"Easier Said Than Done" | ||||
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Single by The Essex | ||||
from the album Easier Said Than Done | ||||
B-side | Are You Going My Way | |||
Released | May 1963 | |||
Format | vinyl single | |||
Genre | girl group, pop | |||
Length | 2:08 | |||
Label | Roulette | |||
Writer(s) | William Linton, Larry Huff | |||
The Essex singles chronology | ||||
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"Easier Said Than Done" is a popular song sung by The Essex that was a number-one song in the United States during the year 1963. It topped the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart on July 6, 1963 and remained there for two weeks.[1] The song was written by William Linton and Larry Huff.[2]
The Essex were active-duty members of the United States Marine Corps at the time, as was Linton, who wrote the song at the request of Essex member Walter Vickers. The song's rhythm was inspired by the sound of the Teletype machines in the communications office of their Marine post. The group was not thrilled with the song, but recorded it for use as the b-side of their debut single, "Are You Going My Way". The recording was unusually short, and editing was used to repeat part of the recording; even so, the song was only a little over two minutes. The single was released in May 1963, but "Easier Said Than Done" quickly emerged as the more popular side.[3] The song became a major hit with broad appeal, reaching number one on both the pop and rhythm and blues charts.[4] The song became the title track of the group's first album, which reached #113 on the Billboard album chart, becoming their only charting album.[5]
Preceded by "Sukiyaki" by Kyu Sakamoto |
Billboard Hot 100 number-one single July 6, 1963 - July 19, 1963 (2 weeks) |
Succeeded by "Surf City" by Jan and Dean |
Preceded by "Hello Stranger" by Barbara Lewis |
Billboard Hot R&B Sides number-one single July 20, 1963 - August 2, 1963 (2 weeks) |
Succeeded by "Fingertips (Part 2)" by Stevie Wonder |