Hits of the World" (PDF). Billboard. Vol.80, no.17. 27 April 1968. p.53 . Retrieved 13 September 2020. Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19thed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p.341. ISBN 1-904994-10-5. Days of Pearly Spencer" (or in later releases " The Days of Pearly Spencer") is a 1967 song written and originally performed by Northern Irish singer-songwriter David McWilliams, [1] [2] and included on his second album David McWilliams Vol. 2. [3] Although it charted in several countries in continental Europe and in Australia, the original version was not a chart success in either the United Kingdom or Ireland. The song was rerecorded by McWilliams with a new arrangement in his album Working for the Government (1987). In 1992, a cover version by English pop singer Marc Almond reached number four on the UK Singles Chart and number eight in Ireland. McWilliams was born in the Cregagh area of Belfast and moved to Ballymena at the age of three. [1] He began playing guitar and writing songs in his early teens. After leaving Ballymena Technical College in 1963, he started an apprenticeship at the Shorts missile factory in Antrim, and also started a local dance band, the Coral Showband. [1] [2] [3] He was a well-respected football player, and had a trial with Linfield as a goalkeeper. [2] [4]

Before the year 1967 was out, he had recorded three albums of his own compositions, an extraordinary feat of creativity given that some of today's top artists take three years to record one album. As well as being an accomplished musician, David McWilliams was a talented footballer who, in different circumstances, might have joined a Cregagh-born contemporary, George Best, in the professional ranks. Signed by Linfield FC from amateur side Harryville, he immediately became the first-team goalkeeper. Unfortunately, an ankle injury kept him out of the game for four months by which time his musical career had taken off.a b c d e f g "David McWilliams – Obituaries, News – The Independent". Independent.co.uk. Archived from the original on 6 June 2011 . Retrieved 1 June 2014.

UK Retail Price Index inflation figures are based on data from Clark, Gregory (2017). "The Annual RPI and Average Earnings for Britain, 1209 to Present (New Series)". MeasuringWorth . Retrieved 11 June 2022. Richie Unterberger described the song as "[McWilliams's] best song, with a dark edge, swirling violins, and an effective dab of psychedelia in the megaphone-distorted vocals on the song's chorus." [10] In 2002, The Independent called the song "dreamy". [3] In 2012, Stuart Bailie of Radio Ulster called "Harlem Lady", the A-side, a "quality tune" and "Pearly Spencer" a "remarkable record". [4] Charts [ edit ] Chart (1967–1968) Ned Raggett (29 October 1991). "Tenement Symphony – Marc Almond". AllMusic . Retrieved 1 June 2014.Mandy Bingham recorded 'The Days of Pearly Spencer' in just one take at the Millbank studios in Lisburn, and such was the emotion of the day, and her haunting and spine-chilling delivery, that even producer Michael Mormecha said he had goosebumps.

A daughter of the late, lamented Ulster singer David McWilliams has recorded her own moving version of her father's most famous song to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the day it was released on the crest of an unprecedented wave of publicity. Tenement Symphony (Media notes). Marc Almond. WEA. 4 October 1991. {{ cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) ( link) The Days Of Pearly Spencer was based on a homeless man in Ballymena who was befriended by David McWilliams. The song reflected the writer's deep humanity and his empathy with those who live on the margins of society.The Irish Charts – Search Results – The Days of Pearly Spencer". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 31 January 2020. Marc Almond – The Days of Pearly Spencer" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 31 January 2020.

Ironically, David McWilliams's recording of the song, first made in 1967, was never a British chart hit. A quarter-of-a-century elapsed before a cover version by Marc Almond of Soft Cell entered the British Top Ten, reaching number four. The video clip created for the song contains footage of the singer playing his guitar on the wharf close to the Oudegracht, the main canal in the centre of Utrecht, the Netherlands, easily recognizable for those who live(d) in that city.

Versions

David Samuel McWilliams (4 July 1945 – 8 January 2002) was a singer, songwriter and guitarist from Northern Ireland, best known for his 1967 song " Days of Pearly Spencer". A tribute to Irish singer/songwriter David McWilliams". Davidmcwilliams.com . Retrieved 19 June 2014. The Days of Pearly Spencer (inlay). The Vietnam Veterans. Music Maniac Records. 1988. {{ cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) ( link) Days of Pearly Spencer (song by David McWilliams) ••• Music VF, US & UK hits charts". www.musicvf.com . Retrieved 12 September 2020.