A trip through the 1970s, one hit song at a time!

May 182 min read

Bad Boys - Miami Sound Machine (1986) 2/21/24

Boys will be boys...and according to Gloria Estefan and Miami Sound Machine, it applies especially to "Bad Boys," which just happens to...

Michael Cook

May 181 min read

All I Need - Jack Wagner (1985) 2/20/24

Calling actor Jack Wagner a soap opera star is pretty much a no-brainer. Over the years, he's had major roles on General Hospital, Santa...

Michael Cook

May 182 min read

Here Comes the Rain Again - Eurythmics (1984) 2/19/24

It was a rather dreary day in New York City, circa 1983. Dave Stewart and Annie Lennox--The Eurhythmics--were in town, and staying at the...

Michael Cook

May 182 min read

Come Dancing - Kinks (1983) 2/18/24

Ray Davies of The Kinks had six older sisters, and today's Great Song of 1983 was about all of them in general, and two of them in...

Michael Cook

May 181 min read

Eye in the Sky - Alan Parsons Project (1982) 2/17/24

The old saying "The more things change, the more they stay the same," could certainly apply to today's Great Song of 1982: "Eye in the...

Michael Cook

May 181 min read

Hold On Tight - ELO (1981) 2/16/24

Music critics were immediately impressed with today's Great Song of 1981: "Hold On Tight" by The Electric Light Orchestra. Billboard...

Michael Cook

Apr 151 min read

Deja Vu - Dionne Warwick (1980) 2/15/24

It's hard to imagine that the creative team behind today's Great Song of 1980 couldn't--and wouldn't--come up with a hit. The music for...

Michael Cook

Apr 152 min read

I Just Called to Say I Love You - Stevie Wonder (1984) 2/14/24

Happy Valentine's Day! Today's Great Song comes from the soundtrack of "The Woman in Red," the 1984 film starring Gene Wilder (who also...

Michael Cook

Apr 151 min read

Only Love is Real - Carole King (1976) 2/13/24

Today, we're heading back to 1976 for Carole King's last #1 solo Hit: "Only Love is Real." The song was featured on Carole's 7th studio...

Michael Cook

Apr 152 min read

Straight Up - Paula Abdul (1989) 2/12/24

By all accounts, Straight Up" by Paula Abdul was not only lucky to become a Great Song of 1989...it was lucky to exist in the first...

Michael Cook

Apr 151 min read

I Don't Wanna Go On With You Like That - Elton John (1988) 2/11/24

To call Elton John "prolific" is an understatement--especially when you consider his volume of work since 1970. To add some perspective,...

Michael Cook

Apr 151 min read

Mandolin Rain -Bruce Hornsby & The Range (1987) 2/10/24

According to John Hornsby, today's Great Song of 1987 is about " missing someone badly; trying to pull through when so many things remind...

Michael Cook

Apr 151 min read

Sara - Starship (1986) 19860 2/9/24

n 1985, one of the most iconic underground album rock bands of all time was going through some big changes. Jefferson Airplane, which had...

Michael Cook

Apr 152 min read

You Give Good Love - Whitney Houston (1985) 2/8/24

In 1985, Whitney Houston burst onto the scene with a debut single that: #1: Wasn't originally intended for her, #2: Was expected to be a...

Michael Cook

Apr 151 min read

The Heart of Rock & Roll - Huey Lewis & The News (1984) 2/7/24

Huey Lewis always felt that his home town, San Francisco, had the best reputation for good old Rock & Roll...but then he played a gig in...

Michael Cook

Apr 152 min read

Tell Her About It - Billy Joel (1983) 2/6/24

Today I'm highlighting one of my all time favorite songs: 1983's '"Tell Her About It" by Billy Joel. The song is one of many Great Songs...

Michael Cook

Apr 152 min read

Urgent - Foreigner (1981) 2/5/24

A great record producer can sometimes pull a great song out of a section of melody...or even a single guitar riff...even if the artist he...

Michael Cook

Apr 151 min read

How Do I Make You - Linda Ronstadt (1980) 2/4/24

Composer Bill Steinberg, who wrote today's Great Song of 1980, admits that "How Do I make You" was inspired by "My Sharona" by The...

Michael Cook

Mar 261 min read

Swearin' to God - Frankie Valli (1975)

Back in 1975, Disco was just starting to take off....and some older, established acts were taking notice. Case in point: Frankie Valli....

Michael Cook

Mar 261 min read

Put a Little Love in Your Heart - Annie Lennox & Al Green (1989)

In 1969, Jackie DeShannon released the quintessential "Peace and Love" song for an era of protest--against the Vietnam War and other...

Great Songs of the '70s!

With Mike Cook

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