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 is Mother’s Day, so it’s only fitting that today’s classic song of the day is “Mama Said” by the Shirelles. Released as a single in April of 1961, this girl group classic peaked at #4 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #2 on Billboard’s R&B chart. “Mama Said” was written by Luther Dixon and Willie Densen. Dixon and Denson…
Today’s classic song of the day was recorded by one group but released under another group’s name. The song is that Wall of Sound classic, “He’s a Rebel,” and there’s an interesting story behind it. To start out, “He’s a Rebel” was written by Gene Pitney for the Shirelles, but that group, which was really hot at the time, turned…
Today’s classic song of the day is “It’s Gonna Take a Miracle.” This song was a hit for the Royalettes in 1965 and Deniece Williams in 1982; it was also featured on Laura Nyro’s 1971 album of covers with Labelle, Gonna Take a Miracle. First things first. “It’s Gonna Take a Miracle” was written by Teddy Randazzo, Bobby Weinstein, and…
Last week we took a look at the Girl Group sound of the early 1960s, but that sound wasn’t limited to girl groups. There were plenty of solo girl singers who put out records that mirrored that Girl Group sound, and we’re going to listen to some of them this week. Let’s start with a singer named Ellie Greenwich. Music…
Our last classic Girl Group song of the week is also the last Top 10 hit by the Shirelles, perhaps the most popular group of the Girl Group era. “Foolish Little Girl,” released in March of 1963, peaked at #4 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #9 on Billboard’s Hot R&B Singles chart. “Foolish Little Girl” was written by Helen…
Today’s classic Girl Group song of the day is “I Have a Boyfriend” by the Chiffons. This track was released in November of 1963 and peaked, the following January, at #36 on the Billboard Hot 100. “I Have a Boyfriend” was written by the same duo that penned “People Say” and “Chapel of Love” for the Dixie Cups, Jeff Barry…
Today’s classic Girl Group song of the day is “Give Him a Great Big Kiss” by the Shangra-Las. Released on Red Bird Records in December of 1964, it peaked at #18 early the next year on the Billboard Hot 100. “When I say I’m in love, you best believe I’m in love, L-U-V!” Like most of the Shangra-Las’ tracks, “Give…
Today’s classic Girl Group song of the day is another obscure one by another obscure group but one with a strong connection to a music legend. “The One You Can’t Have” was released in 1963 by a group called the Honeys. The Honeys were sisters Diane and Marilyn Rovell and cousin Ginger Blake. They formed, as the Rovell Sisters, when…
Today’s classic Girl Group song of the day is the rather obscure “Please Don’t Wake Me” by an equally obscure group called the Cinderellas. Released in 1964 on the Dimension label, this one didn’t chart, although it should have; it’s a perfect example of the 1960s Girl Group sound. “Please Don’t Wake Me” was written by Cynthia Weil and Russ…