The Apollas - I'm Under the Influence of Love (1967)

In 1961, five young women brought their voices together and began calling themselves The Apollos. Over the next four years, the members in the group came and went as they released singles for the likes of Galaxy Records and Tiger Records, using group names like The Apollos, Leola & The Love Joys, and The Love Joys. None of their material during this time charted.

By 1965, the roster of the group had been solidified to include Leola Jiles, Ella Jamerson, and Billie Barnum. Leola Jiles and Ella Jamerson had come from Louisiana and Georgia, respectively, while Billie Barnum was the sister of pianist and child actor H. B. Barnum. The girls also made the final decision to use the name The Apollas.

The girls were signed to Loma Records, a subsidiary of Warner Bros. Records, which had been opened the previous year in 1964 to combat with the success of Motown. Loma tried to promote the girls, but the general public didn’t seem to notice because record sales were quite poor. Despite having wonderful talent and vocal power, the girls never managed to chart a single one of their many songs.

In 1968, The Apollas made their last recording for Loma and folded soon after. In the same year, Loma was absorbed into their parent company, Warner Bros. Records. All three members of the group continued their careers by becoming back-up singers for acts such as Van Dyke Parks, Lionel Richie, and others. As of the date of this post, all three members still reside in California.

The song below was released by The Apollas in 1967. It was written primarily by Barry White, with help from Paul Leo Politi. The song was produced by Dick Glasser of Loma Records and notably arranged by Gene Page, who had been responsible for arranging songs for countless big acts of the 1960s, ‘70s, and ‘80s.



The Apollas - I'm Under the Influence of Love (1967)

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Lyrics:

Walking on a cloud
Feeling high
It happens every time
Whenever I’m with my guy

I’m tripping on love
And it feels so good
I can’t help myself
And I wouldn’t if I could

‘cause he’s got that certain touch
That I’m a addicted to
Love’s really got a hold on me
And there ain’t nothing I can do

I’m under the influence of love
And I know there ain’t no doubt about it
I’m under the influence of love
And I know I just can’t live without it

I need another dose
Can’t get enough
I’ve just got to have
All of my baby’s love

And when I’m alone
Feeling sad and blue
He gives me a shot of love
And I’m as good as new

Helpless as I am
Ask me if I don’t care
His tenderness is what I miss
Whenever he’s not here

I’m under the influence of love
And I know there ain’t no doubt about it
(Yeah, yeah)
I’m under the influence of love
And I know I just can’t live without it

There ain’t no other guy
Who can bring out the love in me
So many guys have divine
He’s the only one I see

I’m under the influence of love
And I know there ain’t no doubt about it
(Yeah, yeah)
I’m under the influence of love
And I know I just can’t live without it
(Baby, yeah)

I’m under the influence of love
And I know there ain’t no doubt about it
I’m under the influence of love
And I know I just can’t live without it
(Yeah, yeah)

I’m under the influence of love
And I know there ain’t no doubt about it
(Yeah, yeah)
I’m under the influence of love…

The Drifters - This Magic Moment (1960)

In the summer of 1958, with his original lineup of The Drifters being entirely disintegrated, George Treadwell was desperate to find a new lineup, call them The Drifters, and complete the remaining year’s worth of bookings he had signed his vocal group up for at The Apollo. Luckily for Treadwell, he was able to get into contact with Lover Patterson, the manager of the doo-wop group known as The Five Crowns. Through some finagling and persuading, Treadwell managed to take The Five Crowns and turn them into the “new” Drifters. Lead by Five Crowns lead singer Ben E. Nelson, the group featured Charlie Thomas, Dock Green, and Elsbeary Hobbs. Poppa James Clark had been a member of The Five Crowns but wasn’t invited to join The Drifters because of a drinking problem, a problem that plagued Treadwell’s last group. Ben E. Nelson changed his stage name to the now widely recognized Ben E. King and although these “new” Drifters were initially met with crowd hostility at their shows, they would go on to release hits such as “There Goes My Baby,” “Save the Last Dance for Me,” “Dance with Me,” and the hit heard below to be considered by many as the truly “golden” lineup of The Drifters history.

