Spotlight: "Valentine's Special" - songs of love and romance.
Rockin' Remnants is broadcast from WVBR-FM Ithaca. Check out our webpage, like us on Facebook, and tune in to 93.5 or stream the show every Saturday night from 6-9pm! (Or download the WVBR+ app now available for iOS and Android!)
·all chart information comes from the Billboard Top 100 (for chart dates before/during July 1958) or Billboard Hot 100 (for chart dates during/after Aug 1958) unless otherwise noted
·a glossary of terms is below the playlist
6:00 - 7:00
OPENING THEME: Good Old Rock ‘n’ Roll – Cat Mother & the All-Night Newsboys (1969 - #29: produced by Jimi Hendrix)
This Guy's in Love With You - Herb Alpert (1968 - #1: the Burt Bacharach-Hal David written tune spent 4 weeks at #1; it was released as a single after being used in a TV special hosted by Alpert, who felt the song fit his trumpet playing and limited vocal ability)
(Night Time Is) The Right Time - Ray Charles (1959 - #95: song went to #5 on the R&B charts)
I Got You Babe - Sonny & Cher (1965 - #1: song was written by Sonny Bono and spent 3 weeks at #1; song ranks #444/RS500)
I Only Have Eyes for You - The Flamingos (1959 - #11: classic doo-wop cover of song written in 1934, it ranks #157/RS500)
I Second That Emotion - Smokey Robinson and the Miracles (1967 - #4: Robinson co-wrote the song and the group was backed by the Motown house band, the Funk Brothers)
My True Love - Jack Scott (1958 - #3: one of 19 charting singles for the singer out of Ontario, Canada)
God Only Knows - The Beach Boys (1966 - #39: one of the most beautiful pop songs ever written, it ranks #25/RS500; from the classic LP "Pet Sounds")
(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman - Aretha Franklin (1967 - #8: song was written by Carole King and Gerry Goffin and ranks #90/RS500)
Is It Any Wonder - The Turtles (1967 - NR; 1970 - DNC: song was an LP-only release on "The Turtles Golden Hits" in 1967, it was then released as a single in 1970 but did not chart; coulda, shoulda, woulda been a hit?)
For Your Love - Ed Townsend (1958 - #13: Townsend wrote this song, which became his only Top 40 hit)
My Guy- Mary Wells (1964 - #1: song spent 2 weeks at #1 and was written and produced by Smokey Robinson)
My Girl - The Temptations (1965 - #1: song was co-written by Smokey Robinson and ranks #88/RS500)
You're the One - The Vogues (1965 - #4: first charting single for the group out of Turtle Creek, Pa.)
Misty - Johnny Mathis (1959 - #12: Mathis' signature song)
Eight Days a Week - The Beatles (1965 - #1: song topped the charts for two weeks and was one of the first songs to have a fade in)
Everybody Loves Somebody - Dean Martin (1964 - #1: Martin's first Top 40 single since 1958, the song even knocked the Beatles' "A Hard Day's Night" out of the #1 spot)
7:00 - 8:00 The Birthday Calendar
February 2: Stan Getz - b. 1927 Graham Nash - 83 Edna Wright (Honey Cone) - b. 1945
February 3: Angelo D'Aleo (The Belmonts) - 84 Dennis Edwards (The Temptations) - b. 1943 Johnny Cymbal - b. 1945 Dave Davies (The Kinks) - 78 Melanie [Safka] - b. 1947
February 4: Florence LaRue (The 5th Dimension) - 83 Marguerite and Mary Ann Ganser (The Shangri-las) - b. 1948 James Dunn (The Stylistics) - 75
February 5: Claude King - b. 1923 Barrett Strong - b. 1941 Cory Wells [Emil Lewandowski] (3 Dog Night) - b. 1942 Al Kooper [Kuperschmidt] - 81
February 6: Fabian [Fabiano Anthony Forte] - 82 Georgeanna Tillman (The Marvelettes) - b. 1944
February 7: Bob Kuban - b. 1943
February 8: Terry Melcher [Terrance Jorden] - b. 1942 Creed Bratton [William Schneider] - 82 "England" Dan Seals - b. 1948
The Girl From Ipanema - Stan Getz w/ Astrud Gilberto (1964 - #5: we heard the 2:44 single version of this bossa Nova classic)
Our House - Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young (1970 - #30: former Hollie Graham Nash wrote this when he lived with Joni Mitchell)
