River Deep, Mountain High (1966) (1996)

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• Ike And Tina Turner - River Deep, Mountain High (MP3)
• Céline Dion - River Deep, Mountain High (MP3)

By: Ike And Tina Turner.

Tina Turner (born Anna Mae Bullock on November 26, 1939 in Nutbush, Tennessee) is often called "The Queen of Rock 'n' Roll".  She has sold more concert tickets than any other solo performer in history.

"River Deep, Mountain High" was one of the first songs that Ike And Tina Turner did for Phil Spector's Philles Records.

Spector was aware of Ike Turner's controlling attitude in the studio, so their contract stipulated that the song would be credited to "Ike And Tina Turner", on one condition: Ike was not allowed in the studio. Only Tina Turner would be featured on record.

It was agreed to, and Spector began recording the LP, which cost $22,000, with 2 dozen session musicians and background vocalists.

When the single and album were finally released, the public did not know what to make of it. "River Deep, Mountain High" was considered "too black for white radio, but too white for black radio". The single stalled at #88 on the pop charts, causing Spector to shut the label down.

George Harrison of the Beatles said that "River Deep, Mountain High" was "a perfect record from start to finish".

In 2004, Rolling Stone magazine ranked it at #33 on their list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.

Chart position: #88 (US), #3 (UK).

Written by: Jeff Barry (born Joel Adelberg April 3, 1938, in Brooklyn, New York,) Ellie Greenwich (born Eleanor Louise Greenwich October 23, 1940 in Brooklyn, New York) and Phil Spector.

The husband-and-wife team of Barry and Greenwich were one of the most successful songwriting duos of the 1960s, writing/co-writing such songs as "Then He Kissed Me", "Da Doo Ron Ron", "Baby I Love You", "Be My Baby", "Chapel Of Love", "Do Wah Diddy Diddy", "Hanky Panky", "I Can Hear Music", "Leader of the Pack", "Maybe I Know", "Montego Bay" and more.

Barry, Greenwich and Spector each had ideas for songs, which they combined to form "River Deep, Mountain High". It was created specifically for Tina Turner to sing.



Also by: Céline Dion. She performed a live version on the Late Show with David Letterman in 1994. In 1995, Phil Spector agreed to produce a version for her, but the sessions were a disaster, and nothing from those sessions have been released.  Dion eventually recorded it for her extremely successful 1996 album Falling Into You.

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• Ike And Tina Turner - River Deep, Mountain High (MP3)
• Céline Dion - River Deep, Mountain High (MP3)

Want to submit facts and trivia about this song? Leave a comment!

Moonlight Serenade (1939) (1966)

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• Glenn Miller And His Orchestra - Moonlight Serenade (MP3)
• Frank Sinatra - Moonlight Serenade (MP3)

By: The Glenn Miller Orchestra.

Glenn Miller (born Alton Glenn Miller March 1, 1904 in Clarinda, Iowa, disappeared circa December 15, 1944) was a jazz trumpeter and band leader in the 1930s and 1940s. The Glenn Miller Orchestra recorded such songs as "Chattanooga Choo Choo", "In the Mood", "Little Brown Jug", "Pennsylvania 6-5000", "String of Pearls", "Tuxedo Junction", and "Moonlight Serenade".

On December 15, 1944, while en route to entertain US troops in France during World War II, Miller's plane disappeared in bad weather; his body was never found.

When Miller recorded "Sunrise Serenade" in 1939, he placed "Moonlight Serenade" as the B-side. It became one of the top records of 1939, and was adopted as Miller's signature tune.

In 1991, the original recording of "Moonlight Serenade" was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.

 Written by: Glenn Miller; subsequent lyrics by Mitchell Parish (born Michael Hyman Pashelinsky July 10, 1900 in Lithuania, died in New York March 31, 1993.)

Mitchell Parish also wrote lyrics for such songs as "Stardust", "Sweet Lorraine", "Deep Purple", "Stars Fell on Alabama", "Sophisticated Lady", the English lyrics for "Volare", "Sleigh Ride", "One Morning in May", and "Louisiana Fairy Tale".

"Moonlight Serenade" was originally titled "Now I Lay Me Down To Weep".



Also by: Frank Sinatra, whose version was released on his 1966 album Moonlight Sinatra, which consisted entirely of moon-themed songs. The album reached #34 in the US.


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• Glenn Miller And His Orchestra - Moonlight Serenade (MP3)
• Frank Sinatra - Moonlight Serenade (MP3)

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George David Weiss, Writer of Hit Pop Songs, Dies at 89

Link to article.

