Music History Today: December 12, 2022

December 12, 1992: The Bodyguard movie soundtrack took over the top of the US Hot 200 album chart in the US.

The Bodyguard's first six songs rank among Whitney Houston's best efforts. "I Have Nothing," "Queen of the Night," "Run to You," and especially her cover of "I'm Every Woman" are all first-rate urban pop songs. 

Whitney Houston

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It may seem odd that a soundtrack is Houston's biggest-selling album to date, but even her best records had five or six great songs surrounded by well-constructed filler; the same is true here; only the filler is recorded by other artists. 

Read more: Allmusic

December 12, 1938: Connie Francis was born in the Ironbound neighborhood of Newark, New Jersey.

Connie Francis is the prototype for the female pop singer of today.

Connie Francis

At the height of her chart popularity, she amassed record sales equal to or surpassing those of many of her male contemporaries. Ultimately, she branched into other styles of music; big band, country, ethnic, and more. She still challenges Madonna as the biggest-selling female recording artist of all time. 

Read more: Allmusic

December 12, 1975: Bruce Springsteen recorded "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town."

The earliest known recorded version of “Santa Claus Is Coming To Town" was by banjoist Harry Reser and his band on October 24, 1934. It was then sung on Eddie Cantor's radio show in November 1934 and became an instant hit. The only US Top 40 entry for this song is the 1962 version by The Four Seasons, which hit Number 23. 

Read more: Artistfacts

December 12, 1987: Richard Marx peaked at Number 3 with "Should've Known Better."

"Should've Known Better" was Richard Marx's second single, following "Don't Mean Nothing." With his next singles, "Endless Summer Nights" and "Hold On To The Nights," he became the first male singer with four Top 3 hits from his debut album. His first seven singles made the Top 4. 

Read more: Songfacts

 

December 12, 1999: The Talented Mr. Ripley starring Matt Damon, premiered at the Fox Bruin Theater in Westwood, Los Angeles. 

Set in late 1950s New York, Tom Ripley, a young underachiever, is sent to Italy to retrieve Dickie Greenleaf, a rich and spoiled millionaire jazz-aficionado playboy. Damon performs in a compelling jazz rendition of "My Funny Valentine" to Chet Atkins's background music. 

Read more: IMDB

I Have Nothing
Whitney Houston