The Poor Top Ten: Poor Side of Town (#9)
By Four Walls
@FourWalls (86830)
United States
February 17, 2022 10:59am CST
Rainy, rainy, rainy. But I’ll take that. I looked at the Kansas City Railfan live camera before going to bed and it was fine. Took a peek before I went to sleep and it was snowing. 
So I’m staying home and enjoying some chicken and dumplings and giving you another song with “poor” in the title. I think a few were expecting this one.
#9: Poor Side of Town - Johnny Rivers
Three cheers for John Henry Ramistella! Not a very rock and roll name, is it, so you know why we know him as Johnny Rivers. 
While Rivers did a lot of covers in his time (the first version of “Memphis” I heard was thanks to the 45 of Rivers’ rendition that my parents had), he also wrote songs. Case in point: this one, one of his most enduring tunes (and only Billboard #1 hit). It’s a brilliant double-meaning song, equating being poor to having a poor relationship.
Johnny Rivers will be 80 this year, and his name has still inexplicably never been brought up on a ballot at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. That’s okay. Those of us who grew up with (or later discovered) his music know exactly how legendary he is.
Poor Side of Town
Written by Johnny Rivers and Lou Adler
Recorded by Johnny Rivers
From Changes, 1966
You are the greatest thing this boy had ever found:
So I’m staying home and enjoying some chicken and dumplings and giving you another song with “poor” in the title. I think a few were expecting this one.
#9: Poor Side of Town - Johnny Rivers
Three cheers for John Henry Ramistella! Not a very rock and roll name, is it, so you know why we know him as Johnny Rivers.
While Rivers did a lot of covers in his time (the first version of “Memphis” I heard was thanks to the 45 of Rivers’ rendition that my parents had), he also wrote songs. Case in point: this one, one of his most enduring tunes (and only Billboard #1 hit). It’s a brilliant double-meaning song, equating being poor to having a poor relationship.
Johnny Rivers will be 80 this year, and his name has still inexplicably never been brought up on a ballot at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. That’s okay. Those of us who grew up with (or later discovered) his music know exactly how legendary he is.
Poor Side of Town
Written by Johnny Rivers and Lou Adler
Recorded by Johnny Rivers
From Changes, 1966
You are the greatest thing this boy had ever found:
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8 people like this
8 responses
No snow here, just rain and wind. Stay safe.@FourWalls (86830)
• United States
18 Feb 22
Give yourself a cookie for guessing correctly!
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (37621)
•
19 Feb 22
What a great top ten theme 
The secret agent man pulled a fast one with this ballad! Beautifully done and sung 
The secret agent man pulled a fast one with this ballad! Beautifully done and sung 1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (98072)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
18 Feb 22
Now i know who Johnny Rivers is but have not heard this song
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (222728)
• United States
18 Feb 22
I remember this song well. What a blast from the past. Chicken and dumplings sound good!
1 person likes this
@RebeccasFarm (91297)
• United States
17 Feb 22
I know this well Four Walls. I love this song and remember it.
Johnny was so incredible.
1 person likes this
