Curio Cabinet / Song Curio
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FREEMusic Appreciation Song CurioFree2 CQ
If you’re looking for easy listening, this isn’t the band for you. On this day in 2016, the world lost vocalist Alan Vega, one half of the New-York-based, electronic proto-punk duo Suicide. The band’s other member and lead instrumentalist, Martin Rev, was a longtime friend of Vega’s. If you’ve never heard of electronic proto-punk, you’re not alone. The genre wasn’t intended to be popular, but rather to speak plainly about societal issues from class inequality to political corruption. As such, many Suicide songs have a distinctly unsettling sound, such as 1977’s Rocket USA, which features intermittent, monotone vocals over buzzy, electronic arrangement. The song’s lyrics describe the U.S. as an out-of-control rocketship hurtling toward an unknown fate. Vega was once quoted by Louder as saying, “When we started, our philosophy was that the one thing Suicide was never going to do was entertain…In those days, audiences wanted to go see a band for entertainment. They came off the street to see us and they got the street thrown right back in their faces.” That’s pretty punk no matter how you slice it.
If you’re looking for easy listening, this isn’t the band for you. On this day in 2016, the world lost vocalist Alan Vega, one half of the New-York-based, electronic proto-punk duo Suicide. The band’s other member and lead instrumentalist, Martin Rev, was a longtime friend of Vega’s. If you’ve never heard of electronic proto-punk, you’re not alone. The genre wasn’t intended to be popular, but rather to speak plainly about societal issues from class inequality to political corruption. As such, many Suicide songs have a distinctly unsettling sound, such as 1977’s Rocket USA, which features intermittent, monotone vocals over buzzy, electronic arrangement. The song’s lyrics describe the U.S. as an out-of-control rocketship hurtling toward an unknown fate. Vega was once quoted by Louder as saying, “When we started, our philosophy was that the one thing Suicide was never going to do was entertain…In those days, audiences wanted to go see a band for entertainment. They came off the street to see us and they got the street thrown right back in their faces.” That’s pretty punk no matter how you slice it.
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FREEDrums Song CurioFree2 CQ
This jazz musician has always played to her own beat. On this day in 2010, musician Carlos Santana made headlines by proposing to his girlfriend, Cindy Blackman, (now Cindy Blackman Santana) during a concert in Illinois. At that point, Blackman had been the drummer for Santana, their shared band, for several years—but her career stretches back much further than that. In fact, Blackman has recorded with some of the most famous bands in the world, including Lenny Kravitz. She’s also released several jazz albums of her own, on which she served as both bandleader and drummer. The most famous of these is Arcane, her debut studio album released in 1988. The nearly-50-minute album includes eight tracks, though, in true jazz-album style, they all flow into one another without breaks in-between. The Album’s opening, titular track is a five-minute, upbeat bash led by Blackman’s light but prominent cymbals. Several impressive drum solo sections follow later in the album. An impressive debut for a drummer who still tours, both as a band member and solo artist, to this day!
This jazz musician has always played to her own beat. On this day in 2010, musician Carlos Santana made headlines by proposing to his girlfriend, Cindy Blackman, (now Cindy Blackman Santana) during a concert in Illinois. At that point, Blackman had been the drummer for Santana, their shared band, for several years—but her career stretches back much further than that. In fact, Blackman has recorded with some of the most famous bands in the world, including Lenny Kravitz. She’s also released several jazz albums of her own, on which she served as both bandleader and drummer. The most famous of these is Arcane, her debut studio album released in 1988. The nearly-50-minute album includes eight tracks, though, in true jazz-album style, they all flow into one another without breaks in-between. The Album’s opening, titular track is a five-minute, upbeat bash led by Blackman’s light but prominent cymbals. Several impressive drum solo sections follow later in the album. An impressive debut for a drummer who still tours, both as a band member and solo artist, to this day!
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FREEMusic Appreciation Song CurioFree2 CQ
This fast car sure hasn’t slowed down! We’ve written before about Tracy Chapman’s 1988 hit Fast Car, a song famous for its unflinching look at working class struggles. On this day last year, the bluesy folk song became a chart-topper once again, this time as a country song. A cover by country star Luke Combs reached number one on the U.S. Country Airplay chart and stayed there for two weeks. Combs had been a fan of the song since his childhood, when his father would play it for him on a cassette tape. His own working class background made the song easy to relate to, and a natural one for him to cover. Of course, Combs’ version hits differently, with his unmistakably southern twang and country instrumentation in place of Chapman’s sparse, acoustic arrangement. The cover officially made Chapman the first black woman to top the country charts as a song’s sole writer, and she even appeared on stage with Combs at the 66th Grammy Awards for an emotional duet. It’s true what they say; a good song simply never goes out of style.
