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 song of the day is Jimmy Buffett’s “A Pirate Looks at Forty.” Released as a single in February of 1975, this one didn’t quite crack the Billboard Hot 100, stalling out at #101. (Missed it by that much…) “A Pirate Looks at Forty” is about a washed-up drug smuggler turning the big 4-0, looking back on his life…
Today’s classic song of the day is “Goodbye, Columbus” by the Association. It was the theme song for the movie of the same name; released as a single early in 1969, it only reached #80 on the Billboard Hot 100—which is a shame, because it’s a terrific tune. The Association recorded four tunes for the movie’s soundtrack. “Goodbye, Columbus” was…
Today’s classic song of the night is “Right Time of the Night” by Jennifer Warnes. It was a standout track on Ms. Warne’s fourth album, Jennifer Warnes, and was released as a single on January 1, 1977. That single was the most successful of Ms. Warnes’ solo career, hitting #6 on the Billboard Hot 100, #17 on Billboard’s Hot Country…
Today’s classic song of the day is one that I’m sure almost all of you know and many of you like. The song is “Gentle on My Mind,” as performed by Glen Campbell. Originally released in June of 1967, the record peaked at just #62 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #30 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart. Capitol Records…
Today’s classic song of the day is “Sweet Life” by Paul Davis. Released in August of 1978, this slice of mellow rock peaked at #17 on the Billboard Hot 100, #15 on the Cash Box Top 100, and #7 on Billboard’s Adult Contemporary chart. Paul Davis wrote “Sweet Life” about the “sweet life” of a family man. The lyrics are…
Today’s classic song of the day is a Beatles song that the Beatles didn’t record. The song is “Bad to Me” and it’s one of the first songs written by a Beatle that was given to another artist to record. That artist was Billy J. Kramer, who recorded it with his band the Dakotas. Their single, released in July of…
Today’s classic song of the day is one of Elton John’s best, “Tiny Dancer” was the opening track on Mr. John’s 1971 Madman Across the Water album, which is my second-favorite Elton John album. (Tumbleweed Connection takes my personal top spot.) It was released as a single in February of 1972 but didn’t fare too well, probably because of its…
Continuing our short string of songs from ’70s singer-songwriters, today’s classic song of the day is one you might not have heard from a singer you definitely know. The song is “Vanilla O’Lay” and it was written and performed by Ms. Jackie DeShannon. “Vanilla O’Lay” was included on Ms. DeShannon’s 1972 album, Jackie. That album fit right in with Carole…
Continuing a string of tunes by ’70s singer-songwriters, today’s classic song of the day is “So Far Away” by Carole King. This one is off her massive and massively influential Tapestry album; released as a single in March of 1971, “So Far Away” peaked at #14 on the Billboard Hot 100, #13 on the Cash Box Top 100, and #3…
Today’s classic singer/songwriter song of the day is James Taylor’s “Carolina in My Mind.” Taylor wrote it back in 1968 when he was in London recording tracks for his self-titled debut album for Apple Records. It’s all about being homesick for his home back in North Carolina; he started writing it at producer Peter Asher’s flat in London, wrote some…