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Post by raliverpool on Feb 28, 2022 21:38:32 GMT 1
28 Iron Butterfly - In A Gadda Da Vida USA #30
The San Diego, California psychedelic progressive hard rock band enjoyed success when their 17-minute "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida", the title track of Iron Butterfly's second album, became a top-30 hit (edited down to 2:52) for Top 40 radio on Atlantic Records. Its title is a wordplay on In the Garden Of Eden.
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Post by raliverpool on Feb 28, 2022 21:42:21 GMT 1
27 Dion - Abraham, Martin And John USA #4
This folk song was written by Dick Holler. It was first recorded by Dion DiMucci, in a version that was a substantial North American chart hit (USA #4, Canada #1), & Australia #16. The song itself is a tribute to the memory of four assassinated Americans, all icons of social change: Abraham Lincoln, Martin Luther King Jr., John F. Kennedy, and Robert F. Kennedy. It was written in response to the assassination of King and that of Robert Kennedy in April and June 1968, respectively.
A 1969 version by Marvin Gaye was the hit version in the UK (#9 1970).
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Post by raliverpool on Feb 28, 2022 21:48:10 GMT 1
26 Frank Sinatra - Cycles USA #23
The USA #23 (Easy Listening #2) title track of "The Chairman Of The Board"'s November 1968 album produced by Don Costa. This song was written by Gayle Caldwell formerly of The New Christy Minstrels.
For that album Sinatra sang a variety of folk-rock oriented songs, including Judy Collins' hit "Both Sides Now" (written by Joni Mitchell) and the Glen Campbell hits "Gentle on My Mind" (written by John Hartford) and "By the Time I Get to Phoenix" (written by Jimmy Webb).
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Post by raliverpool on Feb 28, 2022 21:52:16 GMT 1
25 Leonard Cohen - Suzanne DNC/LP
The much covered folk noir song was first published as a poem in 1966, it was recorded as a song by Judy Collins in the same year, and the Canadian songwriter/poet performed it as his debut single, from his 1967 album Songs of Leonard Cohen produced by John Simon.
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Post by raliverpool on Feb 28, 2022 21:56:50 GMT 1
24 Big Brother & The Holding Company - Piece Of My Heart USA #12
This blues rock take on the Erma Franklin original catapulted the San Francisco rock band to success. The song was taken from the group's album Cheap Thrills produced by John Simon, recorded in 1968 and released on Columbia Records. This four-minute, 15-second rendition highlighted the ragged beauty of Janis Joplin's vocals.
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Post by raliverpool on Feb 28, 2022 22:02:23 GMT 1
23 Al Wilson - The Snake USA #27 (UK #41 1975)
The Mississippi born soul singer first commercial success in his native America (USA #27, Canada #38), would later become a Northern Soul classic during the 1970s. It was written by Oscar Brown, and produced by Johnny Rivers & Marc Gordon.
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Post by raliverpool on Feb 28, 2022 22:07:02 GMT 1
22 Creedence Clearwater Revival - Suzie Q USA #11
A cover of the 1957 Dale Hawkins original, gave the California Swamp (roots-rockers) Rockers enjoy their commercial breakthrough. Taken from their debut album Creedence Clearwater Revival it peaked at USA #11, Canada #10, & Australia #88.
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Post by raliverpool on Feb 28, 2022 22:15:14 GMT 1
21 Kenny Rogers & The First Edition - Just Dropped In (To See What Condition My Condition Was In) USA #5
This psychedelic rocker was written by Mickey Newbury. It is in stark contrast to the country folk harmonies that characterized most of Kenny Rogers & that of his band's The First Edition's catalogue. It was the group's second single from their eponymous album, The First Edition. Producer Mike Post reversed a few riffs to create the intro; the solo played by Glen Campbell was heavily compressed and a tremolo effect was used to achieve its sound.
