Music History Today: February 18, 2022

February 18, 1984: Queen entered the US music chart at Number 65 with "Radio Ga-Ga."

“Radio Ga Ga” is the first track off of Queen’s 1984 album “The Works”.

Freddie Mercury

(sign up to follow by email)

Written by the band’s drummer Roger Taylor, derived from the term “radio caca” which he heard from his toddler. Changing the term “caca” to “ga ga” (which is where popstar Lady Gaga got her name inspiration from), turned the song into a commentary on the television overtaking the radio in terms of popularity. 

Read more: Story of Song

February 18, 1960: The Everly Brothers recorded "When Will I Be Loved."

“When Will I Be Loved” was written by Phil Everly and originally recorded by The Everly Brothers for their “The Fabulous Style of The Everly Brothers” LP.

The Everly Brothers

Phil was in his parked car outside a root beer stand when he worked on the track. He drew inspiration from his on-again, off-again romantic relationship with Cadence Records founder Archie Bleyer’s stepdaughter. At the time, they wanted to move from their signature rockabilly style into something more pop-rock oriented. 

Read more: Society of Rock

February 18, 1967: Harpers Bizarre entered Billboard's Hot 100 singles chart with "The 59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin' Groovy)." 

Harpers Bizarre was an American band, whose sound belonged to the “sunshine pop” category which was popular in mid-1960s; they could also be noted for their baroque pop arrangements.

Harpers Bizarre

Formerly known as the Tikis, they renamed themselves Harpers Bizarre and released their first single “The 59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin’ Groovy)” under their new name. 

Read more: Mental Itch

February 18, 1978: The Trammps debuted on Billboard's Hot 100 list with "Disco Inferno."

In Disco Inferno, the story of Faust is brought to life in an explosion of hit songs, high-energy dance routines and glitter ball-spinning action. Three words that describe this stylized musical would be "Faust with Flare." Grabbing that jive-old story and injecting it with groove, Disco Inferno is chock-full of the songs that defined a generation. 

Read more: Music Theatre International

February 18, 1995: "I Believe" by Blessid Union Of Souls started climbing the US charts.

"I Believe" by the American alternative rock band Blessid Union of Souls is from their 1995 debut album Home.

Blessid Union of Souls 

It is one of their most popular songs, and their highest-charting in the United States, reaching number 8 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song was written after vocalist Eliot Sloan's girlfriend "Lisa" was forced by her father to stop dating Sloan because of his race. 

Read more: Wikipedia

Radio Ga-Ga
Queen