Tommy James & The Shondells are a great American pop rock/psychedelic rock band from the 60's. They had a lot of great hits such as "Hanky Panky", "Crimson & Clover", "I Think We're Alone Now", "Mirage", "Mony Mony", "Sweet Cherry Wine", "Ball Of Fire", "Do Something To Me" & "Crystal Blue Persuasion". When Tommy went solo in the 70's "Draggin' The Line" & "Three Times In Love" were hits for him.
I love tommy James ♥ you loved mony mony by Billy idol Tommy James sang it first ❤ crimson and clover by Tommy is one of the most hippest songs you'll love it 😀
A personal message to the two of you: I love watching people who really love music react to hearing something they hear for the first time, and you two express your emotions and opinions so transparently and so well. You're a delight to watch and to listen to.
This band is well-known for this song, plus "Crystal Blue Persuasion," "Mony Mony" (which Billy Idol covered), and "Crimson & Clover" (covered by Joan Jett). All of these songs sound different.
Um, are you sure about that? I remember I think We’re Alone Now being one of their earlier hits when I was a kid in the 60s. UPDATE: I looked it up. The song was released and became a hit in 1967.
Crimson and Clover is their best selling single, but they had several hit songs. They had 14 top 40 hits. "Hanky Panky", "Say I Am (What I Am)", "It's Only Love", "I Think We're Alone Now", "Mirage", "I Like the Way", "Gettin' Together", "Mony Mony", "Do Something to Me", "Crimson and Clover", "Sweet Cherry Wine", "Crystal Blue Persuasion", "Ball of Fire", "She".
I read a book by James Michener called "Kent State" way back when.. One of the first lines in the book was "The 60's ended in 1973". That has always stayed with me.
I recommend the remastered version of Crimson and Clover. The overdubbed guitar solos were recorded on a different tape than the original master. When they were copied over to the master tape, the overdub tape machine ran at a slightly slower speed than the master tape machine, causing the overdubs to be a bit flat compared to the rest of the tune. They fixed the error when they remastered it. Tommy James has said the remastered version is the way it was always meant to be heard.
They did the original version of "Mony Mony". You guys reacted to the Billy Idol version a little while ago. "Crystal Blue Persuasion" and "Crimson and Clover" are great listens too. Tommy James, lead vocals, was on the far right of the photo from the viewer perspective.
"Draggin' the LIne" peaked at #4 on the Billboard Hot 100 in August, 1971. Their biggest hits were "Crimson and Clover", "Crystal Blue Persuasion", "Mony, Mony", "Sweet Cherry Wine", "I Think We're Alone Now" and their earliest hit "Hanky Panky" recorded in 1964 but became a hit in 1966.
Oh YES..I'm 60 years old & I skated to this in my teens & still love them today. Good skate , house cleaning, driving, & making love music. Can't go wrong with Tommy James & The Shondells..Thank you for sharing this.
I didn't find out until recently that Mr James wrote one of my favorite tunes from long ago. He wrote it for a group named Alive N Kickin', the song is Tighter and Tighter. Great song back in the day!
Here’s a suggestion: The Brothers Johnson. Strawberry Letter 23. “The song's chorus says "Strawberry Letter 22" instead of the actual title of the song. This is because the premise of the song is that a couple is exchanging love letters in musical form. The singer is creating "Strawberry Letter 23" as a reply to the song he has received from his lover, and he refers to her previous message as "Strawberry Letter 22" when replying.”
Lots of Tommy James hits available. Crimson and Clover is another song with a funky sound. Both Crimson and Clover and Draggin' The Line were sort of before their time. They could've been hits in the 80s too. Others are Mony, Mony (which was remade by Billy Idol in the 80s) I Think We're Alone Now (which was remade by Tiffany in the 80s), Sweet Cherry Wine, Crystal Blue Persuasion and Hanky Panky.
Another Tommy James and the Shondells you would like is "Crystal Blue Persuasion." As for the 60s vibe, a fun tune by Simon and Garfunkel is "Feelin' Groovy/The 59th Street Bridge Song." Another 60s vibe artist you have yet to discover is Donovan. With him I'd suggest "Hurdy Gurdy Man" / "Sunshine Superman"/ "Mellow Yellow" / "Season of the Witch" and many more!
Crystal Blue Persuasion is the jam ! So much that "a Lighter Shade Of Brown" sample if for " On A Sunday Afternoon" and it makes the song so chill ! That Guitar !
