Music History Today: April 11, 2022

April 11, 1992: Def Leppard's "Let's Get Rocked" debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 at Number 27, well within the America Top 40 chart.

"Let's Get Rocked" by Def Leppard peaked at number one on the Billboard Album Rock Tracks chart, number 15 on the Billboard Hot 100, number two on the UK Singles Chart, and number three on the Canadian RPM Top Singles chart.

Def Leppard

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The lyrics are about a teenager disobeying the orders of his parents. According to Joe Elliott, this song was an escapism since the band was working on the "White Lightning" song and felt like doing something to lighten the atmosphere. 

Read more: Wikipedia

April 11, 1964: Terry Stafford broke through the Beatles' lock on all the Top 5 positions when "Suspicion" peaked at Number 3 in that chart. 

In the early months of 1964, on their inaugural tour of North America, the Beatles seemed to be everywhere. On Billboard magazine’s April 4, 1964, Hot 100 list, the “Fab Four” held the top five positions.

Terry Stafford

One notch down at #6 was Suspicion, by a virtually unknown singer from Amarillo, Texas, named Terry Stafford. The following week Suspicion – a song that sounded suspiciously like Elvis Presley using an alias – moved up to #3, wedged between the Beatles’ Twist and Shout and She Loves You. 

Read more: Jerry Reuss

April 11, 1970: At Number 58,  Simon & Garfunkel entered Billboard's Hot 100 single chart with "Cecelia."  

The origins of "Cecilia," the third single released from  Simon & Garfunkel's album Bridge over Troubled Water, lie in a late-night party, in which the duo and friends began banging on a piano bench. They recorded the sound with a tape recorder. Simon later wrote the song's guitar line and lyrics on the subject of an untrustworthy lover. The song peaked at number four on the Billboard Hot 100. 

Read more: Wikipedia

April 11, 1981: Kim Carnes entered the American Top 40 chart when "Bette Davis Eyes" moved from Number 57 to 33 on its way to the top. 

Bette Davis was a famous actress known for playing characters who were often unsympathetic or morally grey. She was also known for her distinctive eyes.

Kim Carnes

When Kim Carnes says the main figure of her song has “Bette Davis Eyes,” she’s signaling to the audience that the character cannot be trusted, no matter how beautiful she is. At the same time, the main character from “Bette Davis Eyes” seems cool in her way. She might mistreat her lovers but she’s still attractive and seductive. 

Read more: Cheat Sheet

April 11, 1987: Wang Chung's "Let's Go" peaked at Number 9 on the American music chart.

"Let's Go!" featured on Wang Chung's album, Mosaic. It was a hit in the United States, where it provided them with their second (and so far, last) Top 10 hit on the Billboard Hot 100. The single also formed the basis for its official music video. Jack Hues sings the verses of the song, and Nick Feldman sings the bridge. Both sing the chorus. 

Read more: Wikipedia

Let's Get Rocked
Def Leppard