February 14, 2026 - JS - Valentine's Day Is Here

 

Rockin' Remnants




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!)

 

Thanks to our sponsors Island Health & Fitness and Rasa Spa for their support every week!

Date:  2/14/26

Host:  John Simon

Feature:  Valentine’s Day

 

 

 

 

What are the odds of getting scheduled to do a radio show on Valentine's Day itself??? This happened to me once before, and I resisted going all in, but I've decided to take the plunge tonight! It's full-tilt love songs on the radio from 6-9pm (with a slight detour during the Birthday hour at 7). Call in your requests and dedications, get cozy and comfy and let's take a trip down lover's lane. Stag or drag, I'll be there to keep you company!

Playlist

 

 

[songs in bold are from the spotlight date of DATE; yellow song titles are YouTube links; 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]

 

6-7pm  

 

OPENING THEME:  Good Old Rock ‘n’ Roll – Cat Mother & the All-Night Newsboys (1969, #29, produced by Jimi Hendrix)

 

There’s a Kind of Hush (All Over the World) – Herman’s Hermits (2/67; #4 – this was an uncharacteristically string- and horn-laden Pop confection with only Peter “Herman” Noone’s voice in the mix, and would prove to be the group’s final Top Ten hit in America. Let the Valentine’s Day show begin!)

 

 

Love Is In the Air – John Paul Young (7/78; #7 – his one big hit here in the States belied his success in his native Australia, where he was a star of television as well as on the radio.)

 

 

Love Is Blue (L’Amour Est Bleu) – Paul Mauriat & His Orchestra (2/68; #1 for five weeks – this majestic instrumental was ubiquitous on Pop radio back in early 1968. A vocal version had been recorded and submitted as Luxembourg’s entry into the Eurovision Contest, but this orchestral version surpassed everyone’s wildest expectations and became the first #1 instrumental by a French artist on the American charts.)

 

 

I Hear a Symphony – Supremes (11/65; #1 for two weeks – speaking of “orchestral,” this Holland-Dozier-Holland “symphony” became the trio’s sixth of ten #1s within a three-year span. They were the most successful singles band in America!)

 

 

*  Don’t Get Me Wrong – The Pretenders (10/86; #10 – this was the band’s second-biggest hit in the States and goes out to our friend Shella, calling from the car. I’d never realized that this really IS a love song. Cool!)

 

 

*  Scarborough Fair/Canticle – Simon & Garfunkel (3/68; #11 – this had ostensibly had been the title track from their Parsley, Sage, Rosemary & Thyme LP from two years prior, and could also be found on the soundtrack album for the film The Graduate.)

 

 

(I Love You) For Sentimental Reasons – Sam Cooke (1/58; #17 Pop, #15 R&B – he had been a superstar on the Gospel circuit and made big waves when he departed for a secular career. He’d make even more waves when he’d leave Keen Records for RCA in 1960 and become one of the first major Black entrepreneurs on the American music scene, creating his own label and controlling his own publishing rights. He could also sing like nobody’s business.)

 

 

The Twelfth of Never – Johnny Mathis (10/57; #9 – this was actually the B-side of his big #1 hit “Chances Are,” but went Top Ten on its own. He had one of the smoothest voices of them all.)

 

 

*  Journey of Love – The Crests (9/60; #81 – this one goes out from Tom to his wife “Saint Karen,” who went out with him on their first date 61 years ago yesterday! To set the record straight, I’d inadvertently attributed lead vocals to “Johnny Mathis.” I meant, of course, Johnny Maestro. Happy date-iversary, you two!)

 

 

*  Swayin’ to the Music (Slow Dancin’) – Johnny Rivers (6/77; #10 – this sweet tune was Johnny’s comeback hit, but it would also prove to be his final charting single. It goes out from Scottie to Peggy and to all of you who might like to do a little bit dancing in the kitchen tonight.)

 

 

*  Lawyers in Love – Jackson Browne (7/83; #13 – this was a telephone request and I didn’t get the chance to ask if it was an attorney calling it in, but anything’s possible in this funny town.)

 

 

*  Why Does Love Got to Be So Sad – Derek & The Dominoes (3/73; #120 – this was the third single taken from the Layla album, and was one of several anti-V-Day requests – or at least something to balance out the pointedly “sweet” songs. For the most part, though, I’m sticking to my guns.)

 

 

*  In My Life – Judy Collins (1/67; NR – this was the title track from her third album and goes out at the request of listener Barbara. I had fully intended to play a couple of Beatles songs tonight, but this is as close as we’d get.)

 

 

 

7-8pm

 

 Birthday Calendar

 

 

February 8 – England Dan Seals – born 1948

 

 

February 9 – Barry Mann – age 86

            – Carole King – age 84

            – Barbara Lewis – age 82

 

 

February 10 – Roberta Flack – born 1937

 

 

February 11 – Gerry Goffin – born in 1939

            – Sergio Mendes – born in 1941

 

February 12 – Bill Pittman – born in 1920

            – Gene McDaniels – born in 1935

 

 

February 13 – Peter Tork (Monkees) – born in 1942

 

 

February 14 – Eric Andersen – age 83

                    – Maceo Parker – age 83

 

  

I’d Really Love to See You Tonight – England Dan & John Ford Coley (6/76; #2 for two weeks – this was the duo’s debut single for Big Tree Records, kicking off a pretty successful run. After going their separate ways, England Dan would relocate to Nashville and make quite a name for himself as Dan Seals, Country superstar.)

