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 socially relevant classic song of the day by an R&B legend is “Mercy, Mercy Me (The Ecology)” by Marvin Gaye. Released in June of 1971, it hit #4 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #1 (for two weeks) on Billboard’s R&B Singles chart. It was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2002. “Mercy, Mercy Me (The Ecology)”…
Today’s classic song of the day is one of the first socially conscious tunes of the late ’60s by a major R&B artist. The song is “Love Child” and it was recorded and released by Diana Ross & the Supremes in September of 1968. The single was a global smash, hitting #1 in Canada, New Zealand, the UK, and, in…
Continuing with our socially conscious late ’60s/early ’70s songs by major R&B artists, today’s protest song of the day is “Ball of Confusion (That’s What the World is Today)” by the Temptations. This powerful track was recorded on April 12 and 14 in 1970 and released as a single less than a month later, on May 7. It hit #3…
This week we’re featuring socially conscious songs from the turbulent late ’60s/early ’70s from Motown and other R&B artists. We start with one of the most memorable protest songs of that or any era, “War” by Motown artist Edwin Starr. “War,” an obvious anti-Vietnam War protest song (“War, what is it good for? Absolutely nothin’!”) was written by legendary Motown…
Today’s classic song of the day is “I Want You Back” by the Jackson 5. This was the Jacksons’ first single release, in October of 1969, and it was a huge hit, peaking at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100, Cash Box Top 100, and Billboard Best Selling Soul Singles charts. “I Want You Back” was written by the group…
Today’s classic song of the day is a Motown classic, “Reach Out I’ll Be There” by the Four Tops. Released during the fall of 1966, this one shot all the way to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100, the Billboard Hot Rhythm & Blues Singles chart, and the Cash Box Top 100. It was also a #1 hit in Spain…
Today’s classic song of the day is a megahit from Motown legend Stevie Wonder, “Superstition.” This track was released as a single in October of 1972 and shot all the way to #1 on Billboard’s Hot 100 and R&B charts. It won two Grammy Awards, for Best Rhythm & Blues Song and Best R&B Vocal Performance, Male. “Superstition,” written by…
Today’s classic song of the day was a hit for two (and in the UK, three) separate artists. The song is “Do You Love Me” and the lucky performers were the Contours in 1962 and the Dave Clark Five in 1964. “Do You Love Me” was one of the very first Motown hits. The song was written by Motown owner…
Today’s classic song of the day is “Cool Jerk.” It was originally released by a group called the Capitols in April of 1966; it rose to #7 on the Billboard Hot 100, #5 on the Cash Box Top 100, and #2 on Billboard’s Hot Rhythm & Blues Singles chart. “Cool Jerk” was written by Don Storball, one of the Capitols.…