One Monkey Don't Stop No Show - Honey Cone (1972 - #15: Edna Wright was lead singer for the female R&B trio)
Where or When - Dion & the Belmonts (1960 - #3: song was written by Rodgers & Hart in 1937)
Ball of Confusion - The Temptations (1970 - #3: Dennis Edwards took over lead vocals when David Ruffin left the group in 1968)
Cinnamon - Derek (1968 - #11: stage name under which Johnny Cymbal, from Ochitree, Scotland, sometimes preformed)
You Really Got Me - The Kinks (1964 - #7: Dave Davies was lead guitarist for the British band; song was their first charting single and ranks #82/RS500)
Lay Down (Candles in the Rain) - Melanie (1970 - #6: song was inspired by her Woodstock experience; the Edwin Hawkins Singers provided backing vocals)
Never My Love - The 5th Dimension (1971 - #12: their cover of the Association hit)
Give Him a Great Big Kiss - The Shangri-las (1965 - #18: a departure from the girl group's usual songs of teenage angst)
45 Corner
I'm Stone in Love With You - The Stylistics (1972 - #10: song was a million-seller for the soul group out of Philadelphia)
Wolverton Mountain - Claude King (1962 - #6: country crossover song about a real place in Arkansas and a real person, Clifton Clowers, who was a veteran of World War I)
Money (That's What I Want) - Barrett Strong (1960 - #23: Strong was perhaps better known as a song writer; this one ranks #288/RS500)
Mama Told Me Not to Come - 3 Dog Night (1970 - #1: song spent 2 weeks at #1 and featured lead vocals by Buffalo-born Cory Wells)
8:00 - 9:00
I Can't Quit Her - Blood, Sweat, and Tears (1968 - DNC: from the group's first LP when they were led by Al Kooper, who left after this album)
Tiger - Fabian (1959 - #9: Fabian was one of the "teen idols" of the late '50s and early '60s)
Beechwood 4-5789 - The Marvelettes (1962 - #17: the girl group trio was from Inkster, Michigan)
The Cheater - Bob Kuban and the In-Men (1966 - #12: Kuban was the drummer and bandleader of the group)
Summer Means Fun - Bruce & Terry (1964 - #72: although better known for producing acts like The Byrds and Paul Revere and the Raiders, Terry Melcher teamed up with Bruce Johnston to sneak this single onto the charts)
Lovin' Things - The Grass Roots (1969 - #49: Creed Bratton played guitar for the group and later went on to co-star on the TV show "The Office")
I'd Really Love to See You Tonight - "England" Dan and John Ford Coley (1976 - #2: "Play That Funky Music" by Wild Cherry kept this soft rocker out of the top spot)
My Love - Petula Clark (1966 - #1: song was #1 on this date 59 years ago)
Then You Can Tell Me Goodbye - The Casinos (1967 - #6: song was written by John D. Loudermilk in 1962; only Top 40 hit for the nine-member doo-wop group from Cincinnati)
Everything That Touches You - The Association (1968 - #10: song made its chart debut on 2/3/68)
Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me - Mel Carter (1965 - #8: song was a #7 hit for Karen Chandler in 1952)
*Love Train - The O'Jays (1973 - #1: song spent 1 week at #1 in March of '73)
*Wendy - The Beach Boys (1964 - #44: Brian Wilson said that he wrote the song to imitate the Four Seasons)
Your Song - Elton John (1971 - #8: song ranks #136/RS500)
You Belong to Me - The DuPrees (1962 - #7: song was a #1 hit for Jo Stafford in 1952)
Goodnight My Love - Jesse Belvin (1956 - #7 R&B: Belvin co-wrote "Earth Angel"; this song is a popular oldies show sign-off)
CLOSING THEME: Sleepwalk – Santo & Johnny (1959 - #1 for two weeks; brothers Santo [steel guitar] and Johnny [rhythm guitar] Farina from Brooklyn)
Rockin' Remnants is broadcast from WVBR-FM Ithaca. Check out our webpage,
like us on Facebook,
and tune in to 93.5 or stream
the show every Saturday night from 6-9pm! (Or download the WVBR+ app now available for iOS and
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Thanks to
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week!
