The late Eddie Kendricks of The Temptations was born on this date in 1939. A sampling of his finest is included on today’s playlist.
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Tunes Du Jour Presents John Lennon
John Lennon’s musical legacy is a testament to his evolving artistry and the profound impact he had on popular culture. From the early days of The Beatles to his solo career, Lennon’s songs reflect a man constantly pushing boundaries and exploring new territories in music and thought.
The playlist at hand offers a glimpse into Lennon’s musical journey, starting with the youthful energy of early Beatles tracks like “Love Me Do” and “From Me To You.” These songs, with their catchy melodies and simple lyrics about love, mark the beginning of a career that would soon take unexpected turns. As The Beatles progressed, so did Lennon’s songwriting. Tracks like “Help!” and “Nowhere Man” hint at a deeper introspection, moving beyond the realm of simple pop tunes to explore more personal and complex themes.
The psychedelic era brought forth some of Lennon’s most innovative work. Songs such as “Strawberry Fields Forever,” “I Am The Walrus,” and “Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds” showcase his experimentation with sound, structure, and lyrics. These tracks, along with “Tomorrow Never Knows,” demonstrate Lennon’s willingness to push the boundaries of what was possible in popular music, incorporating influences from avant-garde and Eastern philosophy.
As the 1960s drew to a close, Lennon’s songwriting took on a more politically charged tone. “Revolution” and “Give Peace A Chance” reflect his growing activism and desire to use his platform for social change. This shift continued into his solo career, with tracks like “Imagine” and “Working Class Hero” further cementing his status as not just a musician, but a voice for his generation.
Songs like “(Just Like) Starting Over” and “#9 Dream,” reveal an artist who had found a balance between his experimental tendencies and his gift for melody. These tracks, along with the haunting “Jealous Guy,” show a more mature Lennon, one who could look back on his life and career with a mixture of nostalgia and hard-earned wisdom. Through this playlist, we see John Lennon not just as a member of The Beatles or a solo artist, but as a continuously evolving musician whose work continues to resonate with listeners decades after his untimely death.
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Tunes Du Jour Presents Paul McCartney
Paul McCartney, an iconic figure in the music industry, has had a remarkable career spanning over six decades. As a founding member of The Beatles, his contributions have significantly shaped the landscape of popular music. His work with The Beatles produced some of the most enduring songs of all time, including classics like “Hey Jude,” “Let It Be,” and “Yesterday.” These tracks not only topped charts globally but also influenced countless artists across various genres.
McCartney’s talent was not confined to his time with The Beatles. After the band’s breakup, he formed Paul McCartney & Wings, continuing to release hits like “Band on the Run” and “Live and Let Die.” His ability to reinvent himself and remain relevant in the evolving music scene is a testament to his versatility as an artist. Songs like “Maybe I’m Amazed” showcased his knack for crafting deeply personal and emotionally resonant music.
Throughout his illustrious career, McCartney has garnered numerous accolades. He is an 18-time Grammy Award winner, a two-time inductee into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (as both a Beatle and a solo artist), and a recipient of the prestigious Gershwin Prize for Popular Song from the Library of Congress. In 1997, he was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II for his services to music, cementing his status as one of the most influential musicians in history.
Beyond his musical achievements, McCartney is also known for his philanthropic efforts. He has been a vocal advocate for animal rights, environmental conservation, and vegetarianism. Along with his late wife, Linda McCartney, he campaigned extensively for these causes, even launching the Linda McCartney Foods line of vegetarian products. His support extends to numerous charities and humanitarian efforts, reflecting his commitment to using his platform for positive change.
McCartney’s legacy is not just in the music he created but also in the way he has inspired generations of musicians and fans. His songwriting prowess, innovative approach to music, and unwavering dedication to social causes make him a towering figure in popular culture. As we listen to timeless songs like “Eleanor Rigby,” “Penny Lane,” and “Blackbird,” we are reminded of the profound impact Paul McCartney has had on the world, both through his art and his actions.
