From The Vinyl Gym: A Soulful Summer

Make what’s left of your summer a “soulful summer” with vinyl hits from the past. Check out the list below and add them into your favorite listening devices or check them out on YouTube. Among these oldies you’ll hear wailing, begging, pleading, finger pointing, demanding and just plain “happy” classics.

So many great oldies: Diana Ross gave us her reflective and sad “Missing You” – a tribute to her friend, Marvin Gaye. And who can sit still when listening to Little Richard rip it up with his crazed classic, Lucille! Soul-rock group, The Flaming Ember hailed from Detroit and charted (3) hits on Billboard in the late 60’s-early 70’s: Mind, body and Soul, Westbound #9 and I’m Not My Brother’s Keeper, yet they are rarely heard on the oldies airwaves.

Through the decades there are plenty of “lost hits” that seem to be all but forgotten. Songs like: Soul Twist, Ma Belle Ami, Barefootin,’ Reflections of My Life and the 80’s hit Into The Night. Do you remember the artists who landed them on the Billboard charts? If not, you’ll find the answers below.

Lucille – Little Richard ‘57

You Send Me – Sam Cooke ‘57

What’d I Say – Ray Charles ‘59

Since I Don’t Have You – Skyliners ‘59

I Only Have Eyes For You – Flamingos ‘59

Blue Moon – The Marcels ‘61

Soul Twist – King Curtis ‘62

Goin’ Out of My Head – Little Anthony & the Imperials ‘64

The House of the Rising Sun – The Animals ‘64

Concrete and Clay – Eddie Rambeau ‘65

Stop! In The Name of Love – Supremes ‘65

Reach Out I’ll Be There – The 4 Tops ‘66

(You’re My) Soul & Inspiration – Righteous Brothers ‘66

Barefootin’ – Robert Parker ‘66

I Heard It Through the Grapevine – Marvin Gaye ‘68 Gladys Knight & the Pips ‘67

I Was Made To Love Her – Stevie Wonder ‘67

(I Wanna) Testify – The Parliaments ‘67

All Along The Watchtower – Jimi Hendrix Experience ‘68

Mind, Body and Soul – Flaming Ember ‘69

I Want You Back – The Jacksons ‘69

Soul Deep – Box Tops ‘69

If I Were Your Woman – Gladys Knight & the Pips ‘70

Reflections of My Life – The Marmalade ‘70

Ma Belle Amie – Tee Set ‘70

O-o-h Child – Five Stairsteps ‘70

Didn’t I (Blow Your Mind This Time) – Delfonics ‘70

Mr. Big Stuff – Jean Knight ‘71

Soul Power – James Brown ‘71

What’s Going On – Marvin Gaye ‘71

Family Affair – Sly & the Family Stone ‘71

Show & Tell – Al Wilson ‘74

Greatest Love Of All – George Benson ‘77 Whitney Houston ‘86

Got To Give It Up – Marvin Gaye ‘77

Brick House – Commodores ‘77

Three Times A Lady – Commodores ‘78

Shame – Evelyn “Champagne” King ‘78

Too Hot – Kool & the Gang ‘80

Into The Night – Benny Mardones ‘80

Soul Man – Sam and Dave ‘67 Blues Brothers ‘81

How ‘Bout Us – Champaign

In The Air Tonight – Phil Collins ‘81

Bette Davis Eyes – Kim Carnes ‘81

The Other Woman – Ray Parker, Jr. ‘82

When Doves Cry – Prince ‘84

What’s Love Got To Do With It – Tina Turner ‘84

State of Shock – Michael Jackson and Mike Jagger ‘85

New Attitude – Patti Labelle ‘85

That’s What Friends Are For – Dionne (Warwick) & Friends ‘85

Missing You – Diana Ross ‘85

Soul Kiss – Olivia-Newton-John ‘85

We’re dead center into summer – still plenty of time for patio cocktails, lounging on your favorite chaise lounge and enjoying some great soulful oldies tunes!

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