By Margalit Fox, NYTimes.com

George David Weiss, a songwriter who had a hand in some of the biggest hits of midcentury pop music, recorded by some of the biggest stars, died on Monday at his home in Oldwick, N.J. He was 89.

The death was of natural causes, his wife, Claire, said.

Among his most famous numbers were “Can’t Help Falling in Love,” recorded by Elvis Presley; “The Lion Sleeps Tonight,” recorded by the Tokens; and “What a Wonderful World,” recorded by Louis Armstrong.

“Can’t Help Falling in Love,” introduced in Presley’s 1961 film “Blue Hawaii,” was a million-seller. It has words and music by Mr. Weiss, Hugo Peretti and Luigi Creatore.

“The Lion Sleeps Tonight” (1961), based on a South African Zulu song first recorded in the 1930s, was given a reworked melody and new lyrics (“In the jungle, the mighty jungle/The lion sleeps tonight”) by Mr. Weiss, Mr. Peretti and Mr. Creatore.

Their adaptation, which kept the refrain — “Wimoweh, wimoweh” — popularized in a 1950s version by the Weavers, became a million-selling hit for the Tokens. Widely recorded since, the song has been used in many motion pictures, including “The Lion King” (1994).

“What a Wonderful World” (1967), with words and music by Mr. Weiss and Bob Thiele, came to renewed attention after Armstrong’s recording of it was featured on the soundtrack of the 1987 film “Good Morning, Vietnam.” The Armstrong version has since become a contemporary standard.

Mr. Weiss’s other standards include “Lullaby of Birdland” (1952), the vocal version of George Shearing’s jazz standard, and many songs with his frequent collaborator Bennie Benjamin, among them “Surrender” (1946), recorded by Perry Como; “Confess” (1948), recorded by Patti Page; and “Wheel of Fortune” (1952), recorded by Kay Starr.

He collaborated on several Broadway musicals, the best known of which is “Mr. Wonderful” (1956), starring Sammy Davis Jr., for which Mr. Weiss contributed original music and lyrics with Jerry Bock and Larry Holofcener.

His other Broadway credits include “First Impressions” (1959), an adaptation of Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice” starring Polly Bergen, Hermione Gingold and Farley Granger, for which Mr. Weiss wrote music and lyrics with Robert Goldman and Glenn Paxton; and “Maggie Flynn” (1968), starring Shirley Jones and Jack Cassidy, with book, music and lyrics by Mr. Weiss, Mr. Peretti and Mr. Creatore.

Mr. Weiss was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1984. As president of the Songwriters Guild of America from 1982 to 2000, he spoke widely about copyright issues and testified before government bodies.

George David Weiss was born in Manhattan on April 9, 1921. He wanted to be a musician. His mother wanted him to be a lawyer. The ensuing emotional battle, he later said, drove him to consult a doctor.

As Mr. Weiss recounted in a 1995 interview with The Miami Herald, the prescription was simple. The doctor asked: “Mrs. Weiss, what would you rather have? A live bum of a musician or a dead lawyer?”

Mr. Weiss, who played the violin, piano, saxophone and clarinet, earned a bachelor’s degree in music theory from the Juilliard School and afterward served as a military bandleader in World War II before beginning his songwriting career.

Mr. Weiss’s first marriage, to Bea Foster, ended in divorce, as did his second, to Rosalyn Marks. In addition to his wife, the former Claire Nicholson, whom he married in 1976, he is survived by a sister, Harriet Harbus; two sons, Barry and Jeffrey, and a daughter, Peggy Self, from his first marriage; a son, Robert, from his second marriage; and eight grandchildren.

In an interview with The Santa Fe New Mexican in 1995, Mr. Weiss described the making of one of his early hits, “Oh! What It Seemed to Be” (1946), written with Mr. Benjamin and Frankie Carle.

After finding a publisher for the song, the writers went in search of a singer. They called on Frank Sinatra, and a nervous young Mr. Weiss played it through for him.

“Before I had finished it Sinatra was on the phone calling the record company and telling them he just heard a great song and wanted to record it,” Mr. Weiss recalled. “You can imagine what happened to me — I froze at the piano. I just kept playing. See, the publisher had told me that no matter what happens, I should keep playing to make sure the tune got into their heads.”

He continued: “So everyone sat down and discussed horses and women and gossip for a half hour or so, and I’m still playing that song at the piano. Finally, the publisher comes over to me, lifts me up under the armpits and says, ‘Say goodbye to Frank.’ I said goodbye and they led me out like a zombie.” 

