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Elizabeth Blair Elizabeth Blair is a Peabody Award-winning Senior Producer/Reporter on the Arts Desk at NPR.
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Elizabeth Blair

'Rapper's Delight': The One-Take Hit

Rap pioneers the Sugarhill Gang (left to right: Wonder Mike, Master G and Big Bank Hank) perform live circa 1979. Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images hide caption

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Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

The NPR 100

'Rapper's Delight': The One-Take Hit

It took the Sugarhill Gang, and a song called "Rapper's Delight," to get the developing hip-hop art form on the radio.

'Rapper's Delight': The One-Take Hit

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'Tapestry'

Carole King, composing. Evening Standard/Getty Images hide caption

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Evening Standard/Getty Images

The NPR 100

'Tapestry'

King started out as a songwriter with her husband, but it wasn't until after her divorce that she began to sing her own songs and when she did, she sold 15 million copies.

'Tapestry'

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'Let's Stay Together'

Al Green, from the cover of his Greatest Hits album, first released in 1975. Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Courtesy of the artist

The NPR 100

'Let's Stay Together'

Al Green showed a different side of soul on his 1971 hit. Hear the story of the legendary song.

'Let's Stay Together'

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'My Girl'

Paul Williams, Eddie Kendricks, and David Ruffin of the Temptations, in 1965. Hulton Archive/Getty Images hide caption

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Hulton Archive/Getty Images

The NPR 100

'My Girl'

Smokey Robinson wrote "My Girl," recorded in 1964 by The Temptations, for Temptation David Ruffin to sing, knowing he'd be launching a new star.

'My Girl'

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The Story Of 'Dream A Little Dream'

Mama Cass Elliot with her Mamas and the Papas bandmates John Phillips and Denny Doherty in 1966. Express/Getty Images hide caption

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Express/Getty Images

The NPR 100

The Story Of 'Dream A Little Dream'

As part of NPR's continuing series on the 100 most important American musical works of the 20th century, Elizabeth Blair reports on the enduring popularity of the song Dream a Little Dream of Me.

The Story Of 'Dream A Little Dream'

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'My Funny Valentine'

Composer Richard Rodgers in London for the opening of 'The Boys From Syracuse'. Ted West/Getty Images hide caption

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Ted West/Getty Images

The NPR 100

'My Funny Valentine'

The Rodgers and Hart tune is a perennial February favorite — but it's not exactly a love song.

'My Funny Valentine'

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