Tag Archives: You Send Me

Music Monday: September 7, 2026

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Hi, everyone. Welcome to this week’s edition of Music Monday.

#musicmonday #musicblog #musicandlyrics

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Today is Labor Day 2026. It is the day America honors the hardworking people who keep our country running.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor website, Congress officially made Labor day a federal holiday in 1894, designating “the first Monday in September of each year a legal holiday”. However, many states began celebrating it on their own years earlier. Eventually the momentum spread to nearly half the country which made the holiday finally become an official part of the calendar.

Whatever work you do to contribute to this great nation of ours, thank you.

A Labor Day float from 110 years ago in 1916. (Image found on the United States Department of Labor website. Original source unknown.)

This week will mark soul and r&b giant Otis Redding’s 85th birth anniversary. He was born on September 9, 1941 in Dawson, Georgia and grew up nearby in Macon. He started singing in church and by the time he was a teenager, he was competing in a local talent show. After winning the $5 prize 15 consecutive times, he was barred from competing again.

In 1958 he joined a local group, Johnny Jenkins & The Pinetoppers. It was on a trip to Stax Records with Johnny in 1962 that led to Redding’s big break. The label’s co-founder, Jim Stewart, let Redding record a few tracks with Johnny’s remaining studio time. One of those songs-“These Arms Of Mine”-became Redding’s first hit. His debut album followed in 1964. His seminal recording, Otis Blue/Otis Redding Sings Soul, was released in 1965. He became a success in Europe first but after his earth shattering performance at the Monterey International Pop Festival in June 1967, Redding’s popularity in America was sealed. Six months later, he died in a plane crash in Madison, Wisonsin. In his impossibly short 26 years on this earth, the man changed music forever and became The King Of Soul.

Otis Redding’s debut album was released in March 1964. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Five years ago during the Lockdown Countdown we celebrated Redding’s 80th birthday anniversary on Day 542. As of this writing, the official video of his biggest selling song-“(Sittin’ On) The Dock Of The Bay”-has amassed 160 million views on YouTube.

Over the last 40 years, Stax has released a lot of Redding’s material the public had not heard before, including two alternate takes on that incredible song. I have included both below for you today. At the end of Take 1, there are a few seconds of banter between Redding and some others in the studio, even mentioning one by name-Steve-as in Cropper, famed guitarist for Booker T & The MG’s and co-writer of the song. He was the person tasked with finishing the record from those takes after Redding’s death. By March 1968, it was the #1 song in the country for four consecutive weeks.

His voice is still one of the ones I love most in the universe. Thank you, Otis, for every single second of every single note.

Otis Ray Redding Jr.: September 9, 1941 – December 10, 1967.

Otis Redding (center) on stage at The Monterey International Pop Festival in June 1967 with Booker T & The MG’s as his backing band (L-R): Donald “Duck” Dunn on bass, Al Jackson Jr. on drums and Steve Cropper on guitar (off camera: Booker T. Jones on organ/keyboards). (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Bruce Springsteen: “Factory” (1978, written by Bruce Springsteen).

Otis Redding: “These Arms Of Mine” (1962, written by Otis Redding).

Otis Redding: “You Send Me” (1964, written by Sam Cooke).

Otis Redding: “Mr. Pitiful” (1965, written by Steve Cropper and Otis Redding).

Otis Redding: “I’ve Been Loving You Too Long” (1965, written by Jerry Butler and Otis Redding).

Otis Redding and Carla Thomas: “Tramp” (1967, written by Lowell Fulson and Jimmy McCracklin).

Otis Redding: “(Sittin’ On) The Dock Of The Bay” (1968, written by Steve Cropper and Otis Redding).

Otis Redding: “(Sittin’ On) The Dock Of The Bay (Take 1)” (1968, written by Steve Cropper and Otis Redding).

Otis Redding: “(Sittin’ On) The Dock Of The Bay (Take 2)” (1968, written by Steve Cropper and Otis Redding).

