The Searchers discography explained

Artist:The Searchers
Studio:9 (core albums)
Live:3
Ep:10
Singles:42
1Option Name:Collector's Editions
1Option:8
2Option Name:Box sets
2Option:2

In their native Great Britain, between 1963 and 2019, the English rock band The Searchers released 8 studio albums, 9 extended plays (EPs) and 30 singles.[1] However, the band's international discography is complicated, due to different versions of their albums sometimes being released in other countries, particularly in the US. In some cases, the US version would be an entirely different album with different cover photos and tracks (collections of material from various UK releases).[2]

The early "core" albums and singles released from 1963 to 1967 were originally on Pye Records in the United Kingdom, and Kapp Records in the United States. Later, they released records on Liberty, RCA, Sire and PRT Records. Their last studio album Hungry Hearts was released only in Germany on Coconut Records. The Searchers did not release any official live album in the UK (although there were several low-cost concert albums or live collector's CDs). Philips Records recorded their performance in 1963 at the German Star-Club, Hamburg. These songs were later released in many variations especially in Germany and the US. Many UK album tracks were also released as a singles in different countries and sometimes became hits (e. i. "Love Potion No. 9", "Ain't That Just Like Me", "Bumble Bee", "I Don't Want to Go On Without You" etc.). Additionally, they released three SPs with German language versions of their hits and one EP in French.[3]

The Searchers' discography was originally released on the vinyl format, with full-length long plays (LPs), shorter EPs (mostly 4 songs) and singles (2 songs). Over the years, the collection has also been released on many compact discs (CDs).

Albums

Searchers album releases varied significantly between the UK and the US; even those with the same or similar names had different contents. In addition, very many compilation and repackaging releases have been made over the years.

YearAlbum detailsChart PositionsNotes
UK
[4]
GER
[5]
1963Meet The Searchers 220
  • alternative US release: Meet The Searchers / Needles and Pins (compilation of the band's recent UK LPs and SPs)
Sweets For My Sweet – The Searchers At The Star-Club Hamburg NR11
  • live recordings from the Star-Club
  • Origin: Germany
  • US release: Hear! Hear
Sugar and Spice
  • Released: 16 October 1963
  • Label: Pye Records (NPL 18089)
  • Format: LP
530
1964It's the Searchers
  • Released: May 1964
  • Label: Pye Records (NPL 18092)
  • Format: LP
4
  • alternative US release: This Is Us
1965Sounds Like Searchers
  • Released: 19 March 1965
  • Label: Pye Records (NPL 18111)
  • Format: LP
828
  • US release: The New Searchers LP (Chris, John, Mike, Frank)
  • German release: The Searchers (Vogue LDVS 17035)
Take Me for What I'm Worth
  • Released: November 1965
  • Label: Pye Records (NPL 18120 / NSPL 18120)
  • Format: LP
  • alternative US release: The Searchers No. 4
1972Second Take
  • Released: November 1972
  • Label: RCA Victor (SF 8298)
  • Format: LP
  • consists of re-recordings of earlier hits
  • US release: Needles & Pins
1979Searchers
  • Released: October 1979
  • Label: Sire Records (SRK 6082)
  • Format: LP
1981Play For Today
  • Released: April 1981
  • Label: Sire Records (SRK 3523)
  • Format: LP
  • International release: Love's Melodies
1988Hungry Hearts
  • Released: 1988
  • Label: Coconut Records (LP 209459/ CD 259459)
  • Format: LP, CD
NR
  • Origin: Germany
"—" denotes a release that did not chart, "NR" means not released in the UK

US Albums

Searchers album releases varied significantly between the UK and the US; even those with the same or similar names had different contents.

