Music History Today: August 1, 2021

August 1, 1987: "Shakedown" by Bob Seger topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

The first Beverly Hills Cop soundtrack launched three different singles into the top 10.  The biggest of those was “The Heat Is On,” Glenn Frey’s opening-credits track.  

Music History Today: July 31, 2021

July 31, 1999: "Genie in a Bottle" by Christina Aguilera was the new Number 1 song in the US.

Christina Aguilera’s “Genie in a Bottle,” written by David Frank, Steve Kipner & Pamela Sheyne, became the American pop singer’s signature track at the beginning of her career and was the song that lead her to international stardom. It is the first track from her self-titled debut album.

Christina Aguilera

Music History Today: July 30, 2021

July 30, 1988: The Number 1 song this week was Bobby McFerrin's "Don't Worry, Be Happy."

Bobby McFerrin’s “Don’t Worry Be Happy” became the ultimate left-field #1, 30 years ago this week. The first chart-topper without any instrumentation, it sounded, almost by definition, unlike anything else on the radio.

Bobby McFerrin

Music History Today: July 29, 2021

July 29, 1991: "Enter Sandman" was released as a single from Metallica's Black Album.

Metallica's "Enter Sandman" is one of the most instantly recognizable and universally beloved metal songs of all time, from its bluesy main riff to its menacing lyrics to its iconic music video. 

Music History Today: July 28, 2021

July 28, 2001: Incubus peaks at number 9 with "Drive."

"Drive" by the American rock band Incubus released on November 14, 2000, as the third single from their third album, Make Yourself. 

Incubus

Music History Today: July 27, 2021

July 27, 1985: Motley Crue made a big move on the US music chart, from Number 61 to 48, with "Smokin' in the Boys Room."

Before the release of 1985's Theatre of Pain, Motley Crue were on the launchpad to superstardom. There was just one problem: The album wasn't strong enough and they knew it.

Motley Crue

Music History Today: July 26, 2021

July 26, 1986: Soundtrack to Top Gun reached Number 1 on the Billboard Top 200 LP chart.

One of the best-selling soundtrack albums of all time, Top Gun remains a quintessential artifact of the mid-'80s. 

Music History Today: July 25, 2021

July 25, 1987: "Something So Strong" by Crowded House peaks at number 7 on the US music chart.

"Something So Strong," written by Neil Finn and Mitchell Froom and performed by Crowded House, was released as their eponymous debut album's fifth and final single. 

Crowded House

Music History Today: July 24, 2021

July 24, 1971: "Walk Away" by the James Gang peaked at Number 51 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Joe Walsh has been a part of many a band, and also delved in solo ventures. The singer-songwriter was also an amazing guitarist, and showcased his arsenal with his time in the James Gang.

James Gang

Music History Today: July 23, 2021

July 23, 1983: The British ska and pop band Madness had a US hit when "Our House" peaked at Number 7 on the Billboard singles chart.

Madness were one of the leading bands of the UK ska revival of the late ‘70s and early ‘80s. 

Madness

Music History Today: July 22, 2021

July 22, 1978: "Time for Me to Fly" by REO Speedwagon makes its debut on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart.

REO Speedwagon front-man Kevin Cronin recalled the 10-year delay between starting to write “Time for Me to Fly” and completing the song.

Music History Today: July 21, 2021

July 21, 1979: Cheap Trick peaked at Number 7 on the US music chart with "I Want You To Want Me."

With the break-up of bands such as Big Star and The Raspberries, by the mid-70s power pop looked to be heading for extinction, as prog rock and disco filled the airwaves and record racks worldwide. 

Music History Today: July 20, 2021

July 20, 1991: "Unbelievable" by EMF moves into the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart.

England’s alternative music scene never seems to make nearly deep an impact in the States as it does there, no matter the era. 

EMF

Music History Today: July 19, 2021

July 19,  1975: Sweet powered up the chart from Number 60 to 49 with "Ballroom Blitz." 

The Sweet 

Music History Today: July 18, 2021

 July 18, 1980: The soundtrack to Honeysuckle Rose by Willie Nelson and Family was released

The soundtrack to Honeysuckle Rose is really a collection of songs by Willie Nelson and his Family band as well as a host of friends like Jody Payne, Johnny Gimble, Amy Irving, Hank Cochran, Jeannie Seely, Kenneth Threadgill, Dyan Cannon, and Emmylou Harris.

Honeysuckle Rose movie poster

Music History Today: July 17, 2021

July 17, 1982: "Only the Lonely" by The Motels ends it run at number 9 up the Billboard singles chart.

Lead singer Martha Davis wrote "Only the Lonely" on a guitar that was given to her by her late father—an administrator at the University of California, Berkeley. She explained the song's inspiration in an interview with Beyond Race magazine:

The Motels lead singer Martha Davis

Music History Today: July 16, 2021

July 16,  2000:  Matchbox 20 rose to Number 1 with the smash "Bent."

