Keith Wallin (@onefortheroad)
Mar 13th 2022, 8:57 pm
72 Listens
50vl0k7

In 1969, a revolutionary time for popular music, Billy Joe Royal, a country pop star and a Georgia native, made the national Top 20 with a silly, mildly salacious little ditty called “Cherry Hill Park,” which had more in common with Fats Domino’s 1956 hit “Blueberry Hill” than anything else going on in popular music during that era (except maybe The Turtles’ 1967 hit “Happy Together,” whose chorus its own chorus resembles a bit).

The girl in the song, “Mary Hill,” “was such a thrill after dark, in Cherry Hill Park,” until she got married, and “since that day, it ain’t been the same,” sings Royal.

Royal didn’t write the song himself — it was penned by Robert Nix and Billy Gilmore — but in a 2008 interview with popculturemadness.com, he confirmed that, yes, the song was indeed inspired by Cherry Hill, N.J. Perhaps not the town itself, actually, but at least the name.

“A friend of mine had gone to Philadelphia somewhere and looked over and saw Cherry Hill and then just said, ‘Hey, Cherry Hill, merry hill,’ ” Royal said.

The song, which was the title track of an album Royal released in ’69, represented his third and final time in the pop Top 20, though he continued having hits on the country charts into the early ’90s.

Bev: @onefortheroad Awesome song and sing here Keith. Loved my listen this morning. ♥♫
Mar 14th 2022, 2:21 am Report
Cash: @onefortheroad .. great sing Keith,, there seems to be no limit to your voice,,, oh yeah awesome
Mar 14th 2022, 2:51 am Report
Jerry: @onefortheroad Did you find a cherry there? I'm glad to see you've gotten a early release from jail and came back to us. Love the song and your terrific recording....now, go find more cherries!
Mar 14th 2022, 8:16 am Report
Keith Wallin: @bevb Thanks, Bev! Heard this song on the radio and I went looking for a backing track....lol Appreciate the listen and the props a lot! Have a wonderful evening....:-)
Mar 14th 2022, 4:03 pm Report
Keith Wallin: @cash One if these days, if I keep stretching the limit, something's going to snap....lol. Thanks for dropping in to listen. I have to admit that at 71, this song is not getting easier to sing...HA! Glad you enjoyed it. You and Sharon have a great night.....:-)
Mar 14th 2022, 4:06 pm Report
Keith Wallin: @jerry I did find a cherry. It was in my Manhattan underneath the ice cubes. Had to drink all the liquor before I could get to it.. The sacrifices I have to make sometimes.....lol My early release program doesn't allow me to go to any bars for awhile so I'll just have to keep making Manhattans at home. I have a gigantic jar of Maraschino cherries! Hope the liquor doesn't run out before the cherries do. Appreciate you, Jerry....:-)
Mar 14th 2022, 4:11 pm Report
John Jenson: @onefortheroad Great sing here Keith.
Mar 14th 2022, 4:25 pm Report
Keith Wallin: @sierrajohn Thanks, John! I was just listening to your latest! Appreciate the listen, This was a tough sing for these old pipes.....lol Glad you liked it. Have a wonderful evening, my friend.....:-)
Mar 14th 2022, 4:33 pm Report
Only Make Believe: @onefortheroad Hi Keith, great song and Great sing.
Mar 14th 2022, 6:51 pm Report
Len: @onefortheroad ...Go easy on the Manhattans Keith and take it easy on the vocal chords as well....Nice one pal.
Mar 15th 2022, 7:36 am Report
Brad Mayo: Well done Keith. Wonderful cover on this classic. Enjoyed my listen this afternoon.
Mar 15th 2022, 2:27 pm Report
admin: @onefortheroad Another new one for me but very enjoyable. Awesome sing ❤
Mar 15th 2022, 4:10 pm Report
Keith Wallin: @thegreatunknown Thanks, Scarlett! I have always liked this song. Glad you enjoyed my rendition! Appreciate the listen and the props! Have a great weekend…..:-)
Mar 18th 2022, 6:32 pm Report
Keith Wallin: @oldmansteds Taking it easy on the vocal chords is EZ….. laying off the Manhattans not so much…..lol. Thanks for the listen and your kind comments. Have a wonderful weekend…..:-)
Mar 18th 2022, 6:35 pm Report
Keith Wallin: @starlyter Thanks, Brad! This has been a fave of mine since I was a kid. Glad you enjoyed my performance. Have a terrific weekend……:-)
Mar 18th 2022, 6:37 pm Report
Keith Wallin: @admin This song was a little before your time, Kelly. Thanks for dropping in to listen I really appreciate ya…..:-)
Mar 18th 2022, 6:38 pm Report