Pop-Tops


Pop Tops were a vocal/instrumental band, formed in 1967 in Madrid, Spain, with Phil Trim from Trinidad and Tobago as lead singer. Their sound was a blend of baroque pop with the soulful vocals of Trim.

Members

Original set-up included
  • Phil Trim – lead singer
  • Julián Luis Angulo – guitar, vocals
  • Alberto Vega – saxophone, clarinet, vocals
  • Enrique Gómez – bass, trumpet
  • Ignacio Pérez – organ, piano
  • José Lipiani – drums
  • Ray Gómez – guitar
Some changes occurred in members:
  • Francisco Urbano Romero – drums
  • Rafael Guillermo Gertrudis – keyboards, piano

Hits

Their first release to gain attention was "Oh Lord, Why Lord", written by Jean Marcel Bouchety and Phil Trim. It was the first pop song to incorporate the melody of Pachelbel's Canon in D. That single's b-side, "The Voice of the Dying Man" was also recorded in Spanish as "La Voz del Hombre Caido".
They are best known for their 1971 hit "Mamy Blue", referring to a son's poignant song addressed to his departed mother about his childhood memories and life in general, sometimes spelled "Mommy Blue", "Mammy Blue" or "Mummy Blue", which was a Top 10 hit throughout much of Europe, Japan, and Canada, and a minor Billboard Hot 100 chart hit in the United States. It was covered in the US by the Stories peaking at No. 50 in 1973. It sold over one million copies, and was awarded a platinum record.
The composer and lyricist of the French song "Mamy Blue" was Hubert Giraud. English lyrics were written by Phil Trim. The Pop Tops also recorded Italian and Spanish versions, with lyrics by Gefingal.
As follow-up singles they released "Suzanne Suzanne" and "Hideaway", which were only minor hits in some European countries.

Discography

Spanish releases

Barclay, Spain
Explosion, Spain
  • 1971: Dios a todos hizo libres / Movimento de amor
  • 1971: Road to Freedom / Who Will Believe
  • 1971: Mamy Blue / Love Motion
  • 1971: Mamy Blue / Grief and Torture
  • 1972: Suzanne Suzanne / Happiness Ville
  • 1972: Suzanne Suzanne / Walk along by the Riverside
  • 1972: Hideaway / What a Place to Live In
  • 1973: My Little Woman / Girl, What's on Your Mind?
  • 1973: Happy, Hippy, Youppy Song / Where Can I Go
  • 1973: Happy, Hippy, Youppy Song / Angeline
  • 1974: What a Way to Go / Baby I Will Cry

German releases

Bellaphon, West Germany
  • 1971: Mamy Blue / Road to Freedom
  • 1971: Oh Lord, Why Lord / Walk Along by the Riverside
  • 1972: Suzanne Suzanne / Happiness Ville
  • 1972: Hideaway / What a Place to Live In
  • 1973: My Little Woman / Girl, What's on Your Mind?
  • 1973: Happy, Hippy, Youppy Song / Where Can I Go
  • 1973: What a Way to Go / Baby I Will Cry