Date: 2/1/25
Host: John
Simon
Feature: Songs
Debuting in February
It
may be winter outside, but it doesn't have to be that way on your
radio. We'll open with some snowy tunes and then we'll fill the airwaves
with a bunch of songs that debuted in Februaries past. British
Invasion, Motown, garage bands, love songs....something for everybody,
plus a chance to win some cool loot. 6-9pm on Rockin' Remnants - WVBR. Everybody rides for free!
Rock ‘n’ Roll
Trivia
Poet Shel
Silverstein wrote Dr. Hook’s #5 hit “Sylvia’s Mother.” Can you name two other
Top 40 hits that came from the pen of Shel Silverstein?
(scroll down to find the answer below the
playlist – and to find a glossary of terms)
Playlist
·YouTube links follow
certain entries
·songs with * were
requests
·all chart information
comes from the Billboard Top 100 (for chart dates before/during July 1958) or
Billboard Hot 100 (for chart dates during/after Aug 1958) unless otherwise
noted
·a glossary of terms is
below the playlist
6-7pm
OPENING THEME:
Good Old Rock ‘n’ Roll – Cat Mother & the All-Night Newsboys (1969, #29,
produced by Jimi Hendrix)
It May Be
Winter Outside (But in My Heart It’s Spring) – Felice Taylor (2/67; #42 – this Motown sound-alike was actually
recorded down in Muscle Shoals and released on the tiny Mustang Records label,
and happened to be written by a young Barry White! We open tonight’s show with
some snowy songs.)
New York’s a
Lonely Town – Trade Winds (2/6/65 > #32 – songwriters Pete Anders and Vini Poncia recorded under several monikers
when they weren’t writing for Phil Spector groups, and this was one of their
aliases. Released on the Red Bird label, it’s a perennial wintertime favorite
back east.)
I Wish You
Could Be Here – Cyrkle (2/4/67 > #70 – this
was the second single released by the band that was co-written by Paul Simon
and Bruce Woodley, and it didn’t do nearly as well as “Red Rubber Ball” had.
That said, it matches this wintry upstate night just perfectly.)
Ask the Lonely
– Four Tops (2/6/65 > #24 Pop, #9 R&B – I actually hit the wrong button, and this one played instead of the
next one – but it was the first Motown release of the year, and 1965 would be
very good to Motown acts. This is Levi Stubbs at his plaintive best, with vocal
support from the other three Tops and
The Andantes.)
Our Winter
Love – Bill Pursell (2/2/63 > #9 Pop, #20 R&B – Nashville
was home to two fine session pianists: this guy and Floyd Cramer. This was Bill
Pursell’s only charting single under his name, and it features a fuzz bass
mixed with dreamy vocal accompaniment. Perfect fireside music on a cold night!)
Since I Don’t
Have You – Skyliners (2/16/59 > #12 Pop, #3 R&B – they were five kids from Pennsylvania led by singer Jimmy Beaumont,
and they all shared writing credit on this single. It actually did better on
Soul stations, and is a staple on any Oldies show that’s worth its salt.)
People Get
Ready – Impressions (2/20/65 > #14 Pop, #3 R&B – Rolling Stone Magazine has ranked this as #24 in its list of the
greatest songs ever. Curtis Mayfield wrote it and played the guitar solo in it,
and Dr. Martin Luther King called it “the unofficial anthem” of the Civil
Rights Movement.)
Love Is All
Around – The Troggs (2/24/68 > #7 – this
was a far cry from the earlier records released by the group whose name was a
shortened version of “troglodytes.” It spawned two big international covers in
the Nineties, and was also a recurring plot device in the film Love Actually.
