“Walking Man” (James Taylor)

Walking Man, James Taylor

Today’s song of the day is a James Taylor classic, 1974’s “Walking Man.” This was the lead track (side one, track one) of the same-named album. While “Walking Man” was released as a single, it didn’t break into the Billboard Hot 100—although it did reach #26 on Billboard’s Easy Listening chart. It’s become one of Mr. Taylor’s best-known and best-loved…

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“Run Joey Run” (David Geddes)

Run Joey Run, David Geddes

Anybody remember this one? Today’s classic song of the day is “Run Joey Run” by a guy named David Geddes. Released in July of 1975, this little teenage tragedy track went all the way to #4 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #1 on the Cash Box Top 100. “Run Joey Run” was written by Paul Vance and Jack Perricone.…

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“Billy Don’t Be a Hero” (Paper Lace/Bo Donaldson and the Heywoods)

Billy Don't Be a Hero, Paper Lace

Today’s classic song of the day is “Billy Don’t Be a Hero.” It was a hit first for the group Paper Lace in the UK, then by Bo Donaldson and the Heywoods in the U.S. “Billy Don’t Be a Hero” was written and produced by Mitch Murray and Peter Callander. These Brits were responsible, either together or separately, for hits…

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“Midnight Blue” (Melissa Manchester)

Midnight Blue, Melissa Manchester

Keeping with our color-in-the-title theme, today’ classic colorful song of the day is “Midnight Blue” by Melissa Manchester. Released as a single in April of 1975, this track went to #6 on the Billboard Hot 100, #7 on the Cash Box Top 100, and #1 on Billboard’s Adult Contemporary chart. It was Ms. Manchester’s first big hit and the second-biggest…

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“Bluer Than Blue” (Michael Johnson)

Bluer Than Blue, Michael Johnson

Today’s classic song of the day is “Bluer Than Blue” by singer Michael Johnson. (Not Michael Jackson.) The song was the singer’s first big hit; he subsequently scored another Top Twenty hit the following year with “This Night Won’t Last Forever.” “Bluer Than Blue” was written by country songwriter Randy Goodrum. You probably don’t know his name, but he was…

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“Knowing When to Leave” (Jill O’Hara/Dionne Warwick/Dusty Springfield)

Promises, Promises

Today’s classic song of the day is “Knowing When to Leave,” from the Broadway musical, Promises, Promises. Like all the rest of the tunes from the play, this one was written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David. (Burt did the music, as usual, and Hal did the words.) Promises, Promises is a musical adaptation of director Billy Wilder’s 1960 film,…

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“Don’t Leave Me This Way” (Thelma Houston/Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes/The Communards)

Don't Leave Me This Way, Thelma Houston

Today’s classic song of the day is that disco classic, Thelma Houston’s “Don’t Leave Me This Way.” If you were anywhere near a radio or dance floor during the spring of 1977, you heard a lot of this one. “Don’t Leave Me This Way” was written by Philly Soul legends Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff, along with frequent collaborator Cary…

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