The Searchers 8th PYE single is the theme for chapter twelve.
German single on Vogue Advertisement from Melody Maker Single from Denmark
Things were going down a bit for the Searchers. So it was time for a strong new song. Chris Curtis came up with an American record, title: Goodbye, My Lover, Goodbye. (See his remarks about the song and the recording). Retitled Goodbye My Love and coupled with one of the most beautiful ballads ever - Till I Met You - written by John McNally for his wife Mary. The record came out February 1965. It got much attention in the music press, the song was considered their best since Needles & Pins. Both songs were song by Mike & Chris, harmony vocal by Frank.
LABEL Cat.No. Charts/Wks
UK-Pye 7N-15794 4 / 11
Ger -Vogue DV-14328 16 / 15
US - Kapp K-658 52 / 6
IR - Pye 7N-15794 7 / ?
SW - Pye 7N-15794 13 / 1
NL - Pye 7N-15794 7 / 17
Aus - Astor ? 27 / ?
DK - Pye 7N-15794 ?
I - Pye 45NP5050 ?
Goodbye... turned out to be the last real hit by the Searchers. But it didn't go to no. one as Brian Epstein had bet. I wonder if he had paid those 5000 pounds to the Searchers agent.
Chris Curtis interview from Record Collector
left: NL cover - still showing Tony
center: Sweden
above: US label
Ironically the song was retitled again for the US market, getting it's old title again.
The EPs
Below: Front & back cover of Searchers 65. The ep entered the charts for the first time in September 1965, second time in October and the last time in November. Highest position was no. 15, 8 weeks altogether.
French ep(Vogue PNV 24137), got to no. 30 in 1965 Spanish ep (E-Pye PYEP 2074): GM, Till I Met You, Everybody Come & Clap Your Hands, Something You Got
Strangely enough Spain released another ep with Goodbye My Love, coupled with This Feeling Inside, What Have They Done To The Rain and Till I Met You (E-Pye HPY 337-05)
In Sweden an ep - identical to the British one - also came out in 1965
That's it for this time, next issue will be about He's Got No Love.
Thanks to Edgar, Björn and Terry for scans, Bengt for chart information.