Top 10 Dr. Hook & the Medicine Show Songs

Feature Photo: Jay Phagan, CC BY 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

Our Top 10 Dr. Hook & the Medicine Show songs list revisits the journey of a band that emerged from New Jersey in the 1960s. The initial lineup included George Cummings, Ray Sawyer, and Billy Francis, who had previously collaborated in the Chocolate Papers before bringing Dennis Locorriere into the fold, initially as a bassist before he stepped into the role of lead vocalist. The band’s early years featured drummer Popeye Philips, who was succeeded by Joseph Oliver, and eventually, John David took over the drums during the recording of their debut album.

The band caught a significant break in 1970 when their demo tapes captured the attention of Ron Haffkine, the musical director for the film “Who is Harry Kellerman and Why is He Saying Those Terrible Things About Me?” Impressed, Haffkine selected the band to record the soundtrack, including the songs “The Last Morning” and “Bunky and Lucille,” the latter of which they performed in a cameo in the movie. Despite the film’s moderate success, it paved the way for the band’s first recording contract.

Their debut album, Doctor Hook, released in 1972, was a commercial success, selling over a million copies and earning a gold disc. The single “Sylvia’s Mother” from this album, initially slow to gain traction, eventually soared to the top five, marking the band’s breakthrough. The band frequently collaborated with poet and songwriter Shel Silverstein, who contributed significantly to their second album, Sloppy Seconds, released later the same year.

Despite a promising start, the band faced challenges with their follow-up album, Belly Up!, leading to financial difficulties. Nonetheless, they persevered, continuing to tour extensively. In 1975, after shortening their name to Dr. Hook and signing with Capitol Records, they released Bankrupt. This album marked a departure as it included songs written by the band members themselves. A cover of Sam Cooke’s “Only Sixteen” from this album helped revitalize their career, reaching the top ten.

The late 70s and early 80s saw the band enjoying further success with hit singles, though album sales lagged until the gold-certified Pleasure and Pain in 1978. Discontent with the band’s commercial musical direction, Ray Sawyer left in 1983 to pursue a solo career, and the band wrapped up with Dr. Hook’s One and Only Farewell Tour in 1985.

Post-breakup, Dennis Locorriere retained the rights to the band’s name and continued performing as Dr. Hook, releasing albums and touring under various related monikers. A planned 50th-anniversary tour in 2019 was postponed due to Locorriere’s health issues. Ray Sawyer, who had been touring as “Ray Sawyer of Dr. Hook,” passed away in 2018, following Billy Francis’s death in 2010. This list celebrates the enduring legacy and memorable hits of Dr. Hook & the Medicine Show, a band that left a lasting imprint on the music world with their distinctive blend of pop, rock, and country influences.

# 10- The Ballad of Lucy Jordan

Kicking off our Dr. Hook & the Medicine Show songs list is the poignant “The Ballad of Lucy Jordan,” penned by the prolific Shel Silverstein. The song delves into the somber narrative of a suburban housewife grappling with a profound existential crisis, encapsulating her descent into despair as she confronts the unfulfilled aspirations and monotonous reality of her life. This narrative masterpiece not only highlights Silverstein’s adept storytelling but also Dr. Hook’s ability to convey deep emotional landscapes through their music. In 1979, Marianne Faithfull’s haunting cover of the song brought a new dimension to its melancholy tale, earning it a place as one of her most successful hits.

# 9 – Only Sixteen

At number nine on our Dr. Hook & the Medicine Show songs list, we feature their 1975 cover of Sam Cooke’s 1959 classic, included on their album Bankrupt. Dr. Hook’s rendition of this timeless track became one of the band’s biggest hits. The group’s remake brought a fresh, distinctive flair to Cooke’s original. Their cover soared to number six on the Billboard Hot 100 and reached number five on the Cash Box Top 100, enjoying a remarkable twenty-two-week run on the charts. This enduring hit was also certified gold, cementing its place as a highlight in Dr. Hook’s discography

# 8 – A Little Bit More

Another standout cover by Dr. Hook & the Medicine Show comes in the form of a song originally recorded by Bobby Moore in 1973. Dr. Hook’s version, released in 1976, surpassed the original in terms of commercial success. It climbed to number eleven on the Billboard Hot 100 and secured the ninth spot on the Cashbox 100. This track found even greater acclaim across the Atlantic, reaching an impressive number two in the UK charts. This achievement ties it with “Sylvia’s Mother” as the band’s second most significant hit in the UK, showcasing Dr. Hook’s knack for transforming and elevating songs to new heights of popularity.

