Popping to see Jagger, collaring Captain Tom on daytime TV or taking their dad’s advice – these artists share how they topped the singles charts
I was all set to give up music for a scholarship at New York University. Then my father suggested that if I sang Who’s Sorry Now? – a song from 1923 – with rock’n’roll triplets, it would appeal to grown-ups and younger buyers. I hated it. I thought the song sounded “square” and right up to the last minute I didn’t want to record it. I went into the session with every intention of running out of time, but halfway through I asked the rhythm section to provide a stronger beat. I sang louder, and that second half is what most people recall. After I sang it on Dick Clark’s American Bandstand it took off in the States, but in the UK there were only two TV channels so it was entirely down to radio plays. Being No 1 felt overwhelming, but I’m continually amazed by the reception given to what’s been called “the ultimate revenge song” by younger generations. Just recently it’s been used as Disney’s Cruella trailer and in Don’t Worry Darling, starring Harry Styles, which amazes me. Connie Francis