This fast car sure hasn’t slowed down! We’ve written before about Tracy Chapman’s 1988 hit Fast Car, a song famous for its unflinching look at working class struggles. On this day last year, the bluesy folk song became a chart-topper once again, this time as a country song. A cover by country star Luke Combs reached number one on the U.S. Country Airplay chart and stayed there for two weeks. Combs had been a fan of the song since his childhood, when his father would play it for him on a cassette tape. His own working class background made the song easy to relate to, and a natural one for him to cover. Of course, Combs’ version hits differently, with his unmistakably southern twang and country instrumentation in place of Chapman’s sparse, acoustic arrangement. The cover officially made Chapman the first black woman to top the country charts as a song’s sole writer, and she even appeared on stage with Combs at the 66th Grammy Awards for an emotional duet. It’s true what they say; a good song simply never goes out of style.
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FREEMusic Appreciation Song CurioFree2 CQ
It’s not every day that a song wins a Grammy and an Oscar! Legendary American singer and songwriter Carly Simon, born on this day in 1945, achieved the rare feat in 1989, after her song Let the River Run from the movie Working Girl became a smash hit. The song has an unusual sound, especially for a soundtrack tune from a fairly lighthearted movie. After a slow, orchestral intro, the pop track swells to a slowish-but-steady beat with a backup chorus throughout. The choral elements are obviously gospel-inspired, yet the song was written specifically for the movie, which is about young, female office workers trying to get ahead despite a sexist office culture. Simon went on to describe the song as “a hymn to New York”, and its meaning obviously struck a chord with many people, since it not only took home an Oscar and Grammy but also tied with Phil Collins' Two Hearts at the Golden Globes for Best Original Song. At the time, Simon was the first artist in history to win these three awards for a song entirely created and performed by one artist. You could say she was a working girl!
It’s not every day that a song wins a Grammy and an Oscar! Legendary American singer and songwriter Carly Simon, born on this day in 1945, achieved the rare feat in 1989, after her song Let the River Run from the movie Working Girl became a smash hit. The song has an unusual sound, especially for a soundtrack tune from a fairly lighthearted movie. After a slow, orchestral intro, the pop track swells to a slowish-but-steady beat with a backup chorus throughout. The choral elements are obviously gospel-inspired, yet the song was written specifically for the movie, which is about young, female office workers trying to get ahead despite a sexist office culture. Simon went on to describe the song as “a hymn to New York”, and its meaning obviously struck a chord with many people, since it not only took home an Oscar and Grammy but also tied with Phil Collins' Two Hearts at the Golden Globes for Best Original Song. At the time, Simon was the first artist in history to win these three awards for a song entirely created and performed by one artist. You could say she was a working girl!
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FREEMusic Appreciation Song CurioFree2 CQ
Can we get a hallelujah? On this day in 1976, famed Nashville songwriter and producer Busbee was born. Though he tragically passed away in 2019 at the age of 43, he’ll long be remembered for his work with artists from Pink to Keith Urban to The Fray. One of his most lauded songs, co-written alongside singer Maren Morris, was 2015’s My Church. The bluesy country tune, about the almost-religious experience of listening to music while cruising down the highway, won Morris a Grammy for Best Country Solo Performance in 2017. It also earned her a nomination for Best New Artist, and the song itself was nominated for Best Country Song. My Church is a great example of Busbee’s knack for combining genres, as its distorted guitars are clearly inspired by rock while its twangy strings conjure the melancholy of the blues. If you’re looking to pay respect to this music industry titan this summer, jamming to My Church while rolling down the highway seems like a pretty fitting tribute.
Can we get a hallelujah? On this day in 1976, famed Nashville songwriter and producer Busbee was born. Though he tragically passed away in 2019 at the age of 43, he’ll long be remembered for his work with artists from Pink to Keith Urban to The Fray. One of his most lauded songs, co-written alongside singer Maren Morris, was 2015’s My Church. The bluesy country tune, about the almost-religious experience of listening to music while cruising down the highway, won Morris a Grammy for Best Country Solo Performance in 2017. It also earned her a nomination for Best New Artist, and the song itself was nominated for Best Country Song. My Church is a great example of Busbee’s knack for combining genres, as its distorted guitars are clearly inspired by rock while its twangy strings conjure the melancholy of the blues. If you’re looking to pay respect to this music industry titan this summer, jamming to My Church while rolling down the highway seems like a pretty fitting tribute.
