Thursday, May 6, 2021

Music History Today: May 7, 2021

May 7, 1977: The single "Hotel California" by the Eagles topped the Hot 100. 

People have often interpreted "Hotel California" for Anton LaVey and Satanism. Weird right? It kind of makes sense if you would actually interpret its lyrics one by one, “This could be heaven or this could be hell”, “but they just can’t kill the beast” and “We are programmed to receive, you can check out any time you like. But you can never leave”! 

"Hotel California" by The  Eagles

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But the song has nothing to do with that creepy religion or Satanism, for that matter. The Eagles have given its real meaning as a way of speaking out against corruption, greed and hedonism of the music industry in the 1970’s. The song is metaphorical. Henley even said that, they didn’t literally mean California, it’s all about being consumed by ego, absorbed by pleasure and self-righteousness. 

Read more: Rock Pasta 

May 7, 1961: "A Hundred Pounds Of Clay" by Gene McDaniels peaked at Number 3.

Eugene McDaniels was working on the West Coast when he came to the attention of Liberty Records, who signed him in 1959. “I did an album conducted and produced by Johnny Mann of the Johnny Mann Singers called In Times Like These, which was also my first single, actually,” McDaniels said. 

Gene McDaniels
Gene McDaniels

That single and his next one did nothing, but his next, the 1961 classic “A Hundred Pounds of Clay,” went very big. But at the time, McDaniels was more aware of the internal strife at Liberty than the song’s potential.  

Read more: Rebeat Magazine 

 

May 7, 1966:  Gloria by the Shadows of Knight peaked at 10 on Billboard.

"Gloria" is a rock song written by Northern Irish singer-songwriter Van Morrison, and originally recorded by Morrison's band Them in 1964.. The song became a garage rock staple and a part of many rock bands' repertoires.  The Shadows of Knight recorded "Gloria", which was released as a single in December 1965 and later included on the album of the same name. 
Read more: Wikipedia

 

May 7, 1984: The Cars released the single "Magic." 

"Magic" from the Cars' fifth studio album, Heartbeat City, was released as the album's second single. It reached number 12 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number one on the Billboard Top Tracks chart. The track was written by Ric Ocasek and produced by Robert John "Mutt" Lange and the Cars. Ocasek sang lead vocals. 
Read more: Wikipedia

May 7, 1988:  Natalie Cole's version of  Pink Cadillac peaked at Number 5 on the Billboard Hot 100.

In mid 1987, Natalie Cole recorded "Pink Cadillac" at the suggestion of producer Dennis Lambert. 

Natalie Cole's  Pink Cadillac album cover

The track was intended for an album release on the Modern label; that project was canceled and Cole's "Pink Cadillac" and another Lambert production: "I Live For Your Love", were picked up by EMI-Manhattan Records to appear on Cole's 1987 album Everlasting.  
Read more: Wikipedia

Hotel California
The  Eagles

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