The Beatles: Yer Blues (1968)

John Lennon wanted to write a blues song. In the end, "Yer Blues" became a parody of British acts that tried to do the blues. Much of the song is tongue in cheek.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rDCu1UjezDc

Go Away by Weezer (2014)

Weezer returned to its roots with Everything Will Be Alright in the End. The album is a straight on alt rocker. "Go Away" recounts a failed relationship and features Bethany Cosentino from Best Coast on vocals.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qVnjFVi4RNo

Louder than Words by Pink Floyd (2014)

A tribute to Richard Wright using some material from the Division Bell sessions. The bulk of the album lacks lead vocals. David Gilmour said the new work is not for the download generation. Instead, it is a steady stream of music.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ezc4HdLGxg4

The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly by Ennio Morricone (1966)

Morricone uses a two-note melody to create a coyote sound for the opening of the theme. The soundtrack is highly influential and remained on the album charts for over a year. It peaked at #4.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AFa1-kciCb

Dion: Runaround Sue (1961)

Dion broke from the Bellmonts to score chart success. "Runaround Sue" recounts the tale of an unfaithful girlfriend. The song ended up in a viral video featuring an 88-year-old woman in 2013. It also charted for Leif Garrett in 1978 and appeared on the Eddie and the Cruisers soundtrack in 1983.

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

In the Mood by Glenn Miller (1939)

This is the defining song of the Big Band and World War II eras. The song was released right before the Billboard charts debuted, so the song’s true popularity can not be measured in comparison to others. Undoubtedly, "In The Mood" is one of the most important works of the twentieth century.

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





　

Garbage: Push It (1998)

"Push It" is a fascinating construct. It has this dreamy netherworld verse, but also is quite in your face to the point of violence.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0AIIsfKGlV8

Guns n Roses: Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Class of 2012

Official Site: http://gunsnroses.com/


Rock Hall Bio: http://rockhall.com/inductees/guns-n-roses/bio/


GnR formed in 1985. After solidifying the lineup, they played the club scene where they got noticed. They released the EP Live Like a Suicide in 1986. In 1987, they conquered with Appetite for Destruction.

Welcome to the Jungle (1987): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1tj2zJ2Wvg

Sweet Child O Mine (1988): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1w7OgIMMRc4

Paradise City (1988): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rbm6GXllBiw


They displayed a "hedonistic rebelliousness" missing in rock at the time. GnR is credited with reviving rock n roll in the hair metal era and appeared in Clint Eastwood’s The Dead Pool. MTV and radio did not want to play GnR, but fans kept requesting and demanding it.

Patience (1989): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ErvgV4P6Fzc


Axl Rose kicked Steven Adler out of the band for drug use in 1990. Matt Sorum replaced Adler and they added Dizzy Reed for keyboards.

They released Use Your Illusion 1 and 2 in 1991. In short order, GnR became the biggest band in the universe, provided a song for Terminator 2, and riots quickly followed.

You Could Be Mine (1991): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vygQZ9hYqyE

Don’t Cry (1991): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zRIbf6JqkNc

Live and Let Die (1991): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6D9vAItORgE

November Rain (1992): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8SbUC-UaAxE


St Louis riot (1991): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0FJHqfbAK44


They toured with Metallica. Another riot occurred in Montreal (1992):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k57_zRGPkvw

Civil War (1993): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O1fHxPY3TJo

Estranged (1994): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dpmAY059TTY

Since I Don’t Have You (1994): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IYOYlqOitDA


GnR covered the Stones for Interview with a Vampire.

Sympathy for the Devil (1995): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iAgT8FpJbPY


Then, they disappeared…disbanded….and Axl returned with a whole new band in 2008.

Chinese Democracy (2008): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=faSBzYRnFdk








 

Red Hot Chili Peppers: Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Class of 2012

Official Site: http://redhotchilipeppers.com/


Rock Hall Bio: http://rockhall.com/inductees/red-hot-chili-peppers/bio/


The Red Hot Chili Peppers formed in 1983. They have combined funk, punk, alternative, and psychedelic music into their work. They signed a seven record deal in late 1983 and released their first album the following year.

Get Up and Jump (1984): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jZRdjZFffnQ


They continued their rise through the 80s. In 1988, they added drummer Chad Smith. The following year, they caught mainstream attention.

Higher Ground (1989): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ADTPb2f_44

Blood Sugar Sex Magik made them superstars in 1991.

Give It Away (1991): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mr_uHJPUlO8

Under the Bridge (1991): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lwlogyj7nFE

Breaking the Girl (1992): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iyu04pqC8lE


They were one of the few bands of the early 90s Alt revolution to survive into the 2000s.

