Author Archives: Tim Malcolm

21st Election Results! One of the Hosts Gets Into the Rant Zone

Well, it was bound to happen. The voting process in Hall of Songs finally resulted in some possible chicanery.

One of our hosts has to address it, and he does so with equal parts frustration and … well, you should listen. 

Did any songs get into our prestigious hall of fame for songs? Listen to find out. But please, hit play on this one. It’s a ride.

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Alright. Let’s congratulate the following songs on making the Hall of Songs …

Bohemian Rhapsody / Queen – 68.9% (1st round)
Take Me Home Country Roads / John Denver – 67.24% (1st round)

Continuing to the next round of voting

Born to Run / Bruce Springsteen – 58.6% (1st round)
Superstition / Stevie Wonder – 48.27% (4th round)
You Can’t Always Get What You Want / The Rolling Stones – 44.82% (5th round)
Tangled Up in Blue / Bob Dylan – 44.82% (1st round)
Thunder Road / Bruce Springsteen – 44.82% (1st round)
Wish You Were Here / Pink Floyd – 44.82% (1st round)
Maggie May / Rod Stewart – 41.37% (1st round)
Free Bird / Lynyrd Skynyrd – 39.65% (3rd round)
Lean on Me / Bill Withers – 37.93% (4th round)
Sweet Emotion / Aerosmith – 36.2% (1st round)
Here Comes the Sun / The Beatles – 34.48% (7th round)
Jolene / Dolly Parton – 34.48% (3rd round)
Let’s Get It On / Marvin Gaye – 32.75% (3rd round)

Eliminated from the ballot

Ain’t No Sunshine / Bill Withers -29.31% (5th round)
Won’t Get Fooled Again / The Who – 29.31% (5th round)
Rocket Man / Elton John – 29.31% (4th round)
Midnight Train to Georgia / Gladys Knight and the Pips – 27.58% (3rd round)
Crazy on You / Heart – 24.13% (1st round)
Bridge Over Troubled Water / Simon and Garfunkel – 22.41% (5th round)
Waterloo / ABBA – 22.41% (2nd round)
Gloria / Patti Smith – 17.24% (1st round)
Walk on the Wild Side / Lou Reed – 13.79% (4th round)
You’re the First, the Last, My Everything / Barry White – 12.06% (2nd round)
Shining Star / Earth, Wind & Fire – 12.06% (1st round)
Help Me / Joni Mitchell – 10.34% (2nd round)
Get Down Tonight / KC and the Sunshine Band – 10.34% (1st round)
I’m Not in Love / 10cc – 10.34% (1st round)
Love to Love You Baby / Donna Summer – 10.34% (1st round)
That Lady / The Isley Brothers – 3.44% (1st round)
Can the Can / Suzi Quatro – 1.72% (1st round)

1975! Bruce, Bohemians, and the Return of Bob

For some, 1975 is a banner year for music. 

It’s the year artists grasp the full capability of the studio recording with monumental tracks like “Born to Run” and “Bohemian Rhapsody.” It’s also the year the dance floor heats up with disco standouts from KC & The Sunshine Band and Donna Summer. 

Plus, a familiar face returns with a terrific album, and a new face emerges from the New York streets.

Join Tim and Chris is they discuss this great year, unveiling their top-12 songs from 1975.  Then, VOTE for the greatest songs of all time! Songs from 1975, plus tunes from 1974, ’73, ’72, ’71, ’70 and ’69 are up for a shot to make the Hall of Songs! Vote now and come back on February 11 to find out which song or songs get in!

