1972: THE STORIES BEHIND THE YEAR'S BIGGEST SONGS

There was a time in pop music when there were songwriters and singers and the two very rarely mixed. But by the end of the 1960's, with rock & roll beginning to dominate the radio, musicians began to insist on writing and performing their own material, offering perspectives that were far more personal and culturally relevant than what came out of those songwriting factories which were written largely so that anybody could sing them. And even if the singer had not written the song, their passionate recorded performance would make a profound connection between the artist and the song. This was also a time when the radio was not nearly as segregated; pop music actually included rock, country, soul and the occasionally novelty song.

Jim Farber of Parade magazine has gone back exactly fifty years ago to list some song highlights from the year 1972, detailing the stories behind some of these hits which have managed to endure throughout the following decades.

Click below to read the article:

1972: The Stories Behind The Year's Most Unforgettable Songs

And here are a few of my favorites from this list of songs from 1972:

RESPECT

"Respect", the movie on the life of "the Queen of Soul", Aretha Franklin is finally hitting theaters today after a year delay due to COVID. Jennifer Hudson, who was personally selected by Franklin before her passing in 2018, plays the legendary performer. The film traces Franklin from the beginning as a child growing up in Detroit, displaying her amazing gift singing in her church lead by her reverend father. She soon begins a recording career as a young woman but does not find success immediately, struggling to find her voice as an artist. But a move to Atlantic Records and more input in to creating her music lead to Franklin's long, extraordinary career. "Respect" covers the joy and thrills in Franklin's life but also the heartbreak and trauma the singer had to endure. Hudson ignites the screen as Franklin, performing many of the Queen's biggest hits and sang them live on set during filming.



Jim Farber of Parade Magazine has looked back on Franklin's incredible catalog of music and selected twelve of her biggest hits and tells the story behind each of them. We get her iconic cover of Otis Redding's "Respect" to Franklin's last major charting song in 1998, "A Rose Is Still a Rose", which was written and produced by Ms. Lauryn Hill.

Click below to read the article:

Aretha! The Stories Behind Her Greatest Hits

15 SONGS OF AMERICA THAT CELEBRATE INDEPENDENCE DAY

Some of the conditions that lead to America becoming a country are complicated and difficult to reflect upon today. But that does not mean we should not celebrate this great country and all that it stands for. Music has played a great part in expressing throughout America's history it's ideas and values. There are songs about freedom and patriotism but also involving criticism and protest. All of this is what truly makes America great.

Jim Farber of Parade Magazine has selected 15 pop songs that best express the the themes of the American experience proudly through music and revealing the inspiration behind the creation of each tune.

Click below to read the article:

The Songs of America: Celebrate Independence Day With These 15 Tracks

And here are a few of my personal favorites from this list: