200 Favourite Music Acts. Today: #137: SAM COOKE. Continues tomorrow.

Caffe` Latte`

mix-tapes on Spotify

A new playlist has been added to spotify, featuring a sample of recordings from each of the:

The Caffé Latté

200

FAVOURITE

MUSIC ACTS

#137 

SAM COOKE

Sam Cooke was one of soul's most influential vocalists, if not its most significant. He paved the way for the likes of Marvin Gaye, Otis Redding, Aretha Franklin and Stevie Wonder. 

Born in 1931, the youth was initially a gospel artist. He began singing in the church choir and later formed a group with some siblings. In 1950, he became a member of The Soul Stirrers. This group was one of America's leading gospel acts.  

Gospel and secular music were kept apart at this time. Cooke was a star within the former genre, but appreciated pop music. He issued a single in 1956 under the moniker Dale Cook so as not to alienate his gospel audience. This ploy failed and he was fired from The Soul Stirrers. 

Cooke was now liberated and switched his attention to popular music. His solo debut as Sam Cooke was "You Send Me". The single sold 2 million copies and topped the US Pop and R&B charts in 1957.

A string of hit singles featuring Cooke's golden vocal style expanded the audience for soul music. These included "Only Sixteen", "Wonderful World", "Chain Gang", "Cupid" and "Twistin' The Night Away". 

He was an astute businessman too, gaining control of his recordings. Inspired by the folk scene and Bob Dylan in particular, Cooke explored social commentary. "Chain Gang" had started it, but "A Change Is Gonna Come" became a civil rights anthem. Simultaneously, Cooke was developing his own fusion of dance and soul. This can be heard in the track "Shake".

Cooke was poised for even greater success until tragedy intervened. On December 11, 1964 he was shot dead at a Los Angeles motel. The precise circumstances are still unknown and the fact that there was no thorough investigation may have been due to the prejudice directed at African-Americans. In any case, one of pop's most important voices was forever silenced. 

https://open.spotify.com/user/alanrosscaffelatte

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138 THE DOORS

139 AMY WINEHOUSE

140 PHARRELL WILLIAMS

141 GEORGE BENSON

142 MINNIE RIPERTON

143 VILLAGE PEOPLE

144 CURTIS MAYFIELD

145 FOREIGNER

146 EURYTHMICS

147 TOTO

148 BARRY WHITE

149 CARL RISELEY

150 TONI BRAXTON

151 NEIL DIAMOND

152 HALL & OATES

153 LUTHER VANDROSS

154 ERIC CLAPTON

155 THE O’JAYS

156 RUMER

157 SLY & THE FAMILY STONE

158 LITTLE RICHARD

159 HAROLD MELVIN & THE BLUE NOTES

160 CHRIS ISAAK

161 MICHAEL McDONALD

162 GLORIA GAYNOR

163 TWENTY ONE PILOTS

164 BEN E. KING

165 MEAT LOAF

166 JAMES REYNE

167 JOAN ARMATRADING

168 SADE

169 A-HA

170 GLEN CAMPBELL

171 DIRE STRAITS

172 COLD CHISEL

173 LINDA RONSTADT

174 ANTHONY CALLEA

175 LISA STANSFIELD

176 EN VOGUE

177 MICHAEL BUBLE`

178 TRACY CHAPMAN

179 DRAGON

180 OLETA ADAMS

181 LITTLE RIVER BAND

182 SOPHIE ELLIS – BEXTOR

183 THE RONETTES

184 CERRONE

185 MODELS

186 SCISSOR SISTERS

187 DARREN HAYES

188 PETULA CLARK

189 MARTHA & THE VANDELLAS

190 LIGHTHOUSE FAMILY

191 ART GARFUNKEL

192 THE REELS

193 JANIS IAN

194 JOHN PAUL YOUNG

195 S CLUB 7

196 CHARLIE PUTH

197 THE MARVELETTES

198 ICEHOUSE

199 LEO SAYER

200 LIZA MINNELLI

200 SONGS WITH THE BEST LYRICS. This post: #104: IT'S TOO LATE. Continues: tomorrow.

CAFFE` LATTE` PRESENTS

200 SONGS

WITH THE

BEST LYRICS

A countdown of the 200 songs possessing the best lyrics of all-time. A playlist on spotify will be added at the end of the week.

