Saturday, May 13, 2023

Music History Today: May 14, 2023

May 14, 1988: INXS entered Billboard's Hot 100 on the way to Number 3 with "New Sensation."

Like all the original tracks on Kick, "New Sensation" was written by INXS lead singer Michael Hutchence and Andrew Farriss, who played several instruments in the group.

INXS 1988
INXS 1988

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Farriss devised a guitar riff that carries the track musically; Hutchence added the "seize the day" lyric, encouraging us to live boldly, seeking new sensations. Listen carefully under the guitar, and you'll hear a banjo line, which Andrew Farriss added using a sampler. 
Read more: Songfacts

May 14, 1966: Simon and Garfunkel moved from Number 62 to 24 on the US singles chart with "I Am a Rock." It peaked at Number 3.

Paul Simon was going solo because Simon & Garfunkel's 1964 debut album Wednesday Morning, 3 A.M. had stiffed, and the duo split up. Late in 1965, the producer Tom Wilson overdubbed and remixed a track from that album, "The Sound Of Silence," and it became a huge hit. Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel were summoned back to the studio, where they recorded the singles "I Am A Rock" and "Homeward Bound."  
Read more: Songfacts

May 14, 1972: Mott the Hoople recorded "All the Young Dudes."

"All the Young Dudes" was written and produced by David Bowie. Mott The Hoople didn't know this when they recorded it, but Bowie intended this song for his The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders From Mars concept album. The "All the young dudes carry the news" line refers to the part of Bowie's story where there is no electricity, and Ziggy Stardust uses songs to spread the news. 
Read more: Medium

May 14, 1983: The Eurythmics entered the American music chart with "Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This)."

"Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This)," the title track to their second album and a breakout hit,  topped Billboard's Hot 100. 

The Eurythmics
The Eurythmics

Three other songs from the album were released as singles in the UK before their label, RCA, finally issued "Sweet Dreams." When they did, it climbed to Number 2 in March 1983. After it became a UK hit, RCA put it out as Eurythmics' first single in America. 

Read more: Ultimate Classic Rock

May 14, 2005: "American Baby" by Dave Matthews Band entered the US singles chart at Number 19. It peaked at 16. 

Dave Matthews wrote this song the day after George W. Bush won re-election for US president in 2004. Matthews did not support Bush and encouraged others with his views not to give up hope. 

New Sensation
INXS

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