850-826-Great Vocals
850. ORINOCO FLOWS (SAIL AWAY) (1988)
Vocalist: Enya (Maire Brennan)
Writer/Composer: Enya (Eithne Ni Bhraonain) / Roma Ryan (1988)
Irish singer / songwriter Enya is known for her albums rather than her hits, but this crossover New Age / Celtic / Folk / Pop song was a total surprise, going worldwide to #1 in several countries. Her vocals here are priceless, precise and precious, with her trademark synthesizer producing ‘pizzacato’ chords so catchy that it was easily accessible to all genres of music, thus its global cross-generation appeal. The layering in the studio of her ethereal voice is an absolute marvel to behold—almost everyone loves this song! Her 3rd song on our list is a vocal treat…A Melodious Treasure!
Link from official music video 1988.
849. WHEN WILL I BE LOVED (1975)
Vocalist: Linda Ronstadt & chorus
Writer/Composer: Phil Everly (1960) Linda Ronstadt re=arrangement (1974)
Maybe we didn’t notice Linda’s gradual rise to superstardom. Her strongest decade was the 1970s, but her hits started in the 1960s when she fronted the band The Stone Ponies and continued into the 2000’s, choosing wisely to record the music she loved. We love her choices too, how she elevated her singing styles from Rock / Pop / Country / Folk / Jazz / Latino / Broadway and Americana. The Amazing thing is we didn’t notice when it was happening! Here’s an example, her fabulous cover of the one of the Everly Brothers best Rockabilly songs, her 9th song listed, changing the verses around a little and letting her performance sing for itself, Rocking the rafters loose, from her super album, Heart Like a Wheel. Her soprano, larger-than-life voice says it all, “When will I be loved!”…Simply Spectacular!
Link # 1 Original recording 1975. Link # 2 Live performance in Germany 1976.
848. NO OTHER LOVE “Me and Juliet” (1953)
Vocalist: Perry Como
Writer/Composer: Richard Rodgers / Oscar Hammerstein II (1953)
If Rock & Roll hadn’t exploded in the 1956 / 57 era, Perry Como would have sold more records than anyone and claimed his Pop star status as the biggest name in music. This song by the R&H writing partnership was a smash, and considered one of Como’s best vocals, a tribute to the wonderful Pop productions of that day. He was ubiquitous on jukeboxes, radio and TV, his presence was everywhere, and his flexible, lovable, mellow baritone and his relaxed attitude with that cardigan sweater made him everyone’s favorite houseguest and crooner in the 1950s & 60s. He really stretches his wings here with his 3rd entry, holding his notes, displaying what the 1950s were all about…Noble Excellence!
Link # 1 Original 1953 recording, # 1 song. Link # 2 Live Link # 2 Collaboration from Me & Juliete musical 1953.
847. I’M ALWAYS CHASING RAINBOWS “Oh, Look!” (1972)
Vocalist: Julie Budd (Edith Erdman)
Writer/Composer: Joseph McCarthy / Harry Carroll (adapted from Chopin’s Fantasie-Impromptu (1917)
In the early 1970s a young voice appeared that was a jaw-dropping phenomena, Julie Budd. She was an actress, she specialized in Showtunes, Theater songs and concert selections from the Great American Songbook. She was a Pop / Jazz vocalist, often compared to Streisand, with a power-packed voice, completely capable of 3+ octaves. She was only 16 when she opened for Sinatra at Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas. Her career spans 6 decades with cabaret shows, symphonies, and a voice that still records classics that are described as spectacular, lush, pure and amazing. Some describe her as having the biggest voice of an unknown star. This is an example…Listen…Remarkably Superb!
Link - Live from one of her first TV appearances at 16 years old.
