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Michael Cook
May 14, 20232 min read
Cat's in the Cradle - Harry Chapin (1974) 5/15/23
Today is my son Josh's 48th Birthday. He grew up to be an interesting human being: a Marine veteran, Christian, biker, and, although it's...
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Michael Cook
May 12, 20231 min read
Here Come Those Tears Again - Jackson Browne (1977) 5/13/23
In 1976, when Jackson Browne was working on his "Pretender" album, his wife, model/actress Phyllis Major, died of a drug-related suicide....
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Michael Cook
May 11, 20231 min read
Shannon - Henry Gross (1976) 5/12/23
Your opinion on whether today's highlighted song is a "Great Song of 1976" probably hinges on how you feel about your pets. "Shannon" by...
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Michael Cook
May 11, 20232 min read
Lovin' You - Minnie Riperton (1975) 5/11/23
n 1971, Richard Rudolph and his wife Minnie began writing what later became a "Great Song of 1975." Minnie, of course, was Minnie...
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Michael Cook
May 9, 20232 min read
Clap for the Wolfman - Guess Who (1974) "Did You Boogie with Your Baby - Flash Cadillac (1976) 5/10
Two for One Today! From the early '60s right up until his early death in 1995, Robert Weston Smith was one of the most popular and...
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Michael Cook
May 8, 20231 min read
Out of the Question - Gilbert O'Sullivan (1973) 5/9/23
Gilbert O'Sullivan packed four "Great Songs" into 2-years: 1972 and '1973: "Alone Again Naturally, "Clair, "Get Down," and "Out of the...
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Michael Cook
May 7, 20232 min read
You Don't Mess Around With Jim - Jim Croce (1972) 5/8/23
Did you know that Jim Croce used to work in radio sales? Neither did I. But according to his widow, Ingrid, after Jim graduated from...
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Michael Cook
May 6, 20231 min read
Stick Up - Honey Cone (1971) 5/7/23
Today we're highlighting the best Jackson Five song never recorded by the Jackson Five. In 1970, when when the Jacksons burst on the...
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Michael Cook
May 5, 20232 min read
Are You Ready - Pacific Gas and Electric (1970) 5/6/23
In the early '70s, there were a number of "Pop Gospel" hits, many of which were certainly "Great Songs." Examples include "Spirit in the...
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Michael Cook
May 4, 20232 min read
Soul Man - Blues Brothers/Sam & Dave (1979/67) 5/5/23
During the race riots in 1967, Isaac Hayes noticed that looters would pass by any business that had the word "Soul" painted on it. That...
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Michael Cook
May 3, 20232 min read
We'll Never Have to Say Goodbye Again -England Dan & John Ford Coley (1978) 5/4/23
Sometimes, the only way to give you an idea on what kind of jockeying can go on behind the scenes before a "Great Song of the '70s"...
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Michael Cook
May 3, 20231 min read
Serpentine Fire - Earth, Wind & ire (1977) 5/3/23
Maurice and Verdine White of Earth, Wind, and Fire were deeply spiritual people who were always promoting positive life/health changes...
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Michael Cook
May 2, 20232 min read
Gordon Lightfoot Tribute 5/2/23
One of the most sobering things about writing a "Great Songs of the '70s" blog is the amount of tribute posts I've had to write over the...
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Michael Cook
Apr 30, 20232 min read
LIving in the Past - Jethro Tull (1973) 4/29/23
Since my "Great Songs of the '70s" blog is all about reliving the past, it only seems right that before we wrap it up and move on to the...
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Michael Cook
Apr 30, 20232 min read
Inseparable - Natalie Cole (1975) 5/1/23
The legendary Nat King Cole was a hard act to follow--especially by his daughter Natalie. To her infinite credit, she didn't even...
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Michael Cook
Apr 29, 20231 min read
Kashmir - Led Zeppelin (1975) 4/20/23
When the original members of Led Zeppelin, Robert Plant, Jimmy Page, Jon Bonham and John Paul Jones were asked separately what they...
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Michael Cook
Apr 27, 20232 min read
Daddy Don't You Walk So Fast - Wayne Newton (1972) 4/28/23
Recently, I've been reading some in-depth analyses of '70s music, and how the Top 40 radio mix early in the decade was incredibly diverse...
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Michael Cook
Apr 26, 20231 min read
Remember Me - Diana Ross (1971) 4/27/23
During their time together as husband and wife, Nick Ashford and Valerie Simpson wrote close to 100 "Great Songs." These include "Ain't...
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Michael Cook
Apr 25, 20232 min read
Look What They've Done to My Song. Ma - Melanie/The New Seekers (1970) 4/26/23
Imagine my surprise when I discovered that the title of today's "Great Song of 1970" is NOT "Look What They've Done to My Song, Ma." It's...
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Michael Cook
Apr 24, 20231 min read
Let's Go - The Cars (1979) 4/25/23
By 1979, The Cars had already "driven" up the charts with "Great Songs from their self-titled debut album," including "Just What I...
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