Wall of Sound

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.

9th Class Results! Bob Dylan is in the Hall of Songs. Who Else?

Two songs have been inducted into the Hall of Songs after our ninth round of voting, putting the grand total at 17.

One of those tracks is Bob Dylan’s seminal 1963 recording “Blowin’ in the Wind.” What’s the other inductee? Was it a Motown song? Did the Beatles get in? What about the Beach Boys? The Wall of Sound? Or did Bobby Darin finally break through?

Okay. Don’t scroll if you want to be spoiled.

…

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

Blowin’ in the Wind / Bob Dylan – 71.42%
Be My Baby / The Ronettes – 67.85%

Continuing to the next round of voting

She Loves You / The Beatles – 60.71% (1st round)
I Want to Hold Your Hand / The Beatles – 57.14% (1st round)
Louie Louie / The Kingsmen – 50% (1st round)
Runaway / Del Shannon – 46.42% (3rd round)
Surfin’ USA / The Beach Boys – 46.42% (1st round)
Twist and Shout / The Beatles – 42.85% (1st round)
In My Room / The Beach Boys – 42.85% (1st round)
Only the Lonely / Roy Orbison – 39.28% (4th round)
Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) / Darlene Love – 39.28% (1st round)
Tutti Frutti / Little Richard – 35.71% (9th round)
Wonderful World / Sam Cooke – 35.71% (4th round)
Heat Wave / Martha and the Vandellas – 35.71% (1st round)

Eliminated from the ballot

Wake Up Little Susie / The Everly Brothers – 28.57% (7th round)
Green Onions / Booker T & The M.G.’s – 28.57% (2nd round)
Georgia on My Mind / Ray Charles – 25% (4th round)
I Fall to Pieces / Patsy Cline – 25% (3rd round)
Up on the Roof / The Drifters – 25% (1st round)
That’ll Be the Day / The Crickets – 21.42% (7th round)
The Wanderer / Dion – 21.42% (3rd round)
Love Me Do / The Beatles – 21.42% (2nd round)
You’ve Really Got a Hold on Me / The Miracles – 17.85% (2nd round)
Sherry / The Four Seasons – 14.28% (2nd round)
Fingertips Pts. 1 & 2 (Live) / Stevie Wonder – 14.28% (1st round)
It’s All Right / The Impressions – 14.28% (1st round)
You Don’t Know Me / Ray Charles – 10.71% (2nd round)
She Thinks I Still Care / George Jones – 10.71% (1st round)
Mack the Knife / Bobby Darin – 7.14% (5th round)
Think / James Brown and the Famous Flames – 7.14% (1st round)
Turn on Your Lovelight / Bobby Bland – 7.14% (1st round)

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.