Tag Archives: Motown

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.

13th Election Results! Surprises and Real Debate About a Hall of Songs Contender

Coming into this election we had 29 Hall of Songs inductees. How many more will get in? Well, this is an interesting one.  

Join Tim and Chris as they discuss a wild election concerning songs from 1964 to ’67. Plus, they’ll have a debate about one tune teetering on the brink of induction. Will it get the Golden Vote?

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 …

Purple Haze / The Jimi Hendrix Experience – 70.83%
Brown Eyed Girl / Van Morrison – 66.67%
Respect / Aretha Franklin – 66.67%

Continuing to the next round of voting

Light My Fire / The Doors – 62.5% (1st round)
Paint It Black / The Rolling Stones – 50% (2nd round)
A Day in the Life / The Beatles – 50% (1st round)
When a Man Loves a Woman / Percy Sledge – 45.83% (2nd round)
Turn, Turn, Turn / The Byrds – 45.83% (1st round)
Ain’t No Mountain High Enough / Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell – 41.66% (1st round)
My Girl / The Temptations – 37.5% (3rd round)
Eleanor Rigby / The Beatles – 37.5% (1st round)
Strawberry Fields Forever / The Beatles – 37.5% (1st round)
(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman / Aretha Franklin – 37.5% (1st round)

Eliminated from the ballot

You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’ / The Righteous Brothers – 33.33% (4th round)
The Times They Are a-Changin’ / Bob Dylan – 29.16% (4th round)
Ticket to Ride / The Beatles – 29.16% (3rd round)
Ruby Tuesday / The Rolling Stones – 29.16% (1st round)
A Whiter Shade of Pale / Procol Harum – 29.16% (1st round)
Mr. Tambourine Man / The Byrds – 25% (3rd round)
In My Life / The Beatles – 25% (3rd round)
Reach Out I’ll Be There / The Four Tops – 25% (2nd round)
Waterloo Sunset / The Kinks – 25% (1st round)
My Generation / The Who – 20.83% (3rd round)
Ode to Billie Joe / Bobbi Gentry – 20.83% (1st round)
She’s Not There / The Zombies – 16.66% (1st round)
Downtown / Petula Clark – 12.5% (1st round)

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.

12th Class Results! A 2nd Beatles Song is in the Hall of Songs

That’s right: A second Beatles song joins “I Want to Hold Your Hand” in the Hall of Songs. But which is it? “Ticket to Ride”? “Yesterday”? “In My Life”? “Tomorrow Never Knows”? 

Plus, another artist gets its second Hall of Songs inductee, and Tim and Chris also discuss the newest version of Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. 

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 …

Good Vibrations / The Beach Boys – 78.61%
God Only Knows / The Beach Boys – 74.21%
Yesterday / The Beatles – 70.44%
For What It’s Worth / Buffalo Springfield – 67.92%

Continuing to the next round of voting

In My Life / The Beatles – 64.77% (2nd round)
My Girl / The Temptations – 55.34% (1st round)
When a Man Loves a Woman / Percy Sledge – 53.45% (1st round)
You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’ / The Righteous Brothers – 52.20% (3rd round)
Paint It Black / The Rolling Stones – 48.42% (1st round)
The Times They Are a-Changin’ / Bob Dylan – 44.02% (3rd round)
Reach Out I’ll Be There / The Four Tops – 41.50% (1st round)
Ticket to Ride / The Beatles – 40.25% (2nd round)
Mr. Tambourine Man / The Byrds – 39.62% (2nd round)
My Generation / The Who – 35.22% (2nd round)

Eliminated from the ballot

Eight Miles High / The Byrds – 33.33% (1st round)
You Keep Me Hangin’ On / The Supremes – 28.93% (1st round)
Louie Louie / The Kingsmen – 25.78% (4th round)
I’m a Believer / The Monkees – 25.78% (1st round)
I Got You (I Feel Good) / James Brown – 22.64% (1st round)
Tomorrow Never Knows / The Beatles – 19.49% (1st round)
River Deep – Mountain High / Ike and Tina Turner – 18.86% (1st round)
Wild Things / The Troggs – 18.23% (1st round)

1963-1966 Veterans Committee Meeting

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 Hall of Songs Nominees: A Big Beach Boys Year, Plus the Stones, Supremes and Byrds

It’s the year of the album.

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.

11th Class Results! Did ‘Satisfaction’ Get Into the Hall of Songs?

