“Try That In A Small Town” Controversy: Country Music’s Conundrum Music and Politics Music Culture Music History Number 1 Songs Song Lyrics by da jack hayford - July 20, 2023July 20, 20230 Country music has long been celebrated for its storytelling prowess, often drawing from real-life experiences and cultural mores. However, with the genre's mainstream success and increasing popularity, artists have occasionally found their "truths" embroiled in controversy. Such is the case surrounding Jason Aldean's #1 hit song, "Try That In A
Louis Armstrong: What A Wonderful World Music and Movies Music Business Music for a Cause Music in Commercials Music Legends Music Trivia Number 1 Songs Song Lyrics Special Occasion Music Spiritual Music by da jack hayford - July 16, 2023July 21, 20230 Often a great performing artist's career is largely defined by one very famous song. One might name Frank Sinatra and "New York, New York," Ray Charles and "Georgia," Tony Bennett and "I Left My Heart in San Francisco" in this regard. Clearly the legendary jazz great Louis Armstrong and his classic
I’m Too Sexy For My… Music in Commercials Music Trivia Novelty Songs Number 1 Songs Song Lyrics by da jack hayford - June 29, 2023June 30, 20230 What are YOU too sexy for? Well, if you're like me, twenty some years ago I was a whole lot sexier for a whole lot more! Right Said Fred In 1992, "I'm Too Sexy" spent seven weeks at #1 and R*S*F was the first British band since the Beatles debuted at #1 in 1964
Who Wrote the Rock Classic Wild Thing? Music and Movies Music Business Music Trivia Number 1 Songs by da jack hayford - June 14, 2023June 14, 20230 Recorded by such diverse acts as Kermit the Frog, Jeff Beck, and Jimi Hendrix, it was Andover England's The Troggs who took "Wild Thing" to #1 in 1966. "Hailing from the relatively unknown British town of Andover, the Troggs hooked up with manager/producer Larry Page (who was involved in the Kinks' early affairs) in
Tina Turner Queen of Rock n’ Roll Dies at 83 Music Legends Music News Number 1 Songs by da jack hayford - May 24, 2023May 25, 20230 The world of music has lost one of its greatest voices and visages, "The Queen of Rock n' Roll," Tina Turner. Born Anna Mae Bullock in Brownsville, Tennessee, in 1939, Young Anna Mae lived with her grandmother after her parents moved temporarily away to Knoxville to work at a military
Legendary Canadian Songwriter Gordon Lightfoot Dies at 84 Music and Movies Music History Music Legends Music News Number 1 Songs by da jack hayford - May 2, 2023May 3, 20230 Canada's favorite son, Gordon Lightfoot, was one of the greatest singer-songwriters to come out of the 1970s...and that's saying something. His name, along with the likes of Paul Simon, Jackson Browne, Carole King, Elton John, Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, Neil Young, James Taylor, David Bowie, Randy Newman, Cat Stevens, Billy
Who Wrote the Words to Turn! Turn! Turn!? Well, that is a tough question. The iconic Turn! Turn! Turn! probably has a lot of co-authors. Folk Legend Pete Seeger Photo Courtesy of Billboard "Pete Seeger, along with the folk missionaries Leadbelly, Woody Guthrie, Lee Hays and Odetta, has sung authentic American folk songs for so many years that his own
Who Wrote Ode to Billy Joe? Note: The actual title of this famous song is "Ode to Billie Joe" but it is commonly referenced and searched for as "Ode to Billy Joe." Bobbie Gentry 1969 Ode to Billy Joe is a song written and performed originally by Bobbie Gentry. Released in July 1967, it quickly became a hit
What is Bye Bye Miss American Pie About? Don McLean Celebrating 50 Years of "American Pie" A long, long time ago — 50 years, in fact — “American Pie” hijacked pop radio. Immediately, amateur sleuths began dissecting Don McLean’s sweeping, impressionistic lyrics for clues about all those intriguing references. Could Bob Dylan be the jester? Does the marching band
The Cat’s In The Cradle of Islam…Everyone Jump Upon the Peace Train Music Legends Number 1 Songs Song Lyrics Songwriting by da jack hayford - March 30, 2023April 24, 20230 Harry Chapin OK so let's get this straight. Cat Stevens did not write or record "Cat's In The Cradle" despite listings to the contrary on the web and the perhaps natural popular misconception. "Cat's In the Cradle" was written by the late great performing songwriter/activist Harry Chapin. (Actually, the words to the song were written by
Everybody’s Talkin’: About Harry Nilsson Music and Movies Music in Commercials Music Legends Number 1 Songs Theme Songs by da jack hayford - March 29, 2023April 27, 20230 Harry Nilsson is my favorite singer of all time. He was also a great piano player and brilliant all around musician. But his VOICE, and amazing vocal abilities, I think, are unequaled. Harry was a troubled, perhaps devilish guy with the absolute voice of an angel. This documentary is a
First Rock and Roll Record? Bill Haley The genesis of rock and roll: Where and when did it all begin? Some have claimed that Elvis Presley's 1954 cover of bluesman Arthur "Big Boy" Crudup's "That's All Right" is the definitive first rock and roll recording. Others trace the "first" R&R record back to 1951 and a
Who Sang Total Eclipse of the Heart? Music Business Music in Commercials Number 1 Songs by da jack hayford - March 20, 2023March 22, 20230 Bonnie Tyler In 1982 prolific hit songwriter Jim Steinman produced Bonnie Tyler's Faster Than the Speed of Night album and wrote the single, "Total Eclipse of the Heart," which hit #1 and remained there for 4 weeks. At virtually the same time, Steinman had given another of his songs to the
