SONG: Chaje Shukarije ARTIST: Esma Redzepova YEAR: 1960 Listen to it here: THE SONG: Chaje Shukarije means “The Little Gypsy Girl” and the song, written by Esma Redzepova, has been described as an anthem for Yugoslavia before it became a part of Macedonia. The lyrics of the song describe a boy whose unrequited love hauntsContinue reading “Song 115 – Chaje Sukarije”
Category Archives: Songs
Song 114 – Save the Last Dance for Me
SONG: Save the Last Dance for Me ARTIST: The Drifters YEAR: 1960 Listen to it here: THE SONG: “Save the Last Dance for Me” was written by Doc Pomus and Mort Shuman and first recorded by the Drifters in 1960. It spent 3 weeks at number 1 on the Billboard charts. It has since beenContinue reading “Song 114 – Save the Last Dance for Me”
Song 113 – Wondrous Place
SONG: Wondrous Place ARTIST: Billy Fury and the Four Jays YEAR: 1960 Listen to it here: THE SONG: Wondrous Place was written by Jeff Lewis and Bill Giant, and was first recorded by the American singer Jimmy Jones in May 1960. Billy Fury’s version came out just a few months later in September of thatContinue reading “Song 113 – Wondrous Place”
Song 112 – It Ain’t Necessarily So
SONG: It Ain’t Necessarily So ARTIST: Diahann Carroll and Andre Previn YEAR: 1959 Listen to it here: THE SONG: “It Ain’t Necessarily So” was written by American powerhouse songwriting brother duo George and Ira Gershwin for the opera Porgy and Bess in 1935. In the opera it’s sung by the character Sportin’ Life who isContinue reading “Song 112 – It Ain’t Necessarily So”
Song 111 – Mack the Knife
SONG: Mack the Knife ARTIST: Bobby Darin YEAR: 1959 Listen to it here: THE SONG: Mack the Knife, or The Ballad of Mack the Knife has a history long before Bobby Darin ever got his hands on it. It was originally a murder ballad song composed by Kurt Weill with lyrics by Bertolt Brecht inContinue reading “Song 111 – Mack the Knife”
Song 110 – Shout
SONG: Shout (Parts 1 & 2) ARTIST: The Isley Brothers YEAR: 1959 Listen to it here: THE SONG: Shout (Part 1 and 2) were written and recorded by the Isley Brothers in 1959. During their performances the previous year, the original 3 Isleys would end their set with “Lonely Teardrops” by Jackie Wilson. At aContinue reading “Song 110 – Shout”
Song 109 – Ne me quitte pas
SONG: Ne me quitte pas ARTIST: Jacques Brel YEAR: 1959 Listen to it here: THE SONG: “Ne me quitte pas” (“Don’t Leave Me”) was written and performed first by Belgian singer-songwriter Jacques Brel and is considered by some as “Brel’s ultimate classic.” He wrote it after his mistress threw him out of her life. TheContinue reading “Song 109 – Ne me quitte pas”
Song 108 – I Only Have Eyes For You
SONG: I Only Have Eyes For You ARTIST: The Flamingos YEAR: 1959 Listen to it here: THE SONG: I Only Have Eyes For You was written by Harry Warren and Al Dubin for the movie Dames in 1934, but the song saw real success when it was recorded and released by doo-wop group the FlamingosContinue reading “Song 108 – I Only Have Eyes For You”
Song 107 – What’d I Say
SONG: What’d I Say ARTIST: Ray Charles YEAR: 1959 Listen to it here: THE SONG: “What’d I Say” is considered one of the first soul songs. Written by Ray Charles, and released as a two-part single in 1959, it started out as an improvised tune that Charles, his orchestra, and backup singers messed around withContinue reading “Song 107 – What’d I Say”
Song 106 – Brand New Cadillac
SONG: Brand New Cadillac ARTIST: Vince Taylor and the Playboys YEAR: 1959 Listen to it here: THE SONG: “Brand New Cadillac” was written and recorded by Vince Taylor in 1959. Although the song didn’t see a lot of airplay in Vince’s native UK it was a big hit in continental Europe, especially Scandinavia, being successfullyContinue reading “Song 106 – Brand New Cadillac”
Holly & Kelly Music Review 