One classic 70's group you've yet to react to is Bachman Turner Overdrive (BTO) with a gritty voice that love. They have quite a catalog of hits, especially "Takin' Care of Business"--which you've no doubt heard in commercials before. However, there's also "Let It Ride" "You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet" "Rollin' on Down the Highway" "Four Wheel Drive" "Hey You"
Hey, check out another 60’s band that was my very favorite! Grass Roots & the song is from 1969 Midnight Confessions. Try to find a live version, because the lead singer, Rob Grill was such a heartthrob & he had the top poster spot on my bedroom door! Kissed him goodnight too! Along with Bobby Sherman, Davy Jones of the Monkees, & Peter Noone of the Herman Hermits! ♥️♥️♥️♥️ ♥️ The old white woman
TryTommy James & The Shondells "Crystal Blue Persuasion" “Crimson and Clover”, "I Think We're Alone Now" and their earlier hit "Hanky Panky" I love you guys! I feel like I'm sharing my music with my kids for the first time,
"Mony Mony" was covered by Billy Idol and "I think we're alone now" was covered in the 80's by Tiffany, and I think a few others have covered that one as well. It is hugely popular. Tommy James and the Shondells is one of my all time favorite bands.
So awesome that you're doing Tommy James so soon after going bonkers over Billy Idol's "Mony Mony" (Tommy did the original version"). You'll also love "Hanky Panky", "Crystal Blue Persuasion", "I Think We're Alone Now". "Crimson and Clover" is also a classic, as is the cover that Joan Jett did! Tommy started the band in 1964 when he was seventeen, and now, fifty-eight years later, he's still going! (FYI - "Draggin' the Line" was actually billed as just Tommy, without the Shondells.)
Tommy James is currently DJing on SiruisXM channel 60s Gold (channel 73) on Sunday nights. His show is called "Gettin Together", named after one of his hit songs.
You guys have heard enough to know that some songs are pieces of brilliance that will never be forgotten, then there's medium stuff and then there are fillers - often just pop which was used as fillers and dance music. The thing is though, it doesn't matter what they are, they can still take us back to our youth or they might remind us of a special time in our lives. So thank you for digging deep. There's gold down there.:)
So so glad you did this great sing. Please note that Crystal Blue Persuasion is their best song. It is way cool and the Lyrics are so good. Looking forward to you both reviewing that one as well as Mony Mony. Take great care
Yes. Technically, this song is by Tommy James alone, no Shondells. But it gets included on all the Best of / Anthology collections *with* the Shondells, so it's always listed as with the whole group. Tommy James is the only singer on this track as far as I know -- his voice is double-tracked.
When I was about 7 years old, my cousin had the album "Crimson and Clover" and every time I came to his house, I played the album from stem to stern over and over. It is one of THE best representations of the era you can find.
Tommy James is the lead singer of the band. He left after passing out in 1970 after a concert and went solo afterwards. Check out other songs by this group with him but get the live performance.
Crystal Blue Persuasion is the ultimate hippy-vibe song, both of you would love it, but Amber…….yeah!! Crimson and Clover as well, made for Amber songs! And I bet you’ve heard Mony Mony in movies or at sporting events without knowing.
I was thinking the same thing. Amber will love the hippy vibes of Crystal Blue Persuasion. Tommy James and the Shondells greatest hits was one of the first three albums I ever got. They are exceptional!
Boy does this take me back! I surprised myself by how much of the words I remembered. Thank you for being so open to all genres of music. You two are great!
When you paused the video, Jay was asking who the band members were. The lead singer and founding member, Tommy James, is on the far right in the photo. This was Tommy James And The Shondells last hit record in 1970. They had their greatest success between 1966 and 1970. James started out with an early lineup of The Shondells in 1963 while in high school. In 1964, they recorded the song, "Hanky Panky" for Snap Records, a small record label in Michigan. It was a regional hit, but went nowhere after that. But in 1966, a dance DJ picked out the 45 RPM record out of a pile of records, and played it randomly at a dance. It became wildly popular at dances. The DJ contacted Tommy James about it, and James scrambled to purchase the master tape from the original record label, and used it to sign a contract with Roulette Records, and they distributed the song nationally, and it became a big hit, reaching "Number One" on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles Chart for two weeks. I came across fan-made music video for "Hanky Panky" from 1966 here on TH-cam. It combines footage from a TV performance by the group, combined with syndicated TV dancing footage from that time period. Here is the link to this TV performance of "Hanky Panky", by Tommy James And The Shondells: th-cam.com/video/uCeCHe5sH2w/w-d-xo.html
Great band! Many hits, a lot of them covered later and became major hits for others. Three Dog Night another outstanding band not given their historical due. Hot after hit.
So glad to hear you resurrect this great song from 50 years ago! We loved to dance to this song and the beginning of the song is so unique that when we heard the first four notes, we knew it was "Draggin' the line" and we would hit the dance floor. Really enjoyed this reaction and thanks for the memories!
No apologies necessary! You guys live in the heart of Tornado Alley. Not related to your reaction video but I can imagine a tornado siren definitely sounds different to you than the rest of the us around the country. Also, it's probably a bit unnerving when Reed Timmer comes driving down the street when it storms. It's been quiet in Oklahoma for a few years. Let's hope y'all have several more quiet years.