#104

IT’S TOO LATE

“…There’ll be good times again

for me & you, 

but we just can’t stay together,

don’t you feel it too?

Still I’m glad for what we had

& how I once loved you...”

Relationships have been the fodder for many songs; especially their conclusion. Carole King's US #1 hit "It's Too Late" was the lead single from her best selling album 'Tapestry'. Both came out in 1971. 

The lyrics were written by Toni Stern. They deal with an amicable break-up. King composed the music for the track. She sang the words from experience, having ended her marriage with fellow songwriter Gerry Goffin. 

As new songs are covered on this blog, a definitive version will be added to a spotify playlist. Find it and the other Caffé Latté playlists at:

https://open.spotify.com/user/alanrosscaffelatte

spotify:us3er:alanrosscaffelatte

200 Favourite Music Acts. Today: #138: THE DOORS. Continues tomorrow.

Caffe` Latte`

mix-tapes on Spotify

A new playlist has been added to spotify, featuring a sample of recordings from each of the:

The Caffé Latté

200

FAVOURITE

MUSIC ACTS

#138 

THE DOORS

The Doors formed in Los Angeles, arriving on the scene in 1965. Jim Morrison is one of rock music's legendary lead singers. The remainder of the band's line-up consisted of keyboardist Ray Manzarek, drummer John Densmore and Robby Krieger on guitar. 

In 1966, the group signed with Elektra Records. Early in the following year, "Light My Fire" was unleashed as well as an eponymous debut album. The LP reached #2 while the single topped the US chart. 

Follow-up album 'Strange Days' peaked at #3. 1968's 'Waiting For The Sun' topped the American albums chart. It included the group's 2nd US #1 hit "Hello, I Love You". 

Other significant Doors songs included "People Are Strange", "Touch Me", "Love Me Two Times", "Love Her Madly" and "Riders On The Storm". As the Sixties approached its end, Morrison's behaviour grew unstable. During a concert in 1969, he was arrested for indecent exposure. 

After recording 'L.A. Woman', Morrison flew to France. On July 3, 1971 he was found dead. Probable cause was ruled to be a drug overdose. The remaining members briefly persevered without him, but disbanded in 1973. Manzarek died of cancer in 2013.   

https://open.spotify.com/user/alanrosscaffelatte

spotify:user:alanrosscaffelatte

139 AMY WINEHOUSE

140 PHARRELL WILLIAMS

141 GEORGE BENSON

142 MINNIE RIPERTON

143 VILLAGE PEOPLE

144 CURTIS MAYFIELD

145 FOREIGNER

146 EURYTHMICS

147 TOTO

148 BARRY WHITE

149 CARL RISELEY

150 TONI BRAXTON

151 NEIL DIAMOND

152 HALL & OATES

153 LUTHER VANDROSS

154 ERIC CLAPTON

155 THE O’JAYS

156 RUMER

157 SLY & THE FAMILY STONE

158 LITTLE RICHARD

159 HAROLD MELVIN & THE BLUE NOTES

160 CHRIS ISAAK

161 MICHAEL McDONALD

162 GLORIA GAYNOR

163 TWENTY ONE PILOTS

164 BEN E. KING

165 MEAT LOAF

166 JAMES REYNE

167 JOAN ARMATRADING

168 SADE

169 A-HA

170 GLEN CAMPBELL

171 DIRE STRAITS

172 COLD CHISEL

173 LINDA RONSTADT

174 ANTHONY CALLEA

175 LISA STANSFIELD

176 EN VOGUE

177 MICHAEL BUBLE`

178 TRACY CHAPMAN

179 DRAGON

180 OLETA ADAMS

181 LITTLE RIVER BAND

182 SOPHIE ELLIS – BEXTOR

183 THE RONETTES

184 CERRONE

185 MODELS

186 SCISSOR SISTERS

187 DARREN HAYES

188 PETULA CLARK

189 MARTHA & THE VANDELLAS

190 LIGHTHOUSE FAMILY

191 ART GARFUNKEL

192 THE REELS

193 JANIS IAN

194 JOHN PAUL YOUNG

195 S CLUB 7

196 CHARLIE PUTH

197 THE MARVELETTES

198 ICEHOUSE

199 LEO SAYER

200 LIZA MINNELLI

BEFORE THE HIT VERSION. This post: LXXXVI-  OH CAROLINA. Continues: next week.