Our 1975 nominees:

  • “Tangled Up in Blue” as performed by Bob Dylan
    • Written by Bob Dylan; recorded December 1974; released January 1975
  • “Shining Star” as performed by Earth, Wind & Fire
    • Written by Maurice White, Larry Dunn and Philip Bailey; recorded September 1974; released January 1975
  • “Get Down Tonight” as performed by KC and the Sunshine Band
    • Written by Harry Wayne Casey and Richard Finch; recorded late 1974; released February 1975
  • “I’m Not in Love” as performed by 10cc
    • Written by Eric Stewart and Graham Gouldman; recorded late 1974; released March 1975
  • “Sweet Emotion” as performed by Aerosmith
    • Written by Steven Tyler and Tom Hamilton; recorded March 1975; released April 1975
  • “Thunder Road” as performed by Bruce Springsteen
    • Written by Bruce Springsteen; recorded July 1975; released August 1975
  • “Born to Run'” as performed by Bruce Springsteen
    • Written by Bruce Springsteen; recorded August 1974; released August 1975
  • “Love to Love You Baby” as performed by Donna Summer
    • Written by Donna Summer, Giorgio Moroder and Pete Bellotte; recorded June 1975; released August 1975
  • “Wish You Were Here” as performed by Pink Floyd
    • Written by Roger Waters and David Gilmour; recorded early 1975; released September 1975
  • “Crazy on You” as performed by Heart
    • Written by Ann Wilson and Nancy Wilson; recorded August 1975; released September 1975
  • “Bohemian Rhapsody” as performed by Queen
    • Written by Freddie Mercury; recorded August 1975; released October 1975
  • “Gloria” as performed by Patti Smith
    • Written by Patti Smith and Van Morrison; recorded September 1975; released November 1975

Listen to the full episode for more, and then vote for the songs that you think are the greatest of all-time. Scroll down to vote. Then, come back on February 11, 2022 to find out the voting results, and February 13, 2022 for our discussion on 1976.

20th Election Results! Our Most Interesting Results Yet + At Least 1 Hall of Songs Inductee

In Hall of Songs, we attempt to determine the greatest songs of all-time through listener votes. But after our listeners elected no songs to our prestigious song hall of fame the last time out, what would happen after introducing a bunch of songs from 1974? 

Would the early and mid-1970s continue to be a black hole? Could a 1967 song finally sneak into the hall after several rounds of waiting? What does this all mean?! 

Okay. Don’t scroll if you want to be spoiled.

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Alright. Let’s congratulate the following song on making the Hall of Songs …

(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman / Aretha Franklin – 80% (8th round)

Continuing to the next round of voting

You Can’t Always Get What You Want / The Rolling Stones – 60% (4th round)
Let’s Get It On / Marvin Gaye – 56% (2nd round)
Here Comes the Sun / The Beatles – 52% (6th round)
Ain’t No Sunshine / Bill Withers -52% (4th round)
Rocket Man / Elton John – 52% (3rd round)
Superstition / Stevie Wonder – 52% (3rd round)
Jolene / Dolly Parton – 48% (2nd round)
Won’t Get Fooled Again / The Who – 44% (4th round)
Lean on Me / Bill Withers – 44% (3rd round)
Midnight Train to Georgia / Gladys Knight and the Pips – 44% (2nd round)
Free Bird / Lynyrd Skynyrd – 44% (2nd round)
Bridge Over Troubled Water / Simon and Garfunkel – 40% (4th round)
Walk on the Wild Side / Lou Reed – 40% (3rd round)
Help Me / Joni Mitchell – 36% (1st round)
Waterloo / ABBA – 36% (1st round)
You’re the First, the Last, My Everything / Barry White – 36% (1st round)

Eliminated from the ballot

Rikki, Don’t Lose That Number / Steely Dan – 32% (1st round)
Cat’s in the Cradle / Harry Chapin – 32% (1st round)
Autobahn / Kraftwerk – 24% (1st round)
September Gurls / Big Star – 16% (1st round)
Rock Your Baby / George McCrae – 12% (1st round)
You Ain’t Seen Nothin’ Yet / Bachman-Turner Overdrive – 12% (1st round)
Return of the Grievous Angel / Gram Parsons – 4% (1st round)
You Haven’t Done Nothin’ / Stevie Wonder – 4% (1st round)
Fire / The Ohio Players – 4% (1st round)

1971-74 Veterans Committee Meeting: Rod Stewart, The Isley Brothers + Our Personal Picks

Every couple months or so, we decide to nominate a few more songs for Hall of Songs induction. We call it the Veterans Committee.

