THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

268-Billy Fury-In Summer.

1963-Number 5 single.

Best Bit-At 0.38. If I had my way I would invent a new genre of music which I would call ‘Summer Music.’ There are many great songs in this countdown that make you dream of the sun beaming down on you on a lovely summers day (see also best songs 25-74-176-231-344-433-643-811-911-930 and 1000.)

The famous tale is that in 1958 Billy Fury went to the Essoldo Theatre, in Birkenhead, Merseyside, England, hoping to meet the singer Marty Wilde in order to try to get him interested in some of the songs he had written. Instead in an episode that has now become Pop legend, Marty Wilde’s manager Larry Parnes (1929-1989) pushed the young Ronald Wycherley up on to the stage and made him perform right away. He was such a success that Parnes signed him up immediately, and chose the stage name ‘Billy Fury’ for him. It has been suggested that Fury’s rapid rise to fame was due in some part to his Elvis Presley (1935-1977) (see also best songs 954-664-442 and 194) influenced hip swivelling, and at times highly suggestive stage act. His performances were considered too sexual and provocative, leading to censure, and forcing him to tone down his act.

Billy Fury was born Ronald Wycherley on April 17th, 1940, in Liverpool, England, he died on January 28th, 1983, from a heart attack at the age of 42. He had contracted Rheumatic fever as a child which damaged his heart and ultimately contributed to his death. Billy Fury was one of the first British Rock N’ Roll acts, competing with contemporaries such as Cliff Richard (see also best songs 709) and Marty Wilde. His 1960 Album ‘The Sound of Fury’ on which he wrote all 10 tracks has been described as ‘The best Rock N’ Roll Album to come out of England’s beat boom of the late 1950’s.’ The discography of Billy Fury includes six studio Albums released between 1960-1983, and 49 singles released between 1959-1989, there are also 11 extended plays, (EP’s) at least 36 official compilation Albums, one soundtrack Album, and two live Albums available. In the UK Billy Fury has had 26 top 40 hit singles, with ‘Jealousy’ from 1961 peaking the highest at Number 2, he has never charted on any of the American Billboard charts. Billy Fury was also an actor appearing in three films, ‘Play It Cool,’ (1962) ‘I’ve Gotta Horse,’ (1965) and ‘That’ll Be the Day’ (1973.) By 1967 the hit singles had begun to dry up, and he had to put touring on hold as he underwent surgery for heart problems in 1972 and 1976. In 1978, he was declared bankrupt for unpaid taxes to the Inland Revenue, the taxes dated back to 1962, and amounted to £16,780, he was also forced to sign over his royalties and publishing income. His last public appearance was at the ‘Sunnyside pub,’ in Northampton, England, on December 4th, 1982, a few days before he died.

‘In Summer’ which was issued as a stand alone single, was the 19th single release, from Billy Fury in July 1963, and became his 17th hit single, and his seventh to make the UK top 5. The song was written by Valerie Murtagh, along with her sister in law Elaine Murtagh, and Elaine’s husband Ray Adams. The three of them had previously tasted chart success in 1959 as ‘The Avons’ with their cover of ‘Seven Little Girls (Sitting in the Back Seat’) which had reached Number 3 in the UK, and Number 6 in Norway. The Avons are not to be confused with the 1950’s American ‘Doo-Wop’ group of the same name, or the girl group The Avons from Nashville, Tennessee whose 1960’s output is sought out by the ‘Northern Soul’ fraternity. The trio also co-wrote ‘Dance On’ which was a UK Number 1 for The Shadows in 1963, and Number 11 for Kathy Kirby when recorded as a vocal version in the same year. Valerie Murtagh was also one of the co-writers of ‘Long Live Love’ which was the British entrant to the Eurovision Song Contest in 1974, which tied for fourth place in the competition before going on to make Number 11 in the UK chart for Olivia Newton-John (1948-2022) (see also best songs 768.)

‘In Summer’ was produced by Dick Rowe, who was born Richard Paul Brutton Rowe on June 9th, 1921, in London, England, he died on June 6th, 1986, as a result of diabetes at the age of 64. Dick Rowe was head of A&R (Singles) at Decca Records from the 1950’s to the 1970’s, and produced many top selling records during that period. He was known as ‘The man with the golden ear,’ for discovering many legendary artists, including The Rolling Stones, (see also best songs 933-662-452-160 and 77) Van Morrison, (see also best songs 762) and Cat Stevens (see also best songs 384 and 203.) Dick Rowe is fondly remembered as being artist friendly and a true music lover, who always wanted the best for talent, sometimes putting him at odds with his bosses. He is also remembered for being the man who did not sign the Beatles (see also best songs 599-456-319-238-218-141-80-51-10 and 6.) In Brian Epstein’s (1934-1967) 1964 autobiography, Rowe is quoted as having rejected them with the words, ‘Guitar groups are on their way out, Mr. Epstein,’ although he denied ever having said that.

‘Walking with the boys, talking with girls, laughing with the boys and kissing all the girls in summer.’