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

Jun 23, 20231 min read

Ride Like the Wind - Christopher Cross (1980) 6/24/23

As the 1980s began, a new artist blew onto the charts with the first of many Great Songs. In late December of '79, Christopher Cross...

Michael Cook

Jun 22, 20232 min read

I Hate Myself for Loving You - Joan Jett & The Blackhearts (1988) 6/23/23

My friends at the Chippewa Valley Theatre Guild are presenting the musical "Rock of Ages" this weekend at the Pablo Center in Eau Claire....

Michael Cook

Jun 21, 20232 min read

Eternal Flame - The Bangles (1989) 6/22/23

In 1988, when Susanna Hoffs, lead singer of the Bangles met songwriters Billy Steinberg and Tom Kelly, they decided to join forces and...

Michael Cook

Jun 20, 20231 min read

Pour Some Sugar on Me - Def Leppard (1988) 6/21/23

When Joe Elliott, front man for Def Leppard was asked what his musical influences were, he said, "Everything I've ever listened to!"...

Michael Cook

Jun 19, 20231 min read

Little Lies - Fleetwood Mac (1987) 6/20/27

The late Christine McVie was a world-class singer, songwriter and Keyboardist--who certainly lived up to her her maiden name: Christine...

Michael Cook

Jun 19, 20231 min read

The Search is Over - Survivor (1985) 6/19/23

Jim Peterik of the group Survivor was always a sucker for a good title. Take today's Great Song of 1985 for example. "Jim came up with...

Michael Cook

Jun 17, 20231 min read

Daddy's Hands - Holly Dunn (1986) 6/18/23 (Father's Day)

Happy Father's Day! In the late '80s, I was Operations Manager at WDEZ/WRIG in Wausau, Wisconsin. While I held down a regular air shift...

Michael Cook

Jun 16, 20232 min read

All Night Long - Lionel Ritchie (1984) 6/17/23

Lionel Ritchie was having no end of trouble trying to finish today's Great Song of the '80s. He knew what he wanted: An...

Michael Cook

Jun 15, 20231 min read

Every Breath You Take - The Police (1983) 6/16/23

Billboard's #1 song for the year 1983 is one of the most misinterpreted songs of all time. "Every Breath You Take" by the Police is NOT a...

Michael Cook

Jun 14, 20231 min read

Hurt So Good - John Cougar mellencamp (1981) 6/14/23

John Mellencamp had a title running through his head. He knew it would be a Great Song, but it needed to be written, so he mentioned it...

Michael Cook

Jun 14, 20231 min read

Back on the Chain Gang - Pretenders (1982) 6/15/23

In 1982, Chrissie Hynde of The Pretenders was going through a tough time. She was pregnant by Ray Davies of the Kinks, and that was...

Michael Cook

Jun 13, 20232 min read

Morning Train (9 to 5) - Sheena Easton (1981) 6/13/23

In 1980, Sheena Easton was studying at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama...when the producers of a British TV show called...

Michael Cook

Jun 11, 20231 min read

Three Times in Love - Tommy James (1979/80) 6/12/23

Today, we're going to dip our toes back into the '70s...but just for a moment. In December of 1979, '60s legend Tommy James (of the...

Michael Cook

Jun 10, 20231 min read

Right Here Waiting - Richard Marx (1989) 6/11/23

Early in his career, Richard Marx had written a song so personal, he had no intention of recording it for release. "Right Here Waiting"...

Michael Cook

Jun 9, 20232 min read

Got My Mind Set on You - George Harrison (1987/88) 6/10/23

Here's a little music trivia for you: The first Beatle to have a solo #1 hit after the band broke up, was also the LAST Beatle to have a...

Michael Cook

Jun 7, 20232 min read

Easy Lover - Phillip Bailey & Phil Collins (1985) 6/8/23

When Phillip Bailey of Earth, Wind and Fire was putting together his solo album, "Chinese Wall" in 1984, he made two excellent decisions:...

Michael Cook

Jun 6, 20231 min read

Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go! -Wham (1984) 6/7/23

Andrew Ridgely shared a home with his parents in the early days before he and George Michael hit the big time with Wham. One day, he...

Michael Cook

Jun 6, 20231 min read

Jeopardy - Greg Kihn Band (1984) 6/6/23

Plot: A man is about to marry. He gets an extreme case of cold feet, then falls asleep and dreams that his bride and all the guests turn...

Michael Cook

Jun 4, 20232 min read

Hard to Say I'm Sorry - Chicago (1983) 6/5/23

It may seem hard to believe, but when 1982 rolled around, the group Chicago hadn't had a hit in four years. In fact, nothing they had...

Michael Cook

Jun 3, 20231 min read

Jessie's Girl - Rick Springfield (1981) 6/4/23

First of all, there was never a Jessie. It was Gary. Gary was a guy in Rick Springfield's stained glass art class who had a gorgeous...

Great Songs of the '70s!

With Mike Cook

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