Tag Archives: Rock and Roll

1979! Bad Times? Good Times? This Year, New Voices Emerge

Welcome to 1979, and in this episode of Hall of Songs, we find that the 1970s are over a year early. Synthesizers are taking over popular music, totally new sounds hit the airwaves, and darkness seeps into just about everything … even the cheery songs.

Here we pick our top-12 songs of 1979. Agree? Disagree? After listening, head to hallofsongs.com to vote for the best of the best. Our ’79 picks join picks from years past in the Hall of Songs ballot. Vote, and you’ll have a say into what’s considered the absolute greatest songs of all-time.

After listening to Tim and Chris, VOTE for the greatest songs of all time! Songs from 1979, plus tunes from 1978, ’77 and ’76 are up for a shot to make the Hall of Songs! Vote now at hallofsongs.com and come back on April 8, 2022, to find out which song or songs get in!

Our 1979 nominees:

  • “Pop Muzik” as performed by M
    • Written by Robin Scott; recorded fall 1978; released March 1979
  • “Good Times” as performed by Chic
    • Written by Bernard Edwards and Nile Rodgers; recorded fall 1978; released June 1979
  • “My Sharona” as performed by The Knack
    • Written by Doug Fieger and Berton Averre; recorded April 1979; released June 1979
  • “Rock With You” as performed by Michael Jackson
    • Written by Rod Temperton; recorded early 1979; released August 1979
  • “Cars” as performed by Gary Numan
    • Written by Gary Numan; recorded summer 1979; released August 1979
  • “I Wanna Be Your Lover” as performed by Prince
    • Written by Prince; recorded spring 1979; released August 1979
  • “Typical Girls” as performed by The Slits
    • Written by Viv Albertine, Ariane Foster, Tessa Pollitt and Paloma Romero; recorded summer 1979; released September 1979
  • “Rapper’s Delight” as performed by The Sugarhill Gang
    • Written by Bernard Edwards, Nile Rodgers, Sylvia Robinson, Henry Jackson, Michael Wright, Guy O’Brien, Curtis Brown and William Hankshaw; recorded August 1979; released September 1979
  • “Message in a Bottle” as performed by The Police
    • Written by Sting; recorded February 1979; released September 1979
  • “Here Comes My Girl” as performed by Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers
    • Written by Tom Petty; recorded spring 1979; released October 1979
  • “Comfortably Numb” as performed by Pink Floyd
    • Written by David Gilmour and Roger Waters; recorded summer 1979; released November 1979
  • “London Calling” as performed by The Clash
    • Written by Joe Strummer and Mick Jones; recorded August 1979; released December 1979

Listen to the full episode for more, and then vote for the songs that you think are the greatest of all-time. Scroll down to vote. Then, come back on April 8, 2022 to find out the voting results, and April 10, 2022 for our discussion on 1980.

24th Election Results! Let’s Add Some Drama to This Induction Ceremony

In this episode recapping our most recent voter election for the Hall of Songs, Chris asks Tim to make it a little more dramatic. Does it pay off? Did any songs make our prestigious hall of fame for songs, and if so, did more than one? 

Songs by artists including Bill Withers; Queen; Earth, Wind & Fire; Stevie Wonder; and the Ramones – among others – are vying for Hall of Songs supremacy. Find out here how the voting shook out.

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

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Full results coming soon!

Modern Songs Ep. 4: ‘Like Exploding Stones’ by Kurt Vile, ‘Human’ by The Killers

Philadelphia-area singer/songwriter Kurt Vile is back with new material, the first of which being his mind-bending “Like Exploding Stones.” We’ll talk about that to lead off this episode of Modern Songs. Plus, we go back in time to address a question that has defined our generation: “Are we human, or are we dancer?” And we’ll chat about a couple other songs piquing our interests, including the newest from Megan Thee Stallion and Dua Lipa.

Modern Songs is a podcast devoted to the discovery of new music and the discussion of the greatest songs of the last 15 years.

