60′s
This Old Heart Of Mine (Is Weak For You) – The Isley Brothers
SONG OF THE DAY “This Old Heart of Mine (Is Weak For You)” by The Isley Brothers (This Old Heart Of Mine , Tamla/ Motown Records, 1966). Written by Holland–Dozier–Holland, and Sylvia Moy. MY TAKE This song was featured on my July 2010 playlist! This song was playing in the background of an episode of season... »
Non, je ne regrette rien – Edith Piaf
SONG OF THE DAY “Non, je ne regrette rien” by Edith Piaf (single, 1960). Written by Charles Dumont and Michel Vaucaire. MY TAKE WARNING: This song can get stuck in your head, for reals, so play that video with caution. It has got to be the “da-DA-da-DA” (see below, the “Interesting Facts” section). I... »
You’ve Made Me So Very Happy – Blood, Sweat & Tears
SONG OF THE DAY “You’ve Made Me So Very Happy” by Blood, Sweat & Tears (Blood, Sweat & Tears, 1969). Written by Brenda Holloway, Patrice Holloway, Frank Wilson and Berry Gordy. MY TAKE This is a song I’ve loved since childhood. It’s really emotional, especially the lead vocals (though I do get weepy from the amazing brass... »
She’s A Rainbow – The Rolling Stones
SONG OF THE DAY “She’s A Rainbow” by The Rolling Stones (Their Satanic Majesties Request, London Records, 1967). Written by Mick Jagger & Keith Richards. VIDEO OF THE DAY »
Something In The Air – Thunderclap Newman
SONG OF THE DAY “Something In The Air” by Thunderclap Newman (single, Track Records, 1969). Written by John “Speedy” Keen. WHERE I HEARD IT HBO’s Six Feet Under INTERESTING FACTS A LA WIKIPEDIA - “Something in the Air” is a song recorded by Thunderclap Newman, a band created by Pete Townshend for The Who’s former roadie John ‘Speedy’... »
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 »
Beautiful Dreamer – Marty Robbins
SONG OF THE DAY “Beautiful Dreamer” by Marty Robbins (The Essential Marty Robbins: 1951 to 1982, Legacy/ Columbia Records, 1991). Written by Stephen Foster. INTERESTING FACTS (a la wikipedia) - “Beautiful Dreamer” is a popular American song, the last known song written by Stephen Foster. It was published posthumously in 1864, the year Foster died. -... »
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... »
Sugar Mountain – Neil Young
SONG OF THE DAY “Sugar Mountain” by Neil Young (Sugar Mountain – Live At Canterbury House 1968, Reprise Records, 2008). Written by Neil Young. INTERESTING FACTS (a la wikipedia) - Young composed the song on his 19th birthday in 1964, and its lyrics are reminiscences about his youth in Winnipeg, Manitoba. - In her album... »
Angelo’s – Dick Siegel
SONG OF THE DAY “Angelo’s” by Dick Siegel (Snap!, 1969). Written by Dick Siegel. WHY TODAY? Because it’s a Sunday song and I’m a Detroiter! Anyone who’s anyone from Detroit knows this song because it is used as the theme to the local classic rock station’s Sunday morning program, which is just about the... »
I’ll Never Find Another You – The Seekers
SONG OF THE DAY “I’ll Never Find Another You” by The Seekers (, EMI/ Columbia Records, 1964). Written by Tom Springfield. INTERESTING FACTS (a la wikipedia) “I’ll Never Find Another You” was The Seekers’ first UK-released single, and was the best selling single of 1965 in the UK. - The song was also highly popular in... »
Sympathy For The Devil – The Rolling Stones
SONG OF THE DAY “Sympathy For The Devil” by The Rolling Stones (Beggar’s Banquet, Decca Records, 1968). Written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards. WHY TODAY? First of all, is anyone going to say “Nice Easter Sunday pick, Joanee” and point out the irony of this song on this day? No, because no one... »
The Tears Of A Clown – Smokey Robinson & The Miracles
SONG OF THE DAY “The Tears Of A Clown” by Smokey Robinson & The Miracles (Make It Happen, Tamla Records, 1967). Written by Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson, and Hank Cosby. WHY TODAY? Because yesterday when I was singing the Smokey Robinson & The Miracles song “Tracks Of My Tears” I kept trying to think... »
Tracks Of My Tears – Smokey Robinson & The Miracles
SONG OF THE DAY “Tracks Of My Tears” by Smokey Robinson & The Miracles (Going To A Go-Go, Tamla, 1965). Written by William “Smokey” Robinson, Jr., Warren “Pete” Moore, and Marvin “Marv” Tarplin of “The Miracles”. WHY TODAY? I couldn’t stop singing this tonight! It was my lullaby to Todd tonight, and then after he fell asleep... »
Red Rubber Ball – The Cyrkle
SONG OF THE DAY “Red Rubber Ball” by The Cyrkle (Red Rubber Ball, Columbia Records, 1966). Written by Paul Simon and Bruce Woodley. WHY TODAY? Welcome to 1960′s Week! I actually didn’t do this intentionally, but I just keep having these great old classics get stuck in my head, and it’s become a trend, so I thought... »
Sloop John B – The Beach Boys
SONG OF THE DAY “Sloop John B” by The Beach Boys (Pet Sounds, Capitol Records, 1966). INTERESTING FACTS (a la wikipedia) - The song was originally a traditional West Indies folk song, “The John B. Sails”, taken from a collection by Carl Sandburg (1927). Alan Lomax made a field recording of the song in Nassau, 1935, under the title... »
