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3 Country Voices From the 1970s You’ll Recognize in About Two Seconds
This is a listicle from American Songwriter highlighting three country singers from the 1970s whose voices remain instantly recognisable today. It forms part of a recurring series celebrating classic country and rock acts, aimed at longtime fans and readers nostalgic for the genre’s golden era. The article profiles Charley Pride, praised for his smooth, polished…
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Singer Zach Top slams modern country music, says it lacks ‘soul’
Country singer Zach Top has criticised the current state of mainstream country music, arguing that it has become too polished and has lost its “soul”, while suggesting that bluegrass music is filling that void. The 28-year-old made the comments in a recent interview with Rolling Stone, framing his remarks around his own musical roots and…
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‘Universal Soldier’: the CIA secret that was revealed in a 1963 protest song
A 1963 protest song, ‘Universal Soldier’, is presented as having anticipated revelations about CIA-backed programmes that sought to manipulate or control human behaviour. Written by Canadian singer-songwriter Buffy Sainte-Marie, the song challenges the idea that individual soldiers can evade responsibility for war by claiming they merely follow orders, making its message relevant to debates about…
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Merle Haggard Said This 1971 Deep Cut Was the Most Cathartic To Write, Despite It Being Unpopular
Merle Haggard once named “Huntsville,” a deep cut from his 1971 album Someday We’ll Look Back, as the most personally cathartic song he ever wrote, despite it never becoming a hit. Speaking to Uncut magazine in 2010, Haggard explained that songwriting had unexpectedly become a form of therapy for him, allowing him to vent frustrations…
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Green Day’s Billie Joe Armstrong announces limited-edition Radiant Red Les Paul Junior Epiphone guitar and Marshall Artist Signature amp
Green Day frontman Billie Joe Armstrong has unveiled a limited-edition Radiant Red Epiphone Les Paul Junior guitar, alongside his first Artist Signature amplifier, made with Marshall. The launches celebrate Armstrong’s stripped-back playing style, which has defined his sound for more than two decades, and mark Marshall’s first artist signature amp release in 14 years. The…
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‘You Can’t Hurry Love’ is the key to Motown’s legacy after 60 years
The article argues that The Supremes’ 1966 hit ‘You Can’t Hurry Love’ best represents Motown’s enduring legacy six decades on. It presents the song as an emblem of the label’s ability to combine memorable pop songwriting, polished production and broad cultural appeal. Released in 1966, the track was written by Motown’s songwriting team Holland–Dozier–Holland and…
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3 Songs From the Late 70s That Helped Usher in 80s Rock
The article identifies three late-1970s rock songs it argues helped shape the sound and commercial direction of 1980s rock. It presents Aerosmith’s cover of “Come Together”, Foreigner’s “Hot Blooded” and Journey’s “Lovin’, Touchin’, Squeezin’” as early examples of the punchier, arena-ready style later associated with the decade. – Aerosmith’s 1978 “Come Together”, a Top 30…
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The “beautiful” 1982 song Christine McVie called one of Fleetwood Mac’s best
Christine McVie reportedly regarded Fleetwood Mac’s 1982 song ‘Gypsy’, written by Stevie Nicks, as one of the group’s finest recordings. The article presents the track as a standout from the band’s later classic period, highlighting McVie’s admiration as evidence of its enduring musical quality. ‘Gypsy’ appeared on Fleetwood Mac’s 1982 album Mirage and was released…
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66 Years Ago Today, Roy Orbison Scored His First Hit With the Song Elvis Presley and The Everly Brothers Passed On
On this day in 1960, Roy Orbison achieved his first major hit with “Only the Lonely”, which reached number two in the United States and topped the UK chart. The song established the dramatic vocal style that became central to his career, bringing television appearances and a tour with Patsy Cline. Elvis Presley and the…