This is a 1971 song. I drove to the beach with my first crush and this song was massively playing on AM radio. This is definitely a tune from the songbook of my life .❤❤❤❤
I knew you would get around to Tommy James & The Shondells! Try the song Crimson & Clover, the most unusual song!! 😉. Loved hearing this again, it’s been years!! Love, love, love your reactions!! 💗💙 ♥️The old white woman
Tommy James And The Shondells...oh the skating rink and cruising the strip memories, even in the mid 1970s. Mony Mony, Crimson And Clover, I Think We're Alone Now...so much music
Love Tommy James. There are so many TJ songs you need react too, such Hanky Panky, Crystal Blue Persuasion, Sweet Cherry Wine, Mony and my favorite song that takes me back to my first girlfriend, I Think We're Alone
I am a 67 year old Okie and I love watching you young people reacting to the music I grew up with... I agree with Amber, the 60's was the best decade for music... there are so many more groups from that time.. The Grassroots{I'd Wait a Million Years}, The Box Tops{Neon Rainbow} The Five Americans(Western Union) are all great bands and songs you might want to check out...
Dammit this sounds so familiar -so many of Tommy James hits have been made into great covers - but this one sounds more familiar due to the sound rather than the tune or the lyrics. I must have heard in a mvoie or show. Great stuff.
1971, is when this song came out. Actually Tommy and the Shondells broke up just before this song in 1970. Tommy did this as B-Side to a solo 45. But the song was enough for the band to get back together to add a few more items to the song, and this is the final rendition. I was 12 years old when this come came out in 1971.. today I'm 64, and this song is still as good and powerful sound as it was way back then.. Mind you with todays rechnology they can make anything sound good.. or better.. Still a great Classic...
I haven't listened to them for a very long time. Crystal Blue Persuasion is my favorite of theirs. This was an era where LSD was everywhere if you wanted it and the music of the time often showed it.
This song really restored my faith and love for American music in the late sixties. It felt like everything from that era was all British artists. Nice to hear an incredible performance from an American group.
*THANK YOU* for branching out and listening to a new band. Although it's cool to circle around artists you've already heard there are so many you haven't touched on. Have you reacted to Louie Louie by the Kingsmen. The lyrics are amazing
Tommy James is the lead singer, guitar player, song writer. He had many top hits in the 60’s. He belongs in the Rock and Roll hall of Fame - like yesterday!!!! Many of his hits were covered by newer artists. Tommy James deserves more recognition.
Tommy wrote a biography called "Me, the Mob, and the Music", detailing his rise to fame. In it he writes that he had no idea that the 'record company' he was recording for was actually the mob trying to muscle their way into the business and make as much money as they could. As I recall, he was their only act. They literally had no clue about how to be a record company - no idea how to make records, no idea how to distribute the records, no idea how to promote the band. In spite of this massive handicap Tommy James became a big star with many hit songs. There's no telling how big he could have been if he'd been working for an actual record company. Very interesting reading. Draggin the Line is a Tommy James song that my band plays to this day and it's always a hit.
You guys MUST listen to their hit, "Crimson and Clover". It is one of my all time favorite songs, and in my opinion one of the best songs ever written. It really showcases Tommy's beautiful voice. I love it as much today, as all those years ago. 😊
I'm glad you reviewed my favorite Tommy James track. Rarely will a reviewer ever get to this one. They do a couple others such as Crystal Blue Persuasion and stop. I got Tommy James on the phone one day randomly when he called to book a flight. I told him Draggin' the Line was my favorite of his solid catalog. He thought it was obvious that Crystal Blue Persuasion was his best.
This was a Tommy James solo project. It was initially released as a B side on his first solo project after the Shondells disbanded. It was popular as a B side and got reworked in the studio and re-released and became his biggest solo hit.
MUST listen to "Crimson & Clover"! It was groundbreaking for the time period, for sure. One of the first psychedelic-rock songs.. "I Think We're Alone Now" is a sentimental favorite forever!! ❤💯 th-cam.com/video/GpGEeneO-t0/w-d-xo.html th-cam.com/video/IkMFLUXTEwM/w-d-xo.html
They had some great songs! A very strange one by them, and people either really liked it or hated it, is "Crimson And Clover". Others by them: "Crystal Blue Persuasion", "Sweet Cherry Wine", "I Think We're Alone Now", "Ball Of Fire".
This band had a bunch of great songs, and it seemed that every song sounded different from the other songs. Their music was definitely an important part of growing up in the 60's and 70's. Good choice
This is actually a Tommy James solo record. His all time greatest solo hit and one of his finest! From 1971. Taken from his second solo album, Christian Of The World.
The full version of Crimson and Clover is a must listen. It is a 17 year old Tommy James and his engineer the first week 16 track recording became available in his studio. They did all of the parts on this song themselves
A great artist from the 70's and early 80's is Paul Davis. Try "I Go Crazy" or "Cool Night" or "65 Love Affair" he has a great mellow sound that I think you will really like.
Hey guys glad you like 60s music so well. A great time to be alive. Tommy James and the Shondells were a major contributor to the joyous variety of those years. Just to set the record straight this song was released as an "A" side single in 1971 and was a solo hit for Tommy James. The Shondells split up a year earlier. His biggest hit and still a great song. Keep up the good work!