1975-78 Veterans Committee: Waylon and Willie, More Fleetwood Mac + Our Personal Picks

It’s time once again to add a few more songs for Hall of Songs induction. Time for a Veterans Committee episode. 

In this one, we say more great things about Fleetwood Mac’s “Rumours” album, then we finally put some dang outlaw country on the ballot. We’ll also chat about some other songs and artists we appreciate from the era between ’75 and ’78, including a certain piano man.

Listen, then vote in our latest Hall of Songs ballot at hallofsongs.com. Also follow us on social media at @hallofsongs.

1978! The Most Fun Episode of Hall of Songs Ever

We got a little bloated, a little overboard over the past few episodes of Hall of Songs. So, let’s clear the room and bring in the fun.

Submitted for your approval are our top-12 songs from 1978, a year where studio artistry was at an absolute peak, artists were crossing genres once again, and ultimately, the best songs were just plain fun. We have party jams, feel-good tunes, and rip-roaring rock. You’ll enjoy this one.

After listening to Tim and Chris, VOTE for the greatest songs of all time! Songs from 1978, plus tunes from 1977, ’76, ’71 and ’69 are up for a shot to make the Hall of Songs! Vote now at hallofsongs.com and come back on March 25, 2022, to find out which song or songs get in!

Our 1978 nominees:

  • “Wuthering Heights” as performed by Kate Bush
    • Written by Kate Bush; recorded summer 1977; released January 1978
  • “Rock Lobster” as performed by The B-52s
    • Written by Fred Schneider and Ricky Wilson; recorded February 1978; released April 1978
  • “Surrender” as performed by Cheap Trick
    • Written by Rick Nielsen; recorded late 1977; released April 1978
  • “Just What I Needed” as performed by The Cars
    • Written by Ric Ocasek; recorded February 1978; released May 1978
  • “Le Freak” as performed by Chic
    • Written by Bernard Edwards and Nile Rodgers; recorded January 1978; released August 1978
  • “Ever Fallen in Love (With Someone You Shouldn’t’ve)” as performed by Buzzcocks
    • Written by Pete Shelley; recorded August 1978; released August 1978
  • “Heart of Glass” as performed by Blondie
    • Written by Debbie Harry and Chris Stein; recorded June 1978; released September 1978
  • “Teenage Kicks” as performed by The Undertones
    • Written by John O’Neill; recorded June 1978; released October 1978
  • “I Will Survive” as performed by Gloria Gaynor
    • Written by Freddie Perren and Dino Fekaris; recorded summer 1978; released October 1978
  • “Don’t Stop Me Now” as performed by Queen
    • Written by Freddie Mercury; recorded August 1978; released November 1978
  • “September” as performed by Earth, Wind & Fire
    • Written by Maurice White, Al McKay and Allee Willis; recorded September 1978; released November 1978
  • “What a Fool Believes” as performed by The Doobie Brothers
    • Written by Michael McDonald and Kenny Loggins; recorded August 1978; released December 1978

Listen to the full episode for more, and then vote for the songs that you think are the greatest of all-time. Scroll down to vote. Then, come back on March 25, 2022 to find out the voting results, and March 27, 2022 for our discussion on 1979.

23rd Election Results! Do the Voters Give the People What They Want?

We at Hall of Songs have been bemusing over the recent lack of new songs entered into our very prestigious salon. Could the voters figure it out and come to some consensus once in a while? 

After discussing our picks for the top-12 songs of 1977, and then slotting them onto our ballot, we waited with baited breath to see if the voters would finally respond. In this episode, we get a clear answer. Find out if any songs have been elected to the Hall of Songs, joining the 48 already entered.

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

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Full results coming soon!

1977! The Year of Music Excess

Big productions, big statements, big hooks, and lots of style: 1977 is a year not be messed with.

