“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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“Maggie May” (Rod Stewart)

Maggie May, Rod Stewart

Today’s classic song from 1971 is Rod Stewart’s big hit, “Maggie May.” Rod released this single in June of 1971 and it went to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100, Cash Box Top 100, and similar charts in Australia, Canada, and the UK. It ended up being Billboard’s number-two song for all of 1971, behind yesterday’s classic song of the…

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