Classic rock, pop, and soul songs from the '60s, '70s, and '80s
Classic rock, pop, and soul songs from the '60s, '70s, and '80s
This week we’re looking at some of my favorite classic rock tracks from the mid-70s, starting with today’s classic song of the day, Bruce Springsteen’s immortal “Born to Run.” This song was the lead track on side two of 1975’s Born to Run album; released as a single in August of 1975, it rose to #23 on the Billboard Hot…
We’re on a bit of a power pop kick this week, so today’s classic song of the day is that power pop/New Wave classic, “My Best Friend’s Girl” by the Cars. Released in October of 1978, this pre-MTV wonder only hit #35 on the Billboard Hot 100 (although it did go all the way to #3 in the UK), even…
Today’s classic song of the day is “September Gurls” by Big Star. It’s a near-perfect piece of power pop, influential beyond its limited recognition at the time. Big Star’s Alex Chilton (former lead singer of the Box Tops) wrote “September Gurls” and the group released it on their second album, 1974’s Radio City. It was also released as a single…
Today’s classic song about teenage lust of the day is “Go All the Way” by Raspberries. Released in July of 1972, this was the group’s biggest hit, peaking at #5 on both the Billboard Hot 100 and Cash Box Top 100. “Go All the Way” was written by Raspberries’ front man Eric Carmen. It’s a perfect piece of power pop,…
Today’s classic song of the day is “Cruel to Be Kind” by Nick Lowe. Released in August of 1979, it peaked at #12 on the Billboard Hot 100, the Cash Box Top 100, and the UK Singles chart. This made it the best-performing U.S. single of Lowe’s long and illustrious career. Lowe wrote this one way back when he was…
Today’s classic song where the cover was a bigger hit than the original of the day is “You’re No Good.” This tune was a moderate hit for Betty Everett in the U.S. in 1963, a slightly bigger hit for the Swinging Blue Jeans the next year in England, and a much bigger hit for Linda Ronstadt worldwide a decade later.…
Today’s classic song where the cover was much bigger than the original is “Me and Bobby McGee.” The song was written and recorded by Kris Kristofferson, was a country hit for Roger Miller, was a Canadian hit for Gordon Lightfoot, but became a mainstream monster chart topper for Janis Joplin. As noted, Kris Kristofferson wrote “Me and Bobby McGee, although…
Today’s classic song where the cover performed better than the original of the day is “Superstar.” It was first recorded by Delaney and Bonnie (didn’t go anywhere), then Rita Coolidge (as part of Joe Cocker’s Mad Dogs & Englishmen tour), then Bette Midler (which got more attention), then the Carpenters (a big hit). “Superstar” tells the story of a groupie…
Today’s classic song of the day is the Motown classic “Up the Ladder to the Roof” by the Supremes. Released in February of 1970, this track peaked at #10 on the Billboard Hot 100, #9 on the Cash Box Top 100, and #5 on Billboard’s Hot R&B Songs chart. Note that this single is by the Supremes, not by Diana…