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 song of the day is “99 Luftballons” by the West German group Nena. The song is unique in being that rare foreign-language hit on the U.S. charts; even though the band released an English-language version (“99 Red Balloons”), it was the German version that was the hit in the U.S. Released globally in early 1984 (March 1983 in…
Today’s classic song of the day is one you probably don’t recall off the top of your head but will remember when you hear it. The song is “Sky High” by a British group called Jigsaw. The single was released in August of 1975 and went all the way to #3 on the Billboard Hot 100. (It only went to…
Today’s classic song of the day is a later and less-remembered hit from Carly Simon. Released in July of 1980, “Jesse” hit #11 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #8 on the Adult Contemporary chart. It was a highlight of her Come Upstairs album. “Jesse” is a fine piece of songwriting that deals with a woman weak with love for…
Today’s classic ’80s teen dance pop song of the day is Debbie Gibson’s “Shake Your Love.” It was released in September of 1987 and rose all the way to #4 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #6 on the Dance Club Songs chart. It was Ms. Gibson’s second single; her debut track, “Only In My Dreams,” also hit #4 on…
Today’s classic song of the day is “Right Back Where We Started From” by British singer Maxine Nightingale. It was released in late 1975 in the UK and Europe and in February, 1976, here in the U.S. It hit #2 on the Billboard Hot 100, #1 on the Cash Box Top 100, and #5 on Billboard’s Adult Contemporary chart. It…
Today’s classic song of the day was a big one for singer Lesley Gore. “California Nights” was released in January of 1967 on Mercury Records and it went all the way to #16 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #11 on the Cash Box Top 100. It was her ninth and final top twenty hit. “California Nights” was written by…
Today’s classic song of the day is “Oh Girl” by the Chi-Lites. This single, released in March of 1972, went all the way to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100, Cash Box Top 100, and Billboard’s R&B chart. Billboard named it the #13 song for all of 1972. “Oh Girl” was written by Eugene Record, the Chi-Lites’ lead vocalist. Released…
In honor of Sérgio Mendes’ passing, today’s classic song of the day is “Mas que Nada” by Sérgio Mendes & Brasil ’66. Mr. Mendes’ single was released in September of 1966 and reached #47 on the Billboard Hot 100. It got more radio play on AC stations, however, and hit #4 on Billboard’s Easy Listening chart. “Mas que Nada” was…
Today’s classic song of the day is “Welcome Back” by John Sebastian. Released as a single in March of 1976, this track hit #1 on all the major charts: Billboard Hot 100, Cash Box Top 100, and Billboard Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks. It also hit #1 on Canada’s RPM chart. John Sebastian, formerly of the Lovin’ Spoonful, wrote “Welcome Back”…
Today’s classic song of the day is “Castles in the Air” by folk troubadour Don McLean. It’s a wonderful song with trenchant lyrics and a memorable melody. McLean wrote “Castles in the Air” and originally included it as the lead track on his 1970 Tapestry album. (Not to be confused with Carole King’s 1971 album of the same name, of…