Category 1960s

“Wonderful World” (Sam Cooke/Herman’s Hermits/Art Garfunkel)

Wonderful World, Sam Cooke

For the day after Christmas, when everybody should still be in relatively good merriment, todays’ classic song of the day is “Wonderful World.” It was a hit for three very different artists: Sam Cooke, Herman’s Hermits, and Art Garfunkel. Lou Adler and Herb Alpert wrote “Wonderful World” in 1958 or so, but pretty much shelved it as a trifle. Sam…

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“Frosty the Snowman” (Gene Autry/Jimmy Durante/Nat King Cole/The Ronettes)

Frosty the Snowman

Today’s classic Christmas song of the day is “Frosty the Snowman,” all about that jolly happy soul who came to life one winter’s day. The song was written by Walter “Jack” Rollins and Steve Nelson way back in 1950. Rollins had previously written “Here Comes Peter Cottontail” and other songs, primarily for country artists like Gene Autry, Hank Snow, George…

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“Santa Claus is Coming to Town” (The Crystals/The Jackson 5/Bruce Springsteen)

Santa Claus is Coming to Town

Today’s classic Christmas song of the day is “Santa Claus is Coming to Town.” It was written in 1934 by J. Fred Coots and Haven Gillespie. The song was first recorded by banjo player Harry Reser and His Orchestra in 1934, but became a huge hit when recorded by Eddie Cantor later that year. Tons of artists have recorded “Santa…

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“When You Walk in the Room” (Jackie DeShannon/The Searchers)

When You Walk in the Room, the Searchers

Today’s classic song of the day was written and originally recorded by Jackie DeShannon—although it was a bigger hit for the group the Searchers. The song is “When You Walk in the Room” and Ms. DeShannon released her version as a B-side to her “‘Till You Say You’ll Be Mine” single in November of 1963. She re-released it as an…

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