It was a breath of fresh air in early 1968, too.)
* Crying Time –
Ray Charles (1/66; #6 Pop, #5 R&B – like
Beyonce, Ray Charles grew up listening to Country music and had a real affinity
for Buck Owens songs. This one was called in by listener Bill. The CD sputtered
in the player, but it sounded good while it was playing….)
Dawn (Go Away)
– 4 Seasons (2/1/64 > #3 for three weeks – this was released in the thick of the British Invasion onslaught, and
would fight its way to near the top of the charts when The Beatles alone would have a dozen records in the
Top 100! Check out those drums!)
* Good Lovin’ –
Young Rascals (3/66, #1 – this request
came in from John-in-Freeville who wanted to hear something by “the greatest
band to come out of New Jersey.” It was a cover of a low-charting Olympics
record and it raced to the top of the charts in early April.)
Suspicion –
Terry Stafford (2/22/64 > #3 for two weeks – this is another American artist who managed to fight his way through a
swarm of British acts to reach great heights. Elvis had originally recorded
this as an album track. When RCA didn’t release it as a single, Terry Stafford
gave it his best “Elvis” impression and struck gold.)
Time Won’t Let
Me – Outsiders (2/19/66 > #5 – this
Cleveland bar band was signed to Capitol Records and this was their debut
single. Way to come out of the starting gate! Lead singer Sonny Geraci would
later have a Top 5 hit with a different band, when Climax released “Precious
and Few” in the early Seventies.)
* Without You –
Nilsson (2/72; #1 for four weeks – this
had been a forgotten track from a Badfinger album when Nilsson discovered it and released his dramatic version. It became one of the biggest records of the year, and goes out
to Barbara in the hills of Danby.)
Just My
Imagination (Runnin’ Away With Me) – Temptations (2/6/71 > #1 – after releasing a series of topical and semi-psychedelic ravers, the
Temptations returned to their roots with this gentle ballad featuring tenor
Eddie Kendricks. It would spend two weeks atop the Pop chart and three weeks
atop the R&B chart, and it became his signature tune.)
7-8pm
Birthday Calendar
January 26 – Huey
“Piano” Smith – born 1934
– Deon Jackson – born in 1946
January 27 – Bobby
“Blue” Bland – born 1930
– Thom Bell – born 1943
– Nedra Talley (Ronettes) – age 79
January 29 –
James Jamerson – born 1936
– Ronnie Scott (sax player) – born
in 1927
January 30 –
Marty Balin (Jeff. Air.) – born 1942
– Phil Collins – age 74
January 31 – Terry
Kath (Chicago) – born 1946
February 1 – Bob
Shane (Kingston Trio) – 1934
– Ray Sawyer (Doctor Hook) – 1937
– Don Everly – 1937
– Rick James – born 1952
Rockin’
Pneumonia & The Boogie Woogie Flu – Huey “Piano” Smith & The Clowns
(7/57; #52 Pop, #5 R&B – he was a New
Orleans band leader and composer who also did lots of session work. This song
might be his most enduring legacy, spawning many covers over the years. Johnny
Rivers’ was the most successful, but this was the original.)
Ooh Baby –
Deon Jackson (12/67; #65 Pop, #28 R&B – he hailed from Ann Arbor, Michigan and had just a couple of hits, but this one swings
and has an irresistible hook and a vocal delivery that resembles that of the
mighty Smokey Robinson.)
If You Could
Read My Mind – Bobby “Blue” Bland (1/66; dnc – Bobby Bland was Blues royalty, blending Gospel, Blues and R&B
sounds to rack up 63 R&B charting singles along the way. This was the
B-side of a low-charting single, and is a nice example of the smoother side of
his sound.)
Do I Love You?
– Ronettes (6/64; #34 – Nedra Talley was the cousin of sisters Veronica and Estelle Bennett, and the three
girls started singing together at high school dances and parties in Washington Heights.
They eventually came to the attention of Phil Spector, who signed them to his
record label and turned them into superstars.)