A cult classic it has turned up in as many films/TV series as there has been cover versions. But mostly famously it was used in the dream sequence from the Coen brothers' 1998 film The Big Lebowski www.youtube.com/watch?v=dooSFIvLn-Y
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Post by raliverpool on Feb 28, 2022 22:21:17 GMT 1
20 Jimi Hendrix Experience - Little Wing LP
This slower tempo, rhythm and blues-inspired ballad featuring Hendrix's vocal and guitar was taken from their second album Axis: Bold as Love. In 2021 it was ranked at 188 on Rolling Stones Top 500 Greatest Songs of All Time list.
(In general I feel about Hendrix's guitar playing the same way I do about Mariah Carey singing. They both have a tendency to stick six notes in when one or two will do).
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Post by raliverpool on Feb 28, 2022 22:26:40 GMT 1
19 Gene Pitney - She's A Heartbreaker USA #16
To my ears I find it incredible this flopped in the UK. Maybe even then he would have been considered too uncool for Radio 1 to play him in 1968; yet this was far, far too loud & edgy for Radio 2. A pity as this uptempo soulful R&B number peaked at USA #16, Canada #13, & Australia #39. The promo "film" was shot at The Speakeasy Club in Soho, London.
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Post by raliverpool on Feb 28, 2022 22:31:05 GMT 1
18 The Stone Poneys with Linda Ronstadt - Different Drum USA #13
The folk rock trio formed in Los Angeles, consisting of Linda Ronstadt on vocals, Bobby Kimmel on rhythm guitar and vocals, and Kenny Edwards on lead guitar first hit was a cover of this Mike Nesmith composition. It peaked at USA #13, Canada #12, Australia #9.
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Post by raliverpool on Feb 28, 2022 22:36:05 GMT 1
17 Etta James - I'd Rather Go Blind Bs/LP
The B-side of "Tell Mama" was "I'd Rather Go Blind", which became a blues classic and has been recorded by many other artists. In her autobiography, Rage to Survive, she wrote that she heard the song outlined by her friend Ellington "Fugi" Jordan when she visited him in prison. According to her account, she wrote the rest of the song with Jordan, but for tax reasons gave her. songwriting credit to her partner at the time, Billy Foster. Etta James recorded the song at the FAME Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama.
In the UK, a 1969 version by British blues rock band Chicken Shack would peak at UK #14 ... introducing the public to the contralto vocals of Christine Perfect (later McVee).
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Post by raliverpool on Feb 28, 2022 22:40:06 GMT 1
16 Glen Campbell - By The Time I Get To Phoenix USA #26
The Arkansas born guitarist & country singer USA #26 (Country #2), Canada #9 cover of the Jimmy Webb penned standard.
The inspiration for "By the Time I Get to Phoenix" originated in Jimmy Webb's breakup with Susan Horton. They remained friends after her marriage to Bobby Ronstadt, a cousin of singer Linda Ronstadt. Their relationship, which peaked in mid-1965, was also the primary influence for "MacArthur Park", another Webb composition
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Post by raliverpool on Feb 28, 2022 22:48:02 GMT 1
15 The Beatles - Helter Skelter LP
Taken from their 1968 double album "The Beatles" (aka "The White Album") this song was Paul McCartney's attempt to create a sound as loud and dirty as possible. It is regarded as a key influence in the early development of heavy metal.
Paul McCartney was inspired to write "Helter Skelter" after reading an interview with the Who's Pete Townshend where he described their September 1967 single, "I Can See for Miles", as the loudest, rawest, dirtiest song the Who had ever recorded, and being competitive he had to up the stakes. A few days prior to recording it on 9-10 September he bumped into top UK session guitarist Jimmy Page for some tips. In a further irony, Led Zeppelin recorded their debut album in late September/early October in the same Olympic Studio's immediately after The Beatles had vacated them.
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Post by raliverpool on Feb 28, 2022 22:51:20 GMT 1
14 The Rolling Stones - 2000 Light Years From Home LP/Bs
Released on their December1967 album Their Satanic Majesties Request. This psychedelic space rocker appeared as the B-side to the American single "She's a Rainbow". Jagger reportedly wrote the lyrics in Brixton prison following his conviction on drug charges in June 1967. The song was recorded by the band at Olympic Studios during July and September 1967. Brian Jones performs prominent accompaniment on Mellotron.
