☆1962 IN MUSIC☆

KCSBfm was founded in 1962, which means that this year is the station’s 60th anniversary! To celebrate this very special milestone, the music department has come together to look back at what music was playing on the airwaves in 1962! Enjoy this playlist where Marion and Derian dive into what was going down in music during 1962! Read on to find out why Marion and Derian chose each song!

MARION’S RECS 

“Man Of Constant Sorrow” – Bob Dylan

– This song is from Bob Dylan’s debut album, which was released from Colombia Records in 1962- marking the beginning of a legendary career. 

“Back Door Man” – Howlin’ Wolf

– This song stands out amongst some of the other songs on this list, which have more of a bubblegum-pop sound (which is great in its own way, don’t get me wrong). But, the combination of Howlin’ Wolf’s gritty voice, his loose and heavy instrumentation, and taboo themes found in his lyrics make this tune a wonderful outlier. 

“The James Bond Theme (From Dr. No)” – John Barry 

– I’ll admit, this one is a little off (Dr. No was released in May 1963). But I couldn’t resist adding this legendary theme to my favorite movie franchise of all time. This masterful theme is without a doubt one of the many reasons why the legend of James Bond is still alive and well today. 

“Where Have All The Flowers Gone” – Peter, Paul and Mary 

– Another song from a debut album by a legendary band. Peter, Paul, and Mary would go on to have a lengthy and successful career which included hits like “Puff, The Magic Dragon.” This song features hauntingly beautiful vocals and guitar. 

“Surfin’ Safari” – The Beach Boys

– Yet another tune from a debut album. The Beach Boys’ album Surfin’ Safari pioneered the everlasting ethos of Californian sunshine-pop. The lyrics of this song are great, they feature some of the most famous surf spots in the world as well as some pretty sweet 60s surfer lingo!

“Soldier Boy” – The Shirelles 

– The Shirelles were masters of harmonious love songs. This one is a prime example of bubblegum-pop that is just great– so it’s no surprise that it was charting at its release. 

“Love Me Do” – The Beatles

– Once again, this one is a little off. But “Love Me Do” from The Beatles’ 1963 album Please Please Me is another song that stands out among the rest of the songs in this playlist. While doing research for this playlist and listening to other songs that were charting in 1962, I really came to appreciate just how much The Beatles saved rock n’ roll. 

“Good, Good Lovin’” – James Brown

– The genre of soul is another genre that was coming into its prime in the early 60s. For the rest of the decade, artists like James Brown would propel the genre forward and make some of the most danceable, and interesting music available. 

“Fingertips” – Stevie Wonder

– All you need to know about this song is that Stevie Wonder was about 12 years old when he wrote this. 

“Green Onions” – Booker T. & the M.G.’s”

– This song is interesting to listen to knowing that just a few years after its release, the genre of psychedelic rock would explode. You can really hear this sound’s influence in bands like Jefferson Airplane, The Doors, and even British bands like Cream. 

 

DERIAN’S RECS

SO DOGGONE LONESOME -JOHNNY CASH

– The man in black was active back when the station was new, and indeed had done his first prison performance in 57, but we wouldn’t get the full Folsom album till 68. Anyway, here’s a bit of classical Cash. 

THE SONG IS ENDED (BUT THE MELODY GOES ON) -FRANK SINATRA

– One of the first vintage albums I ever picked up was a 65 copy of “Sinatra: A Man and His Music”, and it’s pretty cool. I’m happy to now share of Vegas’ most famous crooners in this format

YOU’RE NOBODY ‘TILL SOMEBODY LOVES YOU-DINAH WASHINGTON

– Dinah Washington is a name I knew, but I hadn’t actually listened to her before today. I love her style, not quite danceable, but it’s definitely got some movement to it.

EL CIEGUITO-JORGE CAFRUNE

– I tried to add some international spice with the next few picks, starting with this fellow is apparently quite popular in his homeland of argentina. It’s interesting to see the “ancestor” of the type of music that would come to be associated with the region, like Los Agaves

KARNATAKI-RAVI SHANKAR

– This fellow was considered one of India’s greatest string players. Frankly, I’m not the biggest fan of this style of music, but evenI can recognize his skill.

SUKIYAKI-KYU SAKAMOTO

– Technically this track came out in 61, but it got it’s western release in 62 so It’s fair game imo. This song is stupid popular, Selena, The Ventures, and Uteda Hikaru have all done covers which is kinda wild when you think about.

CHERRY-JACKIE PARIS

– I don’t have a lot to say about this one, it’s just a decent song from the era. Though the album’s name is a cute paris pun, so thats cool

I WAITED TOO LONG-TIMI YURO

– Timi Yuro was once called “the Tiny women with a Big voice.” This track definitely proves it.

L’AMOUR C’EST COMME UN JOUR- CHARLES AZNAVOUR

– The only reason I know this artist is because the anime character Char Aznable is named after me. Anyway, here’s one last international artist from 62

THE BEST IS YET TO COME- PEGGY LEE

–Peggy Lee’s definitely a legend from this era, but I mostly choose this song for the pun of ending the playlist with it