846. JUST THE TWO OF US (1980)
Vocalist: Grover Washington Jr. on Saxophone / feat. Bill Withers & chorus (Piano solo Joshua Stallwood)
Writer/Composer: Grover Washington Jr. (1980)
This Award-winning song featured a splendid sax solo, entering when the song was half over, by the great Jazz / R&B / Soul artist, Grover Washington, and the smooth, distinctive soulful vocals by Bill Withers, his 2nd song on our list. The 80s was a time of big-hair Rock bands, synth-Pop and the second British invasion largely by female Pop performers. But the song stood out as a breath of fresh air in a world with very few Jazz singles. “I see the crystal raindrops fall / And the beauty of it all / Is when the sun comes shining through / To make those rainbows in my mind / When I think of you sometime / And I wanna spend some time with you.” The keyboard intro gave us a unique, stellar love ballad that continued to grow on us upon every listening experience…Beloved and Irresistible!
Link # 1 Original recording 1980.
845. DI PROVENZA IL MAR “La Traviata” (1971)
Vocalist: Sherill Milnes (James Levine cond.)
Writer/Composer: Giuseppi Verdi (1853)
America’s Sherill Milnes is one of the most distinctive baritone voices of 20th century in Classical Opera, and his presence, power, and rugged good looks from 1965 through 1997, make him as one of the busiest male voices in multitudes of classical performances. Verdi’s cherished Opera ran the table of human emotions, “love, envy, jealousy, loyalty, hatred,” and he encompassed them all. His rich high baritone brought long applause and accolades, and he was not afraid to challenge the more complex roles…Simply Legendary!
844. STONED SOUL PICNIC (1968)
Vocalist: The 5th Dimension (lead Marilyn McCoo)
Writer/Composer: Laura Nyro (1968)
The American vocal group, the Fifth Dimension, made up with 2 women and 3 men, were known for their wonderful, beautiful, song deliveries and their majestic harmonies. They easily deliver in their 2nd entry, with this wondrous R&B / Pop tune, where they really get to stretch their vocal prowess and identity. Again, they ride on the strength of Marilyn McCoo’s strong, versatile, energetic, heavenly voice, one of the best and most recognizable from 1969 through the 1970s. The simply take this whimsical tune to new heights as they ride a see-saw of lyrical exchanges, finding their psychedelic groove. The lyrics probably mean more to writer Laura Nyro, but who cares! It’s a happy, delightful carefree song full of the vibes that make us smile. “Just surry on down!”…Absolutely Fine and Dandy!
Link # 1 Original recording 1968. Link # 2 Live on Sinatra’s TV special 1968.
843. I BELIEVE (1953)
Vocalist: Frankie Laine (Francesco Paolo LoVecchio) / Paul Weston’s orch & chorus
Writer/Composer: Erwin Drake / Irvin Graham / Jimmy Shirl / Al Stillman (1953)
Again, the 1950s was a decade when religious songs could be…Traditional Pop songs! This massive hit, his 3rd on our list, in the mid-1950s, and his delivery was touching, emotional and heartfelt, with his unique ability as a great song stylist, to deliver the song with convincing, raw emotions appealing to everyone’s taste. This caught the attention of the Pop / Jazz / Country / Gospel / Soul / R&B audiences everywhere, and was one of his most enduring hits, a crowning achievement of his 75-year singing career. The final verse catches the heart, “I believe above the storm the smallest prayer / Will still be heard / I believe that someone in the great somewhere / Hears every word / Every time I hear a newborn baby cry / Or touch a leaf / or see the sky / then I know why / I believe.”…Stirring and Inspirational!
842. PLEASE MR. PLEASE (1975)
Vocalist: Olivia Newton-John
Writer/Composer: Bruce Welsh / John Rostill (1974)
When Australian Country / Pop / Soft Rock, Olivia cut this record, her 3rd on our list, her worldwide fame and popularity had already been set. Still, she took a lot of heat in Country music circles because she didn’t really fit the mold in what’s defined as Country. Proof?—This was not as big a Country hit as it was a Pop hit, even though the lyrics easily put this into a Country music motif. “If i had a dime for every time i held you / Though you’re far away, you’ve been so close to me / I could swear I’d be the richest girl in Nasvill / Maybe even in the state of Tennessee.” Her crystal-clear, perfect phrasing really stands out, as sweet a honey, as did her smooth vibrato, and with her near 3-octave, soprano voice, she could be, or should be a National Treasure…A Lilting, Adorable Breakup Vocal Performance!