If there’s one sentiment that comes off from the onset of “Bent”, it’s the narrator perceiving himself as being a vulnerable individual. 

Rob Thomas

Music History Today: July 15, 2021

July 15, 1966: Sweet Charity, a musical directed and choreographed for Broadway by Bob Fosse, closed after a successful 25 week run.

"Big Spender" is a song written by Cy Coleman and Dorothy Fields for the musical Sweet Charity, first performed in 1966. 

Music History Today: July 14, 2021

July 14, 1984: "Ghostbusters" from Ray Parker, Jr. moved from Number 19 to 8 on this date.

“Ghostbusters” exists as a song because a bunch of people said no. Columbia Pictures knew it had a hit on its hands with Ghostbusters.

Music History Today: July 13, 2021

July 13, 2002: "Hero" by Chad Kroeger from the Spiderman movie peaked at Number 3 in the US.

"Hero" is a song recorded by Chad Kroeger (lead vocalist of Nickelback) and Josey Scott (then lead vocalist of Saliva) for the soundtrack to the 2002 film Spider-Man. It was written by Kroeger and recorded specifically for the film.

Music History Today: July 12, 2021

July 12, 1986: Simply Red reached Number 1 with "Holding Back The Years."

Simply Red front-man Mick Hucknall wrote 'Holding Back the Years', while his former Frantic Elevators bandmate Neil Moss also has a songwriting credit.

Music History Today: July 11, 2021

July 11, 1969: David Bowie released "Space Oddity" in the U.K., timing the release with the Apollo moon landing.

When the 22-year-old David Bowie penned Space Oddity, a song that would ultimately become a recognized classic, he was a burgeoning pop artist without a record deal.  A folk singer without a gig, a sometime mime, and a purveyor of ice creams. His first serious relationship, with the actress Hermione Farthingale, was in free fall.

David Bowie

Music History Today: July 10, 2021

July 10, 1984: Huey Lewis and the News released "If This Is It." 

"If This Is It" by Huey Lewis and the News was released as the fourth single from their number-one album Sports in 1984.

Huey Lewis

Music History Today: July 9, 2021

July 9, 1977: The fastest-moving song on the US singles chart, from Number 60 to 47, was "Black Betty" by Ram Jam. 

In 1977, the band Ram Jam had the hit of their career with the song “Black Betty.” 

Music History Today: July 8, 2021

July 8,  2000: "Wonderful" by Everclear debuted at Number 77 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart.  

“Wonderful” begins with the word wonderful repeated over and over again by different people of different ages. Voices sweet, gruff and skeptical. Young and old. Male and female. 

Everclear

Music History Today: July 7, 2021

July 7, 1984: "When Doves Cry" went to Number  1 on the Hot 100, giving Prince his first chart-topper. 

“When Doves Cry” was released on May 16, 1984, as the first single off of the “Purple Rain” album, giving momentum to the film’s July 1984 release.

Prince

Music History Today: July 6, 2021

July 6, 1974: "Tell Me Something Good" by Rufus featuring Chaka Kahn makes a big move from Number 58 to 43 on the US singles chart.

"Tell Me Something Good" by Rufus and Chaka Khan was written by Stevie Wonder. The single was a hit in the United States, peaking at number three on the Billboard Hot 100.

Music History Today: July 5, 2021

July 5, 1986: "Your Wildest Dreams" by the Moody Blues took over at Number 1 on the Adult Contemporary chart.

“Your Wildest Dreams” is a single from The Moody Blues’ 1986 LP “The Other Side of Life.” 

Justin Hayward of the Moody Blues

Music History Today: July 4, 2021

July 4, 1981: George Harrison peaked at Number 2 with "All Those Years Ago."

 On May 7, 1981, George Harrison released his tribute to John Lennon, “All Those Years Ago.” The song is notable for being the first record since the Beatles' 1970 breakup to feature all three surviving group members, George Harrison, Paul McCartney, and Ringo Starr.

George Harrison 

Music History Today: July 3, 2021

July 3, 1982: Jennifer Holliday enters the Billboard Hot 100 chart with "And I Am Telling You (I’m Not Going)" from Dreamgirls. 

"And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going" is a torch song from the Broadway musical Dreamgirls. 

Music History Today: July 2, 2021

July 2, 1988: Michael Jackson's "Dirty Diana" hit number 1 on the Hot 100 and made him the first artist to score five Number 1 singles from the same album (Bad).

During his life, Michael Jackson had to explain his songs, especially Dirty Diana. In fact, Michael spent a great deal of time explaining who Dirty Diana was not about, rather than telling the true meaning of the song.

Michael Jackson