“You Can’t Always Get What You Want.” “Bridge Over Troubled Water.” Big songs, but we didn’t nominate them for the Hall of Songs before. Now we have.
We come together as the Veterans Committee to put four more tunes on the ballot for the Hall of Songs. Join us as we discuss these songs from 1967 to ’70, then talk about some personal favorites … including the Beatles and the Grateful Dead.
Come back on November 21, 2021, for our episode on 1971. Then, we’ll start voting for the 17th class of the Hall of Songs.
We’re in a new decade on Hall of Songs, the podcast that attempts to determine the greatest songs of all-time.
1970 brings us new fare from artists we’ve previously featured, like the Beatles and the Jackson 5. It also showcases some new sounds in music, from the bulky heavy rock of Black Sabbath to the rhythmic vibes of Curtis Mayfield.
After listening, VOTE for the greatest songs of all time! Songs from 1970, plus tunes from 1969, ’68, ’67, ’66, and ’65 are up for a shot to make the Hall of Songs! Vote now and come back on November 19 to find out which song or songs get in!
Our 1970 nominees:
“Fire and Rain” as performed by James Taylor
Written by James Taylor; recorded December 1969; released February 1970
“Big Yellow Taxi” as performed by Joni Mitchell
Written by Joni Mitchell; recorded January 1970; released April 1970
“Let it Be” as performed by The Beatles
Written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney; recorded January 1969; released May 1970
“War” as performed by Edwin Starr
Written by Barrett Strong and Norman Whitfield; recorded May 1970; released June 1970
“Ohio” as performed by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
Written by Neil Young; recorded May 1970; released June 1970
“Lola” as performed by The Kinks
Written by Ray Davies; recorded April 1970; released June 1970
“Paranoid” as performed by Black Sabbath
Written by Tommy Iommi, Ozzy Osbourne, Geezer Butler and Bill Ward; recorded June 1970; released August 1970
“I’ll Be There” as performed by The Jackson 5
Written by Berry Gordy, Bob West, Willie Hutch and Hal Davis; recorded June 1970; released August 1970
“Iron Man” as performed by Black Sabbath
Written by Tommy Iommi, Ozzy Osbourne, Geezer Butler and Bill Ward; recorded June 1970; released September 1970
“Move on Up” as performed by Curtis Mayfield
Written by Curtis Mayfield; recorded June 1970; released September 1970
“Sweet Jane” as performed by The Velvet Underground
Written by Lou Reed; recorded June 1970; released November 1970
“Layla” as performed by Derek and the Dominos
Written by Eric Clapton and Jim Gordon; recorded September 1970; released November 1970
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 November 19, 2021 to find out the voting results, and November 21, 2021 for our discussion on 1971.
You may have some questions after our 1969 picks for Hall of Songs nominees.
Sure, you’ll hear some of the biggest songs of all-time, including selections by the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, and new stars like Creedence Clearwater Revival and Led Zeppelin, but we had to throw in some controversy this time around.
Get ready for a year of big rock and pop hits, massive soul jams, and pioneering folk rock and singer-songwriter fare.
After listening, VOTE for the greatest songs of all time! Songs from 1969, plus tunes from 1968, ’67, ’66, and ’65 are up for a shot to make the Hall of Songs! Vote now and come back on October 29 to find out which song or songs get in!
Our 1969 nominees:
“Proud Mary” as performed by Creedence Clearwater Revival
Written by John Fogerty; recorded late 1968; released January 1969
“Both Sides, Now” as performed by Joni Mitchell
Written by Joni Mitchell; recorded late 1968; released May 1969
“Suite: Judy Blue Eyes” as performed by Crosby, Stills & Nash
Written by Stephen Stills; recorded February 1969; released May 1969
“Walk On By” as performed by Isaac Hayes
Written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David; recorded early 1969; released June 1969
“I Wanna Be Your Dog” as performed by The Stooges
Written by Dave Alexander, Ron Asheton, Scott Asheton and Iggy Pop; recorded April 1969; released July 1969
“Suspicious Minds” as performed by Elvis Presley
Written by Mark James; recorded January 1969; released August 1969
“Here Comes the Sun” as performed by The Beatles
Written by George Harrison; recorded July 1969; released September 1969
“Fortunate Son” as performed by Creedence Clearwater Revival
Written by John Fogerty; recorded August 1969; released October 1969
“I Want You Back” as performed by The Jackson 5
Written by Berry Gordy, Freddie Pirren, Alphonso Mizell and Deke Richards; recorded July 1969; released October 1969
“Heartbreaker” as performed by Led Zeppelin
Written by John Bonham, John Paul Jones, Jimmy Page and Robert Plant; recorded summer 1969; released October 1969
“Gimme Shelter” as performed by The Rolling Stones
Written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards; recorded February 1969; released December 1969
“Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)” as performed by Sly and the Family Stone
Written by Sly Stone; recorded late 1969; released December 1969
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 October 29, 2021 to find out the voting results, and October 31, 2021 for our discussion on 1970.
