Who said sad and hopeful, melancholic and groovy have to be exclusive moods? If you ever want a song to make you feel every emotion there is in a bitter-and-sweet smoothie of pulsating rhythms and gentle voices, you don’t have to look any further than “When Will I See You Again” by the Three Degrees. Perfect for a soul in love, a soul enduring loss, “When Will I See You Again” is rife with questions and dreams, some unanswered and some unrealized – and, we’re assured, that’s okay. It aches, but that upbeat tempo assures us that life goes on, a message that the Three Degrees would know all too ..read more

Don’t you know it’s a pity the days can’t be like the nights in the summer, in the city? In an era of breezy, lighthearted beach tunes, 1966’s “Summer in the City” by the Lovin’ Spoonful gave us a fresh take on summer by mourning the oppressive day and celebrating the cool, hip energy of nightlife, and they did it with a jam that got us ready to party all night long. No surprise, it took a fresh mind to work wonders on this unique hit – unique both for its pretty different way of looking at those warm summer days we usually craved so badly, and unique for the band, which usually stuck to exact ..read more

They say laughter and math are pretty universal across borders – but what about music? A catchy beat can get feet tapping all over the world. Just the right sounds can get everyone’s blood pumping with all of life’s heartbreaking, wonderful possibilities. If we were to get everyone to sit down and watch just one live performance, it would have to be Marvin Gaye singing “What’s Going On” in 1972. For listening on-demand, “What’s Going On” came out just the year before on the studio album of the same name, which itself is a treasure trove of solid tracks. It helps that it’s a concept album, basi ..read more

In the kaleidoscopic tapestry of 1970s music, a single tune stands out, striking a chord of nostalgia and playful spirit that resonates even today. “Kung Fu Fighting,” the brainchild of Carl Douglas, is not just a song; it’s a time capsule, a whimsical journey back to a time of bell-bottoms, disco balls, and, of course, the martial arts mania that swept the globe. The year was 1974, a moment in history when the world was spinning on the groovy tunes of disco and the charismatic allure of kung fu flicks. Amidst this cultural confluence, Douglas delivered a musical roundhouse kick that still ech ..read more

Seductive, lively, celebratory, pure. It’s all too rare a singer can achieve each of these tones in one recording, never mind manage that live. But Percy Sledge achieved something positively magical when he sang “When a Man Loves a Woman” live in 1966. In a day when more and more singers are less and less part of their live performances, Sledge’s stands out as all of him managing a heartfelt, velvety delivery that’s exactly what such bold vows of devotion deserve. The lyrics, expertly penned by Calvin Lewis and Andrew Wright, are a match made in heaven for Sledge’s passionate voice, who can ma ..read more

Tender, heartfelt, and just a bit titillating and sensual, Rod Stewart broke the mold when he sang “Have I Told You Lately” We’ve heard plenty of ballads before, and even more hymns, but it takes something special that perfectly captures how divine the power of love is. The original recording dates back to 1989, but it was Stewart’s ‘93 performance that really captured what it means to love with body, mind, heart, and soul. Northern Irish singer-songwriter Van Morrison first wrote and recorded “Have I Told You Lately” and it retained its distinct power ballad sound, originally for his nineteen ..read more

Fleetwood Mac ripped our hearts out in 1975 and we thanked them for it – because what else can you do when listening to a timeless piece of art like “Landslide?” Those deep guitars set the perfect beat for one of the most achingly relatable and poetic songs out there. On top of all that, “Landslide” is one of those rare gems of a song that only gets more powerful with each passing year. Millions are still listening to this haunting tune online, everyone lining up for singer Stevie Nicks to tell an intimate story of change and the unpredictable fear that comes with it, a kind of fear that we j ..read more

The Bee Gees ruled the ’60s and ’70s, but listening back to their biggest hits to this day proves quickly just how timeless they are. But its 1978’s “Too Much Heaven” that manages to stand out in a sea of greatness thanks to a sweet message that all the world ought to hear, backed by those signature Bee Gees harmonies and some truly smooth, soulful background music. Listening to “Too Much Heaven” is like hearing a love letter to the idea of love itself and the story behind that song is just as tender as the message they’re singing. The family business that is the Bee Gees has always come strai ..read more

Let’s chat about a tune that’s like a warm hug for your ears — The Carpenters‘ “Close to You.” Remember this one? Released way back in 1970, it’s like a time machine to a world where love songs were all about those butterfly feelings and sweet, simple melodies. This isn’t just any old love song; it’s like the audio equivalent of a cozy blanket and a cup of hot cocoa on a rainy day. The Carpenters, a.k.a. the dreamy duo of Karen and Richard Carpenter, really hit the jackpot with “Close to You.” They weren’t just siblings; they were like musical mind-readers, blending their talents to create som ..read more

Member of the Rat Pack, Sammy Davis Jr., met his future bride May Britt in 1959. May Britt was fresh off a divorce but that didn’t stop the pair from tying their own knot a year later in 1960. The marriage between the two was more than just a typical wedding. As the pair said ‘I do’ and solidified their love, Sammy was actually committing a felony in 31 states. Sammy knew the high stakes as he received hate mail prior to the wedding day. However, his love for May would prevail. The photos of the two are a timeless reminder that sometimes the law isn’t entirely correct. The love and happiness i ..read more