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FREEMusic Appreciation Song CurioFree2 CQ
Today we celebrate the passing of a legend who was lost too soon. On this day in 1997, the body of 30-year-old American rock musician Jeff Buckley was recovered from the Mississippi River, where he’d gone missing a few days prior after an ill-fated swim. Though he’s best remembered for his cover of Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah, Buckley wrote and released plenty of original music, including the posthumous album Sketches for My Sweetheart the Drunk. Released a year after his death, the album featured previously unheard recordings, including The Sky is a Landfill, a song Buckley had written with bandmate Michael Tighe. Although the gritty, downbeat track uses environmentalist imagery, particularly the sky turning dark from pollution, the song was never about environmentalism. Rather, it’s a harsh critique of the music industry based on an essay from American journalist Al Giordano's essay, The Medium Is the Middleman, published in 1997. The idea was that the media was polluting the world with corporate-made garbage rather than real, soulful art. Sound familiar?
Today we celebrate the passing of a legend who was lost too soon. On this day in 1997, the body of 30-year-old American rock musician Jeff Buckley was recovered from the Mississippi River, where he’d gone missing a few days prior after an ill-fated swim. Though he’s best remembered for his cover of Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah, Buckley wrote and released plenty of original music, including the posthumous album Sketches for My Sweetheart the Drunk. Released a year after his death, the album featured previously unheard recordings, including The Sky is a Landfill, a song Buckley had written with bandmate Michael Tighe. Although the gritty, downbeat track uses environmentalist imagery, particularly the sky turning dark from pollution, the song was never about environmentalism. Rather, it’s a harsh critique of the music industry based on an essay from American journalist Al Giordano's essay, The Medium Is the Middleman, published in 1997. The idea was that the media was polluting the world with corporate-made garbage rather than real, soulful art. Sound familiar?
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FREEMusic Appreciation Song CurioFree2 CQ
It may be the epitome of 1980s camp today, but this song was a trendsetter in its time! On this day in 1983, Flashdance...What a Feeling was shooting up the Billboard Hot 100 chart, where it would remain at number one for six weeks. With its heavy emphasis on synthesizer and soaring, dramatic vocals, it was the epitome of 80s pop. Written for the movie Flashdance, the song helped change the film landscape for the following decade. Specifically, it ushered in an age of musical non-musicals—movies that weren’t actually musicals, but were still heavily centered around music. These included films like Footloose and Dirty Dancing, both of which propelled their own signature songs to hit status. Though Flashdance...What a Feeling was written by singer Irene Cara and Keith Forsey, it was composed and produced by Giorgio Morodor, who had a habit of movie-song hit making, having also produced Danger Zone for Top Gun and Don't You (Forget About Me) for The Breakfast Club. Talk about a cinematic tastemaker!
It may be the epitome of 1980s camp today, but this song was a trendsetter in its time! On this day in 1983, Flashdance...What a Feeling was shooting up the Billboard Hot 100 chart, where it would remain at number one for six weeks. With its heavy emphasis on synthesizer and soaring, dramatic vocals, it was the epitome of 80s pop. Written for the movie Flashdance, the song helped change the film landscape for the following decade. Specifically, it ushered in an age of musical non-musicals—movies that weren’t actually musicals, but were still heavily centered around music. These included films like Footloose and Dirty Dancing, both of which propelled their own signature songs to hit status. Though Flashdance...What a Feeling was written by singer Irene Cara and Keith Forsey, it was composed and produced by Giorgio Morodor, who had a habit of movie-song hit making, having also produced Danger Zone for Top Gun and Don't You (Forget About Me) for The Breakfast Club. Talk about a cinematic tastemaker!
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FREEMusic Appreciation Song CurioFree2 CQ
Some things are hard to talk about, but they’re often the things that musicians step up to sing about. That was certainly the case on this day in 1970, when folk-rock supergroup Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young recorded Ohio. The protest anthem is about events that took place just weeks before its recording, when U.S. National Guard soldiers shot four unarmed students at Kent State University in Ohio. The students had been peacefully protesting the Vietnam War, and their killings became a flashpoint in the anti-war movement. The song’s lyrics pull no punches in asking listeners to stand up for their rights rather than turn away in fear: “What if you knew her and found her dead on the ground/How can you run when you know?” In the song’s full version, the words “four dead in Ohio” are repeated more than 30 times, driving home its message in no uncertain terms. The song’s steady beat, straightforward tune, and harmonized but uncomplicated vocals make it easy to remember and sing along with. That’s a pretty important feature when it comes to protest songs. After all, the goal is for people to raise their voices!
