FOR THE WEEK OF APRIL 23, 2018

DEAR JERRY: Looking at my Warner Bros. 45 of "Don't Try to Lay No Boogie-Woogie on the King of Rock and Roll," by John Baldry, has me wondering if there are many rock era chart records with wordier titles.
—Archie Sugarman, Jackson, Calif.

DEAR ARCHIE: I prefer to let the computer count characters, rather than words. Blank spaces are not included in the count.

The Baldry tune has 50 characters, but I located 17 singles with more — and that does not include "Stars On" type medleys, made up of many different song titles.

In the process, I found a few between 40 and 50 characters that I've noted. I'm sure there are others that could be added to the list.

Titles are in descending order, from 91 characters to 40:

91: Jeremiah Peabody's Poly Unsaturated Quick Dissolving Fast Acting Pleasant Tasting Green and Purple Pills (Ray Stevens, 1961)
80: A Breath Taking, First Sight Soul Shaking, One Night Love Making, Next Night Heart Breaking Guy (The Supremes, 1963)
77: Life During Wartime (This Ain't No Party … This Ain't No Disco … This Ain't No Foolin' Around) (Talking Heads, 1979)
70: The Anaheim Azuza and Cucamonga Sewing Circle, Book Review and Timing Association (Jan & Dean, 1964)
69: I Don't Want Nobody to Give Me Nothing (Open Up the Door, I'll Get It Myself) (Part 1) (James Brown, 1969)
68. Butch Bubarrian (Sure Footed Mountain Climber World Famous Yodeling Champion) (Ray Stevens, 1964)
64: Theme Music for the Film "2001" a Space Odyssey From Also Sprach Zarathustra (Berlin Philharmonic, 1969)
64: (How I Spent My Summer Vacation) Or a Day at the Beach With Pedro and Man - Part 1 (Cheech & Chong, 1975)
62: There Will Never Be Any Peace (Until God Is Seated at the Conference Table) (Chi-Lites, 1974)
58: There's a Star Spangled Banner Waving #2 The Ballad of Francis Powers (Red River Dave, 1960)
58: Indian Reservation (The Lament of the Cherokee Reservation Indian) (Raiders, 1971)
58: What Can You Get a Wookiee for Christmas (When He Already Owns a Comb?) (Meco, 1980)
57: Mama Was a Rock and Roll Singer Papa Used to Write All Her Songs - Part 1 (Sonny & Cher, 1973)
55: Breaking Up Is Hard on You (a/k/a "Don't Take Ma Bell Away From Me") (The American Comedy Network, 1984)
54: Does Your Chewing Gum Lose Its Flavor (On the Bedpost Over Night) (Lonnie Donegan and His Skiffle Group, 1961)
54: Hot Pants (She Got to Use What She Got to Get What She Wants (Part 1) (James Brown, 1971)
53: There Won't Be No Country Music (There Won't Be No Rock 'N' Roll) (C.W. McCall, 1976)
50: Don't Try to Lay No Boogie-Woogie on the King of Rock and Roll (John Baldry, 1971)
48: From the Candy Store on the Corner to the Chapel on the Hill (Tony Bennett, 1956)
47. Freddie Feelgood (And His Funky Little Five Piece Band) (Ray Stevens, 1966)
43: The Wang Dang Taffy-Apple Tango (Mambo Cha Cha Cha) (Pat Boone, 1959)
43: New Fangled Jingle Jangle Swimming Suit From Paris (Frankie Avalon, 1964)
43: Please Don't Hurt Me (I've Never Been in Love Before (LaVern Baker, 1966)
43: (I Believe) There's Nothing Stronger Than Our Love (Paul Anka & Odia Coates, 1975)
42: California Saga (On My Way to Sunny Californ-i-a) (Beach Boys, 1973)
41: (The Lament of the Cherokee) Indian Reservation (Don Fardon, 1968)
41: Mammas Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys (Waylon Jennings & Willie Nelson, 1978)
40: A Rockin' Good Way (To Mess Around and Fall in Love) (Dinah Washington & Brook Benton, 1960)
40: Whole Lot of Shakin' in My Heart (Since I Met You) (The Miracles, 1966)
40: Who Would Ever Think That I Would Marry Margaret (The Turtles, 1970)