Music History Today: March 10, 2022

March 10, 1984: “Weird” Al Yankovic enters Billboard's Hot 100 chart at Number 59 with "Eat It."

Of all the common denominators shared by humanity, Weird Al Yankovic seems to have found that the most widely relatable and humorously mineable material is food. 

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Yankovic had this comedic epiphany early on, evidenced by the food songs that make up a substantial part of his early work. That’s why an artist who already carried the moniker of “Weird Al” also earned himself a second nickname: the “Eat It” guy. 

Read more: The Takeout

March 10, 1966: Bob Dylan recorded "Rainy Day Women #12 & 35."

"Rainy Day Women #12 & 35" is notable for its brass band arrangement and the controversial chorus "Everybody must get stoned".

Bob Dylan 1966

Al Kooper, who played keyboards on Blonde on Blonde, recalled that when Dylan initially demoed the song to the backing musicians in Columbia's Nashville studio, producer Bob Johnston suggested that "it would sound great Salvation Army style." 

Read more: Wikipedia

March 10, 1973: Alice Cooper entered the American Top 40 chart with "Hello Hooray."

One of four hit singles from the Billion Dollar Babies album, "Hello Hooray" is a burlesque-style track that producer Bob Ezrin chose to open the album.

Alice Cooper 1973

Alice Cooper notes, "Even though we didn't write it, we 'Cooperized' it, and it worked perfectly to open the album and the Billion Dollar Babies stage show." 

Read more: Nights with Alice Cooper

 

March 10, 1986: Waylon Jennings released the album Will the Wolf Survive.

Moving to MCA after a long stay at RCA brought Jennings a new producer in Jimmy Bowen and a fresh approach, resulting in one of his better albums, typified by his version of the Los Lobos title track and a cover of Steve Earle's tailor-made "The Devil's Right Hand." 

Read more: Allmusic

March 10, 1990: The B-52s peaked at Number 3 with "Roam." 

Released as the follow-up single to "Love Shack," "Roam" also climbed to #3 in the US, giving the B-52s two huge hits from the Cosmic Thing album.

Like the "Love Shack" video, "Roam" was directed by Adam Bernstein. It also did very well on MTV, thanks to the photogenic leading ladies and curious compositing, showing the band in various exotic locales. 

Read more: Songfacts

Eat It
Weird Al Yankovic

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