Okay, one last song with a lady’s name in the title. Today’s classic song of the day is a folk-flavored sunshine pop track with cool vocal harmonies, “Georgy Girl” by the Seekers. Released in October of 1966, it rode the wave of success all the way to #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #1 on the Cash Box Top 100. It went straight to the top of the charts in Canada, New Zealand, and the band’s native Australia; it was also a certified Top Ten hit in Ireland, South Africa, and the UK.
“Georgy Girl” was written by Tom Springfield (Dusty’s brother) with lyrics by Jim Dale for the movie of the same name. Georgy Girl, the movie, was about a naive young woman in mid-60s Swinging London who is pursued by both her father’s boss and the boyfriend of her more promiscuous flat mate. The movie starred Lynn Redgrave as Georgina Parker (the “Georgy” of the film’s title), Alan Bates, James Mason, and Charlotte Rampling. The movie was a huge success in the UK, the U.S., and elsewhere and the title song was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Song. (It lost to John Barry’s “Born Free” from the movie of the same name.)
The Seekers were a folkish group from Australia, three guitar-and-bass playing guys and the sparkling Judith Durham on lead vocals. It was Ms. Durham who made the group what it was, with her wholesome girl next door looks and pure yet powerful voice that rang like a bell. The group was known for their tight vocal harmonies and they fit right in with similar American groups like the Association, the Mamas and the Papas, Spanky and Our Gang, and the We Five.
The Seekers were active from 1962 through 1968, at which point Ms. Durham left to forge a solo career. Their biggest U.S. hits were “I’ll Never Find Another You” (#4, 1964), “A World of Our Own” (#19, 1964), and “Georgy Girl” (#2, 1966); they had a lot more hits in the UK and in Australia.
I love the Seekers’ harmonies and I love Judith Durham’s voice, and they’re both showcased on “Georgy Girl.” This is one of those songs that, when I sing along, I’m always singing one of the harmony parts, never the lead.
And here’s your daily bonus video of the day, Ms. Judith Durham and the Seekers singing “Georgy Girl” live at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl in Melbourne for the 1967 Australian TV special, The Seekers Down Under. Don’t you just want to sing along?
