NEW 📀 Poor Side Of Town - Johnny Rivers {Stereo} 1966

1966....#1 U.S. Billboard Hot 100, #1 Canada
Original video edited and AI remastered with HQ stereo sound / Audio track edited for video.
"Poor Side of Town" is a song by Johnny Rivers that reached number one on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and the RPM Canadian Chart in November 1966. The song marked a turning point in Rivers' career that saw him move away from his earlier rock and roll style toward pop ballads.
Johnny Rivers would recall of "Poor Side of Town": "I don’t know what inspired it...It was not from any personal experience, because I was living in Beverly Hills." Although he'd describe it as "an easy song to write", Rivers would say the song: "took...about five months to write...I kept writing little bits and pieces of it." With the parent album of "Poor Side of Town": Changes, Rivers shifted from southern rock to an orchestral pop sound with a string-&-brass arrangement by Marty Paich who had orchestrated the recent Top 5 hits by the Mamas & the Papas, the LA Phil musicians who had played on the Mamas & Papas tracks also playing on Changes.
The single edit of "Poor Side of Town" reduces the coda of the album track, which following the repeated lyric line: "Oh with you by my side" continues, finishing up the verse, and following the repeated guitar riff, repeats the sung introduction of the scatting, before the song fades out.

[@smurfstoolsoldiesmusictimemach]

Welcome to Smurfstools Oldies Music Time Machine! We provide classic video music clips from the 1950's, 1960's, 1970's and occasionally the 1980's. We are dedicated in improving your viewing and listening pleasure by editing, restoring and remastering vintage film clips. Enjoy!

[@rogerpr364]

Johnnys songs and sound is my alltime favorit, and this one is my top favorit of his répertoire, this one brings me back to when I was 8years old a'd go to the beach near my home almost every day and this song was played more than once in the juke-box! Many times I shed a tear when I hear this song I love it for sure! Thanks for posting this masterpiece! Cheer's 🎶🥂 ps. excuse my Shakespear, I'm a Frenche Canadian

[@AnaCristina-kk6ey]

Linda musica🥰🥰

[@perrycomeau2627]

Crooning is additive

[@darrellgray191]

I totally agree

[@kathyrichey495]

Johnny Rivers should be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame!

[@bettymclean2590]

I agree 100%

[@williemccoy259]

The R&RHofF is the biggest sham in the country. I won't give them a plug nickel of my money. How about Gordon Lightfoot also? You can go on and on and on.... And I won't even mention some of the acts that are in. But yes Johnny Rivers certainly should be in

[@husafel]

Hands Down!

[@starlabratcherflannigan1798]

The Hall of Fame is a joke these guys deserve to be in there

[@Wanderlust246]

Easily. His voice is amazing

[@ritaroad]

I love this song. I married the poor side of town 51 years ago and yes we made it.

[@benardlawrence2869]

Good for yall

[@LittleSlim78]

PURE TALENT. Johnny sure had that voice that could never be mistaken for anyone else’s voice. Dude had it seriously.

[@roried]

Every time I hear this song it reminds of my days as a Navy and Marine Corps medic during the Viet-Nam era. Thank God for the music and great singers like Johnny Rivers, Dusty Springfield, Dionne Warwick, the Beatles, etc., etc. from the 1960's and beyond. I'm truly grateful for the musical memories.

[@brucebarclay1967]

Agree...the song reminds me of the GULF of TONKIN...on my destroyer on patrol. I listened to it in my RACK on my headphones and cried....lol....

[@madbrowniac7871]

Thank The Both of You and Bless You Always.👍B.W.

[@phyllisbownds8774]

Even if breakup song,didn't seem as sad back then.. God Bless both u guys for ur service...had my own Johnny...He survived that nitemare,Thank God...but life happenings didn't line up for us to ever see each other❤again...never forget him....Ventura...Fort Ord...I got sent back to Texas....he's watching me from Heaven,now.or his favorite swimming hole in W. Virginia...R.I.P...Johnny...