For this episode, we entertain tracks released between 1971 and ’74, including a monster Rod Stewart hit, a psyched-out trip by the Isley Brothers, and a few more. 

We also chat about some songs from this period that we just plain love. Yes, the Beatles find their way into this conversation.

Come back on January 30, 2022, for our episode on 1975. Then, we’ll start voting for the 21st class of the Hall of Songs.

1974 Hall of Songs Nominees: Welcome the Future of Popular Music

If there’s a word that describes the music of 1974, it’s “influential.” 

Some of the year’s best songs, which Tim and Chris have nominated for the Hall of Songs, are among the most important ever written. In this episode we talk about the roots of electronic music and modern dance pop, plus styles that weren’t fully embraced for another generation or two.

After listening to our nominees, VOTE for the greatest songs of all time! Songs from 1974, plus tunes from 1973, ’72, ’71, ’70, ’69 and ’67 are up for a shot to make the Hall of Songs! Vote now and come back on January 28 to find out which song or songs get in!

Our 1974 nominees:

  • “Help Me” as performed by Joni Mitchell
    • Written by Joni Mitchell; recorded late 1973; released January 1974
  • “Return of the Grievous Angel” as performed by Gram Parsons
    • Written by Gram Parsons; recorded summer 1973; released January 1974
  • “September Gurls” as performed by Big Star
    • Written by Alex Chilton; recorded fall 1973; released February 1974
  • “Rikki, Don’t Lose That Number” as performed by Steely Dan
    • Written by Walter Becker and Donald Fagen; recorded fall 1973; released February 1974
  • “Waterloo” as performed by ABBA
    • Written by Benny Andersson, Bjorn Ulvaeus and Stig Anderson; recorded December 1973; released February 1974
  • “Rock Your Baby” as performed by George McCrae
    • Written by Harry Wayne Casey and Richard Finch; recorded late 1973; released June 1974
  • “You Haven’t Done Nothin'” as performed by Stevie Wonder
    • Written by Stevie Wonder; recorded late 1973; released July 1974
  • “You’re the First, the Last, My Everything” as performed by Barry White
    • Written by Barry White, Peter Radcliffe and Tony Sepe; recorded early 1974; released August 1974
  • “Cat’s in the Cradle” as performed by Harry Chapin
    • Written by Harry Chapin and Sandra Chapin; recorded late 1973; released August 1974
  • “You Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet” as performed by Bachman-Turner Overdrive
    • Written by Randy Bachman; recorded early 1974; released September 1974
  • “Fire” as performed by Ohio Players
    • Written by Billy Beck, Leroy Bonner, Marshall Jones, Ralph Middlebrooks, Marvin Pierce, Clarence Satchell and James Williams; recorded summer 1974; released November 1974
  • “Autobahn” as performed by Kraftwerk
    • Written byRalf Hutter, Florian Schneider and Emil Schult; recorded summer 1974; released November 1974

Listen to the full episode for more, and then vote for the songs that you think are the greatest of all-time. Scroll down or click here to vote. Then, come back on January 28, 2021 to find out the voting results, and January 30, 2022 for our discussion on 1975.

19th Election Results! Did We Add to Our 42-Song Hall of Songs?

After our 1972 episode, we asked you to vote for the songs that you thought were Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, The Beatles, Bill Withers, Elton John, Dolly Parton. These are names of people. 

They’re also names of people whose songs are currently on the Hall of Songs ballot. Did any of their songs get into our prestigious Hall of Songs, joining 42 other tunes? Listen to find out!