If you go to search and type Tommy James and the Shondells live performances, there are so many videos and songs to choose from. The original version with original band members and later videos. Seriously there are tons of live videos. Even an early appearance on American Bandstand. There is also an interview where Tommy talks about his record label being a front for a NJ mobster. Early music was into party of the 60s but there came a change when Tommy went toward Christian themed music. Interesting and talented guy. One of my favorites. Sweet Cherry Wine, Crystal Blue Persuasion, Mony Mony, I Think We’re Alone Now. All great tunes. Many more.
Hippie vibes, cool, and a lot of fun-all in one song. I’ve always loved everything they do starting with this one. One of my biggest regrets is passing up a chance to go see them play.
Tommy James & The Shondells are a great American pop rock/psychedelic rock band from the 60's. They had a lot of great hits such as "Hanky Panky", "Crimson & Clover", "I Think We're Alone Now", "Mirage", "Mony Mony", "Sweet Cherry Wine", "Ball Of Fire", "Do Something To Me" & "Crystal Blue Persuasion". When Tommy went solo in the 70's "Draggin' The Line" & "Three Times In Love" were hits for him.
Great song list.:)) Such a great band!
I love tommy James ♥ you loved mony mony by Billy idol Tommy James sang it first ❤ crimson and clover by Tommy is one of the most hippest songs you'll love it 😀
@@kellygillis2488 Mony Mony was inspired by a sign outside his hotel room in New York. The sign? MONY - Mutual of New York.
I first heard this song on.the movie. Don't Tell Mom The Babysitters Dead..
I couldn’t agree more with your list🙋🏻♀️
Tommy James is the lead, now 74 years old....still kickin...
I love Tommy James and the Shondells. “Crimson and Clover”, “Mony Mony”
Love "Crimson and Clover".
also "Sweet Cherry Wine" and "I Think We're Alone Now."
@@sourisvoleur4854 Absolutely!
Crystal Blue Persuasion and She.
Yes and Billie Idols cover of Mony Mony too.
Tommy James played all the instruments on this song. He left the Shondells and went out on his own after this.
Made this old woman feel like a teenager again!!!
I hear you sister ❤✌
A personal message to the two of you: I love watching people who really love music react to hearing something they hear for the first time, and you two express your emotions and opinions so transparently and so well. You're a delight to watch and to listen to.
This band is well-known for this song, plus "Crystal Blue Persuasion," "Mony Mony" (which Billy Idol covered), and "Crimson & Clover" (covered by Joan Jett). All of these songs sound different.
I think they already listened to Crystal blue persuasion.
Also, "I Think We're Alone Now" covered by Tiffany.
Prince also covered Crimson and Clover.
Tommy James and the shondells rocked
"I Think We're Alone Now" might be the group's biggest hit. This song actually came out in 1971, but the group was legitimately a 60's band.
Um, are you sure about that? I remember I think We’re Alone Now being one of their earlier hits when I was a kid in the 60s. UPDATE: I looked it up. The song was released and became a hit in 1967.
I always thought of Crimson and Clover as their biggest hit. Was my favorite.
Crimson and Clover is their best selling single, but they had several hit songs. They had 14 top 40 hits. "Hanky Panky", "Say I Am (What I Am)", "It's Only Love", "I Think We're Alone Now", "Mirage", "I Like the Way", "Gettin' Together", "Mony Mony", "Do Something to Me", "Crimson and Clover", "Sweet Cherry Wine", "Crystal Blue Persuasion", "Ball of Fire", "She".
I read a book by James Michener called "Kent State" way back when.. One of the first lines in the book was "The 60's ended in 1973". That has always stayed with me.
Lene Lovich did a great version of I think we're alone now back in 79.
"Crimson and Clover" will knock your socks off, it's unique and haunting.
Just make sure to listen to the album cut , and not the three minute AM radio version , that had to cut out all o the good parts .
I recommend the remastered version of Crimson and Clover. The overdubbed guitar solos were recorded on a different tape than the original master. When they were copied over to the master tape, the overdub tape machine ran at a slightly slower speed than the master tape machine, causing the overdubs to be a bit flat compared to the rest of the tune. They fixed the error when they remastered it. Tommy James has said the remastered version is the way it was always meant to be heard.
@@willdwyer6782 maybe so , but I can still remember when it came out in '68 , so that's the version that I'm used to .
They did the original version of "Mony Mony". You guys reacted to the Billy Idol version a little while ago. "Crystal Blue Persuasion" and "Crimson and Clover" are great listens too. Tommy James, lead vocals, was on the far right of the photo from the viewer perspective.
Crimson and Clover were covered by both The Bee Gees and Joan Jett.
Tommy James in his 70s!
Crystal Blue Persuasion!! Yes
@@ElectroT0y The Bee Gees never covered Crimson and Clover.
