Classic rock, pop, and soul songs from the '60s, '70s, and '80s
Classic rock, pop, and soul songs from the '60s, '70s, and '80s
Today’s classic soul song of the day is “People Get Ready,” written by the great Curtis Mayfield. It’s a song that’s been covered dozens if not hundreds of times, which makes it a true classic. “People Get Ready” is a popular song with gospel roots. The lyrics use the spiritual to inform the material, in particular the struggle of Black…
Our final classic Philly Soul song of the day this week is that sultry ode to adultery, “Me and Mrs. Jones” by Philly Soul legend Billy Paul. It was released in September of 1972 and peaked at #1 simultaneously on the Billboard Hot 100, Billboard R&B, and Cash Box Top 100 charts. It doesn’t get much better than that. “Me…
Today’s classic Philly Soul song of the day is another Kenny Gamble/Leon Huff production, “The Love I Lost” by Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes. This track was released in September of 1973 and hit #7 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #1 on Billboard’s Hot R&B Songs chart. As noted, “The Love I Lost” was written and produced by…
Today’s classic Philly Soul song of the day is “When Will I See You Again” by the Three Degrees. This track was released in September of 1974 (a few months earlier in the UK) and hit #2 on the Billboard Hot 100, #4 on the Billboard Hot Soul Singles chart, #1 the Billboard Easy Listening and Cash Box Top 100…
Your classic Philly Soul song of the day is “Love Train” by the O’Jays. This classic track was released in late December 1972 and rose all the way to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100, Billboard R&B, and Cash Box Top 100 charts early the next year. “Love Train” was written and produced by the legendary Philly team of Kenny…
Today’s classic Philly Soul song of the day is “Games People Play” by the Spinners. This track, released in May of 1975, peaked at #5 on the Billboard Hot 100, #2 on the Billboard Easy Listening and Cash Box Top 100 charts, and #1 on the Billboard Hot Soul Singles Chart. “Games People Play” was written by the team of…
Today’s classic Philly Soul song of the day is “Betcha By Golly Wow” by the Stylistics. This sweet soul track, released in February of 1972, peaked at #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #2 on Billboard’s Hot Soul Singles chart. Billboard ranked this one as the #18 song for all of 1972. “Betcha By Golly Wow” was written by…
A few weeks ago we devoted an entire week to Motown hits. This week we’re moving onto the next decade of soul and covering seven singles that helped define the Philadelphia Soul sound of the 1970s. The first song we’re starting with, however, predated and helped originate Philly Soul in the late 1960s. The song is “La-La (Means I Love…
Today’s classic song of the day is “Take a Letter Maria’ by R.B. Greaves. Released in autumn of 1969 by ATCO Records (I vividly remember that yellow and white label), “Take a Letter Maria” peaked at #2 on the Billboard Hot 100. It ended up selling more than 2 1/2 million copies. The song is about a guy who discovers…