Tag Archives: Ray Charles

8th Class Results! Motown Joins the Hall of Songs!

That’s right: The Hall of Songs has a new inductee, and it’s from Hitsville U.S.A.! So what is the 15th member of our exclusive hall of fame for songs? Listen and 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 …

Do You Love Me / The Contours – 70.58%

Continuing to the next round of voting

Georgia on My Mind / Ray Charles – 58.82% (3rd round)
Only the Lonely / Roy Orbison – 58.82% (3rd round)
Wake Up Little Susie / The Everly Brothers – 58.82% (6th round)
Runaway / Del Shannon – 52.94% (2nd round)
That’ll Be the Day / The Crickets – 52.94% (5th round)
Green Onions / Booker T & The M.G.’s – 52.94% (1st round)
You’ve Really Got a Hold on Me / The Miracles – 52.94% (1st round)
I Fall to Pieces / Patsy Cline – 47.05% (2nd round)
Tutti Frutti / Little Richard – 47.05% (8th round)
Wonderful World / Sam Cooke – 47.05% (3rd round)
Love Me Do / The Beatles – 47.05% (1st round)
The Wanderer / Dion – 41.17% (2nd round)
Sherry / The Four Seasons – 41.17% (1st round)
Mack the Knife / Bobby Darin – 35.29% (4th round)
You Don’t Know Me / Ray Charles – 35.29% (1st round)

Eliminated from the ballot

Runaround Sue La Bamba / Ritchie Valens – 29.41% (5th round)
Please Mr. Postman / The Marvelettes – 23.52% (2nd round)
I Can’t Stop Loving You / Ray Charles – 23.52% (1st round)
Miserlou / Dick Dale and the Del-Tones – 17.64% (1st round)
If I Had a Hammer / Peter, Paul and Mary – 17.64% (1st round)
The Loco-Motion / Little Eva – 11.76% (1st round)
Telstar / The Tornados – 11.76% (1st round)
He’s a Rebel / The Crystals – 11.76% (1st round)

1959-1962 Veterans Committee Meeting

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: Our Nominees for 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.

7th Class Results! 4 New Hall of Songs Inductees!

The hits just keep on coming! We have four new inductees to the Hall of Songs after the latest round of voting. One song skates right through without a problem, another is a bit of a surprise, and two get in by the skin of their teeth. 

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 …

Crazy / Patsy Cline – 86.27%
Can’t Help Falling in Love / Elvis Presley – 82.35%
Stand By Me / Ben E. King – 66.67%
Crying / Roy Orbison – 66.67%

Continuing to the next round of voting

Georgia on My Mind / Ray Charles – 60.78% (2nd round)
I Fall to Pieces / Patsy Cline – 58.82% (1st round)
Only the Lonely / Roy Orbison – 56.86% (2nd round)
The Wanderer / Dion – 54.9% (1st round)
That’ll Be the Day / The Crickets – 52.94% (5th round)
Wake Up Little Susie / The Everly Brothers – 50.98% (5th round)
Please Mr. Postman / The Marvelettes – 43.13% (1st round)
Tutti Frutti / Little Richard – 41.17% (7th round)
La Bamba / Ritchie Valens – 41.17% (4th round)
Runaway / Del Shannon – 41.17% (1st round)
Wonderful World / Sam Cooke – 37.25% (2nd round)
Mack the Knife / Bobby Darin – 35.29% (3rd round)

Eliminated from the ballot

Runaround Sue / Dion – 33.33% (1st round)
The Twist / Chubby Checker – 31.37% (2nd round)
Running Scared / Roy Orbison – 9.80% (1st round)
Back Door Man / Howlin’ Wolf – 3.92% (1st round)
Let’s Go Trippin’ / Dick Dale and the Del-Tones – 3.92% (1st round)

6th Class Results! A Big Class + A Ray Charles Debate for the Golden Vote

It’s the opposite of our last round of voting as multiple songs get inducted into the Hall of Songs! Plus, we discuss whether a certain Ray Charles song should get the Golden Vote, giving it special entrance into the Hall.

Here is the 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 …

Shout / The Isley Brothers – 68% (2nd round)
Will You Love Me Tomorrow / The Shirelles – 68% (1st round)
At Last / Etta James – 68% (1st round) [Golden Vote]
What’d I Say / Ray Charles – 68% (2nd round) [Golden Vote]

Continuing to the next round of voting

Georgia on My Mind / Ray Charles – 56% (1st round)
Only the Lonely / Roy Orbison – 52% (1st round)
The Twist / Chubby Checker – 52% (1st round)
Tutti Frutti / Little Richard – 48% (6th round)
Wonderful World / Sam Cooke – 48% (1st round)
That’ll Be the Day / The Crickets – 44% (4th round)
Mack the Knife / Bobby Darin – 40% (2nd round)
Wake Up Little Susie / The Everly Brothers – 36% (4th round)
La Bamba / Ritchie Valens – 36% (3rd round)

Eliminated from the ballot

Jailhouse Rock / Elvis Presley – 32% (4th round)
I Only Have Eyes For You / The Flamingos – 32% (2nd round)
This Magic Moment / The Drifters – 32% (1st round)
Chain Gang / Sam Cooke – 32% (1st round)
The Great Pretender / The Platters – 28% (6th round)
Hound Dog / Elvis Presley – 28% (5th round)
Roll Over Beethoven / Chuck Berry – 24% (5th round)
Bye Bye Love / The Everly Brothers – 20% (4th round)
Save the Last Dance For Me / The Drifters – 20% (1st round)
Shop Around / The Miracles – 16% (1st round)
Cathy’s Clown / The Everly Brothers – 12% (1st round)
Lonely Teardrops / Jackie Wilson – 8% (3rd round)
There Goes My Baby / The Drifters – 8% (2nd round)
Dream Lover / Bobby Darin – 4% (2nd round)
Walk, Don’t Run / The Ventures – 4% (1st round)

1960: Our Nominees for the Hall of Songs

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.