Link # 1 Original recording 1975. Link # 2 Live performance 1977.
841. TALK IT OVER (1988)
Vocalist: Grayson Hugh & friends
Writer/Composer: Grayson Hugh / Sandy Linzer / Irwin Levine (1988)
Three singer’s names usually come up when we identify the great blue-eyed Soul singers of the 1980s and 90s. They are Michael Bolton, Michael MacDonald and American baritone, Grayson Hugh. His strong keyboard playing doesn’t hurt either—his amazing vocals stand on their on—and he delivers! Many were shocked this song could possibly be a white R&B / Soul / Jazz sound, but Grayson has it, cutting his teeth on Gospel / Soul music in a black church as a teenager. His love for all styles of music poetry, allowed him in the singer / songwriter class. The opening verse, “Harsh words are spoken / Promises are broken / Old wounds are opened / And Love walks out that door / Too proud to make up / You’re ready to make up / Too late to wake up / And love walks out that door.” Purely Remarkable!
Link # 1 Original recording 1989. Link # 2 Live on BBC’s the Wogan Show 1989.
840. LITTLE THINGS MEAN A LOT (1954)
Vocalist: Kitty Kallen (Jack Pleis orch.)
Writer/Composer: Edith Lindman / Carl Stutz ((1953)
Kitty Who? Kitty Kallen, an American Pop / Swing / Jazz singer who fronted Big Bands such as Harry James and Jimmy Dorsey in the 1940s. This song sold over 2 million vinyl units as the biggest hit of her 30+ year singing career, ranking her as one of the most successful female vocalists of her era, alongside Doris Day, Patti Page and Dinah Shore. This beautifully crafted, romantic ballad conveyed the importance of the little things that made up love in a lasting relationship—the intro sets the mood, “Blow me a kiss from across the room / Say I look nice when I’m not / Touch my hair as you pass mu chair / Little things mean a lot.” Her sweet-as-sugar, soprano voice was distinctive, youthful and earnestly sincere, perfectly representing mellow in the Post-war years…Marvelously Endearing!
Link # 1 Original recording with lyrics 1954. Link # 2 Live clip from Perry Como show c. 1957.
839. BLINDING LIGHTS (2020)
Vocalist: The Weeknd (Abel Makkonen Tesfaye)
Writer/Composer: Abel Tesfaye / Martin Sandberg / Jason Quinneville / Oscar Holter / Ahmad Balshe (2020)
Now known as the most streamed (approaching 5 billion) song in music history, this became the musical escape for millions of people. This Pop / R&B / Soul / Syth-Dance song has become an amalgam musical piece for this Canadian singer / songwriter, and the song has become the most charted (90 weeks) song of all time from a solo artist, from his studio album, After Hours. In spite of its electronic distortion and autotune, usually not included on this list, it is a remarkably well-crafted melody showcasing his incredible, remarkable vocals. His use of a tenor 3 octave voice, slipping somewhere into a high falsetto with ease, has, along with its production, allowed this song to sail into infinity, in spite of many in the older generation not even being aware of its existence…A Unique Tour-de-Force!
838. MY MAN “Funny Girl” (1969)
Vocalist: Barbra Streisand
Writer/Composer: Maurice Yvain / Jacques/Charles / Albert Willemetz (1921) / Channing Pollock (1968)
Some showstoppers are unforgettable, impossible to ignore, or performed with such heart and soul that it retraces its steps into your mind so deeply that you could repeat the experiences over and over. My Man wraps all those sensations and feelings into a finale of finales! She does it again with her 8th entry on our list, one with such spectacular acting within all the emotions—she begins with whimpering tears, raises the bar with confidence and determination, raises it again growling in triumph, and realistically and softly lowering the bar again, counting on her love to rescue her from those depths of depression. Fanny Brice invented it in 1921, and the legendary Barbra perfects it…Her recordings in the 1960s changed music forever…Truly a Legendary Performance!