Written by Doc Pomus and Mort Shuman, this song was one of the best-selling hits of Ben E. King’s era of The Drifters. It’s almost one of the most recognizable songs by any Drifters lineup. Featuring the B-Side “Baltimore,” the song was released on Atlantic Records in 1960 and reached number sixteen. It has since been used in a wide variety of media; you may remember it being used in The Sandlot.



The Drifters - This Magic Moment (1960)

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Lyrics:

This magic moment
So different and so new
Was like any other
Until I kissed you

And then it happened
It took me by surprise
I knew that you felt it, too
By the look in your eyes

Sweeter than wine
Softer than the summer night
Everything I want, I have
Whenever I hold you tight

This magic moment
While your lips are close to mine
Will last forever
Forever ‘til the end of time

(Magic)
(Magic)
(Magic)
(Magic)

Sweeter than wine
Softer than the summer night
Everything I want, I have
Whenever I hold you tight

This magic moment
While your lips are close to mine
Will last forever
Forever ‘til the end of time

(Magic)
(Magic)
Magic moment
(Magic)
Magic moment
(Magic)
Magic moment
(Magic)
(Magic)
(Magic)…

The Spencer Davis Group - Gimme Some Lovin' (1966)

Originally known as The Rhythm and Blues Quartette, this band first came together in Birmingham, England in 1963 when Spencer Davis (lead vocalist) met with brothers Steve (lead guitar) and Muff Winwood (bass). When they picked up Pete York on drums, the band’s first lineup was complete. Since none of the band members except Spencer Davis enjoyed doing interviews, Muff Winwood had the idea to name the band after him so that the other members “could stay in bed and let him” be in the spotlight. In 1964, with their new name, they were signed to their first record deal; and, by the end of 1965, they had released their first hit, “Keep On Running,” which was a cover of a Jackie Edwards song released previously that same year. After a large amount of success in the coming years, Steve Winwood blind-sided his bandmates by announcing he was quitting the band in early 1967. They later found out it was to co-create the band Traffic. His brother Muff soon left to become the A&R man at Island Records, but despite their recent losses, the band continued on. After a few failed singles leading up into 1968, Pete York left the band along with newer member Eddie Hardin to begin their own work under the name Hardin & York. By 1969, the group decided to call it quits. They reunited briefly in 1973, releasing a couple of lukewarm albums, but broke up again in 1974. Lately, as of 2006, Spencer Davis has been performing with an entirely new lineup, touring both Europe and the US.

Written by Spencer Davis and Steve and Muff Winwood, this song was one of the best-selling songs released by the band. The main guitar riff of the song was borrowed from “(Ain’t That) A Lot of Love,” a Homer Banks song. Two versions of the song were released: the UK version and the US version. The differences were that the UK version lacked backing vocals, was a bit slower, and didn’t appear to “sound as live.” The US version is the one predominately heard today, which is widely believe to be the better cut. Upon the songs release, it reached number seven in the US and number two in the UK. The song has been covered by numerous famous artists and has appeared in many popular television shows and films.



The Spencer Davis Group - Gimme Some Lovin' (1966)

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Lyrics:

(Hey!)

Well my temperature's rising
And my feet left the floor
Crazy people knockin’
'cause they wanted some more

Let me in, baby
I don't know what you got
But you better take it easy
This place is hot

And I’m
So glad you made it
So glad you made it
You got to
Gimme some lovin'
(Gimme- gimme some lovin')
Gimme some lovin'
(Gimme- gimme some lovin')
Gimme some lovin'
Every day

(Hey!)

Well, I feel so good
Everything is gettin' hot
You better take it easy
‘cause this place is on fire

It’s been a hard day
And I have so much to do
We made it, baby
And it happened to you

And I’m
So glad you made it
So glad you made it
You gotta
Gimme some lovin'
(Gimme- gimme some lovin')
Gimme some lovin'
(Gimme- gimme some lovin')
Gimme some lovin'
Every day

Yeah

(Hey!)

