Tunes Du Jour Celebrates Sisters Day

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Happy Sisters Day! There’s a unique, almost telepathic bond between sisters, and nowhere is that connection more audible than in music. When sisters sing together, they create a blend that often is simply magical—a harmony that’s been practiced over a lifetime.

In celebration of this incredible bond, I’ve curated a playlist of songs from groups that feature at least one pair of sisters. From the tough-girl cool of the ’60s girl groups to ’80s rock goddesses, ’90s pop sensations, and modern indie darlings, this playlist is a testament to the power of sisterhood in harmony. So grab your sister (or your chosen sister!), turn up the volume, and let’s dive in.

Leader of the Pack – The Shangri-Las
The Sisters: Mary and Elizabeth “Betty” Weiss were the heart of this legendary girl group, alongside the identical twins Marge and Mary Ann Ganser. With their dramatic, soap-opera-in-a-song storytelling and a “tougher than the boys” attitude, the Shangri-Las stood out. “Leader of the Pack” is their definitive mini-masterpiece of teenage tragedy.

Emmylou – First Aid Kit
The Sisters: Swedish folk duo Klara and Johanna Söderberg are revered for their breathtaking, otherworldly harmonies. On “Emmylou,” they pay beautiful tribute to their country music heroes (Emmylou Harris, Gram Parsons, June Carter, and Johnny Cash), creating a modern folk classic that feels utterly timeless.

Be My Baby – The Ronettes
The Sisters: The iconic lead vocals of Veronica “Ronnie” Bennett (later Spector) were backed by the harmonies of her older sister, Estelle Bennett, and their cousin Nedra Talley. This song, with its legendary drum intro and Phil Spector’s Wall of Sound production, is pure pop perfection and a benchmark for the girl group era.

C’est la Vie – B*Witched
The Sisters: This infectiously cheerful Irish pop group featured identical twin sisters Edele and Keavy Lynch (whose brother, Shane, was in the boy band Boyzone). “C’est la Vie,” with its jig-dancing, double-denim aesthetic, and suggestive lyrics, is a pure shot of late-’90s bubblegum pop nostalgia.

We Are Family – Sister Sledge
The Sisters: It’s right there in the name! Debbie, Joni, Kim, and Kathy Sledge are the four sisters who became a global phenomenon with this timeless anthem. Written and produced by Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards of Chic, the song wasn’t just a disco smash; it became a universal hymn for families, teams, and communities everywhere.

Move Ya Body – Nina Sky
The Sisters: Identical twin sisters Nicole and Natalie Albino make up the duo Nina Sky. This dancehall-infused debut single was a massive summer smash in 2004, and its infectious “Diwali Riddim” beat still fills dancefloors today.

Walk Like an Egyptian – Bangles
The Sisters: Vicki and Debbi Peterson (guitar and drums, respectively) were the sibling core of the Bangles. While Susanna Hoffs often took the lead, the Petersons’ rock-solid rhythm and harmonies were essential to the band’s sound. This quirky, chart-topping hit became one of the most memorable songs of the ’80s.

Closer – Tegan And Sara
The Sisters: Canadian identical twin sisters Tegan and Sara Quin have been indie-rock mainstays for years. “Closer” marked their brilliant pivot into synth-pop, a shimmering, exhilarating track about the thrill of a crush before a relationship even begins. It’s a masterclass in pop songwriting.

I’ll Take You There – The Staple Singers
The Sisters: Gospel and soul royalty, The Staple Singers were a true family affair led by patriarch “Pops” Staples. His daughters Mavis, Cleotha, and Yvonne Staples provided the heavenly, soul-stirring harmonies. This song, with its iconic bassline borrowed from a reggae track, is a blissful invitation to a better place.

I Love How You Love Me – The Paris Sisters
The Sisters: Albeth, Sherrell, and Priscilla Paris were known for their incredibly tight, close-miked, whispery harmonies. Produced by Phil Spector before his Wall of Sound days, this dreamy, delicate ballad perfectly captures the sweet innocence of young love.

Best of My Love – The Emotions
The Sisters: Wanda, Sheila, and Pamela Hutchinson are the Chicago-born sisters behind The Emotions. This joyous, soaring disco-soul classic was co-written and produced by Earth, Wind & Fire’s Maurice White, and it showcases their absolutely flawless, exuberant harmonies. It’s impossible not to smile while listening.

Hippychick – Soho
The Sisters: This one-hit wonder from 1990 was fronted by twin sisters Jacqueline “Jacqui” and Pauline Cuff. The song’s laid-back groove is built around a genius sample of The Smiths’ “How Soon Is Now?,” creating a track that’s instantly recognizable and quintessentially of its era.