Goldstein talks at length about the music that he loves. Then, we chat about songs that he would entertain for the Hall of Songs, along with the tunes he’d strike off the list completely. Consider Kevin our palate cleanser, coming in to lay down some home truths concerning our nomination process.
It’s a fun conversation that you’ll not want to miss.
After listening, VOTE for the greatest songs of all time! Songs from 1968, plus tunes from 1967, ’66, and ’65 are up for a shot to make the Hall of Songs! Vote now and come back on October 15 to find out which song or songs get in!
We’re returning to our roots in this episode of Hall of Songs.
We talk about a number of artists who, after all the experimentation and studio trickery of the mid-1960s, start looking backwards and create old-fashioned rock and or roll. For example, we present songs by the Rolling Stones, The Band and Big Brother and the Holding Company.
We nominate 12 songs for the Hall of Songs in this episode; along with the artists above, you’ll hear from Jimi Hendrix, James Brown, Otis Redding, and the Beatles. And you’ll also hear the beginning of a new genre out of the Caribbean.
After listening, VOTE for the greatest songs of all time! Songs from 1968, plus tunes from 1967, ’66, and ’65 are up for a shot to make the Hall of Songs! Vote now and come back on October 15 to find out which song or songs get in!
Our 1968 nominees:
“(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay” as performed by Otis Redding
Written by Otis Redding and Steve Cropper; recorded December 1967; released January 1968
“Mrs. Robinson” as performed by Simon & Garfunkel
Written by Paul Simon; recorded February 1968; released April 1968
“The Weight” as performed by The Band
Written by Robbie Robertson; recorded January 1968; released August 1968
“Street Fighting Man” as performed by The Rolling Stones
Written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards; recorded May 1968; released August 1968
“Say It Loud – I’m Black and I’m Proud” as performed by James Brown
Written by James Brown and Alfred Ellis; recorded August 1968; released August 1968
“Piece of My Heart” as performed by Big Brother and the Holding Company
Written by Jerry Ragovoy and Bert Berns; recorded March 1968; released August 1968
“Hey Jude” as performed by The Beatles
Written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney; recorded August 1968; released August 1968
“All Along the Watchtower” as performed by The Jimi Hendrix Experience
Written by Bob Dylan; recorded summer 1968; released September 1968
“Israelites” as performed by Desmond Dekker and the Aces
Written by Desmond Dekker and Leslie Kong; recorded summer 1968; released October 1968
“I Heard it Through the Grapevine” as performed by Marvin Gaye
Written by Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong; recorded spring 1967; released October 1968
“Everyday People” as performed by Sly and the Family Stone
Written by Sly Stone; recorded summer 1968; released November 1968
“Sympathy For the Devil” as performed by The Rolling Stones
Written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards; recorded June 1968; released December 1968
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 October 15, 2021 to find out the voting results, and October 18, 2021 for our discussion on 1969.
Lists of the greatest songs of all-time will typically feature a few songs from 1967 at the very top. These are the songs we’re talking about in this episode of Hall of Songs, from “Respect” by Aretha Franklin to “A Day in the Life” by the Beatles.
Plus, it’s the year Jimi Hendrix becomes a star, proving a lone guitarist can change the way we hear rock ‘n’ roll.
After listening, VOTE for the greatest songs of all time! Songs from 1967, plus tunes from 1966, ’65 and ’64 are up for a shot to make the Hall of Songs! Vote now and come back on October 1 to find out which song or songs get in!