Some things are hard to talk about, but they’re often the things that musicians step up to sing about. That was certainly the case on this day in 1970, when folk-rock supergroup Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young recorded Ohio. The protest anthem is about events that took place just weeks before its recording, when U.S. National Guard soldiers shot four unarmed students at Kent State University in Ohio. The students had been peacefully protesting the Vietnam War, and their killings became a flashpoint in the anti-war movement. The song’s lyrics pull no punches in asking listeners to stand up for their rights rather than turn away in fear: “What if you knew her and found her dead on the ground/How can you run when you know?” In the song’s full version, the words “four dead in Ohio” are repeated more than 30 times, driving home its message in no uncertain terms. The song’s steady beat, straightforward tune, and harmonized but uncomplicated vocals make it easy to remember and sing along with. That’s a pretty important feature when it comes to protest songs. After all, the goal is for people to raise their voices!
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FREEMusic Song CurioFree2 CQ
It was written on the recommendation of a movie star and named for one of the world’s most iconic rock songs—that’s a lot for one musical! On this day in 2002, We Will Rock You, a musical based on the songs of legendary rock band Queen, opened at London’s Dominion Theatre. Its 12-year run made it the Dominion's longest-running musical. Perhaps more impressive is the way the musical got started. It’s title is obviously based on Queen’s 1977 rock anthem We Will Rock You, a bare-bones yet pulse-pounding song featuring Freddie Mercury’s signature yowling vocals atop rhythmic claps and stomps. As for the musical’s inspiration, it came from a meeting between Queen members Brian May and Roger Taylor and actor Robert De Niro, whose daughter was a Queen fan. De Niro asked if the band had ever considered making a musical based on their songs. Afterward, May and Taylor teamed up with playwright Ben Elton to craft a story set 300 years in the future, in which counterculture youths fight to overthrow the corporate overlords that control their society. It seems like just the sort of romantic sci-fi story that Mercury himself would have loved.
It was written on the recommendation of a movie star and named for one of the world’s most iconic rock songs—that’s a lot for one musical! On this day in 2002, We Will Rock You, a musical based on the songs of legendary rock band Queen, opened at London’s Dominion Theatre. Its 12-year run made it the Dominion's longest-running musical. Perhaps more impressive is the way the musical got started. It’s title is obviously based on Queen’s 1977 rock anthem We Will Rock You, a bare-bones yet pulse-pounding song featuring Freddie Mercury’s signature yowling vocals atop rhythmic claps and stomps. As for the musical’s inspiration, it came from a meeting between Queen members Brian May and Roger Taylor and actor Robert De Niro, whose daughter was a Queen fan. De Niro asked if the band had ever considered making a musical based on their songs. Afterward, May and Taylor teamed up with playwright Ben Elton to craft a story set 300 years in the future, in which counterculture youths fight to overthrow the corporate overlords that control their society. It seems like just the sort of romantic sci-fi story that Mercury himself would have loved.
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FREEMusic Appreciation Song CurioFree2 CQ
You may not remember The Seekers, but they were on top down under! The 1960s were a competitive time for musicians, and no one proves that more than Australian pop-folk group The Seekers. The four-person group boasted polished instrumentals and harmonies, but so did many other groups from countries with bigger music scenes, like the U.S. and England. To get their music on the radio, the Seekers sought out the help of Tom Springfield, Dusty Springfield’s songwriter brother, who penned them what would go on to be their best-remembered hit: I'll Never Find Another You. The bouncy lovesong, with its beautiful harmonies, folklife instrumentation, and sweet lyrics about lifelong devotion was just what the 1960s ordered. Not only did the song break The Seekers onto the radio for the first time, it reached number one in Australia and the UK, and number four on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100. They went on to have several more number one hits throughout their career, though, so you could say they did find another tune.
You may not remember The Seekers, but they were on top down under! The 1960s were a competitive time for musicians, and no one proves that more than Australian pop-folk group The Seekers. The four-person group boasted polished instrumentals and harmonies, but so did many other groups from countries with bigger music scenes, like the U.S. and England. To get their music on the radio, the Seekers sought out the help of Tom Springfield, Dusty Springfield’s songwriter brother, who penned them what would go on to be their best-remembered hit: I'll Never Find Another You. The bouncy lovesong, with its beautiful harmonies, folklife instrumentation, and sweet lyrics about lifelong devotion was just what the 1960s ordered. Not only did the song break The Seekers onto the radio for the first time, it reached number one in Australia and the UK, and number four on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100. They went on to have several more number one hits throughout their career, though, so you could say they did find another tune.
