herman agreed to pay $200,000 so that the film which could potentially make millions wouldn’t be delayed. In 1998 Herman said,’I didn’t mean to use six notes that sounded like some other song. I need to copy somebody else’s song like I need another nostril.’

There are many noteworthy versions of ‘Hello Dolly!’ with the Louis Armstrong recording being considered the definitive, but I have always had a soft spot for The Bachelors arrangement and delivery of the song. The Bachelors were formed in Dublin, Ireland, in 1957, by the brothers Conleth (Con) Cluskey, (1935-2022) and Declan (Dec) Cluskey, along with their friend John Stokes. The trio remained together until 1984, when the Cluskey brothers had a fall out with Stokes. Following the split, the Cluskey brothers appeared as ‘The New Bachelors,’ and Stokes as ‘Stokes & Coe.’ Stokes allegedly also then appeared as ‘The New Bachelors,’ and the Cluskey’s performed as ‘Con & Dec, The Bachelors.’ It is estimated that there are over 70 Albums of the recordings of The Bachelors available on the market worldwide, with a total of 29 singles released between 1962-1969, they have also issued three extended plays. In their native Ireland they have achieved eight top 40 singles, with ‘I Wouldn’t Trade You for the World,’ reaching Number 1 in 1964. In the UK, they have charted within the top 40 on 17 occasions, with ‘Diane,’ from 1964, being their one chart topper. While in America on Billboard, they have had six top 40 hits, on the Hot 100, with ‘Diane’ peaking the highest at Number 10.

‘We feel the room swayin’, for the band’s playin’ one of your old favourite songs from way back when. So, golly gee, fellas, find her a vacant knee, fellas, Dolly’ll never go away, Dolly’ll never go away, Dolly’ll never go away again.’