"Draggin' the LIne" peaked at #4 on the Billboard Hot 100 in August, 1971. Their biggest hits were "Crimson and Clover", "Crystal Blue Persuasion", "Mony, Mony", "Sweet Cherry Wine", "I Think We're Alone Now" and their earliest hit "Hanky Panky" recorded in 1964 but became a hit in 1966.
-#cheers-- !-
Oh YES..I'm 60 years old & I skated to this in my teens & still love them today. Good skate , house cleaning, driving, & making love music. Can't go wrong with Tommy James & The Shondells..Thank you for sharing this.
I'm 64 this year, and remember many a Saturday night at the rink.
Roller skating, I assume? Me, too!
I didn't find out until recently that Mr James wrote one of my favorite tunes from long ago. He wrote it for a group named Alive N Kickin', the song is Tighter and Tighter. Great song back in the day!
Crystal Blue Persuasion is a must
They had so many hits but the one that always, always sticks in my head is Crimson and Clover.
The Bass Riff is bad ass. Feel Like a Movie Theme. Good Job
It was actually used as the theme for "Don't Tell Mom The Babysitters Dead" with Christina Applegate.
But this song came out in 1971 , And its not with the Shondells lol ,Tommy was by him self in the 70s ,,
Here’s a suggestion: The Brothers Johnson. Strawberry Letter 23.
“The song's chorus says "Strawberry Letter 22" instead of the actual title of the song. This is because the premise of the song is that a couple is exchanging love letters in musical form. The singer is creating "Strawberry Letter 23" as a reply to the song he has received from his lover, and he refers to her previous message as "Strawberry Letter 22" when replying.”
Loved that tune. As well as a couple other of Brothers Johnson songs...
Great suggestion there are many good songs coming from Brothers Johnson… 1980s
Still have that 45, and another one from a couple of years earlier "Wake Up Everybody" by Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes
@@Helloitsme328 ~ That one too. Along with "I'll Be Good To You" & "Get The Funk Out Of My Face". These are all great tracks from Brothers Johnson...
Lots of Tommy James hits available. Crimson and Clover is another song with a funky sound. Both Crimson and Clover and Draggin' The Line were sort of before their time. They could've been hits in the 80s too. Others are Mony, Mony (which was remade by Billy Idol in the 80s) I Think We're Alone Now (which was remade by Tiffany in the 80s), Sweet Cherry Wine, Crystal Blue Persuasion and Hanky Panky.
And Crimson and Clover was covered successfully by Joan Jett & the Blackhearts in the 80s.
Another Tommy James and the Shondells you would like is "Crystal Blue Persuasion." As for the 60s vibe, a fun tune by Simon and Garfunkel is "Feelin' Groovy/The 59th Street Bridge Song." Another 60s vibe artist you have yet to discover is Donovan. With him I'd suggest "Hurdy Gurdy Man" / "Sunshine Superman"/ "Mellow Yellow" / "Season of the Witch" and many more!
Crystal Blue Persuasion is the jam ! So much that "a Lighter Shade Of Brown" sample if for " On A Sunday Afternoon" and it makes the song so chill ! That Guitar !
Harper’s Bizarre for Feeling Groovy (59th Street Bridge Song)
or Oliver's "Good Morning Starshine" from the Hair soundtrack... Such a great song and always makes me smile when I hear it 🌟💛
Love Donavan! Have all his LP's!
Oh yeah...60's and 70's were the real deal.
One classic 70's group you've yet to react to is Bachman Turner Overdrive (BTO) with a gritty voice that love. They have quite a catalog of hits, especially "Takin' Care of Business"--which you've no doubt heard in commercials before. However, there's also "Let It Ride" "You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet" "Rollin' on Down the Highway" "Four Wheel Drive" "Hey You"
That bass line is awesome. "My dog Sam eats purple flowers." That is my favorite part of the song.
AND SO 70s
Hey, check out another 60’s band that was my very favorite! Grass Roots & the song is from 1969 Midnight Confessions. Try to find a live version, because the lead singer, Rob Grill was such a heartthrob & he had the top poster spot on my bedroom door! Kissed him goodnight too! Along with Bobby Sherman, Davy Jones of the Monkees, & Peter Noone of the Herman Hermits! ♥️♥️♥️♥️
♥️ The old white woman
Dino Danelli from the Young Rascals, too. 🥰 That's another band Jordan & Amber should listen to!
@@d.j.starling3559 Indeed! Great suggestion!
Yay! 👏
I’ve been trying to suggest Grassroots for a while.
@@bigsteve9279 They give the people what they want!! ♥️
@Linda
That’s why we love em’! ❤️
TryTommy James & The Shondells "Crystal Blue Persuasion" “Crimson and Clover”, "I Think We're Alone Now" and their earlier hit "Hanky Panky"
I love you guys! I feel like I'm sharing my music with my kids for the first time,
First! Ahem... love you guys! I love this song, too. Crimson and Clover is another "groovy" song by them that you'll like.
