Songs of 2012 part I

This is the first installment of the songs of 2012...the best, or at least, most memorable...

Carly Rae Jepsen: Terrible terrible song, but it had Obama singing...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fWNaR-rxAic


Fun: The first rock song in a decade to hit #1.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sv6dMFF_yts

Gotye: Just a weird song.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8UVNT4wvIGY

Maroon 5:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iEPTlhBmwRg

 

Phil Collins: Take Me Home (1986)

Phil Collins based "Take Me Home" on One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. The song is about someone in a mental hospital and not about someone returning home. Peter Gabriel provides backup vocals on the track, which peaked at #7 in 1986.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sRY1NG1P_kw

The Replacements: Left of the Dial (1985)

"Left of the Dial" refers to the position of most alternative radio stations. Underground rock that led to Nirvana began in earnest in punk's aftermath. By the late 80s, it was about to explode.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J004aQUKbO4

The Beatles: Tell Me Why (1964)

Paul believed "Tell Me Why" was based on John's experiences with his wife Cynthia. It might be based on Lennon's philadering and Cynthia's response.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tmtaw0fr0xI

Elvis Presley: Viva Las Vegas (1964)

"Viva Las Vegas" was recorded by Elvis for the film of the same name. Since 1964, it has become one of Elvis' most recognizable songs. In the seventies, Elvis moved to Vegas to perform. As a result, the song and artist became inseparable. It has since been covered by a number of acts ranging from ZZ Top to Bruce Springsteen.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MFw5a5Bp_Pw

 

The Beatles: Nowhere Man (1965)

John Lennon wrote this song about himself. He was unsure where he was heading in life and had just stayed up all night. Paul McCartney confirmed Lennon's statements saying "I think at that point, he was a bit...wondering where he was going, and to be truthful so was I. I was starting to worry about him."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hfWEPu0w-7w

1947 in music

The music industry continued on in 1947 much in the way it did in 1946. Jazz was changing in Charlie Parker’s wake.  George Jones began his career and Patti Page signed a record deal.  Overall, 1947 was a rather drab year in music.

Near You by Francis Craig

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CbZLpAMnclQ

Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah by James Baskett

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6bWyhj7siEY

Ballerina by Vaughn Monroe

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fKALVe6P7oE

Always by Frank Sinatra

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eLh-m1Z_feY

April Showers by Al Jolson

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vMCU7OF3sVM
 

Huey Lewis and the News: Heart of Rock n Roll (1984)

Nothing screams 1984 like Huey Lewis and the News. The band was omnipresent from the mid-to-late 80s racking up a string of hits. MTV played the video constantly and it became a summer anthem. 25 years later, Blender panned the song as the sixth worst ever.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M7JVlpm0eRs

Frank Sinatra: My Way (1969)

There are few songs that match their artist more than "My Way" and Frank Sinatra. The tune is about an aging man reflecting back on his life and realizing he might not have made all the right choices, but the choices were his. Paul Anka adapted a 1967 French pop song and gave it to Sinatra. It hit #27 on the charts in 1969. In the U.K., it set a record by appearing in the Top 40 for 75 weeks. It did not leave the British charts until September 1971. The 75 weeks is a record that still stands.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=egY8rUpxqcE

The Go-Gos: Our Lips Are Sealed (1981)

The Go-Gos emerged from the New York punk scene. When the public tired of the movement, the record industry repackaged artists like the Go-Gos into New Wave.  Despite the wholesome good girls image, the band could party like any other rock band. "Our Lips Are Sealed" was written by Jane Wiedlin  and The Specials' Terry Hall, who were in a relationship. However, Hall also had a girlfriend in England that he considered marrying making Wiedlin the "other woman."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3kQlzOi27M

Billy Joel: It's Still Rock n Roll to Me (1980)

Billy Joel responded to music critics and record execs begging him to change with the times. He wrote "It's Still Rock n Roll to Me" as his own cynical critique of the business. They wanted him to change and he basically said he will remain popular based on his merits as opposed to copying New Wave, Punk, or Funk. The song does incorporate the New Wave sound as a contrast to its message. It reached #1 in 1980.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5eAQa4MOGkE

John Williams: The Asteroid Field (1980)

This track is from The Empire Strikes Back and IMO one of Williams best. It provides the ominous Imperial March in a background of falling rocks. At points, it is reminiscent of Krypton's explosion in the original Superman.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SVycvLAFXmc

The Eagles: Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Class of 1998

Rock Hall Bio: http://rockhall.com/inductees/the-eagles/bio/

In 1971, Linda Ronstadt hired session musicians Don Henley and Glen Frey. The Eagles performed as her backing band and then struck out on their own.

Take It Easy (1971):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5zuhxfrXocw

Witchy Woman (1971):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1d8hZtvRPno

The band’s second album, Desperado, linked the rock star life to the old west outlaw.

Tequila Sunrise (1973):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ws-YqUcD0LY

The band moved tried to move away from country music to a harder rock sound.

Already Gone (1974):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iYCPccFQHWA

Best of My Love (1974):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EaO-kgG7eCQ

One of These Nights (1975):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T9ozGsAtY28

Lyin’ Eyes (1975):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S67CTVVv3KQ

Take It To The Limit (1975):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YwASii2f5c8

Founding member Bernie Leadon left The Eagles after the One of These Nights album. He did not like the group’s musical direction.

Joe Walsh joined & the band released the seminal Hotel California.

