1000-976-Great Vocals
1000. RAINDROPS KEEP FALLIN’ ON MY HEAD “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid” (1969)
Vocalist: B. J. Thomas
Writer/Composer: Hal David / Burt Bacharach (1969)
The video clip from the movie with the bicycle scene is a joy to behold. Through the years it has become iconic, thanks to B. J. Thomas’s thoroughly engaging voice. Its youthful tune and its joyful delivery almost make it inspirational. This American singer became a major Pop / Rock / Country vocalist with a career spanning 3 decades, starting in the late 1960s. His wonderful, resonate, masculine and distinctive delivery suited his full-throated tenor, 2+octave vocals well, and this tune was by far his biggest hit, going straight to # 1 on the charts. “Raindrops are falling on my head / And just like the guy whose feet are too big for his bed / Nothing seems to fit / Those raindrops keep falling on my head / They keep falling.” Oh, what joy to expect happiness just around the bend!…An Absolute Triumph of Fulfillment!
Link # 1 Original music audio with lyrics. Link # 2 Song from the movie with movie clips 1969.
999. I LOVES YOU PORGY “Porgy and Bess” (1959)
Vocalist: Nina Simone (Eunice Kathleen Waymon)
Writer/Composer: George Gershwin (1935)
If ever pure genius was stifled by ongoing social restrictions and racial attitudes in America, it was done to this child prodigy, Nina Simone. However, it did not stop her. Trained, beginning at age three, she learned Classical piano, eventually Bach, as well as Gospel and Blues, but the cultural system was not on her side. She found her niche by the mid-1950s, becoming one of the most important and respected Jazz / Blues singers for at least 30 years, achieving legendary status. This probably is her signature song, her biggest hit, and a Jazz / Blues standard. Her mezzo-soprano voice she describes was “like gravel, sometimes I sounded like coffee and cream.” At any rate her rare, course, grainy style always played well to legions of Jazz fans, as this is one of her greatest vocal performances…Melancholy and Contemplative!
Link # 1 Original recording 1959. Link # 2 Live on Ed Sullivan Show 1960.
998. DON’T IT MAKE MY BROWN EYES BLUE (1977)
Vocalist: Crystal Gayle (Brenda Gayle Webb) (“Pig” Robbins acoustic piano)
Writer/Composer: Richard Leigh (1976)
Very few Country artists made the transition from C&W to Pop with such smooth, modern and flowing vocals as Loretta Lynn’s sister, known as Crystal Gayle. She knew she had to be different—and she was. She possessed an aluring persona, piercing blue eyes, and long, knee-length, flowing black hair. But it was her fresh, appealing, cultured voice that won her a Grammy, and female Country Song of the Year. The Jazzy intro says it all, “Don’t know when I’ve been so blue / Don’t know what’s come over you / You’ve found someone new and / Don’t it make my brown eyes blue.” She had many more hits in the 1979s & 80s and career lasting through the 2010s. Her elegant style and vibrato captured Country / Pop / Jazz / Folk and Gospel fans, and her records sold in the millions…Absolutely Endearing!
Link # 1 Original recording 1977. Link # 2 LIve performance Tops of the Pops for 1977.
997. SIXTEEN TONS (1955)
Vocalist: Tennessee Ernie Ford (Ernest Jennings Ford)
Writer/Composer: Merle Travis (1946)
The unforgettable chorus, “You load sixteen tons, what do you get? / Another day older and deeper in debt / St. Peter, don’t you call me ‘cause I can’t go / I OWE MY SO-O-OUL, to the company store.” still resonates, written as a coal-mining self-identity song. It suited Ford’s full-throated bass / baritone delivery, and it went straight to the top of the charts at the spawn of the Rock revolution. His stellar 40+ year career crossed many boundaries, Country / Pop / Folk / Novelty and Gospel. He was a beloved singer / TV performer, whether on the Grand Ole Opry stage or performing live on television. People were drawn toward his confident, smiling delivery, perfect for songs such as this, Shotgun Boogie and In the Middle of an Island. He rode his crest of popularity in the 1950s / 1960s…Superb and Memorable!