# 7 – Carry Me, Carrie

In the number seven spot on our Top 10 Dr. Hook & the Medicine Show Songs list is the grand track “Carry Me, Carrie.” I love this one. This is one of Ray Sawyer’s most emotional vocals. “Carry Me, Carrie.” stands as the third single from the American country rock ensemble Dr. Hook & the Medicine Show, released in 1972. This track found its home on the band’s second album, Sloppy Seconds, further establishing their distinctive sound and storytelling prowess. The song features Ray Sawyer on lead vocals, with Dennis Locorriere handling lead guitar and sharing vocal duties. The lineup was rounded out by George Cummings on steel, electric, and Hawaiian guitars providing backing vocals, Rik Elswit on rhythm guitar, Billy Francis on keyboards also contributing backing vocals, Jance Garfat on bass, and Jay David on drums, who also lent his voice for backing vocals.

Upon its release, “Carry Me, Carrie” made its mark on various charts, showcasing Dr. Hook’s growing popularity and the appeal of their narrative-driven songwriting. The song peaked at number 71 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and reached number 74 on the US Cash Box Top 100. In Canada, it climbed to number 82 on the RPM Top Singles chart.

# 6 – Sexy Eyes

Securing the sixth spot on our list is a standout single from 1980, marking the second of three singles released from the album Sometimes You Win. This track holds the distinction of being one of Dr. Hook’s highest-charting songs on the US Billboard Hot 100, sharing this accolade with the iconic “Sylvia’s Mother.” The song’s widespread appeal was further cemented by its gold certification, attesting to its commercial success and enduring popularity. Beyond the United States, the single also enjoyed significant success in Canada, where it soared to number eight, and in the United Kingdom, reaching an impressive number four on the charts.

# 5 – Better Love Next Time

Landing at the halfway mark on our Dr. Hook songs list is a captivating single released in 1979, marking the inaugural release from the Sometimes You Win LP. This track showcases Dr. Hook’s adeptness at tapping into contemporary musical trends, with the band skillfully incorporating elements of disco—a dominant force in the music scene at the time. Some fans were not too happy about this. In the end everyone was doing it, even the Rolling Stones with their big time hit single Miss You used a little disco groove in their tune

The single achieved notable success, climbing to number twelve on the Billboard Hot 100, further solidifying Dr. Hook’s presence in the American music market. Across the Atlantic, the song also resonated with the UK audience, reaching number eight on the charts.

# 4 – Sharing the Night Together

At number four on our Dr. Hook & the Medicine Show songs list, we have a heartfelt track from the album Pleasure and Pain, notable for being the band’s first release under the simplified name Dr. Hook. This was a huge hit for the band peaking at number six on the Billboard Hot 100. They sounded so much different on this track than they had did earlier in their career. Interestingly, this song wasn’t penned by the band members themselves but had previously been recorded by artists Lenny LeBlanc and Arthur Alexander. The song was released in 1978.

# 3 – Sylvia’s Mother

Now it’s time for some old-school Dr. Hook. “Sylvia’s Mother” marks a significant entry in our Dr. Hook & the Medicine Show songs list as the band’s first hit single, released in 1972 from their debut album. This poignant track was penned by the renowned Shel Silverstein and produced by Ron Haffkine. It climbed to number five on the US Billboard charts, achieving remarkable success internationally as well by topping the charts in Ireland and securing the number two spot in the United Kingdom.

The song narrates an autobiographical story from Silverstein’s life, detailing his attempts to rekindle a past relationship that had ended. The storytelling and heartfelt performance by Dr. Hook capture the essence of the song’s lyrical depth, making “Sylvia’s Mother” not only a commercial success but also a beloved classic that resonated with audiences worldwide

# 2 – When You’re In Love With A Beautiful Woman

Securing the number two position on our list is Dr. Hook’s most internationally acclaimed hit, released in 1979 from the Pleasure and Pain album. The song achieved impressive success, climbing to number six on the Billboard Hot 100 and reaching the pinnacle of the charts in the United Kingdom, a testament to its wide-reaching appeal and infectious rhythm. It is funny how many times Dr. Hook hit the number six position on the Billboard Hot 100. Given its success, Dr. Hook made the strategic decision to include this hit on their subsequent album, Sometimes You Win, ensuring that this standout track received the broad audience it deserved.

# 1 – The Cover of Rolling Stone

Concluding our Dr. Hook & the Medicine Show Songs list is the iconic “The Cover of ‘Rolling Stone’,” penned by the legendary Shel Silverstein and featured on the album Sloppy Seconds. Produced by Ron Haffkine, this 1972 release marked the band’s third single, reaching an impressive number six on the pop chart, where it held its position for two weeks.

The song stands as a satirical take on the music industry, poking fun at the notion that landing on the cover of “Rolling Stone” magazine is the ultimate hallmark of a band’s success. Dr. Hook & the Medicine Show delivered this critique with a blend of humor and catchy melodies, making “The Cover of ‘Rolling Stone'” not only a commercial hit but also a beloved classic that resonates with the realities and aspirations within the music world. Its enduring appeal lies in its witty lyrics and engaging composition, ensuring it a well-deserved place at the climax of our list.