Music History Today: January 3, 2022

January 3, 2001: The Dave Matthews Band became the first major artist to release a song on Napster with "I Did It." 

"I Did It" was the lead single from Dave Matthews Band's album Everyday.

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They released the single directly to Napster, the controversial file-swapping service, 6 weeks before the new album was officially released.  It reached #71 on the Billboard Hot 100, #5 Modern Rock Tracks, and #40 on Adult Top 40. 

Read more: Wikipedia

January 3, 1953: "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus" by Jimmy Boyd became the Number 1 song on the Cash Box chart.

"I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus," first recorded by Jimmy Boyd in 1952, has since been covered by many artists. 

The New Yorker cover1939

The song was commissioned by Saks Fifth Avenue to promote the store's Christmas card for the year, which featured an original sketch by artist Perry Barlow, who drew for The New Yorker for many decades.  

Read more: Wikipedia

January 3, 1976: "Sweet Thing" Rufus, featuring Chaka Khan, debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart.

After a tentative commercial start with their self-titled 1973 debut, the Chicago soul and funk A-listers who made up Rufus hit their stride.

 

Their next three albums all went top ten on both the soul and pop charts, as their lead singer built a reputation that demanded they call the fourth LP Rufus Featuring Chaka Khan. On February 21, 1976, that album gave them a new R&B No.1 with “Sweet Thing,” which became the group’s second gold single. 

Read more: U Discover Music

January 3, 1980: The Jim Carroll Band released the studio album Catholic Boy. 

Jim Carroll's memoir The Basketball Diaries made clear he had an uncanny knack for capturing the dark and gritty rhythms of the New York streets.

 

His poetry collections such as Living at the Movies recorded the edgy grace of his verse. Carroll was able to merge both of those qualities on his songs for Catholic Boy. Of course, this being rock & roll, it's the gritty stuff that's stands out best, especially the unrelenting "People Who Died." 

Read more: Allmusic

January 3, 1983: The Greg Kihn Band released the single "Jeopardy."

"Jeopardy" was the biggest hit for Greg Kihn Band, and it was a slow build: The group released nine albums between 1978 and 1986, and didn't have a hit until "The Breakup Song (They Don't Write 'Em)," which appeared on album number six. "Jeopardy" came on their eighth album. 

Read more: Songfacts

I Did It
Dave Matthews Band