A Must to Avoid

"A Must to Avoid" is a song written by P.F. Sloan and Steve Barri and performed by Herman's Hermits. It was featured on their 1966 album, Hold On!^[1] and on their 1966 EP, A Must to Avoid. The song was produced by Mickie Most.^[2]

"A Must to Avoid"
Single by Herman's Hermits
from the album Hold On!
B-side	"The Man with the Cigar"
Released	17 December 1965 (UK) December 1965 (US)
Recorded	30 September 1965
Studio	RCA Studio B, Hollywood
Genre	Pop rock
Length	2:18
Label	MGM 13437
Songwriter(s)	P.F. Sloan, Steve Barri
Producer(s)	Mickie Most
Herman's Hermits singles chronology
"Just a Little Bit Better" (1965) "A Must to Avoid" (1965) "Listen People" / "You Won't Be Leaving" (1966)

Background

Billboard said of the single: "The group has a winning and swinging rocker with hit written all over it."^[3] Cash Box described it as a "rhythmic, twangy item about an unusual gal who means poison to any guy."^[4]

Chart performance

"A Must to Avoid" reached #1 in New Zealand, #3 in Canada,^[5] #4 in Australia, #5 in Norway, #6 on the UK's Record Retailer chart, and #8 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1965.^[6]

Influences

• This song was reworked by the Swedish band The Shanes as Chris-Craft No. 9.

References

1. Herman's Hermits, Hold On! Retrieved January 5, 2015
2. Herman's Hermits, "A Must to Avoid" single release Retrieved January 5, 2015
3. "Spotlight Singles" (PDF). Billboard. December 18, 1965. p. 22. Retrieved 2021-03-09.
4. "CashBox Record Reviews" (PDF). Cash Box. December 11, 1965. p. 12. Retrieved 2022-01-12.
5. Herman's Hermits, "A Must to Avoid" Canada Chart Position Archived 2015-01-05 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved January 5, 2015
6. Herman's Hermits, "A Must to Avoid" Chart Positions Retrieved January 5, 2015