Jump to content

Ferry Cross the Mersey

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This article is about the Gerry and the Pacemakers song. For the film, see Ferry Cross the Mersey (film). For the soundtrack album, see Ferry Cross the Mersey (album).

"Ferry Cross the Mersey"
Single by Gerry and the Pacemakers
from the album Ferry Cross the Mersey
B-side
  • "You, You, You" (UK)
  • "Pretend" (US)
ReleasedDecember 1964
Recorded27 May 1964
("You, You, You": 28 September)
StudioEMI Studios, London[1]
GenreMerseybeat, pop
Length2:24
LabelColumbia (UK)
Laurie 3284 (USA)
Capitol 72216 (Canada)
Songwriter(s)Gerry Marsden
Producer(s)George Martin
Gerry and the Pacemakers singles chronology
"It's Gonna Be Alright"
(1964) 		"Ferry Cross the Mersey"
(1964) 		"I'll Be There"
(1965)

"Ferry Cross the Mersey" is a song written by Gerry Marsden. It was first recorded by his band Gerry and the Pacemakers and released in late 1964 in the UK and in 1965 in the United States. It was a hit on both sides of the Atlantic, reaching number six in the United States[2] and number eight in the UK.[3] The song is from the film of the same name and was released on its soundtrack album. In the mid-1990s, a musical theatre production, also titled Ferry Cross the Mersey, related Gerry Marsden's Merseybeat days; it premiered in Liverpool and played in the UK, Australia, and Canada.

Song title and lyrics

[edit]
MV Royal Daffodil at Seacombe Pier

"Mersey" refers to the River Mersey in northwest England, which flows into the Irish Sea at Liverpool. The Mersey Ferry runs between Liverpool and Birkenhead and Seacombe on the Wirral Peninsula.

Cash Box described the song as "a touching, soft cha cha best sentimental opus that Gerry vocals with much sincerity."[4]

Chart performance

[edit]

"Ferry Cross the Mersey" became a Top 10 hit in the UK[5] and also in the U.S., where it was a bigger hit. It did best in Chicago, where it reached number one on WLS-AM.[6]

Charity record for The Hillsborough Disaster Fund

[edit]
"Ferry 'Cross the Mersey"
Single by the Christians, Holly Johnson, Paul McCartney, Gerry Marsden and Stock Aitken Waterman
B-side"Abide with Me" by Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral Choir
Released8 May 1989
Length3:58
LabelPWL
Songwriter(s)Gerry Marsden
Producer(s)Stock Aitken Waterman

In May 1989, a charity version of "Ferry Cross the Mersey" was released in aid of those affected by the Hillsborough disaster, which had, at the time, claimed the lives of 95 Liverpool fans the previous month. The song was recorded by Liverpool artists the Christians, Holly Johnson, Paul McCartney and Gerry Marsden, with producers Stock Aitken Waterman also credited. The single held the number-one spot in the UK chart for three weeks and the Irish chart for two weeks.

Charts

[edit]

Weekly charts

[edit]
Chart (1989) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[13] 45
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[14] 15
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[15] 28
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[16] 5
Ireland (IRMA)[17] 1
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[18] 20
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[19] 21
Norway (VG-lista)[20] 4
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[21] 11
UK Singles (OCC)[22] 1
West Germany (GfK)[23] 4

Year-end charts

[edit]
Chart (1989) Position
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[24] 64
UK Singles (OCC)[25] 19
West Germany (Media Control)[26] 50

