Twenty one brilliant songs turning 50 years old this year
October
Bob Marley - “No Woman, No Cry”
It is hard to say which version of this classic was superior, this one, the studio version from the Natty Dread album, or the live one from the Live! album (1975). But this is the original and classic in every sense of the word.
Al Green - “Take me to the River”
Green never relinquished his gospel roots and he integrated them into the classic soul in the best possible manner, making it not only a classic but one of his songs that got so many versions, the one by the Talking Heads coming first to mind.
November
Ohio Players - "Fire"
These guys could come up with the best funk or deep soul even if you would wake them up in the middle of the night, and this funky one, coming from their possibly the best (and most popular) album proves that fact.
Kraftwerk - “Autobahn”
By the time of this one, and the album of the same name, Kraftwerk were no novices, but their music took its true shape and form, turning them into one, if not the most influential electro band so far.
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Labelle - "Lady Marmalade"
It was the height of the glam era when Patty Labelle, Nona Hendryx, and Sarah Dash donned those crazy outfits for this one, but it was less the outfits and more the quality of the songs and the trio’s vocal performance that turned this one into a great hit it was destined to be.
Electric Light Orchestra - “Can't Get It Out of My Head"
By this time Jeff Lynne and ELO were toning down on the chamber element of their chamber pop, but the quality of Lynne’s songwriting and the band’s performance recreating that "Beatles" feel, didn’t waver, and rightfully so, this one made it big.
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