  

 

Up On the Roof – Carole King (5/70; dnc – Carole was one of the New York City writers who worked in the famed Brill Building and primarily teamed with her husband Gerry Goffin. This track was taken from her Writer LP and featured guitar work by her friend James Taylor. Her next project would be the album called Tapestry, which would become one of the biggest-selling albums of the Seventies.)

 

 

Straighten Up Your Heart – Barbara Lewis with The Dells (8/63; #43 – Barbara was a pretty good songwriter herself, but this wasn’t one of hers and is pretty much a forgotten footnote listed in her discography.)

 

 

Hey Girl – Freddie Scott (7/63; #10 – this was Freddie’s biggest hit, and it also happens to be another classic Goffin-King composition. Many writers would be satisfied to walk away with this one under their belts, but these two were just getting started.)

 

 

(You’re My) Soul & Inspiration – Righteous Brothers (4/66; #1 for three weeks – another Brill Building writing office was staffed by the husband-wife team of Barry Mann & Cynthia Weil. Prior to this one, they had written “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling” for the Brothers, but Phil Spector felt that this one was too similar to that big hit. After leaving Phil’s label, they decided to go for it. With baritone Bill Medley in the producer’s chair, they scored their second #1 hit!)

 

 

I Don’t Think You Know Me – American Breed (3/67; dnc – here’s one more Goffin-King number. It’s better known as a Monkees song, but this version pre-dates that one. The folks at Acta Records added horns to the failed single version and included it on the group’s Bend Me, Shape Me album. That’s the version we hear tonight.)

 

 

Feel Like Makin’ Love – Roberta Flack (8/74; #1 Pop and #1 R&B for five weeks – Roberta Flack’s third consecutive #1 single was written by Gene McDaniels, who’d had a string of charting hits as a singer about ten years prior. Their birthdays are two days - and several years – apart, so this is a “two birds, one stone” choice for tonight’s Birthday Calendar segment.)

 

 

Like a Lover – Sergio Mendes & Brasil ’66 (5/68; dnc – this was the B-side of their highest-charting single, “The Look of Love.” Some consider it to be singer Lani Hall’s greatest performance, but part of the magic lies in the male echoing voices and the tinkling piano notes near the end. Both of them were the work of bandleader Sergio Mendes.)

 

 

To Know Him is to Love Him – Teddy Bears (12/58; #1 for three weeks – this song was written by young Phil Spector and was taken from the inscription on his father’s grave stone. The group was made up of three high school classmates, augmented by the guitar work of session player Bill Pittman. Phil was so appreciative that he hired Bill on all of his future sessions.)

 

 

Raindrops Keep Fallin’ On My Head – BJ Thomas (1/70; #1 for four weeks – here’s another #1 record featuring the playing of session man Bill Pittman. In this case he plays the opening ukulele chords, and this record went on to win an Academy Award for the film Butch Cassidy & The Sundance Kid.)

 

 

Shades of Gray – The Monkees (6/67; NR – this track was included on their Headquarters LP, and is one of the rare tracks that featured Peter sharing lead singing duties, in this case with Davy. One of his other shining moments was when he played the opening piano notes on “Daydream Believer,” but that’s another story for another show.)

 

 

Is It Really Love At All – Eric Andersen (2/72; dnc – he was raised in Buffalo and wended his way to New York City, where he became part of the burgeoning Folk scene. He’s best known for songs like “Thirsty Boots” and “Violets of Dawn,” but Columbia saw “hit” potential in this song and released an edited version that failed to chart. Tonight we play the LP version.)

 

 

Lickin’ Stick (Pt. I) – James Brown & His Famous Flames (5/68; #14 Pop, #2 R&B – JB released a slew of singles in 1968 and this was one of the best, featuring saxophonist Maceo Parker. In fact, James calls on him to play an extended solo at the end of Side One, which continues as Side Two fades in. “Maceo!”)

 

 

8-9pm

 

 

 

 

*  This Guy’s In Love With You – Herb Alpert (6/68; #1 for four weeks – Alpert was the “A” in A&M Records, and was exclusively known as a trumpet player and leader of the Tijuana Brass – that is, until he sang this song on national television. A&M quickly rushed him into the studio and released this in a picture sleeve and it became one of the biggest hits of the summer.)

 

 

*  Wichita Lineman – Glen Campbell (11/68; #3 Pop, #1 C&W for two weeks – many authorities credit this song as having one of the the greatest lyrical Love lines of all songs: “I need you more than want you, and I want you for all time.” Rolling Stone ranks the record at #195 in its RS500 and listener Lou from the Gulf Coast of Florida called it in. Nice!)

