Throwing back to the week of July 13, 1963, we find the doo-wop group The Essex topping the Billboard Hot 100 with their song ‘Easier Said Than Done.’ I’ve never heard this particular song, but I’ve heard plenty like it, and it’s a sound I love.
The Essex is an interesting group, founded by two Marines while stationed in Okinawa, Japan. They recruited three other Marines back in the States, including lead singer Anita Humes, before dropping a member and performing as a quartet.
‘Easier Said Than Done’ was the band’s first single, and it made it all the way to #1, where it stayed for two weeks. Their follow-up single, ‘A Walkin’ Miracle,’ made it to #12.
Then one member was called back to Okinawa and another was killed during a mugging, leading the group to disband just three years after they formed. I’m glad I was able to discover this needle in the Hot 100 haystack.
Go to him, run to him
Say sweet lovely things to him
And tell him, he’s the one
Deep in my heart I know it
But it’s so hard to show it
Cause it’s easier, easier said than done
My buddies tell me
Fly to him, sigh to him
Tell him I would die for him
And tell him, he’s the one
Although he gives me a feeling
That sets my heart a-reeling
Yet it’s easier, easier said than done
Well, I know that I love him so
I’m afraid that he’ll never know
Because I (I-I) I get so timid and shy
Each time that I look him in the eye
They all tell me
Sing to him, swing with him
And just do anything for him
And tell him, he’s the one
I got a love so true
But I’m sad and blue
Cause it’s easier, easier said than done
Well, I know that I love him so
I’m afraid that he’ll never know
Because I (I-I) I get so timid and shy
Each time that I look him in the eye
They all tell me
Sing to him, swing with him
And just do anything for him
And tell him, he’s the one
I got a love so true
But I’m sad and blue
Cause it’s easier, easier said than done
Easier-er-er-er, said than done
Meet Me In Montauk 
Never heard this song or of the band, but an interesting story, and I always like to hear about an Okinawa connection.
It is a great sound ❤️