Loves Me Like a Rock (1973) 11/5/20

Ahh, to be a radio DJ in 1973. Those were the days when all of us “Good Guys” at WOHO in Toledo were playing the hits and having lots of fun making up cute little puns to introduce songs—like today's “Great Song of the '70s.”

For example: “Here's Paul Simon! She “Loves Me Like a Rock,” but she always takes me for granite.”

I think ALL of us used that line once or twice. And I may have used it once or twice at the oldies stations I worked at later in my career. :-).

But what about the song itself?

Paul Simon was in the mood to do a gospel-flavored tune for his 1973 album, “There Goes Rhymin' Simon.” To assist him, he called on the Dixie Hummingbirds, a black gospel group that had been around in one form or another since the 1920s (and, in fact, is still making music today...100 years later)!

Although the lyrics are only marginally religious, the musical style is definitely “gospel,” and it was definitely a hit, reaching #1 on Billboard's Easy Listening Chart and #2 on the Hot 100. In Canada, it was #1 on the Pop Chart and #5 on The Top 40.

The Dixie Hummingbirds loved the song so much, they recorded their own version—and won the 1974 Grammy for “Best Soul Gospel Performance! (Check it out below!)

Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a “Great Song of the '70s” to introduce:

From 1973, here's Paul Simon, and “Loves Me Like a Rock.” I guess that makes me her “Limestone Cowboy!”

Or how about: From 1974, here are the Dixie Hummingbirds and “Loves Me Like a Rock.” I guess you could say I “boulder over!” (Okay, I promise to stop now!)