The 10 Best Lou Christie Songs of All-Time

Lou Christie is an American pop singer known for his many singles (most notably “Lightnin’ Strikes”) and their prominent use in commercials. His career has spanned over 50 years and he continues to create new compositions as well as perform. Lou started his music career in the Brill Building, which was the center of music production in New York City. The songs he produced were recorded by everyone from The Shangri-Las to Neil Diamond. Lou is mostly known for his singles, but he also has several albums out. Here are the top ten songs by Lou Christie you need to listen to for yourself.

10. A Teenager in Love

 

This is one of Lou Christie’s most famous songs. It was originally recorded by Dion and the Belmonts, but quickly became a hit for Christie. In 1965, this song was ranked No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart and spent five weeks in total at No. 1 on the Hot 100. It was also ranked No. 5 on The Billboard Hot 100’s Year-End chart for 1965. It has made him win different awards such as Cashbox’s Best Single of the Year in 1965, Grammy for a best male vocal performance, and number 5 on Billboard’s list of Top 100 songs for the year 1965.

9. Summer Days

 

This song was written by Lou Christie and Diane Summers, who wrote several of Lou’s hits. Released in 1965, it spent more than a month on the top of the Billboard Hot 100 list and sold a million copies within three months. The song was ranked number 10 on Billboard’s Top Songs of 1965. The awards he won are Best Vocal Group for Cash Box Magazine in 1965, number 9 on Billboard’s Top 100 songs of 1965, and various others.

8. Since I Don’t Have You

 

This song is perhaps best known for its use as background music in an advertisement for Chock Full o’ Nuts. It was written by the Skyliners and released in 1959 under its original title “Since I Don’t Have You”. Christie did a remake of this song in 1969 which became his first single to enter the top 40 on Billboard’s Top 100. He won Cash Box Magazine’s Award for Best New Solo Vocalist in 1969, number 8 on Billboard’s Top 100 songs of 1969, and Best Male Vocalist for Cash Box Magazine in 1969.

7. Stay

 

This song was originally released by Maurice Williams and the Zodiacs as a single from their 1960 album “Stay With Me”. Christie remade this song into a duet with the American singer Kathy Young. It was released in 1969 and became Christie’s second single to enter the top 40 on Billboard’s Top 100 list, peaking at number 34. It also won a Grammy Award for Best Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist(s).

6. Beyond the Blue Horizon

 

This song was written by Richard A. Whiting, W. Franke Harling, and Leo Robin for the 1930 movie “The Big Pond”. Christie’s version of this song became his third solo hit to enter the top 40 on Billboard’s Top 100 list, peaking at number 34 in 1970. It sold a million copies within a month and received a gold disc for this feat.

5. The Gypsy Cried

 

This song was written by Christie and Don Costa, who produced many of Lou’s early recordings. It reached number 22 on Billboard’s Top 100 list in 1966 and won the Grammy Award for Best Rock & Roll Recording the same year. This track got Christie ranked number 39 on Cash Box Magazine’s list of the Top 100 Stars for 1966.

4. Rhapsody in the Rain

 

This song was written by Christie and Mike Anthony, who co-wrote several songs with Christie. It spent five weeks at No. 1 on Billboard’s Adult Contemporary chart, reached number 5 on Billboard’s Hot 100 list, and No. 3 on the UK Singles Chart in 1962. He won Billboard’s Award for Top Male Vocalist of 1962, number 4 on Billboard’s Top 100 songs of 1966, and 1966 Cash Box Magazine Awards for Best New Singer and Most Promising Male Vocalist.

3. Two Faces Have I

 

This song was originally recorded by Christie as a single from his first studio album “Two Faces Have I” in 1963. It peaked at number 14 on the UK Singles Chart and remained charted for 13 weeks. It also spent four weeks at No. 1 on New Zealand’s Top 20 singles chart, reached number 5 on Canada’s CHUM Chart, and reached number 3 on Billboard’s Hot 100 list. He won UK Disc Jockey Poll for Top New Entry of 1963, 1965 Cash Box Magazine Awards for Most Promising Male Vocalist, and 1966 Cash Box Magazine Awards for Best New Singer and Most Promising Male Vocalist.

2. The Gypsy Cried

 

This song was released as a single in 1971 and entered the top 20 on USA Today’s ‘Sweet 16’ chart. It also entered Billboard’s Top 100 list at number 7 and reached number 1 on Cash Box Magazine’s Singles Chart, becoming Christie’s third hit to top this chart.

1. Lightnin’ Strikes

 

This song was released in 1966 and reached number 3 on the UK Singles Chart, spending 10 weeks in total on this chart. It also peaked at No. 7 on Billboard’s Hot 100 list and spent three weeks at the top of Canada’s RPM 100 national singles chart in 1966. This track earned Christie a place in Cash Box Magazine’s Top 100 Singles Artists of 1966. He won Cash Box Magazine’s Award for Best New Solo Vocalist in 1969, number 8 on Billboard’s Top 100 songs of 1969, and Best Male Vocalist for Cash Box Magazine in 1969.

Conclusion

Lou Christie is an American singer, songwriter, and record producer who is best known for his number one hits “Lightnin’ Strikes” (1966) and “Two Faces Have I” (1962).” Lightnin’ Strikes” was his only number one hit on the Billboard Hot 100 list. He also topped the Cash Box Magazine Singles Chart with “Mighty Time”, peaked at number 2 on Billboard’s Top 100 list with “I’m Gonna Make You Mine” and “I’m On The Outside (Looking In)”.