(L-R)Estelle, Ronnie, Nedra
I’ll Be Around
– Spinners (9/72; #3 for two weeks, #1 R&B for five weeks – after floundering at Motown for five years
or so, the Spinners moved to Atlantic Records and were assigned to Philadelphia
producer Thom Bell. This was designated as the B-side of their debut single,
but Deejays started to play it, and it opened the floodgates for the group, who
became one of the most successful acts of the Seventies.)
Mini Spotlight on James
Jamerson:
At one point, he was the highest-paid musician in the Motownfamily, because label owner Berry Gordy knew that it was his bass that was the motor that kept The Funk Brothers machine moving. He played with one finger on his right hand and they called it "the claw." He is reported to have played on nearly every hit between 1963-1968, including 23 #1 Pop hits and 56 #1 R&b hits. Here are three examples of his prowess:
Don’t Mess
With Bill – Marvelettes (1/66; #7 Pop, #3 R&B – this one opens with bass, drums and vibes and they just don’t quit.
Writer/producer Smokey Robinson let the Funk Brothers loose and this was the
result: another Motown classic!)
Just a Little
Misunderstanding – Contours (6/66; #85 Pop, #18 R&B – they’re best known for “Do You Love Me.” This low-charter from the
summer of ’66 isn’t as recognizable, but it’s a terrific example of what one
man with a bass guitar and one finger can do!)
Mama’s Pearl –
Jackson 5 (1/71; #2 for two weeks – this
was the group’s fifth single and was the first to not reach #1, but its
B-side continues to be cited as one of Jamerson’s best bass lines in fan forums and
Bass discussion groups online. You can hear that performance here:)
I’m a Man –
Chicago (10/71; #49 – this was the B-side
of “Questions 67 & 68,” but it managed to get airplay on its own. Edited
down from an 8+ minute album track to 3:27 and it still included a lengthy drum
solo – along with some stunning guitar pyrotechnics. Jimi Hendrix once declared
Terry Kath his favorite guitar
player, and Terry also sings the first verse here.)
Follow You,
Follow Me – Genesis (4/78; #23 – this was
the band’s second charting single here in The States, although they’d been
recording since 1968. Lead singer Peter Gabriel departed for a solo career in
1975 and drummer Phil Collins was
designated as the new “voice” of the group. He did okay.)
Sylvia’s
Mother – Dr. Hook & The Medicine Show (4/72; #15 – five of the group’s first singles were composed by poet Shel
Silverstein, and this was the first of them. Ray “Dr. Hook” Sawyer would sing lead on the first few of them
before Dennis Locorriere would assume that role.)
Scotch &
Soda – Kingston Trio (4/62; #81 – Bob Shane was a founding member of the trio, and this became his showcase number
in concert. Members of Cornell Class of 1966 have ranked it as one of the Top
Ten records that played in Willard Straight Hall during their sophomore years.)
Bob Shane, Top Right
Walk Right
Back – Everly Brothers (2/61; #7, #1 UK for four weeks – The Everly Brothers had signed a massive contract with Warner Brothers
Records a year prior and this was their third release for their new label, and
they all hit the Top Ten. Originally intended as the B-side, it outperformed
“Ebony Eyes,” which made it to #8 as well.)
8-9pm
It’s No Secret
– Jefferson Airplane (2/66; dnc – this
was the group’s debut single and it failed to make much noise outside of the
San Francisco Bay area. Their fortunes would change when Grace Slick joined the
band, but Marty Balin found himself with
a diminished role, and would leave the band after a couple more albums.)
It’s My Time –
Mynah Birds (2/66; NR – these guys were a
Canadian R&B group with an American ex-patriate named Rick James singing lead, along with guitarist Neil Young and
bassist Bruce Palmer. They were signed to Motown Records and this was to be
their debut single until it came to the label’s attention that Rick James was
actually an AWOL serviceman named Jimmy Johnson. Jimmy went to the brig and
Neil & Bruce left to form Buffalo Springfield.)
* Come and Stay
with Me – Marianne Faithfull (2/27/65 > #26 – word spread quickly that British icon Marianne Faithfull had passed
away on Thursday at the age of 78. Two separate listeners asked to hear
something from her. I opted for the follow-up to “As Tears Go By,” which also
fits our theme of February releases.)