Listen to the latest episode of Hall of Songs, in which Tim and Chris unveil their top-12 songs from 1977. We’ll talk more disco, more heavy guitar, more soft rock, experimental pop and rock and … well, just you wait.

After listening to Tim and Chris, VOTE for the greatest songs of all time! Songs from 1977, plus tunes from 1976, ’75, ’73, ’72, ’71 and ’69 are up for a shot to make the Hall of Songs! Vote now and come back on March 11 to find out which song or songs get in!

Our 1977 nominees (spoilers below; highlight to reveal):

  • “Margaritaville” as performed by Jimmy Buffett
    • Written by Jimmy Buffett; recorded November 1976; released January 1977
  • “Dreams” as performed by Fleetwood Mac
    • Written by Stevie Nicks; recorded summer 1976; released February 1977
  • “Marquee Moon” as performed by Television
    • Written by Tom Verlaine; recorded September 1976; released April 1977
  • “I Feel Love” as performed by Donna Summer
    • Written by Donna Summer, Giorgio Moroder and Pete Bellotte; recorded late 1976; released May 1977
  • “Barracuda” as performed by Heart
    • Written by Ann Wilson, Roger Fisher, Nancy Wilson and Michael Derosier; recorded spring 1977; released May 1977
  • “Best of My Love” as performed by The Emotions
    • Written by Maurice White and Al McKay; recorded late 1976; released June 1977
  • “‘Heroes'” as performed by David Bowie
    • Written by David Bowie and Brian Eno; recorded summer 1977; released September 1977
  • “Deacon Blues” as performed by Steely Dan
    • Written by Walter Becker and Donald Fagen; recorded early 1977; released September 1977
  • “Mr. Blue Sky” as performed by Electric Light Orchestra
    • Written by Jeff Lynne; recorded summer 1977; released October 1977
  • “Stayin’ Alive” as performed by Bee Gees
    • Written by Barry Gibb, Robin Gibb and Maurice Gibb; recorded summer 1977; released December 1977
  • “Flash Light” as performed by Parliament
    • Written by George Clinton, Bootsy Collins and Bernie Worrell; recorded 1977; released November 1977
  • “Lovely Day” as performed by Bill Withers
    • Written by Paul Cook, Steve Jones, John Lydon and Glen Matlock; recorded 1977; released Decemebr 1977

Listen to the full episode for more, and then vote for the songs that you think are the greatest of all-time. Scroll down to vote. Then, come back on March 11, 2022 to find out the voting results, and March 13, 2022 for our discussion on 1978.

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.

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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%

1976! A Wonder-Ful Year + Punk’s Big Boom and Peak Disco

A whole lot is happening in 1976 in music, and we at Hall of Songs are here to break it down.

We present our picks for the top-12 songs of a big year where disco peaks, punk breaks out, and Stevie Wonder reigns supreme. You’ll hear the ultimate in classic rock perfection along with the complete destruction of the pop formula.

After listening to Tim and Chris, VOTE for the greatest songs of all time! Songs from 1976, plus tunes from 1975, ’73, ’72, ’71 and ’69 are up for a shot to make the Hall of Songs! Vote now and come back on February 25 to find out which song or songs get in!

Our 1976 nominees:

