Music History Today: July 10, 2023

July 10, 1976: One Hit Wonders Starland Vocal Band started a two-week run atop the US singles chart with "Afternoon Delight."

Starland Vocal Band won the Grammy for Best New Artist of 1976 on the strength of "Afternoon Delight," beating out the band Boston.

Starland Vocal Band

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In 1977, on the strength of this hit, the quartet was given their own summer replacement TV series on CBS called The Starland Vocal Band. An unknown comic named David Letterman appeared on the show. Under the name Fat City, the group sang backup on John Denver's "Take Me Home Country Roads." 

Read more: Songfacts

July 10, 1947: Arlo Guthrie was born to Woody Guthrie in Coney Island, New York.

Perhaps Arlo Guthrie's best-known album is 1972's Hobo's Lullaby, featuring the definitive version of Steve Goodman's "City of New Orleans."

Arlo Guthrie

The song was composed by the Chicago singer-songwriter Steve Goodman in 1970. Goodman wrote the lyrics on a sketch pad after his wife fell asleep on the Illinois Central train. Goodman wrote about what he saw looking out the train windows and playing cards in the club car. Everything in the song happened on the ride. 

Read more: Wikipedia

 

July 10, 1967: Bobbie Gentry recorded "Ode to Billie Joe."

"Ode to Billie Joe" tells the story of the fictional Billie Joe McAllister, who kills himself by jumping off the Tallahatchie Bridge. There is a Tallahatchie Bridge in Money, Mississippi, but Gentry made up the story. A family finds out about the death of Billie Joe and shares gossip about him at the dinner table, along with their other mundane concerns. Bobbie Gentry explained: "The song's message revolves around the nonchalant way the family talks about the suicide. The song is a study in unconscious cruelty." 

Read more: Performing Songwriter

July 10, 1981: Rick James released "Super Freak."

"Super Freak" is about a girl who is very adventurous sexually, especially with band members. A "freak" is slang for someone willing to try various fetishes.

Rick James

Thus a "Super Freak" will try just about anything. James was famous for his penchant for "freakish" behavior, which got him in trouble with the law when he and his girlfriend were arrested for kidnapping another girl for sex. 

Read more: Songfacts