Do The Clam

[skatterbrane]

I have the Japanese singles box. I cannot read Japanese but I THINK it reached #4 on their charts according to the booklet.

[Juan Luis]

Not his greatest year Stateside ...

Indeed. It was worse Stateside than 1964, yet not as bad Stateside as 1966.

And as long as we're talking charts, I'll add that Do The Clam was a number one smash for The King in Japan back in '65.

If true, it's a sad state of affairs to tout a hit foreign single as an accomplishment in a fallow year musically for a major American artist.

That said, I've never been able to find a credible source which states if the single made #1 in the Land of the Rising Sun. A "smash" indicates many weeks at the top.

Not really. "Suspicious Minds" was at the top for only one week. I consider it both a "smash" and a classic!

[drjohncarpenter]

I have the Japanese singles box. I cannot read Japanese but I THINK it reached #4 on their charts according to the booklet.

Hmm, unless there's a source for that #4 listing, we are still in the dark. And #4 ain't a "#1 smash."

[Mike in New Jersey]

Not his greatest year Stateside (as we are gleefully reminded here on a daily basis) but right throughout his alleged time as a "washed-up train-wreck, blah blah blah", Presley continued having substantial chart success right across the planet, thus relegating the incessant negatron diatribe to its natural and rightful home in the trashcan of failed rhetoric.

And as long as we're talking charts, I'll add that Do The Clam was a number one smash for The King in Japan back in '65. Personally, I've always liked the song and it's no surprise that it became a chart-topper somewhere.

Important to note that when you're the world's biggest star, influence doesn't end at the borders of your own country... and a few dodgy movies doesn't wipe out a near decade of quality. People's memories aren't that short. In any case, the start of the Comeback was just around the corner in '66. But how many others would've cut off their arm for Presley's continuing worldwide successes in 64/65? Even when far from firing on all cylinders, he was still The King... then, as now.

Surely you'd agree that any success he was having during this period was largely due to past performance rather than most of his current output?

As for Do The Clam... IMO it's only redeeming value is it's vaguely dirty title If some folks like it, that's cool. I have my own "guilty pleasure" songs that I like to spin now and then (I'm Not The Marrying Kind being at the top of that list). Do The Clam, for me, is the pits.

Mike

[Phil]

The part from channel right from 2'04 to 2'22 is not a repetition from the precedent part and is not technically the same as the left chanel for the same time period.

In the box The Complete single collection it was repaired with a lower level but it is far to be almost silent.

[Scoobie]

The song is better in mono. I used to own the 7" single but lost it unfortunately. It's a nice Little ditty. "Do the claaaam, DO the clam, grab your barefoot baby by the ha-a-and!" Yes indeed. I hope and pray that Ernst will someday release a kind of follow-up to "Out In Hollywood" that features only mono versions of the best '60s soundtrack recordings. That would make for a killer album.

I was listening to my recently acquired mono pressing of Girl Happy only the other day, and comparing to the stereo mix. This is one case where mono trumps stereo conclusively, the production in mono is OK, with no such issues apparent.
I also think that was no "mistake". It might've been an aesthetic, artistic choice by the producers, or it might have been a mixing error, but no one gave damn to spot it or fix it prior to release.
Let's face it Elvis did not care enough about his music at this point or he would have never have recorded it. If the artist does not care why should anyone else in the production chain care either?

[a mess of polk salad]

The song is better in mono. I used to own the 7" single but lost it unfortunately. It's a nice Little ditty. "Do the claaaam, DO the clam, grab your barefoot baby by the ha-a-and!" Yes indeed. I hope and pray that Ernst will someday release a kind of follow-up to "Out In Hollywood" that features only mono versions of the best '60s soundtrack recordings. That would make for a killer album.

I was listening to my recently acquired mono pressing of Girl Happy only the other day, and comparing to the stereo mix. This is one case where mono trumps stereo conclusively, the production in mono is OK, with no such issues apparent.
I also think that was no "mistake". It might've been an aesthetic, artistic choice by the producers, or it might have been a mixing error, but no one gave damn to spot it or fix it prior to release.
Let's face it Elvis did not care enough about his music at this point or he would have never have recorded it. If the artist does not care why should anyone else in the production chain care either?