YearAlbum detailsPeak chart positionsNotes
US
[6]
1964Meet The Searchers / Needles and Pins
  • Released: March 1964
  • Label: Kapp Records (KL-1363 / KS-3363)
  • Format: LP
22
  • compilation of the band's recent UK LPs and SPs
Hear! Hear!
  • Released: July 1964
  • Label: Mercury Records (MG 20914 / SR 60914)
  • Format: LP
120
  • recorded live at the Star Club, Hamburg, Germany
This Is Us
  • Released: August 1964
  • Label: Kapp Records (KL 1409 / KS 3409)
  • Format: LP
97
The Searchers Meet the Rattles
  • Released: 1964
  • Label: Mercury Records (MG 20994 / SR 60994)
  • Format: LP
  • recorded live at The Star Club, Hamburg, Germany
  • half of the album is performed by a German band The Rattles
1965The New Searchers LP (Chris, John, Mike, Frank)
  • Released: March 1965
  • Label: Kapp Records (KL 1412 / KS 3412)
  • Format: LP
112
The Searchers No. 4
  • Released: October 1965
  • Label: Kapp Records (KL 1449 / KS 3449)
  • Format: LP
149
1966Take Me for What I'm Worth
  • Released: 1966
  • Label: Kapp Records (KL 1477 / KS 3477)
  • Format: LP
  • 7 of 12 songs were included on the previous album
1974Needles & Pins
  • Released: 6 July 1974
  • Label: RCA Records (INTS 1480)
  • Format: LP
  • consists of re-recordings of earlier hits
1979The Searchers 191
1981Love's Melodies
  • Released: March 1981
  • Label: Sire Records (SRK 3523)
  • Format: LP
"—" denotes a release that did not chart.

Compilation albums

There are about 150 Searchers compilation albums that have been released in many countries.[7] Some contained early 1960s songs that did not appear on previous albums. This list is selective.

YearAlbum detailsPeak chart positionsNotes
UK
[8]
1965 The Searchers' Smash Hits
  • The first UK compilation of the band's recent LPs and SPs
  • LP made Top 10 in Finland (No.7)[9]
1967 The Searchers' Smash Hits, Vol. 2
  • Label: Marble Arch (MAL 640)
  • Format: LP
  • The compilation of the band's recent UK LPs and SPs
1971Needles & Pins
  • The compilation is made of songs from the 1960s (hits and LP tracks)
1972The Golden Hour Of The Searchers
  • Label: Golden Hour (GH 541)
  • Format: LP
  • The compilation is made of songs from the 1960s
1973The Golden Hour Of The Searchers, Vol. 2
  • Label: Golden Hour (GH 564)
  • Format: LP
  • The compilation is made of songs from the 1960s
1977The Searchers File
  • Label: Pye Records (6641 925)
  • Format: 2 LP
  • Double LP compilation is made of songs from the 1960s
  • Liner notes by Peter Jones
1979Sweets For My Sweet – The Searchers At The Star-Club Hamburg
  • Label: Star-Club Records (FILD 002)
  • Format: 2 LP
  • German double LP album is the first with the complete Searchers' Star-Club recordings (1963)
  • Incl. additional songs by the Star Combo, The Rattles and Sounds Incorporated
  • Album had the same title and similar front cover art as the Philips album from 1963
1980When You Walk In The Room
  • Label: Pye Records (NSPL 18617)
  • Format: LP
  • The compilation is made of songs from the 1960s (hits and LP tracks)
1983Spotlight On The Searchers
  • Double LP compilation is made of songs from the 1960s
  • Liner notes by Peter Jones
1987Silver Searchers
  • Label: PRT Records (NRT 2 / CDNRT 2)
  • Format: 2 LP / CD
  • Subtitle: A Commemorative Release to Celebrate 25 Years Of The Searchers
Hits Collection
  • Label: PRT Records (PYL 4002 / PYC 4002)
  • Format: LP / CD
  • The compilation contained A-sides from the 1960s
1989The EP Collection
  • The compilation contained EP tracks from the 1960s
1990The Ultimate Collection
  • Double LP compilation is made of songs from the 1960s
1990The Complete Collection
  • Label: Castle Communications (CCSCD 303)
  • Format: CD
  • CD compilation is made of songs from the 1960s
  • Liner notes written by the band's bass player Frank Allen
1992The EP Collection, Vol. 2
  • Label: See For Miles Records (SEE CD 359)
  • Format: CD
  • The second compilation featured EP tracks from the 1960s
1998The Definitive Collection
  • Label: Castle Communications (CCS CD 826)
  • Format: 2 CD
  • CD 1 contains songs from the 1960s
  • CD 2 contains the first album Meet The Searchers
2000The Pye Anthology 1963-1967
  • Label: Sequel Records (NEECD 381)
  • Format: 2 CD
  • The compilation is made of songs from the 1960s (50 tracks)
20031963-2003: 40th Anniversary Collection
  • The compilation is made of songs from the Pye, Liberty, RCA and Sire labels
2004The Definitive Pye Collection
  • Label: Castle Music (CMEDD 726)
  • Format: 3 CD
  • Complete Pye Records catalogue on 3CDs
  • Liner notes – David Wells
2008The Very Best Of The Searchers 11
  • Well-promoted "greatest hits" collection made charts in the UK
  • Certification: SILVER[10]
2019The Farewell Album / The Greatest Hits & More
  • Label: BMG (BMGCAT302DCD)
  • Format: 2 CD
35
  • released after the band announced that they would be retiring
"—" denotes a release that did not chart.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Searchers_discography#/editor/3

