Sugar Town - Nancy Sinatra

"Sugar Town" is a song written by songwriter-producer Lee Hazlewood and first recorded by American singer Nancy Sinatra in 1966. As a single released under the Reprise label, it peaked at number five on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in December 1966, while reaching number one on the Easy Listening chart in January 1967. The song was included on Nancy Sinatra's LP, Sugar, also released in 1966, and was featured in her 1967 TV special Movin' with Nancy, released on home video in 2000.

Carol Brown - Flight of the Conchords

Carol Brown is a homage to the Paul Simon song "50 Ways To Leave Your Lover". In "50 Ways" the singer suggests a number of ways that a man can escape an unwanted relationship, including "hop on a bus". In "Carol Brown", Jemaine sings "there must be 50 ways that lovers have left me" and it instead describes all the ways that women have left Jemaine, including "Carol Brown" who "took a bus out of town". Jemaine is accompanied by a chorus of women playing his ex-girlfriends. They sing about his many deficiencies as a boyfriend. If this song doesn't make you smile, nothing will. 

Galbi - Ofra Haza

"Galbi" is an Arabic poem by the 17th century Yemenite Rabbi Shalom Shabazi which later was set to music, and was sung by Israeli Yemenite singer Ofra Haza. Here is the 1988 remix of the song, taken from the album Shaday. "Galbi" was originally recorded in 1984. 

Rip it Up - Orange Juice

Rip It Up is the second album released by Scottish post-punk band Orange Juice. It was released in 1982. This album contains their hit song of the same name, which reached the Top 10. Rip it Up reached number 8 on the UK Singles Chart in February 1983, the band's only UK Top 40 hit. Orange Juice's guitarish was Edwyn Collins who had a hit with the song " A Girl Like You." 

Laura - Scissor Sisters

"Laura" is a song by American glam rock band Scissor Sisters and is the lead track on their self-titled debut album. It was released as the band's first single in October 2003 in the UK, placing at #54 in the UK Singles Chart. It was later re-issued on June 7, 2004, charting at #12 in the same chart.

I am always amazed as American bands that make it in the UK and not the USA. This is one of my favorite songs. Why America never discovered it, is a puzzlement to me. 

o'oh - Yoko Ono

‘O’Oh’ is a peace anthem from Yoko, except this time a little bit more laidback and with a solid R&B groove. It takes place on the 4th of July in New York City, with the lyrics describing a scene of complete harmony and joy, and then in the chorus Yoko tells us how she never thought any of this was possible in times of war and unrest. It’s a beautiful message, and is made all the more international by the fact that Yoko is singing about July 4 but was not born in America, she’s of course Japanese. She’s using July 4th as an example of a holiday filled with peace, not a celebration of one nation, but of freedom.

But the production and remix is what really makes this special. Usually backed by either screeching guitars, new wave synths or relentless club beats, it’s so refreshing to hear Yoko in a different setting. You can almost see her in a little jazz bar, quietly grooving to this in the corner while the small band plays around her. She’s a chameleon.

Miss Broadway - Belle Epoque

Miss Broadway by Belle Epoque charted at number 26 on the U.S. R&B chart and at number 92 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1978. Belle Epoque (also referenced in some sources as La Belle Epoque) was a female vocal trio, based inParis, France. I don't think that there is another disco song that sounds anything like it. It has a great beat, the vocals are a cross between screaming and something indescribable but it's the strange fiddle music and wild fade out music that ties it all together as being quite original. 

You Can't Win - Michael Jackson

You Can't Win" is an R&B, pop and soul song performed by Michael Jackson, who played Scarecrow in the 1978 musical film The Wiz.

After the original soundtrack version was recorded, Michael Jackson and Quincy Jones went back into the studio and re-recorded the track. It was the re-recording that was released in January 1979 as the second single from The Wiz: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack, following the release of "Ease On Down the Road" in 1978, and was Michael's first solo chart single on Epic Records. The 7" version included "You Can't Win, parts 1 & 2". The full length version was released on 12" and was included on The Ultimate Collection in 2004.