Stay safe & well.

Music Monday: January 26, 2026

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Hi, everyone. Welcome to this week’s edition of Music Monday.

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Last week marked the 95th birth anniversary of Sam Cooke. Born January 22, 1931 in Clarksdale, Mississippi and raised in Chicago, Illinois where he grew up singing in his father’s Baptist church. Below is from my post from January 24, 2022:

When he was 15 Cooke began singing with a gospel group, The Soul Stirrers. In 1958 he released his first album of secular music, a mix of standards, Broadway tunes and one original track, the magnificent “You Send Me”.

Over the next six years Cooke would write & record many other songs, including “Cupid”, “Chain Gang”, “Another Saturday Night”, Wonderful World” and the civil rights inspired “A Change Is Gonna Come”. He also became an important member in the early days of that movement along side Muhammad Ali & Martin Luther King Jr. Cooke took an even bigger role in his career by starting his own record label (SAR Records) and publishing company (KAGS Music) to preserve his artistic legacy. Losing him in 1964 at age 33 was an unmitigated tragedy & one of music’s saddest moments. But more than six decades after his first hit record, Cooke remains one of the most important & enduring figures in music history. And rightfully so.

Samuel Cooke: January 22, 1931 – December 11, 1964.

Sam Cooke circa 1958. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Cooke circa 1960. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Cooke circa 1960. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Muhammad Ali (L) with Cooke circa 1962. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Nat King Cole (L) with Cooke circa 1962. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Aretha Franklin (L) with Cooke circa 1962. (Image found on Sam Cooke’s Facebook page. Original source unknown.)

Over the weekend, Neil Diamond celebrated birthday #85. Born January 24, 1941 in Brooklyn, New York, the singer-songwriter released his debut album, The Feel of Neil Diamond, 60 years ago in August 1966. It includes seven songs written by Diamond and five covers including Ritchie Valens’ “La Bamba” and The Mamas & The Papas “Monday, Monday”.

In a post I uploaded in April 2020, I wondered who did not grow up listening to Diamond’s music. From the Monkees to “Shrek” to a variety of artists covering his songs (Chris Isaak with “Solitary Man”, UB40 with “Red Red Wine” & Urge Overkill with “Girl You’ll Be A Woman Soon”) to his movie debut (in 1980’s “The Jazz Singer”) to his E.T. inspired song (“Heartlight”) to the Boston Red Sox adopting “Sweet Caroline” as their unofficial official anthem, to Diamond’s reworking of that song in an Instagram post by changing the words from “touching hands” to “washing hands” during the pandemic, Diamond is omnipresent. So basically if you have been alive in the last 60 years there is no way you cannot know who this unbelievably talented artist is.

As a performing artist he has 13 Top Ten songs including three #1 hits (“Cracklin’ Rosie” in 1970, “Song Sung Blue” in 1972 and his 1978 duet with Barbara Streisand, “You Don’t Bring Me Flowers”) and 18 Top Ten albums including 2008’s “Home Before Dark” which reached #1 in May of that year. His 2010 album, “Dreams”, is one of my personal favorites. It includes 14 covers of songs by other artists and one of his own compositions which was a #1 hit for The Monkees for seven consecutive weeks nearly 60 years ago beginning on December 31, 1966. He has won every award and accolade out there and is undoubtedly one of America’s greatest songwriters of all time. I am proud to bow at the altar of the Diamond.

Happy 85th birthday, Neil Diamond. Thank you for every note.

Neil Diamond circa 1970. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Diamond in the 1978 concert film, “The Last Waltz”. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Diamond in his 1980 film debut, “The Jazz Singer”. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Diamond in the 2001 movie, “Saving Silverman”. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Diamond circa 2010. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Diamond circa 2015. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

The Soul Stirrers: “The Last Mile Of The Way” (Recorded between 1950-1957. Written by Johnson Oatman, Jr.).