Link # 1 Original recording 1956. Link # 2 Live performance 1957.
996. HOLD ON TO THE NIGHTS (1988)
Vocalist: Richard Marx
Writer/Composer: Richard Marx
One of the really outstanding vocalists of the 1980s, this rock / pop singer held his own as his power ballad clearly shows, solidifying his enormous popularity.
Live # 1 Original music video 1988. Live about 10 years later?
995. RUM AND COCA COLA (1945)
Vocalist: Andrews Sisters
Writer/Composer: Morey Amsterdam / Lionel Belasco (1943)
One of the biggest hits of the 1940s, their playful harmonies soar, but not without controversy in its time. Some stations refused to play it, could it be promoting overdrinking and spending it on the working ladies in Trinidad?
Link # 1 Original recording 1945. Link # 2 Live performance 1944.
994. CLOCKS (2003)
Vocalist: Coldplay (lead Chris Martin)
Writer/Composer: Guy Berryman / Jonny Buckland / Will Champion / Chris Martin (2002)
As Rock music started fading in its 21st Century cultural decline, it was only held together by the falling record sales of the Alternative Rock bands, however, some bands emerged to kept it alive, with great instrumental craftmanship and melodious voices. Chris Martin was one of those vocalists, as the flowing tenor frontman of the British 4-piece band, Coldplay, and with an opening piano riff for the ages, with an instantaneous response from his enormous groundswell in live concerts. His unique vocals were gentle with a bit of rasp. The group seemed to find a new audience and generation as an alternative to fluffy, autotuned female Pop and Hip Hop. Their music appealed to almost every genre, especially Alt Rock / Pop / Jazz, even Folk. He gives new meaning to the simple phrase, “You Are.”…Purely Ethereal!
Link #1 Official music video 2003. Link #2 Live Austen City Limits 2005?
993. NEVER NEVER LAND “Peter Pan” (1954)
Vocalist: Mary Martin
Writer/Composer: Moose Charlap / Jule Styne / Carolyn Leigh / Betty Comden / Adolph Green (1953)
She became a muse for Rodgers & Hammerstein musicals on Broadway, and a leading lady in many other Stage roles, spurred on by her effervescence, vitality and and her impeccable soprano vocals. She was perfect for roles such a Nellie Forbush from South Pacific, Maria Von Trapp from The Sound of Music and certainly even this number from Peter Pan. She had remarkable clarity, phrasing and a gorgeous vibrato, becoming one the biggest female stars on Broadway from the 1940s through the 1960s. She also captivated audiences by her TV productions. She was so vivacious that everyone seems to fall in love with her…Wonderful and Thrilling!
992. I DON’T WANT TO WAIT (1996)
Vocalist: Paula Cole
Writer/Composer: Paula Cole (1996)
This meaningful composition is a great look at self-examination as we don’t want to repeat the same mistakes as our fathers and their fathers. She sings it with conviction and eager expectation. A classic in songwriting and melody.
Link # 2 Official music audio with lyrics 1996. Link # 2 Live from Hard Rock Cafe 1998.
991. SEPTEMBER SONG “Knickerbocker Holiday” (1961)
Vocalist: Frank Sinatra
Writer/Composer: Kurt Weill / Maxwell Anderson (1938)
In one of the most beautiful songs ever written, and covered by numerous artists, no one delivers this message of looking back with regret at the unfinished portions of our lives any better than Sinatra.
Link # 1 Original album recording 1961. Link # 2 recording from 1957.
990. WISHING YOU WERE SOMEHOW HERE AGAIN (1986)
Vocalist: Sierra Boggess
Writer/Composer: Andrew Lloyd Webber / Richard Stilgoe / Charles Hart (1986)
Her heavenly soprano voice fully captures the beauty and interpretation of Broadway musicals. She can bring tears to the listeners when performing.
Link # 1 Broadway orignal recording 1986. Live Broadway recording 1986.
989. TILL THERE WAS YOU “The Music Man” (1957)
Vocalist: Barbara Cook / featuring Robert Preston
Writer/Composer: Meredith Wilson (1957)
Link # 1 Original Broadway recording 1957. Link # 2 Live performance 1957.
