Category: 60s

Background: “Since I Fell for You” is a timeless ballad with a rich history that predates Lenny Welch’s popular 1963 rendition. The song was originally written and composed by Buddy Johnson in 1947. Johnson, a highly influential jazz and blues pianist and bandleader, first recorded and released the song himself with his orchestra featuring his…

Background “Ebb Tide,” famously performed by The Righteous Brothers and released in 1965, has a history that extends beyond their iconic rendition. The song was initially composed by Robert Maxwell, with lyrics added later by Carl Sigman, and it first gained prominence as an instrumental piece in the 1950s, notably through recordings by Frank Chacksfield…

Background “To Love Somebody,” famously performed by the Bee Gees and released in 1967, emerged during a period of intense creative activity for the band, as they were seeking to solidify their place in the evolving landscape of popular music. The song wasn’t originally intended to be a Bee Gees track, however. It was written…

Background “Hey There Lonely Girl,” famously performed by Eddie Holman and released in 1969, has a somewhat complex and interesting history. The song was actually written by Earl Shuman and Leon Carr, and originally recorded in 1963 by Ruby and the Romantics under the title “Hey There Lonely Boy.” While the original version had some…

Background “What Becomes of the Brokenhearted,” famously performed by Jimmy Ruffin and released in 1966, emerged from the songwriting talents of the Motown team of James Dean, Paul Riser and William Weatherspoon. This was not a song initially crafted for Ruffin, but after it had been turned down by other artists, it was offered to…

Background “My Guy,” famously performed by Mary Wells and released in 1964, emerged from the Motown songwriting and production team of Smokey Robinson, who also crafted the song’s distinctive sound. It was a deliberate and targeted effort by Robinson to create a signature song for Wells, showcasing her unique vocal talents and projecting a confident…

Background “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough,” famously performed by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell and released in 1967, emerged from the songwriting powerhouse of Ashford & Simpson, who were at the forefront of Motown’s creative force during the late 1960s. It wasn’t initially crafted for Gaye and Terrell, but after its initial recording by The…

Background “How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved by You),” famously performed by Marvin Gaye and released in 1964, emerged from the prolific songwriting partnership of Holland-Dozier-Holland, the legendary Motown team responsible for crafting numerous hits during the label’s golden era. This wasn’t a song initially conceived for Gaye, but after being passed over by…

Background “Theme from A Summer Place” by Percy Faith and his Orchestra, released in 1960, originated not as a standalone song, but as the main musical theme for the 1959 film A Summer Place, a coming-of-age romantic drama. The original score was composed by Max Steiner and while effective within the film’s context, it was…