Today's Song You Should Know
@songyoushouldknow.bsky.social
A new song every day. Primarily obscure pop/rock songs from the 1970s-1990s.
There are a number of songs about Chicago, but this is the one that always takes me there, thinking about driving along Lake Shore Drive late at night, the city on one side & the dark lake on the other youtu.be/YOrdtmG2IMM?...
Aliotta Haynes & Jeremiah - Lake Shore Drive
YouTube video by 60s70sVintageRock
youtu.be
November 13, 2025 at 1:54 PM
There are a number of songs about Chicago, but this is the one that always takes me there, thinking about driving along Lake Shore Drive late at night, the city on one side & the dark lake on the other youtu.be/YOrdtmG2IMM?...
Don Ciccone's voice was the original lead vocal WB Music heard when they received the demo of the "new" Four Seasons song "Who Loves You" in the 70s. Frankie Valli had been off recording for his solo career, & to save time, Don was put in front of the microphone for the demo youtu.be/8u1d1HAErXI?...
"Who Loves You" (2001 cover by Don Ciccone, former Four Seasons member)
YouTube video by Who is Mr. Dieingly Sad? Podcast
youtu.be
November 12, 2025 at 4:01 PM
Don Ciccone's voice was the original lead vocal WB Music heard when they received the demo of the "new" Four Seasons song "Who Loves You" in the 70s. Frankie Valli had been off recording for his solo career, & to save time, Don was put in front of the microphone for the demo youtu.be/8u1d1HAErXI?...
Jim Stafford's hitmaking career lasted two years & while he's best known for mid 70's novelty hits such as "Spiders & Snakes," "My Girl Bill" & "Wildwood Weed," this was his first single & it's a straight forward swamp rock classic, produced by Lobo youtu.be/O-4mpwJQBFk?...
Swamp Witch
YouTube video by Jim Stafford - Topic
youtu.be
October 29, 2025 at 9:19 PM
Jim Stafford's hitmaking career lasted two years & while he's best known for mid 70's novelty hits such as "Spiders & Snakes," "My Girl Bill" & "Wildwood Weed," this was his first single & it's a straight forward swamp rock classic, produced by Lobo youtu.be/O-4mpwJQBFk?...
While they were best known as Graham Parker's backing band during the late 70s, The Rumour also released three albums under their own name. This track is from Max, their '77 debut. The name of the album was apparently an inside joke taking aim at the success of Fleetwood Mac youtu.be/0wVHEfH0fVM?...
The Rumour - I'm Gonna Make You Love Me
YouTube video by Pedja Pavlovic Badza (Mission: Pub rock)
youtu.be
October 29, 2025 at 2:52 AM
While they were best known as Graham Parker's backing band during the late 70s, The Rumour also released three albums under their own name. This track is from Max, their '77 debut. The name of the album was apparently an inside joke taking aim at the success of Fleetwood Mac youtu.be/0wVHEfH0fVM?...
It's Monday and if you're dragging, just crank up this smoking 2019 track from De La Soul and DJ Shadow, which really should have been a huge hit
youtu.be/8XK7nzAW_b0?...
youtu.be/8XK7nzAW_b0?...
DJ Shadow - Rocket Fuel ft. De La Soul (Official Music Video)
YouTube video by Mass Appeal
youtu.be
October 27, 2025 at 2:05 PM
It's Monday and if you're dragging, just crank up this smoking 2019 track from De La Soul and DJ Shadow, which really should have been a huge hit
youtu.be/8XK7nzAW_b0?...
youtu.be/8XK7nzAW_b0?...
I always thought Jake Owens was a better singer than the radio-friendly bro-country hits suggested.
This track from his new album - produced by Shooter Jennings - sounds like classic 1970s country. It's right in my sweet spot
youtu.be/YQWYmtFuG7c?...
This track from his new album - produced by Shooter Jennings - sounds like classic 1970s country. It's right in my sweet spot
youtu.be/YQWYmtFuG7c?...
Jake Owen - Long Time Lovin' You (Visualizer)
YouTube video by Jake Owen
youtu.be
September 23, 2025 at 4:36 PM
I always thought Jake Owens was a better singer than the radio-friendly bro-country hits suggested.
This track from his new album - produced by Shooter Jennings - sounds like classic 1970s country. It's right in my sweet spot
youtu.be/YQWYmtFuG7c?...
This track from his new album - produced by Shooter Jennings - sounds like classic 1970s country. It's right in my sweet spot
youtu.be/YQWYmtFuG7c?...
If you know the name "Vanessa Paradis," it's likely because of her relationship with Johnny Depp, with whom she had two children. But she'a a well-known model & had a pretty successful singing career in France. This cover of the classic Lou Reed tune is from 1992 youtu.be/-FJQQZ_sW-s?...
I'm Waiting For The Man
YouTube video by Vanessa Paradis - Topic
youtu.be
August 1, 2025 at 8:07 PM
If you know the name "Vanessa Paradis," it's likely because of her relationship with Johnny Depp, with whom she had two children. But she'a a well-known model & had a pretty successful singing career in France. This cover of the classic Lou Reed tune is from 1992 youtu.be/-FJQQZ_sW-s?...
