Classic rock, pop, and soul songs from the '60s, '70s, and '80s
Classic rock, pop, and soul songs from the '60s, '70s, and '80s
In honor of Jim Gordon’s passing, our classic song of the day is “Layla,” by Derek and the Dominos. Released in September of 1970, it rose to #10 on the Billboard Hot 100 early in 1971 and became an instant rock classic. The song “Layla” was the next-to-last track (third of four tracks on the second side of the double-album’s…
Today’s long-lost ode to a young Jewish girl from Paramus, New Jersey song of the day is “Ariel,” by Dean Friedman. This little slice of history was released in April of 1977 and rose all the way to #26 on the Billboard Hot 100. (And it ties into yesterday’s classic song of the day, “American City Suite,” in that “Ariel”…
Your forgotten overlong medley of short songs of the day is “American City Suite” by Cashman & West. The track was released in the fall of 1972 and got all the way to #27 on the Billboard Hot 100. In spite of that chart success, the song really didn’t get a lot of airplay, probably due to its 7+ minute…
Your rare, little-known, almost completely forgotten one-hit wonder song of the day is “Baby Take Me In Your Arms” by some guy named Jefferson. The track was released in August of 1969 but hit the charts big, sort of, early in 1970, rising to #23 on the Billboard Hot 100 and a bit higher (#15) on the Canadian charts. Jefferson’s…
Your you-thought-it-was-cheesy-but-it’s-really-not power ballad song of the day is “Goodbye to Love” by Carpenters. It was released in June of 1972 and rose to #7 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #2 on the Easy Listening chart. In the Carpenters’ procession of singles, it chronologically followed “It’s Going to Take Some Time” (#12 on the Hot 100) and immediately preceded…
Your forgotten early ’70s song of the day is “Pieces of April” by Three Dog Night. It was released in November of 1972 and peaked early the following year at #19 on the Billboard Hot 100. (It scored higher on Billboard’s Adult Contemporary chart, rising all the way to #6.) The song was included on the group’s 1972 album, Seven…
In honor of Mr. Shorter’s passing, here’s your standout Wayne Shorter sax solo on a classic Weather Report song of the day, “A Remark You Made” from 1977’s Heavy Weather album. Mr. Shorter plays a simply gorgeous solo on this tune, complementing Josef Zawinul’s beautiful melody and Jaco Pastorius’ emotive bass lines. It’s a lovely ballad that Mr. Shorter elevates…
Your overlooked ’70s song of the day is “When the Morning Comes,” from Daryl Hall and John Oates’ oft-overlooked album, Abandoned Luncheonette. This album, Hall & Oates’ second, came out in 1973, the fall of my 9th grade year. I listened to it all that year, into the spring and summer of ’74, and beyond. The sound was unique to…
Your mournful ’70’s soul song of the day is Brook Benton’s “Rainy Night in Georgia.” This big hit went to #4 on the Billboard Hot 100, #1 on the Best Selling Soul Singles chart, and #2 on the Adult Contemporary chart in the spring of 1970. It was a big comeback for Mr. Benton, who had a string of hits…