Tag Archives: Beatles

22nd Election Results! We’re Hangin’ Down at Dino’s

Finally, the dam breaks as our 22nd Election for the Hall of Songs yields multiple inductees. 

Come along for a 30-minute ride as we discuss how the best songs of the early and mid 1970s fared in our most recent election. Among the nominees: “Born to Run,” “Thunder Road,” “Superstition,” “Dancing Queen” and “Don’t Leave Me This Way.” Also, yes, we’re heading to Dino’s Bar & Grill.

Listen by clicking above, and subscribe at Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

…

…

Results here (spoilers!):

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

The Boys Are Back in Town / Thin Lizzy – 75% (1st round)
Born to Run / Bruce Springsteen – 68.75% (2nd round)
Wish You Were Here / Pink Floyd – 68.75% (2nd round)

Continuing to the next round of voting

Blitzkrieg Bop / The Ramones – 62.5% (1st round)
Sir Duke / Stevie Wonder – 62.5% (1st round)
Maggie May / Rod Stewart – 56.25% (2nd round)
Anarchy in the U.K. / Sex Pistols – 56.25% (1st round)
Dancing Queen / ABBA – 53.12% (1st round)
You Can’t Always Get What You Want / The Rolling Stones – 50% (6th round)
Free Bird / Lynyrd Skynyrd – 46.87% (4th round)
More Than a Feeling / Boston – 43.75% (1st round)
Superstition / Stevie Wonder – 43.75% (5th round)
Sweet Emotion / Aerosmith – 40.62% (2nd round)

Eliminated from the ballot

Jolene / Dolly Parton – 34.37% (4th round)
Don’t Leave Me This Way / Thelma Houston – 34.37% (1st round)
Thunder Road / Bruce Springsteen – 31.25% (2nd round)
Let’s Get It On / Marvin Gaye – 28.12% (4th round)
Here Comes the Sun / The Beatles – 25% (8th round)
Tangled Up in Blue / Bob Dylan – 25% (2nd round)
Lean on Me / Bill Withers -25% (5th round)
Cherry Bomb / The Runaways – 15.62% (1st round)
Lowdown / Boz Scaggs – 15.62%
Desperados Under the Eaves / Warren Zevon – 12.5%
As / Stevie Wonder – 12.5%
Love Hangover / Diana Ross – 9.37%

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.

Bonus: The Hall of Songs All-Time Greatest Albums Are … 

In this very special bonus episode, Tim and Chris put their heads together and come up with their shared top-10 albums of all-time, in advance of the WXPN (AAA public radio station 88.5 FM in Philadelphia) 2021 All-Time Greatest Albums countdown. (Tim and Chris are both members of this station, whose 2020 songs countdown led to Hall of Songs.)

Plus, the pair invite Ted Koerth, a friend of the podcast and a pretty knowledgeable guy himself, so they can all reveal their personal top-10 albums. And we’ll talk at length about the XPN countdown – what we expect, predictions, and other thoughts.

It’s a fun conversation that you’ll not want to miss.

1971 Hall of Songs Nominees: The Greatest Year in Music History?

We had to narrow down an insane pool of contenders from 1971 to 12 nominees for the Hall of Songs. 

This is the year of landmark releases by Marvin Gaye, Carole King, Joni Mitchell, the Who, and Sly and the Family Stone. Plus there’s Harry Nilsson, the Rolling Stones, Paul McCartney, John Lennon, Joni Mitchell, and David Bowie. And that’s just scratching the surface.

In this episode, you’ll hear the 12 songs we feel are the best of an incredible year of music.

After listening, VOTE for the greatest songs of all time! Songs from 1971, plus tunes from 1970, ’69, ’68 and ’67 are up for a shot to make the Hall of Songs! Vote now and come back on December 3 to find out which song or songs get in!

Our 1971 nominees:

  • “Angel From Montgomery” as performed by John Prine
    • Written by John Prine; recorded winter 1970; released January 1971
  • “What’s Going On” as performed by Marvin Gaye
    • Written by Al Cleveland, Renaldo Benson and Marvin Gaye; recorded summer 1970; released January 1971
  • “Ain’t No Sunshine” as performed by Bill Withers
    • Written by Bill Withers; recorded spring 1971; released May 1971
  • “River” as performed by Joni Mitchell
    • Written by Joni Mitchell; recorded spring 1970; released June 1971
  • “Won’t Get Fooled Again” as performed by The Who
    • Written by Pete Townshend; recorded May 1971; released June 1971
  • “Baba O’Riley” as performed by The Who
    • Written by Pete Townshend; recorded April 1971; released August 1971
  • “Imagine” as performed by John Lennon
    • Written by John Lennon; recorded spring 1971; released September 1971
  • “Family Affair” as performed by Sly and the Family Stone
    • Written by Sly Stone; recorded spring 1970; released October 1971
  • “Without You” as performed by Harry Nilsson
    • Written by Pete Ham and Tom Evans; recorded summer 1971; released October 1970
  • “Let’s Stay Together” as performed by Al Green
    • Written by Al green, Willie Mitchell and Al Jackson Jr.; recorded summer 1971; released November 1971
  • “Stairway to Heaven” as performed by Led Zeppelin
    • Written by Jimmy Page and Robert Plant; recorded December 1970; released November 1971
  • “Life on Mars?” as performed by David Bowie
    • Written by David Bowie; recorded summer 1971; released December 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 November 19, 2021 to find out the voting results, and November 21, 2021 for our discussion on 1971.

1967-1970 Veterans Committee Meeting

“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.

1970 Hall of Songs Nominees: The Last of the Beatles, The Best of Black Sabbath

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.

1969 Hall of Songs Nominees: Led Zeppelin, The Jackson 5, and Some Controversy?

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.

Bonus: Introducing Kevin Goldstein, the Hall of Songs Palate Cleanser 

In this bonus episode, we welcome in Kevin Goldstein, baseball writer (fangraphs.com) and podcaster (Chin Music, blogs.fangraphs.com/category/chin-music). (Twitter: @Kevin_Goldstein)

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!

1968 Hall of Songs Nominees: The Rolling Stones, The Band, and the Return to Roots 

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.

1967 Hall of Songs Nominees: The Year of Aretha Franklin and Jimi Hendrix

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.