Well, I feel so good
Everything is gettin' hot
You better take it easy
‘cause the place is on fire

It’s been a hard day
And nothing went too good
Now I’m gonna relax
I think everybody should

And I’m
So glad you made it
Hey hey
So glad you made it
You got
Gimme some lovin'
(Gimme- gimme some lovin')
Gimme some lovin'
(Gimme- gimme some lovin')

Hey, hey
(Gimme some lovin')
I need ya to gimme- gimme some of your lovin’, babe
(Gimme- gimme some lovin')
You know I need it so bad
(Gimme- gimme some lovin')…

Jerry Butler & The Impressions - For Your Precious Love (1958)

Born in Chicago, Illinois on December 8, 1939, Jerry Butler, Jr.’s family had very little money but attended church regularly. It was in a local housing community and the church choir that Butler would meet Curtis Mayfield, born June 3, 1942 in the mid-1950s. Together, the two boys sang in a gospel quartet known as the Northern Jubilee Gospel Singers. Inspired by artists such as Sam Cooke, Butler and Mayfield united with Arthur and Richard Brooks, brothers, to develop a vocal group of their own known as The Roosters. What they eventually became, with the addition of Sam Gooden, was The Impressions. After signing with Vee-Jay Records, the band released their first hit, heard below, in 1958. After their next hit, “Come Back My Love,” Jerry Butler left the band to embark on a solo career. Mayfield wrote most of his successful songs. Mayfield also became The Impressions’ new primary singer and songwriter as the group welcomed Fred Cash to the lineup, a member who had previously been with them for a short while when they were still known as The Roosters. The new Impressions soared to new heights, reaching number two with “Gypsy Woman,” number one with “It’s All Right,” number three with the famous “People Get Ready” (previously featured), and numerous others. Mayfield would eventually leave the group in 1970 to have a successful solo career of his own, but the group continued on. Although their last hit song, “Loving Power,” was released in 1976, the group is still together today featuring original member Sam Gooden and Roosters-era member Fred Cash.

Written by Jerry Butler with help from Arthur and Richard Brooks, this song was The Impressions first big hit. Released in 1958, it was put out with the credit being given to “Jerry Butler & The Impressions,” as the group was known before Butler parted ways. The song peaked at number eleven and has since been covered by Jerry Butler (as a solo artist in 1966), Otis Redding (in 1965), The Rolling Stones (in 1989), and various others.



Jerry Butler & The Impressions - For Your Precious Love (1958)

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Lyrics:

Your precious love
Means more to me
Than any love could ever be
For when I wanted you
I was so lonely and so blue
For that's what love will do

And darling, I'm-
(I'm so surprised)
Oh, when I first realized
That you were fooling me

And darling
They say that our love won’t grow
But I just wanna tell them
That they don't know

For as long
As you're in love with me
Our love will grow wider
Deeper than any sea

And of all the things that I want
In this whole wide world
Is just for you to say
That you’ll be my girl

And oh
(Wanting you)
Wanting you
(Oh, I'm lonely and blue)
I'm so lonely
(That's what love will do)

Bobby Darin - Dream Lover (1959)

Born Walden Robert Cassotto in The Bronx, New York 1936, this American singer first reached fame in 1958 with his co-written hit song “Splish Splash”. The following year saw him rise to worldwide renown with the releases “Mack the Knife,” “Beyond the Sea,” and the track heard below. In the early 1960s, his career shifted more toward country music and eventually acting in movies, where he starred in crime dramas and romantic comedies aimed at cashing in on his teen idol image. He wrote the music to many of the movies he starred in and is the only actor to have been signed to five major Hollywood film studios in the same year. Becoming more involved politically, he worked with Robert Kennedy during the 1968 presidential campaign and was driven into seclusion for nearly a year following Kennedy’s assassination. Later, he formed Direction Records, aimed at giving an outlet to “folk artists with something to say” and had his own variety show on NBC until his death in 1973. He died while recovering from heart surgery, which he only needed after failing to take his instructed medication.