The single only charted in the United States, where it reached number 81 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 42 on the R&B singles chart. 

In 1982, part 2 of the song, in which Michael Jackson repeatedly sings "Can't Get Outta The Game", was dusted off, given a couple of vocal overdubs, was renamed "Can't Get Outta The Rain" and became the B-side of the first single of his landmark album Thriller: "The Girl Is Mine".

When We Grow Up - Diana Ross

When We Grow Up was a song featured in the TV Special Free To Be...You and Me. "When We Grow Up" was performed by Diana Ross on the album and by Roberta Flack and a teenage Michael Jackson on the special. Love the song and love the message.

Papa Was a Rolling Stone - The Temptations

"Papa Was a Rollin' Stone" is a psychedelic soul song, written by Motown songwriters Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong as a single for Motown act The Undisputed Truth in 1971. This version of "Papa" was released as a single in early 1972, and peaked at number 63 on the pop charts and number 24 on the R&B charts.

Later in 1972, Whitfield, who also produced the song, took "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone" and remade it as a 12-minute record for The Temptations, which was a number-one hit on the Billboard Hot 100 and won three Grammy Awards in 1973. While the original Undisputed Truth version of the song has been largely forgotten, The Temptations' version of the song has been an enduring and influential soul classic. It was ranked #168 on Rolling Stone's list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time, one of the group's three songs on the list. In retrospect, The Temptations' Otis Williams considers "Papa" to be the last real classic the group recorded.

Hotel California - Gipsy Kings

Gipsy Kings. Their cover version of "Hotel California" is an example of fast flamenco guitar leads and rhythmic strumming. Love this version.

Don't Cry For Me Argentina - Madonna

"Don't Cry for Me Argentina" is a song from the 1978 musical Evita with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Tim Rice. Sung by the title character Eva Perón, it was titled "It's Only Your Lover Returning" before Rice settled on the eventual name. It appears early in the second act as Evita addresses the crowd from the balcony of the Casa Rosada and features a sweeping melody tied to broad emotional themes of regret and defiance, characteristic of Lloyd Webber's most popular songs. Madonna did an amazing job. This is one of my favorite songs to this day. 

City of Roses - Seafood Mama

Since this is Rose Festival time I thought I would post this gem of a B-side, City of Roses by Seafood Mama, which would later become Quarterflash. Seafood Mama originally released "Harden My Heart" in the spring of 1980 (with the B-side track being "City of Roses"). "Harden My Heart" was a big hit on Portland radio stations and got the band a one-hour TV special, Seafood Mama In Concert, on KOIN on June 5, 1980. "Harden My Heart" would later be rerecorded by the band after they renamed themselves Quarterflash. The name came from an Australian slang description of new immigrants as "one quarter flash and three parts foolish". If you've never heard this song here is your chance.

It Ain't Over Til It's Over - Lenny Kravitz

"It Ain't Over 'til It's Over" is a song recorded, written, and produced by Lenny Kravitz for his second studio album, Mama Said (1991). Released as the album's second single in June 1991, the song is a mid-tempo ballad, musically inspired by Motown, Philly soul, and Earth, Wind & Fire. The horn line at the end is actually performed by the Phenix Horns from Earth, Wind & Fire. The line is based on a quotation from Yogi Berra: "It ain't over 'til it's over." It was his first Top 10 on Billboard Hot 100 of his career, is still his best peak in the chart.

Home Again - Carole King

Tapestry is a pop album by singer-songwriter Carole King, released in 1971 on Ode Records and produced by Lou Adler. It is one of the best-selling albums of all-time, with over 25 million copies sold worldwide. In the United States, it has been certified diamond by the RIAA with more than 10 million copies sold. It received four Grammy Awards in 1972, including Album of the Year. Here is one of my favorites from the album. Home Again.

Dumb Blonde - Dolly Parton

"Dumb Blonde" Dolly Parton's first country single (one of the few songs during this era that she recorded but did not write), reached #24 on the country music chart in early 1967. The song anchored her first full-length album, Hello, I'm Dolly.