But do you like the song bud?


Sent from my iPod touch using Tapatalk

[emjel]

Not his greatest year Stateside (as we are gleefully reminded here on a daily basis) but right throughout his alleged time as a "washed-up train-wreck, blah blah blah", Presley continued having substantial chart success right across the planet, thus relegating the incessant negatron diatribe to its natural and rightful home in the trashcan of failed rhetoric.

And as long as we're talking charts, I'll add that Do The Clam was a number one smash for The King in Japan back in '65. Personally, I've always liked the song and it's no surprise that it became a chart-topper somewhere.

Important to note that when you're the world's biggest star, influence doesn't end at the borders of your own country... and a few dodgy movies doesn't wipe out a near decade of quality. People's memories aren't that short. In any case, the start of the Comeback was just around the corner in '66. But how many others would've cut off their arm for Presley's continuing worldwide successes in 64/65? Even when far from firing on all cylinders, he was still The King... then, as now.

Oh dear. Obviously swallowed a dictionary. I thought the comeback happened at the end of 68. Apart from the How Great Thou Art sessions in 66, what other elements of a comeback were there. Oh yes in 67, we had Old Macdonald, Long Legged Girl followed by other mind blowing songs, Clambake and Confidence to name a few. Yep the comeback was in full swing. Of course much of Elvis' chart success during this time was purely down to his fan base who would buy anything - it certainly cannot be attributed to strong song material.

[Chris Roberts]

Someone on this board repaired "Do The Clam" and posted it here. Sorry, but I don't recall who posted it. Anyway, here it is:

http://www102.zippyshare.com/v/l8UHCQn7/file.html

MT

Yeah, that was me

Thank you Jimmy Cool, that is how it should have been released in 1965. Maybe not a classic recording but that anomaly made it 10 times worst. I never understood why they released it that way back then and I still don't.

Wish I could replace the version on my Complete Masters set with your amended one.

[emjel]

Someone on this board repaired "Do The Clam" and posted it here. Sorry, but I don't recall who posted it. Anyway, here it is:

http://www102.zippyshare.com/v/l8UHCQn7/file.html

MT

Yeah, that was me

Thank you Jimmy Cool, that is how it should have been released in 1965. Maybe not a classic recording but that anomaly made it 10 times worst. I never understood why they released it that way back then and I still don't.

Wish I could replace the version on my Complete Masters set with your amended one.

Yes but in the mono you would not know. As I have said, it seems RCA wanted it extended for single release and I think this is where the mistake was made when it was bounced down to mono and then extended. They probably should have extended it first in stereo and then bounced it down and I suspect t they did not want to redo it again for the stereo.

[Hard Rocker]

If true, it's a sad state of affairs

Nope, it's not "a sad state of affairs" at all, man! It's simply a comment made on an Elvis Presley internet forum about a song from 1965. Not the end of the world so spare us the drama please! "Sad state of affairs" he says. Dry yer eyes!!!

That said, I've never been able to find a credible source which states if the single made #1 in the Land of the Rising Sun. A "smash" indicates many weeks at the top. Can you share how you know this?

Yes! Yes I can! And I'll do so just as soon as you substantiate your unworthy claim that that The Beatles on the Ed Sullivan show in 1964 is "generally accepted" as "Rock's big bang"

"generally accepted"

"Suspicious Minds" was at the top for only one week. I consider it both a "smash" and a classic!

He shoots, he scores.

"Do The Clam" as well as being a #1 smash in The Land of The Rising Sun was also a #2 big hitter in Denmark!

Mind you, it wasn't the only global success that he had in 1965!

Not his finest year but not too shabby either! Gotta laugh at the revisionism by agenda driven naysayers on here. They'll never learn!

[jurasic1968]

Don't Be Cruel, Hard Rocker.

[emjel]

If true, it's a sad state of affairs

Nope, it's not "a sad state of affairs at all", man! It's simply a comment on an Elvis Presley internet forum. Spare us the drama please! "Sad state of affairs" he says. Dry yer eyes!!!