[@moonytheloony6516]

Where were you stationed in Vietnam?

[@LTCBO]

WHOOAH! On my way to Vietnam. Song takes me back to feeling uncertain about coming back. Now at 75, I relieve those times and feelings!

[@randypierson106]

I always remember this song from my childhood, it was and still is a beautiful classic.

[@sharonallisonbrisbin5952]

Have you guys seen him now ?? White hair, like me too, STILL SINGING

[@alvingjustrum2324]

I saw him 4 times back in the 80s , the last time there was a snowstorm, only about a hundred people showed up, got a lot of my cds signed, such a gracious man!

[@user-uv8zc9xq2v]

I agree he should be in the rock and roll hall of fame absolutely

[@jeffcobb2734]

For me, the female back up and little guitar jangle elevates this song to epic level.

[@tommyjones7638]

Darling love and the blossoms

[@temi4116]

Totally Jeff. I was thinking the same thing.

[@markwilliams352]

@@tommyjones7638 Yes. Darlene Love and the Blossoms; they sing so beautifully. And Darlene even played Danny Glover's wife on the Lethal Weapons (co-starring Mel Gibson).

[@user-ky6vw5up9m]

Thanks for that @@tommyjones7638

[@richardwilcoxen8863]

​@@markwilliams352Don't forget Love God and Don Knotts? LoL

[@robertwaid3579]

To My recollection that has too be one of the most Truely beautiful Songs of all Time. For Johnny River's had too of had one of the most unique Voice's of his Day. Thank You. 👏👏🤠🤠👍👍🙏🙏🙏🙏.

[@smurfstoolsoldiesmusictimemach]

No doubt! Thanks.

[@tomcat3360]

Perfect syncing-this really brings the song to life. Johnny Rivers is often overlooked and underrated.

[@smurfstoolsoldiesmusictimemach]

Thank you. Yes he is.

[@azanleuy9793]

❤🎶❤👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@mperez5920]

The poor side of town. The simple life, just simple. I love this song.

[@user-np5ke3wr2w]

All the greatest singers were born in the 40s!

[@popcornenglishonline9548]

In 2023 still a great song

[@marcosevangelista9057]

It's now Dec.9 2023 and i can't just get over with this beautiful song, that once in a while sings this iconic song of my lifetime.❤

[@mariaquinonez4291]

I’m very happy that I say no to the rich guy and keep the one in the poor side of the town and still with him for 50 years already 💝

[@caroltaylor5276]

He is Hall of Fame in my book

[@BASK1120]

To the Hall of Fame, for sure, Mr. Johnny Rivers.

[@JackGboyd]

Great production values - the strings and the backup singers (the Blossoms) make this a perfect song. Downright ethereal.

[@johnsampson1096]

The Blossoms also did backup on Rock and Roll Lullaby by B.J Thomas..........

[@tracyford9429]

@@johnsampson1096 and Lou Christie's Lightning Striking Again. They make every song wonderful

[@AVB2-LST1154]

She left me for the rich guy, and looking back on it now I don't think that she knew how much I absolutely loved her. He was rich in money. I was only rich in love....for her. After she left, I found someone new and then 6 months later the rich guy put her down. She was brokenhearted so she called me looking for forgiveness and a second chance at love with me..... but it was too late. I had found the real love of my life and next year will mark 50 years of wedded bliss together. God is truly good. This song reminds me of her as I type through the tears of what might have been.

[@alvingjustrum2324]

The same thing happened to me !❤❤

[@AVB2-LST1154]

@@alvingjustrum2324 At the time I was sure that this was the absolutely worst thing that could ever happen to me. Then Jesus Christ heard my cry and despair and He saved me. He used that tragedy as a catalyst to draw me to Him and it didn't take long for me to discover that far from being the worst thing to ever happen to me, it was the greatest thing that can happen to anyone. I discovered the path to eternal life and complete joy and contentment. I praise God every day for His love.

