While I don’t like the message of “Crying,” I love the melody and the song is beautifully arranged. When I hear it, it takes me back to the summer of 1961.
In late 1964, “Lovin’ Feeling” was my favorite song on the charts. It rose to the top at the end of the year only to face a strong challenge from Petula Clark’s “Downtown,” which I didn’t like. In January and February, 1965, “Lovin’ Feeling” remained at #1 and “Downtown” at #2. Finally, I was overjoyed when “Downtown” began to fade.
In March, the Temptations’ “My Girl” finally knocked the Righteous Brothers’ opus from the top spot.
When “Dock” was riding the charts in the spring of 1968, I liked the song for its melody but didn’t like the message. I didn’t agree with the protagonist, whose lack of initiative and inability to focus his attention and get his act together was the sole cause of his discontent.