BEFORE IT WAS A HIT SONG…

These songs are well known but you may not know about the earlier attempts to score a hit record with prior versions of the same song.

Oh Carolina

Shaggy's breakthrough came via the single "Oh Carolina". This debut single was issued in 1993. The disc topped the British chart and went Top 5 in some European nations and in New Zealand. The Jamaican-born artist's recording was a remake. 

In 1958, the original version was released in 1958 by the Jamaican trio The Folkes Brothers (sometimes spelt Folks). Shaggy's cover proved to be significantly more successful.

 

Each new song will be added to the spotify playlist named: ‘Before It Was A Hit Song’.  You can check out the previous earlier / original versions of the hit songs you know and love.

The playlist and other Caffe` Latte` selections can be found at:

https://open.spotify.com/user/alanrosscaffelatte

spotify:user:alanrosscaffelatte

PERFECT POP TOP 200. This post: #120-111. Continues: next week.

Caffe` Latte` presents…

THE 200 MOST ESSENTIAL

PERFECT

POP

SONGS

Sometimes it’s a hook, a gimmick or an irresistible sound. Whatever that special ingredient is, it elevates a track to pop perfection.

Here are 200 unforgettable examples of songs with that wow! factor…

120

BLACK OR WHITE

Michael Jackson

(1991) #1

MJ showed he could still produce great pop in the 1990s with this song. Its positive universal message about equality resonated enough to rush it to #1 in America, the UK, Europe, Canada, Australia, Mexico, New Zealand and Israel.

119

SEXUAL HEALING

Marvin Gaye

(1982) #1

This sexy track revived the legendary R&B singer's career. In the process, its title entered the lexicon. The single went to the top in Canada and New Zealand. It reached #1 on the US R&B chart and #3 Pop. In Britain and Australia it peaked at #4.

118

THE WAY WE WERE

Barbra Streisand

(1973) #1

The Oscar winning title song from a film starring the singer and Robert Redford reached #1 in America (where it was the year's top single) and Canada. In Australia, the ballad went Top 10. The song still evokes the past.

117

HAPPY TOGETHER

The Turtles

(1967) #1

There are tunes that instantly put a bounce in your step and this is definitely one of them. The Turtles reached #1 in America and Canada with this upbeat song about being with the one you love. 

116

WE'VE ONLY JUST BEGUN

The Carpenters

(1970) #1

This single had the unenviable task of following up "Close To You". It proved a worthy choice. With the siblings' harmonies pushed to the fore, this sweet song was endearing enough to top the US Adult Contemporary Chart and peak at #2 Pop. It did make #1 in Canada and went Top 10 in Australia.

 

115

UMBRELLA

Rihanna 

featuring Jay-Z

(2007) #1

This instantly became the singer's biggest hit. The single reached #1 in America, Britain, Europe, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. Its success also raised the profile of collaborator Jay-Z.

114

ANOTHER BRICK IN THE WALL 

(PART 2)

Pink Floyd

(1979) #1

Until 1979, Pink Floyd was essentially an albums-oriented band. This track took the group to the top of the charts in America, Britain, Europe, New Zealand, Israel and South Africa.

113

UNCHAINED MELODY

Righteous Brothers

(1965) #1

The duo released its remake of the song in the 1960s and it went Top 10 in many countries. Its use in the box office hit film 'Ghost' exposed the love song to a wider audience. As a result, the track was re-issued in 1991. Second time around, it proved even more popular, reaching #1 in the UK, Australia, New Zealand and parts of Europe.

112

RING RING

Abba

(1973) #1

ABBA's first attempt to represent Sweden at the Eurovision Song Contest was with this track. The national heat's judges voted it into 3rd place, defying the public's preference. Swedes rushed to record stores and turned the single into a #1 hit. Even before the group won Eurovision the following year, this upbeat disc made inroads in many countries, including far off Australia. At the time, the release was credited to Bjorn, Benny & Agnetha, Frida. Re-issued after ABBA's Eurovision triumph, the song was a global Top 10 smash.

111

FOOTLOOSE

Kenny Loggins

(1984) #1

This title song from a hit film starring Kevin Bacon topped charts in America, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. In Britain, the dance track peaked at #6.

Hear the songs as they are added to the playlist available on spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/user/alanrosscaffelatte

spotify:user:alanrosscaffelatte