[@josecalheiros6755]

Ele tem uma voz inconfundível , está entre os maiores da música de todos os tempos, minha geração teve sorte de curtir esse gênio da música

[@warrenwatkins9650]

Johnny Rivers deserves more credit for his songs! He was at his best when music was changing to harder rock. Better than Neil Diamond!

[@alanbrown8527]

Bob Dylan went to a Johnny Rivers concert a number of years ago and they talked prior to the show and the one song Dylan insisted Johnny perform was this one. Dylan clearly knows a great song when he hears one and so do we.

[@stevekruse2321]

A ABSOLUTELY Sensational Song That Has the Ability to Push You Back In Your Mind to 1966!🌈

[@smurfstoolsoldiesmusictimemach]

I fully agree with you!

[@suzyrokits3993]

My all-time FAVORITE love ballad… what a terrific song!! ❤

[@madaneves2512]

Eu sonho com essa música eu tinha 13 anos amo até hoje❤❤❤

[@edwardkim2511]

I was 7 years old living in Hawaii when I first heard this song. The ochestration, the strings, and guitar. Brings good memories every time I hear this song.

[@karenkramer5903]

12 years old when I first heard this song...instantly became my favorite...brings back memories of what for me were simpler,carefree days...Johnny Rivers was and will always be a favorite of mine

[@johnhidell3843]

Karen, were the same age and as you it's been my Favorite of all time songs a long with Johnny Rivers being my most favorite musician. I meet him once and thanked him for writing Poor Side of Town. That song alone has got me through a lot of heart breaks in my life.

[@karenkramer5903]

@@johnhidell3843 He was 1 of a kind...How lucky were you to have met him...I would have loved to see him live...It was a great time to grow up...

[@robinlewis5374]

We are the same age! I love him, I could be a groupie really easy

[@hippymo52]

My first slow dance was to this song always special!

[@user-yg5yb7ue1n]

Love old music when words meant something and they don't have to jump around just sit or stand and suck u in ❤

[@pumasgoya]

One of my favorite songs ever.

[@bluenetmarketing]

Do NOT EVER go back to a girl like the one in this song. They NEVER change.

[@teedtad2534]

WOW! Never seen this video! Love this song and the way Johnny Rivers sings with his beautiful voice! It is a shame he was not honored into the Hall of Fame! Johnny grossed 30 million for the record industry! ♾️🕊️🕊️♾️

[@raykrocker994]

One of best and one of my all time favorites. So under rated.

[@hannibalheyes339]

Well here we go....

[@lillianyoung2129]

He was special & a wonderfully talented man!

[@andreluizcoimbra-xv6jf]

❤😂 JOHNNY RIVERS : POIS É IMPOSSÍVEL ESQUECER O INESQUECÍVEL 😂❤

[@fernandoferreiradossantos4808]

Great artist since of your youth !! Good guy

[@miguelfernandez2647]

Great era of better music, from the 60 ‘ s and whole lot of memories.✨💫

[@denilvieiramartins9515]

Um Gênio da Música Mundial Compositor, Músico, e Fantástico Cantor.

[@KnockOffBeingFat]

One of the most enjoyable songs in Rock History! A song you play again & again.

[@janetbrowntlc]

Forever my favorite song. I love Johnny Rivers and still have my little 45 of Poor Side Of Town. Johnny was only 16 yrs old when he co wrote this song with Lou Adler.He bought his daddy and mama a new home with some of the money he made from this song. Every song he ever sang..he owned it. Elvis is my number 1 singer with Johnny running a close second. Had tickets to see him yrs ago but Johnny was late and my hubby wouldn't wait.😪. He arrived 30 minutes after we left. I wanted so much to hear him sing this song and many other's. I wanted him to sign my little priceless 45 of Poor Side Of Town and my album's. Well, I missed my chance 😪. Thank you for sharing this song and thanks for the memories of a time in this 13 yr old girls life.Yea, I remember the day my mama bought me this record, from that day forward I bought each one he recorded.I love oldies music of the 50's, 60's 70's and some 80's. If anyone deserves to be in the Rock N Roll Hall Of Fame , it's Johnny Rivers. Thank you again.

