Time Marches On

I really hate to talk about age, but I'm taking a break next week to go to my _________ reunion. I decided to list some of the tunes that were popular then. Unfortunately, if you do a little research, you'll be able to determine the answer as to when they were recorded. Identify the year correctly, and I'll let you submit a guest column. Second prize is a trip to the annual Buzzard Festival in Hinckley, Ohio or the cash equivalent. Thanks to Billboard for the following list:

Gimme Some Lovin' - Spencer Davis Group
Still some SERIOUS rock and roll. Isn't that Stevie Winwood laying down those punishing organ riffs? Did you know that Muff Winwood was also in the band (What's next - Buffy Winwood? Why is it I get the feeling Muff's career was somewhat abortive?) Is it true that every time this song plays on the dancefloor with a group of over 50 types who've had too much to drink that they feel compelled to shout off key and clap haphazardly? Stay tuned.

Soul Man - Sam and Dave
The Muscle Shoals gospel sound bursts onto the charts, with the duo's seamless shouted vocals ably backed by those staccato horns. It doesn't really bother me that the tune was covered by the Blues Brothers, but I drew the line when they played it at Dole campaign rallies (I'm an OLD man - duh duh dut da dada da)- etc.

Groovin -Young Rascals
The ultimate bar, beach party, summer weekend and all around get high anthem from Felix and the gang. Blue collar pop that cuts across all socio-economic lines.

Happy Together - The Turtles
This song is a lot like cotton candy - fluffy and sweet but it doesn't last long. It seems so naive - but then so were we.

The Letter - The Box Tops
This tune is all about the importance of snail mail - I mean, why write your baby a letter when there's instant messaging? - and the tired, Mick Jaggerish quality of the vocal. Still,you get to hear a plane engine.

Incense and Peppermints - The Strawberry Alarm Clock
I know, I know - this is supposed to be the precursor of psychedelic rock, etc. etc., but it just takes itself too seriously. It's so PROFOUND.

Respect - Aretha Franklin
Who knew this song would turn out to be the theme of the latter half of the Twentieth Century? Aretha is the original feminist.

Windy - The Association
This song has a special place for me. I really hate the Association, but this tune is forever linked to someone who meant a lot to me that I'll never see again.

Did you figure out the year yet? Keep me posted.