Category: Movies

“Take Me to the River” is a 1974 song written by singer Al Green and guitarist Mabon “Teenie” Hodges. Al Green originally recorded the song for his 1974 album, Al Green Explores Your Mind. Writing in The Independent in 1994, Tim de Lisle wrote: “Musically, it was much like any other track sung by Green […]

“Time After Time” (15) is a 1983 song by American singer-songwriter Cyndi Lauper, co-written with Rob Hyman. It was the second single released from her debut studio album, She’s So Unusual, with Hyman contributing backing vocals. The track was produced by Rick Chertoff and released as a single in January 1984. The song became Lauper’s […]

“Hotel California” is the title track from the Eagles’ album of the same name and was released as a single in February 1977. Writing credits for the song are shared by Don Felder (music), Don Henley, and Glenn Frey (lyrics). Joe Walsh came up with the dual-guitar descending arpeggio part that ends the song: he […]

“I Fought the Law” (19) was written in 1958 by Sonny Curtis, and recorded in 1959 when he joined the Crickets, taking the place of the late Buddy Holly on guitar. Joe B. Maudlin and Jerry Allison continued their positions on the stand-up bass and drums, respectively, while Earl Sinks filled the role for vocals. […]

“Stand by Me” (20) is a song originally performed in 1961 by American singer-songwriter Ben E. King and written by him, along with Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, who together used the pseudonym Elmo Glick. According to King, the title is derived from, and was inspired by, a spiritual written by Sam Cooke and J. […]

“Summertime” (21) is an aria composed in 1934 by George Gershwin for the 1935 opera. The lyrics are by DuBose Heyward, the author of the novel Porgy on which the opera was based, although the song is also co-credited to Ira Gershwin. Gershwin began composing the song in December 1933, attempting to create his own […]

“Season of the Witch” (22) is a song by Scottish singer-songwriter Donovan released in August 1966 on his third studio album, Sunshine Superman. The song is credited to Donovan, although sometime collaborator Shawn Phillips has also claimed authorship. Because of a dispute with Donovan’s record company, a UK edition with the song was not released […]

“Woodstock” (24) is a song written by Joni Mitchell. She composed the song based on what she had heard from her then-boyfriend Graham Nash about the Woodstock Music & Art Festival 1969. She had not been there herself, since a manager had told her that it would, instead, be more advantageous for her to appear […]

La Bamba (26) has its origin in the state of Veracruz, Mexico. The oldest recorded version known is that of Alvaro Hernández Ortiz, who recorded the song with the name of “El Jarocho”. His recording was released on the Victor label in Mexico in 1938 or 1939, and was reissued on a 1997 compilation by […]

In our final post about UK One Hit Wonders, I have choosen some songs for an honourable mention. “Fire” is a 1968 song written by Arthur Brown, Vincent Crane, Mike Finesilver and Peter Ker. Performed by Thhe Crazy World of Arthur Brown, it was released as a single and on the band’s epoonymously named debut […]