Roundabout and Alfie Still Reach New Listeners 50 Years Later

Several songs from past decades continue to find new audiences through lasting cultural impact and powerful performances. Yes’s progressive-rock epic “Roundabout,” inspired by a journey through Scotland, remains recognizable more than 50 years after its release despite its unconventional length and structure. Cilla Black’s 1966 recording of “Alfie,” written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David for the film of the same name, became an international hit and is still regarded as a defining vocal performance of the era. Neil Diamond’s “Sunday and Me,” recorded by Jay and the Americans, marked his first major songwriting breakthrough and helped establish his career in the Brill Building songwriting community. Celine Dion recently returned to full-concert performances after a serious neurological diagnosis, moving audiences with an a cappella rendition of “All by Myself,” while Five for Fighting’s John Ondrasik discussed how songs such as “Tuesday” preserve the memory of September 11 and honor first responders and victims.