That'll Be the Day - LIVE Music Show - 24K Gold Music

Land Of 1000 Dances (1965) (1966)

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• Wilson Pickett - Land Of 1000 Dances (MP3)
• Cannibal And The Headhunters - Land Of 1000 Dances (MP3)

By: Wilson Pickett (born March 18, 1941 in Prattville, Alabama, died of a heart attack at the age of 64 on January 19, 2006 in Reston, Virginia.)

Wilson Pickett was an American soul singer who had over 50 charting US R&B hits, including "In The Midnight Hour", "Mustang Sally", "634-5789", "Funky Broadway" and "Land Of 1000 Dances".

Pickett was backed up by Stax Records veterans such as guitarist Steve Cropper, bassist Donald "Duck" Dunn and drummer Al Jackson, Jr., who were all also members of Booker T. And The MGs.

Chart position: #6 (US), #1 (US R&B).

It was Pickett's third #1 US R&B hit and was his biggest pop hit ever. It sold over 1 millions copies.

The Top Ten Songs: September 21, 1963 (US Billboard Hot 100).

1. "You Can't Hurry Love" (Supremes)
2. "Sunshine Superman" (Donovan)
3. "Yellow Submarine" (Beatles)
4. "See You In September" (Happenings)
5. "Summer In The City" (Lovin' Spoonful)
6. "Land Of 1000 Dances" (Wilson Pickett)
7. "Sunny" (Bobby Hebb)
8. "Working In The Coal Mine" (Lee Dorsey)
9. "Bus Stop" (Hollies)
10. "Guantanamera" (Sandpipers)

Written by: Chris Kenner (born December 25, 1929 in Kenner, Louisiana, died of a heart attack at the age of 46 on January 25, 1975.)

Kenner also wrote and originally recorded such songs as "I Like It Like That" and "Something You Got".

According to tsimon.com, Kenner took the song to noted New Orleans record producer Allen Toussaint and recorded it in 1962. He was inspired by the traditional spiritual song "Children Go Where I Send Thee". It originally featured the following introduction: "I'm gonna take you, baby, I'm gonna take you to a place. The name of the place is the Land of a Thousand Dances." It charted near the bottom of the Billboard Hot 100, at #77.

Kenner was determined to make it a hit. He approached Fats Domino and persuaded him to record it, with the incentive of half the publishing rights and to be listed as co-writer. That version failed to chart.

Also by: Cannibal and the Headhunters, whose version reached #30 in 1965. They were one of the first Mexican-American rock groups to have a national hit.

According to lead singer Frankie Garcia, one the most memorable parts now associated with "Land Of 1000 Dances" was an accident:

"Now the original of that song, if you've ever heard it, is lyrics from beginning to end. Dances all the way through. Lots of lyrics. And on stage, I blacked out and couldn't remember the words. So I started ad-libbing, 'Na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na.'"

"After the show, the other musicians went 'What were you doing?' and I said 'I don't know.' And they said 'Well do it again, it sounded real good. Could you do it again?' Finally we got to where I could remember it, but didn't care about the words anymore. I just wanted to get to that 'Na na na na na.'"

Originally by: Chris Kenner, whose version reached #77 (US) in 1963.

Download MP3s from Amazon.com:

• Wilson Pickett - Land Of 1000 Dances (MP3)
• Cannibal And The Headhunters - Land Of 1000 Dances (MP3)

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Stand By Your Man (1968)

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• Tammy Wynette - Stand By Your Man (MP3)

By: Tammy Wynette (born Virginia Wynette Pugh May 5, 1942, near Tremont, Mississippi, died April 6, 1998 of cardiac arrhythmia in Nashville, Tennessee.) She has been called the First Lady of Country Music.

"Stand by Your Man" was Tammy Wynette's most successful record. Then one of many somewhat successful female country recording artists, it elevated her to superstar status.

In 2003, "Stand by Your Man" was rated #1 on CMT's 100 Greatest Songs in Country Music. In 2004, it was rated #16 on CMT's 100 Greatest Country Love Songs.

Wynette was married twice, both ended in divorce. Her second marriage was a tumultuous one to George Jones.

Chart position: #19 (US), #1 (US Country), #1 (UK, in 1975.)

Wynette had three number one country hits in 1968: "Take Me to Your World," "D-I-V-O-R-C-E," and "Stand by Your Man".

It was preceded at #1 on the US Country chart by "I Walk Alone" (Marty Robbins) and succeeded by "Born To Be With You" (Sonny James).

