Classic rock, pop, and soul songs from the '60s, '70s, and '80s
Classic rock, pop, and soul songs from the '60s, '70s, and '80s
Your classic instrumental of the day that also had a hit version with lyrics is “Grazing in the Grass.” The original instrumental version was by Hugh Masekela and the subsequent version with lyrics was by the Friends of Distinction, and they were both top ten hits. Unlike the classic instrumentals of the day for the the past few days, which…
Your second classic instrumental hit this week that you didn’t know had lyrics is “Soulful Strut,” a big hit for a little combo called Young-Holt Unlimited. Released in November of 1968, it went on to hit #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 and Rhythm & Blues Singles charts, #2 on the Easy Listening Chart, and #1 in Canada. The song…
We’re starting out a week of instrumental songs of the day (or is that songs of the days?) with an instrumental you know but probably didn’t know it had words. I’m talking about “The Horse” by Cliff Nobles & Co., which was released in 1968, sold a million copies in its first three months of release, and went all the…
Your classic ’60s song that you’ve probably never heard of of the day is “Splendor in the Grass” by the great Jackie DeShannon. The track, released in 1966, was actually a B-side to the A-side single, “Come and Get Me,” which only went to #83 on the Billboard Hot 100. Despite that obscurity, “Splendor in the Grass” has endured, making…
Your long-forgotten classic soul song of the day is “Tell Me, Baby,” by Karmello Brooks. It’s a terrific tune that is just about as obscure you can get—and I love it. “Tell Me, Baby” was released in 1966 on Milestone Records. It was the B-side of an equally obscure tune titled “You’re Breaking My Heart.” Neither the A or the…
Your really dark and twisted song with a bouncy cheery melody of the day is “Marie Provost,” by Nick Lowe. It’s a song about a fading silent movie star who dies all alone, save for her hungry little dachshund. That macabre tale is set to the sunniest, poppiest melody you can imagine, which belies the dark lyrics. If you didn’t…
Your Elvis Costello song that wasn’t written by Elvis Costello song of the day is “(What’s So Funny ‘Bout) Peace, Love and Understanding.” Yes, Elvis had the best-selling version, and it kind of sort of sounds like something he might write, but he didn’t write it. Instead, the song was written by Elvis’ old mate and then-producer, the Basher himself,…
Your not-so-old earwig of the day is “Shut Up and Dance” by Walk the Moon. Released less than ten years ago, in 2014, it hit #4 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2014 and topped both the Alternative Songs and Hot Adult Contemporary charts. There’s good reason why—it’s a great tune, filled with catchy hooks (is that redundant?), a cool…
In honor of the late David Lindley, today’s classic song of the day is “The Load-Out/Stay” from Jackson Browne’s live album, Running on Empty. Released at the very end of 1977, Running on Empty went on to peak at #3 on the Billboard Pop Albums chart the following year and be classified as 7X Platinum, based on sales of more…
Your classic song of the day that I always thought was from another band is “Don’t Call Us, We’ll Call You” by Sugarloaf. Released in November of 1974, this track went to #9 on the Billboard Hot 100 early in 1975. The song is about a band’s travails in trying to get a record contract, continually being rebuffed with that…