  • “Love Hangover” as performed by Diana Ross
    • Written by Marilyn McLeod and Pamela Sawyer; recorded late 1975; released February 1976
  • “Lowdown” as performed by Boz Scaggs
    • Written by Boz Scaggs and David Paich; recorded September 1975; released February 1976
  • “Blitzkrieg Bop” as performed by The Ramones
    • Written by Tommy Ramone and Dee Dee Ramone; recorded February 1976; released February 1976
  • “The Boys Are Back in Town” as performed by Thin Lizzy
    • Written by Phil Lynott; recorded December 1975; released April 1976
  • “Desperados Under the Eaves” as performed by Warren Zevon
    • Written by Warren Zevon; recorded 1975; released May 1976
  • “Cherry Bomb” as performed by The Runaways
    • Written by Joan Jett and Kim Fowley; recorded 1976; released June 1976
  • “Dancing Queen” as performed by ABBA
    • Written by Benny Andersson, Bjorn Ulvaeus and Stig Anderson; recorded August 1975; released August 1976
  • “More Than a Feeling” as performed by Boston
    • Written by Tom Scholz; recorded early 1976; released August 1976
  • “Sir Duke” as performed by Stevie Wonder
    • Written by Stevie Wonder; recorded 1974-1976; released September 1976
  • “As” as performed by Stevie Wonder
    • Written by Stevie Wonder; recorded 1974; released September 1976
  • “Don’t Leave Me This Way” as performed by Thelma Houston
    • Written by Kenneth Gamble, Leon Huff and Cary Gilbert; recorded 1976; released October 1976
  • “Anarchy In the U.K.” as performed by Sex Pistols
    • Written by Paul Cook, Steve Jones, John Lydon and Glen Matlock; recorded October 1976; released November 1976

Listen to the full episode for more, and then vote for the songs that you think are the greatest of all-time. Scroll down to vote. Then, come back on February 11, 2022 to find out the voting results, and February 13, 2022 for our discussion on 1976.

21st Election Results! One of the Hosts Gets Into the Rant Zone

Well, it was bound to happen. The voting process in Hall of Songs finally resulted in some possible chicanery.

One of our hosts has to address it, and he does so with equal parts frustration and … well, you should listen. 

Did any songs get into our prestigious hall of fame for songs? Listen to find out. But please, hit play on this one. It’s a ride.

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

Bohemian Rhapsody / Queen – 68.9% (1st round)
Take Me Home Country Roads / John Denver – 67.24% (1st round)

Continuing to the next round of voting

Born to Run / Bruce Springsteen – 58.6% (1st round)
Superstition / Stevie Wonder – 48.27% (4th round)
You Can’t Always Get What You Want / The Rolling Stones – 44.82% (5th round)
Tangled Up in Blue / Bob Dylan – 44.82% (1st round)
Thunder Road / Bruce Springsteen – 44.82% (1st round)
Wish You Were Here / Pink Floyd – 44.82% (1st round)
Maggie May / Rod Stewart – 41.37% (1st round)
Free Bird / Lynyrd Skynyrd – 39.65% (3rd round)
Lean on Me / Bill Withers – 37.93% (4th round)
Sweet Emotion / Aerosmith – 36.2% (1st round)
Here Comes the Sun / The Beatles – 34.48% (7th round)
Jolene / Dolly Parton – 34.48% (3rd round)
Let’s Get It On / Marvin Gaye – 32.75% (3rd round)

Eliminated from the ballot

Ain’t No Sunshine / Bill Withers -29.31% (5th round)
Won’t Get Fooled Again / The Who – 29.31% (5th round)
Rocket Man / Elton John – 29.31% (4th round)
Midnight Train to Georgia / Gladys Knight and the Pips – 27.58% (3rd round)
Crazy on You / Heart – 24.13% (1st round)
Bridge Over Troubled Water / Simon and Garfunkel – 22.41% (5th round)
Waterloo / ABBA – 22.41% (2nd round)
Gloria / Patti Smith – 17.24% (1st round)
Walk on the Wild Side / Lou Reed – 13.79% (4th round)
You’re the First, the Last, My Everything / Barry White – 12.06% (2nd round)
Shining Star / Earth, Wind & Fire – 12.06% (1st round)
Help Me / Joni Mitchell – 10.34% (2nd round)
Get Down Tonight / KC and the Sunshine Band – 10.34% (1st round)
I’m Not in Love / 10cc – 10.34% (1st round)
Love to Love You Baby / Donna Summer – 10.34% (1st round)
That Lady / The Isley Brothers – 3.44% (1st round)
Can the Can / Suzi Quatro – 1.72% (1st round)