Written by: Tammy Wynette and Billy Sherrill.

Wynette said she "wrote the song in 15 minutes and spent a lifetime defending it." Derided by the Feminist movement of the late 1960s and early 1970s, Wynette defended the song as a suggestion that women attempt to overlook their husbands' shortcomings and faults if they truly love them.

Billy Sherrill was a producer, songwriter and record executive who signed Wynette to Epic Records after other labels rejected her. He was involved in nearly every aspect of Wynette’s career, even with her stage name (Sherrill said she reminded him of Debbie Reynolds in the movie Tammy And The Bachelor, and suggested Tammy as a name.)

Also by: Bettye Swann, Lynn Anderson, Loretta Lynn, Candi Staton, Tina Turner, Lyle Lovett, Dixie Chicks, James Last and Me First and the Gimme Gimmes.

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• Tammy Wynette - Stand By Your Man (MP3)

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"No one ever told me I was pretty when I was a little girl. All little girls should be told they are pretty, even if they aren’t."

- Marilyn Monroe. At the age of nine, she was sent to live in a Los Angeles, California orphanage.

Be My Baby (1963)

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• The Ronettes - Be My Baby (MP3)

By: The Ronettes, which consisted of Veronica Bennett (later known as Ronnie Spector, born August 10, 1943 in New York City); her sister, Estelle Bennett (born July 22, 1941, died of colon cancer February 11, 2009) and their cousin Nedra Talley (born January 27, 1946 in New York.)

In 2007 the Ronettes were inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame.

Producer Phil Spector (born Harvey Phillip Spector December 26, 1940 in The Bronx, New York) rehearsed "Be My Baby" with Ronnie for weeks before recording began. During recording it took 42 takes before Spector was satisfied.

"Be My Baby" is arguably one of the greatest pop songs of all time. Critic Jason Ankeny wrote, "No less an authority than [Beach Boy] Brian Wilson has declared 'Be My Baby' the greatest pop record ever made — no arguments here." At that time, Wilson would listen to his 45 single of the song up to 100 times a day.

Wilson later said, "That's my all-time favorite song. When I first heard it in my car, I had to pull over to the side of the street to listen to it. It blew my mind."

The Beach Boys' "Don't Worry Baby" was written by Wilson with the hope that the Ronettes would record it as a follow-up. Spector rejected it, as he preferred to record only songs of his choosing.

As part of her divorce settlement with Phil Spector, Ronnie Spector is not allowed to perform "Be My Baby" on television.

In 2004, Rolling Stone magazine ranked "Be My Baby" at #22 on their list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.

The song's famous drum intro (played by Hal Blaine) has been replicated on a number of other songs.

Chart position: #2 (US), #4 (UK).

It was #2 in the US for 3 weeks in October 1963. It was kept from #1 by "Sugar Shack" (Jimmy Gilmore And The Fireballs.)

The Top Ten Songs: October 12, 1963 (US Billboard Hot 100).

1. "Sugar Shack" (Jimmy Gilmer and the Fireballs)
2. "Be My Baby" (Ronettes)
3. "Blue Velvet" (Bobby Vinton)
4. "Cry Baby" (Garnet Mimms and the Enchanters)
5. "Sally Go 'Round The Roses" (Jaynetts)
6. "Busted" (Ray Charles)
7. "My Boyfriend's Back (Angels)
8. "Mean Woman Blues" (Roy Orbison)
9. "(Love Is Like A) Heat Wave" (Martha and the Vandellas)
10. "Donna The Prima Donna" (Dion)

Written by: Jeff Barry (born Joel Adelberg April 3, 1938, in Brooklyn, New York,) Ellie Greenwich (born Eleanor Louise Greenwich October 23, 1940 in Brooklyn, New York), & Phil Spector.

The husband-and-wife team of Barry and Greenwich were one of the most successful songwriting duos of the 1960s, writing/co-writing such songs as "Baby I Love You", "Chapel Of Love", "Da Doo Ron Ron", "Do Wah Diddy Diddy", "Hanky Panky", "I Can Hear Music", "Leader of the Pack", "Maybe I Know", "Montego Bay", "Then He Kissed Me", "River Deep, Mountain High", and many more.

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• The Ronettes - Be My Baby (MP3)

Want to submit facts and trivia about this song? Leave a comment!

Shower The People (1976)

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• James Taylor - Shower The People (MP3)

By: James Taylor (born James Vernon Taylor March 12, 1948 in Boston, Massachusetts.)