[@julieannkuster1999]

HE IS SO FANTASTIC AN SO UNDERRATED!😢💔🙏🎇❤🧸

[@mikeevans5810]

my favorite Rivers' song

[@brucebarclay1967]

mine too....listening to it in the GULF of TONKIN on a destroyer.

[@stringalongmike1953]

Mine too.

[@suelychiapetta8382]

Os anos mais lindos do século ❤️músicas inesquecíveis 🇧🇷

[@Gljin40509]

so many great memories

[@margaretbeard6564]

I loved his voice ever since I was a little child

[@adrianaarriola2431]

Tengo 72 años dan ganas de llorar ,don muchas emociones al escuchar esta melodía romántica ,saludos de ciudad de México 🇲🇽 saludos para todo el mundo porque la música nos une no hay fronteras los sentimientos todos los tenemos ,más los de ésta edad 👋🤗👋🇲🇽🇲🇽🙏🎈

[@garycallihan4206]

Tengo 71 anos....here in northern California, but quite understand what you are conveying.

[@algolightly115]

❤ A-men!!!❤ I'm 60 years old right now soon to be 61 years old in March of this year I'm here with you sweetness 👌???

[@TonyGPizza]

Johnny's only #1 hit from November 1966, backed by the Wrecking Crew. Over a lonely flute, strummed electric/acoustic guitars and a gentle beat provided by legendary drummer Hal Blaine (unlike the driving remakes which pushed Johnny's first hits), Johnny confronts an lover who left him for a wealthier man to escape the downtrodden life they live (thus the title.) Johnny is at first sarcastic ("Welcome back baby, to the poor side of town") then accusatory ("To him you were nothing but a little plaything.") then conciliatory ("I can't blame you for trying..") before asking the woman to recommit to him to escape their sad lives. Then Johnny and his producers do something unique: they let the woman (in the guise of female backup singers) respond to him, singing "So tell me how much you love me. Come near to me, and say you need me now." ) To which Johnny repeats, "With you by my side, they can't keep us down. Together we can make it from the poor side of town." You imagine them embracing in that sad neighborhood, then walking off together as the song fades (its tag line, nonsense syllables singing "shooby-dooby" no doubt a nod to Frank Sinatra's "Strangers In The Night" which hit #1 earlier that same year.) Bruce Springsteen, who no doubt listened to Johnny Rivers and definitely to the artists Johnny covered, made a career taking characters and situations like this to operatic heights. But this gentle, moving song was first.

[@smurfstoolsoldiesmusictimemach]

Thanks Tony. Glad to hear from you.

[@marymichael1211]

A beautiful delineation of this beautiful song.

[@helenmarshall7785]

So many great songs came out of 66 including this one, my favourite JR''s song. Also love him singing Mountain Of Love, Secret Agent Man, Tracks Of My Tears & Memphis.

[@williamansel1090]

One of my favorite singers.

[@Ekdog]

The lyrics really strike home! When I was a young man growing up in California, the young women would always ask me straight away about my job and whether or not I had a car. 😂

[@thyslop1737]

Love me some Johnny Rivers.

[@themagicsinthemusic3810]

Another great song from that great year for music, 1966. So many of those songs from 66 have stood the test of time. This is one, for sure. Thanks so much for this Great song and video!

[@smurfstoolsoldiesmusictimemach]

Thanks Jim! 1966 had such great music.