988. HARPER VALLY P. T. A. (1968)
Vocalist: Jeannie C. Riley (Jeanne Carolyn Stephenson) / Jerry Kennedy dobro guitar
Writer/Composer: Tom T. Hall
One never knows if an unknown Country / Gospel singer is going straight to #1 on the Country AND Pop charts with their breakthrough hit, but that certainly happened with this singer in 1968. The song became an international hit and consequently, a Country / Pop classic story song. Riding the cultural wave of TV’s Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In, they rode the expression of the year, “Sock it to me!” to its ultimate height, with a song about retribution, (getting even or retaliation.) Jeannie had the sound, the twang, and the distinctive contralto voice to fit in perfectly with this Tom T. Hall classic. She lets them have it with lines like, “And you have the nerve to tell me as a mother I’m not fit / Well this is just a little Peyton Place and You’re all Harper Valley hypocrits!”…Clever and Engaging!
Link #1 Original recording remastered 1968. Link #2 Live performance 1969.
987. I’M IN LOVE WITH A WONDERFUL GUY “South Pacific” (1958)
Vocalist: Mitzi Gaynor (Francesca Marlene de Czanyi von Gerber) & chorus
Writer/Composer: Richard Rodgers / Oscar Hammerstein II (1949)
This is one of R & H’s great songs from the movie, and Mitzi Gaynor does it with a superb, uplifting rendition with her incredible delivery of this joyful, delightful, celebrated love song. She delights the audience in the role of Nellie Forbush, with a full-voiced, soprano performance, right on the beach, accompanied by a full orchestra. Seldom has a Soundtrack found better success for all its great songs such as Some Enchanting Evening, Bali Hai and This Nearly Was Mine. It stayed at #1 on the best-selling album charts for 115 weeks with a run of over 3 years! Mitzi does not disappoint with her gleeful, energetic, bigger-than-life delivery, full of verve and vitality. He entertainment career lasted for over 60 years and prevailed through all of America’s musical changes…A Fantastic, Radiant Performance!
Link - Movie clip straight from the movie, South Pacific 1958.
986. EL PERDON (The Forgiveness) (2016)
Vocalist: Diana Navarro
Writer/Composer: Carlos Vera / Diana Navarro / Inaki Garcia / Paco Salazar (2016)
This surprising entry proves that some of the best vocals come from obscure foreign (Spanish) artists with magnificent voices. She conveys multi-musical styles such as Pop, Latino, Folk and Flamenco and has complete control over her soprano voice of 3+ octaves. Her phrasing, versatility and ability to vocally display her pain and heartbreak in this selection is done with such matchless, emotional verve puts her in a class as one of the great female vocalists in this 21st century. Her unique, incredible voice is known for its penchant for being intensely moving. Cry if you want to, this is nothing short of remarkable! She’s slowly becoming a World Music Phenomenon…Elegant and Shattering!
Link - Music video with English lyrics.
985. BUSTED (1963)
Vocalist: Ray Charles
Writer/Composer: Harlan Howard (1963)
Singing for the workers in the field and those of little means, Ray combines blues with soul, he’s losing, and he knows it! “Cotton is down to a quarter a pound, and I’m busted.”
Link # 1 Official audio 1963. Link # 2 Audio live update 1970s.
984. TAKE ME TO THE RIVER (1995)
Vocalist: Annie Lennox
Writer/Composer: Al Green / Mabon “Teenie” Hodges (1973)
Al Green’s masterpiece is re-invented here, and Annie takes the vocals to the MOON and back in this searing delivery where the “River” is the destination.
Link - Original recording from Medusa album 1995.
983. SHINING STAR (1980)
Vocalist: The Manhattans (lead Gerald Austin)
Writer/Composer: Barbara Moor / Gerald Austin (1980)
The impeccable harmony in this R & B group classic is a template on how a song can and should be delivered. Absolute split-second timing! Great!
Link # 1 Original recording 1980. Link # 2 Live performance 1980.
