Month July 2025

“At Seventeen” (Janis Ian)

At Seventeen, Janis Ian

Everybody feels like an outcast in high school, especially if you’re not one of the “popular” or good-looking kids. That feeling is well-conveyed in today’s classic song of the day, Janis Ian’s “At Seventeen.” Released in July of 1975 as the second single from her surprise hit album Between the Lines, this brutally honest track went all the way to…

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“You” (Rita Coolidge)

You, Rita Coolidge

Anybody remember this one? Today’s classic song of the day is “You,” a hit for Rita Coolidge during the summer of 1978. It’s a soft rock tune that has a definite disco feel that was perfect for the time—and might even qualify as “yacht rock” today. “You,” released in June of 1978, reached #25 on the Billboard Hot 100, #17…

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“You’ll Never Get to Heaven (If You Break My Heart)” (Dionne Warwick/The Stylistics)

You'll Never Get to Heaven, Dionne Warwick

Today’s classic song of the day is another piece of sophisticated adult pop from the pens of Burt Bacharach (music) and Hal David (words), “You’ll Never Get to Heaven (If You Break My Heart).” It was a hit for two different artists in successive decades. “You’ll Never Get to Heaven (If You Break My Heart)” was first recorded by Dionne…

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“Neither One of Us (Wants to Be the First to Say Goodbye)” (Gladys Knight & the Pips)

Neither One of Us, Gladys Knight and Pips

Today’s classic song of the day is the final Motown single from Gladys Knight & the Pips. “Neither One of Us (Wants to Be the First to Say Goodbye)” was released as a single in late December of 1972 and, early in 1973, went all the way to #2 on the Billboard Hot 100, #1 on the Cash Box Top…

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“Single Girl” (Sandy Posey)

Single Girl, Sandy Posey

Sandy Posey’s “Single Girl” is today’s classic song of the day. Released in December of 1966 on MGM Records, this single peaked at #12 on the Billboard Hot 100 early the next year. “Single Girl” was written by Martha Sharp, who also wrote tunes performed by the likes of Bobby Vee, Eddy Arnold, and Tom Jones. Like Dusty Springfield’s “Wishin’…

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“Strawberry Fields Forever”/”Penny Lane” (The Beatles)

Penny Lane, Strawberry Fields Forever, Beatles

Today’s classic songs of the day are both sides of a two-sided single released by the Beatles in February of 1967. The songs are “Strawberry Fields Forever” and “Penny Lane,” and they offer a kind of mirror image view into the songwriters’ youth. “Strawberry Fields Forever” was written by John Lennon (but attributed to Lennon-McCartney, as were all their Beatles-era…

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