[@brucechapman8996]

1966 has always been my favourite year for rock & roll. So many great songs that year! I’m forever lost in the music of the 50s,60s,70s,80s, &90s. I’m 71 now & that’s the only music I listen to

[@renesagahon4477]

A handsome talented man who could sing a beautiful song like this !

[@jaimemarzionna649]

Para mim um dos maiores cantores de todos os tempos. Só músicas que mexiam com a gente. Quando nos bailinhos tocava musicas dele era uma emoção muito grande pois tínhamos a possibilidade de tirar a moça que estávamos paquerando. Eu tinha 19 anos e nas minhas lembranças parece que foi ontem. Quanto respeito, quanto amor tínhamos em nossos corações. Época maravilhosa que, infelizmente, não volta mais

[@davidstocks8824]

Yeah they will yeah we will when Christ comes back

[@mrwhite2628]

An absolutely wonderful song! Love Johnny Rivers!

[@adalbertopaulo2702]

Belas Lembrancas dos Bailinhos, dos Anos Atraz .Adalberto Paulo

[@heresjohnnie51]

One of my Fav's love the background singers

[@temi4116]

Agree john...background singers excellent.

[@deborahmeyer3493]

I loved him then and still, beautiful voice and great songs😊

[@joycestevens7926]

My favorite of his, loved hearing him from the street in front of Whiskey A Go Go. One of the Best Ever⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[@JuneLynn]

Always LOVED Johnny Rivers....just the best production went into all his recordings and the back up singers were fantastic...thank you for making this : ))))

[@smurfstoolsoldiesmusictimemach]

Thank you! He is one of the best artists of the sixties.

[@lofiana2360]

As I understand it, the back up singers were The Blossoms.

[@pauldunbar7229]

@@lofiana2360 I read it was the Fifth Dimension ?

[@hxhdfjifzirstc894]

You're quite right to point out the excellent production, especially this song, which is a total masterpiece.

[@stillstanding6031]

@@lofiana2360 Yup. Listen to Darlene Love's voice rise on the last course out.

[@Earcandy73]

My God, he was gorgeous!

[@whoputyouontheplanet3345]

Was?

[@timtebow4775]

FYI: Women are gorgeous.....men are handsome. Speaking as a handsome man I am offended at being called gorgeous or pretty.

[@Earcandy73]

@@timtebow4775 Well you will be happy to know I was not referring to you.

[@barnabegomes6271]

🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷👍🙌🥰 Que música linda! Top demais!

[@crissouza167]

Música maravilhosa atemporal,pode passar o tempo que for é MARAVILHOSA ❤❤❤❤👏👏

[@mickz8369]

The backing singers are great.

[@bdoderlein]

I've had this song on a 45 for years and it has Lou Adler as the sole writer. I'm glad to see in the posts that he wrote the lyrics. Makes me love the song all the more😊

[@jameslawson6918]

Best song and sound in my life time

[@erskinecooney1859]

Truly one of the greatest singles ever. Quintessentially American. Girl and boy from the other side of the tracks unite to make a better life in the future.

[@allenjones3130]

Cowritten by Rivers and Lou Adler and released on Imperial Records, this was one of Johnny's biggest hits.

[@JadeHugh98]

Johnny Rivers 🤵😍🥰🎧❤️😘

[@agirlandherdad2483]

Classic for sure! My favorite JR song!

[@gypsymom0819]

JR at his finest! ❤❤❤

[@shyguy76]

It's one of those songs where you remember exactly where you were and what you were doing and who you were with. Good Song for sure, he wrote this one.

[@tonypastor705]

Love❤his song- Swayin’ to the music 🎶 even more.😊

[@luzanderson3035]

I love his voice and his songs I play them all the time at 62 years old I still listen to Johnny Rivers I feel like he's singing to me😊

[@Alfred..E..Neuman]

My two favorite songs are Memphis and Secret Agent Man on his red Gibson guitar! 👌

[@karenrenner2237]

I always liked his songs he was good

[@carlacat9548]

I was 8 years old and I remember every word!❤

[@cookievf]

11, same! So glad I found this ~ grrreat remastering.

