50′s
Kisses Sweeter Than Wine – Bonnie Raitt & Jackson Browne
SONG OF THE DAY “Kisses Sweeter Than Wine” by Jackson Browne & Bonnie Raitt (Where Have All The Flowers Gone: The Songs Of Pete Seeger, Appleseed Records, 1998). Written by . HOW I FOUND IT This cover was the greatest (and maybe only?) fourth of July present I’ve ever received in my life!... »
Hymne à l’amour (Hymn to Love) – Edith Piaf
Joanee’s back, woot woot!! After a month-long wedding preparation hiatus, I am very pleased to announce the return of this daily blog to my routine and your computers! I missed this thing, and have a ****load of music queued up and ready to talk about, so grab a drink, sit down, and buckle in!... »
Jambalaya (On The Bayou) – Hank Williams
SONG OF THE DAY “Jambalaya (On The Bayou)” by Hank Williams (Honky Tonkin’, MGM, 1954). Written by Hank Williams (and Moon Mullican). WHERE I HEARD IT HBO’s Six Feet Under VIDEO OF THE DAY »
True Love Ways – Buddy Holly
SONG OF THE DAY “True Love Ways” by Buddy Holly (The Buddy Holly Story, Vol. 2, Coral Records, 1960). Co-written by Buddy Holly and Norman Petty. Recorded with the Ray Ellis orchestra in October 1958, four months before the singer’s death, and released posthumously. VIDEO OF THE DAY »
The Ballad of High Noon (or Do Not Forsake Me, Oh My Darlin’) – Tex Ritter
SONG OF THE DAY “The Ballad of High Noon Theme (or Do Not Forsake Me, Oh My Darlin’)” by Tex Ritter (from the High Noon original soundtrack, 1952). Written by Dimitri Tiomkin, lyrics by Ned Washington. WHY TODAY? Todd sang it to me, and it was cute. INTERESTING FACTS (a la wikipedia) - It... »
I Wished On The Moon – Billie Holiday
SONG OF THE DAY “I Wished On The Moon” by Billie Holiday (Songs for Distingué Lovers, Verve Records, 1957). Composed by Ralph Rainger with lyrics by Dorothy Parker. WHY TODAY? While listening to NPR last night, I heard a recording of Stephanie Nakasian doing a cover of this song. She was able to really capture Billie’s voice, and,... »
Iko Iko – The Dixie Cups
SONG OF THE DAY “Iko Iko” as performed by The Dixie Cups (“Iko Iko” / “I’m Gonna Get You Yet” , Red Bird Records, 1965). Written by James “Sugar Boy” Crawford. WHY TODAY? I had this song stuck in my head and was singing it around the house. Any normal day. But Todd thought I... »
Young At Heart – Frank Sinatra
SONG OF THE DAY “Young At Heart” by Frank Sinatra (1953). Music by Johnny Richards and lyrics by Carolyn Leigh. INTERESTING FACTS (a la wikipedia) - Frank Sinatra was the first performer to record the song, which became a million-selling hit in 1953 (and spilling over with popularity into 1954). The song was such... »
Backstreet Affair – Webb Pierce
SONG OF THE DAY “Backstreet Affair” by Webb Pierce (Back Street Affair single, 1952). INTERESTING FACTS (a la wikipedia) - Webb Pierce was one of the most popular American honky tonk vocalists of the 1950s, charting more #1 hits than any other country artist during the decade. - For many, Pierce, with his flamboyant... »
Stop The World (And Let Me Off)
I can’t choose which version of this song I like best. I heard it first by John Doe & The Sadies on CBC Radio 2 89.9 FM, and loved it. Then the DJ said that the song was originally done by Patsy Cline, and I got excited. She’s a classic! Turns out, her version... »
Woo Hoo – The 5678′s
SONG OF THE DAY “Woo Hoo” by The 5678′s (Bomb The Twist, Time Bomb Records, 1996). Cover of the 1959 single by The Rock-A-Teens. INTERESTING FACTS (from wikipedia) - “Woo Hoo” is a rockabilly song, originally released by The Rock-A-Teens in 1959. - The song is distinctive for its lack of lyrics apart from... »