Classic rock, pop, and soul songs from the '60s, '70s, and '80s
Classic rock, pop, and soul songs from the '60s, '70s, and '80s
Today’s classic song of the day was recorded by one group but released under another group’s name. The song is that Wall of Sound classic, “He’s a Rebel,” and there’s an interesting story behind it. To start out, “He’s a Rebel” was written by Gene Pitney for the Shirelles, but that group, which was really hot at the time, turned…
Today’s classic song of the day is “I Fought the Law,” a big hit for the Bobby Fuller Four. Released in October of 1965, it peaked at #9 on the Billboard Hot 100. “I Fought the Law” was written by Sonny Curtis in 1958. (Mr. Curtis is equally well known for composing the theme to the The Mary Tyler Moore…
Today’s classic song of the day is “Let’s Lock the Door (And Throw Away the Key)” by Jay and the Americans. It’s all about a guy who met a girl at a party and can’t wait to get alone with her. As the lyrics state: We started to talk and you smiledSorta like you knew the way that I feltYou…
“But I was so much older then, I’m younger than that now.” That’s one of the best lyrics ever written and a wonderful philosophical rumination of how our views on things change as we age and gain more experience. The line is from the song “My Back Pages,” which Bob Dylan wrote in 1964. Dylan wrote “My Back Pages” in…
Today’s classic song of the day is one of the biggest hits from Motown’s biggest group. It’s “Stop! In the Name of Love” by the Supremes—at that point in time, Diana Ross, Mary Wilson, and Florence Ballard. The single, released in February of 1965, rose all the way to #1 on both the Billboard Hot 100 and Cash Box Top…
Today’s classic song of the day spans three decades. It was first released and a big hit in Europe during the summer of 1969. That recording was then picked up in the U.S. and topped the U.S. charts in early 1970. Finally, a cover of the tune went to #1 in multiple countries in 1986. How many songs do you…
Today’s classic song of the day is considered maudlin and emotionally manipulative by some, honestly heartbreaking by others. The song is “Honey” and it was a huge hit for Bobby Goldsboro in 1968. “Honey” was written by Bobby Russell, who you may or may not have heard of, even though he wrote tunes for O.C. Smith (“Little Green Apples“), Brian…
Today’s classic song of the day is a bubblegum earworm by that famous cartoon band, the Archies. The song is “Sugar, Sugar,” and you know you love it. Yes, the Archies were a cartoon band, created for the Saturday morning The Archie Show program, but “Sugar, Sugar” was recorded by a bevy of talented studio musicians. Those musicians included the…
In honor of Sam Moore’s passing, today’s classic song of the day is Sam & Dave’s biggest hit, “Soul Man.” Released in September of 1967, “Soul Man” hit #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #1 on Billboard’s R&B chart. The single won a Grammy Award for Best Rhythm & Blues Group Performance, Vocal or Instrumental, and, in 1999, was…