Billboard #1 Hits: #173: ” Poor Side Of Town”- Johnny Rivers. November 12, 1966. #1 for 1 week.
- Single: “Poor Side Of Town”- Johnny Rivers
- Record Company- Imperial
- Genre: Pop
- Written by Johnny Rivers and Lou Adler
- Time: 3:03
- B-side:”A Man Can Cry”
- Album- Changes
- Grade: C
- Peaked at #1 for 1 week in Billboard Hot 100.
Johnny Rivers had a lot of success on the pop charts from the early 60’s until the late 70’s- “Poor Side Of Town” was his only hit. Produced by Lou Adler- a west coast producer [the guy usually sitting next to Jack Nicholson at Lakers games} and backed up by The Wrecking Crew- [drummer Hal Blaine being involved almost assured it would go to #1} The song was a change in sound for Rivers from his earlier hits- to a pop-soul sound. This doesn’t sound like a #1 hit to me- when compared to a lot of other big hits from the era rather run of the mill.
slicethelife 
He had such a soulful voice. This is a long-time favorite of mine.
I think a ‘C’ is a bit harsh. I always liked this song, and would give it a ‘B’.
You may be right. I just finished up ranking the #1 songs for 1966 and while it didn’t rank high- there were only three songs that went to #1 that I didn’t like from that year and this isn’t one of them.
John is a guy I just like. He was kind of out of step with my regular listening. What can I say. My ear is my guide.
Nothing wrong with that!
Nope.
I’m with the other folks who like this song. I think it’s a B. That guitar lick…