Link # 1 Movie clip at the conclusion of the film Funny Girl 1968. Link # 2 Live performance in 1969.
837. FELL ON BLACK DAYS (1994)
Vocalist: Soundgarden (lead Chris Cornell / Kim Thayil guitar / Ben Shepard bass / Matt Cameron drums / Scott Sunquist)
Writer/Composer: Chris Cornell
As one of the forerunners of the Seattle-based “grunge” movement in the late 1980s through the 1990s, this new sound is now considered a Rock classic, full of the pain, despair, and lack of structure we all face in life’s uncertain times. Has it ever been displayed with more emotion as we see here in this Rock / Grunge Rock masterpiece? Chris Cornell’s vocals here are so convincing that some consider him now among the greatest of Rock singers. His stellar vocals almost scare us when he raises his voice with his key change in that second verse, “Whomsoever I’ve cured, I’ve sickened now / And whomsoever I’ve cradled, I’ve put you down / I’m a search light soul they say / But I can’t see it IN THE NIGHT!” He means it, because he struggled with it until the end of his life at 52 years…Haunting, Shattering!
Link # 1 Live music video.
836. DA DOO RON RON (When he Walked Me Home) (1963)
Vocalist: The Crystals (lead Delores “LaLa” Brooks) Delores “DeeDee” Kinnebrew / Patricia Pritchett
Writer/Composer: Jeff Barry / Ellie Greenwich / Phil Spector (1963)
Their 2nd listed, from the American 3-girl R&B group, and from Phil Spector’s stable of Pop / Rock / R&B singers, were The Crystals, who have had a remarkably long shelf life through the years. This song has achieved Rock status in recent years, either for nostalgia, or for the great production values and stellar background vocals in Spector’s “Wall of Sound.” They had a great run of hit records in the early 1960s, and they relied this time on the LaLa Brooks eternally young, contralto voice, perfect for girl group desires and sensibilities, and the catchy tunes by their songwriting team. “I met him on a Monday and my heart stood still / Da doo ron ron ron, Da do ron ron / Somebody told me that his name was Bill / Da doo ron ron ron, da doo ron ron.” …Terrifically jubilant and Catchy!
Link # 1 Original recording 1963. Link # 2 Live on American Bandstand 1963.
835. MY MOTHER TOLD ME (2020)
Vocalist: Voiceplay (5 man acapella group / featuring Jose Rosario Jr.)
(Geoff Castellucci bass / Layne Stein (Percussion) baritone / Eli Stein tenor # 1 / Jessie Nunn III baritone / Cesar De La Rosa tenor # 2)
Writer/Composer: Traditional Norse Poem / modern lyrics Egil Skallagrimsson (???)
This American 5-man a cappella group has slowly risen to the public’s attention with incredible harmonies with a wide variety of musical choices including this Folk / Pop traditional piece. Known for “re-imaging Pop music with nothing but their voices,” as this selection clearly demonstrates, all 5 of it’s members sing verses on their own, and it seems the glue that holds it all together is the unbelivable vocal range of bass singer, Castellucci. Born from a Viking tale dating back to the 9th century, this stunning number is, without doubt, …Simply Astonishing!
