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Michael Cook
Dec 7, 20211 min read
Suspicions - Eddie Rabbitt (1979) 12/8/21
Songwriting can be difficult. Or not. Sometimes it takes months, even years to perfect a "Great Song." Or not. And sometimes someone in...
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Michael Cook
Dec 6, 20211 min read
Shame - Evelyn "Champagne" King (1978) 12/7/21
In 1977, 17-year-old Evelyn "Champagne" King released her debut album, "Smooth Talk," and the word "Smooth" was certainly accurate. In...
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Michael Cook
Dec 5, 20211 min read
Black Betty -Ram Jam (1977) 12/6/21
Folk and blues legend Lead Belly originally recorded today's "Great Song of the '70s" back in 1939, but the song goes all the way back to...
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Michael Cook
Dec 4, 20211 min read
Today's the Day -America (1975) 12/5/21
Like many musicians, Dan Peek of the group America had a home studio he liked to tinker in, and sometimes he'd invite some friends over...
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Michael Cook
Dec 3, 20211 min read
It's Only Rock & Roll (But I Like It!)- Rolling Stones (1974) 12/4/21
Mick Jagger was fed up. By 1974, it seemed that every new Rolling Stones album and single were being criticized for "not being as good as...
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Michael Cook
Dec 2, 20211 min read
Hello, It's Me - Todd Rundgren (1973) 12/3/21
The very first song ever written by reluctant Rock and Roll Hall-of-Famer Todd Rundgren became a "Great Song of the '70s!" Eventually. ...
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Michael Cook
Dec 1, 20211 min read
Play Me - Neil Diamond (1972) 12/2/21
It's interesting to note that, for some people, their like or dislike of Neil Diamond's 1972 hit "Play Me" boils down to how they feel...
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Michael Cook
Nov 30, 20211 min read
An Old Fashioned Love Song - Three Dog Night (1971) 12/1/21
Sometimes in the music business, some pretty smart people make some pretty big mistakes. Several times in the past, I've mentioned that...
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Michael Cook
Nov 30, 20211 min read
Love Or Let Me Be Lonely - Friends of Distinction (1970) 11/30/21
Back in the Mid-60s, Football Hall-of-Fame fullback Jim Brown was responsible for some "Great Plays" both on and off the gridiron. Away...
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Michael Cook
Nov 29, 20211 min read
Blow Away - George Harrison (1979) 11/29/21
It was a rainy day in England, and over at George Harrison's house, he was dealing with a leaky roof. He was frustrated and feeling...
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Michael Cook
Nov 27, 20211 min read
Back in Love Again - LTD (1978) 11/28/21
Here's a name that may or may not ring a bell: Jeffrey Osborne. Jeffrey is a Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter/musician/and lyricist who...
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Michael Cook
Nov 26, 20212 min read
Send in the Clowns - Judy Collins (1975) 11/27/21
As I have written entries for my "Great Song" blog over the past 25 months, I have used the word "legendary" quite a few times for...
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Michael Cook
Nov 25, 20211 min read
Life in the Fast Lane - Eagles (1977) 11/26/21
One day in 1975, Glen Frey of the Eagles was riding in a car driven by his drug dealer---a guy known as "The Count." It seems The Count...
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Michael Cook
Nov 24, 20212 min read
Times of Your Life - Paul Anka (1976) 11/25/21
Remember those golden days of yesteryear when you didn't have 500 pictures of Thanksgiving dinner on your cell phone? Let's go back to...
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Michael Cook
Nov 23, 20212 min read
Listen To What the Man Said - Paul McCartney & Wings (1975) 11/24/21
Paul McCartney was frustrated. He was putting together his 1975 album "Venus & Mars" with Linda and Wings, and he was working on a song...
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Michael Cook
Nov 23, 20211 min read
I'll Have to Say I Love You in a Song - Jim Croce (1974) 11/23/21
It's ironic and sad that Jim Croce did not live long enough to enjoy the successes that came with some of his best work. Case in point:...
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Michael Cook
Nov 21, 20211 min read
Let's Get It On - Marvin Gaye (1973) 11/22/21
Singer/songwriter Ed Townsend wrote today's "Great Song of 1973." Sort of. Ed's song was somewhat autobiographical and religious in...
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Michael Cook
Nov 20, 20212 min read
Sunshine - Jonathan Edwards (1972) 11/21/21
Today's "Great Song of 1972" didn't "sound" like a protest song--it was rather bright and cheery--at least at first listen--but...
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Michael Cook
Nov 19, 20211 min read
Yo-Yo - The Osmonds (1971) 11/20/21
"Osmania" was running wild in the early '70s: The Osmonds could do no wrong. If Donny wasn't at the top of the charts with his kiddie-pop...
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Michael Cook
Nov 18, 20212 min read
I'll Never Fall in Love Again - Dionne Warwick (and others) (1970) 11/19/21
Today's "Great Song" is MORE than just Great...it's iconic! "I'll Never Fall in Love Again" was written by the legendary songwriting duo...
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