Today in History: Tommy James and the Shondells released their song "Crimson and Clover" on this day in 1968. It spent 16 weeks on the U.S. charts, reaching number one in the United States (in February 1969) and other countries. The single has sold 5 million copies, making it Tommy James and the Shondells' best-selling song. It has been covered by many artists including Joan Jett, Dolly Parton and Prince. In 2006, Pitchfork Media named it the 57th best song of the 1960s. According to Pitchfork Media, the top 10 songs of the 60s are (1) God Only Knows by the Beach Boys (2) I Want You Back by the Jackson 5 (3) A Change Is Gonna Come by Sam Cooke (4) Like a Rolling Stone by Bob Dylan (5) A Day in the Life by the Beatles (6) Be My Baby by the Ronettes (7) Wouldn’t It Be Nice by the Beach Boys (8) Folsom Prison Blues (Live at Folsom Prison) by Johnny Cash (9) I Can’t Explain by The Who and (10) Israelites by Desmond Dekker & the Aces.
Crimson and Clover was released under Roulette Records, which, according to Tommy James was a front business for the Genovese crime family. James estimates that the label kept $30 million-$40 million of the group's royalties.
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