It’s My Life – The Animals
SONG OF THE DAY “It’s My Life” by The Animals (It’s My Life , Columbia/UK, MGM Records/ US, 1965). Written by Roger Atkins, Carl D’Errico. INTERESTING FACTS (a la wikipedia) -The writers (D’Errico, who wrote the music, and Atkins, who wrote the lyrics) were professional songwriters associated with the greater Brill Building scene in... »
James Bond Title Themes
From Wikipedia… “The James Bond film franchise is notable for its distinctive theme songs, often performed by the top singers of the day. Paul McCartney’s performance of “Live and Let Die” was the first James Bond theme song to be nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Song; it reached #2 as a... »
Undun – The Guess Who
SONG OF THE DAY “Undun” by The Guess Who (Canned Wheat, Nimbus 9/ RCA, 1969). Written by Randy Bachman. WHY TODAY? Well, this is one of my favorite songs of all-time, and one of my favorite bands, so I don’t need an excuse to praise and commemorate their incredible sound, but I’ll humor you.... »
Little Green Bag – George Baker Selection
SONG OF THE DAY “Little Green Bag” by George Baker Selection (Little Green Bag single, Negram Records, 1969). Written by Jan Visser & Hans Bouwens. INTERESTING FACTS (a la wikipedia) - The song reached the #9 position in the Dutch Top 40, and the #3 position in Belgium. In the summer of 1970, it... »
Unchain My Heart – Ray Charles
SONG OF THE DAY “Unchain My Heart” by Ray Charles (Unchain My Heart single, ABC- Paramount, 1961). Written by Robert Sharp, Jr. (& Teddy Powell, see below). INTERESTING FACTS (a la wikipedia) - Sharp, a drug addict at the time, sold the song to Teddy Powell for $50. Powell demanded half the songwriting credit.... »
That Holiday Feelin’ – Steve & Eydie
SONG OF THE DAY “That Holiday Feelin’ ” by Steve & Eydie (That Holiday Feelin‘, Gl Music Co., 1964). INTERESTING FACTS (a la wikipedia) - Steve and Eydie is the name of an American pop vocal duet, consisting of Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gormé. They have been a husband and wife team since the... »
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... »
You Are Forgiven (from the medley A Quick One, While He’s Away) – The Who
SONG OF THE DAY “You Are Forgiven” from the medley “A Quick One, While He’s Away” by The Who (A Quick One, Decca Records, 1966). Written by Pete Townshend. INTERESTING FACTS (a la wikipedia) - “A Quick One, While He’s Away” is a 1966 medley written by Pete Townshend and recorded by The Who... »
A Well-Respected Man – The Kinks
SONG OF THE DAY “A Well-Respected Man” by The Kinks (Kywet Kinks, Reprise Records, 1965). INTERESTING FACTS (a la wikipedia) - It was released as a single in the US in October and reached #13. - Musically, it marked the beginning of an expansion in the Kinks’ inspirations, drawing much from British music hall... »
Black Day In July – Gordon Lightfoot
SONG OF THE DAY “Black Day In July” by Gordon Lightfoot (Did She Mention My Name?, United Artists, 1968). LYRICS Black Day in July Motor City madness has touched the countryside And through the smoke and cinders you can hear it far and wide The door are quickly bolted and the children locked inside... »
Brown-Eyed Girl (alternate take) – Van Morrison
SONG OF THE DAY “Brown-Eyed Girl (alternate take)” by Van Morrison (Gang Masters, Legacy Records/ Columbia, 1991. Originally recorded in 1967 at Bang Records.) Written by Van Morrison. WHY IT’S IN MY HEAD Dear old dad has been having Van Morrison days lately on Grooveshark, and he came across this incredible version of a... »
God Only Knows – The Beach Boys
SONG OF THE DAY “God Only Knows” by The Beach Boys (Pet Sounds, Capitol Records, 1966). Written by Brian Wilson, Tony Asher. WHERE I HEARD IT It’s the theme song for my new obsession, HBO’s Big Love. I’ve heard it 23 times this week, which as you might be able to guess means I’m... »
Four Women – Nina Simone
SONG OF THE DAY “Four Women” by Nina Simone (Wild Is The Wind, Philips Records, 1966). Written by Nina Simone. INTERESTING FACTS (from wikipedia) - The song tells the stories of four different African American women. Each of the four characters represents an African American stereotype in society. - The first of the four... »
Lemon Tree – Peter, Paul & Mary
SONG OF THE DAY “Lemon Tree” – Peter, Paul & Mary (Peter, Paul & Mary, Warner Bros., 1962). Written by Will Holt. INTERESTING FACTS (from wikipedia) - Unlike most folk musicians who were a part of the early 1960s Greenwich Village music scene, Travers actually grew up in that New York neighborhood. - In... »
Baby, You’re A Rich Man – Beatles
SONG OF THE DAY “Baby, You’re A Rich Man” – The Beatles (Magical Mystery Tour, Parlophone UK, 1967). Written by Lennon & McCartney. INTERESTING DETAILS (from wikipedia) - It was originally intended for the Yellow Submarine soundtrack, but the plan changed when it was used as the B-side of the “All You Need Is... »