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I Need a Lover - John Mellencamp (1979) 11/18/21
Books could be written about today's featured artist. Believe me, even his Wikipedia page reads like a comprehensive biography! My job...

Michael Cook
Nov 18, 20211 min read


Love Will Find a Way - Pablo Cruise (1978) 11/17/21
In the beginning, fans thought San Francisco's Pablo Cruise was the name of one of the guys in the band. When people would ask "Which one...

Michael Cook
Nov 17, 20211 min read


Angel in Your Arms - Hot (1977) 11/16/21
When the Pop/R&B group Hot was recording its self-titled album, lead singer Gwen Owens thought it might be a good idea to include a "soul...

Michael Cook
Nov 16, 20211 min read


I'm Easy - Keith Carradine (1976) 11/15/21
Today, we're highlighting the Oscar-winning song of 1975. It's also the Gold Globe winner, and it currently sits at #81 on the American...

Michael Cook
Nov 14, 20211 min read


Walking in Rhythm - Blackbyrds (1975) 11/14/21
Donald Byrd was a trumpeter and vocalist who was known for his work in Jazz, funk and Rhythm & Blues. He was also an instructor at Howard...

Michael Cook
Nov 14, 20211 min read


Annie's Song - John Denver (1974) 11/13/21
Most of you probably know that John Denver wrote "Annie's Song" for his wife...and although their marriage ended in divorce a few years...

Michael Cook
Nov 13, 20212 min read


Feelin' Stronger Every Day - Chicago (1973) 11/12/21
In 1972, Peter Cetera of Chicago was going through a nasty divorce. As you might expect, he was having a tough time coping with it...but...

Michael Cook
Nov 11, 20211 min read


Scorpio - Dennis Coffey (1972) 11/11/21
You NEVER hear today's "Great Song of 1972" on the radio anymore, and yet it was a HUGE national hit in the US (as well as Canada)....

Michael Cook
Nov 11, 20211 min read


Coat of Many Colors - Dolly Parton (1971) 11/10/21
When Dolly Parton was a little girl, her family was extremely poor. Dolly's mama worked overtime sewing clothes for Dolly and her...

Michael Cook
Nov 10, 20212 min read


He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother -The Hollies/Neil Diamond (1970) 11/9/21
In his 1884 book "The Parables of Jesus," James Wells told the story of a little girl who was walking along, carrying a big baby boy....

Michael Cook
Nov 9, 20212 min read


Dim All the Lights - Donna Summer (1979) 11/8/21
Donna Summer was at the top of her game in 1979--and also at the top of the charts--repeatedly, with SIX "Great Songs" reaching the Top 5...

Michael Cook
Nov 7, 20212 min read


Surrender - Cheap Trick (1978) 11/8/21
There is so much interesting stuff packed into today's "Great Song of 1978," I'll be hard-pressed to cover it all--but I'll try! Rick...

Michael Cook
Nov 7, 20212 min read


Alison - Elvis Costello (1977) 11/6/21
Today, we go back to 1977 for a "Great Song" that's a...well, let's say "conundrum." It's a song that never charted...but is ranked at...

Michael Cook
Nov 6, 20212 min read


Trying to Get the Feeling Again - Barry Manilow (1976) 11/5/21
Several times over the past two years, (including just a few days ago), I've mentioned that Richard Carpenter was always on the lookout...

Michael Cook
Nov 5, 20212 min read


Nights on Broadway - Bee Gees (1975) 11/4/21
Back on August 6th, we highlighted the song "Jive Talking" by the Bee Gees, and how it was originally called "Drive Talking" until...

Michael Cook
Nov 3, 20211 min read


Free Man in Paris - Joni Mitchell (1974) 11/3/21
Singer/Songwriter Joni Mitchell's album "Court and Spark" was one of the most successful albums of 1974. It reached #2 on Billboard's...

Michael Cook
Nov 3, 20211 min read


Daisy a Day - Jud Strunk (1973) 11/2/21
Schmaltz alert! Does anyone other than me remember Jud Strunk? He was a part-time actor, who spent some time in the cast of "Rowan &...

Michael Cook
Nov 2, 20211 min read


Honky Cat - Elton John (1972) 11/1/21
Elton John and his lyricist Bernie Taupin were incredibly prolific during the '70s. Between 1969 and 1972 alone, they released 5 albums,...

Michael Cook
Nov 1, 20211 min read


For All We Know - Carpenters (1971) 10/31/21
Richard Carpenter was always looking for "Great Songs" to record--even when he wasn't. In fact, some of the Carpenters' biggest hits were...

Michael Cook
Oct 30, 20212 min read


Walkin' in the Rain - Jay & The Americans (1970 10/30/21
Today, we celebrate the second anniversary of my “Great Songs of the '70s” blog! It was initially inspired by my friends Kobi Shaw and...

Michael Cook
Oct 29, 20212 min read
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