Classic rock, pop, and soul songs from the '60s, '70s, and '80s
Classic rock, pop, and soul songs from the '60s, '70s, and '80s
Still celebrating yesterday’s birthday of the late Jim Steinman, here’s the biggest-selling song he wrote, “Total Eclipse of the Heart.” Performed by Welsh songstress Bonnie Tyler, this over-the-melodramatic-top power ballad was released in June of 1983 (February in the UK) and shot to #1 on both the Billboard Hot 100 and Cash Box Top 100 charts. It also hit #1…
Today we’re celebrating songwriter Jim Steinman’s birthday with one of his biggest hits, “Paradise by the Dashboard Light.” The song was performed by the singer known as Meat Loaf on his Bat Out of Hell album. Released as a single in August of 1978, the track only went to #39 on the Billboard Hot 100 but became an FM radio…
Today’s classic song of the day is an early song from Neil Diamond, “Kentucky Woman.” This single was released in October of 1967 and quickly became a staple of Mr. Diamond’s live act. The song reached #22 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #12 on the Cash Box Top 100. Mr. Diamond wrote “Kentucky Woman” when he was on a…
Today’s classic song of the day is “Message to Michael,” written by the legendary team of Burt Bacharach and Hal David. That’s actually not the original title of the song, however, which I shall shortly explain. Bacharach and David wrote “Message to Martha,” as the song was originally titled, in 1962. The song was about a Kentucky gentleman telling a…
Today’s classic song featured in the movie The Big Chill of the day is “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman,” as recorded by Aretha Franklin. It’s one of the best songs of the 20th century—and it was written in a single evening. The story goes that lyricist Gerry Goffin was coming out of the Oyster House bar on…
Today’s classic song of the day is “This Guy’s in Love with You” by Herb Alpert, the Tijuana Brass guy. Released as a single in May of 1968, this track went to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100, Cash Box Top 100, and Billboard Adult Contemporary charts. It was also a top-ten smash in Australia, Canada, Ireland, South Africa, and…
Today’s classic song of the day is “Your Song” by Elton John. Released in October of 1970, this one went to #8 on both the Billboard Hot 100 and Cash Box Top 100. Like most of Elton’s big songs (and all of that era), “Your Song” had music by Mr. John and words by his compatriot, Bernie Taupin. The song…
This week’s final classic Jimmy Webb song of the day is “Didn’t We,” a song that really wasn’t a major hit for any particular artist but was covered by enough singers to become somewhat of a classic. Jimmy Webb wrote “Didn’t We” back in 1968 as a reflection on a love affair that almost but not quite made it. It’s…
Today’s classic Jimmy Webb song of the day is “All I Know,” sung by Art Garfunkel. Released as a single in September of 1973, this track peaked at #9 on the Billboard Hot 100, #6 on the Cash Box Top 100, and #1 on Billboard’s Adult Contemporary chart (for four weeks). “All I Know” was the first track on side…