Music History Today: January 6, 2022

January 6, 1979: "My Life" by Billy Joel made it to the Top 3 singles in the US. 

"My Life," from his 52nd Street album, was Billy Joel's seventh Billboard Top 40 hit.

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Allegedly, the verse "closed the shop, sold the house, bought a ticket to the west coast; now he gives them a stand-up routine in LA" refers to comedian Richard Lewis. Lewis is indeed native to Joel's stomping ground, born in New York City and raised in New Jersey. 

Read more: Songfacts

January 6, 1958: Chuck Berry recorded "Johnny B. Goode." 

"Johnny B. Goode" is considered one of the most recognizable songs in the history of popular music. Credited as "the first rock & roll hit about rock & roll stardom", it has been recorded by many other artists and has received several honors and accolades, including being ranked seventh on Rolling Stone's list of the "500 Greatest Songs of All Time." 

Read more: Wikipedia

January 6, 1962: Neil Sedaka peaked at Number 6 with "Happy Birthday, Sweet Sixteen."

In 1961 the Neil Sedaka song, “Happy Birthday, Sweet Sixteen” was a Top 10 smash hit.

Neil Sedaka

The story contained within the song is so innocent and certainly not like anything you’d hear on the radio today. A young man has watched his friend grow up over the years and now that she’s reached her sweet sixteen, he asks her to be his girlfriend. 

Read more: Dusty Old Thing

January 6, 1979: The Babys debuted on the Billboard's Hot 100 singles chart with "Every Time I Think of You."

"Every Time I Think of You" was written by Jack Conrad and Ray Kennedy and released as the lead single from The Babys' third studio album Head First.

The Babys

John Waite provided lead vocals featuring female vocals by Myrna Matthews. It ascended to a Billboard Hot 100 peak of number 13 in April 1979. 

Read more: Wikipedia

January 6, 2007: Weird Al Yankovic closes in on the American Top 40, moving from Number 55 to 44, with what will become his first Top 10 hit, "White & Nerdy."

"White & Nerdy" is a parody of Chamillionaire's "Ridin." It pokes fun at the white guys who want to be black and gangster, even though they are actually geeks and nerds. Donny Osmond appears in the video, dancing behind Weird Al in the role that Krayzie Bone plays in "Ridin."  Osmond danced for the full three minutes of the song in one take.

Read more: Songfacts

My Life
Billy Joel