5th Class Results! Oh No …

You’ll have to listen to this bonus episode of Hall of Songs to hear what happened with our latest round of voting.

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

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Alright. Let’s move on.

Continuing to the next round of voting

What’d I Say / Ray Charles – 60.41% (1st round)
Mack the Knife / Bobby Darin – 56.25% (1st round)
Wake Up Little Susie / The Everly Brothers – 52.08% (3rd round)
Shout / The Isley Brothers – 52.08% (1st round)
Jailhouse Rock / Elvis Presley – 47.91% (3rd round)
Tutti Frutti / Little Richard – 45.83% (5th round)
Roll Over Beethoven / Chuck Berry – 45.83% (4th round)
That’ll Be the Day / The Crickets – 45.83% (3rd round)
Dream Lover / Bobby Darin – 45.83% (1st round)
I Only Have Eyes For You / The Flamingos – 45.83% (1st round)
Hound Dog / Elvis Presley – 43.75% (4th round)
La Bamba / Ritchie Valens – 43.75% (2nd round)
Lonely Teardrops / Jackie Wilson – 43.75% (2nd round)
There Goes My Baby / The Drifters – 41.66 (1st round)
The Great Pretender / The Platters – 37.5% (5th round)
Bye Bye Love / The Everly Brothers – 37.5% (3rd round)

Eliminated from the ballot

Summertime Blues / Eddie Cochran – 33.33% (2nd round)
Money (That’s What I Want) / Barrett Strong – 33.33% (1st round)
El Paso / Marty Robbins – 25% (1st round)
Yakety Yak / The Coasters – 22.91% (1st round)
Twenty Flight Rock / Eddie Cochran – 20.83% (1st round)
Don’t Let Go / Roy Hamilton – 20.83% (1st round)
White Lightning / George Jones – 20.83% (1st round)
Stagger Lee / Lloyd Price – 18.75% (2nd round)
Peter Gunn / Ray Anthony – 18.75% (1st round)
Come Softly to Me / The Fleetwoods – 16.66% (1st round)

1959: Our Nominees for the Hall of Songs

With the hybrid genre of rock and roll fully established as the sound of young America, 1959 is a year when new sounds allow popular music to take massive leaps forward. For example, shot out of a cannon are massive tracks like “What’d I Say,” “Money,” and “Shout,” which herald rhythm and blues as not simply the sound of Black America, but the sound of the future.

1959 is also the year country music begins its great struggle to define itself. The Nashville Sound with its strings, heavenly background vocals, and polished production is about to break through; meanwhile, listeners this year get two different looks at country: “El Paso” showcases a throwback, Western story-song style, and “White Lightning” is a much more modern take on hillbilly drinking. These songs set the stage for the future of white rural music.

After listening, VOTE for the greatest songs of all time! Songs from 1959, plus tunes from 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:

  • “Peter Gunn” as performed by Ray Anthony
    • Written by Henry Mancini; recorded January 1959; released January 1959
  • “White Lightning” as performed by George Jones
    • Written by J.P. Richardson; recorded December 1958; released February 1959
  • “Come Softly to Me” as performed by The Fleetwoods
    • Written by Gretchen Christopher, Barbara Ellis, and Gary Troxel; recorded fall 1958; released February 1959
  • “Dream Lover” as performed by Bobby Darin
    • Written by Bobby Darin; recorded March 1959; released April 1959
  • “I Only Have Eyes For You” as performed by The Flamingos
    • Written by Al Dubin and Harry Warren; recorded October 1958; released April 1959
  • “There Goes My Baby” as performed by The Drifters
    • Written by Benjamin Nelson, Lover Patterson, and George Treadwell; recorded March 1959; released April 1959
  • “What’d I Say” as performed by Ray Charles
    • Written by Ray Charles; recorded February 1959; released June 1959
  • “Shout” as performed by The Isley Brothers
    • Written by O’Kelly Isley Jr., Rudolph Isley, and Ronald Isley; recorded July 1959; released August 1959
  • “Money (That’s What I Want)” as performed by Barrett Strong
    • Written by Janie Bradford and Berry Gordy; recorded summer 1959; released August 1959
  • “Mack the Knife” as performed by Bobby Darin
    • Written by Kurt Weill, Bertolt Brecht, and Marc Blitzstein; recorded December 1958; released August 1959
  • “El Paso” as performed by Marty Robbins
    • Written by Marty Robbins; recorded April 1959; released October 1959

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 13, 2021, for our discussion on 1960.