Classic rock, pop, and soul songs from yesterday and today
Classic rock, pop, and soul songs from yesterday and today
Today’s classic summer song of the day is “Those Lazy-Hazy-Crazy Days of Summer,” as recorded by the great Nat King Cole. This single was released in May of 1963, just in time for summertime that year, and peaked at #6 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #3 on what was then called the Middle-Road Singles Chart. “Those Lazy-Hazy-Crazy Days of…
Today’s classic summer song of the day is “Hot Fun in the Summertime” by Sly and the Family Stone. This track, released in July of 1969, peaked at #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #3 on the Best Selling Soul Singles chart. As with most of his group’s songs, Sly Stone wrote and produced this one. The Family Stone…
Our classic summer song of the day moves from “Up on the Roof” (yesterday’s classic song) to “Under the Boardwalk.” Like yesterday’s song, “Under the Boardwalk” was recorded by the Drifters; released in June of 1964, it rose to #4 on the Billboard Hot 100, one spot higher than their 1962 single. Unlike “Up on the Roof,” which was written…
Today’s classic summer-themed song of the day is “Up on the Roof” by the Drifters. This true classic was released in September of 1962 and hit #5 on the Billboard Hot 100 (and #4 on the R&B chart) early the next year. Rudy Lewis sang lead on the record, accompanied by fellow Drifters Tommy Evans, Gene Pearson, and Charlie Thomas.…
Since we’re in the sticky thick of summer here in the northern hemisphere, how about a week of summer-themed classic songs? With that in mind, let’s start with a literal summer song, “A Summer Song” by Chad & Jeremy. The duo released this one right in the middle of summer, in July 1964, and it went to #7 on the…
Your classic song of the day is “Happy Together” by the Turtles. Released in January of 1967, this track went all the way to #1 on both the Billboard Hot 100 and Cash Box Top 100 charts. The single sold more than 1 million copies to be certified as an official RIAA Gold record. “Happy Together” was written by Alan…
Today’s classic sunshine pop song of the day is “Will You Be Staying After Sunday” by a group called the Peppermint Rainbow. Released in January of 1969, this track spent 14 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at #32, and sold more than a million copies. I love this song. It’s not groundbreaking or award winning or anything, but…
Our classic baroque pop song of the day is “Walk Away Renee,” a big hit for both the Left Banke and the Four Tops. It’s one of my personal favorite songs of all time. “Walk Away Renee” was written by Left Banke members Michael Brown, Bob Calilli, and Tony Sansome. Brown drove the composition, inspired by (and infatuated with) the…
Yesterday’s classic song of the day, “The Rain, the Park and Other Things,” was by the Cowsills, a real live family group comprised of a singing mom and her half-dozen singing children. Today’s classic song of the day, “I Think I Love You,” is by the Partridge Family, a fictional group modeled on the Cowsills with a singing mom and…