Top 40 songs of 1991: #21-30

My favorites.

21. Into the Great Wide Open- Tom Petty
22. Once- Pearl Jam
23. Mysterious Ways- U2
24. The Show Must Go On- Queen
25. Losing My Religion- REM
26. Get a Leg Up- John Mellencamp
27. Why Go- Pearl Jam
28. Live and Let Die- Guns n Roses
29. Soul Cages- Sting
30. Don't Cry- Guns n Roses

Top 40 songs of 1991 (#31-40)

My favorites....

31. Top of the World- Van Halen
32. The Dream is Over- Van Halen
33. I Can't Dance- Genesis
34. Mad About You- Sting
35. All This Time- Sting
36. Radio Song- REM
37. The Fire Inside- Bob Seger
38. Highwire- The Rolling Stones
39. These Are The Days of Our Lives- Queen
40. Judgement Day- Van Halen

Top 40 songs of 1992 (#31-40)

My favorites.

31. Even Flow- Pearl Jam
32. Closer- NIN
33. Even Better Than The Real Thing- U2
34. Bohemian Rhapsody- Queen
35. November Rain- Guns n Roses
36. Got Me Wrong- Alice in Chains
37. Angry Chair- Alice in Chains
38. Sword of Damocles- Lou Reed
39. It's Probably Me- Sting and Eric Clapton
40. Remedy- The Black Crowes

Jac Holzman: Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Class of 2011

Rock Hall Bio: http://rockhall.com/inductees/jac-holzman/bio/



Jac Holzman founded Elektra Records in his dorm room in 1950. He later founded Nonesuch Records. In 1970, he merged everything with Warner.

Holzman signed The Doors, Carly Simon, The Stooges, Harry Chapin, Judy Collins, and Queen.

Queen: I Want It All (1989)

“I Want It All” is classic 80s. It can be interpreted as a rebel song or as an anthem for someone that wants everything out of life. It served as an anti-apartheid theme in South Africa, but could also represent a Wall Street broker.  The band did not play it live until April 20, 1992 at The Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert. Mercury died of AIDS the previous November giving the song yet another possible meaning. Roger Daltrey and Tony Iommi joined Queen on stage for the performance.

Studio:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1pm4fQRl72k

Tribute Concert:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hCzkT5H7Udg

Queen: Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Class of 2001

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

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

Queen formed in 1970. Originally, they were influenced by Prog Rock and hard rock. They changed their name from Smile to Queen when Freddie Mercury joined. They released their first album in 1973.

Keep Yourself Alive (1973): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JofwEB9g1zg

They truly began to sound like Queen with their third album, Sheer Heart Attack.

Killer Queen (1974): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BAf2S6ij2gk

Then, a masterpiece off of A Night At The Opera

Bohemian Rhapsody (1975): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJ9rUzIMcZQ

By the mid-70s, they were one of the most innovative bands in the world.

Somebody to Love (1976): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2pMM4iwC-ag

Tie Your Mother Down (1977): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LvB2MnIIdMw

We Are The Champions/We Will Rock You (1977): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=04854XqcfCY

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

Fat Bottomed Girls (1978):  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VMnjF1O4eH0

Crazy Little Thing Called Love (1979): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yziGiVua0Dg

Another One Bites the Dust (1980): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rY0WxgSXdEE

They did the soundtrack to Flash Gordon. The soundtrack was better than the film…

Flash (1980): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LfmrHTdXgK4

They worked with David Bowie…

Under Pressure (1981): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a01QQZyl-_I

And continued to score hits…

Radio Ga-Ga (1984): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t63_HRwdAgk

I Want to Break Free (1984): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bRdo7WXTVoM

Hammer to Fall (1984): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JU5LMG3WFBw.

Their Live Aid performance was voted best live performance ever:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eQsM6u0a038

And they continued…

From Highlander:

Who Wants to Live Forever (1986): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5L8-FTvSVxs

I Want It All (1989): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1pm4fQRl72k

The Show Must Go On (1991): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lSkx34M3XtY

Until Freddie got sick…

…he died on November 24, 1991

Concert For Freddie (1992): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-xq7dHTFYo

Queen released their final album with Mercury in 1995.

