Category Archives: throwback weekends

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Song of the Day #6,091: ‘The Birds and the Bees’ – Jewel Akens

The week of March 9, 1965, was stacked with hits. This is one of those weeks when the top three songs are repeats not because they’ve been featured on previous Throwback Weekends, but because they are classic songs I’ve written about for other reasons.

At #1 was a little group called The Beatles, whose ‘Eight Days a Week‘ topped the chart for the first time that week. Right behind it was ‘My Girl‘ by the Temptations. And rounding out the top three was another Motown classic, The Supremes’ ‘Stop! In the Name of Love.’

Imagine living your daily life while those three songs were all new releases.

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Song of the Day #6,090: ‘The Crazy Otto Medley’ – Johnny Maddox

Throwing back to the week of March 8, 1955, we find The McGuire Sisters atop the Billboard singles chart with ‘Sincerely,’ its sixth straight (and last) week at #1.

In the #2 spot was an instrumental ragtime recording called ‘The Crazy Otto Medley,’ performed by pianist Johnny Maddox. What a different world it was 70 years ago, when a song like this could be a major hit, spending seven weeks at #2.

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Song of the Day #6,084: ‘Can’t Fight This Feeling’ – REO Speedwagon

The week of March 2, 1985, saw George Michael’s (or Wham!’s) ‘Careless Whisper‘ holding on to the #1 spot. Right behind it was REO Speedwagon’s ‘Can’t Fight This Feeling,’ a week away from its own three-week stint in the top spot.

This was the band’s second #1 (following another power ballad, 1980’s ‘Keep On Lovin’ You’) and their last to reach even the top ten.

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Song of the Day #6,083: ‘Black Water’ – The Doobie Brothers

Throwing back to the week of March 1, 1975, we have a trio of great songs atop the Billboard Hot 100.

The first two have already appeared on the blog: ‘Best of My Love‘ by the Eagles at #1 and Olivia Newton-John’s ‘Have You Never Been Mellow‘ at #2.

At #3 that week was The Doobie Brothers’ ‘Black Water,’ the third single from their fourth album, What Were Once Vices Are Now Habits. The song would reach #1 two weeks later, becoming the band’s first chart-topper, and one of only two in their career.

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Song of the Day #6,077: ‘This Diamond Ring’ – Gary Lewis & the Playboys

Gary Lewis & the Playboys topped the Billboard Hot 100 the week of February 23, 1965, with ‘This Diamond Ring.’ It was the song’s second straight week at #1.

This was the band’s first single release, and their only one to reach #1. They were one of only two acts to reach the top ten with their first seven singles (the other was The Lovin’ Spoonful).

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