Collectors editions

There are some Searchers CD compilation albums with previously unreleased materials.

YearAlbum detailsPeak chart positionsNotes
UK
[11]
1987The Searchers Play The System – Rarities, Oddities & Flipsides
  • Label: PRT Records (6.266982)
  • Format: LP / CD
  • Contained B-sides and rarities from the 1960s
1990 German, French + Rare Recordings
  • German compilation of the band's rare recordings
  • Incl. songs in German and French or Liberty recordings
  • Compiled by Wilfried Zinzow
1992The Searchers 30th Anniversary Collection 1962-1992
  • 3 CD contains hits, album tracks, live songs, solo recordings
  • Incl. previously unreleased materials (e.g. unfinished album from 1983)
  • Booklet featured sleeve note by the band's guitarist John McNally
1999 Second Take – The Complete RCA/UK Recordings
  • Label: Taragon Records (TARCD-1055)
  • Format: CD
  • Complete recordings made for RCA label in the 1970s
  • Incl. previously unreleased songs
2001 The Swedish Radio Sessions
  • Label: Castle Music / Sanctuary Records (CMRCD394)
  • Format: CD
  • Three live radio shows from Sweden 1964 (2x) and 1967
  • Recorded At Konserthuset, Stockholm and Radiohuset
2002 The Iron Door Sessions
  • Label: Castle Music (CMBCD 485)
  • Format: CD
  • Historic release, previously unreleased first recordings of the Searchers
  • Mastered from the rare acetate
2004BBC Sessions
  • Label: Castle Music / Sanctuary Records (CMEDD)
  • Format: 2 CD
  • Live recordings from BBC (1964-1967)
2017 Another Night: The Sire Recordings 1979-1981
  • Complete recordings made for Sire label in the 1970s and 1980s
  • Incl. previously unreleased songs and alternate mixes
"—" denotes a release that did not chart.

Box sets

YearAlbum detailsPeak chart positionsNotes
UK
[12]
2012 Hearts In Their Eyes - Celebrating 50 Years Of Harmony & Jangle
  • 120 tracks
  • Incl. hits, album tracks, rarities, live songs, solo recordings, unreleased tracks
  • Compiled by Roger Dopson
  • 62-page booklet with credits, opinions and history fixed in box
2019 When You Walk In The Room: The Complete Pye Recordings 1963-67
  • Label: Sanctuary / Grapefruit Records (CRSEGBOX055)
  • Format: 6 CD
  • 180 tracks
  • Complete Pye recordings from the 1960s
  • Incl. mono & stereo versions
  • Liner notes – David Wells
  • 32-page booklet
"—" denotes a release that did not chart.

