Classic rock, pop, and soul songs from the '60s, '70s, and '80s
Classic rock, pop, and soul songs from the '60s, '70s, and '80s
Your final classic instrumental song of the day this week is “Stranger on the Shore” by Mr. Acker Bilk. Released late in 1961, it topped all the UK charts early the next year and, later in 1962, reached #1 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100. It was the UK’s biggest-selling single of 1962 and remains that country’s best-selling instrumental single…
Your classic instrumental song of the day comes from a time where elevator music stood side-by-side on the charts alongside raucous rock ‘n’ roll tunes, doo-wop vocal harmonies, Brill Building pop masterpieces, and silly novelty songs. We’re talking about that crazy world of 1960 and Percy Faith’s big hit, “Theme from A Summer Place.” Believe it or not, this shmaltzy…
Your second classic instrumental hit this week that you didn’t know had lyrics is “Soulful Strut,” a big hit for a little combo called Young-Holt Unlimited. Released in November of 1968, it went on to hit #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 and Rhythm & Blues Singles charts, #2 on the Easy Listening Chart, and #1 in Canada. The song…
We’re starting out a week of instrumental songs of the day (or is that songs of the days?) with an instrumental you know but probably didn’t know it had words. I’m talking about “The Horse” by Cliff Nobles & Co., which was released in 1968, sold a million copies in its first three months of release, and went all the…
Your classic ’60s song that you’ve probably never heard of of the day is “Splendor in the Grass” by the great Jackie DeShannon. The track, released in 1966, was actually a B-side to the A-side single, “Come and Get Me,” which only went to #83 on the Billboard Hot 100. Despite that obscurity, “Splendor in the Grass” has endured, making…
Your long-forgotten classic soul song of the day is “Tell Me, Baby,” by Karmello Brooks. It’s a terrific tune that is just about as obscure you can get—and I love it. “Tell Me, Baby” was released in 1966 on Milestone Records. It was the B-side of an equally obscure tune titled “You’re Breaking My Heart.” Neither the A or the…
Your Sunday song of the day is “Sunday Will Never Be the Same” by Spanky and Our Gang. This classic bit of sunshine pop went all the way to #9 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1967 and helped to define the more hippy sounds of the Summer of Love. “Sunday Will Never Be the Same” was written by Terry…
Your long-lost folkie love song of the day is “Someday Soon.” It was written by legendary folk singer Ian Tyson (of Ian and Sylvia fame) and originally recorded by Ian and his wife Sylvia in 1964. The better-known recording was made by Judy Collins in 1968; that version went to #56 on the Billboard Hot 100 but had a lasting…
Today’s classic song of the day is the truly classic “California Dreamin’,” by The Mamas & The Papas. This was the group’s first big hit, released in December of 1965. It went on to peak at #4 on the Billboard Hot 100 the following year, sell more than a million copies, rank as the #10 song for all of 1966,…