Music History Today: January 10, 2022

January 10, 1987: Bon Jovi entered the top 40 section of the US music chart on the way to the top with "Livin' On a Prayer." 

The follow-up to their Number 1 hit "You Give Love A Bad Name," "Livin' On a Prayer" tells the story of Tommy and Gina, two kids working to make it on their own despite constant hardships.

Bon Jovi

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It struck a chord with America's youth, especially the ones from New Jersey. The characters in the song relate to the working-class fans Bon Jovi played to Tommy works on the docks, while Gina works in a diner. 

Read more: Songfacts

January 10, 1927: Johnnie Ray was born on January 10, 1927, in Dallas, Oregon.

In the early 1950s, Johnnie Ray was arguably the most significant musical star in the world. His emotional singing earned him the titles "The Prince of Wails," "The Cry Guy," and "The Million Dollar Teardrop" and put him at the top of the music charts.

He rose quickly from obscurity in the United States with the release of his 1952 debut album Johnnie Ray. It produced a 78 rpm single, both of whose sides - "Cry" and "The Little White Cloud That Cried" - reached the Billboard magazine's Top Hot 100 chart. 

Read more: Oregon Encyclopedia

January 10, 1970: Bobby Sherman peaked at Number 9 on Billboard's Hot 100 with "La La La (If I Had You)."

Bobby Sherman

Bobby Sherman became a teen idol in the late 1960s and early 1970s. He had a series of successful singles, notably the million-seller "Little Woman." Danny Janssen wrote that song and "La La La (If I Had You)." 

Read more: Wikipedia

 

January 10, 1983: U2 released "New Year's Day," the first single from their War album.

"New Year's Day" was the first U2 video to get heavy airplay on MTV and their first song to chart in America. It reached Number 53 on Billboard's Hot 100. It was also their first Top 10 hit in the UK, reaching Number 10. 

Read more: Wikipedia

January 10, 2004: "Unwell" by Matchbox Twenty moved into the top 40 section of Billboard's Hot 100.

The lead singer of Matchbox Twenty, Rob Thomas, wrote "Unwell." On the live DVD Show, he explains that this song is about people who are "F--ked up and feel alone like that," adding, "We all feel a little f--ked up sometimes... you're not alone." 

Read more: Songfacts

 

Livin' On a Prayer
Bon Jovi