Keep Searchin' (We'll Follow the Sun)

Last updated
"Keep Searchin' (We'll Follow the Sun)"
Single by Del Shannon
from the album 1,661 Seconds with Del Shannon
B-side "Broken Promises"
Released1964
Recorded1964
Genre Rock and roll
Length2:10
Label Amy
Songwriter(s) Del Shannon
Del Shannon singles chronology
"Do You Want to Dance"
(1964)
"Keep Searchin' (We'll Follow the Sun)"
(1964)
"Stranger in Town"
(1965)

"Keep Searchin' (We'll Follow the Sun)" is a song written by the American rock-and-roll musician Del Shannon. It was written, recorded, and released in 1964. [1] [2] The song is in the key of A minor. [1] Its lyrics tell the story of a man who tries to find a place to hide himself and his beleaguered girlfriend from those who abuse her. The song ends with a sequence of very high notes. [3]

The B-side of "Keep Searchin'" was "Broken Promises." [2] Both songs were recorded in October 1964, along with two other Shannon songs: "Stranger in Town" and "Over You." All four songs were written by Shannon himself. [1]

Chart performance

Shannon's final Top Ten hit, "Keep Searchin'" spent 14 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, peaking at No. 9, [4] while reaching No. 3 on the UK's Record Retailer chart, [5] No. 6 on the Irish Singles Chart, [6] No. 6 on Norway's VG-lista, [7] No. 14 on Canada's RPM "Top 40 & 5", [8] No. 2 on Sweden's Kvällstoppen, [9] and No. 17 in Germany. [7]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Del Shannon</span> American musician (1934–1990)

Charles Weedon Westover, better known by his stage name Del Shannon, was an American musician, singer and songwriter, best known for his 1961 number-one Billboard hit "Runaway". In 1999, he was posthumously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. In addition to his music career, he had minor acting roles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Crazy Little Thing Called Love</span> 1979 single by Queen

"Crazy Little Thing Called Love" is a song by the British rock band Queen. Written by Freddie Mercury in 1979, the track is included on their 1980 album The Game, and also appears on the band's compilation album Greatest Hits in 1981. The song peaked at number two in the UK Singles Chart in 1979, becoming the group's first number-one single on the Billboard Hot 100 in the US in 1980, remaining there for four consecutive weeks. It topped the Australian ARIA Charts for seven weeks. It was the band's final single release of the 1970s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">You Keep Me Hangin' On</span> 1966 single by the Supremes

"You Keep Me Hangin' On" is a song written and composed by Holland–Dozier–Holland. It was first recorded in 1966 by American Motown group the Supremes, reaching number one on the Billboard Hot 100. American rock band Vanilla Fudge released a cover version in June the following year, which reached number six on the Billboard Hot 100. English singer Kim Wilde covered "You Keep Me Hangin' On" in 1986, reaching number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in June 1987. In the first 32 years of the Billboard Hot 100 rock era, "You Keep Me Hangin' On" became one of the six songs to reach number one by two different musical acts. In 1996, American country singer Reba McEntire's version reached number two on the US Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart. The BBC ranked the Supremes' original song at number 78 on The Top 100 Digital Motown Chart, which ranks Motown releases by their all-time UK downloads and streams.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Runaway (Del Shannon song)</span> 1961 single by Del Shannon

"Runaway" is a number-one Billboard Hot 100 song made famous by Del Shannon in 1961. It was written by Shannon and keyboardist Max Crook, and became a major international hit. It topped the Billboard charts for four consecutive weeks, and Billboard ranked it as the No. 5 song for 1961. It was No. 472 on the 2010 version of Rolling Stone's list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time and No. 466 on the 2004 version.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Handy Man (song)</span> 1959 song composed by Otis Blackwell, Jimmy Jones performed by Jimmy Jones

"Handy Man" is a song written by singer Jimmy Jones and songwriter Otis Blackwell. Recordings by Del Shannon and also The Sparks Of Rhythm list Charles Merenstein as a co-writer, as does BMI. The Sparks Of Rhythm version on the Apollo 541 single version released in 1959 credits Andrew Barksdale and Merenstein as writers omitting Jimmy Jones. The song is noted for Jones singing "Come-a, come-a come-a come-a, come come-a, yeah" lyrics, which are heard at the beginning as well as in the coda of the song, before the song's fade.