 

 

*  Wouldn’t It Be Nice – Beach Boys (7/65; #8 – another song that’s frequently cited among the best is the B-side of this one. That one is “God Only Knows.” This side, though, is one of the band’s greatest love songs, and it goes out to Joe from Laura, who dated in high school, went their separate ways for a number of years, and who now find themselves raising four boys. Be careful what you wish!)

   

 

*  Bernadette – Four Tops (3/67; #4 Pop, #3 R&B – this request came in from western Canada and is the third in what many consider to be the group’s greatest trilogy of recordings. First came “Reach Out,” then “Standing in the Shadows,” and then this barn burner. If Levi Stubbs’ pleading vocal doesn’t convince you, James Jamerson’s thundering bass line will.)

 

 

*  Never My Love – Association (9/67; #2 for two weeks – one of the drawbacks of being the deejay on Valentine’s Day is that it means that your own Valentine is stuck without a date on date night. In that spirit, I dedicate this song to my sweetheart – the one who suggested this song as the first dance at our wedding nearly thirty-seven years ago. No, my love – I will never tire of you, and I’ll never lose my desire for you!)

 

 

La-La Means I Love You – Delfonics (2/68; #4 Pop, #2 R&B for four weeks – and because it’s my show, I’m also playing the first song we ever danced to in my living room almost 40 years ago. This was my favorite song of them all when I was a hopeless high school romantic.)

 

 

*  If I Could Build My Whole World Around You – Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell (1/68; #10 Pop, #2 R&B for two weeks – they were sometimes called “America’s Sweethearts of Soul,” and released a stunning string of duets over the course of two short years. My brother Doug, who is a musician and teacher - and who is also a romantic fool like his brother - actually sang this song at his wedding reception to his own Rose. I was there!)

 

 

If This World Were Mine – Fantastic Four (1969; NR – this stunning cover of the Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell B-side was recorded in the Motown studios by the Detroit quartet, but not released until the late Nineties when a compilation CD called “A Cellarful of Motown” came out.)

 

 

Chapel of Love – Dixie Cups (6/64; #1 for three weeks – this had first been an album track for The Ronettes, but tonight we hear the definitive version, one that was perfect for many a June wedding. It was also the debut single for Red Bird Records in New York City!)

 

 

I Do – Beach Boys (ca 1964; NR – Brian Wilson adapted his song “County Fair” into this sweet declaration of fidelity and gave it to Warner Brothers artists The Castells, but it never even charted. At some point, Brian had The Beach Boys record it and it was finally released thirty years later. Here it is, in stunning stereo!)

 

 

*  Unchained Melody – Righteous Brothers (7/65; #4 – this was originally intended as the B-side of “Hung On You,” but went on to become one of the greatest love songs of the late twentieth century. It goes out from my radio brother JR to his fiancé Stacy, and we’re all very happy for the two of them! A Valentine’s Day surprise!)

 

 

Annie’s Song – John Denver (7/74; #1 – John was at the peak of his powers, having just topped the charts with “Sunshine On My Shoulders” and winning an Emmy Award for his variety show on network television. This song also reached #1 in the UK.)

 

 

45 Corner:  Everything I Own – Oscar Toney, Jr. (3/74; dnc – Bread had had a big hit with this one a couple of years prior, and two different Reggae-flavored versions would later – separately – top the charts in the UK, but this was a decidedly different take on it and I think it should’ve been a hit, too. From an Atco Records radio station promo 45, here’s a Soul version for you on Valentine’s Day.)

 

 

 

*  For the Love of You (Pt. I & II) – Isley Brothers (11/75; #22 Pop, #10 R&B – these perennial hit-makers continued to release albums blending raucous politically-charged dance numbers with sultry love songs. This track was plucked from their Fight The Power LP and is one of the smoothest and sexiest songs of the year. I had already put it in my bag for tonight’s show when my brother Doug also suggested it. That’s a quorum in my book!)

 

 

Goodnight My Love – Ben E King (1/66; #91 – we wrap up tonight’s Love-in with this lost nugget from the former lead singer of The Drifters. Jesse Belvin had the big R&B hit with it seven years earlier. This version never even registered on the R&B chart – and it barely scraped into the Pop chart – but it’s my closing nod to all of you. Thanks for coming by. See you on March 6^th!)

 

 

 

CLOSING THEME:  Sleepwalk – Santo & Johnny (1959, #1 for two weeks)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Glossary of Terms:

dnc = did not chart

nr = not released as a single at the time

BB = Billboard Magazine’s listing of the top 100 singles for the week

C&W = Billboard’s separate chart for “Country & Western” records

Bubbling Under = songs that were ranked but fell below the top 100

R&B – Billboard’s separate chart for “Rhythm & Blues” records

RS500 = Rolling Stone Magazine’s ranked list of the top 500 singles of all-time

 

 

 

 

 

Host Next Week (2/21/26):  Gregory James with a spotlight on Songs of Strength

 

 

 

Thanks for tuning in! You can listen to Rockin' Remnants every Saturday night from 6-9pm on WVBR (93.5 FM in Ithaca, NY) or at wvbr.com/listen.

 

Thanks again to our sponsors Island Health & Fitness and Rasa Spa for their support every week!