That said, I've never been able to find a credible source which states if the single made #1 in the Land of the Rising Sun. A "smash" indicates many weeks at the top. Can you share how you know this?

Yes! Yes I can! And I'll do so just as soon as you substantiate your unworthy claim that that The Beatles on the Ed Sullivan show in 1964 is "generally accepted" as "Rock's big bang"

"generally accepted"

"Suspicious Minds" was at the top for only one week. I consider it both a "smash" and a classic!

He shoots, he scores.

"Do The Clam" as well as being a #1 smash in The Land of The Rising Sun was also a #2 big hitter in Denmark!

Mind you, it wasn't the only global success that he had in 1965!

Not his finest year but not too shabby either! Gotta laugh at the revisionism by agenda driven naysayers on here. They'll never learn!

I wonder what it it is we have to learn.

I can see Elvis at Sun in '55 following his recording of Baby Lets Play House saying to the guys " hey I've just had some kind of a premonition that in 10 years time, I'm going to be cutting this song "Do The Clam" and I have a sneaky feeling it's gonna be a real rocking classic. And I reckon it'll hit number 1 in Japan". How things changed so much in 10 years and not for the better.

[r&b]

The song is better in mono. I used to own the 7" single but lost it unfortunately. It's a nice Little ditty. "Do the claaaam, DO the clam, grab your barefoot baby by the ha-a-and!" Yes indeed. I hope and pray that Ernst will someday release a kind of follow-up to "Out In Hollywood" that features only mono versions of the best '60s soundtrack recordings. That would make for a killer album.

The song is better unheard. Its the pits. Elvis in 1965, A side material, 10 years after greatness. Geez. Only a fanboy can find this in any way meaningful. It was even made fun of back in the day. 'Does Elvis think he is going to start a new dance craze?' Love those girls screaming at the end of the instrumental break too. How mod

Everything has to be intellectual to enjoy?

No! This is just a bad record/song/recording. Elvis should have heaved it into the reject pile. In 1965, this was embarrassing

To you. And for you.[/u]

No, to Elvis and for Elvis. Do you really think he enjoyed recording this movie stuff? really? I would love the ask any surviving musicians from this session and get their response. I think you know what the answer would be.

[jetblack]

Here are the FACTS:-

From this 29 May 1965 UK issue of New Musical Express (NME).
Billboards 'Hits Of The World' on page 24 states that 'Do The Clam' is Number 1 in Malaysia and was Number 1 the week before.

https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=KikEAAAAMBAJ&lpg=PA24&ots=-wFuhV92Tz&dq=elvis%20japan%20do%20the%20clam%20number%201&pg=PA24#v=onepage&q&f=true

Thus proving that 'Do The Clam' was indeed a number 1 single.

And for those who don't think Number 4 is a smash:-

A Big Hunk O Love (UK)
One Night (USA)
His Latest Flame (USA)

all reached this number. I think I would call them smash hits.

Andy

[skatterbrane]

I have no idea if it was a mistake or not, but it is even more irritating if they really did do it on purpose. It certainly sounds like a mistake. And if they did it on purpose, it was a mistake in judgement! They extended Blue River without using such a ineffective ploy to disguise the fact.

Maybe someone who owns the Japanese Complete Singles Collection and can read Japanese can translate the chart info on page 84. One column seems to be USA placement. The last two columns seem to be Japan's stats.

[Juan Luis]

Not his greatest year Stateside (as we are gleefully reminded here on a daily basis) but right throughout his alleged time as a "washed-up train-wreck, blah blah blah", Presley continued having substantial chart success right across the planet, thus relegating the incessant negatron diatribe to its natural and rightful home in the trashcan of failed rhetoric.

And as long as we're talking charts, I'll add that Do The Clam was a number one smash for The King in Japan back in '65. Personally, I've always liked the song and it's no surprise that it became a chart-topper somewhere.

Important to note that when you're the world's biggest star, influence doesn't end at the borders of your own country... and a few dodgy movies doesn't wipe out a near decade of quality. People's memories aren't that short. In any case, the start of the Comeback was just around the corner in '66. But how many others would've cut off their arm for Presley's continuing worldwide successes in 64/65? Even when far from firing on all cylinders, he was still The King... then, as now.