Our 1967 nominees:
“Light My Fire” as performed by The Doors
Written by Ray Manzarek, John Densmore, Robby Krieger and Jim Morrison; recorded August 1966; released January 1967
“Ruby Tuesday” as performed by The Rolling Stones
Written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards; recorded December 1966; released January 1966
“Strawberry Fields Forever” as performed by The Beatles
Written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney; recorded December 1966; released February 1967
“Purple Haze” as performed by The Jimi Hendrix Experience
Written by Jimi Hendrix; recorded January 1967; released March 1967
“Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” as performed by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell
Written by Nickolas Ashford and Valerie Simpson; recorded December 1966; released April 1967
“Respect” as performed by Aretha Franklin
Written by Otis Redding; recorded February 1967; released April 1967
“Waterloo Sunset” as performed by The Kinks
Written by Ray Davies; recorded April 1967; released May 1967
“A Whiter Shade of Pale” as performed by Procol Harum
Written by Keith Reid, Gary Brooker and Matthew Fisher; recorded April 1967; released May 1967
“A Day in the Life” as performed by The Beatles
Written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney; recorded February 1967; released May 1967
“Brown Eyed Girl” as performed by Van Morrison
Written by Van Morrison; recorded March 1967; released June 1967
“Ode to Billie Joe” as performed by Bobbie Gentry
Written by Bobbie Gentry; recorded March 1967; released July 1967
“(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman” as performed by Aretha Franklin
Written by Gerry Goffin, Carole King and Jerry Wexler; recorded summer 1967; released September 1967
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 October 1, 2021 to find out the voting results, and October 3, 2021 for our discussion on 1967.
OK, maybe we didn’t get it right the first time. This is our chance to right some wrongs.
We nominate a couple songs from the 1963-66 years for the Hall of Songs, including a big-time Beatles record. Plus, we talk about songs that we just plain love from this era, like a trio from Wilson Pickett.
Come back on September 19, 2021, for our episode on 1967. Then, we’ll start voting for the 13th class of the Hall of Songs.
1966 is when the long player becomes the way to listen to music, and massive albums like “Pet Sounds,” “Revolver” and “Blonde on Blonde” demonstrate that. Hall of Songs, though, isn’t so concerned with the album, so what are the top 12 songs from this groundbreaking year of music?
After listening, VOTE for the greatest songs of all time! Songs from 1966, plus tunes from 1965, ’64 and ’63 are up for a shot to make the Hall of Songs! Vote now and come back on September 17 to find out which song or songs get in!
Our 1966 nominees:
“Eight Miles High” as performed by The Byrds
Written by Gene Clark, Jim McGuinn and David Crosby; recorded January 1966; released March 1965
“When a Man Loves a Woman” as performed by Percy Sledge
Written by Calvin Lewis and Andrew Wright; recorded February 1966; released March 1966
“Wild Thing” as performed by The Troggs
Written by Chip Taylor; recorded early 1966; released April 1966
“Paint It Black” as performed by The Rolling Stones
Written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards; recorded March 1966; released May 1966
“River Deep-Mountain High” as performed by Ike & Tina Turner
Written by Phil Spector, Jeff Barry and Ellie Greenwich; recorded March 1966; released May 1966
“God Only Knows” as performed by The Beach Boys
Written by Brian Wilson and Tony Asher; recorded March-April 1966; released July 1966
“Tomorrow Never Knows” as performed by The Beatles
Written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney; recorded April 1966; released August 1966
“Reach Out I’ll Be There” as performed by The Four Tops
Written by Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier and Eddie Holland; recorded summer 1966; released September 1966
“Good Vibrations” as performed by The Beach Boys
Written by Brian Wilson and Mike Love; recorded February-September 1966; released October 1966
“You Keep Me Hangin’ On” as performed by The Supremes
Written by Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier and Eddie Holland; recorded June-August 1966; released October 1966
“I’m a Believer” as performed by The Monkees
Written by Neil Diamond; recorded October 1966; released November 1966
“For What It’s Worth” as performed by Buffalo Springfield
Written by Stephen Stills; recorded December 1966; released December 1966
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 September 17, 2021 to find out the voting results, and September 19, 2021 for our discussion on 1966.
What a year! 1965 is a year of incredible creativity throughout American and British music.
We naturally hear from the Beatles a few times in this episode of Hall of Songs, but we also nominate some massive tracks from fellow Brits the Rolling Stones and the Who. Also, Motown raises the game once again, and Bob Dylan and others help usher in an entirely new genre.
