Classic rock, pop, and soul songs from the '60s, '70s, and '80s
Classic rock, pop, and soul songs from the '60s, '70s, and '80s
Today’s classic song of the day is an obscure one, a little-heard song by a much-heard group. The song is “He Did It” and it was recorded by the Ronettes before they met and signed with the legendary Phil Spector and got all famous and Wall of Sounded. The tune was written by the very prolific Jackie DeShannon, along with…
Today is Veteran’s Day here in the U.S. and, in honor of our vets, today’s classic song of the day is the Shirelles’ “Soldier Boy.” Released in March of 1962, this single hit #1 on the Billboard Hot 100. (And in Canada, too!) “Soldier Boy” was written by producer Luther Dixon and Scepter Records owner Florence Greenburg. Actually, Flo did…
Unless you’re a Girl Group aficionado, you’ve probably never heard today’s classic song of the day. The song is “When the Boy’s Happy (The Girl’s Happy Too)” and it is a perfect piece of Wall of Soundish Girl Group pop. The single of “When the Boy’s Happy (The Girl’s Happy Too)” was released on the Rust Records label (a subsidiary…
Today’s somewhat obscure classic song of the day comes from a group of siblings called the Paris Sisters. The song is a forgotten Girl Group classic called “My Good Friend.” “My Good Friend” was written by Paris sister Priscilla Paris. The legendary Jack Nitszche, who did a lot of work with producer Phil Spector, did the arrangement and also, with…
Today is Mother’s Day, so it’s only fitting that today’s classic song of the day is “Mama Said” by the Shirelles. Released as a single in April of 1961, this girl group classic peaked at #4 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #2 on Billboard’s R&B chart. “Mama Said” was written by Luther Dixon and Willie Densen. Dixon and Denson…
Our classic “love” song of the day for Valentine’s Week is one with a common title. The tune is “Look of Love” by Lesley Gore—and it’s not ABC’s “The Look of Love” (yesterday’s classic song of the day) or Dusty Springfield’s “The Look of Love” (another former classic song of the day). No, this one has a slightly different title…
Today’s classic song of the day was recorded by one group but released under another group’s name. The song is that Wall of Sound classic, “He’s a Rebel,” and there’s an interesting story behind it. To start out, “He’s a Rebel” was written by Gene Pitney for the Shirelles, but that group, which was really hot at the time, turned…
Today’s classic song of the day is a song written in 1979, a hit in 1983, yet has the Girl Group sound of the early 1960s. The song is called “They Don’t Know” and Tracey Ullman’s recording, released in September of 1983, hit #8 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #2 in Ullman’s native UK. “They Don’t Know” was written…
Today’s classic song of the day is “Tell Him” by the Exciters. This version of the song (SPOILER ALERT: it wasn’t the first) was released in October of 1962 and it went to #4 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #5 on Billboard’s Hot Rhythm & Blues Songs list. “Tell Him” was originally written as “Tell Her” by legendary songwriter…