Classic rock, pop, and soul songs from the '60s, '70s, and '80s
Classic rock, pop, and soul songs from the '60s, '70s, and '80s
Today’s classic Jimmy Webb song of the day is perhaps his most famous. “MacArthur Park” was a hit twice, first for Richard Harris in 1968 and ten years later, in a discofied version, for Donna Summer. Jimmy Webb wrote “MacArthur Park” as a reflection on the end of his short but sweet love affair with a girl named Suzy Horton.…
This week we’re celebrating the genius of legendary songwriter Jimmy Webb, starting with his first big hit, “Up, Up, and Away.” Recorded by the 5th Dimension, this single was released in February of 1967 and peaked at #7 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #4 on the Cash Box Top 100. “Up, Up and Away” won an astonishing six Grammy…
Today’s classic song of the day is “It’s a Beautiful Morning” by the Rascals. Released in March of 1968, this single peaked at #3 on both the Billboard Hot 100 and Cash Box Top 100. “It’s a Beautiful Morning” is a perfect good vibes song for the spring that led into the Summer of Love. It was written by Rascals…
Today’s classic song of the day is “Do You Believe in Magic” by the Lovin’ Spoonful. It was the group’s first single, released in July of 1965; it peaked at #9 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #8 on the Cash Box Top 100. The song’s magic is the music. As the lyrics say: If you believe in magic, come…
Today’s classic song of the day is “Like to Get to Know You” by Spanky and Our Gang. This single, released in March of 1968, went to #17 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #13 on the Cash Box Top 100, but has become a well-deserved staple of oldies radio. “Like to Get to Know You” was written by Stuart…
Today’s classic song of the day is “If She Knew What She Wants” by the Bangles. Released as a single in April of 1986, this track peaked at #29 on the Billboard Hot 100, #28 on the Cash Box Top 100, and #24 on Billboard’s Adult Contemporary chart. “If She Knew What She Wants” was written by Jules Shear and…
Today’s classic song of the day is “True Colors” by Cyndi Lauper. Released as a single in August of 1986, this track hit #1 on both the Billboard Hot 100 and Cash Box Top 100. Over time, it became an anthem for the gay community. “True Colors” was written by Tom Kelly and Billy Steinberg, who also wrote “I Drove…
Today’s classic song of the day may be the best song ever written. (Or maybe the second-best; I vacillate between this one and Jimmy Webb’s “Wichita Lineman,” which I’ll feature next week.) The song is “God Only Knows,” written by Brian Wilson with lyrics by Tony Asher. It was recorded by the Beach Boys and featured as the first track…
Today’s classic song of the day is my favorite Beatles track and maybe their best track, which is saying a lot given how many great songs this group produced. The song is “A Day in the Life;” never released as a single, it was the concluding track on side two of 1967’s landmark Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band album.…