Classic rock, pop, and soul songs from the '60s, '70s, and '80s
Classic rock, pop, and soul songs from the '60s, '70s, and '80s
By the early ’70s, country singer/songwriter Ray Stevens had made a name for himself with a succession of pretty funny novelty songs, including “Ahab the Arab,” “Harry the Hairy Ape,” and “Gitarzan.” That’s why so many listeners were surprised when he released today’s classic song of the day, “Everything is Beautiful,” which is about as far from a funny novelty…
I’m happy to present today’s classic song of the day, “Happy.” No, not the 2013 tune by Pharrell Williams, from the Despicable Me soundtrack. This “Happy” was a single back in 1967 that was a minor hit for two different groups at more or less the same time. Radio play and record sales were much different back in the ’60s.…
This evening I’m sitting in (on drums) with some friends in a band playing a Halloween-themed house party. The band is kind of an outlaw/trad country thing, but they’re throwing in some “black” songs to fit the Halloween vibe. One of the songs they’re playing is the one I’ve chosen for today’s classic song of the day, the Rolling Stones’…
Yesterday’s classic song of the day, Noel Paul Stookey’s “Wedding Song (There is Love),” was written for a friend’s wedding, and that’s also the case with today’s classic song of the day. This one is a song you might remember, even though you probably haven’t heard it for awhile. The song is “Rings,” a one-hit wonder for a band called…
Today’s classic forgotten folkie love song of the day is “Wedding Song (There is Love)” by Noel Paul Stookey, otherwise known as the “Paul” in Peter, Paul and Mary. Noel wrote this tune for the wedding of bandmate Peter Yarrow to Mary Beth McCarthy (niece of Senator Eugene McCarthy) in 1969 and released it as a single in July of…
Today’s classic song of the day is a legendary piece of psychedelic rock from equally legendary songwriter Todd Rundgren. The song is “Open My Eyes” and it was recorded by his first group, Nazz, in 1968. The single failed to crack the Billboard Hot 100 but gained attention and influence when it was featured on the iconic 1972 garage rock…
“Carefree Highway” by Gordon Lightfoot is today’s classic song of the day. It was the second single from his Sundown album, released in August of 1974, and went all the way to #10 on the Billboard Hot 100. It hit #1 on the Canadian charts (he’s a native Canadian) and on Billboard’s Easy Listening chart. Mr. Lightfoot was inspired to…
The Association had a lot of big hits back in the mid-to-late ’60s, but their biggest was today’s classic song of the day, “Cherish.” This single, released in August of 1966, went to #1 on both the Billboard Hot 100 and Cash Box Top 100. It was also a #1 hit in Canada. “Cherish” was written by group member Terry…
Today’s classic song of the day is one where the featured artist didn’t sing lead. The song is “Fooled Around and Fell in Love” by Elvin Bishop, and it was released as a single in February of 1976. This bluesy track did pretty well, peaking at #3 on the both the Billboard Hot 100 and Cash Box Top 100. Elvin…
“Needles and Pins” is today’s classic song of the day. It was first recorded by Jackie DeShannon, with producers Jack Nitzsche and Sonny Bono creating a Phil Spector-like Wall of Sound backing. Released as a single in April of 1963, Jackie’s version of “Needles and Pins” only made it to #83 on the Billboard Hot 100, although it went all…