Singled Out

The 45 r.p.m. single was introduced on this date, March 31, in 1949. This provides a convenient context to write about singles, but I am always happy to celebrate 45s.

Going way back, 45s were part of my musical experience. Probably as far back as kindergarten, and possibly earlier, I had a little toy record player and hand-me-down 45s from my teenage aunts. Not just any castoffs though: we’re talking Otis Redding’s “(Sittin’ on) The Dock of the Bay”, the Temptations “I Wish It Would Rain”, Dionne Warwick tunes, a bunch of Beatles singles. We’re talking good stuff here.

Those 45s were my gateway to popular music, and they’ve stuck with me. To this day, “Dock of the Bay” is my all-time favorite song, and “I Wish It Would Rain” would make my Top 10 as well. Elton John’s “Philadelphia Freedom” 45 with the live “I Saw Her Standing There” b-side featuring John Lennon also looms large for me.

From a conceptual point of view, I think the most perfect 45 is the Beatles’ “Penny Lane”/”Strawberry Fields Forever”. Paul and John each taking moment to focus on childhood memories, but in very different ways. Listening to “Penny Lane” and “Strawberry Fields Forever” back-to-back on the original Capitol 45 is clearly the best way to experience those songs.

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