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Post by raliverpool on Feb 28, 2022 22:55:02 GMT 1
13 Jerry Jeff Walker - Mr. Bojangles USA #77
The New York born folk singer-songwriter was a leading figure in the outlaw country music movement. His self penned signature song reached USA #77, & Australia #22. Walker said he was inspired to write the song after an encounter with a street performer in a New Orleans jail. While in jail for public intoxication in 1965, he met a homeless man who called himself "Mr. Bojangles" to conceal his true identity from the police.
It would be a bigger commercial hit for Nitty Gritty Dirt Band in 1970-71.
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Post by raliverpool on Feb 28, 2022 23:02:21 GMT 1
12 The Zombies - Care of Cell 44 DNC/LP
The St.Albans formed (by now) baroque pop band recorded their 1968 album Odessey and Oracle in Abbey Road Studios in June & July 1967 immediately after The Beatles had vacated it (they recorded during the day, & Pink Floyd recorded their debut Pipers At The Gates Of Dawn at night). Written by Rod Argent, it was the last song recorded for the album, but the first single ... which flopped everywhere.
Due to the track not being a success, it caused some of the tension that led to the eventual breakup of the band in December of 1968. Colin Blunstone, the group's vocalist said, "I thought that 'Care of Cell 44' was incredibly commercial. I was really disappointed when it wasn't a hit."
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Post by raliverpool on Feb 28, 2022 23:11:12 GMT 1
The last one tonight ... 11 The Monkees - Porpoise Song USA #62
Taken from the soundtrack to Head a 1968 psychedelic comedy-adventure major motion picture, starring TV group The Monkees (Peter Tork, Davy Jones, Micky Dolenz and Michael Nesmith), and distributed by Columbia Pictures. It was written and produced by Bob Rafelson and Jack Nicholson, and directed by Rafelson, and was a remarkable anti-fame film.
The song was written by Gerry Goffin and Carole King. In the Monkees' 1968 feature film Head, the song appears at the beginning and at the end of the production. At the start of the film, the group are being chased, running onto a bridge. In an attempt to escape, Dolenz jumps from the bridge as the others look on in shock. As Dolenz sinks, he is saved from drowning by a couple of beautiful mermaids. At the end of the film, the other members follow Dolenz and jump or fall from the bridge. As they appear to swim to shore, they end up in a large water tank.
The whole project was a glorious suicide bomb. It killed off the band as a commercial success, yet it brought into view the manufactured behind the scenery dark side of the music/fame industry stuff that went on, causing several high profile people to lose their jobs.
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Post by raliverpool on Mar 4, 2022 19:06:10 GMT 1
I forgot I'd not finished 1968 off... I'll do it now. 10 Serge Gainsbourg & Brigitte Bardot - Bonnie & Clyde LP
The sleazy French-language song written by Serge Gainsbourg, and performed by Gainsbourg and Brigitte Bardot. The song tells the story of the outlaw couple Bonnie and Clyde. It is based on an English language poem written by Bonnie Parker herself a few weeks before she and Clyde Barrow were shot, entitled "The Trail's End". It was released on two albums in 1968: Gainsbourg's album Initials B.B., and Gainsbourg and Bardot's album Bonnie and Clyde.
It has appeared in too many TV shows/films to mention; and has covered too many times to mention. But two things are certain. Firstly, It is musically superior to Serge Gainsbourg French language duet which topped the UK charts in 1969; secondly it is vastly superior to Georgie Fame 1969 UK #1 "The Ballad Of Bonnie & Clyde".
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Post by raliverpool on Mar 4, 2022 19:11:25 GMT 1
09 Friend & Lover - Reach Out Of The Darkness USA #10
The American folk-singing duo composed of husband-and-wife team Jim and Cathy Post. Jim, inspired by a New York City love-in, wrote the duo's only significant hit single, "Reach out of the Darkness". The song was recorded in Nashville, Tennessee, where Ray Stevens played keyboards and arranged the strings, with Joe South and Bill Lowery producing became their only sizeable US hit peaking at USA #10. It has been sampled on a number of occasions & covered by The B-52s.
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