Written and first recorded by Darin, this song was released on March 5, 1959. In July the song peaked at number two in the United States and number one in the United Kingdom. It has been covered by numerous artists over the years, but is most widely recognized as being connected with this artist. It features a young Neil Sedaka on piano.



Bobby Darin - Dream Lover (1959)

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Lyrics:

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

'cause I want (yeah yeah, yeah)
A girl (yeah yeah, yeah)
To call (yeah yeah, yeah)
My own (yeah yeah)
I want a dream lover
So I don't have to dream alone

Dream lover, where are you
With a love, oh-so true
And the hand that I can hold
To feel you near as I grow old?

'cause I want (yeah yeah, yeah)
A girl (yeah yeah, yeah)
To call (yeah yeah, yeah)
My own (yeah yeah, yeah)
I want a dream lover
So I don't have to dream alone

Someday, I don't know how
I hope she'll hear my plea
Some way, I don't know how
She'll bring her love to me

Dream lover, until then
I'll go to sleep and dream again
That's the only thing to do
‘til all my lover's dreams come true

'cause I want (yeah yeah, yeah)
A girl (yeah yeah, yeah)
To call (yeah yeah, yeah)
My own (yeah yeah, yeah)
I want a dream lover
So I don't have to dream alone

Dream lover, until then
I'll go to sleep and dream again
That's the only thing to do
‘til all my lover's dreams come true

'cause I want (yeah yeah, yeah)
A girl (yeah yeah, yeah)
To call (yeah yeah, yeah)
My own (yeah yeah)
I want a dream lover
So I don't have to dream alone

Please don't make me dream alone
I beg you don't make me dream alone
No, I don't wanna dream

The Rascals - I Believe (1969)

Three out of four members of this band had originally been replacement members in Joey Dee and the Starliters, who were known for putting out “Peppermint Twist” in 1961. Originally going by the name “Rascals” when they started their own group, there was a complaint made by Johnny Puleo and Borrah Minnevitch to alter their name because it was too similar to their “Harmonica Rascals.” Switching to “The Young Rascals,” the name stuck for over two years. After the release of their single “It’s Wonderful,” the band released all future singles and albums under their final name seen above. Known for hit songs such as “Good Lovin’,” “Groovin’,” and “A Beautiful Morning,” the group began to dissolve in 1970 and completely disbanded in 1972. Widely recognized for refusing to play where crowds were segregated, they are credited with influencing many white acts, such as Leslie West (Mountain) and Vanilla Fudge, in the pursuit of performing rhythm and blues.

This song was released as the B-Side of a single in 1969, a few years after the group’s peak. Featuring “Hold On” as its A-Side, the single was released in mid-December and charted best in Canada, where it reached number twenty-two. Having been on Atlantic Records from their beginnings, this single and the two that followed would be their last releases for Atlantic before switching over to Columbia in mid-1971.



The Rascals - I Believe (1969)

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Lyrics:

(I believe, I believe, I believe, I believe)
(I believe, I believe, I believe, I believe)

Love, your magic is everywhere
You know, sweet vibrations just fill the air
Yeah

Bright star that’s shinin’ in your diamond eyes
Lights up my each and every day
When one heart finds another on the road of life
Time stops and joy takes you away

Love, your magic is everywhere
Peace vibrations are always there

The warm sunshine reminds me of your gentle touch
I see your smile in every hill, every tree
The secret garden of my heart belongs to you alone
Like a flower was meant for the bee

(I believe, I believe, I believe, I believe)
Oh, child
(I believe, I believe, I believe, I believe)
Oh

In each beat of my heart I can hear your name
I feel love with every breath that I take
With your love I’ve become awake
In a wondrous and a beautiful place

It’s love, your magic is everywhere
Those sweet vibrations just fill the air

When I see a flower or a tree
I can see your smiling face in everything that I see
In the mountain, in the stream

It’s love, your magic is everywhere
Those sweet vibrations just fill the air

Jackie Wilson - Lonely Teardrops (1958)

Born Jack Leroy Wilson, Jr. in 1934, “Mr. Excitement” was influential in shifting rhythm and blues music into the genre of soul. Dubbed by Elvis Presley as “The Black Elvis,” he was known for his dynamic stage presence which always involved high-energy dancing. He would often choose unattractive females from the audience to kiss him on stage, rationalizing that “if I kiss the ugliest girl in the audience, they’ll all think they can have me and keep coming back and buying my records.” His life was filled with numerous tragedies including multiple arrests, multiple gunshot wounds, and multiple offspring dying at a young age. Even his own life was cut short when a mid-performance heart-attack in 1975 would put him in an on-again off-again coma for the next nine years until his death.

