Classic rock, pop, and soul songs from the '60s, '70s, and '80s
Classic rock, pop, and soul songs from the '60s, '70s, and '80s
We finish our look at some of my favorite tracks from the mid-70s with “Time Passages” by Al Stewart. This was the first track on side one of the Time Passages album, Mr. Stewart’s follow-up to his career-defining Year of the Cat album. The “Time Passages” single, released in September of 1978, hit #7 on the Billboard Hot 100 and…
Continuing our look at some of my favorite classic rock tracks from the mid-70s, today’s classic song of the day is “Deacon Blues” by Steely Dan. It’s one of the, if not the most popular Dan tunes of all time, a staple of classic rock radio and yacht rock playlists. Everybody knows it, even those that don’t know the Dan.…
As we continue to focus on favorite songs from the mid-70s, today’s classic song of the day is Joni Mitchell’s “Coyote.” This was the lead track from her 1976 album Hejira; it was released as a single in February of 1977 and, while it didn’t chart in the U.S., did reach #79 on Canada’s RPM Top Singles chart. “Coyote” was…
Revisiting some of my favorite tunes from the mid-70s, today’s classic songs of the day are both from George Benson’s genre-bending Breezin’ album: “This Masquerade” and the album’s title track, “Breezin’.” Both songs blended jazz and pop in a way that was unique for the time but led to the establishment of what some now call smooth jazz. George Benson…
Today’s classic mid-70s song of the day is “I Wish” by Stevie Wonder. It was the lead single from his triumphant Songs in the Key of Life album, released in November of 1976, my first semester at Indiana University. This track hit #1 on the Billboard Hot 100, Cash Box Top 100, and Billboard Soul Singles charts. It also won…
Today’s mid-70s classic rock song of the day is “Night Moves” by Bob Seger & the Silver Bullet Band. Released in November of 1976, it rose to #4 on the Billboard Hot 100 early the next year. Rolling Stone magazine named it Best Single of the Year for 1977. “Night Moves” is a coming of age song, filled with nostalgia…
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…