Some of the songs regarded by many as the biggest of all-time were on the ballot heading into our 11th round of voting for the Hall of Songs, including “Satisfaction” by the Rolling Stones, “Yesterday” by the Beatles, “My Generation” by the Who, “My Girl” by the Temptations, and “Like a Rolling Stone” by Bob Dylan. 

One of those tracks is Bob Dylan’s seminal 1963 recording “Blowin’ in the Wind.” What’s the other What are those songs? Are the Beatles involved? And what about Did any of these songs get inducted in after this round? If so, how many? Any others? All these questions are answered in this results episode. 

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 …

(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction / The Rolling Stones – 85.71%
Like a Rolling Stone / Bob Dylan – 82.14%
California Dreamin’ / The Mamas and the Papas – 67.85%

Continuing to the next round of voting

Yesterday / The Beatles – 62.5% (1st round)
My Girl / The Temptations – 58.92% (1st round)
In My Life / The Beatles – 58.92% (1st round)
You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’ / The Righteous Brothers – 55.35% (2nd round)
My Generation / The Who – 55.35% (1st round)
Ticket to Ride / The Beatles – 53.57% (1st round)
Mr. Tambourine Man – 50% (1st round)
The Times They Are a-Changin’ – 44.64% (2nd round)
Louie Louie / The Kingsmen – 42.85% (3rd round)
I Got You (I Feel Good) / James Brown – 37.5% (1st round)

Eliminated from the ballot

Twist and Shout / The Beatles – 33.92% (3rd round)
A Hard Day’s Night / The Beatles – 33.92% (2nd round)
The Tracks of My Tears / The Miracles – 30.35% (1st round)
Wonderful World / Sam Cooke – 21.42% (6th round)
Where Did Our Love Go / The Supremes – 21.42% (2nd round)
Gloria / Them – 21.42% (2nd round)
Leader of the Pack / The Shangri-Las – 14.28% (2nd round)
Wooly Bully / Sam Sham & The Pharaohs – 8.92% (1st round)

1965 Hall of Songs Nominees: The Beatles, Folk Rock, More Motown, and Huge British Hits!

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.

10th Class Results! Could 5 Songs Get Into the Hall of Songs?

Let’s talk about a few songs from 1964 that are now part of the Hall of Songs. One is from Motown, one is from Britain, and one is a soul classic. After discussing the newest inductees, Tim and Chris converse over two more songs that they can nudge into their song hall of fame through their “golden vote.”

One of those tracks is Bob Dylan’s seminal 1963 recording “Blowin’ in the Wind.” What’s the other What are those songs? Are the Beatles involved? And what about Little Richard’s “Tutti Frutti,” which has been on the ballot since the very beginning?

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 …

Dancing in the Street / Martha and the Vandellas – 76.92%
A Change is Gonna Come / Sam Cooke – 73.07%
The House of the Rising Sun / The Animals – 69.23%
I Want to Hold Your Hand / The Beatles – 69.23%
You Really Got Me / The Kinks – 69.23%

Continuing to the next round of voting

You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’ / The Righteous Brothers – 61.53% (1st round)
Louie Louie / The Kingsmen – 50% (2nd round)
The Times They Are a-Changin’ – 46.15% (1st round)
Where Did Our Love Go / The Supremes – 46.15% (1st round)
Leader of the Pack / The Shangri-Las – 42.30% (1st round)
Gloria / Them – 42.30% (1st round)
Wonderful World / Sam Cooke – 38.46% (5th round)
Twist and Shout / The Beatles – 38.46% (2nd round)
A Hard Day’s Night / The Beatles – 38.46% (1st round)

Eliminated from the ballot

Runaway / Del Shannon – 30.76% (4th round)
Surfin’ USA / The Beach Boys – 30.76% (2nd round)
She Loves You / The Beatles – 30.76% (2nd round)
Rag Doll / The Four Seasons – 30.76% (1st round)
Only the Lonely / Roy Orbison – 26.92% (5th round)
In My Room / The Beach Boys – 26.92% (2nd round)
Don’t Worry Baby / The Beach Boys – 23.07% (1st round)
Tutti Frutti / Little Richard – 19.23% (10th round)
Heat Wave / Martha and the Vandellas – 19.23% (2nd round)
Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) / Darlene Love – 3.84% (2nd round)

1964 Hall of Songs Nominees: The Supremes, Sam Cooke, the British Invasion, and the ‘Be My Baby’ Influence

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.