Easier Said Than Done
Encyclopedia
"Easier Said Than Done" is a popular song sung by The Essex
that was a number-one song in the United States during the year 1963. It topped the Billboard Hot 100
singles chart on July 6, 1963 and remained there for two weeks. The song was written by William Linton and Larry Huff.
The Essex were active-duty members of the United States Marine Corps
at the time, as was Linton, who wrote the song at the request of Essex member Walter Vickers. The song's rhythm was inspired by the sound of the Teletype
machines in the communications office of their Marine post. The group was not thrilled with the song, but recorded it for use as the b-side of their debut single, "Are You Going My Way". The recording was unusually short, and editing was used to repeat part of the recording; even so, the song was only a little over two minutes. The single was released in May 1963, but "Easier Said Than Done" quickly emerged as the more popular side. The song became a major hit with broad appeal, reaching number one on both the pop and rhythm and blues
charts. The song became the title track of the group's first album, which reached #113 on the Billboard album chart
, becoming their only charting album.
The Essex
The Essex was an American R&B vocal group formed in 1962. They are best known for their 1963 chart-topper and million selling track, "Easier Said Than Done".-Career:...
that was a number-one song in the United States during the year 1963. It topped the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
singles chart on July 6, 1963 and remained there for two weeks. The song was written by William Linton and Larry Huff.
The Essex were active-duty members of the United States Marine Corps
United States Marine Corps
The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
at the time, as was Linton, who wrote the song at the request of Essex member Walter Vickers. The song's rhythm was inspired by the sound of the Teletype
Teletype Corporation
The Teletype Corporation, a part of American Telephone and Telegraph Company's Western Electric manufacturing arm since 1930, came into being in 1928 when the Morkrum-Kleinschmidt Company changed its name to the name of its trademark equipment...
machines in the communications office of their Marine post. The group was not thrilled with the song, but recorded it for use as the b-side of their debut single, "Are You Going My Way". The recording was unusually short, and editing was used to repeat part of the recording; even so, the song was only a little over two minutes. The single was released in May 1963, but "Easier Said Than Done" quickly emerged as the more popular side. The song became a major hit with broad appeal, reaching number one on both the pop and rhythm and blues
Rhythm and blues
Rhythm and blues, often abbreviated to R&B, is a genre of popular African American music that originated in the 1940s. The term was originally used by record companies to describe recordings marketed predominantly to urban African Americans, at a time when "urbane, rocking, jazz based music with a...
charts. The song became the title track of the group's first album, which reached #113 on the Billboard album chart
Billboard 200
The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists...
, becoming their only charting album.