Category Songwriters

“Do What You Gotta Do” (Jimmy Webb/Johnny Rivers/Al Wilson/Nina Simone/Four Tops)

Just Across the River, Jimmy Webb

Jimmy Webb is one of the premier songwriters of the 20th century. Even his lesser-known tunes get covered by a multitude of artists, because they’re so darned good. Today’s classic song of the day is a case in point. The song is “Do What You Gotta Do” and it was a minor hit for a few different artists, as well…

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“Who Put the Bomp (in the Bomp, Bomp, Bomp)” (Barry Mann)

Who Put the Bomp in the Bomp Bomp Bomp, Barry Mann

Barry Mann was one of the premiere songwriters of the ’60s and ’70s (and even into the ’80s a little), most often paired with his wife, Cynthia Weil. He didn’t start out writing with her, however, and he didn’t always limit himself to songwriting. Case in point is today’s classic song of the day, “Who Put the Bomp (in the…

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“(There’s) Always Something There to Remind Me”

There's Always Something There to Remind Me, Sandie Shaw

Today’s classic song of the day was a hit for four different artists in three different decades. The song is “(There’s) Always Something There to Remind Me” and it was written by the legendary team of Burt Bacharach (music) and Hal David (words). It was first recorded, as a demo, by Dionne Warwick in 1963 but not released as a…

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“The Warmth of the Sun” (The Beach Boys)

The Warmth of the Sun, Beach Boys

Sixty-two years ago today, on November 22, 1963, President John F. Kennedy was driving in a motorcade through Dallas, Texas. As the motorcade drove through Dealey Plaza, three shots rang out from a window in the nearby Texas School Book Depository. Kennedy was hit twice, one bullet striking and passing through his neck and the second striking and passing through…

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“W.O.L.D.” (Harry Chapin)

WOLD, Harry Chapin

Today’s classic song of the day is about an aging disc jockey discovering that the world has passed him by. The song is “W.O.L.D.,” and it was written and recorded by singer-songwriter Harry Chapin. “W.O.L.D.” was released as a single in December of 1973 and it peaked early in 1974 at #36 on the Billboard Hot 100, #26 on the…

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“You’ve Got a Friend” (Carole King/James Taylor)

You've Got a Friend, James Taylor

If you’re of a certain age, today’s classic song of the day means something special to you. The song is “You’ve Got a Friend” and it was written by songwriter extraordinaire Carole King and recorded both by herself and by her friend James Taylor. Unlike many of Carole King’s tunes, Carole wrote both the words and the music for “You’ve…

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