Oh dear. Obviously swallowed a dictionary. I thought the comeback happened at the end of 68. Apart from the How Great Thou Art sessions in 66, what other elements of a comeback were there. Oh yes in 67, we had Old Macdonald, Long Legged Girl followed by other mind blowing songs, Clambake and Confidence to name a few. Yep the comeback was in full swing. Of course much of Elvis' chart success during this time was purely down to his fan base who would buy anything - it certainly cannot be attributed to strong song material.

Try to be fair. You conspicuously do not mention the Guitar Man ,Big Boss Man, Hi Heeled Sneakers, Just Call Me Lonesome, US Male which was the pre-comeback. Irony and sarcasm in red.

[emjel]

Not his greatest year Stateside (as we are gleefully reminded here on a daily basis) but right throughout his alleged time as a "washed-up train-wreck, blah blah blah", Presley continued having substantial chart success right across the planet, thus relegating the incessant negatron diatribe to its natural and rightful home in the trashcan of failed rhetoric.

And as long as we're talking charts, I'll add that Do The Clam was a number one smash for The King in Japan back in '65. Personally, I've always liked the song and it's no surprise that it became a chart-topper somewhere.

Important to note that when you're the world's biggest star, influence doesn't end at the borders of your own country... and a few dodgy movies doesn't wipe out a near decade of quality. People's memories aren't that short. In any case, the start of the Comeback was just around the corner in '66. But how many others would've cut off their arm for Presley's continuing worldwide successes in 64/65? Even when far from firing on all cylinders, he was still The King... then, as now.

Oh dear. Obviously swallowed a dictionary. I thought the comeback happened at the end of 68. Apart from the How Great Thou Art sessions in 66, what other elements of a comeback were there. Oh yes in 67, we had Old Macdonald, Long Legged Girl followed by other mind blowing songs, Clambake and Confidence to name a few. Yep the comeback was in full swing. Of course much of Elvis' chart success during this time was purely down to his fan base who would buy anything - it certainly cannot be attributed to strong song material.

Try to be fair. You conspicuously do not mention the Guitar Man ,Big Boss Man, Hi Heeled Sneakers, Just Call Me Lonesome, US Male which was the pre-comeback. Irony and sarcasm in red.

A few scattered songs that didn't really set the world on fire. Sure it was a slight change in direction and one for the better but then went back to You're Time Hasn't Come Yet Baby, He's Your Uncle etc.

[Hard Rocker]

Try to be fair. You conspicuously do not mention the Guitar Man ,Big Boss Man, Hi Heeled Sneakers, Just Call Me Lonesome, US Male which was the pre-comeback. Irony and sarcasm in red.

Indeed. And obviously we can add a few more to that. They'll never learn!

[jetblack]

Not his greatest year Stateside (as we are gleefully reminded here on a daily basis) but right throughout his alleged time as a "washed-up train-wreck, blah blah blah", Presley continued having substantial chart success right across the planet, thus relegating the incessant negatron diatribe to its natural and rightful home in the trashcan of failed rhetoric.

And as long as we're talking charts, I'll add that Do The Clam was a number one smash for The King in Japan back in '65. Personally, I've always liked the song and it's no surprise that it became a chart-topper somewhere.

Important to note that when you're the world's biggest star, influence doesn't end at the borders of your own country... and a few dodgy movies doesn't wipe out a near decade of quality. People's memories aren't that short. In any case, the start of the Comeback was just around the corner in '66. But how many others would've cut off their arm for Presley's continuing worldwide successes in 64/65? Even when far from firing on all cylinders, he was still The King... then, as now.

Oh dear. Obviously swallowed a dictionary. I thought the comeback happened at the end of 68. Apart from the How Great Thou Art sessions in 66, what other elements of a comeback were there. Oh yes in 67, we had Old Macdonald, Long Legged Girl followed by other mind blowing songs, Clambake and Confidence to name a few. Yep the comeback was in full swing. Of course much of Elvis' chart success during this time was purely down to his fan base who would buy anything - it certainly cannot be attributed to strong song material.