Okay. Don’t scroll if you want to be spoiled.

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Alright. Let’s congratulate the following song on making the Hall of Songs …

Nope. Nothing.

Continuing to the next round of voting

(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman / Aretha Franklin – 61.53% (7th round)
Superstition / Stevie Wonder – 61.53% (2nd round)
Jolene / Dolly Parton – 61.53% (1st round)
Let’s Get It On / Marvin Gaye – 53.84% (1st round)
Lean on Me / Bill Withers – 50% (2nd round)
Midnight Train to Georgia / Gladys Knight and the Pips – 50% (1st round)
Free Bird / Lynyrd Skynyrd – 50% (1st round)
Bridge Over Troubled Water / Simon and Garfunkel – 46.15% (3rd round)
Ain’t No Sunshine / Bill Withers – 46.15% (3rd round)
Won’t Get Fooled Again / The Who – 46.15% (3rd round)
Here Comes the Sun / The Beatles – 42.3% (5th round)
You Can’t Always Get What You Want / The Rolling Stones – 42.3% (3rd round)
Rocket Man / Elton John – 42.3% (2nd round)
Walk on the Wild Side / Lou Reed – 42.3% (2nd round)

Eliminated from the ballot

All Along the Watchtower / The Jimi Hendrix Experience – 34.61% (6th round)
Layla / Derek and the Dominos – 34.61% (4th round)
Goodbye Yellow Brick Road / Elton John – 34.61% (1st round)
Rosalita (Come Out Tonight) / Bruce Springsteen & The E-Street Band – 34.61% (1st round)
You’re So Vain / Carly Simon – 30.76% (2nd round)
Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone / The Temptations – 26.92% (2nd round)
Ooh La La / Faces – 26.92% (1st round)
Dixie Chicken / Little Feat – 23.07% (1st round)
Living For the City / Stevie Wonder – 19.23% (1st round)
I Can’t Stand the Rain / Ann Peebles – 11.53% (1st round)
Personality Crisis / New York Dolls – 7.69% (1st round)
TSOP / MFSB – 3.84% (1st round)

1973 Hall of Songs Nominees: The Beginnings of Punk, Disco, and Bruce

On Hall of Songs, the 1970s have truly arrived. 

Tim and Chris unveil their picks for the 12 best tunes of 1973, a wild year where musicians continue to stretch the limits of popular song. There’s the sneering punk of the New York Dolls and the lush dancefloor proto-disco of “TSOP.” Then there are massive stars who will come to define the decade: Elton John, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, Dolly Parton, and Bruce Springsteen.

After listening to our nominees, VOTE for the greatest songs of all time! Songs from 1973, plus tunes from 1972, ’71, ’70, ’69, ’68 and ’67 are up for a shot to make the Hall of Songs! Vote now and come back on December 17 to find out which song or songs get in!

Our 1973 nominees:

  • “Dixie Chicken” as performed by Little Feat
    • Written by Lowell George and Fred Martin; recorded late 1972; released January 1973
  • “Ooh La La” as performed by Faces
    • Written by Ronnie Lane and Ronnie Wood; recorded January 1973; released March 1973
  • “Let’s Get It On” as performed by Marvin Gaye
    • Written by Marvin Gaye and Ed Townsend; recorded March 1973; released June 1973
  • “I Can’t Stand the Rain” as performed by Ann Peebles
    • Written by Ann Peebles, Don Bryant and Bernard Miller; recorded spring 1973; released July 1973
  • “Personality Crisis” as performed by New York Dolls
    • Written by David Johansen and Johnny Thunders; recorded April 1973; released July 1973
  • “Midnight Train to Georgia” as performed by Gladys Knight and the Pips
    • Written by Jim Weatherly; recorded summer 1973; released August 1973
  • “Living For the City” as performed by Stevie Wonder
    • Written by Stevie Wonder; recorded spring 1973; released August 1973
  • “Free Bird” as performed by Lynyrd Skynyrd
    • Written by Allen Collins and Ronnie Van Zant; recorded April 1973; released August 1973
  • “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” as performed by Elton John
    • Written by Elton John and Bernie Taupin; recorded May 1973; released September 1973
  • “Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)” as performed by Bruce Springsteen
    • Written by Bruce Springsteen; recorded summer 1973; released September 1973
  • “Jolene” as performed by Dolly Parton
    • Written by Dolly Parton; recorded May 1973; released October 1973
  • “TSOP (The Sound of Philadelphia)” as performed by MFSB
    • Written by Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff; recorded summer 1973; released late 1973