Taylor achieved his major breakthrough in 1970 with the #3 (US) single "Fire and Rain" and had his first #1 (US) hit the following year with "You've Got a Friend", a recording of Carole King's classic song.

"Shower the People" is the opening track on James Taylor's 1976 album In the Pocket. It is also featured on his 1976 Greatest Hits album, which was certified Diamond and has sold over 12 million copies in the US alone.

The backing vocals were sung by Taylor and his then-wife Carly Simon.

In past live performances, instead of live singers, Taylor would accompany himself with a reel-to-reel tape player sitting on the stage (with its own spotlight!), which would play prerecorded backing vocals. 

In Fire And Rain: The James Taylor Story, pop-music archivist Steve Bellows said: "Most people who followed [James Taylor's] career thought he was keeping it going by covering other people's songs . . . 'Shower The People' silenced his critics and confirmed once and for all that all the personal problems he had endured over the years did not diminish his songwriting skills."

Chart position: #22 (US), #1 (US Adult Contemporary).

"Shower The People" stayed in the Top 40 for eight weeks.

It was preceded at #1 on the Adult Contemporary chart by "I'd Really Love to See You Tonight" (England Dan & John Ford Coley) and succeeded by "Summer" (War).

Written by: James Taylor.

Other songs written by Taylor include "Carolina On My Mind", "Fire And Rain", "Mexico", "Something In The Way She Moves" (which is NOT the same song as the Beatles' "Something") and "Sweet Baby James".

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• James Taylor - Shower The People (MP3)

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The Top Ten Dream Songs

A dream can be many things. There's dreams that come true and the American dream; pipe dreams and your wildest dreams; dream boats and dream tickets; I Dream Of Jeannie and The Interpretation Of Dreams. They can also be seen as visions, hopes and goals, as in the the classic Disney song "A Dream Is A Wish Your Heart Makes".

There are far too many dream songs to include here. I was actually thinking of making this a Top Twenty list. (Hey -- I can dream, can't I?) But! I can't mess with the formula...in fact, I wouldn't dream of it! Okay, okay... Hopefully, you will notice the ones that were chopped. Or maybe you'll dream up some favorites of your own!

As always the songs are organized by how well each has done on the various charts. Click on each song title to learn more. I'll say it again: If you don't see your favorite dream song, be sure to leave a comment. Who knows, your submission could be the next entry!

Let's start at the bottom (but certainly not least) and work our way up to the #1 spot.

10. Sweet Dreams (Of You)



Such a beautiful song as this has to be included! It was written and originally recorded by Don Gibson. It was also recorded by Faron Young. But "Sweet Dreams (Of You)" is best remembered as a posthumous hit for Patsy Cline after her death in a plane crash. It reached #5 on the US Country chart and #44 on the US Pop chart in 1963.

Sweet dreams of you
Every night I go through
Why can't I forget you
Start loving someone new
Instead of having sweet dreams about you

9. The Impossible Dream (The Quest)



Written by Mitch Leigh and Joe Darion for the musical Man of La Mancha. It has been recorded by many singers, including Elvis Presley and Frank Sinatra. But the first hit version was recorded by Jack Jones (who also had a hit with the Bacharach/David tune "Wives And Lovers".) It reached #1 on the US Adult Contemporary chart and #35 on the US Pop chart in 1966.

To dream the impossible dream
To fight the unbeatable foe
To bear with unbearable sorrow
To run where the brave dare not go

8. If I Can Dream



This was the final song of Elvis Presley's '68 Comeback Special. Written at the last minute by Walter Earl Brown, Elvis recorded it in June 1968, two months after Martin Luther King, Jr.'s assassination. That year it reached #12 in the US and #11 in the UK. One of the most heartfelt performances Elvis ever gave, in my opinion.

There must be lights burning brighter somewhere
Got to be birds flying higher in a sky more blue
If I can dream of a better land
Where all my brothers walk hand in hand
Tell me why, oh, why, oh, why can't my dream come true?

7. Dream A Little Dream Of Me



Another dream song from 1968? Yes and no. Like "If I Can Dream", it was a #12 US hit and #11 UK hit in 1968 for the Mamas And The Papas. But this song had been around much longer. It was first recorded in 1931 by Ozzie Nelson and his Orchestra. It's also been done by everyone from Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald to Michael Bublé and Zooey Deschanel.

