The Kinks

1970 Hall of Songs Nominees: The Last of the Beatles, The Best of Black Sabbath

We’re in a new decade on Hall of Songs, the podcast that attempts to determine the greatest songs of all-time.

1970 brings us new fare from artists we’ve previously featured, like the Beatles and the Jackson 5. It also showcases some new sounds in music, from the bulky heavy rock of Black Sabbath to the rhythmic vibes of Curtis Mayfield.

After listening, VOTE for the greatest songs of all time! Songs from 1970, plus tunes from 1969, ’68, ’67, ’66, and ’65 are up for a shot to make the Hall of Songs! Vote now and come back on November 19 to find out which song or songs get in!

Our 1970 nominees:

“Fire and Rain” as performed by James Taylor
- Written by James Taylor; recorded December 1969; released February 1970
“Big Yellow Taxi” as performed by Joni Mitchell
- Written by Joni Mitchell; recorded January 1970; released April 1970
“Let it Be” as performed by The Beatles
- Written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney; recorded January 1969; released May 1970
“War” as performed by Edwin Starr
- Written by Barrett Strong and Norman Whitfield; recorded May 1970; released June 1970
“Ohio” as performed by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
- Written by Neil Young; recorded May 1970; released June 1970
“Lola” as performed by The Kinks
- Written by Ray Davies; recorded April 1970; released June 1970
“Paranoid” as performed by Black Sabbath
- Written by Tommy Iommi, Ozzy Osbourne, Geezer Butler and Bill Ward; recorded June 1970; released August 1970
“I’ll Be There” as performed by The Jackson 5
- Written by Berry Gordy, Bob West, Willie Hutch and Hal Davis; recorded June 1970; released August 1970
“Iron Man” as performed by Black Sabbath
- Written by Tommy Iommi, Ozzy Osbourne, Geezer Butler and Bill Ward; recorded June 1970; released September 1970
“Move on Up” as performed by Curtis Mayfield
- Written by Curtis Mayfield; recorded June 1970; released September 1970
“Sweet Jane” as performed by The Velvet Underground
- Written by Lou Reed; recorded June 1970; released November 1970
“Layla” as performed by Derek and the Dominos
- Written by Eric Clapton and Jim Gordon; recorded September 1970; released November 1970

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 November 19, 2021 to find out the voting results, and November 21, 2021 for our discussion on 1971.

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.

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.

…

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.