"The Three Bells", also known as "The Jimmy Brown Song", "Little Jimmy Brown", or simply "Jimmy Brown", is a song made popular by the Browns in 1959. The song is an English adaptation of the French language song "Les Trois Cloches" written by Jean Villard, with English lyrics by Bert Reisfeld. The single reached number one in the U.S. on Billboard's Hot C&W Sides chart and the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1959.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Reunited (song)</span> 1979 single by Peaches & Herb

"Reunited" is a hit song for R&B vocal duo Peaches & Herb. As the second single release from their album, 2 Hot (1978), the song was a huge crossover smash, topping both the pop and soul charts. It spent four weeks at number one on both the R&B singles chart and the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart in 1979 and sold over two million copies. Billboard ranked it as the No. 5 song for 1979. In Canada, "Reunited" likewise reached number one and was the No. 9 song for the year.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">To Know Him Is to Love Him</span> 1958 single by The Teddy Bears

"To Know Him Is to Love Him" is a song written by Phil Spector, inspired by words on his father's tombstone, "To Know Him Was to Love Him." It was first recorded by the only vocal group of which he was a member, the Teddy Bears. Their recording spent three weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1958, while reaching No. 2 on the UK's New Musical Express chart. Peter & Gordon and Bobby Vinton later had hits with the song, with its title and lyrics changed to "To Know You Is to Love You". In 1987, the song was resurrected by Dolly Parton, Linda Ronstadt, and Emmylou Harris, whose Trio recording topped the U.S. country singles chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">What the World Needs Now Is Love</span> 1965 single written by Bacharach & David

"What the World Needs Now Is Love" is a 1965 popular song with lyrics by Hal David and music composed by Burt Bacharach. First recorded and made popular by Jackie DeShannon, it was released on April 15, 1965, on the Imperial label after a release on sister label Liberty records the previous month was canceled. It peaked at number seven on the US Hot 100 in July of that year. In Canada, the song reached number one.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Just One Look (song)</span> 1963 single by Doris Troy

"Just One Look" is a song co-written by American R&B singers Doris Troy and Gregory Carroll. The recording by Doris Troy was a hit in 1963. The Hollies, Anne Murray, Linda Ronstadt and Iain Matthews each achieved great success with the song. There have also been many other versions.

"I Will" is a song written by Dick Glasser.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">We'll Sing in the Sunshine</span> 1964 single by Gale Garnett

"We'll Sing in the Sunshine" is a 1964 hit song written and recorded by Gale Garnett which reached No. 2 in Canada, and No. 4 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart for the week ending 17 October 1964. It also enjoyed success on easy listening and country music radio stations, spending seven weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Easy Listening chart and No. 42 on the country chart. The Cash Box Top 100 ranked "We'll Sing in the Sunshine" at No. 1 for the week of 31 October 1964, and it also reached No. 1 in Garnett's native New Zealand that November. In Australia, "We'll Sing in the Sunshine" afforded Garnett a Top Ten hit with a No. 10 peak in October 1964. Garnett's sole Top 40 hit, "We'll Sing in the Sunshine" won the Grammy Award for Best Ethnic or Traditional Folk Recording in 1965.

