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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.

1963 Hall of Songs Nominees: The Beatles, The Beach Boys, Motown, Wall of Sound, Bob Dylan!

Welcome to Season Two of Hall of Songs. And welcome to an explosion of creativity.

This is the year when music changes throughout the world. Early rock ‘n’ roll and rhythm and blues gets pushed aside for an even louder, more exciting sound. Whether it’s impeccable studio polish or, finally, really good young musicians who sing and write their own tunes, what comes out from the radio speakers is truly wondrous.

Of course, you’ll hear the Beatles in this episode, as 1963 marks the first year of their dominance (though most of it is spent in Britain). We’ll also hear from the Beach Boys, the Wall of Sound, and Motown, along with a young folk musician whose lyricism sets a high bar.

After listening, VOTE for the greatest songs of all time! Songs from 1963, plus tunes from 1962, 61, ’60, ’59, ’57, and ’55, are up for a shot to make the Hall of Songs! Vote now and come back on August 6 to find out which song or songs get in!

Our 1963 nominees:

  • “Surfin’ USA” as performed by The Beach Boys
    • Written by Brian Wilson and Chuck Berry; recorded January 1963; released March 1963
  • “Twist and Shout” as performed by The Beatles
    • Written by Bert Berns and Phil Medley; recorded February 1963; released March 1963
  • “Louie Louie” as performed by The Kingsmen
    • Written by Richard Berry; recorded April 1963; released May 1963
  • “Fingertips – Parts 1/2 (Live)” as performed by Stevie Wonder
    • Written by Clarence Paul and Henry Cosby; recorded May 1963; released May 1963
  • “Heat Wave” as performed by Martha and the Vandellas
    • Written by Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier and Eddie Holland; recorded June 1963; released July 1963
  • “Be My Baby” as performed by The Ronettes
    • Written by Jeff Barry, Ellie Greenwich and Phil Spector; recorded July 1963; released August 1963
  • “Blowin’ in the Wind” as performed by Bob Dylan
    • Written by Bob Dylan; recorded July 1962; released August 1963
  • “She Loves You” as performed by The Beatles
    • Written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney; recorded July 1963; released August 1963
  • “In My Room” as credited to by The Beach Boys
    • Written by Brian Wilson and Gary Usher; recorded July 1963; released October 1963
  • “It’s All Right” as performed by The Impressions
    • Written by Curtis Mayfield; recorded summer 1963; released October 1963
  • “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)” as performed by Darlene Love
    • Written by Jeff Barry, Ellie Greenwich and Phil Spector; recorded September 1963; released November 1963
  • “I Want to Hold Your Hand” as performed by The Beatles
    • Written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney; recorded October 1963; released November 1963

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 8, 2021, for our discussion on 1964.

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.

1961: Our Nominees for the Hall of Songs

It’s 1961 and we’re twisting again on Hall of Songs! OK, “Let’s Twist Again” is not one of our 12 nominees from this year, BUT we talk about dance crazes before hopping into the new songs on the ballot.

We get to know some new artists for this episode, including Patsy Cline, Del Shannon, Dion, Dick Dale, and Howlin’ Wolf. Plus, we hear once again from established stars like Roy Orbison and Ben E. Keith (formerly of the Drifters), and the newly discharged Elvis Presley. And we travel back to Motown to find a girl group bursting onto the scene with an exciting song about the U.S. mail.

After listening, VOTE for the greatest songs of all time! Songs from 1961, plus tunes from 1960, ’59, ’58, ’57, and ’55, are up for a shot to make the Hall of Songs! Vote now and come back on July 9 to find out which song or songs get in!

Our 1961 nominees:

  • “I Fall to Pieces” as performed by Patsy Cline
    • Written by Hank Cochran and Harlan Howard; recorded November 1960; released January 1961
  • “Runaway” as performed by Del Shannon
    • Written by Del Shannon and Max Crook; recorded January 1961; February 1961
  • “Running Scared” as performed by Roy Orbison
    • Written by Roy Orbison and Joe Melson; recorded February 1961; released March 1961
  • “Stand By Me” as performed by Ben E. Keith
    • Written by Ben E. King, Jerry Leiber, and Mike Stoller; recorded October 1960; released April 1961
  • “Back Door Man” as performed by Howlin’ Wolf
    • Written by Willie Dixon; recorded June 1960; released spring 1961
  • “Crying” as performed by Roy Orbison
    • Written by Roy Orbison and Joe Melson; recorded June 1961; released July 1961
  • “Please Mr. Postman” as performed by The Marvelettes
    • Written by Georgia Dobbins, William Garrett, Freddie Gorman, Brian Holland, and Robert Bateman; recorded April 1961; released August 1961
  • “Let’s Go Trippin'” as performed by Dick Dale and the Del-Tones
    • Written by Dick Dale; recorded summer 1961; released September 1961
  • “Runaround Sue” as performed by Dion
    • Written by Dion DiMucci and Ernie Maresca; recorded summer 1961; released September 1961
  • “Can’t Help Falling in Love” as performed by Elvis Presley
    • Written by Hugo Peretti, Luigi Creatore, and George David Weiss; recorded March 1961; released October 1961
  • “Crazy” as performed by Patsy Cline
    • Written by Willie Nelson; recorded August 1961; released October 1961
  • “The Wanderer” as performed by Dion
    • Written by Ernie Maresca; recorded October 1961; released November 1961

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 11, 2021, for our discussion on 1962.