Friday, May 14, 2021

Music History Today: May 15, 2021

May 15, 1982: "Ebony And Ivory" by Paul McCartney and Stevie Wonder hit Number 1 in the US.

“When I wrote the song, I thought, ‘Maybe we don’t need to keep talking about black and white. Maybe the problem is solved…

Paul McCartney and Stevie Wonder
Paul McCartney and Stevie Wonder

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Maybe I’ve missed the boat. Maybe it should’ve been written in the ’60s, this song.’ But I after I’d written it and recorded it, you look around, and, you know, there’s still tension.” That’s a very astute decades-old observation from Sir Paul McCartney, the man who attempted to heal racial tensions in the most trite, simplistic manner imaginable. 
Read more: Stereogum

May 15, 1965: Silhouettes by Herman's Hermits peaked at Number 5 in America.

"Silhouettes" is a song made famous by the doo-wop group the Rays in 1957.
Herman’s Hermits
Herman's Hermits
 A competing version by the Diamonds was also successful. Herman's Hermits recorded the song in 1965 after hearing it on American Armed Forces Radio. It reached number 1 in Canada's RPM charts. It became their third hit in the "British Invasion" of the US. 
Read more: Wikipedia

May 15, 1971: Me and You and a Dog Named Boo by Lobo made it to Number 5 on the US music chart.

“Me and You and a Dog Named Boo” is the 1971 debut single by Lobo. Written by Lobo under his real name Kent LaVoie, it appears on the Introducing Lobo album.

Lobo
Lobo

This song is about two hippies and a dog taking a cross-country road trip in an old car that runs poorly. The protagonists of the song get mired in the Georgia clay, steal food from a farmer and work to pay it off, and end up living in Los Angeles, but the old car makes them want to hit the road again. 

Read more: Do You Remember

May 15, 1976:  The Sylvers took over at Number 1 with "Boogie Fever." 

In the spring of 1976, the Sylvers opened the world’s eyes to a dangerous plague that was sweeping America. The song’s narrator never even has time to understand the strange things he’s seeing. 

The Sylvers
The Sylvers

The young man takes his baby to the drive-in movie; she turns off the speaker so that she can keep dancing to the funky music on the radio instead. He takes her out to pizza, and she keeps dancing while she’s eating. This unfortunate young man never even realizes that he’s exposed himself to a dangerous new virus.

Read more: Stereogum

 

May 15, 1993: "That's the Way Love Goes" by Janet Jackson made it to Number 1.

In 1993 Janet Jackson dropped the video for her hit track 'That's the way love goes.'  It's the longest running No.1 single of any member of the Jackson family on the Billboard Hot 100.

Janet Jackson
Janet Jackson

But did you know the Samoan/Kiwi connection in Janets iconic video?  Kobra & Ganxsta Ridd from Boo Yaa Tribe makes a cameo and Suga Pop plays Janets love interest. 

Read more: The Coconet TV

Ebony And Ivory
Paul McCartney & Stevie Wonder


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