Sam Cooke: “You Send Me” (1958, written by Sam Cooke).

Sam Cooke: “Twistin’ the Night Away” (1962, written by Sam Cooke).

Sam Cooke: “A Change Is Gonna Come” (1964, written by Sam Cooke).

Neil Diamond: “Solitary Man” (1966, written by Neil Diamond).

Neil Diamond: “Cracklin’ Rosie” (1970, written by Neil Diamond).

Neil Diamond: “Love On The Rocks” (1980, written by Gilbert Bécaud and Neil Diamond).

Neil Diamond: “I’m A Believer” (2010, written by Neil Diamond).

Stay safe & well.

Music Monday: January 24, 2022

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Hi, everyone. Welcome to this week’s edition of Music Monday.

Music Monday

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Saturday marked the 91st birth anniversary of an extraordinary soul pioneer. Sam Cooke was born January 22, 1931 in Clarksdale, Mississippi. Raised in Chicago, his first foray into music was in church courtesy of his father, a Baptist minister. When he was 15 Cooke began singing with a gospel group, The Soul Stirrers. In 1958 he released his first album of secular music, a mix of standards, Broadway tunes and one original track, the magnificent “You Send Me”.

Over the next six years Cooke would write & record many other songs, including “Cupid”, “Chain Gang”, “Another Saturday Night”, Wonderful World” and the civil rights inspired “A Change Is Gonna Come”. He also became an important member in the early days of that movement along side Muhammad Ali & Martin Luther King Jr. Cooke took an even bigger role in his career by starting his own record label (SAR Records) and publishing company (KAGS Music) to preserve his artistic legacy. Losing him in 1964 at age 33 was an unmitigated tragedy & one of music’s saddest moments. But more than six decades after his first hit record, Cooke remains one of the most important & enduring figures in music history. And rightfully so.

All of his songs are are wonderful beyond words but today’s song from his tenure with The Soul Stirrers is from my top five. His strong beautiful soulful and evocative vocal is stunning. I could listen to him sing the word “mile” for days and days and still not hear it enough. A suave elegant gifted performer with an unbelievable stage presence, Cooke defined the soul genre with every note he sang.

“When I’ve gone the last mile of the way
I shall rest at the close of day
For I know there are joys awaiting
When I’ve gone the last mile of the way”.

Sam-Muhammed-singing_Abkco-Records-credit-scaled-1

Muhammad Ali (left) in the studio with Sam Cooke (right) circa 1964. Courtesy of officialsamcooke.com. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

The Soul Stirrers: “The Last Mile Of The Way” (Recorded between 1950-1957. Written by Johnson Oatman, Jr.).

Stay safe & well.

Let’s Take A Moment Day 493

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Hi everyone.  Hope you are all well and continue to stay that way during this global health crisis we are facing.  But in addition to protecting your physical wellness, what are you doing to stay mentally healthy today?

Tom Petty music quote

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

I know we are still facing a serious situation but a new year gives us hope for the new days, seasons, opportunities & moments ahead. Still, music is something that will never change for me. It is my refuge, the most comforting part of my life & the one thing I consistently count on. So until a more normal semblance of life returns, I am going to share a song I listen to that helps me escape the current state of things, if only for a few minutes each day. And if this helps anyone else, even better.

Sam Cooke released the single “Chain Gang” on July 26, 1960.  It reached the #2 spot in the country later that year, the second time he was in the Top Five following the success of his #1 hit from 1957, “You Send Me” (Day 261).  Three years later he was in the Top Ten with today’s song. 

Cooke had so many things going for him:  his silky smooth voice, his suave debonair good looks and his ease & confidence in front of an audience to name a few.  But another important talent that set Cooke apart from other performers of his day was his songwriting ability.  He was succinct, eloquent & expressive with both his words & music.  Today’s track is no exception.  It also contains a bit of levity which only adds to its charm.    

