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 is a classic piece of Philly Soul with a lyrical nod to that rock ‘n’ roll music. The song is “Rockin’ Roll Baby” by the Stylistics; released as a single on Avco Records in October of 1973, this track went to #14 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #3 on Billboard’s R&B chart. “Rockin’…
Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier, and Eddie Holland (AKA Holland-Dozier-Holland, AKA H-D-H) were a songwriting/production team responsible for dozens of huge hits for Motown artists in the ’60s. They left Motown in 1968 after a long-simmering dispute over profit-sharing and royalties. They subsequently moved across town to form their own record labels, Invictus Records and Hot Wax Records, and nurture a…
Yesterday’s classic song of the day was Carly Simon’s “You’re So Vain,” and today’s classic song of the day is by her ex-husband, singer-songwriter James Taylor. The song is “Your Smiling Face” which, when released in September of 1977, went to #20 on the Billboard Hot 100, #12 on the Cash Box Top 100, and #6 on Billboard’s Adult Contemporary…
Carly Simon’s biggest hit is today’s classic song of the day. Ms. Simon released “You’re So Vain” in November of 1972. Early in 1973, the song peaked at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and Billboard’s Adult Contemporary chart. It was also a top ten hit in Australia (#1), Belgium, Canada (#1), Ireland, the Netherlands, New Zealand (#1), South Africa,…
Back in the 1970s punk scene, Patti Smith was a big deal; her 1975 debut album Horses established her cred and put her on every punkster’s radar. She hit the mainstream three years later when she recorded “Because the Night,” a song she co-wrote with Bruce Springsteen. Released in March of 1978, “Because the Night” hit #13 on the Billboard…
It’s Thanksgiving Day here in these somewhat United States, so let’s be thankful for today’s classic song of the day, Andrew Gold’s “Thank You for Being a Friend.” According to Mr. Gold, this one was “just this little throwaway thing” that took him only about an hour to write. I guess it doesn’t take that long when you’re as talented…
When it comes to Steely Dan songs, I have trouble picking my favorites, because they’re all so well-made. But today’s classic song of the day, “Doctor Wu,” definitely has a place in my top five. It’s a helluva song. “Doctor Wu” is from 1975’s Katy Lied, which may be my favorite Dan album. (Or maybe The Royal Scam is my…
Today’s classic song of the day is “I’m In Love.” It was written by Bobby Womack and recorded by Womack himself, Wilson Pickett, and Aretha Franklin. Bobby Womack wrote “I’m In Love” in 1967. He had recently married the widow of fellow soul singer Sam Cooke and was receiving no small amount of flack for that. He wrote this song…
Today’s classic song of the day is about an aging disc jockey discovering that the world has passed him by. The song is “W.O.L.D.,” and it was written and recorded by singer-songwriter Harry Chapin. “W.O.L.D.” was released as a single in December of 1973 and it peaked early in 1974 at #36 on the Billboard Hot 100, #26 on the…