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FREESong CurioFree2 CQ
It’s not always better to burn out than fade away, but you couldn’t tell that to these Heartbreakers. On this day in 1991, 38-year-old American punk rocker Johnny Thunders died at the Inn on St. Peter hotel in New Orleans. While a drug overdose was listed as the official cause of death, some people, including none other than Dee Dee Ramone of the Ramones, seemed to believe that there was foul play involved. Either way, there’s no doubt that the music world lost a punk legend that day, as Thunders had helped found the New York Dolls, one of the first successful American punk rock bands, in the early 1970s. After going on to form the Heartbreakers (sometimes called Johnny Thunders and the Heartbreakers) he released one of his best-remembered songs in 1977: Born to Lose. The song features Thunders’ signature raw vocals over a surprisingly classic-rock-style beat, with lyrics that are as classically punk as they come. The song is about a young, disaffected man who can’t seem to succeed no matter what he does. That certainly didn’t describe Thunders himself though, who’ll always be revered as one of American punk’s founding fathers.
It’s not always better to burn out than fade away, but you couldn’t tell that to these Heartbreakers. On this day in 1991, 38-year-old American punk rocker Johnny Thunders died at the Inn on St. Peter hotel in New Orleans. While a drug overdose was listed as the official cause of death, some people, including none other than Dee Dee Ramone of the Ramones, seemed to believe that there was foul play involved. Either way, there’s no doubt that the music world lost a punk legend that day, as Thunders had helped found the New York Dolls, one of the first successful American punk rock bands, in the early 1970s. After going on to form the Heartbreakers (sometimes called Johnny Thunders and the Heartbreakers) he released one of his best-remembered songs in 1977: Born to Lose. The song features Thunders’ signature raw vocals over a surprisingly classic-rock-style beat, with lyrics that are as classically punk as they come. The song is about a young, disaffected man who can’t seem to succeed no matter what he does. That certainly didn’t describe Thunders himself though, who’ll always be revered as one of American punk’s founding fathers.
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FREEMusic Appreciation Song CurioFree2 CQ
There was a whole lot of rock in this orchestra. On this day in 1972, legendary British rock band Electric Light Orchestra (ELO) made their debut at a small London pub. Within a few short years the band, which specialized in classically-inspired rock music, was churning out hits, including their best-remembered song, 1977’s Mr. Blue Sky. It features a bouncy tune and very literal lyrics (it’s about the joy of seeing a blue sky after a period of bad weather) yet the layers of electronic instrumentation and intricate harmonies (which may well remind listeners of The Beatles) lend it a maturity that made it instantly popular. In a 2014 interview with Hi-Fi News & Record Review, songwriter Jeff Lynne said, “All the bits that come in and out, the backing vocals, the cellos sliding, all the little naughty bits, the sound effects, everything is exactly what I imagined ELO to be.” The song has been featured in commercials, as a T.V. show theme song, and is even played at the beginning of every soccer match featuring the Birmingham City Football Club. It seems that everyone everywhere can agree that nice weather is worth singing about.
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There was a whole lot of rock in this orchestra. On this day in 1972, legendary British rock band Electric Light Orchestra (ELO) made their debut at a small London pub. Within a few short years the band, which specialized in classically-inspired rock music, was churning out hits, including their best-remembered song, 1977’s Mr. Blue Sky. It features a bouncy tune and very literal lyrics (it’s about the joy of seeing a blue sky after a period of bad weather) yet the layers of electronic instrumentation and intricate harmonies (which may well remind listeners of The Beatles) lend it a maturity that made it instantly popular. In a 2014 interview with Hi-Fi News & Record Review, songwriter Jeff Lynne said, “All the bits that come in and out, the backing vocals, the cellos sliding, all the little naughty bits, the sound effects, everything is exactly what I imagined ELO to be.” The song has been featured in commercials, as a T.V. show theme song, and is even played at the beginning of every soccer match featuring the Birmingham City Football Club. It seems that everyone everywhere can agree that nice weather is worth singing about.
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FREEMusic Song CurioFree2 CQ
Break out the Aqua Net and shoulder pads; in honor of yesterday's total solar eclipse, we're revisiting Bonnie Tyler's Total Eclipse of the Heart. The power-ballad, by songwriter Jim Steinman, slipped out of the late Meat Loaf's grasp and Steinman's own planned musical called Vampires in Love before it landed in Bonnie Tyler's lap. With a new voice and lyrics drained of all bloodsucker references, Tyler took the song to a different sort of mythical place. The song’s music video was filmed at Holloway Sanitorium, an abandoned British asylum, and it featured ninjas, nocturnal angels, and a possessed boys' choir. Luckily, the bizarre visuals didn't overshadow the song's popularity. In 1983, Total Eclipse of the Heart was the first song by a Welsh performer to hit #1 on the U.S. charts, selling over six million copies in the process. Tyler continues to perform the song live over 30 years after its release, because even if it’s not about the immortal undead anymore, it still has bite—especially during an actual eclipse!
