Song: Hooked on a Feeling (1968) Artist: B.J. Thomas Album: On My Way (Sceptor) Writer: Mark James Hooked on a Feeling by Blue Swede is one of the popular tracks from the soundtrack of Guardians of the Galaxy (some of them here). But, the arrangement, with its ooga-chaka ooga-chaka refrain, is quite a bit different than the original. The song was … Read more
Song: Crimson and Clover (1968) Artist: Tommy James & the Shondells Writers: Tommy James and Peter Lucia Album: Crimson and Clover (Roulette) Tommy James credits the song Crimson and Clover for allowing the band to pivot from a singles-oriented AM radio band to FM radio progressive album-oriented rock. Without this change, he is sure, the … Read more
Song: Red, Red Wine (1968) Artist: Neil Diamond Album: Just For You (Bang) Writer: Neil Diamond In 1988 UB40, a group from Birmingham UK had a no. 1 hit with a song called Red, Red Wine, done in a reggae style (they were not the first, see below). Although UB40 has plenty of original material, their hit-making … Read more
Song: Fire (1987) Artist: Bruce Springsteen Writer: Bruce Springsteen Album: Live: 1975-85 Label: Columbia I’m driving in my car, I turn on the radio… It may be hard to believe, but there was a time when not everything the Boss did rose to the top of the heap. While clawing his way to the top … Read more
Song: Touch of Grey Artist: Grateful Dead Writers: Jerry Garcia and Robert Hunter Album: Into the Dark Label: Arista Grateful Dead may be the most well-known failure in the music business. That is, if you measure success by top 40 hits, which the band obviously never did. But, I think it’s safe to say that … Read more
Song: It’s My Life (1984) Artist: Talk Talk Writers: Mark Hollis and Tim Friese-Greene Album: It’s My Life Label: EMI (UK), EMI America (US) It may be hard to believe, but No Doubt’s huge hit It’s My Life was recorded almost twenty years after the original. The song was written by Tim Friese-Greene and Mark … Read more
Song: Eve of Destruction (1965) Artist: Barry McQuire Album: Barry McGuire Featuring Eve of Destruction Writers: P.F. Sloan, Steve Barri It would be understandable if many folks figured that Eve of Destruction was a Dylan tune or at least a cover of a Dylan tune. It was originally written by P. F. Sloan (Philip “Flip” Sloan) … Read more