Music Monday - "Summer in the City" by The Lovin' Spoonful (1966)

If I ever get around to making my summer favorites playlist, "Summer in the City" will be in the mix.

"Summer in the City" is a 1960's oldies pop song by the Lovin' Spoonful.  It was written by John Sebastian, Steve Boone, and Mark Sebastian.  It really captures summer in the city -- starting with a VW Bug horn and ending with a jackhammer!   The lyrics include:

"Hot town, summer in the city
Back of my neck getting dirt and gritty
Been down, isn't it a pity
Doesn't seem to be a shadow in the city
All around, people looking half dead
Walking on the sidewalk, hotter than a match head
But at night it's a different world
Go out and find a girl
Come-on come-on and dance all night
Despite the heat it'll be alright
And babe, don't you know it's a pity
the days can't be like the nights
In the summer, in the city
In the summer, in the city."

I found a fun video of the song that sets the music to an old Harold Lloyd silent movie called Speedy.  I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.



What is your favorite summer song?   I'd love to hear from you in the comments, below.

Music Monday - "Everybody is a Star" by Sly and the Family Stone (1969)

Sly and the Family Stone Greatest Hits is one of my all time favorite albums.  It's one I had on vinyl, cassette, CD, and it just now occurs to me that I also need it in digital format for my phone.   Every single song on this album just makes me happy.

"Everybody is a Star" was written by Sylvester Stewart.   This song was released as a B-Side to "Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)," and it also charted and went to number one on the Billboard charts in 1970.  I love the positive message of this song ... it is so uplifting.

Here is a 1973 live performance of this song from the old show Midnight Special ... and the performance is amazing.  What beautiful voices!



Do you like this song?  Do you have other favorites by Sly and the Family Stone?   I'd love to hear from you in the comments, below.

Music Monday - "Girl Don't Come" by Sandie Shaw (1964)

This is another one of those great retro songs that I only discovered in recent years - thanks to SiriusXM radio.  I love the decades channels on XM, like '60's on 6, '70's on 7, etc.  And this is yet another song that would be great in the soundtrack for a tv show or movie.

"Girl Don't Come" was a 1964 song by Sandie Shaw.  Sandie Shaw was from Great Britain, and was the first winner of the Eurovision contest.  She had several British hits and performed frequently on tv, usually appearing barefoot as part of her image. 

This song was released in the UK in 1964, and made it to America by 1965.  It charted at #42 on the Billboard chart.  It probably would have gone higher if Sandie Shaw had been able to tour;  unfortunately, she was not able to obtain a work permit to travel to the U.S. to promote this single.

Later, Sandie Shaw got married and began pursuing acting and writing children's books.  Eventually she went back to school and became a psychotherapist.

Here's this week's song.  It's a jazzy little ballad with a distinctly 1960's sound.  What do you think?

Music Monday - "Come to the Sunshine" by Harper's Bazaar (1967)

Now here is an oldies song you don't hear often, even on SiriusXM radio.  They play it occasionally - that's where I first heard it.  (I have no memory of this song from my childhood.)   It's such a fun sunshine pop song ... really perfect for a cold winter day.

"Come to the Sunshine" was written in 1966 by Van Dyke Parks.  He was inspired in part by his father's Depression era big band, The White Swan Serenaders.  Before his musical career, Van Dyke Parks was a child actor on tv shows.  He had a recurring role as Little Tommy Manicotti (the kid from upstairs) on The Honeymooners.  He released a 45 of this song in 1966.

Van Dyke Parks later worked as a lyricist with Brian Wilson, including for the Beach Boys' Smile album.  He worked with many other major artists, including Ringo Starr, Donovan, The Byrds, Tim Buckley, and U2.

This song was covered in 1967 by Harpers Bazaar.  Harpers Bazaar was a 1960's sunshine pop band from Southern California.  Several of the band members were original in the Tikis.  Van Dyke Parks, who wrote the song, played piano on this record. This is the version of "Come to the Sunshine" that gets the most oldies radio airplay.

There is also a great retro music podcast called Come to the Sunshine, hosted by Grammy nominated producer Andrew Sandoval.  It specializes in sunshine pop, and this song is the theme song of that podcast.  You can find it on TuneIn radio or any podcast player, or just listen online:  Come to the Sunshine.

Here's this retro gem ... let me know what you think!   This is the poppy version by Harpers Bazaar. 



And here is the original version, by Van Dyke Parks from 1966.  His version features overlapping vocals, mandolin, and jazz piano.

Music Monday - Someday at Christmas by Stevie Wonder (1967)

Regular readers here will know that I am a huge Motown fan, and especially love Stevie Wonder's voice.   I'm sure it will be no surprise that "Someday at Christmas" by Stevie Wonder is one of my favorite Christmas songs.  It is just so beautiful - his voice gives me chills.  It is also a moving wish for peace at Christmas time.  This song was originally released in 1967 on the Someday at Christmas album.

