Bruce Channel - Number One Man If Only I Had Known

Review by Dicas de negocio

Album Review: Number One Man / If Only I Had Known by Bruce Channel Alright, let’s talk about this little slice of 1962 goodness from Bruce Channel. Released under Smash Records (cool name, right?), the album—or more accurately, the single—packs two tracks that are like a double shot of Rock & Roll espresso. The genres here are Pop and Rock, but honestly? It’s all about that raw, unfiltered Rock & Roll vibe. And yeah, it’s from the US, because where else would you get this kind of swagger in ’62? First up, we’ve got “If Only I Had Known.” This track hits you with those classic doo-wop harmonies mixed with a guitar riff that’s just begging for a jukebox to play it on repeat. You know that feeling when you’re driving down some dusty highway, windows down, and suddenly this tune comes on? Yeah, that’s “If Only I Had Known.” It’s catchy without being try-hard, and Bruce’s vocals have this laid-back charm that makes you think, “Man, I wish I could sing like that after a couple of beers.” The lyrics? Relatable as hell. Who hasn’t looked back on something and thought, “Dang, if only I’d seen that coming”? Classic heartbreak material, but with enough pep to keep your foot tapping. Then there’s “Number One Man,” which is basically Bruce saying, “Hey world, check me out—I’m the guy!” This one’s got a bit more punch to it, with a beat that feels like it’s daring you not to move. There’s a confidence here that screams early '60s optimism, like the future was just waiting to be grabbed by the scruff of its neck. Plus, the saxophone solo? Chef’s kiss. It’s short, sure, but man does it leave an impression. You can almost picture some sock-hop dance-off happening while this plays in the background. Honestly, it’s hard not to grin when you hear it. What sticks with me about these tracks isn’t just their sound—it’s how they capture a moment in time. These songs weren’t trying to reinvent the wheel; they were just doing what worked, and doing it well. In a world before TikTok trends and algorithm playlists, this was music made to connect people. Simple, fun, and straight to the point. So, would I recommend giving this a spin? Absolutely. Just don’t expect anything fancy or overproduced—it’s real-deal Rock & Roll, warts and all. Listening to it today feels like finding an old photograph tucked inside a book—you didn’t know you needed it, but once you see it, you can’t help but smile. And hey, fun fact to wrap things up: Bruce Channel went on to have a massive hit later with “Hey! Baby.” So maybe he really was the number one man after all… or at least close enough to brag about it.

Download Bruce Channel - Number One Man If Only I Had Known

Artist: Bruce Channel
Album: Number One Man If Only I Had Known

Rock & Roll

1962

Rating: 4.0

Review
About Album
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Tracks
Video
Images
Catalog Numbers
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Listen online
Formats
Notes
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About Artist
Interesting fact
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Related albums

Download

Filename: bruce-channel-number-one-man-if-only-i-had-known.zip

MP3 size: 9 mb
FLAC size: 115 mb

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Tracks

Track	Duration	Preview
If Only I Had Known	1:58
Number One Man	2:19

Video

Bruce Channel - Number One Man (1962)

If Only I Had Known BRUCE CHANNEL

Bruce Channel - If Only I Had Known (VintageMusic.es)

Images

last ned album Bruce Channel - Number One Man If Only I Had Known

lataa albumi Bruce Channel - Number One Man If Only I Had Known

Catalog Numbers

S 1752

Labels

Smash Records

Listen online

online anhören
lytte på nettet
lyssna på nätet
online luisteren
kuunnella verkossa
escuchar en línea
écouter en ligne
ascolta in linea
ouvir online

Formats

Vinyl
7"
45 RPM
Single
Promo
Mono

Notes

Le Bill Music B M I.
The A side of this record is different than existing listed version. Based on the Smash Records 45 Discography shows *Number One Man* as the A / Promo side. The label itself denotes *asterisks* by title. Other information differences need to be considered also.

Barcodes

Matrix / Runout (Label Side A): YW23797
Matrix / Runout (Label Side B): YW24101
Matrix / Runout (Machine Stamp Etched Side A): YW 23797 2

About Bruce Channel

Born Nov. 28, 1940 in Jacksonville, Texas, U.S.A. Pop singer known mainly for his hit "Hey! Baby" which reached no. 1 on the US charts and No. 2 in the UK in 1962. McMeans also recorded some country sides for the american soul label during the first half of the 1960's.

Real Name

Bruce McMeans

Name Vars

B Channel
B. Chanel
B. Chanell
B. Channe
B. Channel
B. Channell
B.Channel
B.Channell
Bruce \
Channel
Bruce Chanel
Bruce Chanell
Bruce Channell
Bruce Channnel
Bruce Shannel
Chand
Chanel
Chanell
Channel Bruce
Channel, B.
Channell
M. Channell
Phyllis Brown
R. Channel
ÁãÍë

Aliases

Bruce McMeans

en.wikipedia.org

Interesting fact about Album

Here’s something cool: Bruce Channel’s 1962 album *Number One Man If Only I Had Known* was released on Smash Records and blends pop and rock with a Rock & Roll style. Fun fact—back then, albums like this were often seen as a gateway to the vibrant energy of Rock & Roll for mainstream audiences. Tracks like "If Only I Had Known" and "Number One Man" gave fans a mix of catchy melodies and raw vibes. It’s wild to think how music from that era still resonates today!

Comments

ninasdirtywords

2025-03-13

I think that Delbert McClinton played harmonica.

ottogebauer

2025-03-12

Not the greatest melody, but a strong delivery of a familiar theme. Still sounds good.

penguinsclub

2025-03-12

Mr. Bus Driver was not a big hit. Only reached #90 on the Billboard charts. It was produced by Dale Hawkins of "Susie-Q" fame.

klikniknjigu

2025-03-11

This is one of those songs that was hanging out deep in the recesses of my memory until I stumbled upon it here. Thanks for posting! I knew "Hey Baby" very well. It's great to reconnect with this gem. I think I actually like it better than "Hey Baby."

0robyn0

2025-03-11

Always did like this followup by Bruce Channel (#5). I had the pleasure of speaking to him a few years ago during a rock and roll revival here in OKC. Good Post.
Larry N. Boyington, aka Larry Neal, former curator of the Wax Museum on the big 1520 KOMA

khayatimehr

2025-03-10

theLimePopsicle is right about channel being on his 45s,i think the chanel spelling was in the U. S. A. barrie frost.

pierrelecerf

2025-03-10

It states "Channel" on all his 45s.

trungct4fpt

2025-03-09

The correct spelling of his surname is Chanel, and i believe that i am correct in saying that Hey baby and Number one man, were recorded in a garage.

akluensner

2025-03-09

this version of number one man is superior to the versions available for download on Itunes and Spotify have a listen you will see what i mean chanelbuff