THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

592-Manfred Mann-Semi-Detached, Suburban Mr. James.

1966-Number 2 single.

Best Bit-At 2.08. Owning a suburban semi-detached doesn’t make you a ‘square,’ in fact it’s actually a great investment.

Manfred Mann were formed in London, England, in 1962, as the ‘Mann-Hugg Blues Brothers,’ by the South African born keyboards player Manfred Lubowitz, and the English drummer Mike Hugg. They were soon joined by Mike Vickers, (guitar) Dave Richmond, (bass) and Paul Jones (vocals.) On the advice of their music producer John Burgess, (1932-2014) they changed their name to Manfred Mann in 1963. The band initially formed as a ‘Jazzy,’ ‘Blues,’ based music group, but found mainstream success when turning to ‘Pop,’ having chart success with many cover versions, although several of their early ‘EP’s,’ and ‘B’ sides, would still be ‘R&B’ material that the band had written themselves. Dave Richmond left the group in 1964, and was replaced by Tom McGuinness, (bass) and in 1965 Jack Bruce, (1943-2014) (bass) was a member for around a year, before going on to be a co-founder of the ‘supergroup’ ‘Cream’ (see also best songs 726.) In 1966 Klaus Voormann (bass, recorder, flute, and saxophone) (see also best songs 927) joined, as did the new lead singer Mike D’Abo, who replaced Paul Jones, who left to pursue a solo career. The group were active through until 1969, with Manfred Lubowitz going on to form an entirely new group called ‘Manfred Mann’s Earth Band.’

The discography of Manfred Mann includes nine studio Albums released between 1964-1968, and 26 singles released between 1963-1969, there are also nine extended plays, and 24 official compilation Albums, one soundtrack Album, and seven box sets available. In the UK, 17 of their singles have reached the top 40, with ‘Do Wah Diddy Diddy,’ (1964) ‘Pretty Flamingo,’ (1966) and ‘Mighty Quinn’ (1968) all making the Number 1 spot. In America on the Billboard Hot 100, four of their singles have reached the top 40, with ‘Do Wah Diddy Diddy’ making Number 1. In America ‘Semi-Detached, Suburban Mr. James’ was not issued as a single, as the original version by the English group ‘Herbie’s People’ had already been released there.

‘Semi-Detached, Suburban Mr. James’ was co-written by Geoff Stephens, (1934-2020) and John Carter, with the production being by Shel Talmy (see also best songs 1014-939-926 and 770) The song was released on October 26th, 1966, the same day as the release of Manfred Mann’s third studio Album ‘As Is,’ but it did not appear on the Album. The songs first appearance on an Album in Europe, was on the groups 1971 compilation ‘This Is… Manfred Mann.’ ‘Semi-Detached, Suburban Mr. James’ is noted in that it is one of the first ‘Pop’ recordings to use the ‘Mellotron,’ an instrument that would later become prevalent in the fledgling ‘Progressive Rock’ scene. On the instrument, keyboardist Manfred Mann plays loops using the flute setting during the intro, which is then heard after each chorus. The ‘Mellotron’ was introduced to Manfred Mann by Mike Vickers, who would then introduce the instrument to the Beatles.

‘Semi-Detached, Suburban Mr. James’ was co-written by Geoff Stephens, who was born on October 1st, 1934, in New Southgate, North London, England, he died on December 24th, 2020, from pneumonia and COVID-19, at the age of 86. Geoff Stephens has written or co-written many hit singles including ‘The Crying Game,’ (1964-UK Number 5) for Dave Berry, and (1992-UK Number 5) for Boy George. In 1966 Stephens formed ‘The New Vaudeville Band,’ and wrote ‘Winchester Cathedral,’ which went to Number 1 on Billboard in America, and Number 4 in the UK in 1966. His most successful song in the UK is ‘Silver Lady,’ which was a Number 1 hit in 1977 for David Soul. The other co-writer of ‘Semi-Detached, Suburban Mr. James’ is John Carter, who was born John Nicholas Shakespeare, on October 20th, 1942, in Small Heath, Birmingham, England, he is a singer, songwriter, and record producer. John Carter had been a founding member of the English vocal trio the ‘Ivy League,’ achieving three UK top 40 singles between 1964-1965, including ‘Tossing and Turning,’ (Number 3) a song he co-wrote. Another major hit was his co-write of ‘Can’t You Hear My Heartbeat,’ which when recorded by Herman’s Hermits in 1965, reached Number 2 on Billboard in America. Carter was also a member of ‘The New Vaudeville Band,’ and it was he who sang the lead vocals on ”Winchester Cathedral.’ In the 1970’s, with Geoff Stephens he co-wrote the 1970 UK ‘Eurovision Song Contest’ entry ‘Knock, Knock Who’s There?’ for Mary Hopkin, which finished runner up in that competition that year, and in 1974, together with his wife Gillian Shakespeare, he co-wrote ‘Beach Baby’ for ‘The First Class’ (see also best songs 1000.)

The lyrics to ‘Semi-Detached, Suburban Mr. James’ are told from the point of view of a lover spurned. He tries to convince his ex girlfriend that she would find life with the new man in her life Mr James tedious and boring, where as with him, it would be excitement and adventure.

‘So you finally named the day when wedding bells will chime. I was sorry to hear you say, you’re gonna be his not mine. Do you think you will be happy, giving up your friends, for your semi-detached suburban Mr. James.’