Try to be fair. You conspicuously do not mention the Guitar Man ,Big Boss Man, Hi Heeled Sneakers, Just Call Me Lonesome, US Male which was the pre-comeback. Irony and sarcasm in red.

A few scattered songs that didn't really set the world on fire. Sure it was a slight change in direction and one for the better but then went back to You're Time Hasn't Come Yet Baby, He's Your Uncle etc.

It seems like you are mixing Elvis' studio work with his film soundtracks - they are too different entities.

This excellent CD should put things in perspective.




Too Much Monkey Business
Guitar Man
Tomorrow Is a Long Time
U.S. Male
Big Boss Man
Love Letters
Indescribably Blue
Fools Fall in Love
Hi Heel Sneakers
Down in the Alley
Come What May (You Are Mine)
Mine
Just Call Me Lonesome
You Don't Know Me
Stay Away
Singing Tree
Goin' Home
I'll Remember You

Andy

[Hard Rocker]

Here are the FACTS:-

From this 29 May 1965 UK issue of New Musical Express (NME).
Billboards 'Hits Of The World' on page 24 states that 'Do The Clam' is Number 1 in Malaysia and was Number 1 the week before.

https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=KikEAAAAMBAJ&lpg=PA24&ots=-wFuhV92Tz&dq=elvis%20japan%20do%20the%20clam%20number%201&pg=PA24#v=onepage&q&f=true

Thus proving that 'Do The Clam' was indeed a number 1 single.

And for those who don't think Number 4 is a smash:-

A Big Hunk O Love (UK)
One Night (USA)
His Latest Flame (USA)

all reached this number. I think I would call them smash hits.

Andy

Interesting! I also see that it's the highest new entry on the Australian chart at #12!
I also note that it was a #2 in Hong Kong that week up from last week's #10!
And as previously mentioned, it reached #2 in Denmark.

A global smash indeed!!! In 1965!!! And it wasn't the only one!!! In 1965!!!

[Hard Rocker]

Not his greatest year Stateside (as we are gleefully reminded here on a daily basis) but right throughout his alleged time as a "washed-up train-wreck, blah blah blah", Presley continued having substantial chart success right across the planet, thus relegating the incessant negatron diatribe to its natural and rightful home in the trashcan of failed rhetoric.

And as long as we're talking charts, I'll add that Do The Clam was a number one smash for The King in Japan back in '65. Personally, I've always liked the song and it's no surprise that it became a chart-topper somewhere.

Important to note that when you're the world's biggest star, influence doesn't end at the borders of your own country... and a few dodgy movies doesn't wipe out a near decade of quality. People's memories aren't that short. In any case, the start of the Comeback was just around the corner in '66. But how many others would've cut off their arm for Presley's continuing worldwide successes in 64/65? Even when far from firing on all cylinders, he was still The King... then, as now.

Oh dear. Obviously swallowed a dictionary. I thought the comeback happened at the end of 68. Apart from the How Great Thou Art sessions in 66, what other elements of a comeback were there. Oh yes in 67, we had Old Macdonald, Long Legged Girl followed by other mind blowing songs, Clambake and Confidence to name a few. Yep the comeback was in full swing. Of course much of Elvis' chart success during this time was purely down to his fan base who would buy anything - it certainly cannot be attributed to strong song material.

Try to be fair. You conspicuously do not mention the Guitar Man ,Big Boss Man, Hi Heeled Sneakers, Just Call Me Lonesome, US Male which was the pre-comeback. Irony and sarcasm in red.

A few scattered songs that didn't really set the world on fire. Sure it was a slight change in direction and one for the better but then went back to You're Time Hasn't Come Yet Baby, He's Your Uncle etc.

It seems like you are mixing Elvis' studio work with his film soundtracks - they are too different entities.

This excellent CD should put things in perspective.




