Photo: Kenneth Dwain Harrelson, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
Gary Lewis, son of comedian Jerry Lewis, was born on July 31, 1946, in Newark, New Jersey. For Gary, growing up under the influence of parents who’ve made their living from show business, it seemed logical that he would follow their footsteps as he grew older. While he did indeed make a career out of the entertainment industry, the son of Jerry Lewis carved his path as he founded and headed the band The Playboys. Instead of taking up comedy or acting, Gary Lewis embarked on a music career, primarily within pop-rock. From 1964 until 1970, Gary and his group enjoyed a prolific career run where fourteen albums were recorded and released. Although the band officially folded in 1970, another version later resumed for touring purposes only.
Tour of Duty
Gary Lewis’ music career had to wait until 1967, when his enrollment in the US Army had him drafted into the Vietnam War, sending him overseas. Upon his return to America in 1968, Lewis had hoped to realize the same level of success he did before performing his tour of duty. Not only did this not happen, but by 1970, The Playboys had also disbanded. Lewis had since moved forward with a solo career, but even there, he never quite achieved the height of success he felt initially. In addition to the fourteen studio albums credited to Gary Lewis & The Playboys’ discography, so are four compilation albums and twenty-four singles. Among those singles, sixteen made appearances on the music charts.
Top 10 Gary Lewis & The Playboys Songs
# 10 – Sealed With a Kiss
In 1960, “Sealed With a Kiss” was initially released by the Four Voices and was first made a hit in 1962 by Brian Hyland. Gary Lewis & The Playboys covered this song in 1968, one of two songs on the album Gary Lewis Now. On the US Billboard Hot 100, the song charted at number nineteen, while on Canada’s RPM Top Singles, it peaked even higher at number seven. In Australia, the song reached number seventy-four on the Kent Music Report. On the US Billboard Adult Contemporary Chart, Sealed With a Kiss peaked at number thirty-two.
# 9 – My Heart’s Symphony
“My Heart’s Symphony” was recorded on the album (You Don’t Have To) Paint Me a Picture, which was released in 1966 through the label Liberty Records. On the only occasion Gary Lewis & The Playboys would realize a chart hit on the UK Singles Chart, the song peaked at number thirty-six. As widely received as he and his bandmates were in North America and Australia, nations such as the United Kingdom had not entirely warmed up to them as much. In Australia, My Heart’s Symphony peaked on its chart at ninety-eight. The song charted at number thirteen on the US Billboard Hot 100, and on Canada’s RPM Top Singles Chart at number thirty-one.
# 8 – (You Don’t Have To) Paint a Picture
Among the tracks recorded on the 1966 album, (You Don’t Have To) Paint Me a Picture, the single sharing the same title would realize its only chart success with the nation of South Africa and its Springbok Radio chart as it peaked at number seven. In Australia and its Kent Report, the song charted at number fifty-eight. The US Billboard Hot 100 saw this song chart to number fifteen, while Canada’s RPM Top Singles Chart had it placed ninth.
# 7 – Sure Gonna Miss Her
From the 1966 album Hits Again, the single “Sure Gonna Miss Her” achieved number nine on the US Billboard Hot 100 Chart, twenty-one on Canada’s RPM Top Singles Chart, and seventy-two on Australia’s Kent Report. The original recording of this song by Gary Lewis & The Playboys was mainly played by guitar and drums but was rejected by the label Liberty Records. The following recording added the sound of horns to the song, which was accepted. The single became a hit as it charted on the US Billboard Hot 100 at number nine, RPM Canada’s Top Singles at number twenty-one, and Australia’s Kent Report at number seventy-two.
# 6 – Everybody Loves a Clown
Recorded on the 1965 album with the same name, “Everybody Loves a Clown,” was a hit single that peaked at number four on the US Billboard Hot 100 and tenth on RPM Canada’s Top Singles Chart. The Kent Report in Australia peaked the song at number sixty-two. Since its release, it had also been covered by Jan & Dean in 1966 for their album, “Filet of Soul,” and was also played during an episode on the animated series “The Simpsons.”
# 5 – She’s Just My Style
“She’s Just My Style,” both album and single, were recorded and released in January 1966. The song became a hit, peaking third on the US Billboard Hot 100. On Canada’s RPM Top Singles Chart, it peaked in fifth place, while on Australia’s Kent Report, it peaked at number fifty-three. Of all the hit singles Gary Lewis & The Playboys have recorded and released, She’s Just My Style currently receives the most playtime on American radio.
# 4 – Green Grass
On Canada’s RPM Top Singles, “Green Grass” reached the top of its chart after its release in 1966. Coming from the album Hits Again, the song also charted on the US Billboard Hot 100 at number eight and Australia’s Kent Report at sixty-four. This song was the seventh consecutive top-ten hit for Gary Lewis & The Playboys.
# 3 – Count Me In
The second hit single from Gary Lewis & The Playboys that would realize chart success was “Count Me In.” In 1965, the song was recorded on the album A Session with Gary Lewis and the Playboys and charted as high as second on the US Billboard Hot 100 and third on RPM Canada’s Top Singles. On Australia’s Kent Report, Count Me In peaked at number forty-nine.
# 2 – Save Your Heart for Me
The third hit to reach the charts for Gary Lewis and the Playboys was “Save Your Heart for Me,” recorded and released on their 1965 album, A Session with Gary Lewis & The Playboys. On the US Billboard Hot 100, the song placed as high as second place, while on Australia’s Kent Report, the song peaked at number sixty. As for RPM Canada’s Top Singles and US Billboard Adult Contemporary charts, “Save Your Heart for Me” would reach first overall for the first time.
#1 – This Diamond Ring
The debut single, “This Diamond Ring,” comes from the debut album of the same name, released in January 1965. The song reached the top of the charts on the US Billboard Hot 100, placing third on RPM Canada’s Top Singles and sixth on Australia’s Kent Report. Sammy Ambrose initially recorded and released this song in 1965, but Lewis’ version would chart first. On January 9, 1965, both versions of this song would appear on the US Billboard Hot 100, but Lewis’ version would keep charting until it reached number one.
Updated June 7, 2024
Top 10 Gary Lewis & The Playboys Songs article published on Classic RockHistory.com© 2024
