Classic rock, pop, and soul songs from yesterday and today
Classic rock, pop, and soul songs from yesterday and today
Today is the ninth day of twelve days of classic Christmas songs, and our classic Christmas song of the day is “Sleigh Ride.” This classic was a hit for multiple artists, most notably Johnny Mathis and, in a much more contemporary version, the Ronettes. “Sleigh Ride” was composed by Leroy Anderson (who also wrote “The Syncopated Clock,” which you might…
Your classic Christmas song of the day, for this the eighth of twelve days of classic Christmas songs, is “Santa Baby,” made famous by Eartha Kitt. The tremendously sexy Ms. Kitt purrs her way through what might be the most materialistic Christmas song of some very materialistic Christmas songs. Eartha is all about the Christmas presents, baby, and she’s very…
For the seventh of our twelve days of classic Christmas songs we have the favorite Christmas tune of a generation or two of Brits, “Fairytale of New York.” Many of us here in the States might not know it, and it’s quite a different take on the holiday, but the song is a stunner. “Fairytale of New York” was written…
For this sixth of twelve days of classic Christmas songs, our classic Christmas song of the day is “This Christmas” by soul legend Donny Hathaway. Mr. Hathaway wrote (with Nadine McKinnor) and recorded this one back in 1970 but it didn’t do much of anything at the time. It really got big in 1991 when it was included on Atco…
For the fifth of our twelve days of classic Christmas songs we have “Merry Christmas Darling” by the Carpenters. It’s a wistful little tune just perfect for Karen Carpenter’s silky smooth voice. I was in seventh grade when this single came out and I thought the Carpenters were as boring as white bread. I was wrong. “Merry Christmas Darling” has…
Today is the fourth day of 12 days of classic Christmas songs and our classic Christmas song of the day is “Do They Know It’s Christmas?,” a charity single released by a collection of British and Irish musicians collectively known as Band-Aid. This is the rare example of a Christmas song written and performed not just for the holidays but…
Today is the third day of 12 classic Christmas songs and our classic Christmas song of the day is “The Christmas Song,” as performed by Nat King Cole. According to performing rights organization BMI, it’s the most-performed Christmas song of all time. Nat King Cole recorded “The Christmas Song” four different times. The first was in June of 1946, with…
For this second day of 12 days of classic Christmas songs, we’re featuring “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” by Andy Williams. This tune first appeared on the 1962 Christmas episode of his TV show and was put to vinyl on Mr. Williams’ 1963 album, The Andy Williams Christmas Album. It was not released as a single at…
Celebrating the 12 days of Christmas, today we’re starting 12 days of classic Christmas songs. Our first classic Christmas song is “Christmas Time is Here” by the Vince Guaraldi Trio, from that holiday classic, A Charlie Brown Christmas. The tune is jazzy and a just a little melancholy. The early- to mid-60s was a golden time for television and for…