Song of the Day: 'Sunglasses' by Skeeter Davis

Because I opened up the Skeeter Davis can of worms yesterday, let's round out the week with songs of hers, some of which I first learned as covers. (Ditto for some Dusty Springfield and Doris Day songs.) First up is "Sunglasses," a No. 30 hit on the country charts in 1965 that crossed over into the lower ranks of the Billboard Hot 200. I fell in love with it when Tracey Ullman recorded it for her sophomore album, "You Caught Me Out," which I had to buy as an import because it wasn't released in the U.S. despite the enormous success of "They Don't Know" off her "You Broke My Heart in 17 Places" debut.

P.S. A friend told me about her life story and it's a doozy. Be sure to read about the death of her partner in the Davis Sisters!

In 1966, Davis was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Country & Western Vocal Performance - Female for her rendition.

Tracey's "Sunglasses" peaked at No. 18 on the U.K. singles chart in 1984.



On a related note: This related ditty from the sublime "Singin' in the Summer Sun" LP really spoke to me for some reason!

Song of the Day: 'Shattered' by Tracey Ullman

Not sure which part of this clip makes me happier -- seeing a young (and hunky) Rick Springfield introduce it, or Tracey Ullman's gravity-defying 'do singing one of my favorite songs off her "You Broke My Heart in 17 Places" LP. FYI: It was through Tracey I first learned classic songs by Doris Day, Dusty Springfield, Sandie Shaw and Marcie Blane, which once allowed me to seem way older (and cooler) than I really am! (P.S. If you haven't seen Tracey's new HBO show then you're really missing out. She's gone darkly political, but is laser-focused on the U.K. these days, which means I can actually enjoy the Trump-free zone!)

Song of the Day: 'Sunglasses' by Tracey Ullman

  Such as shame Tracey Ullman's sophomore LP, "You Caught Me Out," was never released in America. While "They Don't Know" may be her finest moment, the second album had even more highlights than the first, including two more Kirsty MacColl gems -- the title track and "Terry" -- plus "Baby, I Lied" (swoon), "Helpless,""My Guy's Mad at Me" and "Sunglasses," which Phil Spector could not have produced better himself! (Stiff has her complete recordings on two discs HERE.)

Sunglasses (To Hide Behind)

The 2002 model, left, vs. the 2010

I want to send out a huge thank you to MAUI JIM, who read about my Lasik surgery online a couple weeks ago and kindly offered to outfit me in a new pair of sunglasses -- my first new pair since getting some throwaways at the Beverly Center back in late 2001 when I was still wearing contact lenses!

After seriously considering some aviators, I ended up picking the snazzy new ATOLL (in light brown with bronze lenses). I was told that "Maui Jim is like Xanax for the eyes" and I can't say I disagree. Even better, ever since I got my new shades I've had that fab old Tracey Ullman song "Sunglasses" (a Skeeter Davis cover) stuck in my head, only now I don't have to be jealous that I can't wear a pair too!