“Going Down to Liverpool” (The Bangles/Katrina and the Waves)

Going Down to Liverpool, the Bangles

This week’s final city-themed song of the day is “Going Down to Liverpool.” The song was initially released by Katrina and the Waves (you know them from their huge hit, “Walking on Sunshine“) but made a bigger splash when covered by the Bangles. “Going Down to Liverpool” was written by Kimberley Rew of Katrina and the Waves. It first appeared…

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“El Paso” (Marty Robbins)

El Paso, Marty Robbins

Today’s classic song of the day, like several others this week, mentions the name of a city in its title and lyrics. The song is “El Paso” by Marty Robbins, released in October of 1959. As a single, it hit #1 on both the Billboard Hot 100 and Billboard’s Hot Country Songs charts early in 1960. That made “El Paso”…

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“Native New Yorker” (Odyssey)

Native New Yorker, Odyssey

We’re apparently on a short run of tunes about cities, so for today’s classic song of the day we point the Wayback Machine to New York City in the late ’70s with the song “Native New Yorker” by the group Odyssey. This disco track was released in November of 1977 and, while it only hit #21 on the Billboard Hot…

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“San Francisco (Be Sure to Wear Flowers in Your Hair)” (Scott McKenzie)

San Francisco, Scott McKenzie

Today’s classic song of the day is one that drew thousands of young people to a particular city in the summer of 1967. We’re talking “San Francisco (Be Sure to Wear Flowers in Your Hair)” by Scott McKenzie. Released in May of 1967, just in time to herald the so-called Summer of Love, “San Francisco” peaked at #4 on both…

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“We Built This City” (Starship)

We Built This City, Starship

Today’s classic song of the day is one of the 1980’s most popular and most despised tracks. We’re talking about “We Built This City” by Starship. Released in August of 1985, the song topped both the Billboard Hot 100 and Cash Box Top 100 and hit the top ten in Australia, Canada, Ireland, Paraguay, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland, and West…

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“Allentown” (Billy Joel)

The Nylon Curtain, Billy Joel

Today’s classic song of the day is “Allentown” by Billy Joel. The track was included on his 1982 album, The Nylon Curtain, and released as a single in November of that year. The single went to #17 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #14 on the Cash Box Top 100. “Allentown,” written by Mr. Joel, is about how the real…

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“Want Ads” (Honey Cone)

Want Ads, Honey Cone

Our final classic song of the day from 1971 this week is “Want Ads” by the group Honey Cone. This track, released in March of 1971, hit #1 on both the Billboard Hot 100 and Billboard Hot Soul Singles charts. Billboard ranked it as the #13 song for the entire year. “Want Ads” was written by Greg Perry, Barney Perkins,…

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“Signs” (Five Man Electrical Band)

Signs, Five Man Electrical Band

Today’s classic 1971 song of the day is “Signs” by a Canadian group called Five Man Electrical Band. Released in May of 1971, the single hit #8 on the Billboard Hot 100. “Signs” is one of those early ’70s hippie songs about a bunch of long hairs traveling around the country and observing life around them. In this case, songwriter…

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