Category 1970s

“Hammond Song” (The Roches)

The Roches

Today’s classic song of the day is more obscure than most, and I expect that many readers of this blog won’t know it. But if you do, you probably love it. The tune is “Hammond Song” by the Roches. The Roches were a new-folk group of three sisters (Maggie, Terre, and Suzzy) out of New Jersey who hit the scene…

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“Santa Claus is Coming to Town” (The Crystals/The Jackson 5/Bruce Springsteen)

Santa Claus is Coming to Town

Today’s classic Christmas song of the day is “Santa Claus is Coming to Town.” It was written in 1934 by J. Fred Coots and Haven Gillespie. The song was first recorded by banjo player Harry Reser and His Orchestra in 1934, but became a huge hit when recorded by Eddie Cantor later that year. Tons of artists have recorded “Santa…

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“When You Walk in the Room” (Jackie DeShannon/The Searchers)

When You Walk in the Room, the Searchers

Today’s classic song of the day was written and originally recorded by Jackie DeShannon—although it was a bigger hit for the group the Searchers. The song is “When You Walk in the Room” and Ms. DeShannon released her version as a B-side to her “‘Till You Say You’ll Be Mine” single in November of 1963. She re-released it as an…

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“Happy Xmas (War is Over)” (John & Yoko and the Plastic Ono Band)

Happy Xmas (War is Over), John and Yoko

Today’s classic Christmas song of the day was written and performed by former Beatle John Lennon, along with his wife, Yoko Ono, and the group of musicians they called the Plastic Ono Band. On this record, the Band consisted of Nicky Hopkins on piano, chimes, and glockenspiel; Teddy Irwin, Hugh McCracken, Chris Osbourne, and Stuart Scharf on various guitars; Klaus…

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“Lola” (The Kinks)

Lola, the Kinks

Today’s classic song of the day is about a girl, who’s really a guy, named “Lola.” Written by Ray Davies, the single was released by his group, the Kinks, in June of 1970. Despite its, at the time, controversial subject matter, “Lola” shot to #9 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #8 on the Cash Box Top 100. It was…

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“Flim Flam Man” (Barbra Streisand/Laura Nyro)

Flim Flam Man, Barbra Streisand

Today’s classic song of the day is a Laura Nyro composition that was a hit when recorded by Barbra Streisand. The song is “Flim Flam Man” and it’s a good one. Ms. Nyro wrote “Flim Flam Man”—originally titled “Hands Off the Man (Flim Flam Man)”—back in 1967 and included it on her debut album, More Than a New Discovery. When…

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