Tommy James is a devoted Christian and spreads his gift of God's love to everyone
Absolutely Wonderful
nobodys perfect
Crimson and Clover was their biggest hit, I think. Love this band.
"Mony Mony" was covered by Billy Idol and "I think we're alone now" was covered in the 80's by Tiffany, and I think a few others have covered that one as well. It is hugely popular. Tommy James and the Shondells is one of my all time favorite bands.
R.e.m covered this song right here that their reacting to
Joan Jett also covered Crimson and Clover.
So awesome that you're doing Tommy James so soon after going bonkers over Billy Idol's "Mony Mony" (Tommy did the original version"). You'll also love "Hanky Panky", "Crystal Blue Persuasion", "I Think We're Alone Now". "Crimson and Clover" is also a classic, as is the cover that Joan Jett did! Tommy started the band in 1964 when he was seventeen, and now, fifty-eight years later, he's still going! (FYI - "Draggin' the Line" was actually billed as just Tommy, without the Shondells.)
Tommy James is currently DJing on SiruisXM channel 60s Gold (channel 73) on Sunday nights. His show is called "Gettin Together", named after one of his hit songs.
You guys have heard enough to know that some songs are pieces of brilliance that will never be forgotten, then there's medium stuff and then there are fillers - often just pop which was used as fillers and dance music. The thing is though, it doesn't matter what they are, they can still take us back to our youth or they might remind us of a special time in our lives. So thank you for digging deep. There's gold down there.:)
So so glad you did this great sing. Please note that Crystal Blue Persuasion is their best song. It is way cool and the Lyrics are so good. Looking forward to you both reviewing that one as well as Mony Mony. Take great care
Absolutely their best song and I hope they react to it… Unbelievable song
A song which I feel makes reference to the return of Christ. Absolutely their best song.
Got to agree with this T.J., plus it has a great message in the lyrics and amazing music. Chrystal blue persuasion is a vibe.
Amber This song CAME OUT IN 1971,,,,,, Not the 60s , Telling you in LOVE THOUGH
I recommend the 1971 recording of Dave Edmunds, “I hear you knockin’”. It’s a great rock tune with an awesome guitar riff!
And Rockpile, Dave’s band in the 80s-fantastic rockabilly.
Tommy James went solo in late 1970 and he had 14 chart singles, but Tommy James & The Shondells had 19 billboard singles
Yes. Technically, this song is by Tommy James alone, no Shondells. But it gets included on all the Best of / Anthology collections *with* the Shondells, so it's always listed as with the whole group. Tommy James is the only singer on this track as far as I know -- his voice is double-tracked.
TOMMY JAMES HAD AN AWESOME VOICE, THEY WERE 60S FAVORITES,
When I was about 7 years old, my cousin had the album "Crimson and Clover" and every time I came to his house, I played the album from stem to stern over and over. It is one of THE best representations of the era you can find.
1971,at 18.stepped into my first bar and had a beer.this was first song that came on,the rest was history.
FYI: Rob these guys wrote and did "Mony,Mony" your Billy Idol fav. song. so many great tunes. See Dagmar's coment for more great tunes by them.
Tommy James is the lead singer of the band. He left after passing out in 1970 after a concert and went solo afterwards. Check out other songs by this group with him but get the live performance.
Crystal Blue Persuasion is the ultimate hippy-vibe song, both of you would love it, but Amber…….yeah!! Crimson and Clover as well, made for Amber songs! And I bet you’ve heard Mony Mony in movies or at sporting events without knowing.
I was thinking the same thing. Amber will love the hippy vibes of Crystal Blue Persuasion. Tommy James and the Shondells greatest hits was one of the first three albums I ever got. They are exceptional!
They reacted to the Billy Idol remake of Mony Mony already and I suggested the Tommy James original back then. Good choices.
Boy does this take me back! I surprised myself by how much of the words I remembered. Thank you for being so open to all genres of music. You two are great!
When you paused the video, Jay was asking who the band members were. The lead singer and founding member, Tommy James, is on the far right in the photo. This was Tommy James And The Shondells last hit record in 1970. They had their greatest success between 1966 and 1970. James started out with an early lineup of The Shondells in 1963 while in high school. In 1964, they recorded the song, "Hanky Panky" for Snap Records, a small record label in Michigan. It was a regional hit, but went nowhere after that. But in 1966, a dance DJ picked out the 45 RPM record out of a pile of records, and played it randomly at a dance. It became wildly popular at dances. The DJ contacted Tommy James about it, and James scrambled to purchase the master tape from the original record label, and used it to sign a contract with Roulette Records, and they distributed the song nationally, and it became a big hit, reaching "Number One" on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles Chart for two weeks.
I came across fan-made music video for "Hanky Panky" from 1966 here on TH-cam. It combines footage from a TV performance by the group, combined with syndicated TV dancing footage from that time period. Here is the link to this TV performance of "Hanky Panky", by Tommy James And The Shondells: th-cam.com/video/uCeCHe5sH2w/w-d-xo.html
Great band! Many hits, a lot of them covered later and became major hits for others. Three Dog Night another outstanding band not given their historical due. Hot after hit.