Stars shining bright above you
Night breezes seem to whisper I love you
While I'm alone and blue as can be
Dream a little dream of me

6. In Dreams



Almost operatic in its grand musical scope, yet its lyrics are very personal and intimate. Roy Orbison definitely knew how to write and sing a great dream song. In 1963 it reached #7 in the US and #6 in the UK, while Roy was on tour with the Beatles. Rolling Stone ranked it at #312 of their 500 Greatest Songs of All Time in 2004.

A candy-colored clown they call the Sandman
Tip-toes to my room every night
Just to sprinkle stardust and to whisper,
"Go to sleep, everything is all right."

5. Don't Dream It's Over



This was the biggest US hit for Crowded House, written and sung by frontman Neil Finn. It reached the #2 US spot in 1987. It's actually held up very well over time. It could easily have been a 1960s hit or even a 2000s hit. Who else remembers, "Hey, now, hey, now, don't dream it's over"? I'm not the only one, right?

There is freedom within, there is freedom without
Try to catch the deluge in a paper cup
There's a battle ahead, many battles are lost
But you'll never see the end of the road
While you're traveling with me

4. Daydream



John Sebastian apparently composed this as a rewrite of the Supremes' "Baby Love". I can see that, if the Supremes were into jug-band music. This was a #2 US and UK hit for Lovin' Spoonful in 1966 and inspired a wave of laid-back summer songs yet to come.

What a day for a daydream
What a day for a daydreamin' boy
And I'm lost in a daydream
Dreamin' 'bout my bundle of joy

3. Dream Lover



Bobby Darin reached #1 in the UK and #2 in the US with this one in 1959. Darin wrote it, which made him one of the first popular singer/songwriters. It also features Neil Sedaka on piano, another fellow singer/songwriter (though not so popular as such, at that point.) No doubt a classic.

Every night, I hope and pray
A dream lover will come my way
A girl to hold in my arms
And know the magic of her charms

2. Daydream Believer



Released in 1967, this was the last #1 US hit for the Prefab Four. (Who came up with that nickname?) Davy Jones sang the lead, Micky Dolenz sang the backing vocals, Mike Nesmith played lead guitar and Peter Tork played piano and did the arrangement. They had come a long way. The Monkees were originally assembled for a TV show, and only sang on their first records.

Oh, I could hide 'neath the wings
Of the bluebird as she sings
The six o'clock alarm would never ring
But it rings and I rise
Wipe the sleep out of my eyes
My shaving razor's cold and it stings.

And it's that time again. Time to reveal the number one song on our list. You knew it had to happen sooner or later. But it's time to wake up and smell the coffee. The top dream song is...!

1. All I Have To Do Is Dream



This is probably everyone's favorite Everly Brothers song, let alone favorite dream song. The tremolo guitar, the harmony vocals, the words, everything! It's a great song. It was the first to hit #1 on all US singles charts simultaneously, on June 2, 1958. It was also the #1 Best Seller in Stores (4 weeks) and #1 Most Played by Jockeys (5 weeks) in May & June 1958. It was also #1 in the UK. How 'bout that?

Dream, dream, dream, dream
Dream, dream, dream, dream
When I want you in my arms
When I want you and all your charms
Whenever I want you, all I have to do is dream

Do you agree with this list? Have any suggestions for honorable mentions? I can think of a few myself, but I want you to decide.

Check out all of the lists here at Rock The Jukebox:

• The Top Ten Blue Songs 
• The Top Ten Rain Songs
• The Top Ten Dream Songs
• The Top Ten Sun Songs
• The Top Ten Moon Songs
• The Top Ten Girl Name Songs
• The (Next) Top Ten Girl Name Songs
• The Top Ten Walking Songs

Suspicious Minds (1969)

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• Elvis Presley - Suspicious Minds (MP3)
• Dwight Yoakam - Suspicious Minds (MP3)

By: Elvis Presley (born Elvis Aron Presley January 8, 1935 in Tupelo, Mississippi, died August 16, 1977 in Memphis, Tennessee.)

Called the King of Rock 'n' Roll, Elvis is generally considered to be the most important, iconic entertainer of the 20th Century. He has sold over one billion records worldwide, more than anyone in record industry history. He has had 150 albums and singles certified gold, platinum and multi-platinum, 149 charting songs in the US, 114 of which were Top 40 hits, 40 of which were Top 10 hits, and 18 #1 hits.

In 2004, Rolling Stone Magazine ranked him #3 on their list of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time.

On January 13, 1969, Presley entered American Sound Studio in Memphis, the first time he had recorded in his hometown since 1956. During that time, producer Chips Moman brought "Suspicious Minds" to Presley, who immediately fell in love with it.