Heaven for Everyone (1995): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dKhFJcBztB4

Brian May and Roger Taylor later teamed with Paul Rodgers. They toured from 2005-09.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JHD1sbqzxt4

In 2011, they announced an album with Mercury demos.

Willie Dixon: Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Class of 1994

Rock Hall Bio:

http://rockhall.com/inductees/willie-dixon/bio/

Willie Dixon helped pioneer Chicago Blues. His work has influenced a ridiculous number of musicians ranging from Led Zeppelin, Eric Clapton, and The Rolling Stones to Bob Dylan, Styx, and Queen.

Some of his best known works:

Little Red Rooster:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hW4tUx7cQH4

Hoochie Coochie Man:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mxXflOZ9V_g

Spoonful:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gOF1ROkvBbA

Back Door Man:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O6DAdDyWZaQ

Queen: We Will Rock You (1977)

Brian May wrote "We Will Rock You" in response to an overwhelmingly emotional response from an audience following a show at Bingley Hall in Stafford. The song is essentially a cappella with the exception of May's brief guitar blurb. Other than that, the only accompanyment is some stomping and clapping. "We Will Rock You" has since emerged as the preeminent stadium rock song.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-tJYN-eG1zk&ob=av2e

Little Richard: Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Class of 1986

His life and career in links.


Rock Hall Bio: http://rockhall.com/inductees/little-richard/bio/

Another Bio: http://www.history-of-rock.com/richard.htm

In 1955, Little Richard breaks out:

Tutti-Frutti: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QFq5O2kabQo

Long Tall Sally: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GsJVT8Jr_pM

Slippin’ and Slidin’: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZP3wdwRhpFs

Rip It Up: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=REYiLcTrrG8

Ready Teddy: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gFd4p5Hx-Xo

He continues to roll into 1956:

The Girl Can’t Help It: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dioNDDIqNOY

Lucille: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z3-OaNevkfg

Success continues into 1957 and 1958:

Jenny, Jenny: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cK9x0oQ-Nlg

Good Golly Miss Molly: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TqHQqb5ot74

1957: Quit to become a preacher. In 1959, he became a gospel singer, but returned to rock in 1962.

Crying in the Chapel: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nuDnoxtRv0o

His chart career sputtered, but he scored a minor hit in 1970:

Freedom Blues: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z1KmS5_nehQ

Today, he occasionally records, performs, and has appeared in commercials.

Influence:

James Brown: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SzlpTRNIAvc

Otis Redding: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ohkFgdCE2yQ&feature=artist

The Beatles: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ibeqQA2_Yw&feature=related

Jimi Hendrix: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MHlRa-RPjWE&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e3WsFEr1LOA&feature=related

AC/DC: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D8THnH-FO3E

Freddie Mercury: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qGc3rn8qaRA

John Fogerty: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ke4AadQ4lE

Bob Seger: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r2aBOTNGWMY

876. Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen (1975)

It took three weeks to record "Bohemian Rhapsody." Freddie Mercury pieced together a sad pop song with opera to create something completely original. The lyrics include Arabic references which may be a nod to Mercury's parents who were into Zoroastrianism. When invited to play Top of the Pops, the band filmed a video for the song because it was too complex to play live. It helped usher in the music video golden age which blossomed in the early eighties. "Bohemian Rhapsody" experienced a second life when it appeared in the 1992 movie Wayne's World. The movie spawned a second video which interjected movie clips into the original video. The Wayne's World phenomenon coincided with Mercury's death at the end of 1991.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJ9rUzIMcZQ

998. Since You Been Gone by Rainbow (1979)

This was actually turned into a House song. It has also been covered by The Brian May band. Interestingly, Rainbow's version is a cover of Russ Ballard.

