Category 1970s

“Don’t Call Us, We’ll Call You” (Sugarloaf)/”The Cover of Rolling Stone” (Dr. Hook and the Medicine Show)

Don't Call Us, We'll Call You

Your classic song of the day that I always thought was from another band is “Don’t Call Us, We’ll Call You” by Sugarloaf. Released in November of 1974, this track went to #9 on the Billboard Hot 100 early in 1975. The song is about a band’s travails in trying to get a record contract, continually being rebuffed with that…

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“Vincent” (Don McLean)

The Starry Night

Your classic song written about a legendary painter of the day is “Vincent” by Don McLean. In case you’ve never heard it, the song is about the artist Vincent Van Gogh, and if you’ve never heard of him, that’s your loss. The song “Vincent” is a moving tribute to that troubled painter that captures the essence of Van Gogh’s work…

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“Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood” (Nina Simone/The Animals/Santa Esmeralda)

Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood, The Animals

Today’s classic song of the day had popular recordings by three very different artists in three very different styles. We’re talking about “Don’t Be Misunderstood,” first recorded by Nina Simone in a simmering soul version, then by the Animals in a bluesy rock version, then by Santa Esmeralda in a fiery Latin disco version. It says something that the song…

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“Alone Again Or” (Love)

Alone Again Or

Your influential but overlooked song from an influential but overlooked album of the day is “Alone Again Or” by the band Love, from their album Forever Changes. It’s one of those songs you know when you hear it, but probably wouldn’t think of otherwise. It was released as a single in January of 1968 but only bubbled under the Billboard…

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