982. I APOLOGIZE (1951)
Vocalist: Billy Eckstein
Writer/Composer: Al Hoffman / Al Goodhart / Ed Nelson
In the 1940s and 50s, Billy’s velvety baritone voice was the touchstone of vocal Jazz / Blues delivery. His signature song shows perfect Jazz interpretation.
Link # 1 Original recording 1951. Link # 2 Remastered and live 1952.
981. LOVE IS ALIVE (1976)
Vocalist: Gary Wright
Writer/Composer: Gary Wright (1976)
An underrated rock classic! Wright sings with a truly remarkable unique delivery as well writes and produces. He’s not only a Dream Weaver, he’s also an accomplished musician, very much alive in this recording.
Link # 1 Original recording 1976. Link # 2 Live performance the Midnight Special 1976.
980. CHAIN OF FOOLS (1967)
Vocalist: Aretha Franklin
Writer/Composer: Don Covay (1953)
Very few artists can have more than one signature song, but Aretha proves she can have many! Joe South’s guitar intro gets you ready for gospel-tinged rock and roll / R & B amazing thrill ride.
Link # 1 Original recording 1967. Link # 2 Live performance 1968.
979. HELPLESSLY HOPING (1969)
Vocalist: Crosby, Stills & Nash
Writer/Composer: Stephen Stills (1969)
Their acapella harmony, with lone guitar, makes this one of the most imitated Folk group offerings in music. Very few can match the sheer beauty of their blended voices with impeccable harmony. This American Folk / Rock group with their 4th entry on our list, solidifies CCN as the pinnacle of perfect, uncanny and unique harmony, distinctively recognizable as different from everyone else. David Crosby’s amazing high harmony was evident even in the previous groups he was in, such as The Byrds and Buffalo Springfield. Try to sing along in the chorus, “They are one person / They are two alone / They are three together / They are for-r each other.” They possess a birdlike quality that turns on a dime, holding or bending the note at precisely the right time. This cut from their debut album is…Astonishing!
Link # 1 The B side of their first hit, Marrakesh Express. Link # 2 Live from Woodstock on August 15, 1969.
978. SONG OF INDIA (1953)
Vocalist: Mario Lanza / RCA Victor Orch. (Constatine Collinicos cond.
Writer/Composer: Rimsky-Korsakoff / adapted by Johnny Mercer
This song continues to soar into celestial delight with the passage of time. How does a song take on new life and sail into our musical landscape? Perhaps by being delivered by one of the most poignantly beautiful, remarkable Opera / Pop singers of all time. He takes this newer reworking of an older classic standard to new a heavenly form of mysterious beauty—what a shame that he only lived 38 years, all the while neglecting his heart health through the last years of his life. This astounding recording (his 3rd on our list) genuinely proves his body of work from his 8 musical films and recordings is a testament to his importance and longevity as a vocal artist. Validating that testament is the fact that artists of great magnitude such as Pavarotti, Domingo—they all loved him…A Crowning Achievement!
977. LOVE STORY (2008)
Vocalist: Taylor Swift
Writer/Composer: Taylor Swift (2008)
Link # 1 Official music video 2008. Link # 2 Live Performance 2008?
976. BIG YELLOW TAXI (1970)
Vocalist: Joni Mitchell
Writer/Composer: Joni Mitchell (1970)
We can’t imagine how Joni can cross all boundaries with her 5th entry on our list, demonstrating her superb blend of Folk, Pop, Rock and Jazz, but she does it here with reckless abandon. She is truly unique, (not like everybody else) in every musical category! Her jubilant, acrobatic, soprano voice is inevitably on full display here. Her long-storied career is a magnificent tapestry of creative, poetic songwriting and delivery. “They paved paradise and put up a parking lot.” When musicians congregate and talk about the creative aspect of their compositions, it seems Joni always rises to the top as a genuine shape-shifter in affecting the American musical landscape. This piece was a wake-up call for the approaching and now ongoing environmental issues…A Clear, Clever, High-Spirited Message!
Link # 1 Original 1970 recording. Link # 2 Early live performance in 1970.