Best Line: Your poison letter, your telegram

Just goes to show you don't give a damn

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TYtdW5bD-7Q

Rolling Stone Magazine's Top 500 Songs #151-175

151. Eight Miles High: The Byrds- Can birds go eight miles high? Actually, this is a drug song

152. Earth Angel: The Penguins- Actually recorded in a garage; For me, defines the 50s.

153. Foxey Lady: The Jimi Hendrix Experience- I think of Wayne’s World whenever I hear this

154. A Hard Day’s Night: The Beatles- The title came from a Ringoism. A Ringoism is a malapropism.

155. Rave On: Buddy Holly- Under 2 minutes long, later covered by Mellencamp

156. Proud Mary: CCR- Rollin! Rollin! Rollin down the river…

157. The Sound of Silence: Simon and Garfunkel- Getting harder to rank some of these…

158. I Only Have Eyes for You: The Flamingos- Another defining song from the 50s.

159. Rock Around the Clock: Bill Haley and the Comets- Probably should be higher. First Rock song people rioted to.

160. Moment of Surrender: U2- Some of Bono’s greatest vocals

161. I’m Waiting for the Man: The Velvet Underground- Waiting for the drug dealer. Quite edgy even today.

162. Bring the Noise: Public Enemy- This is better with Anthrax

163. Folsom Prison Blues: Johnny Cash- Greatest line ever: I shot a man in Reno, just to watch him die.

164. I Can’t Stop Loving You: Ray Charles- Completely forgot about this song.

165. Nothing Compares 2 U: Sinead O’Connor- When she pitched this to record execs, they cried. She thought she was doomed, but they loved the song.

166. Bohemian Rhapsody: Queen- Oh mama mia let me go! Another one that reminds me of Wayne's World.

167. Fast Car: Tracy Chapman- Old school folk song hits it big in 1988.

168. Let’s Get it On: Marvin Gaye- I detect a theme with some of Gaye’s stuff…

169. Papa Was A Rollin’ Stone: The Temptations- The Temps go to funky town.

170. Losing My Religion: R.E.M.- A mandolin as a lead instrument? When folk goes pop. Right song at the right time.

171. Both Sides Now: Joni Mitchell- I have absolutely no feelings toward this song…that probably says all there is to say.

172. 99 Problems: Jay Z- Is anyone more overrated than this guy?

173. Dream On: Aerosmith- ESPN did a video showing clips of the 20th century to this song. It brought several grown men to tears.

174. Dancing Queen: Abba- Knew this would be here somewhere.

175. God Save the Queen: The Sex Pistols- Nihilism at its best. Banned in Britain for “bad taste.”

RS Magazine's Top 500 Songs #326-340

326. School’s Out: Alice Cooper- What better song to appeal to teens?

327. Take Me Out: Franz Ferdinand- Nothing like a song about snipers. Where's Tipper to complain about Frank Ferdinand's negative impact on the youth of the world?

328. Heartbreaker: Led Zeppelin- This has swagger, anger, angst, and a twinge of self doubt.

329. Cortez the Killer: Neil Young- This takes like 3 minutes to get going…and then the history is not only bad, but wrong.

330. Fight the Power: Public Enemy- Chuck D came from the suburbs…

331. Dancing Barefoot: Patti Smith Group- Patti Smith’s mystical orgasm.

332. Baby Love: The Supremes- Every girl group from Destiny’s Child to TLC owe a debt to The Supremes.

333. Good Lovin’: The Young Rascals- When I briefly did radio, there was a guy that played this song all the time. I can’t listen to it anymore.

334. Get Up (I Feel Like Being a) Sex Machine- Good God y’all!

335. For Your Precious Love: Jerry Butler and the Impressions- A good example of gospel’s influence on music.

336. The End: The Doors- Jim Morrison’s ode to death and his mother.

337. That’s the Way of the World- Earth, Wind, and Fire- Want to know what music was like in 1975? Listen to this.

338. We Will Rock You: Queen- Queen’s answer to punk.

339. I Can’t Make You Love Me: Bonnie Raitt- I am not sure why this is here.

340. Subterranean Homesick Blues: Bob Dylan- Stream of consciousness at its finest. John Lennon was so intimidated by this that he thought he could no longer compete.