19th
Nervous Breakdown – Rolling Stones (2/23/66 > #2 for three weeks – their fifth of nine consecutive singles to
reach the Top Ten, this one was only stopped from hitting #1 by “The Ballad of
the Green Berets,” which spent five weeks in the top slot!)
Lady Madonna –
The Beatles (3/68; #4 Pop, #1 UK for three weeks – one more from our birthday calendar: Jazz sax man Ronnie Scott had a birthday on 1/29. It was he who was recruited to
play the saxophone solo on this nod to Fats Domino, and it’s time to give him
credit.)
Everything
That Touches You – Association (2/3/68 > #10 – this was the group’s final Top Ten single, and it storms out of the
gate with a nimble bass line followed by lyricist Terry Kirkman’s impassioned
vocal delivery. It’s also a sampling of what you’ll hear next week on the
Valentine’s edition of RR with JH.)
La-La Means I
Love You – Delfonics (2/3/68 > #4 for two weeks Pop, #1 for four weeks
R&B – this was written and arranged
by producer Thom Bell, and is one of the sweetest love songs of them all. This
and the previous song are presented in the punchy mono forms, just the way the sounded on the radio back
in the day.)
Sail On Sailor
– Beach Boys (2/7/73 > #79 – this
record was a departure for the group: drummer Dennis Wilson was out with an
injury, Bruce Johnston had left the band and Brian was indisposed, so two South
African musicians were brought in to fill in. Blondie Chaplin is the lead
singer here.)
* Early In the
Morning – Vanity Fare (1/69; #12 – listener
Scottie requested that this one go out to Peggy and to your loved one, too.)
Love’s Theme –
Love Unlimited Orchestra (2/74; #1 – this
record was a Barry White project from start to finish! He composed the music, created
the arrangement, recruited the session players and conducted the session. The
result was a worldwide #1 hit.)
Once You Get
Started – Rufus Featuring Chaka Khan (2/8/75 > #10 Pop, #4 R&B – Rufus was formed by some of the original
members of The American Breed, but they really came into their own when singer
Chaka Khan joined the group. Most CD versions have a longer intro, but this is
the original 45 that comes roaring out of the gate. If you’re ever looking to
start a party, this one will do the trick!)
Rock ‘n’ Roll
Lullaby – BJ Thomas (2/12/72 > #15 – the
producers of this one had a vision: they wanted a twangy Duane Eddy-like guitar
and Beach Boys-like background vocals. Their solution? Book Duane Eddy to play
guitar and the Beach Boys to sing. When the Beach Boys dropped out at the last
minute, they recruited session singer Ron Hicklin to join former Diamond Dave
Somerville and Darlene Love’s Blossoms. The final mix is sublime.)
CLOSING
THEME: Sleepwalk – Santo & Johnny (1959, #1 for two weeks)
Trivia Answer
Shel
Silverstein was the writer of Dr. Hook’s first five singles, and two of them
were Top 20 hits. He also composed Johnny Cash’s “A Boy Named Sue” and The
Irish Rovers’ “The Unicorn.”
Congratulations
to Brad from Ithaca, for correctly answering the question and winning a loaf of
bread and a large soup from The Ithaca Bakery!
AC = Billboard’s chart for “Adult Contemporary”
records
BB = Billboard Magazine, which publishes the Hot
100 chart (previously known as the Top 100), along with several other charts
Bubbling Under = songs that were ranked but fell below the top
100
C&W = Billboard’s chart for “Country & Western”
records
R&B = Billboard’s chart for “Rhythm & Blues”
records
RRHOF = Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
RS500 = Rolling Stone Magazine’s ranked list of
the top 500 singles of all-time
Host Next Week
(2/8/25): Jan Hunsinger with a spotlight on Valentine’s Day songs
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You can listen to Rockin' Remnants every Saturday night from 6-9pm on WVBR
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Thanks, too,
to our sponsors Island Health & Fitness and Rasa Spa for their support
every week!