Do You Wanna Know? A Hidden Gem from 1965 That’ll Make You Go “Huh!”
Alright, buckle up, because we’re diving into Do You Wanna Know, the groovy little pop album by Don Thomas that dropped way back in ’65. Released under Minuteman Records (ever heard of ‘em? No? Me neither), this record is like finding an old Polaroid at a flea market—you’re not sure what it means to you yet, but something about it just sticks.
Let’s get one thing straight: Barry Richards and Don Thomas didn’t reinvent the wheel here, but they sure knew how to polish it until it sparkled. These two wore so many hats during production—arrangers, producers, writers—it’s a wonder they had time for lunch. And honestly? That DIY vibe gives the whole project a scrappy charm.
Now, onto the tracks. First off, there’s “Turn Her Around.” It’s got this bouncy energy that feels like someone handed The Beatles’ drummer a double espresso and told him to go wild. Lyrically, it’s your classic mid-60s fare—boy meets girl, boy tries to impress girl—but dang if it doesn’t make you want to spin around in your office chair while humming along. I mean, who among us hasn’t wanted to metaphorically "turn her around" when trying to win someone over? Cheesy? Sure. Catchy as heck? Absolutely.
And then there’s the title track, “Do You Wanna Know.” This tune hits different—it’s smoother, almost conversational, like Don Thomas is leaning across the bar asking you a question. The melody sneaks up on you; before you know it, you're mouthing the chorus in the shower. It’s got that timeless quality where even though it came out decades ago, it still sounds fresh. Like, maybe too fresh—I caught myself wondering why modern pop stars aren’t making songs this clever anymore. Or maybe I’m just biased because I can’t stop singing “do you wanna know…” every five minutes.
Here’s the kicker: despite its modest origins, this album has personality oozing out of every crackle and pop. Listening to it feels like hanging out with an old friend who tells great stories but occasionally forgets their punchlines. Yeah, some parts feel dated, and yeah, the production isn’t exactly cutting-edge by today’s standards. But hey, neither are vinyl records, and people still geek out over those.
So, would I recommend Do You Wanna Know? Totally. Is it gonna change your life? Probably not. But will it give you a solid hour of toe-tapping goodness and remind you that music didn’t always need autotune to shine? Yup. Plus, next time someone asks if you’ve ever heard of Don Thomas, you can say yes—and watch them try to figure out how you’re suddenly cooler than they thought.
Oh, and P.S.—if anyone knows where I can find more albums from Minuteman Records, hit me up. I kinda wanna collect ‘em all now.
