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A Jewish Songwriter Borrowed Gospel Language, Added a Fuzz Guitar Riff and Somehow Created One of Rock’s Most Unlikely Spiritual Hits

Jun 12, 2026

A Jewish Songwriter Borrowed Gospel Language, Added a Fuzz Guitar Riff and Somehow Created One of Rock’s Most Unlikely Spiritual Hits

America Barely Noticed Louis Armstrong’s Gentle New Single. Years Later, the Same Recording Became One of the Most Beloved Messages of Hope Ever Put on Record

Jun 28, 2026

America Barely Noticed Louis Armstrong’s Gentle New Single. Years Later, the Same Recording Became One of the Most Beloved Messages of Hope Ever Put on Record

Brian Wilson Recorded Pieces in Different Studios for Months, Spent a Fortune, Then Cut Them Together Into a Single That Seemed to Come From the Future

Jul 27, 2026

Brian Wilson Recorded Pieces in Different Studios for Months, Spent a Fortune, Then Cut Them Together Into a Single That Seemed to Come From the Future

Four Drum Hits Opened the Door. Then Ronnie Spector Sang Through a Wall of Sound—and Pop Production Was Never Quite the Same

Aug 07, 2026

Four Drum Hits Opened the Door. Then Ronnie Spector Sang Through a Wall of Sound—and Pop Production Was Never Quite the Same

Sam Cooke Had Built a Career on Elegant Pop. Then Racism, Fear and a Need to Say Something Deeper Pulled a Different Song Out of Him

Jun 16, 2026

Sam Cooke Had Built a Career on Elegant Pop. Then Racism, Fear and a Need to Say Something Deeper Pulled a Different Song Out of Him

Ben E. King Took an Old Gospel Idea, Added One Bass Pattern and a Simple Plea—and Created the Record That Would Define His Solo Life

Jul 24, 2026

Ben E. King Took an Old Gospel Idea, Added One Bass Pattern and a Simple Plea—and Created the Record That Would Define His Solo Life

Decca Worried a Fifteen-Year-Old Was Too Young to Sing This Kind of Regret. Then Brenda Lee Opened Her Mouth—and the Song Went to No. 1

Jul 11, 2026

Decca Worried a Fifteen-Year-Old Was Too Young to Sing This Kind of Regret. Then Brenda Lee Opened Her Mouth—and the Song Went to No. 1

A Broadway Standard Was Supposed to Sound Theatrical. Roy Hamilton Sang It Like a Testimony—and Suddenly Hope Had the Force of Gospel

Jul 08, 2026

A Broadway Standard Was Supposed to Sound Theatrical. Roy Hamilton Sang It Like a Testimony—and Suddenly Hope Had the Force of Gospel

Carly Simon’s “You’re So Vain” — The Mystery Hit of 1972

Jul 22, 2026

Carly Simon’s “You’re So Vain” — The Mystery Hit of 1972

James Taylor’s “Fire and Rain” — A Deeply Personal 1970 Classic

Jul 19, 2026

James Taylor’s “Fire and Rain” — A Deeply Personal 1970 Classic

Harry Chapin’s “Taxi” — A Heartbreaking Story of Lost Love

Jun 24, 2026

Harry Chapin’s “Taxi” — A Heartbreaking Story of Lost Love

Jim Croce’s “Operator” — A Heartbreaking 1972 Classic

Aug 02, 2026

Jim Croce’s “Operator” — A Heartbreaking 1972 Classic