This song was written by Roquel “Billy” Davis and the Gordy siblings, Berry Jr. and Gwen. The song reached number seven on the Billboard Hot 100 as well as number one on the R&B charts. The popularity of the song not only led to wealth and stardom for Wilson, but much wealth for those who wrote it. Berry Gordy, Jr. would take his profits and start the recording giant Motown Records.



Jackie Wilson - Lonely Teardrops (1958)

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Lyrics:

Hey
Hey
Hey!

My heart is crying, crying
Lonely teardrops
My pillow never dry up
Lonely teardrops

Come home, come home
Just say you will, say you will (say you will)
Say you will (say you will)
Hey, hey (say you will)

My heart is crying, crying
Lonely teardrops
My pillow never dry up
Lonely teardrops

Come home, come home
Just say you will, say you will (say you will)
Say you will (say you will)
Hey, hey (say you will)

Just give me another chance
For our romance
Come on and tell me
That one day you'll return
‘cause everyday that you've been gone away
You'll know why my heart does nothing but burn, crying

Lonely teardrops
My pillows never dry up
Lonely teardrops

Come home, come home
Just say you will, say you will (say you will)
Say you will (say you will)
Hey, hey (say you will)

Say it right now, baby (say you will)
Come on, come on (say you will)
Say it, darling…

Clarence Carter - Slip Away (1968)

Born in Alabama in 1936, this soulful singer and songwriter was completely blind. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in music in 1960 and began releasing a string of (unsuccessful) singles over the next few years. Finally in 1967 he signed with Fame Records and began to release successful material. His first hit, heard below, was followed by several more successes, earning his place as a respected soul artist. After the popularity of disco passed in the ‘70s, he formed a comeback with his well-known 1985 hit, “Strokin’”.

This song was released as a single in 1968 and featured the B-side “Funky Fever”. It reached number six on the pop charts.



Clarence Carter - Slip Away (1968)

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Lyrics:

What would I give
For just a few moments?
What would I give
Just to have you near?

Tell me you would try
To slip away somehow
Oh I need you darling
I want to see you right now

Can you slip away?
Slip away
Slip away
Oh I need you so

Love, oh love
How sweet it is
When you steal it, darlin’
Let me tell you how sweet it is

Now I know it's wrong
The things I ask you to do
But please believe me, darling
I don't mean to hurt you

But just- can you slip away
Without him knowin’ you' gone?
Maybe we can meet somewhere
Somewhere where we both are not known

Can you slip away?
Slip away
Slip away
I need you so

Oh can you slip away, baby?
I'd like to see you right now, darling
Can you slip away, baby?
‘Cause I got to- got to see you
I feel a deep burning inside
Oh I wish you could slip away

Ooh, I wish you could slip away…

The G-Clefs - I Understand (Just How You Feel) (1961)

This group, formed in Massachusetts in 1952, consisted of four brothers and one childhood friend. Growing up, the Scott brothers created their own gang, “The Band of Angels,” to guard what police referred to as “Scotty’s Alley”. The group had two moderate successes in the charts: 1956’s “Ka-Ding-Dong” and the song heard below.

This song is an amalgam of the group’s lyrics with the tune of the New Year’s traditional song, “Auld Lang Syne,” which is also sung in the background. “Auld Lang Syne” itself is the combination of a Scottish poem written in 1788 by Robert Burns and a traditional folk song. The phrase “auld lang syne” translates to “long long ago” and “for auld lang syne” therefore indicates “for old time’s sake”.