Never Ever – All Saints
The Sisters: The ’90s British girl group All Saints, known for their cooler, more casual style, included sisters Natalie and Nicole Appleton. “Never Ever” was their biggest hit, a soulful, melancholic R&B ballad that became one of the best-selling singles by a girl group in the UK.

Nothing But A Heartache – The Flirtations
The Sisters: Though their lineup shifted, this American vocal group (who found fame in the UK) was founded by sisters Shirley and Pearly Pearce. “Nothing But a Heartache” is a prime cut of Northern Soul—up-tempo, dramatic, and deeply soulful, it’s a crate-digger’s treasure.

The Sign – Ace Of Base
The Sisters: This Swedish pop group that dominated the airwaves in the ’90s was fronted by sisters Jenny and Linn Berggren. Their distinct voices—Jenny’s powerful and clear, Linn’s ethereal and soft—were the perfect vehicle for this insanely catchy reggae-pop confection that took over the world.

Popsicles and Icicles – The Murmaids
The Sisters: Sisters Carol and Terry Fischer were two-thirds of The Murmaids. This sweet, dreamy tune, written by a young David Gates (who would later form the band Bread), became a surprise hit in 1963 and remains a perfect example of the innocent charm of the era.

Chapel of Love – Dixie Cups
The Sisters: New Orleans trio The Dixie Cups featured sisters Barbara Ann and Rosa Lee Hawkins, along with their cousin Joan Marie Johnson. Their version of “Chapel of Love” knocked The Beatles out of the #1 spot in 1964.

Boogie Fever – The Sylvers
The Sisters: The Sylvers were a large family band, similar to the Jacksons. On their biggest hit, “Boogie Fever,” the lead vocals are handled by Edmund Sylvers, but the shimmering, essential background harmonies come courtesy of sisters Olympia and Charmaine Sylvers.

My Boyfriend’s Back – The Angels
The Sisters: This sassy girl-group classic was powered by sisters Barbara “Bibs” and Phyllis “Jiggs” Allbut. The song is a perfect slice of early ’60s pop, a warning to a would-be suitor that her boyfriend is back in town and “gonna save my reputation.”

Eres Tu (Touch the Wind) – Mocedades
The Sisters: This Spanish group featured three sisters in its classic lineup: Amaya, Izaskun, and Estíbaliz Uranga. “Eres Tú” was Spain’s entry in the 1973 Eurovision Song Contest. It didn’t win, but it became a massive global hit, showcasing the group’s lush, soaring vocal arrangements.

Cannonball – The Breeders
The Sisters: A cornerstone of ’90s alternative rock, The Breeders were formed by Kim Deal (of the Pixies) and her identical twin sister, Kelley Deal. “Cannonball,” with its iconic slithering bassline, nonsensical lyrics, and explosive chorus, is a blast of pure, raw, and effortlessly cool rock and roll.

The Ketchup Song (Aserejé) – Las Ketchup
The Sisters: Say it out loud: The Ketchup sisters! This one is wonderfully literal. Spanish sisters Lola, Pilar, and Lucía Muñoz are the daughters of a flamenco guitarist known as “El Tomate” (The Tomato). Their nonsensical smash hit, complete with a viral dance, was inescapable throughout Europe in the summer of 2002.

The Wire – HAIM
The Sisters: Este, Danielle, and Alana Haim are the quintessential modern sister act. The multi-instrumentalist siblings from California burst onto the scene with a sound that blended ’70s soft rock with ’80s pop. “The Wire” is a perfect introduction to their intricate rhythms and impeccable harmonies.

Hammond Song – The Roches
The Sisters: Maggie, Terre, and Suzzy Roche were a trio of sisters from New York known for their astonishingly complex, intricate, and often quirky folk harmonies. “Hammond Song,” from their debut album produced by King Crimson’s Robert Fripp, is a haunting and beautiful display of their unique vocal chemistry.

Not Ready To Make Nice –The Chicks
The Sisters: Martie Maguire (fiddle) and Emily Strayer (banjo, dobro) are the instrumental powerhouses and harmony singers of this trailblazing country trio. This fiery, defiant anthem was their response to the backlash they faced for speaking out against the Iraq War, and it earned them three Grammy Awards, including Song of the Year.

Respectable – Mel & Kim
The Sisters: British sisters Melanie and Kim Appleby were a vibrant pop duo who worked with the hitmaking team of Stock Aitken Waterman. “Respectable” is a sassy, high-energy dance-pop track that champions self-respect and fun. Tragically, Mel passed away from cancer in 1990 at the peak of their fame.