What is The Stripper Song? Music in Commercials Number 1 Songs Special Occasion Music by da jack hayford - March 19, 2023April 24, 20230 Take It Off...Take It All Off! Ever look at your "significant other" after a night out on the town, a few drinks and some merriment, and say seductively as they begin to undress, "take it off, take it all off!"? Where did that come from? And then he or she begins to laugh
Who Sang Rock Me Gently? Music in Commercials Number 1 Songs Song Lyrics by da jack hayford - March 19, 2023April 29, 20230 Andy Kim Who sang "Rock Me Gently"? Yep, the one in the Jeep Liberty TV commercial where the coyote eats the bird and then spits it out. "Rock Me Gently, Rock Me Slowly..." Who is that? Neil Diamond (think "Sweet Caroline" and "Cracklin' Rosie")? NOPE. Not Neil Diamond. But same vintage,
Everybody Wants to Rule The World Music and Movies Music in Commercials Number 1 Songs Song Lyrics by da jack hayford - March 19, 2023May 24, 20230 While watching NBC's Medium ("But For the Grace of God"), which centered around the solving of a young girl's murder in the 1980s, I was struck by the effective and nostalgic use of original 80s pop music in the soundtrack, including "Everybody Want to Rule the World" by the British duo Tears
Who Sang Don’t Worry Be Happy Music Awards Number 1 Songs Theme Songs TV Music by da jack hayford - March 14, 2023April 24, 20230 Bobby McFerrin "Don't Worry, Be Happy" was a #1 U.S. pop hit in 1988 for singer Bobby McFerrin, winning the Grammy, for Best Song of the Year. (Despite Internet references to the contrary, "Don't Worry, Be Happy" is NOT a song by reggae great Bob Marley.) The song is unusual in that
Who Wrote You Are My Sunshine? Music and Politics Music Business Music History Music Legends Number 1 Songs by da jack hayford - February 1, 2022May 28, 20230 Music Often Puts Politicians in a Good Light The Singing Governor of LouisianaJimmie Davis Cynics may claim that politics is more entertainment than substance. But the wisest and shrewdest of politicians have for decades used music to help win votes and gain popularity. None did it better than James Houston Davis, better known as Jimmie Davis,
Who Wrote Na Na Na Na, Na Na Na Na, Hey Hey Hey, Goodbye? Music Business Music History Music in Sports Number 1 Songs One Hit Wonders by da jack hayford - January 25, 2022April 24, 20230 It's that time of year when a lot of playoffs are happening in sports. From now til the start of next season fans will be dramatically saying goodbye to the losing side. Probably the only thing this 1969 #1 hit song has in common with the sports world is the cover of the
The Beatles First #1 Hit in America?: I Want to Hold Your Hand "The Beatles tested limits musically. When we first heard 'I Want To Hold Your Hand,' it stunned us, we had to ask ourselves if it was any good, there was nothing remotely like it on the radio."—Bob Lefsetz I was eight years old in 1963 when the Beatles first came to
Who was the Singing Nun? The Singing Nun's 1963 #1 hit, "Dominique" is one of the strangest #1s ever! No, the Singing Nun was not the Flying Nun (not as far as we know anyway!). The Flying Nun was a late 60s TV sitcom starring Sally Fields who won an Academy Award in 1985 for Places
Who Called Jenny at 867-5309? Number 1 Songs One Hit Wonders by da jack hayford - December 27, 2021June 10, 20230 Well, it probably wasn’t Tommy Heath, the lead singer for the San Francisco-based rock band Tommy Tutone who made the number famous in 1982…
Who Wrote The Monster Mash? Dance Craze Music Number 1 Songs Special Occasion Music by da jack hayford - October 29, 2016November 7, 20230 “Since it’s release in 1962 when it became #1 in 8 weeks, Bobby ‘Boris’ Pickett is the only active performer whose original recording reached ‘the top 100’ on three different occasions.
Who Played Willy Wonka in WIlly Wonka and the Chocolate Factory? Music and Movies Number 1 Songs by da jack hayford - August 31, 2016March 18, 20230 Brilliant comic actor and writer (and fine singer and dancer too!) Gene Wilder, AKA WIlly Wonka, AKA The Candyman, passed away August 29th 2016 at his home in Connecticut from complications surrounding his long (and largely unknown) diagnosis with Alzhiemer's disease. He was 83 years old. Willy Wonka is the Man—The
Who Wrote I’d Like to Teach the World to Sing? Music History Music in Commercials Number 1 Songs by da jack hayford - August 22, 2016February 18, 20230 I'd like to teach the world to sing In perfect harmony I'd like to build the world a home And furnish it with love Grow apple trees and honey bees and snow-white turtle doves I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing Editors Note: Only in Nashville! Recently I was eating a famously-great burger at
Who Sang She Wore an Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polkadot Bikini? Music History Music in Commercials Number 1 Songs by da jack hayford - July 14, 2016July 2, 20230 Brian Hyland Ahh, the infamous bikini! It was born at the Paris fashion show in 1946, right after World War II. It exploded in popularity in the late 1950s when bombshell actress Brigitte Bardot created a sensation by wearing one in the 1958 film And God Created Woman. But who first
Who Wrote You’ll Never Walk Alone? Music for a Cause Music History Music in Sports Number 1 Songs Special Occasion Music by da jack hayford - May 13, 2016February 17, 20230 "You'll Never Walk Alone" is such an internationally famous song and yet most people don't know its origins. A likely guess that it was a Broadway show tune would be correct. But there's more to the history of the song. Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein wrote what has now become an uplifting "standard"