The Chords Five — “Some People”: Brace for the Obscure (60s rock)! — February 19, 2023

THE GREATEST SONGS OF THE 1960s THAT NO ONE HAS EVER HEARD

739) The Chords Five — “Some People”

This cool ‘69 UK A-side was a “quirky slice of observational pop” (liner notes to the CD comp Keep Lookin’: 80 More Mod, Soul & Freakbeat Nuggets) written by the great Graham Gouldman (see #226), but it failed to chart. The band members, in their teens, were once advertised as “the youngest group in the world”. The Jackson Five must have nicked the concept!

Last.FM gives us the history:

The story of the Chords Five began In 1964 in Stratford London . . . . They were called the “Pioneers”. The first gig they played was [in] June, 1965. . . . [T]hey changed their name to The Chords Five [and] continued to play in local clubs and built up a huge following in the East end of London . . . . [I]n December of 1966 . . . Jimmy Miller . . . [from] Island Records . . . [heard] the band. . . . [and] signed them on the spot. They were advertised as the youngest group in the world, four of them were 15 and [one] only 13. They were also the youngest group to have a recording contract at that time. . . . They were booked all over the world only to find out they were too young to work abroad. . . . Their first release “I Am Only Dreaming” was played at least 20 times a day on the local radio stations including Radio Caroline and Radio London . . . . [T]hey signed with Polydor Records in 1968 . . . . [T]hey signed with President Records . . . in 1969 . . . . [and released] Some People” [as an A-side]. . . . written by Graham Gouldman . . . . [I]n 1970 they decided to split.

https://www.last.fm/music/Chords+Five/+wiki

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