Alone – Heart
The Sisters: Ann and Nancy Wilson are rock and roll royalty. With Ann’s powerhouse vocals and Nancy’s virtuosic, dynamic guitar work, they have been the unwavering core of Heart for decades. While “Alone” is a cover, their rendition transformed it into one of the greatest power ballads of all time.

Mr. Lee – The Bobbettes
The Sisters: This groundbreaking group included sisters Jannie and Emma Pought. In 1957, The Bobbettes became the first all-female group to write their own #1 R&B hit. “Mr. Lee,” a song originally written to tease a teacher they disliked, is a fun, foundational piece of rock and roll history.

Automatic – The Pointer Sisters
The Sisters: Anita, June, Ruth, and Bonnie Pointer began by singing a mix of jazz, soul, and country before reinventing themselves as sleek, synth-pop superstars following Bonnie’s departure from the group. This ’80s classic is a prime example of their funky, high-tech sound, driven by Ruth Pointer’s incredibly deep and sultry lead vocal.

I Wanna Love Him So Bad – The Jelly Beans
The Sisters: This gem from the golden age of girl groups featured the powerful harmonies of sisters Maxine and Betty Smith. Discovered while still in high school, The Jelly Beans were teamed with legendary songwriters Jeff Barry and Ellie Greenwich. The result was this classic expression of teenage devotion, a perfect slice of 1964 pop.

I hope you enjoyed this journey through the history of sister acts in music. Share this playlist with your sister and have a wonderful, music-filled Sisters Day!

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Tunes Du Jour Presents Johnny Cash

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Born into poverty in Arkansas during the Great Depression, the life journey of Johnny Cash, the iconic country music legend, was a rollercoaster of triumphs and tribulations. Yet, one constant thread ran through it all: his sense of responsibility and compassion for his fellow humans.

Cash’s musical contributions are legendary. His hits like “Ring of Fire” and “I Walk the Line” resonate across generations. But it’s not just the catchy melodies or poetic lyrics that set him apart. Cash’s raw authenticity and ability to capture the human experience made him a true troubadour. His songs weren’t mere entertainment; they were anthems of rebellion, redemption, and resilience.

The classic “Folsom Prison Blues” deserves special mention. Inspired by a movie he saw while stationed in Germany, Cash penned this song from the perspective of an inmate. He stepped into the shoes of the forgotten, the incarcerated, and sang their pain. His live performances at Folsom Prison and San Quentin Prison weren’t just concerts; they were messages of hope. Cash believed in rehabilitation over punishment, advocating for counseling and reclassification of offenses. His empathy for prisoners fueled his lifelong commitment to prison reform.

Cash also championed Native American rights, especially through his haunting song, “The Ballad of Ira Hayes.” The tragic tale of a Pima Indian who raised the flag at Iwo Jima only to face discrimination back home struck a chord with Cash. He used his platform to amplify voices that society often silenced.

From the rebellious spirit of “A Boy Named Sue” to the spiritual depth of “God’s Gonna Cut You Down,” Johnny Cash’s music transcends time. It’s the voice of a man who understood pain, redemption, and the human condition. Let’s honor Johnny Cash—the Man in Black—by not only tapping our feet to his tunes but also by carrying forward his spirit of empathy, justice, and love for all.

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A Hint Of Mint – Volume 23: Covers

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This week’s installment of A Hint of Mint consists of cover songs. It’s likely you are familiar with most or all of the songs on this week’s playlist, but I’m guessing you are not familiar with the versions presented here. Drawn primarily from soundtracks, compilations and CD singles, here are twenty remakes of popular tunes, performed by members of the LGBTQQISA populations. Included are Tegan & Sara covering Bruce Springsteen, Antony & the Johnsons covering Beyoncé, and Pansy Division covering Johnny Cash and June Carter.

Happy Sunday!

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I Don’t Believe You, Bob Dylan. You’re A Liar!

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“I didn’t really care what Lieber and Stoller thought of my songs. They didn’t like ‘em, but Doc Pomus did. That was all right that [Lieber and Stoller] didn’t like ‘em, because I never liked their songs either. ‘Yakety yak, don’t talk back.’ ‘Charlie Brown is a clown,’ ‘Baby I’m a hog for you.’ Novelty songs. They weren’t saying anything serious.”
– Bob Dylan, February 2015

“I don’t believe you. You’re a liar!”
– Bob Dylan to an audience member who called him “Judas,” May 1966
– Glenn Schwartz to Bob Dylan regarding his disdain for Lieber and Stoller, April 2015

Perhaps Dylan doesn’t like the comical songs Lieber and Stoller wrote for The Coasters (though I’m skeptical of that as well), but how can he honestly dismiss all their work as novelty songs? Their compositions are part of the Great American Songbook – Rock & Roll Edition. “Jailhouse Rock,” “Stand by Me,” “On Broadway,” “Hound Dog,” “Kansas City,” “Spanish Harlem,” “Is That All There Is?” These aren’t humorous songs. Okay, “Is That All There Is?” is pretty funny, though that wasn’t intentional.