You have probably seen the recent commercial, as well, for Apple products.  It features Stevie Wonder singing this song with Andra Day, and it is a lovely rendition.

Do you remember this song? Or do you have other Christmas favorites from Motown? I'd love to hear from you in the comments, below.

Music Monday - "Let's Go (Pony)" by The Routers (1962)

I am certain that I never heard this tune until I chanced upon it playing SongPop recently.   It is so fun and catchy I had to share it with you!

"Let's Go (Pony") was a 1962 hit by The Routers.  This group started playing together in 1961.   Their style was instrumental surf rock.  "Let's Go" made it to #19 on the Billboard chart.   I can just imagine Gidget and her friends dancing - or surfing - to this fun song.  It features clapping and sounds a bit like a pep rally.  Who doesn't need a pep rally on a Monday morning?

Have you ever heard of this song before?  (I will be so impressed if you have!)   I'd love to hear from you in the comments, below.

Music Monday - "Li'l Red Riding Hood" by Sam the Sham and the Pharaohs (1966)

"Li'l Red Riding Hood" was a novelty hit in 1966. It made it to number 2 on the Billboard Top 100.  This song was sung by Sam the Sham and the Pharaohs.  Sam the Sham was actually Domingo Samudio.  He  hauled his music equipment in a 1950's vintage hearse!  Here is a fun performance video from 1966, interspersed with an old Betty Boop cartoon.  I thought this fun, quirky song would be a good music break today.  

Do you remember this tune?   What is your favorite novelty song?

Music Monday - "Hot Fun in the Summertime" by Sly and the Family Stone (1969)

I just can't let Summer slip by without including my all-time favorite Summer song as a Music Monday selection.  "Hot Fun in the Summertime" was released by Sly and the Family Stone after their appearance at Woodstock.  This was a very popular song, hitting number 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.  And it is one of my favorites!   Do you remember this one?

Music Monday - "Sugar Shack" by Jimmy Gilmer and the Fireballs (1963)

I heard this song on the radio this weekend and knew it had to be today's Music Monday selection!   I've always liked this tune - it's fun, and very much belongs to the time when it was recorded.

"Sugar Shack" was a 1963 song by Jimmy Gilmer and the Fireballs.  They hail from New Mexico and started as an instrumental group.  I had never seen a photo of the band, and pictured them as looking like Maynard G. Krebs, the Beatnik character played by Bob Denver on The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis.  Instead they are a collegiate looking group of young men.   This song was a big hit in 1963 and won a Gold Record Award as Top Song of 1963.  I love a song that tells a story, like "Sugar Shack Does," and it is just fun.  Enjoy!

Music Monday - "You're Gonna Miss Me" - 13th Floor Elevators (1966)

I love retro garage rock.  "You're Gonna Miss Me" by 13th Floor Elevators is one of my favorite 1960's garage rock songs.  It was recorded in 1966, and the fun video below was featured on Dick Clark's California series Where the Action Is.  This is one of those songs that I hear and can't get out of my head for a day or two after!

Music Monday - "Break Away" by The Beach Boys (1969)

My Music Monday song is "Break Away" by the Beach Boys because this song has been stuck in my head the past couple of days.  I love the Beach Boys' music.  Their songs always remind me of summer.  "Break Away" was written by Brian Wilson and his father, Murry;   Brian said it was inspired by the Monkees.  It was recorded in 1969, so it is a later period Beach Boys song.  I remember this song from the Spirit of America record album (1975).  I played that album, and Endless Summer, over and over and over as a teen.

What Beach Boys songs are your favorites?  I would love to hear from you in the comments section, below.   

Bass High School 1963 Football Program

I love finding unique items to list on eBay.  It is fun to play Antiques Roadshow and learn more about the unusual items.

I went to a great local yard sale in Atlanta a while back and purchased a nice stack of Bass High School football programs from the 1960's.  This is the last football program that I have left, and it is really neat.

Bass High School was built in 1923 as a junior high school.  It was located in the Little 5 Points - Inman Park area of Atlanta.  In 1947 Bass became a high school.  It closed in 1990, and was later converted to The Bass Lofts.  You will find a photo of Bass here:  The School on the Hill

This program is from a 1963 game between Bass High School and The Lovett School.  It has team photos, advertisements by local businesses (a neat peek at Atlanta in the 1960's), and of course a nice two page Coca-Cola centerfold ad featuring the roster of players.

You'll find this vintage program (and more vintage Atlanta items!) at Birdhouse Books:  Bass High School football program.

Mid-Century Christmas Cards

Mid-Century design is my favorite.  I love the vintage, the lines, the colors!   I love Mid-Century Christmas, especially.  It just evokes the nostalgia and sweetness of the holiday so well.   Wanted to share these Mid-Century vintage Christmas cards with you ... they are located here:  Mid-Century Christmas cards at Birdhouse Books.   Couldn't you just picture these cards lined up on Don and Betty Drapers' fireplace mantle on Mad Men?