"The Door Is Still Open to My Heart" is a 1955 song written by Chuck Willis and originally performed by the Baltimore-based R&B vocal group, The Cardinals. In the US, the original version peaked at number four on the R&B playlist and number ten in R&B sales charts. Later in 1955, Don Cornell recorded the song and released it as the B-side to his hit, "Most of All". The Hilltoppers had a moderate hit with this song the same year.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Can't You See (The Marshall Tucker Band song)</span> 1973 single by The Marshall Tucker Band

"Can't You See" is a song written by Toy Caldwell of The Marshall Tucker Band. The song was originally recorded by the band on their 1973 debut album, The Marshall Tucker Band, and released as the album's first single. Record World called it "a strong rhythm item that continually builds and builds." A live version was released in 1977 and peaked at number 75 on the Billboard Hot 100. Cover versions of "Can't You See" have charted for Waylon Jennings and the Zac Brown Band with Kid Rock (2010).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Don't Let the Sun Catch You Crying</span> 1964 single by Gerry and the Pacemakers

"Don't Let the Sun Catch You Crying" is a song written by Gerry Marsden, Freddie Marsden, Les Chadwick and Les Maguire, the members of British beat group Gerry and the Pacemakers. It was first recorded and issued as a single by Louise Cordet in February 1964. Shortly after Cordet's version failed to chart, the song was recorded by Gerry and The Pacemakers themselves in April 1964. The Gerry and The Pacemakers recording became an international hit, and remains one of their best known singles.

"Stranger in Town" is a 1965 song by Del Shannon. Written by Shannon, it is the opening track on 1,661 Seconds with Del Shannon. It was released as a single, a follow-up to Shannon's top-ten hit "Keep Searchin' ", but was not as successful, reaching No. 30 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the USA and No. 40 on the UK's Record Retailer chart. "Stranger in Town" was Shannon's last top 40 hit of the 1960s.

"Stranger in Town"... it's one long bleat of terror, the singer and his lover pursued by some unnameable person for reasons just beyond the fringe of rational understanding.

"Hats Off to Larry" is a song written and sung by Del Shannon, which he released as a single in 1961. The song spent 13 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, peaking at No. 5, while reaching No. 1 on Canada's CHUM Hit Parade, No. 2 on New Zealand's "Lever Hit Parade", No. 2 in Australia, No. 6 on the UK's Record Retailer chart, and No. 8 in South Africa.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Little Town Flirt</span> 1962 single by Del Shannon

"Little Town Flirt" is a song by Del Shannon, which was released as a single in 1962 from the album Little Town Flirt in 1963. It spent 14 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, peaking at No. 12, while reaching No. 1 on the Irish Singles Chart, No. 1 in Australia, No. 4 on the UK's Record Retailer chart, No. 7 on New Zealand's "Lever Hit Parade", and No. 9 on Canada's CHUM Hit Parade.

"Hey! Little Girl" is a song written and performed by American musician Del Shannon.

<i>1,661 Seconds with Del Shannon</i> 1965 studio album by Del Shannon

1,661 Seconds with Del Shannon is the sixth studio album by American rock and roll singer-songwriter Del Shannon, released in April 1965 by Amy Records. His final album for the label, it features the singles "Do You Want to Dance", "Keep Searchin' ", and "Stranger in Town". They peaked at Nos. 43, 9, and 30, respectively, on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart in the United States.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Young, Brian. "Del Shannon Biography." DelShannon.com. Web. 31 Jul 2016. <http://www.delshannon.com/delbio.htm>
  2. 1 2 Young, Brian. "Discography: 45 rpm/Singles." DelShannon.com. Web. 31 Jul 2016. <http://www.delshannon.com/singles.htm>
  3. rwells47. "DEL SHANNON-"KEEP SEARCHIN'" (W/LYRICS)." Online video. YouTube. YouTube, 7 Nov 2009. Web. 31 Jul 2016. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bnSpWU8utw4>
  4. "Del Shannon - Chart History - The Hot 100", Billboard.com. Accessed July 31, 2016.
  5. Del Shannon - Full Official Chart History, Official Charts Company. Accessed July 31, 2016.
  6. Artist Search Results for "Del Shannon", The Irish Charts. Accessed July 30, 2016.
  7. 1 2 Del Shannon - Keep Searchin' (We'll Follow the Sun), norwegiancharts.com. Accessed July 31, 2016.
  8. "Top 40 & 5", RPM Weekly , Volume 2, No. 16, December 14, 1964. Accessed July 31, 2016.
  9. "Keep Searchin' by Del Shannon". nostalgilistan. Retrieved August 27, 2019.