Too Much Monkey Business
Guitar Man
Tomorrow Is a Long Time
U.S. Male
Big Boss Man
Love Letters
Indescribably Blue
Fools Fall in Love
Hi Heel Sneakers
Down in the Alley
Come What May (You Are Mine)
Mine
Just Call Me Lonesome
You Don't Know Me
Stay Away
Singing Tree
Goin' Home
I'll Remember You

Andy

Some nailed on Presley classics in there, alongside a host of other quality material. The Comeback begins! He wasn't away too long. Must've been busying himself having smash hits across the globe!

[jetblack]

Gotta smile at that Rocker.

Why some refuse to look past their own back door is beyond me.

They seem to think only the USA matters - It does not.

The Elvis stats matter everywhere there is a music chart as Elvis is a 'worldwide phenomen'.

Andy

[Hard Rocker]

Gotta smile at that Rocker.

Why some refuse to look past their own back door is beyond me.

They seem to think only the USA matters - It does not.

The Elvis stats matter everywhere there is a music chart as Elvis is a 'worldwide phenomen'.

Andy

Take the 12 best songs on Tomorrow Is A Long time, stick 'em on one album... and you've got the best LP of 1966/67 - bar none!!! Add to that the Grammy award plus "The Wedding of the Decade" and it seems The King was pretty much riding high as he approached 1968. Whatever would he do next, eh?????

That Elvis, eh! Yeah, he was in real trouble in 65/66

[emjel]

Not his greatest year Stateside (as we are gleefully reminded here on a daily basis) but right throughout his alleged time as a "washed-up train-wreck, blah blah blah", Presley continued having substantial chart success right across the planet, thus relegating the incessant negatron diatribe to its natural and rightful home in the trashcan of failed rhetoric.

And as long as we're talking charts, I'll add that Do The Clam was a number one smash for The King in Japan back in '65. Personally, I've always liked the song and it's no surprise that it became a chart-topper somewhere.

Important to note that when you're the world's biggest star, influence doesn't end at the borders of your own country... and a few dodgy movies doesn't wipe out a near decade of quality. People's memories aren't that short. In any case, the start of the Comeback was just around the corner in '66. But how many others would've cut off their arm for Presley's continuing worldwide successes in 64/65? Even when far from firing on all cylinders, he was still The King... then, as now.

Oh dear. Obviously swallowed a dictionary. I thought the comeback happened at the end of 68. Apart from the How Great Thou Art sessions in 66, what other elements of a comeback were there. Oh yes in 67, we had Old Macdonald, Long Legged Girl followed by other mind blowing songs, Clambake and Confidence to name a few. Yep the comeback was in full swing. Of course much of Elvis' chart success during this time was purely down to his fan base who would buy anything - it certainly cannot be attributed to strong song material.

Try to be fair. You conspicuously do not mention the Guitar Man ,Big Boss Man, Hi Heeled Sneakers, Just Call Me Lonesome, US Male which was the pre-comeback. Irony and sarcasm in red.

A few scattered songs that didn't really set the world on fire. Sure it was a slight change in direction and one for the better but then went back to You're Time Hasn't Come Yet Baby, He's Your Uncle etc.

It seems like you are mixing Elvis' studio work with his film soundtracks - they are too different entities.

This excellent CD should put things in perspective.




Too Much Monkey Business
Guitar Man
Tomorrow Is a Long Time
U.S. Male
Big Boss Man
Love Letters
Indescribably Blue
Fools Fall in Love
Hi Heel Sneakers
Down in the Alley
Come What May (You Are Mine)
Mine
Just Call Me Lonesome
You Don't Know Me
Stay Away
Singing Tree
Goin' Home
I'll Remember You

Andy

Yes a good compilation album. Pity it was not release at the period we are talking about as the general public had no idea as all they were getting at that time apart from How Great Thou Art were soundtrack albums. In March '65 when Do The Clam was out (which is the title of this thread) there was no comeback around the corner. There were some gems(once again more so for Elvis fans than Joe Public) in the ensuing period but there was no proper comeback until the NBC TV show often called the Comeback Special. I do not have a problem with the soundtrack albums like many do - they were done to fit in with the script of each film, and there was no other artist who could handle many of these tracks in the way Elvis could, but they did not help Elvis at all as a serious recording artist and even Elvis himself was frustrated at the songs he was having to record.