Soul To Squeeze (1993): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0XcN12uVHeQ

My Friends (1995): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0kT5w27YxyI

Love Rollercoaster (1996): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N1cbsLKXasQ

Scar Tissue (1999): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mzJj5-lubeM

Otherside (2000): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rn_YodiJO6k

Californication (2000): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YlUKcNNmywk

By The Way (2003): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JnfyjwChuNU

Dani California (2006): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sb5aq5HcS1A

Snow (2006): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yuFI5KSPAt4

The Adventures of Rain Dance Maggie (2011): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RtBbinpK5XI

Brendan’s Death Song (2012): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X6YbVCyXs98


Slight controversy when they did not actually play at the Superbowl, but still performed.

Superbowl Half Time (2014): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RTruiVt8XZ8

Donovan: Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Class of 2012

Official Site: http://www.donovan.ie/en/

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


Donovan began as a folk singer, but incorporated jazz, folk, pop, psychedelia, and calypso into his music. He signed his first contract in 1965. By the mid-60s, he was a star.
Catch the Wind (1965): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J8hjEYTpwE8

Colours (1965): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hoEle04qu_U

The Universal Soldier (1965): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UC9pc4U40sI

Sunshine Superman (1966): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hTuPbJLqFKI

Mellow Yellow (1966): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=64mb_hUOb4g

Epistle to Dippy (1967): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s39grPU-qKk

There is a Mountain (1967): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XcMM5-zBCEc

Jennifer Juniper (1968): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kCtcXDCxh7w

Hurdy Gurdy Man (1968): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dHV8Wzldlck

Atlantis (1968): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=leI7sfmipuI

Barabajagal (1969): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IgpmebgHoFU



His fortunes swooned after the sixties because people associated him with the decade and hippie music.
I Like You (1973): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wEH-3pQC7LQ

Dare to be Different (1977): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xu4g6lxHfYw

Neutron (1981): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZFeJCNeWEE

To Love You (2013): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ve4iNMSjfJ8

As of 2014, Donovan is still out and about.

Laura Nyro: Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Class of 2012

Rock Hall Bio: http://rockhall.com/inductees/laura-nyro/bio/

Official Site: http://www.lauranyro.com/



Laura Nyro was a singer/songwriter that combined the Brill Building with a number of other musical forms. A number of artists had success with her work.

Stoney End (1966): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6diadP-g_7s



The critics loved the album Eli and the Thirteenth Confession (1968)

Eli's Coming (1968): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iX5AanHQS1g

Stoned Soul Picnic (1968): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N1CfSgsvqJE



Ironically, her biggest hit came covering a Carole King song.

Up on the Roof (1970): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JTNjX7l7-go



Like her mother, she died of ovarian cancer at age 49 in 1997.

The Faces: Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Class of 2012

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

Official Site: http://www.the-faces.com/



The Faces were an influential British rock group active from 1969-75. The band included Ron Wood, Kenny Jones, Ian McLagan, Ronnie Lane, and Rod Stewart.

Flying (1969): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8AACF4gVciw

Stay With Me (1971): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JtqF0qBqzZo

(I Know) I'm Losing You (1971): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UrOPJXrUWII

Cindy Incidentally (1972): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dEJpHfUCJHc

Pool Hall Richard (1973): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_rYWx-erzio

Ooh La La (1973): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1_xwnb3cymc

You Can Make Me Dance, Sing, or Anything (1974): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mvQyZ6IREkg



Ron Wood left to join The Rolling Stones in 1975. The band disintegrated afterward. Kenny Jones replaced Keith Moon in The Who. Rod Stewart emerged as a solo superstar.

The band has reunited several times since 2008.

The Beastie Boys: Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Class of 2012

Rock Hall Bio: http://rockhall.com/inductees/beastie-boys/bio/

Official Site: http://www.beastieboys.com/



The Beastie Boys began as a four-piece hardcore band, but evolved. After "Cooky Puss", they decided to incorporate rap into their songs.

Cooky Puss (1983): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0DOMxm0o12c



Madonna gave them their big break when the Beasties opened for her 1985 Virgin Tour.

She's On It (1985): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9PLfjhQG97I




Licensed to Ill


Paul Revere (1986): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tEM3dW2oWW4

Brass Monkey (1987): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s0dxhSPoBjY

(You Gotta) Fight For Your Right (To Party) (1987): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eBShN8qT4lk

No Sleep Til Brooklyn (1987): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=07Y0cy-nvAg

Girls (1987): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GoFB2R_AUwM




Paul's Boutique


Hey Ladies (1989): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SiMQygZFPGE



By now, The Beasties were superstars.

So What'cha Want (1992): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ru3gH27Fn6E

Sabotage (1994): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H4PN7Xbexq4

Intergalactic (1998): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qORYO0atB6g

Ch-Check It Out (2004): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o9rnGp6_jHI

Make Some Noise (2011): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WdgLMslbDuY



Adam Yauch (MCA) died from cancer in 2012. The Beasties dissolved after Yauch's death. An autobiography is scheduled for 2015.