Sunday, February 6, 2022

Music History Today: February 7, 2022

February 7, 1985: The Breakfast Club (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) album was released in Los Angeles, California.

Any fan of John Hughes or '80s teen culture remembers the soundtrack to The Breakfast Club for one reason: Simple Minds' stone classic "Don't You (Forget About Me)."

The Breakfast Club movie poster
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One of the few new wave songs that could seriously be called an anthem, the song made an indelible impression on an entire generation, which is no exaggeration for many Gen-Xers. "Don't You (Forget About Me)" is the sound of the mid-'80s, without exception. 
Read more: Allmusic

February 7, 1971: Linda Ronstadt and James Taylor recorded the backup vocals for Neil Young's "Heart Of Gold." 

Neil Young’s “Heart of Gold” is a classic song, however, Bob Dylan took issue with it. In fact, he said he “never got over” his dislike of the song. “The only time it bothered me that someone sounded like me was when I was living in Phoenix, Arizona, in about ’72 and the big song at the time was ‘Heart of Gold,’” Dylan told Spin in 1985. “I always liked Neil Young, but it bothered me every time I listened to ‘Heart of Gold.’ …I’d say, ‘Sh*t, that’s me.’” 
Read more: Cheat Sheet

February 7, 1976: Hot Chocolate peaked at Number 3 on the American music chart with  "You Sexy Thing."

"You Sexy Thing" by Hot Chocolate was written by lead singer Errol Brown and bass guitarist Tony Wilson. In the UK the song was poised for the number-one spot, but was beaten to it by "Bohemian Rhapsody" when the Queen single leaped above it from number nine. 
Read more: Wikipedia

February 7, 1981: Blondie made a big move the second week on the American chart, from Number 61 to 42, with "Rapture."

The rap on Blondie’s “Rapture” is that it’s the first rap song that ever went to #1 in the US.

Debbie Harry
Debbie Harry

That’s a significant milestone, but it’s a misleading one, too. “Rapture” isn’t really a rap song. It’s a stretch to refer to what Debbie Harry does on “Rapture” as rapping.    
Read more: Steroegum

February 7, 1987: Madonna had the Number 1 song in the US with "Open Your Heart."

People notice Madonna. This would’ve been the case whether or not she ever got famous. 

September 10, 1987: Madonna on the cover of Rolling Stone magazine
September 10, 1987: Madonna on the
cover of Rolling Stone magazine

Some people radiate self-assurance so powerfully that they change the chemistry of the air whenever they walk into a room. That’s Madonna, and that’s how Madonna has always liked it. If someone does not notice Madonna, it’s a problem. That problem is the story of “Open Your Heart.” 

Read more: Stereogum

Don't You (Forget About Me)
Simple Minds

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