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 “Queen of Hearts.” The song was written by Hank DeVito, Emmylou Harris’ pedal steel guitarist, first recorded (and a hit in England) by Dave Edmunds, and made an even bigger hit here in the U.S. by country singer Juice Newton. Dave Edmunds, of Rockpile fame, first recorded “Queen of Hearts” for his 1979…
Today’s classic song of the day is “How Long” by Ace. Released in March of 1975, this track rose all the way to #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #1 on the Cash Box Top 100. “How Long” was the debut single by the band. It was written by Paul Carrack, who also sang lead on this track. You…
This week’s final classic early ’80s song of the day is “Tempted” by Squeeze. Released in July of 1981, this one was a bigger hit in the UK than the U.S., hitting #41 on the Brit charts and #49 on the Billboard Hot 100. “Tempted” was written by head Squeezers Chris Difford and Glenn Tilbrook. Difford described how the song…
Today’s classic song of the day is one I love but you might not have heard of. The song is “Ragin’ Eyes” by Nick Lowe, and it’s a corker. I can listen to this one on repeat all day long. “Ragin’ Eyes” is from Mr. Lowe’s 1983 album, The Abominable Showman, and shows off his penchant for witty lyrics and…
Today’s classic song of the day is “Cruel to Be Kind” by Nick Lowe. Released in August of 1979, it peaked at #12 on the Billboard Hot 100, the Cash Box Top 100, and the UK Singles chart. This made it the best-performing U.S. single of Lowe’s long and illustrious career. Lowe wrote this one way back when he was…
Your really dark and twisted song with a bouncy cheery melody of the day is “Marie Provost,” by Nick Lowe. It’s a song about a fading silent movie star who dies all alone, save for her hungry little dachshund. That macabre tale is set to the sunniest, poppiest melody you can imagine, which belies the dark lyrics. If you didn’t…
Your Elvis Costello song that wasn’t written by Elvis Costello song of the day is “(What’s So Funny ‘Bout) Peace, Love and Understanding.” Yes, Elvis had the best-selling version, and it kind of sort of sounds like something he might write, but he didn’t write it. Instead, the song was written by Elvis’ old mate and then-producer, the Basher himself,…