Music History Today: January 7, 2022

January 7, 1989: The Bangles peaked at Number 5 on Billboard with "In Your Room."

The leadoff track (and first single) from the Bangles' Everything album, "In Your Room" is a sprightly pop/rocker with heavy psychedelic overtones.

The Bangles

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The simulated sitar riffs (performed by Vicki Peterson) give the whole song a peculiar but attractive ambience. The song's heavy, hard rock/R&B-tinged chorus and bridge give the entire piece a great dynamic.

Read more: Allmusic

January 7, 1967: Keith entered the American Top 40, at 37, with "98.6."

"98.6" by Keith reached No. 7 on the Billboard chart and No. 24 on the UK Singles Chart in 1967 and appeared on his 1967 album 98.6/Ain't Gonna Lie. The Tokens ("The Lion Sleeps Tonight"), who had provided the backing vocals on Keith's debut single, "Ain't Gonna Lie", did the same for "98.6". 

Read more: Wikipedia

January 7, 1972: David Bowie released the single "Changes" from the album Hunky Dory.

In the spring of 1971, when David Bowie wrote the now classic line ‘Turn and face the strange’, he created a mission statement for the next decade of his career.

David Bowie

At the age of 24, seven years into that career, three albums and ‘a million dead end streets’ behind him, Bowie had been brooding on the sidelines as friendly rivals Marc Bolan and Elton John started to find stardom.  Determined not to be left behind, he pooled his creative strengths and began writing songs that were “more immediate”.  

Read more: Louder Sound

January 7, 1978:  "Sentimental Lady" by Bob Welch made it to Number 8 on Billboard's Hot 100 chart.

The original version of Bob Welch's "Sentimental Lady" appeared on Fleetwood Mac's 1972 album Bare Trees, but it wasn't until five years later that the song would find chart success.

Bob Welch

While there isn't an overwhelming difference between the first version and the one that appears on Welch's French Kiss album, the revamped rendition has a noticeably smoother feel, with a softer vocal track and less wow to the guitar parts. Welch's soft rock appeal gave "Sentimental Lady" a Top Ten placing.

Read more: Allmusic

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January 7, 1984: "Wrapped Around Your Finger" by The Police entered the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.

A complex take on power dynamics in relationships, "Wrapped Around Your Finger" became the third Top Ten hit from the Police's Synchronicity album in early 1984.

The song was full of subtle reggae syncopations, from the light synth backing to the way Sting's voice attacked new words mostly on the offbeat, and this rhythmic emphasis perked up what might have turned out a straight-ahead ballad. The psychodrama played out in the lyrics commands equal attention, revolving around an older and/or more experienced woman selecting a naïve, easily dominated male partner. 

Read more: Allmusic

In Your Room
The Bangles