Category Archives: song of the day

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Song of the Day #5,188: ‘Adult Education’ – Daryl Hall & John Oates

Daryl Hall & John Oates’ ‘Adult Education’ was released in 1984 as one of two new songs appearing on a greatest hits collection titled Rock ‘n Soul Part 1. The other new track was ‘Say It Isn’t So.’ ‘Say It Isn’t So’ made it to #2 on the Billboard Hot 100, while today’s SOTD peaked at #8.

Calling that collection a “greatest hits” was the opposite of false advertising. Every song on that record was a smash of one degree or another, with four tracks making it to #1. When even the two bonus tracks on your compilation become top ten hits, you know you’re on a roll.

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Song of the Day #5,187: ‘The Tide is High’ – The Paragons

In 1980, Blondie’s ‘The Tide is High‘ reached #1 on the British, Canadian, New Zealand and American charts, giving the band its third chart-topper in the United States. The reggae treatment was a new sound for Blondie, whose previous hits ‘Call Me’ and ‘Heart of Glass’ were very synth-heavy.

It turns out that stylistic departure was in keeping with the song’s origins. ‘The Tide is High’ was first recorded by a Jamaican ska band called The Paragons, who included the track on their debut album, 1967’s On the Beach.

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Song of the Day #5,186: ‘Love Hurts’ – The Everly Brothers

I really like when a cover tales a song in a whole new direction.

In 1975, Scottish hard rock band Nazareth released a passionate power ballad treatment of ‘Love Hurts’ that reached the top ten in the U.S. and Australia and #1 in three other countries. It’s the only version of this song I know, and I assumed the tune originated with them.

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Song of the Day #5,185: ‘Venus’ – Shocking Blue

Here’s a song I might have known was a cover if I were a little older, or a little more up on the 1960s Dutch rock scene.

In 1969, psychedelic rock band Shocking Blue released ‘Venus’ in the Netherlands and saw it reach #1 in nine countries, including the United Kingdom and the United States. Lead singer Mariska Veres, often compared to Cher, delivers the track with an alluringly sultry nonchalance.

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Song of the Day #5,184: ‘I’ve Got My Mind Set On You’ – James Ray

George Harrison’s 1987 single ‘Got My Mind Set On You’ holds a special position among post-Beatles solo work. It marked Harrison’s third #1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 as a solo artist, giving him one more than both John Lennon and Ringo Starr (McCartney’s #1 hits were all recorded with Wings or as duets, complicating matters).

The song is also the last #1 hit by any member of The Beatles to date. Come on, Paul and Ringo… it’s not too late!

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