Listen to the full episode for more, and then vote for the songs that you think are the greatest of all-time. Scroll down or click here to vote. Then, come back on December 31, 2021 to find out the voting results, and January 2, 2022 for our discussion on 1974.

18th Election Results! No Spoilers! But the End is Near For a Few Big Names …

After our 1972 episode, we asked you to vote for the songs that you thought were worthy of the Hall of Songs. After that election … we have results. But we’re not giving anything away. Not this time! (You’ll have to listen to find out more.)

That said, we will say that a few songs that we expected better of are either off the ballot or very close to their end. Which songs? Again, you’ll have to listen.

Okay. Don’t scroll if you want to be spoiled.

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Alright. Let’s congratulate the following song on making the Hall of Songs …

Let’s Stay Together / Al Green – 66.67%

Continuing to the next round of voting

Superstition / Stevie Wonder – 56.67% (1st round)
You Can’t Always Get What You Want / The Rolling Stones – 53.33% (2nd round)
Won’t Get Fooled Again / The Who – 53.33% (2nd round)
Rocket Man / Elton John – 53.33% (1st round)
(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman / Aretha Franklin – 50% (6th round)
Ain’t No Sunshine / Bill Withers – 50% (2nd round)
Layla / Derek and the Dominos – 46.67% (3rd round)
Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone / The Temptations – 46.67% (1st round)
You’re So Vain / Carly Simon – 46.67% (1st round)
All Along the Watchtower / The Jimi Hendrix Experience – 43.33% (5th round)
Walk on the Wild Side / Lou Reed – 43.33% (1st round)
Bridge Over Troubled Water / Simon and Garfunkel – 40% (2nd round)
Here Comes the Sun / The Beatles – 36.67% (4th round)
Lean on Me / Bill Withers – 36.67% (1st round)

Eliminated from the ballot

Baba O’Riley / The Who – 33.33% (2nd round)
Suite: Judy Blue Eyes / Crosby, Stills & Nash – 30% (4th round)
You Are the Sunshine of My Life / Stevie Wonder – 30% (1st round)
Thirteen / Big Star – 26.67% (1st round)
I Can See Clearly Now / Johnny Nash – 23.33% (1st round)
Suspicious Minds / Elvis Presley – 16.67% (4th round)
The Harder They Come / Jimmy Cliff – 16.67% (1st round)
Go All the Way / Raspberries – 13.33% (1st round)
Back Stabbers / The O’Jays – 10% (1st round)

1972 Hall of Songs Nominees: Power Pop, Philly Soul, Elton and Carly

Subjectively, this was one of our favorite years to discuss. 

In this episode of Hall of Songs, Tim and Chris get to talk about some of their favorite artists and styles of music as 1972 brings a wealth of new sounds to the growing tapestry of rock ‘n’ roll. Which 12 songs will we decide are the best of this year?

After listening, VOTE for the greatest songs of all time! Songs from 1972, plus tunes from 1971, ’70, ’69, ’68 and ’67 are up for a shot to make the Hall of Songs! Vote now and come back on December 17 to find out which song or songs get in!