Out of a few dozen reaction channels, i really enjoy your because you break down your favorite parts, which often agree with my favorite parts.
So glad to hear you resurrect this great song from 50 years ago! We loved to dance to this song and the beginning of the song is so unique that when we heard the first four notes, we knew it was "Draggin' the line" and we would hit the dance floor. Really enjoyed this reaction and thanks for the memories!
This song is From 1971 , NOT THE 60s like Amber said , And its with Tommy by him self in the 70s , I dont know where she gets her information from
No apologies necessary! You guys live in the heart of Tornado Alley. Not related to your reaction video but I can imagine a tornado siren definitely sounds different to you than the rest of the us around the country. Also, it's probably a bit unnerving when Reed Timmer comes driving down the street when it storms. It's been quiet in Oklahoma for a few years. Let's hope y'all have several more quiet years.
I Think We're Alone Now was their first hit. Really a must react song
This is a 1971 song. I drove to the beach with my first crush and this song was massively playing on AM radio. This is definitely a tune from the songbook of my life .❤❤❤❤
I knew you would get around to Tommy James & The Shondells! Try the song Crimson & Clover, the most unusual song!! 😉. Loved hearing this again, it’s been years!! Love, love, love your reactions!! 💗💙
♥️The old white woman
I have been asking them for awhile now. They definitely need to listen to Crimson and Clover
@@johndalley1288 Great minds think alike! 😂 John Dalley!
But this was Tommy by him self Thats what every ones over looking here , And the song is from 1971 Its 70s not 60s
So many great songs from this band!
Nobody has mentioned "She" - lesser known song but my favorite of theirs. The strings in that make the song.
Love that song and "Adrienne" too.
Crimson and Clover was way ahead of its time. Great song. Classic.
Thank you for playing one of my requests
This song always takes me back to the beach in the summertime. CRYSTAL BLUE PERSUASION and CRIMSON & CLOVER are a couple great ones.
Crimson and clover by Tommy James is awesome. It was covered by Joan Jett
Tommy James And The Shondells...oh the skating rink and cruising the strip memories, even in the mid 1970s. Mony Mony, Crimson And Clover, I Think We're Alone Now...so much music
Love Tommy James. There are so many TJ songs you need react too, such Hanky Panky, Crystal Blue Persuasion, Sweet Cherry Wine, Mony and my favorite song that takes me back to my first girlfriend, I Think We're Alone
I am a 67 year old Okie and I love watching you young people reacting to the music I grew up with... I agree with Amber, the 60's was the best decade for music... there are so many more groups from that time.. The Grassroots{I'd Wait a Million Years}, The Box Tops{Neon Rainbow} The Five Americans(Western Union) are all great bands and songs you might want to check out...
So was the 70s And Dragging the line came out in 1971 ,Just so every one knows Its from the 70s Not the 60s
Their Crimson and Clover has got to be your next reaction to Tommy James and the Shondells. Just a grooving’ song!
Pick anything from the late 60's and early 70's,
you can't lose
Dammit this sounds so familiar -so many of Tommy James hits have been made into great covers - but this one sounds more familiar due to the sound rather than the tune or the lyrics. I must have heard in a mvoie or show. Great stuff.
1971, is when this song came out. Actually Tommy and the Shondells broke up just before this song in 1970. Tommy did this as B-Side to a solo 45. But the song was enough for the band to get back together to add a few more items to the song, and this is the final rendition. I was 12 years old when this come came out in 1971.. today I'm 64, and this song is still as good and powerful sound as it was way back then.. Mind you with todays rechnology they can make anything sound good.. or better.. Still a great Classic...
I haven't listened to them for a very long time. Crystal Blue Persuasion is my favorite of theirs. This was an era where LSD was everywhere if you wanted it and the music of the time often showed it.
Tommy wrote ‘Crystal Blue Persuasion’ when he was reading his Bible… in the Book of Revelations, when he had a moment of spiritual clarity
This song really restored my faith and love for American music in the late sixties. It felt like everything from that era was all British artists. Nice to hear an incredible performance from an American group.
*THANK YOU* for branching out and listening to a new band. Although it's cool to circle around artists you've already heard there are so many you haven't touched on. Have you reacted to Louie Louie by the Kingsmen. The lyrics are amazing
Tommy James is the lead singer, guitar player, song writer. He had many top hits in the 60’s. He belongs in the Rock and Roll hall of Fame - like yesterday!!!! Many of his hits were covered by newer artists. Tommy James deserves more recognition.
Awww, shoulda done "I Think We're Alone Now" first. Their biggest hit.
