Music History Today: February 19, 2023

February 19, 2000: "All the Small Things" by Blink 182 peaked at Number 6 in the US.

The guitarist for Blink-182, Tom DeLonge, wrote "All the Small Things" for his girlfriend after she complained that he always writes songs about other girls.

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He was afraid it wouldn't be good, so he kept telling her it was terrible. It ended up being a hit, and she was delighted with it. According to DeLonge, the lyrics are accurate. After a long night in the studio, his girlfriend left him roses by the stairs. 

Read more: Songfacts

February 19, 1966: Lou Christie hit Number 1 in the US on his 23rd birthday with "Lightnin' Strikes."

Lou Christie's distinctive falsetto in the hook chorus and the way "Lightnin' Strikes" builds helped make it a hit. Other hits for Lou Christie, who is a 1961 graduate of Moon High School, Moon Township, Pennsylvania, included "The Gypsy Cried" (1962), "Two Faces Have I" (1963), "Rhapsody in The Rain" (1966), and "I'm Gonna Make You Mine" (1969). 

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February 19, 1972: Harry Nilsson started a four-week run atop the US singles chart with his version of the Badfinger song "Without You." His vocal was recorded in a single take, and his performance rewarded Nilsson with his second Grammy.

February 19, 1977: Leo Sayer had his only UK chart-topper with "When I Need You."

Leo Sayer

Albert Hammond wrote "When I Need You" with Carole Bayer Sager. The song deals with Hammond's personal experiences being away from home and his loved ones. It was Sayer's sixth hit in the UK and third in the US. This was the first he had not co-written. 

Read more: Songfacts

February 19, 1983: Thomas Dolby first appeared on Billboard's Hot 100 with "She Blinded Me With Science."

"She Blinded Me With Science" is about a scientist who falls in love with his lab assistant. Thomas Dolby calls the character he created a "Slightly forlorn mad scientist." The speaking voice parts were done by Magnus Pyke, a famous TV host for a children's educational show in England. His trademark was yelling "Science!" throughout the show. Dolby, raised in London, liked the idea of bringing Pyke to an American audience and thought he was a perfect character for the video. 

Read more: Songfacts

All the Small Things
Blink-182