Johnny Johnson and the Bandwagon — “Blame It on the Pony Express”: Brace for the Obscure (60s rock)! — July 1, 2023

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

878) Johnny Johnson and the Bandwagon — “Blame It on the Pony Express”

OK, this joyous pop soul A-side hit #5 in Ireland, #7 in the UK, #8 in Sweden, #10 in New Zealand, #17 in Australia and #18 in (West) Germany (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johnny_Johnson_and_the_Bandwagon). So, if you are from one of these countries, do not read this post! But the single didn’t do anything in the U.S — even though the band was American.

People remember this song with such love. Check out some of the comments on YouTube:

Felis Terras: “This song is pure groove at it’s finest. How one can not just simply want to jump out their seats and dance to it, is beyond me.”

Black StallionAAA: “Simply a British soul classic! Catchy, feel-good and power soul hit! Always loved this wonderful track….”

GehaNoates294: I remember this so well, great song. Late 60s and early 70s was a great time to be a kid. Great music and freedom to play and just be a kid. I feel for the kids now.”

AngietheEnglishLady: “I was 14 when I first played this..so many glorious memories.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K6htI3w_FrU

Former Herman’s Hermit Peter Noone did a great cover as a single for Casablanca in ‘74.

Johnny Johnson’s real name was Johnny Mathis! (https://web.archive.org/web/20120324202529/http://www.acerecords.co.uk/content.php?page_id=1543) Cool move, mom!

All Music Guide tells us that:

Formed in 1967 and originally known simply as the Bandwagon, this popular soul group consisted of four former solo singers who decided to pool their resources. John Johnson (b. Florida, USA), Terry Lewis (b. Baltimore, Ohio, USA), Arthur Fullilove (b. New York City, USA) and Billy Bradley (b. Rochester, New York, USA) had a hit with their debut UK release when ‘Breaking Down The Walls Of Heartache’ reached number 4 in October 1968. This pulsating dance song was the quartet’s biggest hit, but two years later they enjoyed further success with Tony Macaulay’s ‘Sweet Inspiration’ and ‘(Blame It) On The Pony Express’, both of which reached the UK Top 10. The group was latterly based in Britain where, unlike in America, they had been well received. Johnson assumed leadership as original members dropped out, until the billing eventually read ‘Johnny Johnson And His Bandwagon’.

https://www.allmusic.com/artist/johnny-johnson-the-bandwagon-mn0000239725/biography

Lastfm says:

Because they had been so much more successful in Britain and Europe, they based themselves in London, with songwriter Tony Macaulay being primarily responsible for the next stage of their career. . . . “(Blame It) On The Pony Express” . . . was written by Macaulay, Roger Cook and Roger Greenaway. . . . Their early hits are still revered as Northern soul classics, as they espoused a more commercial pop-soul style similar in sound to that of early Tamla Motown, as opposed to the more funky progressive style favoured by contemporaries like Sly & the Family Stone and The Isley Brothers.

https://www.last.fm/music/Johnny+Johnson+&+The+Bandwagon/+wiki

Here’s a cool lip synch performance:

Here’s Peter Noone, ‘74:

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