Category Songwriters

“Message to Michael” (Dionne Warwick)/”Message to Martha” (Jerry Butler/Lou Johnson)

Message to Michael, Dionne Warwick

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…

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“(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman” (Aretha Franklin/Carole King)

A Natural Woman, Aretha Franklin

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…

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“This Guy’s in Love with You”/”This Girl’s in Love with You” (Herb Alpert/Dionne Warwick)

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…

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“Your Song” (Elton John)

Your Song, Elton John

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…

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“Didn’t We” (Richard Harris, Frank Sinatra, others)

Jimmy Webb

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…

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“Galveston” (Glen Campbell)

Galveston, Glen Campbell

Today’s classic Jimmy Webb song of the day is another collaboration with singer Glen Campbell. “Galveston” was released as a single in February of 1969 and went all the way to #4 on the Billboard Hot 100, #1 on Billboard’s Adult Contemporary chart, and #1 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart. As with many Jimmy Webb/Glen Campbell collaborations, it’s become…

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