Tommy James and Shondells were one of the most reliable pop bands of the late Sixties, recording a string of hits throughout the second half of the Sixties. Written by James and drummer Pete Lucia, "Crimson and Clover" benefited from 24-track recording gear that brought an effects-laden sound to the band. It became the band's biggest hit, selling 5.5 million copies. "Nobody knew if it was going to be accepted," James told Rolling Stone. "When it first came out, everybody thought I had gone crazy. A lot of people thought their radios were broken." Honorable mention should go to Joan Jett's rocking version of the song, as well.