Call Me (Chris Montez)

6 MARCH 1966


Chris Montez’s single ‘Call Me’ peaked at #22 on the US Billboard charts in March 1966. It also reached #2 on the US Easy Listening charts, but failed to chart in the UK.

This was considered a something of a comeback for Chris (real name Ezekiel Christopher Montanez), who had a big hit with 'Let's Dance' in 1962 but then basically dropped out of the music business. He was persuaded to record again by the great Herb Alpert. It was Herb who suggested that Chris adopt his high tenor voice for an 'easy listening' approach, as opposed to his earlier 'Chicano Rock' style. It worked a treat as Chris went on to have four decent hits in 1966.

This song had been written by Tony Hatch and originally recorded as an album and EP track by Petula Clark in 1965. Another version was released in the UK in 1966 by Lulu, which also failed to chart.

B-side: 'Go Head On'
Recorded: November 1965
Length: 2:33
Label: A&M 780
Songwriter: Tony Hatch
Producer: Herb Alpert