Private pressing

As CD making processes have become more available and cheaper, the band released several concert CDs marked as "Private pressing" (not to be confused with CD-R). Albums were produced purely for sale at Searchers shows.

Singles

YearTitle (A-side)B-sideChart PositionsU.K. AlbumU.S. Album
UK
[13]
US
[14]
AUS
[15]
CAN
[16] [17]
NOR
[18]
SWE
[19]
GER
[20]
NED
[21]
IRE
[22]
FIN
[23]
1963"Sweets for My Sweet"
(originally recorded by The Drifters)
"It's All Been a Dream"12885441A: Meet The Searchers
B: Non-album track
A: Hear! Hear
B: Non-album track
"Sweet Nothin's"
(originally recorded by Brenda Lee)
"What'd I Say"48Non-album tracksA: The Searchers Meet The Rattles
B: Non-album track
"Sugar and Spice"
(original version/first release)
"Saints and Searchers"24457116Sugar and SpiceNon-album tracks
1964"Needles and Pins"
(originally recorded by Jackie DeShannon)
"Saturday Night Out"
(UK and US 2nd pressings)
"Ain't That Just Like Me"
(US original pressings)
113414868131A: It's The Searchers
UK & US. 2nd B: Non-album track.
US original B: Sugar and Spice.
Meet The Searchers
"Süß ist sie"
("Sugar And Spice" in German)
"Liebe"
("Money" in German)
NRNRunreleased (Germany only)unreleased (Germany only)
"Tausend Nadelstiche"
("Needles and Pins" in German)
"Farmer John"
(in German)
NRNRunreleased (Germany only)unreleased (Germany only)
"Ain't That Just Like Me"
(originally recorded by The Coasters)
"Ain't Gonna Kiss Ya"
6119A: Sugar and Spice
B: Meet The Searchers
Meet The Searchers
"Don't Throw Your Love Away"
(originally recorded by The Orlons)
"I Pretend I'm with You"116143337124A: It's The Searchers
B: Non-album track
This Is Us
"Someday We're Gonna Love Again"
(originally recorded by Barbara Lewis)
"No One Else Could Love Me"11344819A: The Searchers' Smash Hits
B: Non-album track
Non-album tracks
"When You Walk in the Room"
(originally recorded by Jackie DeShannon)
"I'll Be Missing You"335221204A: Searchers' Smash Hits Vol. 2
B: Non-album track
Non-album tracks
"Love Potion No. 9"
(originally recorded by The Clovers)
"Hi-Heel Sneakers"NR320623A: Meet the Searchers
B: It's The Searchers
This Is Us
"What Have They Done to the Rain"
(originally recorded by Malvina Reynolds)
"This Feeling Inside"13292721325A: The Searchers' Smash Hits
B: Searchers' Smash Hits Vol. 2
A: The New Searchers LP
B: Non-album track
1965"Magic Potion"
(originally recorded by Lou Johnson)
Note: Australia only
"Everything You Do" NRNR95Sounds Like SearchersThe New Searchers LP
"Bumble Bee"
(originally recorded by LaVern Baker)
"Everything You Do" (US first pressings)