I think Bob made that comment as he was miffed about Lieber and Stoller dismissing his work. That they didn’t get Dylan is folly on their part, but the duo’s work has stood the test of time.

Today is the birthday of the late great Jerry Lieber. Today’s playlist consists of twenty classics from the Lieber and Stoller songbook.

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George, Johnny and Fats

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I screwed up.

I lost track of what day it was and in doing so missed posting about George Harrison’s birthday, which was yesterday.

The Beatles are my favorite recoding act of all-time, and if I had to rank the group’s members in order, George would make the top four (no disrespect to Pete Best).

I’d been thinking about what to post for George’s birthday for a couple of weeks. His recordings are not on Spotify, the program I use to create the playlists in each blog entry. I couldn’t find any worthwhile vintage performance clips of George on YouTube. I could post the music video for “Got My Mind Set on You,” but that track is hardly representative of the man’s genius. I was leaning toward creating a playlist of great covers of George’s songs, but what I came up with before abandoning that idea was an unremarkable collection that would not serve as a fitting tribute.

I love so many of his songs – “My Sweet Lord,” “Handle With Care” (Traveling Wilburys), “The Inner Light” (The Beatles), “What Is Life,” “All Those Years Ago,” “It Don’t Come Easy” (written by George and Ringo Starr, recorded by Ringo), “Something” (The Beatles), “Here Comes the Sun” (The Beatles), “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” (The Beatles), “If Not For You,” and “When We Was Fab” at the forefront, though my favorite of George’s solo recordings is “Give Me Love (Give Me Peace on Earth).” In his autobiography George wrote “This song is a prayer and personal statement between me, the Lord, and whoever likes it.” The Lord and I aren’t on speaking terms; however, I love the song’s message. I’m a sucker for songs espousing love for all. “Put a Little Love in Your Heart?” Yes! “Love Train?” Hell, yeah! The Black Eyed Peas’ “Where Is the Love?” Sure, even though it includes the lyric “to discriminate only generates hate / And when you hate then you’re bound to get irate, yeah / Badness is what you demonstrate.” And then you won’t be able to meet a mate named Nate / You won’t even get a date / To gain weight will be your fate / You won’t make it through the gate and then you’ll be late / That isn’t great.” And that’s why I adore George’s “Give Me Love.”

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Today marks the birthday of two other all-time favorites of mine – Johnny Cash and Fats Domino. I’ve created a playlist for each of them.

The Johnny Cash playlist kicks off with his 1963 hit “Ring of Fire.” The writing of the song is credited to June Carter, who married Johnny in 1968, and Merle Kilgore. Though initially recorded by Carter’s sister Anita, Carter said the song was inspired by Cash, who at that time was her friend and singing partner. Though not romantically-involved, she was drawn to him against her better judgment, despite his drug use. Per June, there is “no way to extinguish a flame that burns, burns, burns.”

Cash’s wife at that time, Vivian Liberto, claimed that June had nothing to do with writing that song. Per Liberto, Johnny wrote it “while pilled up and drunk” and it’s not about the love June described, but rather it’s “about a certain private female body part,” which provides a much different image to accompany the line “I went down, down, down.” I’m not an expert on this body part to which Liberto refers, but if it burns, burns, burns, you should probably have it checked out by a professional. Anyway, Liberto said Cash gave Carter the writing credit because she needed the money.

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Our Fats Domino playlist kicks off with one of Richie Cunningham’s favorites, “Blueberry Hill.” Though Domino wrote many of his hits, this one was written by Vincent Rose, Larry Stock and Al Lewis (not the Grandpa Munster Al Lewis) in 1940.

Domino recorded this song at a session after he ran out of material. His long-time producer, Dave Bartholomew, was against doing the song, perhaps because all of Fat’s hits up to that point had been original compositions. Domino’s version hit #2 in 1957 and has become one of his most recognizable recordings.

Some other facts about Fats: In the fifties he sold more records than any other rock & roll artist except Elvis Presley; he’s had 35 US top 40 pop hits; his song “The Fat Man,” from 1949, is considered by many to be the first rock and roll record; today he turns 86.