The G-Clefs - I Understand (Just How You Feel) (1961)

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Lyrics:

I understand just how you feel
(Should old acquaintance be forgot)
Your love for me; why not be mine?
(And never brought to mind?)
It's over now but it was grand
(Should old acquaintance be forgot)
I understand; I understand
(And days of auld lang syne?)

If you ever change your mind
(For auld lang syne, my dear)
Come back to me and you will find
(For auld lang syne)
Me waiting there at your command
(We’ll spill a cup of wine, my dear)
I understand; I understand
(For auld lang syne)

I miss you so
Please believe me when I tell you
I just can't stand to see you go
You know

If you ever change your mind
(Should old acquaintance be forgot)
Come back to me and you will find
(And never brought to mind?)
Me waiting there at your command
(Should old acquaintance be forgot)
I understand; I understand
(And days of auld lang syne)

I understand just how you feel. Let bygones be bygones. But always remember: I love you, I love you, I love you.

(We'll sip a cup of wine, my dear, for Auld Lang Syne)
I understand

Otis Redding - Merry Christmas, Baby (1967)

At the age of fifteen, he dropped out of school and worked with Little Richard’s backing band, The Upsetters, in an effort to earn money for his family. By the age of seventeen he had joined The Pinetoppers, and toured the southern United States. By twenty-three, he had his big break and was signed as a solo artist, gaining popularity with both black and white audiences. Unfortunately, in 1967, at the age of twenty-six, he died in a plane crash, crippling the failing record company he was signed to.

This song was originally released in 1947 by Johnny Moore’s Three Trailblazers. It has also been covered by B.B. King, Chuck Berry, Elvis Presley, and Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band.



Otis Redding - Merry Christmas, Baby (1967)

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Lyrics:

Merry Christmas, baby
Sure did treat me nice
Merry Christmas, baby
Sure did treat me nice
You bought me a diamond ring for Christmas
I feel like I'm in paradise

I feel mighty fine, y'all
I've got music on my radio
Feel mighty fine, girl
I've got music on my radio, oh, oh, oh
I feel like I'm gonna kiss you
Standing beneath that mistletoe

Santa came down the chimney
Half past three, y'all
Left all them a-good ol’ presents
For my baby and for me- hahaha

Merry Christmas, baby
Sure did treat me nice
Ya bought me all those good ol’ presents
I’ll love you baby- rest of my life

Merry Christmas, girl
Merry, merry, merry Christmas, baby
Sure did treat me nice
Merry Christmas, baby
I said, “You sure did treat me nice”
You bought me all those lovely things, yeah
I feel like I'm in paradise

I wish you a Merry Christmas, baby
Happy New Year
Merry Christmas, honey
Everything here is beautiful

I love you, baby
For everything that you give me
I love you, honey
More, Lord, have mercy
A merry Christmas…

Dionne Warwick - Walk On By (1964)

When it comes to the most charted female vocalists in history, this artist is second only to Aretha Franklin. In thirty-six years, she had fifty-six singles chart on the Billboard Hot 100. She later pursued acting and guest starred in television episodes of The Bold and the Beautiful, Walker, Texas Ranger, and others. She is also the cousin of singer Whitney Houston.

This song, composed by Burt Bacharach and lyrics by Hal David, was the second hit for Warwick. It has been covered by numerous artists, including Gloria Gaynor, Isaac Hayes, Cyndi Lauper, Alicia Keys, and Seal. Warwick also recorded a German version of the song, titled “Geh Vorbei”.



Dionne Warwick - Walk On By (1964)

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Lyrics:

If you see me walking down the street
And I start to cry each time we meet
Walk on by
Walk on by

Make believe
That you don't see the tears
Just let me grieve
In private 'cause each time I see you
I break down and cry
Walk on by (don't stop)
Walk on by (don't stop)
Walk on by

I just can't get over losing you
And so if I seem broken and blue
Walk on by
Walk on by

Foolish pride
That’s all that I have left
So let me hide
The tears and the sadness you gave me
When you said goodbye
Walk on by (don’t stop)
Walk on by (don’t stop)
Walk on by (don’t stop)
Walk on

Walk on by
Walk on by
Foolish pride
That’s all that I have left
So let me hide
The tears and the sadness you gave me
When you said goodbye
Walk on by (don't stop)
Walk on by (don't stop)

Now you really gotta go, so walk on by (don’t, don’t stop)
Baby, leave; you never see the tears I cry (don’t, don’t stop)
Now you really gotta go, so walk on by (don’t, don’t stop)
Baby, leave; you never see the tears I cry (don’t, don’t stop)...