"A Tear Fell" (US later pressings)
NR211372023Sounds Like SearchersThe New Searchers LP
"I Don't Want to Go On Without You"
(originally recorded by The Drifters)
"A Tear Fell"NRNR17Sounds Like SearchersThe New Searchers LP
"Goodbye My Love"
(originally recorded by Jimmy Hughes)
(US single shown as "Goodbye My Lover Goodbye")
"Till I Met You"45225121677A: Searchers' Smash Hits Vol. 2
B: The Searchers' Smash Hits
No. 4
"Verzeih' My Love"
("Goodbye My Love" in German)
"Wenn ich dich seh'"
("When You Walk In The Room" in German)
NRNRunreleased (Germany only)unreleased (Germany only)
"He's Got No Love""So Far Away"12791714A: The Searchers' Smash Hits
B: Non-album track
Take Me For What I'm Worth
"When I Get Home"
(originally recorded by Bobby Darin)
"I'm Never Coming Back"35Non-album tracks
"Don't You Know Why""You Can't Lie to a Liar"NRTake Me for What I'm Worth
"Take Me for What I'm Worth"
(originally recorded by P. F. Sloan)
"Too Many Miles"2076411425
1966"Take It or Leave It"
(originally recorded by The Rolling Stones)
"Don't Hide It Away"318165A: Searchers' Smash Hits Vol. 2
B: Non-album tracks
Non-album tracks
"Have You Ever Loved Somebody?"
(originally recorded by The Hollies)
"It's Just the Way (Love Will Come and Go)"48948548
1967"Popcorn, Double Feature"[24] "Lovers"55Non-album tracks
"Western Union"
(originally recorded by The Five Americans)
"I'll Cry Tomorrow"55NR19
"Second Hand Dealer""Crazy Dreams"
1968"Umbrella Man""Over the Weekend"NR
1969"Somebody Shot the Lollipop Man"
(Released under the pseudonym "Pasha")
"Pussy Willow Dragon"NR
"Shoot 'Em Up Baby"
(originally recorded by Andy Kim)
"Suzanna"NR
"Kinky Kathy Abernathy""Suzanna"NR
1971"Desdemona""The World Is Waiting for Tomorrow"94A: Second Take
B: Non-album track
"Love Is Everywhere""And a Button"Non-album tracks
1972"Sing Singer Sing""Come On Back to Me"NRA: Non-album track
B: Second Take
"Needles and Pins" (re-recording)"When You Walk in the Room"/
"Come On Back to Me"
NRSecond Take
1973"Solitaire"
(originally recorded by Neil Sedaka)
"Spicks and Specks"NR
"Vahevala"
(originally recorded by Loggins & Messina)
"Madman"NRNon-album tracks
1979"Hearts in Her Eyes"
(given to the group by The Records)
"Don't Hang On"NRThe Searchers
"It's Too Late""This Kind of Love Affair" (UK)
"Don't Hang On" (US)
1981"Love's Melody"
(originally recorded by Ducks Deluxe)
"Changing" (UK)
"Little Bit of Heaven" (US)
A & US B: Love's Melodies
UK B: Non-album track
"Another Night""Back to the War"NRA: Love's Melodies
B: Non-album track
1982"I Don't Want to Be the One""Hollywood"NRNon-album tracks

