Top 10 Lou Christie Songs

Lou Christie Songs

Born as Lugee Alfred Giovanni Sacco on February 19, 1943, the artist better known as Lou Christie originally hailed from Glenwillard, Pennsylvania. However, he grew up in Pittsburgh and studied classical music, which later led him to become a conductor of choirs and a solo singer at holiday concerts. Lou Christie’s professor had hoped he’d pursue a career in classical music, but he wanted to cut a record for American Bandstand. When he was 15, he befriended Twyla Herbert, who became his main songwriting partner until 2009.

It was in 1962, after handing over demo tapes in hopes of discovering that the stage name “Lou Christie” had been officially adopted. Christie’s talented vocals made quite an impression, leading him to sign with his first label, Roulette Records. Shortly afterward, Lou Christie joined Dick Clark’s Caravan of Stars Tour. Before enlisting in the United States Military, Christie had performed with The Tammys as his backup vocalists and had made television appearances, first on American Bandstand and The Buddy Deane Show from 1962 until 1964, then on Where the Action Is from 1965 until 1967.

After Army Life

For a brief period, Lou Christie enlisted in the Army, then was discharged to resume his recording career, this time with MGM Records, Columbia Records, and, finally, Buddah Records. Starting in 1974, Christie tried his hand at country music to shift away from pop-rock. However, his music failed to make an impression on the country charts but still continued to appear on the pop charts. Since then, none of his released singles have charted, but that doesn’t mean he’s lost his ability to deliver high-quality songs. From 1963 to 2015, Lou Christie released 11 studio albums, 9 compilation albums, and 1 live album. In total, he has 35 singles, of which 17 have become chart hits.

Top 10 Lou Christie Songs

#10 – A Teenager in Love

“A Teenager in Love’ was originally performed in 1959 by Dion And The Belmonts, and it was a number five hit for the group on the US Billboard Hot 100. There have been a few altered versions of the song that also earned chart success, namely for the UK’s Marty Wilde and Craig Douglas. Cited as one of the greatest songs in rock and roll history, A Teenager in Love was also covered by Lou Christie. Although the song didn’t chart for him, it is still among his best-loved songs. The start of the guitar, plus the smooth vocal delivery by Lou Christie, made his version of “A Teenager in Love” an easy-listening favorite.

#9 – Summer Days

“Summer Days” was first performed by the legendary Partridge Family for their Sound Magazine album in 1971. It was never released as a single by the group, but it was by Lou Christie in 1975. On the US Record World chart, it was a number eighty-nine hit. The beautiful piano, in a similar style to classic saloons, saw Lou Christie’s falsetto vocal talent shine on this classic favorite that sets the tone for what the best of summer is about.

#8 – Since I Don’t Have You

“Since I Don’t Have You” was a 1958 doo-wop classic originally recorded by The Skyliners and has since been covered by a number of artists across many different genres. As for Lou Christie’s performance of this longing for a loved one ballad, it charted at number seventy-one on the Canadian Singles Chart and at number eighteen on the US Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles chart.

“Since I Don’t Have You” was the final single he recorded for MGM Records before he was dropped from the label, which then led him to sign up with Columbia Records. Unlike the doo-wop version, Lou Christie’s soft, bluesy ballad approach was a refreshing take on the song, which was performed beautifully thanks to Christie’s falsetto.

#7 – Stay

Originally recorded in 1960 by Maurice Williams and the Zodiacs, “Stay” was a number one hit on the US Billboard Hot 100. While Lou Christie’s 1964 cover of this song did not make any chart appearances, it still remains one of Christie’s best performances. This song has been covered many times by many artists, becoming a chart hit for them, but Christie’s lyrical plea for his loved one to stay with him just a little bit longer is no less memorable.

#6 – Beyond the Blue Horizon

“Beyond the Blue Horizon” was a cover single released in 1973 by Lou Christie and became a number 12 hit on the US Billboard Adult Contemporary Chart. On the US Billboard Hot 100, it charted at number eighty, and it reached number fifty-seven on the UK Singles Chart. The original 1930 recording was performed by Jeanette MacDonald and was written for the cult classic movie Monte Carlo. For MacDonald, it was her signature song. For Christie, it was his final single that would appear on the music charts. It also served as a great country music piece for the artist, who attempted to venture into a genre he clearly appreciated but was already committed to during the earlier days of his career: pop.

