Mercury Records: Sunday Will Never Be The Same

I decided to add another post to our Fourth Week Label Special with a classic vocal recording by Spanky & Our Gang. The late 1960s ushered a wave of vocal groups that included The Mamas & the Papas, the New Seekers, The Cowsills, The 5th Dimension, and Spanky & Our Gang. The latter was fronted by Elaine “Spanky” McFarlane and took their name from the original name used for Hal Roach’s Little Rascals shorts – “Our Gang” and one of their lead characters George “Spanky” McFarland.

Their first single and their biggest hit, “Sunday will Never be the Same” was written by Terry Cashman and Gene Pistillli and was previously released on Cashman, Pistilli, and West’s debut album “Bound to Happen” on ABC Records. “Sunday will Never be the Same” was initially offered to The Mamas & the Papas who were signed to ABC’s Dunhill subsidiary.

What was The Mamas & the Papas’ loss became Spanky & Our Gang’s gain. The single put the band on the charts with a Top 10 hit that peaked at #9 in 1967. Spanky & Our Gang would have several additional hits on Mercury, but none would eclipse their debut single – “Sunday will Never be the Same.”