Classic rock, pop, and soul songs from yesterday and today
Classic rock, pop, and soul songs from yesterday and today
Your final classic instrumental song of the day this week is “Stranger on the Shore” by Mr. Acker Bilk. Released late in 1961, it topped all the UK charts early the next year and, later in 1962, reached #1 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100. It was the UK’s biggest-selling single of 1962 and remains that country’s best-selling instrumental single…
Your classic instrumental song of the day comes from a time where elevator music stood side-by-side on the charts alongside raucous rock ‘n’ roll tunes, doo-wop vocal harmonies, Brill Building pop masterpieces, and silly novelty songs. We’re talking about that crazy world of 1960 and Percy Faith’s big hit, “Theme from A Summer Place.” Believe it or not, this shmaltzy…
For today’s classic instrumental song of the day we’re sticking with mid-70s disco and “The Hustle,” by Van McCoy and the Soul City Symphony. Disco was all the thing back in 1975 when this single was released, which explains why it went all the way to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and Hot Soul Singles charts and #1 on…
Today’s classic instrumental song of the day is a tasty slice of Philly Soul, “TSOP (The Sound of Philadelphia)” by MFSB, featuring the Three Degrees. Released in February of 1974, this track hit #1 on the Billboard Hot 100, Billboard’s Easy Listening chart, Billboard’s Hot Soul Singles chart, and the Cashbox Top 100. You can’t get much better than that.…
Your classic instrumental of the day that also had a hit version with lyrics is “Grazing in the Grass.” The original instrumental version was by Hugh Masekela and the subsequent version with lyrics was by the Friends of Distinction, and they were both top ten hits. Unlike the classic instrumentals of the day for the the past few days, which…
Your second classic instrumental hit this week that you didn’t know had lyrics is “Soulful Strut,” a big hit for a little combo called Young-Holt Unlimited. Released in November of 1968, it went on to hit #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 and Rhythm & Blues Singles charts, #2 on the Easy Listening Chart, and #1 in Canada. The song…
We’re starting out a week of instrumental songs of the day (or is that songs of the days?) with an instrumental you know but probably didn’t know it had words. I’m talking about “The Horse” by Cliff Nobles & Co., which was released in 1968, sold a million copies in its first three months of release, and went all the…
Your classic ’60s song that you’ve probably never heard of of the day is “Splendor in the Grass” by the great Jackie DeShannon. The track, released in 1966, was actually a B-side to the A-side single, “Come and Get Me,” which only went to #83 on the Billboard Hot 100. Despite that obscurity, “Splendor in the Grass” has endured, making…
Your long-forgotten classic soul song of the day is “Tell Me, Baby,” by Karmello Brooks. It’s a terrific tune that is just about as obscure you can get—and I love it. “Tell Me, Baby” was released in 1966 on Milestone Records. It was the B-side of an equally obscure tune titled “You’re Breaking My Heart.” Neither the A or the…