Category 1960s

“Summertime Blues” (Eddie Cochran/Blue Cheer/The Who)

Summertime Blues, Blue Cheer

Still celebrating the songs of summer, today’s classic summer song of the day is “Summertime Blues.” Written by Eddie Cochran and Jerry Capehart, this one was a hit for three different artists—and covered by many more. The first version of “Summertime Blues” was released by Eddie Cochran, the song’s co-writer, in July of 1958. Eddie played all the guitar parts…

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“Surf City” (Jan and Dean)

Surf City, Jan and Dean

This week we’re celebrating summer with a bevy of summer-themed songs. When you think of summer, you think of cool cars on the strip, hot girls on the beach, surfing, and California—and there’s no band that more represents the California surf and cars scene than the Beach Boys. Jan and Dean, however, are a close second. Not surprisingly, Jan Berry…

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“Color Him Father” (The Winstons)

Color Him Father, the Winstons

Today is Father’s Day, so it’s only fitting that today’s classic Father’s Day song of the day is “Color Him Father” by the Winstons. This song is about the singer’s appreciation of his stepfather, who stepped in when his real father was “killed in the war.” (The Vietnam War, presumably.) The lyrics say it best: I love this man I…

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“Heroes and Villains” (The Beach Boys)

Heroes and Villains, Beach Boys

Still honoring the late Brian Wilson, today’s classic song of the day is the Beach Boys’ “Heroes and Villains,” which may be Brian’s most complex and sophisticated tune—even more so than the group’s previous release, “Good Vibrations.” Brian Wilson wrote “Heroes and Villains” in collaboration with lyricist Van Dyke Parks, who wrote the words for most of the songs intended…

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“I Just Wasn’t Made for These Times” (Brian Wilson/The Beach Boys)

Brian Wilson

This one truly saddens me. Brian Wilson has passed away. He was 82 years old. He’d been suffering for some months from dementia, although no cause of death was immediately given. Brian Wilson was a true musical genius. He was the driving force behind the Beach Boys, yes, but that often lightweight group was the vehicle for his sophisticated musical…

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