Category Songwriters

“Sweet Blindness” (The 5th Dimension/Laura Nyro)

Sweet Blindness, 5th Dimension

Today’s classic song of the day is “Sweet Blindness.” It was written and originally recorded by legendary singer-songwriter Laura Nyro, but made into a bona fide hit by the 5th Dimension. That group released their single in September of 1968 and it went all the way to #13 on the Billboard Hot 100. As noted, “Sweet Blindness” was written by…

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“Time and Love” (Laura Nyro/Barbra Streisand)

Time and Love, Barbra Streisand

Laura Nyro was a popular and prolific songwriter in the late ’60s/early ’70s. While she really didn’t have any hits of her own, she wrote songs that were hits for the 5th Dimension (“Wedding Bell Blues,” “Stoned Soul Picnic,” “Save the Country“), Three Dog Night (“Eli’s Coming“), Blood, Sweat & Tears (“And When I Die,” “He’s a Runner”), and Barbra…

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“Make It Easy on Yourself” (Jerry Butler/The Walker Brothers/Cilla Black/Dionne Warwick)

Make It Easy on Yourself, Walker Brothers

Burt Bacharach and Hal David bring us today’s classic song of the day, “Make It Easy on Yourself.” Like most Bacharach/David tunes, this one was recorded by multiple artists over the years. It was a hit in 1962 for Jerry Butler. And in 1965 for the Walker Brothers. And in 1966 for Cilla Black. And in 1970 for Dionne Warwick.…

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“I Just Don’t Know What to Do With Myself” (Dusty Springfield/Dionne Warwick)

I Just Don't Know What to Do With Myself, Dusty Springfield

Songwriters extraordinaire Burt Bacharach and Hal David bring us another superb classic song of the day with their tune, “I Just Don’t Know What to Do With Myself.” It was a #3 hit in the UK for Dusty Springfield in 1964, even though it unfortunately failed to chart in the U.S. Burt and Hal wrote “I Just Don’t Know What…

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“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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