Today is World Kindness Day. While every day would be a great day to practice basic human decency, some people are nasty assbags with no regard for others. If you’re one of those walking masterpieces of jackholery, here’s a wild idea: try being kind for ONE WHOLE DAY and see what it does. For example, let’s say you’re the personal assistant to someone who lives in a building with other residents. When you’re walking out of the building’s front door just in front of a neighbor who is holding his 17-year-old blind dog and leading his other pupper on a leash, maybe – and I’m just spitballing here – don’t let the door slam in their face, you self-absorbed piece of human garbage. And if said neighbor thoughtfully moves your precious Tesla charging cable to prevent damage (gasp – the audacity of helping!), perhaps, don’t show up at his door and berate him for protecting your property. Wild concept: Show some gratitude for his thoughtfulness. Consider saying “thank you,” you self-important, unreasonable, entitled, high-handed weenie.
FFS people, be kind! Rewind!
(Any resemblance to persons unfortunately living is purely intentional.)
Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier, and Eddie Holland, collectively known as Holland-Dozier-Holland (H-D-H), are synonymous with the sound of Motown. Their string of hits in the 1960s and beyond fueled the success of the record label, shaping popular music and paving the way for R&B to dominate the airwaves. Each song on this playlist, from The Four Tops’ powerful “Reach Out (I’ll Be There)” to The Supremes’ iconic “Where Did Our Love Go,” credits one or more members of H-D-H. With a blend of melody, rhythm, and hooks that remain timeless, the team’s work redefined what hit songwriting could accomplish.
This songwriting trio didn’t merely write songs—they crafted narratives of love, heartbreak, and resilience that resonated with audiences across generations. Tracks like “This Old Heart of Mine (Is Weak for You)” by The Isley Brothers and Marvin Gaye’s “Can I Get a Witness” reveal the emotional depth in their compositions, supported by rhythms and production styles that have endured decades of cover versions. Their songs often feel instantly recognizable, whether it’s the infectious chorus of Chairmen of the Board’s “Give Me Just a Little More Time” or the stomping beat of Junior Walker & the All-Stars’ “(I’m A) Road Runner.”
The irony, however, is that Eddie Holland, despite being a key member of the team, had only one top 40 pop single as a solo artist, “Jamie”—and it wasn’t written by any member of Holland-Dozier-Holland. Instead, it was penned by Barrett Strong and William “Mickey” Stevenson, fellow Motown talents who contributed in their own right to the label’s powerhouse status. Though Eddie found his calling behind the scenes rather than as a performer, his experience as an artist gave him unique insight into the singer’s perspective, a quality that helped make H-D-H’s songs vocally compelling and relatable.
Beyond Motown, the trio’s influence stretched into rock, pop, and soul genres, as evident from covers and reinterpretations by artists like The Rolling Stones, Rod Stewart, and Bananarama. These renditions, like Linda Ronstadt’s cover of “Heat Wave” or James Taylor’s soulful take on “How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved by You),” show how their music transcended genre boundaries. Each version emphasizes the versatility of H-D-H’s songwriting, capable of adapting to various musical expressions while retaining its core appeal.
Ultimately, the legacy of Holland-Dozier-Holland isn’t just in their impressive catalog but in their contributions to the very essence of popular music. They captured the spirit of a generation through music that continues to find new audiences, sounding as fresh today as it did over half a century ago. Their work endures, a testament to their genius, and is rightly celebrated by the many artists who’ve covered and revived their timeless songs.
Paul Simon’s career spans decades, and his musical catalog reflects a remarkable ability to evolve while maintaining a strong sense of identity. From his early work with Art Garfunkel to his celebrated solo projects, Simon consistently explores universal themes—love, loss, identity, and social change—through personal and inventive storytelling. His songs often feel intimate, yet they resonate on a larger cultural level, as seen in the enduring popularity of tracks like “The Sound of Silence” and “The Boxer.”
While his early years with Simon & Garfunkel produced timeless hits like “Bridge Over Troubled Water” and “Mrs. Robinson,” Simon’s decision to go solo opened up even more creative possibilities. Tracks like “50 Ways to Leave Your Lover” and “Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard” showcase a wit and playfulness that may have been less apparent in his earlier work. The rhythmic experimentation in songs such as “Late in the Evening” and “You Can Call Me Al” reflects Simon’s growing fascination with global influences, a shift most fully realized in Graceland. That album’s blend of African rhythms and American pop sounds was groundbreaking for its time, and songs like “Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes” and “The Boy in the Bubble” pushed the boundaries of what mainstream American music could encompass.
What’s perhaps most compelling about Simon’s body of work is his ability to balance the personal with the political. Tracks like “American Tune” and “The Obvious Child” grapple with questions of national identity and generational change, yet they remain deeply personal in their reflection on life’s inevitable transitions. Even earlier songs such as “Homeward Bound” and “America” contain a longing for connection and meaning that feels timeless.
Simon’s lyricism often blends poetic imagery with straightforward narratives. Whether he’s reflecting on the bittersweetness of aging in “Still Crazy After All These Years” or channeling grief in “Mother and Child Reunion,” his songs are full of characters, stories, and moments that feel immediately familiar. His ability to capture both the small details of everyday life and the broader sweep of emotional experiences keeps his work feeling fresh.
In essence, Paul Simon’s music is both a reflection of his own journey and a mirror to the world around him. Through the lens of folk, rock, and world music, Simon offers songs that feel both deeply personal and universally relatable, a feat few artists can achieve so consistently across a career as varied as his.
Steely Dan’s Walter Becker was obsessed with a tiny sound glitch on the album Katy Lied and flew to a 3M factory in Minnesota to find out the cause. It turned out to be a blot of dried mustard on the tape. Duh!
The late Walter Becker was born on this date in 1950. Lots of Steely Dan on today’s playlist.
The first of nine US number one singles for The Bee Gees was “How Can You Mend a Broken Heart,” written for Andy Williams by the group’s three brothers (credited to Barry and Robin Gibb on its initial release but later amended to include brother Maurice). The song is from their album Trafalgar, named after where in London they stayed during the recording sessions; however, the single failed to chart in the UK.
The Bee Gees’ twins Maurice and Robin Gibb were born on this date in 1949. Lots of Bee Gees on today’s playlist.