It was recorded between 4:00 AM and 7:00 AM in the morning. During his 1969 Memphis sessions, he also recorded such hits as "In The Ghetto", "Kentucky Rain" and "Don’t Cry Daddy".

He first performed the song live at the Las Vegas Hilton on July 31, 1969.

In 2004, Rolling Stone magazine ranked "Suspicious Minds" at #91 on their list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.

Chart position: #1 (US), #2 (UK).

It was #1 in the US for one week in November 1969. It was preceded at #1 in the US by "I Can't Get Next to You" (Temptations) and succeeded by "Wedding Bell Blues" (Fifth Dimension.)

Widely regarded as the single that jump-started Elvis' career, as it was his first #1 hit in 7 years. It was Elvis' eighteenth US #1 single, and would be his final US #1 single during his lifetime.

The Top Five Songs November 1, 1969 (US Billboard Hot 100).

1. "Suspicious Minds" (Elvis Presley)
2. "Wedding Bell Blues" (Fifth Dimension)
3. "Sugar, Sugar" (Archies)
4. "I Can't Get Next to You" (Temptations)
5. "Baby It's You" (Smith)
   

Written by: Mark James.

James also wrote/co-wrote such songs as "The Eyes Of A New York Woman", "Hooked On A Feeling" (both hits for B.J. Thomas), "Always On My Mind", "Raised On Rock", "Moody Blue", and more.

Tensions arose between Elvis and his manager Colonel Parker when James refused to give him a cut of the publishing royalties. Parker was determined to hold out, but Elvis' love of the song ultimately won out, knowing he could make it a hit. It had flopped the previous year for James.

Also by: Dwight Yoakam, for the 1992 film Honeymoon in Vegas, which featured covers of Elvis Presley songs performed by many contemporary artists. The movie was notable for featuring the Flying Elvises (a group of skydiving Elvis impersonators).

Download MP3s from Amazon.com:

• Elvis Presley - Suspicious Minds (MP3)
• Dwight Yoakam - Suspicious Minds (MP3) 

Want to submit facts and trivia about this song? Leave a comment!

I Say A Little Prayer (1967)

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• Dionne Warwick - I Say A Little Prayer (MP3)
• Aretha Franklin - I Say A Little Prayer (MP3)

By: Dionne Warwick (born Marie Dionne Warrick December 12, 1940 in East Orange, New Jersey).

Dionne's sister is Cissy Houston, who formed the Sweet Inspirations (which sang backup for Elvis Presley during the late 1960s) and is also the mother of Whitney Houston.

Warwick is best known for working with Hal David and Burt Bacharach as songwriters and producers. In 1962, Dionne's name was misspelled on the credits of her first single ("Don't Make Me Over") as "Warwick" instead of "Warrick". She soon began using the new spelling.

Hal David did not want "I Say a Little Prayer" to be released. He felt the tempo was too fast and that it would flop. Bacharach later said he thought he had blown it by producing the Warwick version at too fast of a tempo.

As with several Bacharach compositions, "I Say A Little Prayer" features a very unusual time signature. Its chorus repeats a pattern of two measures in 4/4 time followed by one in 3/4, making it 11/4 time.

Chart position: #4 (US), #8 (UK).

The Top Ten Songs: December 9, 1967 (US Billboard Hot 100).

1. "Daydream Believer" (Monkees)
2. "The Rain, the Park and Other Things" (Cowsills)
3. "Incense and Peppermints" (Strawberry Alarm Clock) 
4. "I Say a Little Prayer" (Dionne Warwick)
5. "I Heard It Through the Grapevine" (Gladys Knight and the Pips)
6. "To Sir, with Love" (Lulu)
7. "I Second That Emotion" (Smokey Robinson and the Miracles)
8. "Hello Goodbye" (Beatles)
9. "In and Out of Love" (Diana Ross and the Supremes)
10. "An Open Letter to My Teenage Son" (Victor Lundberg)

Written by: Burt Bacharach (born May 12, 1928 in Kansas City, Missouri) and Hal David (born May 25, 1921 in New York City, New York.)

Bacharach and David have written a combined 70 Top 40 US hits and 52 Top 40 UK hits, including "The Story of My Life", "Magic Moments", "Baby It's You", "Any Day Now", "(The Man Who Shot) Liberty Valance", "Only Love Can Break a Heart", "Don't Make Me Over", "Make it Easy On Yourself", "Twenty Four Hours From Tulsa", "Blue on Blue", "Anyone Who Had a Heart", "(They Long to Be) Close to You", "Wives and Lovers", "Wishin' and Hoping", "Walk on By", "I Just Don't Know What to Do with Myself", "(There's) Always Something There to Remind Me", "A House Is Not a Home", "What the World Needs Now Is Love", "What's New Pussycat?", "Alfie", "My Little Red Book", "The Look of Love", "One Less Bell to Answer", "This Guy's In Love With You", "Do You Know the Way to San Jose?", "Promises, Promises", "Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head", "I'll Never Fall in Love Again", "Arthur's Theme (The Best That You Can Do)", and "That's What Friends Are For".