“Another fella told me he had a sister who looked just fine 
Instead of being my deliverance 
She had a strange resemblance 
To a cat named Frankenstein”.

Sam
Sam Cooke circa 1960.  (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Sam Cooke: “Another Saturday Night” (1963, written by Sam Cooke).

I do not own the rights to anything.  I am just sharing what I love and how I am coping with you.

Stay well.

Let’s Take A Moment Day 261

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Hi everyone.  Hope you are all well and continue to stay that way during this global health crisis we are facing.  But in addition to protecting your physical wellness, what are you doing to stay mentally healthy today?

kurt v

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

I know we are in a serious situation, but I need a break from the gloom, doom and bullying by way of hoarding. Music has always been my refuge and watching those beautiful Italians singing to each other from their balconies reaffirmed my belief that music is the answer. So until the old normal returns, I am going to share a song I listen to that helps me escape the current state of things, if only for a few minutes each day.  And if this helps anyone else, even better.

On November 3, 1957 Sam Cooke appeared on “The Ed Sullivan Show” to perform today’s tune. But the program was a live broadcast and it was behind on time so they accidently cut the singer off mid-song to end the show at the correct time. Sullivan’s staff was inundated with complaints so he invited Cooke to appear on the show again a month later. When he came back on December 1, he performed the song in its entirety in his smooth effortless stunning way. He also received an on-air apology from Sullivan.

The next day, the record hit the #1 spot on the Hot 100 & the R&B charts. December 11 will be the 56th anniversary of Cooke’s death and while I usually refrain from underscoring those dates, the timing of his mark in history with today’s enduring classic highlights the fact that his sound, his music and his grace is absolutely timeless.

“At first I thought it was infatuation
But oh, it’s lasted so long
Now I find myself wanting
To marry you and take you home“.

sam cooke circa 1955

Sam Cooke circa 1955. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Sam Cooke: “You Send Me” (Live performance on “The Ed Sullivan Show”, broadcast December 1, 1957. Originally released September 1957. Written by Sam Cooke).

I do not own the rights to anything.  I am just sharing what I love and how I am coping with you.

Stay well.

25 Days Of Christmas Music 2018: Day 11

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Hi, Everybody!!!  Welcome back to the countdown.

shiny brites

Vintage Shiny Brite ornaments found on Pinterest (original source unknown). 

We lost today’s singer over the summer, and a part of me died that day, too.  I still have not stopped crying.  My world lost a great deal of its light.  Life will never sound the same without her in it.

She was without a doubt the greatest female singer this world has ever known.  In 1958 when she was 16, she met singer Sam Cooke, who died 54 years ago today at the age of 33.  He wanted her to sign with his label, RCA Records.  However, her father-a minister who was her first manager-eventually had her sign with Columbia Records.  She and Cooke remained friends and fans of each other’s work, and she recorded several of his songs after his death, most notably “A Change Is Gonna Come” (1967) and “You Send Me” (1968),  She referred to him as “a prince of a man”.

From the second I heard she died, all I could think of was how even more beautiful Heaven sounded now that she and Cooke could sing together.  I cannot even imagine what a breathtaking sound that was.  The true definition of Heaven itself.

Yes, I believe in Heaven.  And I believe one day I will be there myself.  And after I have thanked God in person for everything he gave me, and hugged and kissed all my family and friends that passed before me, I want to be front and center to hear this woman sing with Cooke, Otis Redding, Marvin Gaye, John Lennon, Jackie Wilson, Luciano Pavorotti and anyone else she chooses.  Maybe Jim Morrison???  And then I will bow to her, which is the appropriate action to take when meeting a Queen.

Aretha.jpg

Aretha Franklin:  “Angels We Have Heard On High” (2008).

I do not own the rights to anything.  I am just sharing some things that I love with you  🙂

What are some of your favorite Christmas songs?

Until next time, happy listening!!!