Neil Sedaka - Alice In Wonderland - 1963

Neil Sedaka has been a favorite artist since the first time I heard him in December of 1960, with his then huge hit "Calendar Girl". I had exiled from Cuba earlier on Oct. 2nd (48 years today!) and his peppy music caught my then young ears. Many more hits would ensue, including this obscure hit from 1963 that I am spotlighting- Alice In Wonderland. I chose it because of its subject matter, It just so happens that Alice In Wonderland is my wife's favorite Disney movie; with that in mind, I decided to weave images of that movie and of her live character parading around at the Disney Parks into the song/video.

Alice In Wonderland reached a very respectable #17 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the early part of 1963, debuting exactly on February 2nd. I had just moved back to Miami from Rome, NY. and this song with its delightful melodic line and catchy Cha-Cha beat once again caught my ear.

Neil's run of early hits were remarkable in that they were all written by him along with Howard Greenfield- his lyricist. The songwriting duo, then employed at the now legendary Brill Building, was known for their wonderful bouncy melodies saddled with catchy and clever lyrics. Few singers of that era wrote their own hits, except for Paul Anka, Roy Orbison and Buddy Holly. They were all early singer-songwriters and crafted great songs which are still enjoyed to this day.

(¯`*•.¸¸PLEASE SIGN THE PETITION ¸¸.•*´¯)
Neil Sedaka fans believe it's high time for Neil to get inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame.

http://www.sedaka.be/neil_sedaka_petition/entry.htm
PLEASE, CLICK HERE to sign the petition,
started by Neil Sedaka fans!
(You don't leave YouTube; it opens in a new window)

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Neil
• Sedaka
• Howard
• Greenfield
• Brill
• Building
• 1963
• Disney
• Alice
• In
• Wonderland

[lovesmusic36]

Yes, most definitely underrated, not only for pop music but as a Julliard-trained classical pianist. How he isn't yet in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame is a travesty, to say the least. I believe that there is a petition in circulation to advocate his induction. Hopefully those who have some influence will do what's necessary to correct this! Thank you for posting Alice In Wonderland. I remember buying this record when I was 13...spent my whole allowance on it! Still have it somewhere...!

[boopkid]

@lovesmusic36 How he is not in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame is truly a travesty, and then someone with one hit is like Percy Sledge...but that organization is so political and biased. The list of those not included is an embarrassment to their organization.

[lovesmusic36]

I'm a product of 50s and 60s music, especially the Brill building "kids" i.e. Neil, Carole King, Burt Bacharach. I've seen Neil in concert three times and had the pleasure of meeting him briefly at a fundraiser. I've been a fan since age 11, that's 50 years if you want to do the math...! He was and will always be an amazing talent! He has inspired me to return to music and songwriting. As one reader posted and with which I must agree, he definitely has "a smile in his voice!"

[boopkid]

@lovesmusic36 Thank you so much for your post. He truly does have a smile in his voice and a lot of heart in his melodies. I too am an admirer of Neil Sedaka and his music, his fun early hits were favorites from my pre-teen years. I've seen him in concert twice, in '81 and in 2004. He is one of the greatest talents of the 20th century and truly underrated for his contributions to pop music and early rock.

[Kittielips]

I have never encountered this song before.

5*****, and I agree with boopkid, "Let's Go Steady Again" and "Next Door To An Angel" are amongst my favourites.

Thank you, and well done. 5*****, Jennie. X.

[boopkid]

Thank you for your great comment.

[LaVerne37]

My sister used to sing this...funny it is not as well known. Thanks Serg, and we are so glad you came to America!!! Your videos bring all your videos to life,especially this one! We love our Serg!!!

Twiddle Dum In Texas...

[005jonnybeez]

This is such a sweet song! Never heard it! Also wonder how Annette missed out on doing her own cover! :-) Although the Disney version is a timeless classic, in my family we also always enjoyed the 1933 movie version with Charlotte Henry, Edward Everett Horton, W.C. Fields, etc. Nice treatment of the tune!

[o0HelpImAlive0o]

@isuckaman No, but it's still pretty great.

[draper57]

New to me. Thanks for uploading it

[isuckaman]

Now, doesn't this sound better than Jefferson Airplane's "White Rabbit"?

[SailorBarsoom]

This has to be the first time I've ever heard a song which so much as mentions Alice in Wonderland that I wouldn't consider "psychedelic."

But it's really a great little song, and I'm really glad you posted it. Thanks.

[CHECKMATEJASPER]

Just Love it. Thanks *****

[Operalover12002]

Having attended the Juilliard School, Neil Sedaka proves his musical versatility in his songs. They can top the genres of rap and hip-hop. More young people ought to

be interested in him and recognize how marvelous he is.