Classic rock, pop, and soul songs from the '60s, '70s, and '80s
Classic rock, pop, and soul songs from the '60s, '70s, and '80s
Since we’re in the sticky thick of summer here in the northern hemisphere, how about a week of summer-themed classic songs? With that in mind, let’s start with a literal summer song, “A Summer Song” by Chad & Jeremy. The duo released this one right in the middle of summer, in July 1964, and it went to #7 on the…
Your classic song of the day is “Happy Together” by the Turtles. Released in January of 1967, this track went all the way to #1 on both the Billboard Hot 100 and Cash Box Top 100 charts. The single sold more than 1 million copies to be certified as an official RIAA Gold record. “Happy Together” was written by Alan…
Today’s classic sunshine pop song of the day is “Will You Be Staying After Sunday” by a group called the Peppermint Rainbow. Released in January of 1969, this track spent 14 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at #32, and sold more than a million copies. I love this song. It’s not groundbreaking or award winning or anything, but…
Our classic baroque pop song of the day is “Walk Away Renee,” a big hit for both the Left Banke and the Four Tops. It’s one of my personal favorite songs of all time. “Walk Away Renee” was written by Left Banke members Michael Brown, Bob Calilli, and Tony Sansome. Brown drove the composition, inspired by (and infatuated with) the…
Yesterday’s Classic Song of the Day was Billy Stewart’s “Sitting in the Park,” so it makes sense to stay in the park with today’s song, “The Rain, the Park and Other Things.” The Cowsills released this track in September of 1967 and it rose all the way to #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 (and #1 on the Cash Box…
Today’s classic song of the day is “Sitting in the Park,” the second big hit for R&B singer Billy Stewart. This track, written by Mr. Stewart, was released in June of 1965 and peaked at #24 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #4 on the R&B chart. “Sitting in the Park is a sweet soul song. It’s got a loping…
This week’s final classic song that mentions Memphis in the lyrics of the day is “Honky Tonk Women” by the Rolling Stones. The word “Memphis” is right there in the first line: I met a gin-soaked, bar-room queen in MemphisShe tried to take me upstairs for a rideShe had to heave me right across her shoulder‘Cause I just can’t seem…
Your classic song that mentions Memphis of the day is “Proud Mary.” It was a big hit twice—first for Creedence Clearwater Revival and two years later for Ike & Tina Turner. CCR’s John Fogerty wrote “Proud Mary” right after he was discharged from the Army Reserves in 1968. CCR recorded the song for their second album, 1969’s Bayou Country, and…
Continuing to honor the memory and the songwriting of the late Cynthia Weil, it’s time to turn our attention to former Mama, Cass Elliot, and the three hits she had with Barry Mann/Cynthia Weil tunes. We’re talking about, in chronological order, “It’s Getting Better,” “Make Your Own Kind of Music,” and “New World Coming.” The first of these tunes, “It’s…