Category Soul

“Reach Out and Touch (Somebody’s Hand)” (Diana Ross)

Reach Out and Touch Somebody's Hand, Diana Ross

Yesterday’s classic song of the day was the Supremes’ very first number-one record, “Where Did Our Love Go.” Today we fast forward a few years to the time when Diana Ross left the group to go solo and her first solo hit, “Reach Out and Touch (Somebody’s Hand).” Motown released the single in April of 1970 and it went to…

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“Pay to the Piper” (Chairmen of the Board)

Pay to the Piper, Chairmen of the Board

Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier, and Eddie Holland (AKA Holland-Dozier-Holland, AKA H-D-H) were a songwriting/production team responsible for dozens of huge hits for Motown artists in the ’60s. They left Motown in 1968 after a long-simmering dispute over profit-sharing and royalties. They subsequently moved across town to form their own record labels, Invictus Records and Hot Wax Records, and nurture a…

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“Something About You” (The Four Tops)

Something About You, Four Tops

From the collective pens of the legendary Motown songwriting team of Holland-Dozier-Holland comes today’s classic song of the day, “Something About You.” This 1965 single by the Four Tops went to #19 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #9 on Billboard’s R&B chart. Holland-Dozier-Holland, also known as H-D-H, was Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier, and Brian’s brother Eddie Holland. They were…

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“I’m In Love” (Bobby Womack/Wilson Pickett/Aretha Franklin)

I'm In Love, Aretha Franklin

Today’s classic song of the day is “I’m In Love.” It was written by Bobby Womack and recorded by Womack himself, Wilson Pickett, and Aretha Franklin. Bobby Womack wrote “I’m In Love” in 1967. He had recently married the widow of fellow soul singer Sam Cooke and was receiving no small amount of flack for that. He wrote this song…

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“Rescue Me” (Fontella Bass)

Rescue Me, Fontella Bass

Fontella Bass’ “Rescue Me” is today’s classic song of the day. Released as a single in September of 1965, “Rescue Me” soared to #4 on the Billboard Hot 100, #3 on the Cash Box Top 100, and #1 on Billboard’s Hot Rhythm & Blues chart. “Rescue Me” took shape during a songwriting and rehearsal session at Chess Studios in Chicago.…

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