Saturday, December 17, 2022

Music History Today: December 18, 2022

December 18, 1966: How the Grinch Stole Christmas! premiered on US television. 

"How the Grinch Stole Christmas!" featured the song "You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch." It was performed by Thurl Ravenscroft, best known as the voice of Kellogg's Tony the Tiger, announcing, "They're gr..Gr..GR.. GREAT!". 

How the Grinch Stole Christmas! 1966 soundtrack

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The vocals are sometimes mistakenly attributed to Boris Karloff, who narrated the film and voiced the Grinch. The soundtrack to the special won the Grammy Award for Best Album for Children at the 10th Annual Grammy Awards. 
Read more: Wikipedia

December 18, 1965: Roger Miller topped out at Number 8 on Billboard's Hot 100 with "England Swings." 

The song “England Swings” is about the typical life in London back in the days. Roger Miller sings about how life is when living in London or when you travel there. He also mentioned famous places in England, like the Westminster Abbey and the Big Ben. He describes the people living in England, how they dress and how they look. 
Read more: Country Thang Daily

December 18, 1968: The musical-fantasy film Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, starring Dick Van Dyke was released in the US. The theme song was nominated for an Academy Award.

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang movie poster

December 18, 1976: Manfred Mann's Earth Band's cover of Bruce Springsteen's "Blinded by the Light" hit Number 40 on Billboard's Hot 100. It would peak at Number 2.

December 18, 1982: "Shame on the Moon" by Bob Seger & the Silver Bullet Band entered Billboard's 100 at Number 40.
Bob Seger wrote most of his own material, but one of his biggest hits, "Shame On The Moon," was a cover. It was written by Rodney Crowell, who recorded it on his 1981 self-titled album. The plaintive song reflects on the burdens and compulsions every man carries, which seem to be most acute around midnight. 
Read more: Songfacts


You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch

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