Classic rock, pop, and soul songs from the '60s, '70s, and '80s
Classic rock, pop, and soul songs from the '60s, '70s, and '80s
This week we’re featuring socially conscious songs from the turbulent late ’60s/early ’70s from Motown and other R&B artists. We start with one of the most memorable protest songs of that or any era, “War” by Motown artist Edwin Starr. “War,” an obvious anti-Vietnam War protest song (“War, what is it good for? Absolutely nothin’!”) was written by legendary Motown…
Today’s classic song of the day is “I Want You Back” by the Jackson 5. This was the Jacksons’ first single release, in October of 1969, and it was a huge hit, peaking at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100, Cash Box Top 100, and Billboard Best Selling Soul Singles charts. “I Want You Back” was written by the group…
Today’s classic song of the day is a Motown classic, “Reach Out I’ll Be There” by the Four Tops. Released during the fall of 1966, this one shot all the way to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100, the Billboard Hot Rhythm & Blues Singles chart, and the Cash Box Top 100. It was also a #1 hit in Spain…
Today’s classic song of the day is a megahit from Motown legend Stevie Wonder, “Superstition.” This track was released as a single in October of 1972 and shot all the way to #1 on Billboard’s Hot 100 and R&B charts. It won two Grammy Awards, for Best Rhythm & Blues Song and Best R&B Vocal Performance, Male. “Superstition,” written by…
Today’s classic song of the day was a hit for two (and in the UK, three) separate artists. The song is “Do You Love Me” and the lucky performers were the Contours in 1962 and the Dave Clark Five in 1964. “Do You Love Me” was one of the very first Motown hits. The song was written by Motown owner…
Today’s classic song of the day is a classic team-up from two of Motown’s hottest groups. The song is “I’m Gonna Make You Love Me” by Diana Ross & the Supremes and the Temptations, all together on one tremendous tune. The single, released in November of 1968, peaked at #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and Hot R&B Songs charts…
Today’s classic Motown song of the day is “Walk Away from Love” by David Ruffin. Released in November of 1975, it rose to #9 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #1 on Billboard’s R&B chart. “Walk Away from Love” was written by Charles Kipps and produced by Van McCoy. Kipps wrote songs for Faith, Hope and Charity, the Choice Four,…
Today’s classic song of the day is “As” by Stevie Wonder, from his legendary Songs in the Key of Life album. Released as a single in October of 1977, “As” peaked at just #36 on both the Billboard Hot 100 and Hot Soul Singles charts. A few weeks ago I posted Stevie’s “I Wish” as the classic song of the…
You can’t look at the hit songs of 1971 without including that Motown classic, the groundbreaking “What’s Going On” by the legendary Marvin Gaye. “What’s Going On” was the lead track from Mr. Gaye’s 1971 album of the same name; released as a single in January of 1971, it hit #2 on the Billboard Hot 100, #1 on the Cash…