Summer Night City - ABBA

"Summer Night City" is a song recorded by the Swedish pop group ABBA, written by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus as a tribute to their hometown of Stockholm. It is the group's second non-album single, released on 6 September 1978. It was originally intended as the lead single from the group's upcoming Voulez-Vous album, but was eventually not included. However, it was featured as a bonus track on the 1997 CD re-issue. ABBA in all their glorious fabulousness.

Oh! You Pretty Things - Peter Noone

"Oh! You Pretty Things" is a song written by David Bowie in 1971 for the album Hunky Dory. The song was first released by Peter Noone of Herman's Hermits, in a single on which Bowie played piano. It became a #12 hit in mid-1971.

Song Sung Blue - Altered Images

Altered Images were an early 1980s Scottish new wave/post-punk band. Led by lead singer Clare Grogan, the band branched into mainstream pop music, and had six UK Top 40 hit singles and three Top 30 albums between 1981 and 1983. They quickly became established as one of the biggest new wave acts around, and were subsequently voted "Best New Group" at the NME Awards and "Most Promising New Act" in the 1981 Smash Hits readers poll. Here is a great cover of the Neil Diamond classic. 

If I thought you'd ever change your mind - Agnetha Faltskog

"If I Thought You'd Ever Change Your Mind" is a song that was originally performed by Cilla Black produced by George Martin. It reached number 20 in the UK charts in 1969. In 2004, it was covered by Agnetha Fältskog of ABBA and was the first single from her eleventh solo album, and her first single release in 17 years. Her recording reached number two in Sweden and number eleven in the UK, selling a total of 21,000 copies, 11,000 of those in the first week. It became her highest charting single in the UK since her English solo recording career commenced in 1982. I love this song.

On The Beach - The Flirts

The Flirts, a trio created and masterminded by Hi-NRG mogul Bobby "O" Orlando, are composed of one blonde, one brunette, and one redhead. They are best known for the song "Jukebox (Don't Put Another Dime)". Here is a gem from their album 10 cents a dance. On the beach. Perfect for summer.  

 

Strawberry Letter 23 - Brothers Johnson

"Strawberry Letter 23" is a song written by Shuggie Otis, and best known by the version recorded by The Brothers Johnson.It is said that Otis wrote the song for a girlfriend who used strawberry-scented paper when she wrote letters to him, but Otis himself says that is not true. He recorded it for his 1971 album Freedom Flight.

George Johnson of the Brothers Johnson was dating one of Otis' cousins when he came across the album Freedom Flight. The group recorded "Strawberry Letter 23" for their 1977 album Right on Time, which was produced by Quincy Jones, and the album went platinum. They recorded the song in a funkier, more dance-oriented vein than the original Otis version. Their rendition hit the Hot 100 and peaked at number five and reached number one on the Soul Singles chart in 1977. Studio guitar player Lee Ritenour recreated Otis' original guitar solo for the Brothers Johnson cover.

Run Runaway - Slade

"Run Runaway" is a hard rock song performed by the English band Slade. It reached No. 7 in the UK Singles Chart, and proved to be the band's last U.K. Top 10 hit single.

The Amazing Kamikaze Syndrome album was released in 1984 in the United States with a different track listing under the title Keep Your Hands Off My Power Supply. That same year, the single "Run Runaway" became the band's biggest American hit, benefiting from heavy play on MTV, peaking at No. 20 and spending a total of eight weeks on the Billboard Hot 100's Top 40. It was also number one for two weeks on the Billboard Top Tracks chart.

Language is a Virus - Laurie Anderson

Language is a virus by Laurie Anderson is from the album Home of the Brave released in 1986.
"Language Is a Virus" was originally titled "Language is a virus from outer space - William S. Burroughs."

