We’ve nominated four songs from 1959 to ’62 for the Hall of Songs. They join the ballot starting with the ninth round of voting, which follows our 1963 episode.
The songs are “Think” by James Brown and the Famous Flames, “Turn On Your Lovelight” by Bobby Bland, “Up on the Roof” by the Drifters” and “She Thinks I Still Care” by George Jones.
After discussing the four nominees, we chat more about the period between ’58 and ’62, primarily the impact of the Nashville sound and advances in recording. We take extra time to talk about Ray Charles, Roy Orbison, and the Drifters.
Here’s the current list of nominees:
Come back on July 25, 2021, for our episode on 1963. Then, we’ll start voting for the ninth class of the Hall of Songs.
1962 is a weird year in music. “The Twist” comes back early in the year, and some jazz musicians bring Brazilian bossa nova to America around the holidays. In between, it’s a whole lot of everything on the charts with some impressive leaps forward.
Among our 1962 nominees are three instrumentals, two songs from arguably the first true effort at a cohesive album, and recordings by self-contained groups that could sing and play instruments. You’ve definitely heard of them both.
After listening, VOTE for the greatest songs of all time! Songs from 1962, plus tunes from 1961, ’60, ’59, ’58, ’57, and ’55, are up for a shot to make the Hall of Songs! Vote now and come back on July 23 to find out which song or songs get in!
Our 1961 nominees:
“You Don’t Know Me” as performed by Ray Charles
Written by Cindy Walker and Eddy Arnold; recorded February 1962; released April 1962
“I Can’t Stop Loving You” as performed by Ray Charles
Written by Don Gibson; recorded February 1962; April 1962
“Miserlou” as performed by Dick Dale
Written by Nick Roubanis, Fred Wise, Milton Leeds and Chaim Tauber; recorded March 1962; released April 1962
“The Loco-Motion” as performed by Little Eva
Written by Gerry Goffin and Carole King; recorded late 1961; released June 1962
“Do You Love Me” as performed by The Contours
Written by Berry Gordy Jr.; recorded June 1962; released June 1962
“If I Had a Hammer” as performed by Peter, Paul and Mary
Written by Pete Seeger and Lee Hays; recorded early 1962; released July 1962
“Sherry” as performed by The Four Seasons
Written by Bob Gaudio; recorded July 1962; released August 1962
“Telstar” as performed by The Tornados
Written by Joe Meek; recorded July 1962; released August 1962
“He’s a Rebel” as credited to by The Crystals
Written by Gene Pitney; recorded July 1962; released August 1962
“Green Onions” as performed by Booker T. & the M.G.’s
Written by Booker T. Jones, Steve Cropper, Lewie Steinberg and Al Jackson Jr.; recorded early 1962; released May and August 1962
“Love Me Do” as performed by The Beatles
Written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney; recorded September 1962; released October 1962
“You’ve Really Got a Hold on Me” as performed by The Miracles
Written by Smokey Robinson; recorded October 1962; released November 1962
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 July 25, 2021, for our discussion on 1963.
These are the 12 numbers from 1960 that we feel merit possible inclusion in our song hall of fame. We’re talking the most popular track in modern history, indelible treats that combine orchestral sweetness and polished rhythm and blues, and even some tunes you may consider standards.
For this episode we visit the Brill Building in New York City and Hitsville USA in Detroit. We also hear more examples of the burgeoning Nashville Sound. And yes, the seeds of the pop-rock explosion yet to come are sown. Some cool songs await you in this episode.
After listening, VOTE for the greatest songs of all time! Songs from 1960, plus tunes from 1959, 1958, 1957, 1956, and 1955, are up for a shot to make the Hall of Songs! Vote now and come back in 12 days to find out which song or songs get in!
Our 1959 nominees:
“This Magic Moment” as performed by The Drifters
Written by Doc Pomus and Mort Shuman; recorded December 1959; released January 1960
“Cathy’s Clown” as performed by The Everly Brothers
Written by Don Everly; recorded March 1960; released April 1960
“Wonderful World” as performed by Sam Cooke
Written by Lou Adler, Herb Alpert, and Sam Cooke; recorded March 1959; released April 1960
“Only the Lonely” as performed by Roy Orbison
Written by Roy Orbison and Joe Melson; recorded spring 1960; released May 1960
“Walk, Don’t Run” as performed by The Ventures
Written by Johnny Smith; recorded spring 1960; released June 1960
“The Twist” as performed by Chubby Checker
Written by Hank Ballard; recorded spring 1960; released June 1960
“Chain Gang” as performed by Sam Cooke
Written by Sam Cooke and Charles Cook Jr.; recorded January 1960; released July 1960
“Save the Last Dance For Me” as performed by The Drifters
Written by Doc Pomus and Mort Shuman; recorded spring 1960; released August 1960
“Georgia on My Mind” as performed by Ray Charles
Written by Hoagy Carmichael and Stuart Gorrell; recorded May 1960; released September 1960
“Shop Around” as performed by The Miracles
Written by Smokey Robinson and Berry Gordy; recorded summer 1960; released September 1960
“Will You Love Me Tomorrow” as performed by The Shirelles
Written by Gerry Goffin and Carole King; recorded fall 1960; released November 1960
“At Last” as performed by Etta James
Written by Mack Gordon and Harry Warren; recorded fall 1960; released November 1960
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 June 27, 2021, for our discussion on 1961.