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Your (Almost) Daily Playlist: 12-10-23
“Nightshift” was Commodores’ biggest hit following the departure of usual lead singer Lionel Richie. The group’s Walter Orange, a co-writer of the song, sings lead on verse one. Orange also sang lead on Commodores’ hits “Brick House” and “Too Hot Ta Trot.” So there.
Commodores’ Walter Orange was born on this date (or maybe yesterday’s date) in 1946. Two of the group’s songs on which he sang lead are included on today’s playlist.
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Your (Almost) Daily Playlist: 9-2-23
“Will It Go Round In Circles,” Billy Preston’s second US number one single, was borne from a comment Preston made to his songwriting partner, Bruce Fisher, about having a song but no melody. From there the pair came up with lyrics about having a dance with no steps and added to those words a very catchy melody. A session that included pre-stardom guitar and bass players The Brothers Johnson brought the groove and the funk.
Billy Preston’s first time having his name appear at the top spot of the Hot 100 was in 1969 with “Get Back,” credited to The Beatles With Billy Preston. Following The Beatles’ breakup, Preston continued working with its members, including playing with George Harrison at the Concert for Bangladesh. Preston was the first artist to record Harrison’s My Sweet Lord,” which Harrison co-produced and later recorded himself.
“Will It Go Round In Circles” entered the Hot 100 at number 99. It reached the top ten eleven weeks later, at which time the number one song was Paul McCartney and Wings’ “My Love.” “My Love” was knocked from the top spot by George Harrison’s “Give Me Love (Give Me Peace On Earth),” which was knocked from the top spot by “Will it Go Round In Circles.” The b-side of the Preston single was his cover of The Beatles’ song “Blackbird.”
The late Billy Preston was born on this date in 1946. A handful of his songs feature on today’s playlist.
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Your (Almost) Daily Playlist: 1-23-23
A handful of Pointer Sisters tracks sprinkled through the playlist on what would have been Anita Pointer’s 75th birthday.
Your (Almost) Daily Playlist: 10-8-22
Today’s playlist celebrates the October 8 birthdays of Ramones’ Johnny Ramone and C.J. Ramone, Kool & the Gang’s Robert “Kool” Bell, The Stylistics’ Airrion Love, Average White Band’s Hamish Stuart, BLACKstreet’s Teddy Riley, C.L. Smooth, Bruno Mars, Pigbag’s James Johnstone, and Saturday Night Live‘s Chevy Chase; and the October 9 birthdays of The Beatles’ John Lennon, The Who’s John Entwistle, PJ Harvey, Jackson Browne, Labelle’s Nona Hendryx, Men Without Hats’s Ivan Doroschuk, Heatwave’s Rod Temperton, Ini Kamoze, and Phantom Planet’s Alex Greenwald.
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Your (Almost) Daily Playlist: 9-1-22
Today’s playlist celebrates the September 1 birthdays of Archie Bell, Bee Gees’ Barry Gibb, Conway Twitty, Alton Ellis, Gloria Estefan, Lily Tomlin, The Noisettes, and Steven Grossman; and the September 2 birthdays of Billy Preston, Joe Simon, Bobby Purify, Chris Knox, Eleanor Friedberger, Zedd, King Missile’s John S. Hall, K-Ci, and Victor Lundberg.
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Your (Almost) Daily Playlist: 8-2-22
Today’s playlist celebrates the August 2 birthdays of The Band’s Garth Hudson, Traffic’s Jim Capaldi, Charli XCX, The La’s’ Lee Mavers, The Shirelles’ Doris Coley, Johnny Kemp, The Cascades’ John Claude Gummoe, Mojo Nixon, Apollonia, Jacob Collier, and Andrew Gold; and the August 3 birthdays of Metallica’s James Hetfield, Tony Bennett, Scroobius Pip, Nice & Smooth’s Smooth B, Skunk Anansie’s Skin, Lucky Dube, Syreeta, and Ricky Blaze.
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