[@curtisthomas2457]

Awesome

[@soniareginadefreitasteixei268]

Saudades eternas. Eu vivi. Eu estava lá.

[@rp-it8ym]

Proud to live on the poor side of town with my wonderful wife.

[@fredwiley3731]

We all recognize the great talents of Mr Rivers but he was a great looking man. He looks really great in that tux and look at that great hair. I am sure the girls were swooning over him, His hair cut was by Jay Sebring, stylist to all the big Hollywood stars of the era. He was killed at the Sharon Tate murders.

[@edwardkim2511]

Wow this is the first time seeing this !

[@thomaspruit4818]

This is as good as it gets and this man will never get credit for how amazing he is and was, l think Johnny Rivers is absolutely the best performer ever bar none, this is pure 99.999 percent pure talent.

[@timothykozlowski2945]

His voice, music, background vocals, make this one good song

[@stringalongmike1953]

The background vocals make this a special song.

[@timothykozlowski2945]

@@stringalongmike1953 Yep

[@debraarnold3703]

Johnny Rivers Live at the Whiskey was my first LP. I was a kid, and I got it for Christmas from my cool older guy cousin. This is my favorite Rivers song, though.

[@user-qr6xb4gk8w]

Can we take a minute to appreciate the incredible background vocals by Darlene Love, Fanita James, and Jean King.

[@saulocanedo7028]

Obrigado pela informação, com fones de ouvidos o vocal de fundo é um espetáculo 🎉

[@mickz8369]

Great singer that has bought much pleasure to many people.

[@rossmcleod3317]

Rivers classic 🙏👍

[@rosannelle5764]

Gorgeous face, eyes, voice - thank you for this song! It's beautiful in every way.

[@smurfstoolsoldiesmusictimemach]

You're welcome!

[@FrediaHale-el5qp]

I loved all his songs❤️Been many years ago❤

[@user-fq6lb7th8t]

I love you Johnny Rivers you're the greatest singer Latino singer superb Great sound you do the classics classic you'll always be a smash smash I love you always you're super fan run from Pueblo Colorado😂😂😂❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤😂

[@alanhenrique717]

Love this song!!!😍😍😍

[@jameshogan6741]

i just love this song.. cant stop listening to it,, He puts such emotion to the words ,,how he sings the word..MORE. at 1min 14 secs .. gorgeous and right through .. 58 years ago...what a sound .

[@brucebarclay1967]

52 years ago I d say.

[@TrueReality219]

🌿⚘️✨️✨️BEST BELIEVE THAT THIS IS TRULY AN INCREDIBLE, FASCINATING MUSICAL EXPERIENCE THAT WAS MADE EXTREMELY BEAUTIFULLY THAT IT STILL CONTINUE'S TO CAPTIVATE US!

[@dianespies3104]

Great tone & voice. One of my favorites from way back then ❤

[@felixnorman9562]

now, this is a love song!

[@christophercolt1361]

None finer than Johnny! A true Champion!

[@timtebow4775]

Suthun Cajun boy who didnt let success go to his head and stayed true to his roots. Class act all the way.

[@Steviepinhead]

Remarkable how much the excellent Johnny Rivers and the amazing Dino Valente sound like each other!

[@susanmcdonough961]

❤always loved this song

[@josinetemelosilvasantos9773]

Grande sucesso 😍♥️ Inesquecível!!

[@plertisdibble1504]

Great talent.

[@alangolias8628]

Jonny your just too cool !!

[@patriciadavis1393]

I am not sure why I haven't thought of this song in so many years and I'm a little buzzed and sometimes my mind wanders and I thought of this song and it is still as beautiful today as it was when it came out😊😊😊

[@vandesantoa3747]

Música lindíssima cantor canta muito parabéns bom recordar ao passado ê viver a vida