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

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He acknowledges there's the strong likelihood of unfavorable occurrences transpiring in his life. This is what the singer is referring to when he says he’s “bent”, being in an extremely-unfavorable condition. He's questioning the commitment of his romantic interest to their relationship. Will she remain by his side and assist him once such a calamity transpires? 

Read more: Song Meanings and Facts

July 16, 1965: The Animals released "We've Gotta Get Out of This Place" in the UK.

During his keynote speech at 2012 SXSW, Bruce Springsteen announced that “We’ve Gotta Get Out Of This Place” was “every song I’ve ever written. All of them.”

The Animals

Springsteen, who has been performing The Animals’ 1965 single for decades, most recently this summer in Cardiff with Eric Burdon, is far from alone in recognising himself in a powerful, protean anthem to personal transformation. This portrait of the tyranny of work, the lurking shadow of death and the desperate desire to escape to “a better life” has spoken to generations. 

Read more: Uncut UK

July 16, 1977: Shaun Cassidy's "Da Doo Ron Ron" hits Number 1 in the US.

Michael Jackson was the first singer ever to top the Billboard Hot 100 who was younger than the Hot 100 itself. 

Shaun Cassidy

Jackson was born in August 1958, a few weeks after Billboard launched the Hot 100. Jackson was 11 when he recorded the lead vocal on the Jackson 5’s “I Want You Back.” It wasn’t until 1977 — more than seven years after “I Want You Back” — that another singer younger than the Hot 100 would top the Hot 100. Shaun Cassidy, the second person to pull this feat off, did it with “I Want You Back.” 

Read more: Stereogum

 

July 16, 1983: "Come Dancing" by The Kinks peaked at Number 6.

Found on the 1983 album State Of Confusion, “Come Dancing” freely indulges in nostalgia, somewhat bittersweet but ultimately uplifting. Yet the song was born from a tragic incident in the life of Ray Davies: the death of his older sister Rene of a heart attack at age 31 on the same day she gave Ray a memorable 13th birthday present. 

Read more: American Songwriter

July 16, 2002: "Where Are You Going" by Dave Matthews Band was released from the album Busted Stuff.

"Where Are You Going" is the first single from Dave Matthews Band's album Busted Stuff. The single reached number 39 on the Billboard Hot 100, number 20 on the Modern Rock Tracks, and topped the Triple A chart.  

Read more: Wikipedia

Bent
Matchbox 20