Break out the Aqua Net and shoulder pads; in honor of yesterday's total solar eclipse, we're revisiting Bonnie Tyler's Total Eclipse of the Heart. The power-ballad, by songwriter Jim Steinman, slipped out of the late Meat Loaf's grasp and Steinman's own planned musical called Vampires in Love before it landed in Bonnie Tyler's lap. With a new voice and lyrics drained of all bloodsucker references, Tyler took the song to a different sort of mythical place. The song’s music video was filmed at Holloway Sanitorium, an abandoned British asylum, and it featured ninjas, nocturnal angels, and a possessed boys' choir. Luckily, the bizarre visuals didn't overshadow the song's popularity. In 1983, Total Eclipse of the Heart was the first song by a Welsh performer to hit #1 on the U.S. charts, selling over six million copies in the process. Tyler continues to perform the song live over 30 years after its release, because even if it’s not about the immortal undead anymore, it still has bite—especially during an actual eclipse!
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FREEMusic Song CurioFree2 CQ
That piano intro alone is enough to get the waterworks started. The late, great American songwriter Leon Russell was born on this day in 1942, but it was in 2018, two years after his death, that he accomplished one of his most impressive career feats. A Song for You, which Russell wrote in the 1960s and recorded in 1970 for his self-titled debut album, was named to the Grammy Hall of Fame. The iconic rock ballad has been covered by more than 200 artists—a testament to its enduring ability to tug at the heartstrings. Though Russell’s version remains the most famous, with its raw vocals and stripped-down, piano-heavy instrumentation, it was originally written with a very different singer in mind. Throughout his career, Russell worked with some of the most famous artists in the industry, including Bob Dylan, The Rolling Stones, and George Harrison. He envisioned A Song for You being sung by Frank Sinatra. The crooner never ended up recording it, but that certainly didn’t stop any other artists from taking a crack at it, including Russell. Sometimes, if you want something done right you’ve got to do it yourself…alongside 200 others.
That piano intro alone is enough to get the waterworks started. The late, great American songwriter Leon Russell was born on this day in 1942, but it was in 2018, two years after his death, that he accomplished one of his most impressive career feats. A Song for You, which Russell wrote in the 1960s and recorded in 1970 for his self-titled debut album, was named to the Grammy Hall of Fame. The iconic rock ballad has been covered by more than 200 artists—a testament to its enduring ability to tug at the heartstrings. Though Russell’s version remains the most famous, with its raw vocals and stripped-down, piano-heavy instrumentation, it was originally written with a very different singer in mind. Throughout his career, Russell worked with some of the most famous artists in the industry, including Bob Dylan, The Rolling Stones, and George Harrison. He envisioned A Song for You being sung by Frank Sinatra. The crooner never ended up recording it, but that certainly didn’t stop any other artists from taking a crack at it, including Russell. Sometimes, if you want something done right you’ve got to do it yourself…alongside 200 others.
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FREEMusic Appreciation Song CurioFree2 CQ
This Beach Boys song hit number one before the Beach Boys ever did! While the instrumentals (and famous opening line) of Surf City were created by Beach Boys songwriter Brian Wilson, he allowed a different doo-wop-flavored surf band to record it: Jan & Dean. This duo was made up of young singers and former high school friends Dean Torrence and Jan Berry, the latter of whom passed away on this day in 2004. Jan & Dean’s vocals could have easily been confused for the Beach Boys’, with their spunky, upbeat harmonies. They seemed to be on a similar road to success, too, when they recorded the song in 1963. It immediately jumped to the top of the charts. However, though the duo ended up with 27 charting songs, Surf City was their only number one hit, and while the Beach Boys went on to have a relatively long career, Jan & Dean’s success was fairly short-lived. Still, for the brief time that the two groups overlapped, the beach was plenty big enough for the two of them.
This Beach Boys song hit number one before the Beach Boys ever did! While the instrumentals (and famous opening line) of Surf City were created by Beach Boys songwriter Brian Wilson, he allowed a different doo-wop-flavored surf band to record it: Jan & Dean. This duo was made up of young singers and former high school friends Dean Torrence and Jan Berry, the latter of whom passed away on this day in 2004. Jan & Dean’s vocals could have easily been confused for the Beach Boys’, with their spunky, upbeat harmonies. They seemed to be on a similar road to success, too, when they recorded the song in 1963. It immediately jumped to the top of the charts. However, though the duo ended up with 27 charting songs, Surf City was their only number one hit, and while the Beach Boys went on to have a relatively long career, Jan & Dean’s success was fairly short-lived. Still, for the brief time that the two groups overlapped, the beach was plenty big enough for the two of them.
