“A Must to Avoid” is a song written by P.F. Sloan and Steve Barri and performed by Herman’s Hermits. It was featured on their 1966 album, Hold On![1] and on their 1966 EP, A Must to Avoid. The song was produced by Mickie Most.[2]
Background
Billboard said of the single: “The group has a winning and swinging rocker with hit written all over it.”[3] Cash Box described it as a “rhythmic, twangy item about an unusual gal who means poison to any guy.”[4]
Chart performance
“A Must to Avoid” reached No.1 in New Zealand,[5] No.3 in Canada,[6] No.4 in Australia, No.5 in Norway, No.6 on the UK‘s Record Retailer chart, and No.8 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1965.[7]
Influences
- This song was reworked by the Swedish band The Shanes as Chris-Craft No. 9.
References
- ^ Herman’s Hermits, Hold On! Retrieved January 5, 2015
- ^ Herman’s Hermits, “A Must to Avoid” single release Retrieved January 5, 2015
- ^ “Spotlight Singles” (PDF). Billboard. December 18, 1965. p. 22. Retrieved 2021-03-09.
- ^ “CashBox Record Reviews” (PDF). Cash Box. December 11, 1965. p. 12. Retrieved 2022-01-12.
- ^ https://web.archive.org/web/20210209205004/http://www.flavourofnz.co.nz/index.php?qpageID=NZ%20listener%20charts&qyear=1966&qmonth=Mar&qweek=11-Mar-1966#n_view_location
- ^ Herman’s Hermits, “A Must to Avoid” Canada Chart Position Archived 2015-01-05 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved January 5, 2015
- ^ Herman’s Hermits, “A Must to Avoid” Chart Positions Retrieved January 5, 2015