834. THE WAY YOU DO THE THINGS YOU DO (1964)
Vocalist: The Temptations (lead Eddie Kendricks)
Writer/Composer: Smokey Robinson / Bobby Rogers (1964)
For their 4th entry listed it seems the Temps could do no wrong in those 1960s and 70s when their huge block of hits kept coming, this being their breakout hit. This 5-man R&B / Soul / Pop group had more hits than any other male R&B / Motown group in music history, and it was largely because of having three capable, gifted lead singers—in this case, they rode the high, self-assuring falsetto of Eddie Kendricks. Smokey Robinson’s clever lyrics, “You’ve got a smile so bright / you know you could have been a candle / I’m holding you so tight / you know you could have been a handle / The way you swept me off my feet / you know you could have been a broom / the way you smell so sweet / you know you could have been some perfume,” speaks volumes romantically…Exceptionally Loving, Convincing!!
Link # 1 Original recording 1965. Link # 2 Live performance 1965.
833. JOHNNY ONE-TIME (1969)
Vocalist: Brenda Lee
Writer/Composer: A.L. “Doodles” Owens / Dallas Frazier (1968)
As we examine Brenda Lee’s 3rd Country / Pop hit on our list, we can sense a feeling of foreboding doom when she begins the first verses, “So he told you that you’re the dream / that he’s been searching for / And he told you, he’d never met / Anyone like you before / And I can hear him telling you / Your lips just taste like cherry wine / But did he tell you / That he’s known as Johnny one time.” Oh my, her expressive, quivering contralto voice comes through as the epitome of heartbreak. Unlike her 1960s contemporaries, she took that one-of-a-kind, mature, aching voice and turned it again into pure gold, and absolutely no female Country artist was able to display those feelings of sadness and despair any better, (except maybe, Patsy Cline.) She takes those low notes into cavernous sorrow…A Marvelous Treasure!
Link # 1 Original recording 1969. Live performance in 1970.
832. CAROLINA IN THE PINES (1975)
Vocalist: Michael Martin Murphy / Jac Murphy piano (John McEwen banjo & backing vocals)
Writer/Composer: Michael Martin Murphy (1975)
One of the ancient wonders of the of the Country / Folk classic world would have to be this beautiful, well-crafted tribute to the love of your life. The arrangement by the musicians is stellar, a remarkable example of MMM’s 2nd song on our list. Sometimes a brilliant piece of work escapes the public’s notice, the competition in the 1970s was a logjam, and that happened in 1975 when this piece almost somehow fell through the cracks. Murphy’s amazing tenor voice adds exhilarating flavor to these meaningful lyrics as we celebrate nature and the outdoors. “When the frost shows on the windows / And the wood stove smokes and glows / As the fire grows, we can warm ourselves / Watching rainbows in the coals.” He had a great run in the 1970s, and his vocals still sparkle and shine…High-Spirited Jubilation!
Link # 1 Original recording 1975. Link # 2 Live performance with his Rio Grande Band.
831. (You Don’t Know) HOW GLAD I AM (1964)
Vocalist: Nancy Wilson
Composer/Writer: Jimmy Williams / Larry Harrison (1964)
Strange indeed is the metamorphosis of this Grammy Award winning Jazz / “R&B” performance by Nancy Wilson. He interpretation and style lent itself more to Jazz / Blues rather than Pop / R&B, nevertheless, her recording career in the 1960s appealed and crossed over to all those genres. Her wordy, repetitious delivery was extremely catchy for its time, and she knew precisely how to sing Jazz type numbers with emotion, crystalline phrasing, expressiveness, and deep conviction. An example of her unique delivery, “And you don’t know, you don’t know, you don’t know, you don’t know—How glad I am.” makes this song not only interesting, but fascinating as well. She filled a space in Jazz / Blues at the time, when very few artists could capture a distinct style, so Lovingly…Clever and Beguiling!
Link # 1 Original recording 1964. Link # 2 Live performance 1964)
830. JE T’AIME (I Love You) (1996)
Vocalist: Lara Fabian
Writer/Composer: Lara Fabian / Rick Allison (1995)
The Artistry really comes through again in her 2nd entry on our list, a powerful anthem sbout unrequited love, a Pop song in French that resonates with even the most jaded listener. A live audience picks up the lyrics as she struggles with the number, having lost recently a loved one of her own. Though she resides in Canada, she can sing in 5 languages fluently, and she sings with such Soul, she makes this Pop number international, just by overwhelming the audience with power and feeling. She now sells in the millions…Powerful and Celestial!
