Back in time
30 June 2024
40 years ago today, on 30 June 1984 THE BOSS was at #2 on the US Singles Charts with DANCING IN THE DARK from his blockbuster LP BORN IN THE USA.
Top singles from the past
23 June 2024
British glam rockers DURAN DURAN hit the
top of the US Single Charts on 23 June 1984,
today 40 years ago.
It was the third single, and their 11th overall, taken
from their third LP Seven And The Ragged Tiger.
DD: Story
Top singles from the past
16 June 2024
Stand-alone single BOYS DON’T CRY by Goth pop giants THE CURE came
out 45 years ago, on In the US the song was included as title track of the LP
‘Boys Don’t Cry‘, the American equivalent to the band’s debut album ‘Three
Imaginary Boys’. The cracker has over more than 770 million streams on Spotify.
It was written by Michael Dempsey, Robert Smith, and Lol Tolhurst. Later Smith confessed that they wrote this and other poppy earworms to extend their fanbase and make new followers acquainted with their other more album-orientated work.
40 years ago.
THE CURE: Instagram
Top singles from the past
11 June 2024
Today 55 years ago, on 11 June 1969, The Fab Four (in this case only Paul and John were involved in the recording/production) topped the UK Singles Chart with THE BALLAD OF JOHN AND YOKO.
Actually one of my all-time favourite Lennon classics. It was the band’s 17th and final numero uno in their native country. The song tells the story of the eventful days of the marriage of the late genius John and his muse Yoko Ono while driving in a Rolls Royce.
Lyrics
Standing in the dock at Southampton
Trying to get to Holland or France
The man in the Mac said, “You’ve got to go back”
You know, they didn’t even give us a chance
Chorus
Christ, you know it ain’t easy
You know how hard it can be
The way things are going
They’re gonna crucify me
Finally, made the plane into Paris
Honeymooning down by the Seine
Peter Brown called to say, “You can make it okay
You can get married in Gibraltar, near Spain”
Chorus
Drove from Paris to the Amsterdam Hilton
Talking in our beds for a week
The news people said, “Say what you doing in bed”
I said, “We’re only trying to get us some peace”
Chorus
Saving up your money for a rainy day
Giving all your clothes to charity
Last night the wife said, “Poor boy, when you’re dead
You don’t take, nothing with you but your soul”
Made a lightning trip to Vienna
Eating chocolate cake in a bag
The newspaper said, “She’s gone to his head
They look just like two gurus in drag”
Chorus
Caught the early plane back to London
50 acorns tied in a sack
The men from the press said, “We wish you success
It’s good to have the both of you back”
Chorus
THE BEATLES: Instagram
Top singles from the past
10 June 2024
London punks THE RUTS, led by lead-singer Malcolm Owen who died from a heroin overdose in 1980, had their best moment with their fulminating hit single BABYLON’S BURNING that came out 45 years ago today, on 10 June 1979. It peaked at #7 in the UK.
THE RUTS: Bio – Discography
Top singles from the past
6 June 2024
World-famous trio THE POLICE had one of their biggest hits – #1 in the US, UK and Canada – with EVERY BREATH YOU TAKE. It topped the US Single Charts 41 years ago today, on 4 June 1983. It also hit #1 in the UK and Canada. It was from their fifth and final LP Synchronicity.
Video: It was directed by Godley & Creme (from 10CC) with reference to Albian artist
Gjon Mili‘s 1944 short film Jammin’ The Blues. The clip shows the band, accompanied
by a pianist and string section, performing the song in a darkened ballroom as a man washes the floor-to-ceiling window behind them. Sting plays an upright bass.
THE POLICE: Story
Top singles from the past
5 June 2024
ROY ORBISON (23 April 1936 – 6 December 1988), one of the greatest voices ever,
topped the US Single Charts with his haunting masterstroke RUNNING SCARED
on 5 June 1961, today 63 years ago.
The song’s musical structure was, obviously, inspired by Ravel‘s classical piece de résistance Bolero. It sold more than 1 million copies worldwide. Peaked at #9
in the UK.
Studio Version
Goosebumps Live Version
Nick Cave cover
Big O: Story
Top singles from the past
2 June 2024
Today 45 years ago, on 2 June 1979 the late fab DONNA SUMMER
started a three week run at No.1 on the US Singles Chart with dance
floor knockout HOT STUFF.
A 24-Carat disco diamond.
Sexy, sultry and shaky.
In the UK it peaked at #11.
– HOT STUFF –
DONNA SUMMER: Story – Discography
Top singles from the past
26 May 2024
SUNDAY GIRL was the fourth single taken from BLONDIE‘s
bliss-pop masterstroke LP Parallel Lines released in 1978.
It topped the UK Singles Chart 45 years ago today, Sunday.
Incredible fact: the record label didn’t bother to release this
solid gold cracker as a single in America. OMG.
Here comes the most iconic Sunday glam girl ever.
BLONDIE: Instagram
11 May 2024
1969
With the passing of drummer Dennis Thompson, 2 days ago, after
a heart attack, aged 75, all original MC5 members are rockin’ their
asses off now in heaven, hell, and in between.
Vocalist Rob Tyner died in 1991, aged only 46, due to a heart attack.
Guitarist Fred “Sonic” Smith who was married for 14 years to Patti
Smith and had 2 children together also passed away at the early age
of 46 following heart failure in 1994.
Guitarist Wayne Kramer who was working on a new MC5 album left us
last February, aged 75, after a long battle with cancer and bassist Michael
Davis didn’t survive liver failure in 2012, he was 68.
Kick out the jams one more time, Detroit motherfuckers.
MC5: Story