After listening, VOTE for the greatest songs of all time! Songs from 1965, plus tunes from 1964, ’63 and ’60, are up for a shot to make the Hall of Songs! Vote now and come back on September 3 to find out which song or songs get in!
Our 1965 nominees:
“My Girl'” as performed by The Temptations
Written by Smokey Robinson and Ronald White; recorded fall 1964; released January 1965
“Wooly Bully” as performed by Sam the Sham and the Pharaohs
Written by Domingo Samudio; recorded January 1965; released March 1965
“Ticket to Ride” as performed by The Beatles
Written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney; recorded February 1965; released April 1965
“Mr. Tambourine Man” as performed by The Byrds
Written by Bob Dylan; recorded January 1965; released April 1965
“(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction” as performed by The Rolling Stones
Written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards; recorded May 1965; released June 1965
“The Tracks of My Tears” as performed by The Miracles
Written by Smokey Robinson, Warren Moore, and Marvin Tarplin; recorded spring 1965; released June 1965
“Like a Rolling Stone” as performed by Bob Dylan
Written by Bob Dylan; recorded June 1965; released July 1965
“Yesterday” as performed by The Beatles
Written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney; recorded June 1965; released August 1965
“My Generation” as performed by The Who
Written by Pete Townshend; recorded October 1965; released October 1965
“I Got You (I Feel Good)” as performed by James Brown
Written by James Brown; recorded May 1965; released October 1965
“In My Life” as performed by The Beatles
Written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney; recorded October 1965; released December 1965
“California Dreamin'” as performed by The Mamas and the Papas
Written by John Phillips and Michelle Phillips; recorded November 1965; released December 1965
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 September 3, 2021 to find out the voting results, and September 5, 2021 for our discussion on 1966.
In 1964, everyone in popular music was trying to raise their game.
In this episode of Hall of Songs, we present our nominees from ’64, a year with a lot of sounds pushing rock ‘n’ roll and pop music in many directions … and also together.
Many artists were chasing the “Be My Baby” sound that Phil Spector mastered with his 1963 Hall of Songs inductee. A number of top songs either built upon the producer’s Wall of Sound or simply copied Hal Blaine’s iconic drum beat. Meanwhile, some songwriters decided to comment on the changes that felt possible as the Civil Rights movement continued onward. And of course, the Beatles hit America in early 1964; after their highly publicized arrival, other British artists were given a chance to shine across the pond.
After listening, VOTE for the greatest songs of all time! Songs from 1964, plus tunes from 1963, 61, ’60 and ’55, are up for a shot to make the Hall of Songs! Vote now and come back on August 20 to find out which song or songs get in!
Our 1964 nominees:
“The Times They Are-A Changin'” as performed by Bob Dylan
Written by Bob Dylan; recorded October 1963; released January 1964
“A Change is Gonna Come” as performed by Sam Cooke
Written by Sam Cooke; recorded January 1964; released February 1964
“Don’t Worry Baby” as performed by The Beach Boys
Written by Brian Wilson and Roger Christian; recorded January 1964; released May 1964
“Rag Doll” as performed by The Four Seasons
Written by Bob Gaudio and Bob Crewe; recorded spring 1964; released June 1964
“Where Did Our Love Go” as performed by The Supremes
Written by Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier and Eddie Holland; recorded April 1964; released June 1964
“House of the Rising Sun” as performed by The Animals
Traditional song, arrangement by Alan Price; recorded May 1964; released June 1964
“A Hard Day’s Night” as performed by The Beatles
Written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney; recorded April 1964; released July 1964
“Dancing in the Street” as performed by Martha and the Vandellas
Written by Marvin Gaye, William Stevenson and Ivy Jo Hunter; recorded June 1964; released July 1964
“You Really Got Me” as performed by The Kinks
Written by Ray Davies; recorded July 1964; released August 1964
“Leader of the Pack” as performed by The Shangri-Las
Written by George Morton, Jeff Barry and Ellie Greenwich; recorded July 1964; released September 1964
“You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin'” as performed by The Righteous Brothers
Written by Barry Mann, Cynthia Weil and Phil Spector; recorded October 1964; released November 1964
“Gloria” as performed by Them
Written by Van Morrison; recorded April 1964; released December 1964
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 August 20, 2021 to find out the voting results, and August 22, 2021 for our discussion on 1965.