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FREEMusic Song CurioFree2 CQ
It’s not June yet, but it’s still a good time to review this song’s history! On this day in 2022, British indie rock band Glass Animals were enjoying an unprecedented musical achievement. Their song Heat Waves was in the middle of a record-breaking run atop the Billboard Hot 100, which ended with it claiming the title of the longest-charting Hot 100 song of all time at 91 weeks. Although the song’s lyrics are self-reflective and focused on heartache, it has a steady beat and overall mellow feel. Frontman and songwriter Dave Bayley described writing the song as a “reflective” experience as he struggled to get over a real-life relationship. Although the song was released in June, Bayley has explained that that’s not the reason for the song’s emphasis on that particular month. Rather, the unnamed person who inspired the song was born in June. With as often as this song is played on the radio (especially during the summer) there’s little doubt that Bayley’s mystery muse has heard the tune.
It’s not June yet, but it’s still a good time to review this song’s history! On this day in 2022, British indie rock band Glass Animals were enjoying an unprecedented musical achievement. Their song Heat Waves was in the middle of a record-breaking run atop the Billboard Hot 100, which ended with it claiming the title of the longest-charting Hot 100 song of all time at 91 weeks. Although the song’s lyrics are self-reflective and focused on heartache, it has a steady beat and overall mellow feel. Frontman and songwriter Dave Bayley described writing the song as a “reflective” experience as he struggled to get over a real-life relationship. Although the song was released in June, Bayley has explained that that’s not the reason for the song’s emphasis on that particular month. Rather, the unnamed person who inspired the song was born in June. With as often as this song is played on the radio (especially during the summer) there’s little doubt that Bayley’s mystery muse has heard the tune.
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FREEMusic Appreciation Song CurioFree2 CQ
These songs were both about dolls, but neither one was playing around at the 96th Academy Awards. Oscar night saw a showdown between two songs from 2023’s Barbie: I’m Just Ken and What Was I Made For?, both of which were nominated for Best Original Song. Both tunes explore the tribulations of what it means to be a doll: the first, performed by Ryan Gosling, is a purposefully cheesy romp in which Ken, Barbie’s ever-present male companion, opines about his second-best status. The second, performed by Billie Eilish, is a haunting, poignant ballad about finding one’s place in the world while being constantly commodified. Both songs were performed with great gusto at the Academy Awards, but Eilish, along with her songwriter brother, Finneas O'Connell, ultimately won the night. The win makes Eilish the youngest person ever to have won two Oscars. Of course, both songs represent different facets of the film from which they come, and all of Barbie’s stars, including Gosling, celebrated the victory. Ken has to be used to playing second fiddle by now.
These songs were both about dolls, but neither one was playing around at the 96th Academy Awards. Oscar night saw a showdown between two songs from 2023’s Barbie: I’m Just Ken and What Was I Made For?, both of which were nominated for Best Original Song. Both tunes explore the tribulations of what it means to be a doll: the first, performed by Ryan Gosling, is a purposefully cheesy romp in which Ken, Barbie’s ever-present male companion, opines about his second-best status. The second, performed by Billie Eilish, is a haunting, poignant ballad about finding one’s place in the world while being constantly commodified. Both songs were performed with great gusto at the Academy Awards, but Eilish, along with her songwriter brother, Finneas O'Connell, ultimately won the night. The win makes Eilish the youngest person ever to have won two Oscars. Of course, both songs represent different facets of the film from which they come, and all of Barbie’s stars, including Gosling, celebrated the victory. Ken has to be used to playing second fiddle by now.
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FREEMusic Appreciation Song CurioFree2 CQ
When things get litigious in musicland, they get really litigious. Fans of 1970s pop-rock duo Hall and Oates are probably aware of their recent falling out, which culminated in Daryl Hall getting a restraining order against John Oates to prevent Oates from selling a share of their joint business. But even diehard fans may not know that this isn’t the first time Hall and Oates have been at the forefront of legal drama. Despite the pair’s famously upbeat musical catalog, which includes hits like 1980’s You Make My Dreams Come True, a bouncy, poppy earworm featuring a chorus of “ooo-oos”, Hall and Oates have always been a bit litigious. In fact, on this day in 2015, the pair were in the middle of a lawsuit they had brought against cereal maker Early Bird Foods & Co. for naming one of their granola bars “Haulin' Oates.” While Early Bird did agree to change the name of their granola, it didn’t work out entirely in the band’s favor, as the name was changed to “Kiss My Oats.” Hey, we’re all fans of upbeat pop…can’t we just learn to get along?
