THE GREATEST SONGS OF THE 1960s THAT NO ONE HAS EVER HEARD
941) Virgin Sleep — “Secret”
A seemingly “commercial” ’68 Brit psych masterpiece, that didn’t sell, telling the tale of woodland creatures with a secret to tell about the firefly’s dance . . . “Dragonflies tell it to the trees. Butterflies hear it in the breeze. They go tell it to the queen of the bees. Now she knows.” C’mon, it was the 60s!
Dinnes Cruickshank says that “‘Secret’ was truly commercial, and boasted just the right amount of strings and Moody Blues-ish mellotron, but somehow this seemingly infallible cocktail failed to produce the hit and Virgin Sleep quietly slipped from view.” (liner notes to The Great British Psychedelic Trip Vol. 2: 1965-1970 CD comp)
Of the Virgin Sleep, Vernon Joynson says:
This psychedelic outfit came from . . . London and were originally know as The Themselves. ‘Love’ was a Troggs-influenced 45 based on a Buddhist chant . . . with a sitar plucking in the background. . . . Their second “A” side, “Secret”, was more commercial with a string arrangement and mellotron. The band were definitely grade one psych-pop.
The Tapestry of Delights Revisited
And Bruce Eder adds:
Originally known as the Themselves, the Virgin Sleep was formed in 1966 . . . . Following their name change, the group was signed to English Decca’s Deram label in 1967, and they debuted on record that year with “Love,” a punkish piece of psychedelic rock with strong Eastern overtones (including a sitar twanging in the background). Their follow-up recording, “Secret,” released in 1968, was dominated by the sound of a Mellotron and a small string orchestra.
https://www.allmusic.com/artist/virgin-sleep-mn0002303572
I know, I know, a Mellotron and strings!!! More Mellotron!
Pay to Play! The Off the Charts Spotify Playlist! + Brace for the Obscure 60s Rock Merchandise
Please consider helping to support my website/blog by contributing $6 a month for access to the Off the Charts Spotify Playlist. Using a term familiar to denizens of Capitol Hill, you pay to play! (“relating to or denoting an unethical or illicit arrangement in which payment is made by those who want certain privileges or advantages in such arenas as business, politics, sports, and entertainment” — dictionary.com).
The playlist includes all the “greatest songs of the 1960’s that no one has ever heard” that are available on Spotify. The playlist will expand each time I feature an available song.
All new subscribers will receive a Brace for the Obscure 60s Rock magnet. New subscribers who sign up for a year will also receive a Brace for the Obscure 60s Rock t-shirt or baseball cap. See pictures on the Pay to Play page.
When subscribing, please send me an e-mail (GMFtma1@gmail.com) or a comment on this site letting me know an e-mail address/phone number/Facebook address, etc. to which I can send instructions on accessing the playlist and a physical address to which I can sent a magnet/t-shirt/baseball cap. If choosing a t-shirt, please let me know the gender and size you prefer.
Just click on the first blue block for a month to month subscription or the second blue block for a yearly subscription.
Brace for the Obscure (60s rock)! / Off the Charts: 60s Rock Revelations😊 