I'm always fascinated by songs where the original version wasn't a hit. But when it was covered by another artist, it was a massive success. For instance, the Tina Turner hit "Better Be Good To Me" was actually first released by the NYC band Spider
youtu.be/qVEdkOKkbwI?...
youtu.be/qVEdkOKkbwI?...
Spider - Better be good to me 1981
YouTube video by fritz5153
youtu.be
June 18, 2025 at 7:00 PM
I'm always fascinated by songs where the original version wasn't a hit. But when it was covered by another artist, it was a massive success. For instance, the Tina Turner hit "Better Be Good To Me" was actually first released by the NYC band Spider
youtu.be/qVEdkOKkbwI?...
youtu.be/qVEdkOKkbwI?...
One of the best live bands I ever seen was Chicago's Insiders, who had ear-candy hooks and a sound that can best be described as "The Gin Blossoms with balls."
Their "Live At Fitzgerald's" album is really stellar & like the swagger of this tune
youtu.be/kP2Eop_v-Io?...
Their "Live At Fitzgerald's" album is really stellar & like the swagger of this tune
youtu.be/kP2Eop_v-Io?...
The Moondog Howl
YouTube video by Insiders - Topic
youtu.be
June 17, 2025 at 5:17 PM
One of the best live bands I ever seen was Chicago's Insiders, who had ear-candy hooks and a sound that can best be described as "The Gin Blossoms with balls."
Their "Live At Fitzgerald's" album is really stellar & like the swagger of this tune
youtu.be/kP2Eop_v-Io?...
Their "Live At Fitzgerald's" album is really stellar & like the swagger of this tune
youtu.be/kP2Eop_v-Io?...
One of the amazing aspects of 20th Century pop music is that there are songwriters who have written really weird ranges of big hits. For instance, the little-known Norman Gimbel, who wrote the lyrics for "The Girl From Ipanema," "Killing Me Softly With His Song" and the theme from "Happy Days."🧵
June 1, 2025 at 3:01 AM
One of the amazing aspects of 20th Century pop music is that there are songwriters who have written really weird ranges of big hits. For instance, the little-known Norman Gimbel, who wrote the lyrics for "The Girl From Ipanema," "Killing Me Softly With His Song" and the theme from "Happy Days."🧵
Man, 1990s/early aughts Country music was the complete opposite of today's Bro-country radio hits. I can't imagine a song like this even being released, much less being a Top Ten country hit
youtu.be/LZOIFKEnMeg?...
youtu.be/LZOIFKEnMeg?...
Darryl Worley : If Something Should Happen (2004) Official Music Video (G*A*C*)
YouTube video by j par
youtu.be
April 23, 2025 at 5:56 PM
Man, 1990s/early aughts Country music was the complete opposite of today's Bro-country radio hits. I can't imagine a song like this even being released, much less being a Top Ten country hit
youtu.be/LZOIFKEnMeg?...
youtu.be/LZOIFKEnMeg?...
Most people forget Tracy Chapman's 1988 song "Fast Car" only became a hit after this stunning solo performance that June at the Free Nelson Mandela Concert. A last-minute sub for Stevie Wonder, barely a year away from singing in Harvard Square, she was performing at Wembley youtu.be/7tWE9mPM9pw?...
Tracy Chapman - Fast Car (Nelson Mandela 70th Tribute Concert, Live 1988)
YouTube video by Tracy Chapman Online
youtu.be
April 4, 2025 at 4:09 PM
Most people forget Tracy Chapman's 1988 song "Fast Car" only became a hit after this stunning solo performance that June at the Free Nelson Mandela Concert. A last-minute sub for Stevie Wonder, barely a year away from singing in Harvard Square, she was performing at Wembley youtu.be/7tWE9mPM9pw?...
You are probably familiar with the King Harvest 1970s hit "Dancing In The Moonlight." But the story behind the song & the weird path it took to become a hit is a bit crazy www.allyourscreens.com/3776-todays-...
Today's 70s Song You Should Know: 'Dancing In The Moonlight' By Boffalongo - AllYourScreens.com
While the song was a hit for King Harvest, that version wasn't the first time the song had been released.
www.allyourscreens.com
March 24, 2025 at 7:39 PM
You are probably familiar with the King Harvest 1970s hit "Dancing In The Moonlight." But the story behind the song & the weird path it took to become a hit is a bit crazy www.allyourscreens.com/3776-todays-...
I understand why Garth Brooks has kept his music off of Spotify. But it means a generation of people aren't familiar with his music. Not just the hits, but the weird experiments. The hair is insanely awkward, but this Babyface-produced single "Lost In You" is just great.
youtu.be/tCPYt6BYOSI?...
youtu.be/tCPYt6BYOSI?...