Our 1972 nominees:

  • “Go All the Way” as performed by Raspberries
    • Written by Eric Carmen; recorded early 1972; released April 1972
  • “Rocket Man” as performed by Elton John
    • Written by Elton John and Bernie Taupin; recorded January 1972; released April 1972
  • “Lean on Me” as performed by Bill Withers
    • Written by Bill Withers; recorded early 1972; released April 1972
  • “Thirteen” as performed by Big Star
    • Written by Alex Chilton and Chris Bell; recorded late 1971; released April 1972
  • “I Can See Clearly Now” as performed by Johnny Nash
    • Written by Johnny Nash; recorded late 1971; released June 1972
  • “The Harder They Come” as performed by Jimmy Cliff
    • Written by Jimmy Cliff; recorded early 1972; released July 1972
  • “Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone” as performed by The Temptations
    • Written by Barrett Strong and Norman Whitfield; recorded June 1972; released July 1972
  • “Back Stabbers” as performed by The O’Jays
    • Written by Leon Huff, Gene McFadden and John Whitehead; recorded spring 1972; released August 1972
  • “Superstition” as performed by Stevie Wonder
    • Written by Stevie Wonder; recorded summer 1972; released October 1972
  • “You Are the Sunshine of My Life” as performed by Stevie Wonder
    • Written by Al green, Willie Mitchell and Al Jackson Jr.; recorded summer 1972; released October 1972
  • “Walk on the Wild Side” as performed by Lou Reed
    • Written by Lou Reed; recorded August 1972; released November 1972
  • “You’re So Vain” as performed by Carly Simon
    • Written by Carly Simon; recorded summer 1972; released November 1971

Listen to the full episode for more, and then vote for the songs that you think are the greatest of all-time. Scroll down or click here to vote. Then, come back on December 17, 2021 to find out the voting results, and December 19, 2021 for our discussion on 1973.

17th Election Results! The Most Surprising Cut Yet

Yes, there are new inductees in the Hall of Songs. Maybe they’re the songs you most expected after listening to the 1971 episode.

But the big news is what’s on the other side of the ballot: Tim and Chris discuss some shocking cuts — songs that didn’t get enough support to stay on the ballot any longer. 

Okay. Don’t scroll if you want to be spoiled.

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Alright. Let’s congratulate the following songs on making the Hall of Songs …

What’s Going On / Marvin Gaye – 66.67%
Stairway to Heaven / Led Zeppelin – 66.67%

Continuing to the next round of voting

Layla / Derek and the Dominos – 54.16% (2nd round)
Let’s Stay Together / Al Green – 54.16% (1st round)
(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman / Aretha Franklin – 50% (5th round)
You Can’t Always Get What You Want / The Rolling Stones – 50% (1st round)
Ain’t No Sunshine / Bill Withers – 50% (1st round)
All Along the Watchtower / The Jimi Hendrix Experience – 45.83% (4th round)
Here Comes the Sun / The Beatles – 45.83% (3rd round)
Bridge Over Troubled Water / Simon and Garfunkel – 45.83% (1st round)
Won’t Get Fooled Again / The Who – 45.83% (1st round)
Suite: Judy Blue Eyes / Crosby, Stills & Nash – 41.67% (3rd round)
Baba O’Riley / The Who – 41.67% (1st round)
Suspicious Minds / Elvis Presley – 37.5% (3rd round)

Eliminated from the ballot

Wichita Lineman / Glen Campbell – 29.16% (1st round)
Angel From Montgomery / John Prine – 29.16% (1st round)
Imagine / John Lennon – 29.16% (1st round)
Fire and Rain / James Taylor – 25% (2nd round)
River / Joni Mitchell – 25% (1st round)
Family Affair / Sly and the Family Stone – 25% (1st round)
Without You / Harry Nilsson – 25% (1st round)
Life on Mars? / David Bowie – 25% (1st round)
Ohio / Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young – 20.83% (2nd round)
Hey Jude / The Beatles – 12.50% (4th round)
No Matter What / Badfinger – 0% (1st round)