“The maestro has passed.”
Brian Wilson was born on Sunday, June 20, 1942, in Inglewood, California, growing up in Hawthorne alongside his brothers Carl and Dennis. Brian was the first child of Audree Neva (née Korthof) and Murry Wilson, a machinist who later pursued songwriting part-time. From a young age, he displayed precocious musical talent—learning piano, crafting vocal harmonies, and teaching his siblings to sing.
These are songs that contain the word “tumbleweeds” in their lyrics.
“Tumbling Tumbleweeds” is a classic American Western song written by Bob Nolan in the early 1930s, originally titled “Tumbling Leaves” before its reworking. Nolan, a founding member of the Sons of the Pioneers, first recorded the song with the group in 1934, and it quickly became their signature hit.
These are songs that contain the word, or number, 7 in their lyrics.
“You Never Give Me Your Money” is a song by The Beatles, written primarily by Paul McCartney (though credited to Lennon–McCartney), and first released on their 1969 album Abbey Road. It serves as the opening track of the album’s climactic medley on side two, transitioning from a melancholic piano ballad into shifting
This “Stand Out Single” contains a bass riff that is often cited as one of the most recognizable in rock history.
“Money” is one of Pink Floyd’s most iconic songs, originally appearing on their 1973 album The Dark Side of the Moon. Written by Roger Waters, the song was released as a single in the United States in May 1973 and later in other territories. “Money” is notable for its distinctive 7/4 time signature during the verses — quite unusual for rock music —
A poem that describes a man named Richard Cory, who is admired and envied by the townspeople.
“Richard Cory” is a poem written by American poet Edwin Arlington Robinson, first published in The Children of the Night in 1897. Robinson, who was born in 1869 in Head Tide, Maine, often explored themes of personal despair, human isolation, and the dissonance between public perception and private reality in his poetry.
These songs all have cool, strange, and or notable last lines of the lyrics.
“Taxi,” written and performed by Harry Chapin, was released in 1972 as the lead single from his debut album Heads & Tales. The song, a poignant storytelling ballad, recounts a chance encounter between a taxi driver and his former lover, Sue, highlighting how both abandoned their youthful dreams—he aspired to be a pilot, she an actress—and settled into unfulfilled lives.
These are songs, by any artist, that in some way, reference the Beatles.
“Reader’s Digest” is a provocative, satirical song written and performed by Larry Norman, released in 1972 on his landmark album Only Visiting This Planet. Norman, often called the “father of Christian rock,” used the song to critique both secular culture and institutionalized religion, referencing pop icons (like The Beatles, Rolling Stones, and John Lennon),
This next “Stand Out Single” is another obvious choice, but when I played the “B” side, I was blown away!
The Beatles’ iconic single “Hey Jude” / “Revolution,” released on August 26, 1968, in the United States and August 30 in the United Kingdom, stands as one of the band’s most celebrated works. Written primarily by Paul McCartney, though credited to the Lennon-McCartney songwriting partnership,
Green as in envious.
The British use of “green” to mean “envious” originates from ancient associations between the color green and emotions like jealousy and envy. This connection dates back to at least Shakespearean times, as seen in Othello (1603), where Iago refers to jealousy as the “green-eyed monster.” In modern British English, saying someone is “green with envy” remains a common idiom, meaning they are intensely jealous.
In 1969, Molland joined the rock band Badfinger, becoming a pivotal member during their most successful years.
Joseph Charles Molland, known as Joey Molland, was born on June 21, 1947, in Edge Hill, Liverpool, England. Molland began his musical journey in the vibrant Liverpool music scene, playing with local bands such as The Assassins and The Profiles. His early involvement in these groups laid the foundation for his future career in rock music.
