Classic rock, pop, and soul songs from the '60s, '70s, and '80s
Classic rock, pop, and soul songs from the '60s, '70s, and '80s
“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…
Ask any ten people what their favorite Beatles song is, and at least five are bound to answer “Hey Jude,” today’s classic song of the day. Released as a single in August of 1968, “Hey Jude” was a worldwide hit, reaching the top of the charts in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Ireland, Japan, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Rhodesia, Spain,…
Folks might find it hard to believe today, but there was a time when Top 40 radio played all genres of music. You might tune into your favorite AM station and hear a tune by the Beatles, followed by a Motown single by the Temptations or Supremes, then maybe a straight pop number by the Turtles or the Grass Roots,…
The Grass Roots were pretty big back in the late ’60s and early ’70s. Case in point is today’s classic song of the day, “The River is Wide.” Released as a single in April of 1969, this tune went all the way to #31 on the Billboard Hot 100. “The River is Wide” was written by Billy Admire and Gary…