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Angela (Theme from Taxi) · Bob James (1978)
I’ve been rewatching one of my favorite sitcoms from the late ’70s, Taxi. I read that the creators of Taxi had been working on The Mary Tyler Moore Show until its conclusion in 1977. That probably explains why I love both shows so much! Anyway, this tune is what you hear during the opening titles…
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Squib Cakes · Tower Of Power (1974)
One of the greatest horn sections from the 1970s onward belongs to the legendary R&B/Funk band Tower of Power, hailing from the Bay Area. They’re known for iconic hits like “So Very Hard to Go,” “What Is Hip?,” “You’re Still a Young Man,” “Don’t Change Horses (in the Middle of a Stream),” and many more.…
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Takin’ It to the Streets – The Doobie Brothers (1976)
One of my favorite keyboard vocalists is the great Michael McDonald. His husky baritone voice added harmony and background parts to many hit songs from the 1970s and 1980s. After being discovered in an Illinois nightclub, he was signed to RCA Records. He then auditioned for Steely Dan and became part of their touring band…
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The Promise (The Dolphin Song) – Olivia Newton-John (1981)
Alright, here’s proof that this blog is genuinely about what I’m listening to—not just a list of songs people “should” know. Sometimes it’s weird, obscure, or even not that great—but it’s honest. Today’s pick comes from Olivia Newton-John’s Physical, a controversial yet massive album. Most of us know the title track—it’s the kind of hit…
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What’s Going On – Marvin Gaye (1971)
Here’s an incredible album I’ve had on repeat for weeks: What’s Going On by Marvin Gaye. Released in 1971, this landmark album was born out of a turbulent time in Gaye’s life and career. Marvin Gaye’s talent was evident early on as he sang in groups during his youth. After dropping out of high school,…
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Morning Train (Nine To Five) – Sheena Easton (1981)
I’ve been revisiting an album called Take My Time by Sheena Easton from 1981. Sheena Easton, a Scottish singer and actress, rose to fame after appearing on the British reality TV series The Big Time, which followed the rise of an unknown artist to stardom. While filming the show, Sheena recorded her debut single, “Modern…
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Diamond Girl – Seals and Crofts (1973)
I hope your holidays were wonderful, wherever you are! I’m back on the sauce with another classic, this time from 1973: “Diamond Girl” by Seals and Crofts. This tune came on the radio the other day, and I couldn’t shake it’s amazing groove and feel. Of course, it’s none other than 18-year-old Jeff Porcaro behind…
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Cuddlebug (The Happiness Blanket) – The Simon Sisters (1966)
Here’s a tune you’ve probably never heard before! Many of us know Carly Simon for her successful solo career from the 1970s onward, but I recently discovered her earlier work with her sister Lucy from the mid-to-late 1960s. Together, they formed a folk duo called The Simon Sisters and released three albums. Their journey began…
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Little Green Apples – Frank Sinatra (1968)
Cycles is a unique album from the legendary crooner Frank Sinatra, marking a late-mid point in his storied career. At the time, Sinatra had taken one of his longest breaks from recording. In July of 1968, he recorded two songs that were released as singles, both of which did well. The success prompted a rush…
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Still Crazy After All These Years – Paul Simon (1975)
Still Crazy After All These Years has to be high on the list of my favorite albums. Every song is incredible and unique. Paul Simon truly shows his songwriting talent on his fourth studio album. For the album, Paul used a variety of talented musicians, carefully selecting the perfect fit for each song’s individual style…
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The Long and Winding Road – Aretha Franklin (1972)
Once again, we find ourselves in my favorite year of music: 1972. This album is among my all-time favorites and often finds its way onto my turntable. The song featured here is a masterpiece of songwriting by the great Paul McCartney of The Beatles (though it’s credited as Lennon-McCartney). Originally released on their 1970 album…
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How High The Moon – Emmylou Harris (1981)
Today, we’ve got a fantastic jazz tune that’s been recorded countless times by incredible artists from all over the world. “How High the Moon” was written by Nancy Hamilton and Morgan Lewis for the 1940 Broadway revue Two for the Show. While Benny Goodman recorded one of the first hit versions in 1940 featuring Helen…
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I Will Be Here for You (Nitakungodea Milele) – Al Jarreau (1982)
I’ve been without a piano at home for a while, but I recently set up my keyboard to keep myself sane. For some reason, this tune got stuck in my head, and I ended up playing it for about an hour or so. It’s “I Will Be Here for You (Nitakungodea Milele)” from Al Jarreau’s…
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Peaceful Easy Feeling – Eagles (1972)
1972 remains one of my favorite years in music, and I find myself constantly revisiting it. One standout from that year is the Eagles’ Peaceful Easy Feeling—my top choice if I had to pick an Eagles song to listen to on repeat. This classic features Glenn Frey on vocals and acoustic guitar, Don Henley on…
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I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel To Be Free – Nina Simone (1967)
This song is featured on an incredible album by the legendary pianist and singer Nina Simone. A true artist, Nina possessed extraordinary skill in her craft and was also a fearless civil rights activist, expressing her thoughts and emotions boldly through her music. Nina grew up in a poor family, aspiring to become a concert…
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News – Dire Straits (1979)
If you use Spotify, you likely received your “Spotify Wrapped” yesterday. For those unfamiliar, Spotify Wrapped compiles your listening data to create a personalized “story” about your habits and how you rank among listeners worldwide. When I got my results, I wasn’t surprised. My top artists this year were The Beatles, James Taylor, Dire Straits,…
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Eye in the Sky – The Alan Parsons Project (1982)
Alan Parsons is a musician, songwriter, producer, and sound engineer renowned for his work on iconic records from the late 60’s and onward. He was the sound engineer for groundbreaking albums like the Beatles’ Abbey Road and Let It Be, Pink Floyd’s The Dark Side of the Moon, and Ambrosia’s debut album. Parsons began his…
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Silly Love Songs – Wings (1976)
Here’s a tune that got put on repeat while I was washing dishes the other night: “Silly Love Songs” by Wings, Paul McCartney’s post-Beatles band. Wings had a rotating lineup over its lifespan but was consistently anchored by Paul, his wife Linda, and Denny Laine, formerly of the Moody Blues. When Wings at the Speed…
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My Favorite Things – Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass (1968)
If cannonballing into the deep end of Christmas music feels like too much today, here’s a great tune to slowly wade in: “My Favorite Things”. Originally from Rodgers and Hammerstein’s The Sound of Music, this song debuted in the 1959 Broadway production, performed by Mary Martin. However, the version most of us know and love…