Also by: Aretha Franklin, whose version reached #10 (US) in 1968.

Burt Bacharach later said emphatically that Aretha Franklin's arrangement was much better than his.

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• Dionne Warwick - I Say A Little Prayer (MP3)
• Aretha Franklin - I Say A Little Prayer (MP3)

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Yesterday (1965)

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• Paul McCartney - Yesterday (Live) (MP3)

By: The Beatles.

Though it is credited to the group, the only Beatle on the song is Paul McCartney. He sang and played acoustic guitar with a string quartet.  Producer George Martin had said, "We can't put Ringo on it, it's too heavy…what about a classical string quartet?"

It was released on the soundtrack for the Beatles' 1965 film Help! Because "Yesterday" differed so greatly from their other songs, the other Beatles vetoed the song's release as a single in the UK.

It won the Ivor Novello award for Most Outstanding Song of 1965. 

On BMI's Top 100 Songs of the Century (based on American radio and television airplay), "Yesterday" ranked #2 for having been played more than seven million times. 

In 2000, it ranked #1 on Rolling Stone & MTV's list of 100 Greatest Pop Songs.

 Chart position: #1 (US, 4 weeks).

"Yesterday" sold a million copies within the first 10 days of its release.

It also reached #1 in Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Hong Kong, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway and Spain. It wasn't issued as a single in the UK until 1976 (when it reached #8.)

The Top Ten Songs: October 30, 1965 (US Billboard Hot 100).

1. "Yesterday" (Beatles)
2. "A Lover's Concerto" (Toys)
3. "Get Off Of My Cloud" (Rolling Stones)
4. "Keep On Dancing" (Gentrys)
5. "Everybody Loves A Clown" (Gary Lewis and the Playboys)
6. ""Treat Her Right (Roy Head)
7. "You're The One" (Vogues)
8. "Positively 4th Street" (Bob Dylan)
9. "Hang On Sloopy" (McCoys)
10. "1-2-3" (Len Barry)

Written by: Paul McCartney, though all Beatles compositions by McCartney and/or John Lennon are credited as "Lennon/McCartney".

McCartney has said the entire melody came to him in a dream one night.  Upon waking, he went to a piano and recorded the tune on a tape recorder to avoid letting it slip from his mind.  McCartney was concerned that he might have subconsciously plagiarised someone else's work.

McCartney said, "For about a month I went round to people in the music business and asked them whether they had ever heard it before. Eventually it became like handing something in to the police. I thought If no one claimed it after a few weeks then I could have it".

The initial working title was "Scrambled Eggs", which was used until something more suitable could be written.  The final lyrics were written on the back of an envelope, which is still owned by McCartney.

In July 2003, British musicologists stumbled upon remarkable similarities between the lyric and rhyming schemes of "Yesterday" and the popular song "Answer Me" (recorded by singers such as Frankie Laine and Nat "King" Cole,) leading to speculation that McCartney had been influenced by the song.

Others have speculated that McCartney subconsciously based "Yesterday" on Ray Charles' version of "Georgia On My Mind".  One claim goes even furthur back, to a 19th century Neapolitan song called "Piccere' Che Vene a Dicere".

Also by: Too many to list!

The Guinness Book of Records ranks "Yesterday" as the world's most recorded popular song ever written, with over 3,000 versions. A short list: the Supremes, Perry Como, Jan and Dean, Ray Charles, Floyd Kramer, Smokey Robinson & the Miracles, Marvin Gaye, Elvis Presley, Bill Medley, Bob Dylan, Dr. John, Michael Bolton, Boyz II Men, Tom Jones, Andy Williams, Tammy Wynette, the Smothers Brothers, Placido Domingo, Eddie Fisher, Tennessee Ernie Ford, Burl Ives, Gladys Knight & the Pips, Brenda Lee, the Letterman, Liberace, Johnny Mathis, Willie Nelson, Ray Price, Lou Rawls, the Seekers, Frank Sinatra and the Temptations.

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• Paul McCartney - Yesterday (Live) (MP3)

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