When things get litigious in musicland, they get really litigious. Fans of 1970s pop-rock duo Hall and Oates are probably aware of their recent falling out, which culminated in Daryl Hall getting a restraining order against John Oates to prevent Oates from selling a share of their joint business. But even diehard fans may not know that this isn’t the first time Hall and Oates have been at the forefront of legal drama. Despite the pair’s famously upbeat musical catalog, which includes hits like 1980’s You Make My Dreams Come True, a bouncy, poppy earworm featuring a chorus of “ooo-oos”, Hall and Oates have always been a bit litigious. In fact, on this day in 2015, the pair were in the middle of a lawsuit they had brought against cereal maker Early Bird Foods & Co. for naming one of their granola bars “Haulin' Oates.” While Early Bird did agree to change the name of their granola, it didn’t work out entirely in the band’s favor, as the name was changed to “Kiss My Oats.” Hey, we’re all fans of upbeat pop…can’t we just learn to get along?
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FREEMusic Appreciation Song CurioFree2 CQ
Which song is better, the original or the cover? Sometimes, it depends where you’re from! On this day in 1964, British singer Cilla Black was just beginning to enjoy what would turn into a three-week run at the top of the UK Singles chart with her cover of Anyone Who Had a Heart. The song had originally been performed by American singer Dionne Warwick, whose version was a hit in the U.S. and several other countries…but the UK had their own preferences. Black’s version of the dramatic, soaring ballad leaned into its over-the-top orchestral instrumentation, making it sound like a number from a stage musical. Warwick’s version had been more grounded, but British hearts want what they want. Black also had a backstory that gave her plenty of British-style street cred—she used to work as a hat-check girl at the Cavern Club in Liverpool, where the Beatles often played. In 1963, she sang for John Lennon, who praised her voice. But she truly rose to prominence during the Merseybeat era, a musical movement centered around Liverpool’s River Mersey area. By 1968, she was the host of her own variety show. It sure beats checking hats!
Which song is better, the original or the cover? Sometimes, it depends where you’re from! On this day in 1964, British singer Cilla Black was just beginning to enjoy what would turn into a three-week run at the top of the UK Singles chart with her cover of Anyone Who Had a Heart. The song had originally been performed by American singer Dionne Warwick, whose version was a hit in the U.S. and several other countries…but the UK had their own preferences. Black’s version of the dramatic, soaring ballad leaned into its over-the-top orchestral instrumentation, making it sound like a number from a stage musical. Warwick’s version had been more grounded, but British hearts want what they want. Black also had a backstory that gave her plenty of British-style street cred—she used to work as a hat-check girl at the Cavern Club in Liverpool, where the Beatles often played. In 1963, she sang for John Lennon, who praised her voice. But she truly rose to prominence during the Merseybeat era, a musical movement centered around Liverpool’s River Mersey area. By 1968, she was the host of her own variety show. It sure beats checking hats!
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FREEMusic Appreciation Song CurioFree2 CQ
This song was written for a good time, not a long time! In February of 1970, The Plastic Ono Band released Instant Karma in the UK just ten days after the song was written, making it one of the fastest-released songs in modern music history. The song's vocals had been recorded in just 24 hours. The band, which was formed by John Lennon and Yoko Ono and included a roster of other rotating musicians, was created for the express purpose of musical experimentation, so members were used to working on unusual music with unconventional timelines. Besides its ultra-fast release, Instant Karma also boasted a cheerful sound complete with a danceable beat punctuated by handclaps. This is likely due to the fact that Lennon left much of the song’s final arrangement to Phil Spector, and told him to give it a 1950s sound. Despite its title, the song isn’t actually about someone getting their comeuppance. Rather, its lyrics focus on peace and positivity, encouraging listeners to connect with others and telling them that they shine “like the moon and the stars and the sun.” Upon its international release, the song quickly became a Ton Ten hit on the Billboard Hot 100. Impressive for something whipped up on such a tight timeframe.
This song was written for a good time, not a long time! In February of 1970, The Plastic Ono Band released Instant Karma in the UK just ten days after the song was written, making it one of the fastest-released songs in modern music history. The song's vocals had been recorded in just 24 hours. The band, which was formed by John Lennon and Yoko Ono and included a roster of other rotating musicians, was created for the express purpose of musical experimentation, so members were used to working on unusual music with unconventional timelines. Besides its ultra-fast release, Instant Karma also boasted a cheerful sound complete with a danceable beat punctuated by handclaps. This is likely due to the fact that Lennon left much of the song’s final arrangement to Phil Spector, and told him to give it a 1950s sound. Despite its title, the song isn’t actually about someone getting their comeuppance. Rather, its lyrics focus on peace and positivity, encouraging listeners to connect with others and telling them that they shine “like the moon and the stars and the sun.” Upon its international release, the song quickly became a Ton Ten hit on the Billboard Hot 100. Impressive for something whipped up on such a tight timeframe.