Hound Dog

Hound Dog helped to launch the career of Elvis Presley. The song was written by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stroller. The duo wrote the song for Big Mama Thornton to suit her personality. In an interview in Rolling Stone in April 1990, Stoller said: “She was a wonderful blues singer, with a great moaning style. Read More

Bridge Over Troubled Water

Bridge Over Troubled Water is a popular song by Simon & Garfunkel.  The song appeared on their fifth and final studio album, which was released in January 1970. The song was written by Paul Simon. According to Wikipedia, “The title lyric was inspired by Claude Jeter’s line “I’ll be your bridge over deep water if Read More

Candle in the Wind

Candle in the Wind is a popular Elton John song about Marilyn Monroe. Elton John wrote the song with Bernie Taupin. The reference to “goodbye Norma Jean” is a reference to Marilyn’s birth name before she reached stardom and changed her name. The song debuted on Elton John’s 1973 album Goodbye Yellow Brick Road.  In Read More

Here Comes the Sun

Here Comes the Sun is a popular Beatles’ song. The song was written by one of the members of the popular group known as the Beatles, George Harrison.  Harrison wrote the song at the country house of his friend, and fellow musician, Eric Clapton.  The lyrics reflect Harrison’s relief of both the arrival of spring Read More

Behind the Song: I Will Always Love You

I Will Always Love You was a signature song for Whitney Houston, after she performed the song in her movie, The Bodyguard. However, the song was written by another big known star, Dolly Parton.  This would become the biggest song of her career as both a performer and songwriter. The song was the second single Read More

Profile of a Performer: Elvis Presley– The Comeback King

In remembrance of the anniversary of Elvis Presley’s death, we will finish his profile this week. We’ve already discussed the younger years and his return from the Army. After a decade in films, Elvis Presley was considered a joke by both fans and critics. Now, it was time for some damage control. Colonel Parker made Read More

Profile of a Performer: Elvis is Back!

    After serving two years in the Army, the time had come for Elvis to return to his public.  Would he be able to make the comeback he hoped for? Elvis returned to the United States and was honorably discharged in early March 1960. Less than three weeks later he was in the recording Read More

Profile of a Performer: The Young Elvis Presley

Elvis Presley was an early and important figure in changing the landscape of music in his day.   The King of Rock n Roll grew up listening to spirituals and crooners such as Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra. However, he would usher in a new generation of music for the post World War II youth. Elvis Read More

Song Story: Que Sera, Sera

This hit Doris Day song is a mystery in it’s origin.   At least to some point. Doris Day was scheduled for the Alfred Hitchcock film, The Man Who Knew Too Much in 1956.  Hitchcock wasn’t happy that Day was going to be in the picture.  He called songwriters, Ray Evans and Jay Livingston and asked Read More

Song Story: Barbara Ann by the Beach Boys

With summer fun here let’s take a look at a good beach song. Barbara Ann was written by Fred Fassert.  He used his sister’s name for the title of the song.  The song was originally written for The Regents, a band Fassert was part of at the time.  The Regents recorded the song in 1958, Read More