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

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The band's biggest hit and breakthrough single, it reached the top of the US Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart and number nine on the Billboard Hot 100. According to lead singer Brandon Boyd, "The lyric is basically about fear, about being driven all your life by it and making decisions from fear." 

Read more: Wikipedia

July 28, 1951: Rosemary Clooney's "Come-On-A My House" hits number 1 in the US for the first of eight weeks.

Rosemary Clooney was loathe to record songs like “Come On-a My House” because she felt they were too gimmicky and heavy with double-entendres, instead wanting people to focus on her smooth, jazz-based work.

Rosemary Clooney

But there’s no denying their success, their role in establishing Clooney as a star, or that they’re just plain fun — regardless of how Clooney felt about such songs, you can practically hear a smile on her face as she sings them. 

Read more: Pop Matters

July 28, 1962: "Sealed with a Kiss" by Brian Hyland peaked at number 3 on the charts.

"Sealed with a Kiss," written and composed by Peter Udell and Gary Geld, first became a hit in 1962 for Brian Hyland. The original recording of the song was by the Four Voices, released as a single in May 1960 without becoming a hit.

Brian Hyland

In 1962, Brian Hyland covered the song. Hyland recalls Geld saying the song was "based on, but not totally based on, a Bach finger exercise." Hyland's single began its run on June 9, 1962, and became a top 3 hit, reaching No. 3 on both the Billboard Hot 100 and the UK Singles Chart. 

Read more: Wikipedia

July 28, 1972: Mott The Hoople released the single "All The Young Dudes."

Just at the moment Mott the Hoople were calling it a day, David Bowie swooped in and convinced them to stick around. 

Mott The Hoople

Bowie spearheaded an image makeover, urging them to glam themselves up. He gave them a surefire hit with "All the Young Dudes," had them cover his idol's "Sweet Jane," and produced All the Young Dudes, the album that was designed to make them stars.   

Read more: Allmusic 

 

July 28, 1979: Supertramp made a big move up the chart from 56 to 45 with "Goodbye Stranger."

Hailing from the UK, Supertramp released “Goodbye Stranger,” in 1979.  The track didn’t become successful in their home country but reached several top charts around the world. In the U.S. the song reached #15 and #6 in Canada. “Goodbye Stranger” has a very obvious meaning covered in an equally matched upbeat melodic tone. It is simply about two people reaching the end of their relationship. 

Read more: Society of Rock

 

Drive
Incubus