#5 – The Gypsy Cried

In 1962, Lou Christie made his official debut with the single “The Gypsy Cried,” which allowed him to showcase his falsetto vocals to an audience that clearly approved, as the song peaked at number twenty-four on the US Billboard Hot 100. At the time of this song’s recording, the stage name of Lou Christie hadn’t been developed yet. He used his real name, Lugee Sacco, as he co-wrote this song with his collaborator, Twyla Herbert. Pittsburgh’s C&C Records released “The Gypsy Cried” to the local public as a song credited to Lou Christie. His stage name was already given to him before he had a chance to actually create one. Roulette Records picked up this song and turned it into a national hit. The vocal range Lou Christie used on this single caught the attention of record producers and the hearts of fans who fell in love with his music.

#4 – Rhapsody in the Rain

With The Delicates performing backup vocals, Lou Christie performed “Rhapsody in the Rain,” which became his second hit single while he was still with MGM Records. In 1966, despite many radio stations banning the song for its controversial lyrics, Rhapsody in the Rain still managed to win over fans who liked the original. However, he and MGM Records released a cleaner version of the song that received enough airplay to reach number sixteen on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number ten on the Canadian Singles Chart.

On the UK Singles Chart, Rhapsody in the Rain charted as high as number thirty-seven, and it was a number forty hit on Australia’s Kent Music Report. At the 2007 Super Bowl, Lou Christie’s “Rhapsody in the Rain” was performed, and it also became the title for one of the NFL’s Greatest Game episodes.

#3 – Two Faces Have I

Lou Christie’s signature falsetto vocals instrumentally turned “Two Faces Have I” into a well-deserved hit on the music charts in 1963. It was his second single since signing up with Roulette Records, as well as his most successful with that label. On the US Billboard Hot 100, Two Faces Have I peaked at number six, and it was also a number eleven hit on the US Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. On the Kent Music Report of Australia, Lou Christie made a name for himself for the first time in that nation with this hit, as it charted as high as number twenty. The song served as inspiration for that nation’s retro band, Ol’ 55, who released it as their single in 1980. It became a number fifteen hit in Australia for them.

#2 – I’m Going to Make You Mine

As the title of the album, plus the lead track, “I’m Going to Make You Mine,” was another big hit for Lou Christie when it peaked at number ten on the US Billboard Hot 100 in 1969. It was his first single to chart since signing up with Buddah Records after returning from his stint with the American Army. Linda Scott served as the backup vocalist on Lou Christie’s catchy classic, one of her final recordings before retiring from the entertainment industry. As for Lou Christie, this song served as a key comeback piece he needed to regain the luster of his career before army life.

“I’m Going to Make You Mine” was especially popular in the UK, as it peaked as high as number two on that nation’s official music chart and at number four on the Irish Singles Chart. In Canada, the single reached number five and was a top forty hit in Australia, Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands, and New Zealand. “I’m Going to Make You Mine” served as the final occasion on which Lou Christie released a top ten hit.

#1 – Lightning Strikes

In 1965, Lou Christie recorded and released his signature single, “Lightning Strikes,” through MGM Records. The brilliant combination of the baritone saxophone, trombone, bass, piano, drums, and the stuttering guitar solo served as a jazzy addition to Christie’s lyrical performance, making Lightning Strikes the ultimate fan favorite. On the US Billboard Hot 100, the US Cash Box Top 100, and RPM Canada Top Singles, this speedy single topped the charts at number one. It also reached the music charts in Australia and New Zealand, where it peaked at number nine and number three, respectively.

On the UK Singles Chart, Lightning Strikes climbed as high as number eleven. In addition to these achievements, Lightning Strike also became certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA, which) had its standards at that time requiring a single to sell over a million copies. That was achieved on March 3, 1966. It was the only number-one single to Lou Christie’s credit.