The Impressions - People Get Ready (1965)

Formed in 1958 as a doo-wop group, The Roosters, this band eventually evolved into doing more gospel, soul, and R&B music as the years progressed. Their hit songs through the ‘60s served as anthems for the Civil Rights Movement in America. In 1965, their best known song, heard below, was released and would go on to be considered one of the top songs of all time.

This is that song. For as many artists on this site that cannot be summed up in one paragraph, this song cannot be summed up in one either. It has been covered by Alicia Keys, Bob Dylan, Bob Marley, Bruce Springsteen, The Doors, John Denver, Phil Collins, Prince, Rod Stewart, Seal, U2, and many, many others, each with their own unique story. With vocals like this, you don’t need to be religious to enjoy this gospel and soulful song.



The Impressions - People Get Ready (1965)

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Lyrics:

People get ready
There's a train a-comin'
You don't need no baggage
You just get on board
All you need is faith
To hear the diesels hummin'
Don't need no ticket
You just thank the Lord

So, people get ready
For the train to Jordan
Picking up passengers
Coast to coast
Faith is the key
Open the doors and board them
There's hope for all
Among those loved the most

There ain't no room
For the hopeless sinner
Who would hurt all mankind
Just to save his own (believe me now)
Have pity on those
Whose chances grow thinner
For, there’s no hiding place
Against the kingdom’s throne

So people get ready
There's a train a-comin'
You don't need no baggage
You just get on board
All you need is faith
To hear the diesels hummin'
Don't need no ticket
You just thank the Lord

Sam Cooke - A Change Is Gonna Come (1964)

The original King of Soul, he was an amazing singer who indirectly led to the rise of Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, Otis Redding, and James Brown by propelling soul music into the mainstream music scene. He had many hit songs in the height of his popularity between 1957 and 1964. Tragically, he was killed by gunshot in a bizarre hotel shooting surrounded in mystery.

In 1963, after hearing “Blowin’ in the Wind” by Bob Dylan, he was so moved that somebody who wasn’t black could write such a poignant song about racism in America, he felt he needed to address more serious topics in his own songs. This song was the result that is now widely considered his masterpiece. Unfortunately, he was killed before he could see its success.



Sam Cooke - A Change Is Gonna Come (1964)

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Lyrics:

I was born by the river in a little tent
Oh, and just like the river, I've been running ever since
It's been a long- a long time comin’
But I know a change gonna come
Oh, yes it will

It's been too hard living, but I'm afraid to die
‘cause I don't know what's up there beyond the sky
It's been a long- a long time comin’
But I know a change gonna come
Oh, yes it will

I go to the movie and I go downtown
Somebody keep tellin’ me “Don't hang around”
It's been a long- a long time comin’
But I know a change gonna come
Oh, yes it will

Then, I go to my brother
And I say, “Brother, help me please”
But he winds up knockin’ me
Back down on my knees

Ohh, there’ been times that I thought I couldn't last for long
But now I think I'm able to carry on
It's been a long- a long time comin’
But I know a change gonna come
Oh, yes it will

Booker T. & The M.G's - Green Onions (1962)

One of the first racially integrated rock groups, this band was influential in shaping Memphis soul music. They provided background music for Wilson Pickett and Otis Redding at the beginning of their career and had continued success through the early ‘70s.

This song, completely instrumental, has been a lasting classic making appearances in television shows and films for decades. You may remember it being played in Happy Gilmore, X-Men: First Class, or American Dad!, but for me, it’s always been connected with The Sandlot.



Booker T. & The M.G's - Green Onions (1962)

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Lyrics:

(instrumental)