Classic rock, pop, and soul songs from the '60s, '70s, and '80s
Classic rock, pop, and soul songs from the '60s, '70s, and '80s
Every now and then I like to post an obscure ’60s soul track that got rediscovered by England’s Northern Soul scene. Today’s classic song of the day is one such track, one ranked as among the very best Northern Soul singles. The song is “You’re Gonna Make Me Love You” and it was recorded by an artist named Sandi Sheldon.…
“Don’t Worry Baby” is one of the Beach Boys’ best pre-Pet Sounds tracks, and it’s today’s classic song of the day. Released as a single in May of 1964, this melodic masterpiece made it all the way to #24 on the Billboard Hot 100. Brian Wilson wrote “Don’t Worry Baby” in reaction to the Ronettes’ “Be My Baby,” which Brian…
What classic track was written by Neil Diamond but made a hit by the Monkees? It’s today’s classic song of the day, “I’m a Believer.” Neil Diamond wrote “I’m a Believer” back in 1966. He originally pitched the tune to a band called the Fifth Estate, who ended up recording it for their 1967 album, Ding-Dong! The Witch is Dead.…
“Hurt So Bad” is today’s classic song of the day and it was a hit for two different artists in two different decades. The song was written by the team of Teddy Randazzo, Bobby Weinstein, and Bobby Hart. Teddy was a songwriter and producer responsible for tunes like “Goin’ Out of My Head,” “It’s Gonna Take a Miracle,” and “Pretty…
“The Eyes of a New York Woman” was B.J. Thomas’ first solo hit, and it’s today’s classic song of the day. Released in June of 1968, this single charted as high as #28 on the Billboard Hot 100. Chips Moman produced this track, which was penned by songwriter Mark James. James was also responsible for writing “Hooked on a Feeling”…
“Bobby’s Girl” is today’s classic song of the day—and it was a hit for one singer here in the U.S. and other in the UK and Europe. The song “Bobby’s Girl” was written by the team of Gary Klein and Henry Hoffman. The guys enlisted Marcie Blane, then a senior in high school (and captain of the cheerleading squad), to…
Music journalist Robert Christgau has called today’s classic song of the day “the most beautiful song in the English language.” The Who’s Pete Townshend called it “divine” and “a masterpiece.” The song is “Waterloo Sunset,” and it’s every bit as good as these folks say. “Waterloo Sunset” was written and produced by the Kinks’ Ray Davies and released as a…
Here’s a classic song of the day that sounded different from anything else on the charts at the time, “A Little Bitty Tear” by Burl Ives. Released as a single in November of 1961, it rose all the way to #9 on the Billboard Hot 100, #2 on Billboard’s Country Singles chart, and #1 on Billboard’s Adult Contemporary chart. “A…
Even though I am an innately political person with extremely strong views, I try to keep politics out of this blog. That isn’t always possible, however, because much of the music of the past sixty years has been overtly political. Think Bob Dylan (“The Times They Are a Changin’“), Marvin Gaye (“What’s Going On“), Edwin Starr (“War“), Creedence Clearwater Revival…