This is 1000x better than I think we're alone now
Tommy James and the shondells have so many great songs , Ball of fire and Sweet Cherry Wine are my favorites
Tommy wrote a biography called "Me, the Mob, and the Music", detailing his rise to fame. In it he writes that he had no idea that the 'record company' he was recording for was actually the mob trying to muscle their way into the business and make as much money as they could. As I recall, he was their only act. They literally had no clue about how to be a record company - no idea how to make records, no idea how to distribute the records, no idea how to promote the band. In spite of this massive handicap Tommy James became a big star with many hit songs. There's no telling how big he could have been if he'd been working for an actual record company. Very interesting reading. Draggin the Line is a Tommy James song that my band plays to this day and it's always a hit.
Crimson and clover and I think were alone now were 2 big hits when i was a kid.
You guys MUST listen to their hit, "Crimson and Clover". It is one of my all time favorite songs, and in my opinion one of the best songs ever written. It really showcases Tommy's beautiful voice. I love it as much today, as all those years ago. 😊
One of the greatest bands of all time. Hit after hit after hit. Tommy James has an outstanding voice. Grade A.
I'm glad you reviewed my favorite Tommy James track. Rarely will a reviewer ever get to this one. They do a couple others such as Crystal Blue Persuasion and stop. I got Tommy James on the phone one day randomly when he called to book a flight. I told him Draggin' the Line was my favorite of his solid catalog. He thought it was obvious that Crystal Blue Persuasion was his best.
This was a Tommy James solo project. It was initially released as a B side on his first solo project after the Shondells disbanded. It was popular as a B side and got reworked in the studio and re-released and became his biggest solo hit.
MUST listen to "Crimson & Clover"! It was groundbreaking for the time period, for sure. One of the first psychedelic-rock songs..
"I Think We're Alone Now" is a sentimental favorite forever!! ❤💯
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This is the ROLL of 'Rock & Roll' ... Love it!
Tommy James! The pride of Dayton Ohio
This group was so ahead of their time. My oldest sister was 18 years older than me so I learned things.
They had some great songs! A very strange one by them, and people either really liked it or hated it, is "Crimson And Clover". Others by them: "Crystal Blue Persuasion", "Sweet Cherry Wine", "I Think We're Alone Now", "Ball Of Fire".
Tommy James and the Shondells . ❤️My Fav song , since 1969 is Crystal Blue Persuasion. Has NEVER left the top spot from1st listen .☮️❤️🎶
This band had a bunch of great songs, and it seemed that every song sounded different from the other songs. Their music was definitely an important part of growing up in the 60's and 70's. Good choice
This is actually a Tommy James solo record. His all time greatest solo hit and one of his finest! From 1971. Taken from his second solo album, Christian Of The World.
Thank you! An absolute favourite! Such a cool sound. They were great! Crimson and Clover please!! Played the heck out of that 45.
And everything by them. ‘Ball of Fire’ is really unique.
Tommy James sings both Dragging the line verses! Great group!
The full version of Crimson and Clover is a must listen. It is a 17 year old Tommy James and his engineer the first week 16 track recording became available in his studio. They did all of the parts on this song themselves
All their music is good
A great artist from the 70's and early 80's is Paul Davis. Try "I Go Crazy" or "Cool Night" or "65 Love Affair" he has a great mellow sound that I think you will really like.
Killer bass line, love Tommy James and the Shondells!
Loved them. A part of my teen years when they were making hits.
Brings back roller skating days! Great song to fall on your butt to!
Huggin a Tree is what Life's all about
Mike Vale!! He is a beast on the bass dude!! one of the baddest bass riffs out there! This song is 199% Bass driven!!
"Tommy James and the Shondells Crystal Blue Persuasion", “Crimson and Clover” a must listen.
Wow! Been a long looong minute since I’ve heard this song. Love it!
Hey guys glad you like 60s music so well. A great time to be alive. Tommy James and the Shondells were a major contributor to the joyous variety of those years. Just to set the record straight this song was released as an "A" side single in 1971 and was a solo hit for Tommy James. The Shondells split up a year earlier. His biggest hit and still a great song. Keep up the good work!
I FEEL BLESSED TO HAVE GROWN UP WITH THEIR MUSIC, THEY HAD THE GREATEST VIBE!!
Don't forget "Hanky Panky," one of their most underrated songs. You guys would love the vibe.
If you go to search and type Tommy James and the Shondells live performances, there are so many videos and songs to choose from. The original version with original band members and later videos. Seriously there are tons of live videos. Even an early appearance on American Bandstand. There is also an interview where Tommy talks about his record label being a front for a NJ mobster. Early music was into party of the 60s but there came a change when Tommy went toward Christian themed music. Interesting and talented guy. One of my favorites. Sweet Cherry Wine, Crystal Blue Persuasion, Mony Mony, I Think We’re Alone Now. All great tunes. Many more.
Hippie vibes, cool, and a lot of fun-all in one song. I’ve always loved everything they do starting with this one. One of my biggest regrets is passing up a chance to go see them play.
Awesome band
This is a great song. I haven't heard it in years. I love the lyric: My dog Sam eats purple flowers,💜
I will be glued to the tv and rooting for the Bengals just to support you two!! Good luck tomorrow, great tune btw!!