1963 Gerry & The Pacemakers: I Like It

Second single and second number one for Gerry and the Pacemakers, 'I Like It' is a better song than 'How Do You Do It?', but both obviously fell from the same mould to the extent that the former tune could almost be a loose anagram of the latter (both were written by Mitch Ryder so that may explain a lot). 'I Like It' benefits from a busier musical backing that's there to compliment the vocal rather than skulk in the background like its predecessor. Marsden too clips his vowels to give voice to a more precise reading than before that neatly dovetails with the silent pauses within the tune that act as a springboard to a nifty key change to sets up the next round of each chorus.

There's progression here, no doubt about that but the weakest link remains Marsden vocal that again smothers on the grinning bonhomie that makes each line sound like it's being sung with a knowing wink and playful shoulder punch at the audience. Such a device doubtless broadened its appeal in 1963, but it does nothing to preserve it in amber and 'I Like It' now plays like a quaint end of the pier period piece rather than something possessing any intrinsic historical importance.