Arrow Through Me - Wings

"Arrow Through Me" is an R&B song by Wings. It was the A-side of the second US single released from Back to the Egg and peaked at number 29. The B-side was "Old Siam, Sir", which was the A-side of the first UK single. The rumour that it inspired ABC's 1982 hit "Poison Arrow" is false, although there are similarities in its music video to that of Wings' "Goodnight Tonight", released the same year.

Everybody's Got to Learn Sometime - The Korgis

"Everybody's Got to Learn Sometime" is a hit single written by James Warren and first performed by the pop band The Korgis, of which Warren was lead singer.

The song was released in 1980 from the group's second album Dumb Waiters. The single reached #5 on the UK Singles Chart and #18 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart. The song topped the singles charts at #1 in France, #1 in Spain, #3 in Netherlands, #3 in Germany, and #18 in Australia. 

Different - Cass Elliott

Here is a real forgotten gem by Cass Elliott called Different that was featured in the movie Pufnstuf from 1970. A soundtrack album was released on LP, cassette and 8-track in 1970 (Capitol Records) featuring the songs and the score by Charles Fox. One of my favorites. 

Moon River - Andy Williams

"Moon River" is a song composed by Henry Mancini with lyrics written by Johnny Mercer. It received an Academy Award for Best Original Song for its first performance by Audrey Hepburn in the 1961 movie Breakfast at Tiffany's. It also won Mancini the 1962 Grammy Award for Record of the Year and Mercer the Grammy Award for Song of the Year.

It became the theme song for Andy Williams, who first recorded it in 1961 and performed it at the Academy Awards ceremonies in 1962.

Liar - Rollins Band

Liar" is a song by Rollins Band and the lead single from their fourth full-length album, Weight, released in 1994. It was the album's only charting single and one of the group's best known songs.
"Liar" was named the 64th best hard rock song of all time by VH1. It was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Heavy Metal Performance.

It is one of the best songs EVER if you have had a bad day to play very loud. I promise.

I Don't Care Anymore - Phil Collins

I Don't Care Anymore" is a song by Phil Collins from his second solo album Hello, I Must Be Going!.

The song is very dark, which follows a vast majority of songs from the album. The song can be compared to his earlier hit single "In the Air Tonight", as both have very "powerful" drums along with simple keyboard chords and guitar riffs, along with the lyrics which are directed at the anger that Collins had over his first marriage.  The song gave Collins his first Grammy Award nomination for Best Male Rock Vocal Performancein 1984.

To me this is the ultimate ANGRY song. I listen to it quite frequently because sometimes, I just don't care anymore. 

Lucky Number - Lene Lovich

Lene Lovich (born 30 March 1949) is an American singer of English descent based in England, who first gained attention as part of the New Wave music scene of the late 1970s and early 1980s. Her most popular hit single was "Lucky Number", first released in 1978.

If you want to sing out, sing out - Cat Stevens

"If You Want To Sing Out, Sing Out" is a popular song by Cat Stevens. It first appeared in the 1971 film Harold and Maude.

Stevens wrote all the songs in Harold and Maude in 1970-1971, during the time he was writing and recording his Tea for the Tillerman album. However, "If You Want to Sing Out, Sing Out" and two other songs from that period were not released as singles nor placed on any album at that time. No official soundtrack was released from the film at that time. A truely forgotten gem. 

Well, if you want to sing out, sing out
And if you want to be free, be free
'Cause there's a million things to be
You know that there are

And if you want to live high, live high
And if you want to live low, live low
'Cause there's a million ways to go
You know that there are

[Chorus:]
You can do what you want
The opportunity's on
And if you can find a new way
You can do it today
You can make it all true
And you can make it undo
you see ah ah ah
its easy ah ah ah
You only need to know

Well if you want to say yes, say yes
And if you want to say no, say no
'Cause there's a million ways to go
You know that there are

And if you want to be me, be me
And if you want to be you, be you
'Cause there's a million things to do
You know that there are

[Chorus]

Well, if you want to sing out, sing out
And if you want to be free, be free
'Cause there's a million things to be
You know that there are
You know that there are
You know that there are
You know that there are
You know that there are