Chris Gaines - Lost In You (4K UHD)
YouTube video by Marty's Hangout
youtu.be
March 10, 2025 at 12:55 PM
I understand why Garth Brooks has kept his music off of Spotify. But it means a generation of people aren't familiar with his music. Not just the hits, but the weird experiments. The hair is insanely awkward, but this Babyface-produced single "Lost In You" is just great.
youtu.be/tCPYt6BYOSI?...
youtu.be/tCPYt6BYOSI?...
Following the death of Joey Mulholland, there is a lot of talk today about his band Badfinger. While this 1979 single wasn't a hit, it has a classic Badfinger sound, but the production also reflects when it was made. A real underappreciated song youtu.be/rh04FdTS2f8?...
Badfinger - Love Is Gonna Come At Last
YouTube video by Luke Atmey
youtu.be
March 2, 2025 at 11:20 PM
Following the death of Joey Mulholland, there is a lot of talk today about his band Badfinger. While this 1979 single wasn't a hit, it has a classic Badfinger sound, but the production also reflects when it was made. A real underappreciated song youtu.be/rh04FdTS2f8?...
Graham Parker's longtime backing band released three albums on their own, and this born-to-be-played-in-a-bar track is probably my favorite song from them
www.allyourscreens.com/3491-todays-...
www.allyourscreens.com/3491-todays-...
Today's 70s Song You Should Know: The Rumour - 'I'm Gonna Make You Love Me' - AllYourScreens.com
Graham Parker's longtime back band cranks out a bar rock classic
www.allyourscreens.com
February 13, 2025 at 7:01 PM
Graham Parker's longtime backing band released three albums on their own, and this born-to-be-played-in-a-bar track is probably my favorite song from them
www.allyourscreens.com/3491-todays-...
www.allyourscreens.com/3491-todays-...
Although The Bay City Rollers had a string of lightweight hits in the mid-1970s, their hits dried up. Then they embarked on a pretty interesting push into more sophisticated pop-rock. This track from the "Elevator" album is one of my favorites, although it didn't chart youtu.be/DyTBEHSPukc?...
Hello & Welcome Home
YouTube video by Bay City Rollers - Topic
youtu.be
January 16, 2025 at 4:27 AM
Although The Bay City Rollers had a string of lightweight hits in the mid-1970s, their hits dried up. Then they embarked on a pretty interesting push into more sophisticated pop-rock. This track from the "Elevator" album is one of my favorites, although it didn't chart youtu.be/DyTBEHSPukc?...
Ian Lloyd is best known for being the lead singer of The Stories, who had a hit in 1973 with "Brother Louie." But he released a couple of albums in the late 70s & the early 80s that sound like greatest hits albums from another universe. Like this Rik Ocasek-penned track youtu.be/bov22rDEfuQ?...
Slip Away
YouTube video by Ian Lloyd - Topic
youtu.be
January 14, 2025 at 5:32 AM
Ian Lloyd is best known for being the lead singer of The Stories, who had a hit in 1973 with "Brother Louie." But he released a couple of albums in the late 70s & the early 80s that sound like greatest hits albums from another universe. Like this Rik Ocasek-penned track youtu.be/bov22rDEfuQ?...
A lot of people have covered the Velvet Underground's "Waiting For My Man," but I'm especially fond of this version from French actress/singer/Johnny Depp ex Vanessa Paradis
youtu.be/-FJQQZ_sW-s?...
youtu.be/-FJQQZ_sW-s?...
I'm Waiting For The Man
YouTube video by Vanessa Paradis - Topic
youtu.be
January 3, 2025 at 3:59 AM
A lot of people have covered the Velvet Underground's "Waiting For My Man," but I'm especially fond of this version from French actress/singer/Johnny Depp ex Vanessa Paradis
youtu.be/-FJQQZ_sW-s?...
youtu.be/-FJQQZ_sW-s?...
Before she had a string of 70s pop hits like "If I Can't Have You" and "Love Me," Yvonne Elliman released some harder-edged tunes, like this remake of The Who's "I Can't Explain," with guitar work from Pete Townsend youtu.be/-sLWIOTUTQA?...
I Can't Explain
YouTube video by Yvonne Elliman - Topic
youtu.be
December 9, 2024 at 1:37 PM
Before she had a string of 70s pop hits like "If I Can't Have You" and "Love Me," Yvonne Elliman released some harder-edged tunes, like this remake of The Who's "I Can't Explain," with guitar work from Pete Townsend youtu.be/-sLWIOTUTQA?...
Lolita Pop was a Swedish pop-rock band that had some success in the Nordic countries in the 80s. They released a couple of English-language LPs in an effort to break in the U.S. This is as close to a hit as they got, from the soundtrack for the Jon Cryer movie "Hiding Out" youtu.be/s3oBkBE8FD0?...
Lolita Pop - Bang Your Head
YouTube video by mrbriefcaseMUSIC
youtu.be
December 7, 2024 at 11:21 PM
Lolita Pop was a Swedish pop-rock band that had some success in the Nordic countries in the 80s. They released a couple of English-language LPs in an effort to break in the U.S. This is as close to a hit as they got, from the soundtrack for the Jon Cryer movie "Hiding Out" youtu.be/s3oBkBE8FD0?...