Tag Archives: The Supremes

1966 Hall of Songs Nominees: A Big Beach Boys Year, Plus the Stones, Supremes and Byrds

It’s the year of the album.

1966 is when the long player becomes the way to listen to music, and massive albums like “Pet Sounds,” “Revolver” and “Blonde on Blonde” demonstrate that. Hall of Songs, though, isn’t so concerned with the album, so what are the top 12 songs from this groundbreaking year of music? 

After listening, VOTE for the greatest songs of all time! Songs from 1966, plus tunes from 1965, ’64 and ’63 are up for a shot to make the Hall of Songs! Vote now and come back on September 17 to find out which song or songs get in!

Our 1966 nominees:

  • “Eight Miles High” as performed by The Byrds
    • Written by Gene Clark, Jim McGuinn and David Crosby; recorded January 1966; released March 1965
  • “When a Man Loves a Woman” as performed by Percy Sledge
    • Written by Calvin Lewis and Andrew Wright; recorded February 1966; released March 1966
  • “Wild Thing” as performed by The Troggs
    • Written by Chip Taylor; recorded early 1966; released April 1966
  • “Paint It Black” as performed by The Rolling Stones
    • Written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards; recorded March 1966; released May 1966
  • “River Deep-Mountain High” as performed by Ike & Tina Turner
    • Written by Phil Spector, Jeff Barry and Ellie Greenwich; recorded March 1966; released May 1966
  • “God Only Knows” as performed by The Beach Boys
    • Written by Brian Wilson and Tony Asher; recorded March-April 1966; released July 1966
  • “Tomorrow Never Knows” as performed by The Beatles
    • Written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney; recorded April 1966; released August 1966
  • “Reach Out I’ll Be There” as performed by The Four Tops
    • Written by Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier and Eddie Holland; recorded summer 1966; released September 1966
  • “Good Vibrations” as performed by The Beach Boys
    • Written by Brian Wilson and Mike Love; recorded February-September 1966; released October 1966
  • “You Keep Me Hangin’ On” as performed by The Supremes
    • Written by Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier and Eddie Holland; recorded June-August 1966; released October 1966
  • “I’m a Believer” as performed by The Monkees
    • Written by Neil Diamond; recorded October 1966; released November 1966
  • “For What It’s Worth” as performed by Buffalo Springfield
    • Written by Stephen Stills; recorded December 1966; released December 1966

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 September 17, 2021 to find out the voting results, and September 19, 2021 for our discussion on 1966.

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.