Tag Archives: Sam Cooke

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.

3rd Class Results! Two Songs Make the Hall of Songs!

The third round of voting is complete, and thanks to a new golden vote rule, two new tunes have entered the Hall!

The newest inductees are: “Great Balls of Fire” by Jerry Lee Lewis and “You Send Me” by Sam Cooke. Congratulations!

Here are the full results:

Great Balls of Fire / Jerry Lee Lewis – 74.50% (1st round)
You Send Me / Sam Cooke – 66.67% (1st round)

Continuing to the next round of voting

Jailhouse Rock / Elvis Presley – 54.90% (1st round)
Wake Up Little Susie / The Everly Brothers – 54.90% (1st round)
Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On / Jerry Lee Lewis – 49.01% (1st round)
Hound Dog / Elvis Presley – 49.01% (2nd round)
Bye Bye Love / The Everly Brothers – 47.05% (1st round)
All Shook Up / Elvis Presley – 45.09% (1st round)
That’ll Be the Day / The Crickets – 43.13% (1st round)
Peggy Sue / Buddy Holly – 43.13% (1st round)
Roll Over Beethoven / Chuck Berry – 39.21% (2nd round)
Don’t Be Cruel / Elvis Presley – 37.25% (2nd round)
Not Fade Away / The Crickets – 37.25% (1st round)
The Great Pretender / The Platters – 35.29% (3rd round)
Tutti Frutti / Little Richard – 35.29% (3rd round)

Eliminated from the ballot

That’s All Right / Elvis Presley – 33.33%
Lucille / Little Richard – 31.37%
Ain’t That a Shame / Fats Domino – 29.41%
Rock and Roll Music / Chuck Berry – 29.41%
Your Cheatin’ Heart / Hank Williams – 29.41%
Blue Suede Shoes / Carl Perkins – 29.41%
Blueberry Hill / Fats Domino – 27.45%
I Walk the Line / Johnny Cash – 27.45%
Maybellene / Chuck Berry – 25.49%
In the Still of the Night / The Five Satins – 25.49%

1957: Our Nominees for the Hall of Songs

It’s a big year in music: From the westward expansion of teen culture to a West Side Story that sets a new tone for Broadway, so much is changing in 1957. Our 12 nominees for the Hall of Songs from this year reflect that.

Elvis Presley is still making big tunes, like “All Shook Up” and third movie theme “Jailhouse Rock.” And what exactly do Jerry Lieber and Mike Stoller slip into the lyrics of the latter song?

Presley is joined by other big stars of the mid 1950s like Chuck Berry and Little Richard. Big songs like “Rock and Roll Music” and “Lucille,” respectively, find these stars at the top of their game. And then there are newcomers like Jerry Lee Lewis, the Everly Brothers, and Buddy Holly, each adding something dynamic and fresh to the already established rock ‘n’ roll soud.

1957 is a year when everything expands just a little. Hear more of this expansion in our latest episode, then VOTE for the greatest songs of all-time! Below, choose up to 10 songs to join the Hall of Songs and current inductees “Rock Around the Clock” and “Heartbreak Hotel.”

Our 1957 nominees:

  • “Lucille” as performed by Little Richard
    • Written by Richard Penniman and Albert Collins; recorded July 1956; released February 1957
  • “All Shook Up” as performed by Elvis Presley
    • Written by Otis Blackwell and Elvis Presley; recorded January 1957; released March 1957
  • “Bye Bye Love” as performed by The Everly Brothers
    • Written by Felice Bryant and Boudleaux Bryant; recorded March 1957; released March 1957
  • “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On” as performed by Jerry Lee Lewis
    • Written by Dave Williams and James Faye Hall; recorded February 1957; released April 1957
  • “That’ll Be the Day” as performed by The Crickets
    • Written by Charles Hardin, Jerry Allison, and Norman Petty; recorded February 1957; released May 1957
  • “Wake Up Little Suzie” as performed by The Everly Brothers
    • Written by Felice Bryant and Boudleaux Bryant; recorded August 1957; released September 1957
  • “You Send Me” as performed by Sam Cooke
    • Written by Sam Cooke; recorded June 1957; released September 1957
  • “Rock and Roll Music” as performed by Chuck Berry
    • Written by Chuck Berry; recorded May 1957; released September 1957
  • “Jailhouse Rock” as performed by Elvis Presley
    • Written by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller; recorded April 1957; released September 1957
  • “Peggy Sue” as performed by Buddy Holly
    • Written by Jerry Allison and Norman Petty; recorded July 1957; released September 1957
  • “Not Fade Away” as performed by The Crickets
    • Written by Charles Hardin and Norman Petty; recorded May 1957; released October 1957
  • “Great Balls of Fire” as performed by Jerry Lee Lewis
    • Written by Otis Blackwell and Jack Hammer; recorded October 1957; released November 1957

Listen to the full episode to learn more, then vote for the songs you think are the greatest of them all. Scroll down or click here to vote. Then, come back on May 16, 2021, for our discussion on 1958.