EPs

An extended play (EPs) contains more tracks than a single (usually 4 in the 1960s) but is usually distinct from an album (LP). It was sold in a special picture sleeve. The British discography is shown (plus one Searchers' EP released only in France with songs sung in French).

YearTitle Peak chart positionsTrack list
UK Chart[25]
1963Ain't Gonna Kiss Ya 1
  • "Ain't Gonna Kiss Ya"
  • "Farmer John"
  • "Love Potion Number Nine"
  • "Alright"
Sweets For My Sweet
  • Label: Pye Records (NEP 24183)
5
  • "Sweets For My Sweet"
  • "It's All Been A Dream"
  • "Since You Broke My Heart"
  • "Money"
1964Hungry For Love
  • Label: Pye Records (NEP 24184)
4
  • "Hungry For Love"
  • "Don't Cha Know"
  • "Oh My Lover"
  • "Ain't That Just Like Me"
Les Searchers Chantent En Français NR
  • "C’est Arrivé Comme Ça" ("Don't Throw Your Love Away" in French)
  • "C’est De Notre Age" ("Sugar And Spice" in French)
  • "Mais C’etait Un Rêve" ("It's All Been A Dream" in French)
  • "Ils La Chantaient Il Y A Longtemps" ("Saints And Searchers" in French)
The Searchers Play The System
  • Label: Pye Records (NEP 24201)
4
1965When You Walk In The Room
  • Label: Pye Records (NEP 24204)
12
  • "When You Walk In The Room"
  • "I'll Be Missing You"
  • "Some Day We're Gonna Love Again"
  • "No One Else Could Love Me"
Bumble Bee
  • Label: Pye Records (NEP 24218)
1
  • "Bumble Bee"
  • "Everything You Do"
  • "Magic Potion"
  • "If I Could Find Someone"
Searchers '65
  • Label: Pye Records (NEP 24222)
15
  • "What Have They Done To The Rain"
  • "This Feeling Inside"
  • "Goodbye My Love"
  • "'Till I Met You"
Four By Four
  • Label: Pye Records (NEP 24228)
  • "Till You Say You'll Be Mine"
  • "I Don't Want To Go On Without You"
  • "Everybody Come And Clap Your Hands"
  • "You Wanna Make Her Happy"
1966Take Me For What I'm Worth
  • Label: Pye Records (NEP 24263)
  • "Take Me For What I'm Worth"
  • "Too Many Miles"
  • "Take It Or Leave It"
  • "Don't Hide It Away"
"—" denotes a release that did not chart, "NR" means not released in the UK.

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: UK Charts & Discography/ . Hung Medien . 12 February 2021.
  2. Web site: The Searchers AllMusic . AllMusic.com . 12 February 2021.
  3. Web site: The Searchers discography/ . Discog.com . 12 February 2021.
  4. Web site: Artist Chart History: Searchers . . 4 February 2021.
  5. Web site: Official German Charts/ . Offizielle Deutsche Charts . 5 February 2021.
  6. Web site: Billboard Chart History: Searchers . . 4 February 2021.
  7. Web site: Discos . Discog.com . 12 February 2021.
  8. Web site: Artist Chart History: Searchers . . 4 February 2021.
  9. Book: Pennanen , Timo . 2006. Top 1000. Avain. Finland. 9789523042780.
  10. Web site: Certified Awards Search . . 2021-02-12.
  11. Web site: Artist Chart History: Searchers . . 4 February 2021.
  12. Web site: Artist Chart History: Searchers . . 4 February 2021.
  13. Book: Roberts , David . 2006. British Hit Singles & Albums. 19th. Guinness World Records Limited . London. 1-904994-10-5. 486.
  14. The Searchers Chart History: Hot 100 . 2019 . . 11 June 2019.
  15. Web site: The Searchers Australian Chart History . 2021 . . 11 February 2021.
  16. Web site: CHUM results. https://web.archive.org/web/20060720122027/http://www.1050chum.com/index_chumcharts.aspx?artist=9225. 2006-07-20.
  17. Web site: RPM search results. Library and Archives Canada. 17 July 2013.
  18. Web site: VG-lista – The Searchers . Lista.vg.no . 2013-07-26.
  19. Book: Hallberg , Eric . 1993. Kvällstoppen i P3. 1st. Drift Musik. Sweden. 91-630-2140-4.
  20. Web site: Official German Charts/ . Offizielle Deutsche Charts . 5 February 2021.
  21. Web site: Dutch Top 40 . Top40Hitdossier.nl . 2021-02-05.
  22. Web site: The Searchers Irish Singles . IRMA 2006 - 2008 . 2013-11-17.
  23. Book: Pennanen , Timo . 2006. Top 1000. Avain. Finland. 9789523042780.
  24. Web site: Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum • View topic - Searchers, Byrds and Dusty Springfield. 2020-09-27. www.rickresource.com.
  25. The Searchers 30th Anniversary Collection 1962-1992 (CD liner notes), Sequel Records, 1992.