New Kid in Town (1976):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GCIaw9qUZYg

Hotel California (1977):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kYf4kqnAWos

The band contrasted their own roots with the rock n roll lifestyle:

Life in the Fast Lane (1977):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fx6qPIC6izM

Heartache Tonight (1979):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gqhwwkT8fWQ

The Long Run (1979):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DI_rkZIuHzw

On  July 31, 1980, the band experienced the Long Night at Wrong Beach, a play on Long Beach, where they were playing. Frey and Henley threatened each other throughout the entire show.  They released a live album to fulfill their recording contract and broke apart.

Band members released successful solo careers.

In 1994, they reunited.

Get Over It (1994):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1H-Y7MAASkg

In 2001, Don Felder sued for breach of contract. Frey and Henley countersued. It was settled out of court in 2007.

How Long (2007):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kHBqpyUmCP4

Santana: Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Class of 1998

Rock Hall Bio: http://rockhall.com/inductees/santana/bio/

Santana, with Carlos Santana, formed in 1967. It did not break through until Woodstock in 1969.

Woodstock: Evil Ways (1969):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=65muRuJDYCs

They released Abraxas in 1970.

Black Magic Woman (1970):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eaKnRUfh_5I

No One To Depend On (1971):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TMljWisPzOA

In 1972, they moved away from the mainstream. Clive Davis warned the band to be careful or they would no longer be Top 40.

She’s Not There (1976):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xoz8iXjfH4Y

You Know That I Love You (1979):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L2iPX_PsIQs

By the late 70s, Music biz pressures and his spiritual guru broke apart his marriage. He experienced more Top 40 success in the early 80s.

Winning (1981):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Od9FkRvvnrg

Hold On (1981):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lGzRc7bO1Yc

Say It Again (1985):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VhMOkwseQLA

After a severe dropoff in sales, Santana returned to prominence with some help from Rob Thomas and the Grammy winning album, Supernatural.

Smooth w/Rob Thomas (1999):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MXp413NynFk

Maria Maria (1999):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nPLV7lGbmT4

The Game of Love w/Michelle Branch (2001):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3UIojGDIBvI&feature=related

Photograph w/Daughtry (2010):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G2Lz3ub_GLU

In 2012, Santana released Shape Shifter.

 

Allen Toussaint: Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Class of 1998

Rock Hall Bio: http://rockhall.com/inductees/allen-toussaint/bio/

Toussaint was a major figure in New Orleans music in the 60s and 70s. He continues to perform to this day.

Working in the Coal Mine: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XN9FYh_GmnM

Fortune Teller: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pUY4bgE15sk

 

Southern Nights: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mCscZ2tPFmI

Fleetwood Mac: Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Class of 1998

Rock Hall Bio: http://rockhall.com/inductees/fleetwood-mac/bio/

Fleetwood Mac began as a blues band and experienced some early success as part of the blues-rock boom of the late 60s.

Black Magic Woman (1968): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hRu7Pt42x6Y

Albatross (1969): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Viqr6KHwJjc&feature=fvwrel

Oh Well (1969): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNsFVoLzNsc

Around 1970, they transitioned away from the blues and did not experience real success again until Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks joined the band.

Rhiannon (1976): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U_aYibUx1B8

Say You Love Me (1976): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5uN9bTRDOtk

The group dynamics included two couples splitting up. This dramatically impacted their Rumours Album which connected with people as divorce rates exploded.

Go Your Own Way (1976): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0GN2kpBoFs4

Dreams (1977): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YEi7GPkxfsE

Don’t Stop (1977): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a8arvEzHsA8

You Make Lovin’ Fun (1977): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vFZMgf6M5KM

They moved away from the Rumours sound with Tusk.

Tusk w/ USC band (1979): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MT7W8xJFl_g

The 80s brought more hits and some solo work.

Gypsy (1982): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3oWIF2n4ZLs

Big Love (1987): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rjKL469SpR0

Little Lies (1987): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kyE4CLM0QIA

The band disbanded, but reunited for the Clinton Inaugural. Governor Bill Clinton used “Don’t Stop” as his campaign theme song.

Clinton Inaugural: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A3JA1nWPFqM

They released a live album in 1997.

Silver Springs (1997): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ud2XKt2N8fs

Christie McVie retired and the band continues to tour.

 

Gene Vincent: Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Class of 1998

Rock Hall Bio: http://rockhall.com/inductees/gene-vincent/bio/

In 1955, he got into a motorcycle accident which ended his planned naval career. He walked with a limp the rest of his life.  He formed a band and wrote “Be Bop A Lula”, which is a seminal work.

Be Bop A Lu La (1956):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vDU9FP5_B2M

Race With The Devil (1956):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E3gxQ1tetAQ

Lotta Lovin’ (1957):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bMszuprHtoY

Dance to the Bop (1957):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W1oP9zrmB7Q

He left the U.S. over a tax dispute in the late 50s.  He later returned to try and re-establish himself in the states.

In 1960, he got into another serious traffic accident. Songwriter Sharon Sheeley died from her injuries.

Say Mama (1971):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z4TotYvgg9g

Vincent died from a ruptured stomach ulcer in 1971.  In 1997, he was the first person inducted into the Rockabilly Hall of Fame.

Jelly Roll Morton: Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Class of 1998

Rock Hall Bio: http://rockhall.com/inductees/jelly-roll-morton/bio/

Morton is considered an important figure in the evolution of jazz. He emerged the first true arranger for a genre that usually created through improvisation.

Wolverine Blues: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s5XOjIhTMK4

Creepy Feeling: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uCRhdRO9EUE

Black Bottom Stomp: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CIerJMCK5_E

 

He died in 1941 at age 50.