Other cover versions

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Gerry's Datebook". Britbands.bravepages.com. Archived from the original on 23 August 2018. Retrieved 28 March 2014.
  2. ^ a b Unterberger, Richie. "Gerry & the Pacemakers > Charts & Awards > Billboard Singles". Allmusic. Retrieved 4 July 2009.
  3. ^ "The Official Charts Company - Gerry And The Pacemakers - Ferry Cross The Mersey". Official Charts. Retrieved 4 July 2009.
  4. ^ "CashBox Record Reviews" (PDF). Cash Box. 30 January 1965. p. 16. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
  5. ^ a b "ferry cross the mersey | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company". Officialcharts.com.
  6. ^ "wls650312". Oldiesloon.com.
  7. ^ Hallberg, Eric (193). Eric Hallberg presenterar Kvällstoppen i P 3: Sveriges radios topplista över veckans 20 mest sålda skivor 10. 7. 1962 – 19. 8. 1975. Drift Musik. ISBN 9163021404. {{cite book}}: ISBN / Date incompatibility (help)
  8. ^ Hallberg, Eric; Henningsson, Ulf (1998). Eric Hallberg, Ulf Henningsson presenterar Tio i topp med de utslagna på försök: 1961 - 74. Premium Publishing. ISBN 919727125X.
  9. ^ "Cash Box Top 100 3/20/65". cashboxmagazine.com.
  10. ^ "Sixties City - Pop Music Charts - Every Week Of The Sixties". Sixtiescity.net.
  11. ^ "Top 100 Hits of 1965/Top 100 Songs of 1965". Musicoutfitters.com.
  12. ^ "Cash Box YE Pop Singles - 1965". tropicalglen.com.
  13. ^ "The Christians, Holly Johnson, Paul McCartney, Gerry Marsden & Stock Aitken Waterman – Ferry 'Cross the Mersey". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved 30 April 2025.
  14. ^ "The Christians, Holly Johnson, Paul McCartney, Gerry Marsden & Stock Aitken Waterman – Ferry 'Cross the Mersey" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved 30 April 2025.
  15. ^ "The Christians, Holly Johnson, Paul McCartney, Gerry Marsden & Stock Aitken Waterman – Ferry 'Cross the Mersey" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 30 April 2025.
  16. ^ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles". Music & Media. Vol. 6, no. 22. 3 June 1989. p. 20.
  17. ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Ferry Cross the Mersey". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 30 April 2025.
  18. ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 26, 1989" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 30 April 2025.
  19. ^ "The Christians, Holly Johnson, Paul McCartney, Gerry Marsden & Stock Aitken Waterman – Ferry 'Cross the Mersey" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 30 April 2025.
  20. ^ "The Christians, Holly Johnson, Paul McCartney, Gerry Marsden & Stock Aitken Waterman – Ferry 'Cross the Mersey". VG-lista. Retrieved 30 April 2025.
  21. ^ "The Christians, Holly Johnson, Paul McCartney, Gerry Marsden & Stock Aitken Waterman – Ferry 'Cross the Mersey". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 30 April 2025.
  22. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 30 April 2025.
  23. ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – The Christians, Holly Johnson, Paul McCartney, Gerry Marsden & Stock Aitken Waterman – Ferry 'Cross the Mersey" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 30 April 2025.
  24. ^ "Eurochart Hot 100 1989". Music & Media. Vol. 6, no. 51. 23 December 1989. p. 6.
  25. ^ "Year End Singles". Record Mirror. 27 January 1990. p. 44.
  26. ^ "Top 100 Single–Jahrescharts 1989" (in German). GfK Entertainment. Retrieved 30 April 2025.
  27. ^ Catwoman (17 July 2002). "h2g2 - ZTT Records 1983-1988 Part 3: Remixes". Bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 28 March 2014.
  28. ^ Bang!... The Greatest Hits of Frankie Goes to Hollywood - Frankie Goes to Hollywood | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic, retrieved 11 January 2021
  29. ^ Maximum Joy - Frankie Goes to Hollywood | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic, retrieved 11 January 2021
  30. ^ Up Close and Alone - Burton Cummings | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic, retrieved 11 January 2021
  31. ^ One Quiet Night - Pat Metheny | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic, retrieved 11 January 2021
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ferry_Cross_the_Mersey&oldid=1288101073"