829. GOD ONLY KNOWS - (1966)
Vocalist: The Beach Boys (lead Carl Wilson (backing Brian Wilson / Bruce Johnston)
Writer/Composer: Brian Wilson / Tony Asher (1966)
When they recorded this song, their 3rd on our list, little did they realize as the “B” side of this record, they would eventually transcend in recognition and artistic achievement, to masterpiece status, far overshadowing the “A” side, Wouldn’t It Be Nice, also a great recording. Their evocative album, Pet Sounds, considered by music aficionados as one of perhaps the 10 greatest of all time, was a timely, shining example of extraordinary vision of Brian Wilson to compete with the “British Invasion” of Rock / Pop / Baroque Rock music. Very few American albums have risen to such cult status, and Carl Wilson’s lead vocals are the best of his tenor, falsetto career, as they bravely sing about, heaven forbid, “God.” This beautiful song perches on the ‘Mount Rushmore’ of American music…Enchanting, Sublime!
Link # 1 Original audio recording 1966. Link # 2 Original live performance 1966.
828. AFRICA (1982)
Vocalist: Toto (David Paich / Bobby Kimball)
Writer/Composer: David Paich / Jeff Porcaro (1982)
Their 2nd song on our list has been elevated to masterpiece status in recent years, satisfying Pop / Synth Pop / Rock / Progressive Rock and Jazz enthusiasts, and remaining one of the unlikeliest # 1 songs in the last half century. The session players as well as the lead vocalists, are spot-on for their amazing technical skills, as David Paich and Bobby Kimball trade verses in this stellar production. The song seemed to rise from the past, for its melodies, and harmonic balance, and the vocals just seem to rise in our subconscious minds—we can usually remember where we were and what we were doing the first time we ever heard it, “I miss the rains down in Africaaaa.” An absolute stunner of a memorable, resonate, nostalgic, classic song…A Magnum Opus of the 1980s!
Link # 1 Official music audio 1982. Link # 2 Live performance 1983.
827. SPINNING WHEEL (1969)
Vocalist: Blood, Sweat and Tears (David Clayton Thomas)
Writer/Composer: David Clayton Thomas (1968)
Their 3rd placement on our list is a marvel. This Canadian 9-piece band comes through with their Grammy-winning song of the year from their eponymous album of the year. The band’s array of hits put them on top of the world for a while, and David Clayton Thomas rode his stellar, versatile, gravelly, distinctive vocals into infinity with a sound like no other—and they sounded just as good live as they did on record! The horns have a heyday here, arranged by Fred Lipsius, the band’s sax player, reaching stratospheric proportions, appealing to Jazz / Rock Fusion / Blues / R&B / Pop and Soul. The song even became an American psychedelic answer to the ‘British invasion,’ as music grew exponentially in all directions. “Ride a painted pony, let the spinning wheel spin.”…An Epic Performance!
Link # 1 Original recording 1968. Link # 2 Live performance 1969.
826. YOUNG AT HEART “Young at Heart” (1954)
Vocalist: Frank Sinatra
Writer/Composer: Johnny Richards / Carolyn Leigh (1953)
How can we resist what everyone in life wants? Frank’s conclusion, “And if you should survive to a hundred and five / Look at all you’ll derive out of being alive / And here is the best part / You’ll have a head start / If you are among the very young at heart.” We are captivated by those promising true words with one of the most positive love songs ever written. His voice captures every nuance, every gleeful smile that he must have had by just singing, by delivering, this wonderful song. This Pop / Jazz classic made life in the 1950s more serene and bearable, when we were all poorer and had less distractions. We can’t imagine anyone else singing this except Sinatra. His 6th song listed is a shiny gem among classics…Simply Marvelous!
Link - Original recording from Young at Heart - 1954.
