The Temptations > Get Ready
Composed by Smokey Robinson

Ella (or Norman) picked a good one.

What Was That? Week #2
Legends of Soul #10 
Legends of Songwriting #18

Ella Fitzgerald > Get Ready
Composed by Smokey Robinson

By the end of the 60s the jazzbos were in a complete panic and would cover anything that would seem to make them relevant again. Luckily, the fear would subside within a couple of years and they great could resume being great.

Here’s the original.

What Was That? Week #1
Legends of Swing #3
Cover #50
Legends of Songwriting #18

The Jackson 5 > I’ll Be There
Composed by Berry Gordy, Bob West, Hal Davis, Willie Hutch

This ballad proved Michael was the beginning of the proof that Michael was a musician not a machine (and it was written and produced by humans not The Corporation). Always one of my favorites.

Michael Jackson Week #2
Legends of Soul #38
Legends of Pop #10
Legends of Songwriting #17

Audrey Hepburn > Moon River
Composed by Johnny Mercer and Henry Mancini

It seemed kinda dumb to go through all these Moon Rivers without the one that made it worth it.

Songwriters & their Songs Week #7 (Moon River Edition #4)
Legends of Songwriting #15 & 16
Ballad #30

Jerry Butler > Moon River
Composed by Johnny Mercer and Henry Mancini

Moon River was a song that kept (and keeps) on giving and giving. When Andy Williams had a hit on it, Vee-Jay realized their guy could sing it better, and they had a hit too.

Songwriters & their Songs Week #7 (Moon River Edition #4)
Legends of Songwriting #15 & 16
Cover #47
Ballad #29 
Legends of Soul #18

The Jazz Crusaders > Moon River
Composed by Johnny Mercer and Henry Mancini

Not surprisingly, jazz musicians love Mancini’s tunes. I mean, Mancini loved jazz musicians.

Songwriters & their Songs Week #6 (Moon River Edition #3)
Legends of Songwriting #15 & 16
Cover #46

Johnny Mercer > Moon River
Composed by Johnny Mercer and Henry Mancini

Moon River was one of those rare tunes that it seemed like everyone wanted to touch. So I guess when Hank had a hit with it, Johnny wanted in too.

Songwriters & their Songs Week #5 (Moon River Edition #2)
Legends of Songwriting #15 & 16
Ballad #28 
Cover #45

Henry Mancini > Moon River
Composed by Johnny Mercer and Henry Mancini

Having never given Henry Mancini’s music a second’s thought before the lounge trend pushed him up into my aural view, I can’t believe how in love with it I am now.

Songwriters & their Songs Week #4 (Moon River Edition #1)
Legends of Songwriting #15 & #16
Ballad #27

The Brooklyn Bridge > The Worst That Could Happen
Composed by Jimmy Webb

When this track came out in 1968 I had no idea who Johnny Maestro (the BB’s lead singer) was, that he’d had another hit I kind of liked, or that The Worst That Could Happen was a note for note cover of a Jimmy Webb song recorded by The Fifth Dimension. I just knew it was a completely corny record.

So, here I am 40 years later and it’s on my personal Top 100 list. Go figure. (Told you I was a wimp).

Songwriters & their Songs Week #3
Legends of Songwriting #14 
Cover #44 
Ballad #26

Jimmy Webb > The Worst That Could Happen
Composed by Jimmy Webb

Regular KLM listeners already know what a sap I am. But even to those who know me best my adoration for this song, and Jimmy’s less than perfect vocalizing, leaves them at a loss.

Songwriters & their Songs Week #2
Legends of Songwriting #14 
Cover #43 
Ballad #25