6 of the 60s: 7/18/12...

Hey guys, thanks for stopping by, it's time for the second installment of my weekly "6 of the 60s", with some songs that I've been remembering that don't get radio play much anymore, and some obscure nuggets as well. This time out, six songs from 1969...and some cloudy-day songs from acts known more for their uptempo work...

Glen Campbell - "Wichita Lineman"

from the album Wichita Lineman (1968)

Billboard Hot 100 peak: #3

This is a perfect example of a song that if I listen to alone with headphones on, I'll end up bawling like a hungry baby. Jimmy Webb's tale of a heartbroken everyman is one of my top-10 favorite songs of all time.

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Three Dog Night - "Easy To Be Hard"

from the album Suitable For Framing (1969)

Billboard Hot 100 peak: #4

The love generation's good-time party band gets all vulnerable with this ballad. No Joy in this World.

Marvin Gaye - "That's The Way Love Is"

from the album M.P.G. (1969)

Billboard Hot 100 peak: #7

A lyrical and sonic sequel to "I Heard It Through The Grapevine", with the same menace and bitterness. I hear ya, Marvin.

Friends Of Distinction - "Going In Circles"

from the album Grazin' (1969)

Billboard Hot 100 peak: #15

An underrated soul group's grand crescendo, eventually covered by Luther, but emotional and raw in this nascent form....

Lou Rawls - Your Good Thing (Is About To End)

from the album The Way It Was: The Way It Is (1969)

Billboard Hot 100 peak: #18

Before the baritone loverman of "You'll Never Find Another Love Like Mine", Rawls sends a vicious kiss-off to a lover on this one. Love it.

Isaac Hayes - "By The Time I Get To Phoenix"

from the album Hot Buttered Soul (1969)

Billboard Hot 100 peak: #37

..But Rawls has nothin' on Isaac Hayes in the bitter department. Nineteen minutes of soap opera drama and soulful regret on this, another Jimmy Webb heartbreaker. You could picture him on the whole drive there by the time this one's over.

That's it for this week...tomorrow I promise more upbeat song for my "7 of the 70s" in the afternoon. See ya then!