Here are some of pop music’s most surprising hit songs.
‘The Stranger’: The Jewel in Billy Joel’s Crown
The Stranger made it into the Grammy Hall of Fame and sold over 10 million units.
The Stranger made it into the Grammy Hall of Fame and sold over 10 million units.
‘Office Space’ at 25
Despite its initial failure at the box office, the movie’s spot-on satire of the corporate world eventually gained it a loyal group of fans.
Despite its initial failure at the box office, the movie’s spot-on satire of the corporate world eventually gained it a loyal group of fans.
10 Accordion Songs That Rock
Okay, so it’s technically a harmonium pump organ and not an accordion we hear in this #1 smash from 1965.
Okay, so it’s technically a harmonium pump organ and not an accordion we hear in this #1 smash from 1965.
Tiny Tim Kinda Rocked (Yes, Really)
Tiny’s career was off and tiptoeing, proving his mother wrong. In 1965, she’d told her son, “I’m sorry to say but in all fairness, you’ll never be anything.”
Tiny’s career was off and tiptoeing, proving his mother wrong. In 1965, she’d told her son, “I’m sorry to say but in all fairness, you’ll never be anything.”
The Year of the Monkees: 1967
The Monkees began as a television sitcom about four struggling musicians who shared a California beach house.
The Monkees began as a television sitcom about four struggling musicians who shared a California beach house.
The One-Hit Wonder File: ‘Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Goes)’
Straight from the off, Edison Lighthouse’s “Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Goes)” captures more in three minutes than most bands create over a whole career.
Straight from the off, Edison Lighthouse’s “Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Goes)” captures more in three minutes than most bands create over a whole career.
Linda Ronstadt’s ‘Heart Like a Wheel’ at 50
1974’s Heart Like A Wheel took things to the next level. The album initiated Ronstadt’s run as one of the most successful female artists of the 1970s.
1974’s Heart Like A Wheel took things to the next level. The album initiated Ronstadt’s run as one of the most successful female artists of the 1970s.
Rock Bands and the Grammys: Where Were They?
So, I went in search of why this was the case, thinking it had to do with fewer Rock bands or some change in the Grammy categories but neither was the case.
So, I went in search of why this was the case, thinking it had to do with fewer Rock bands or some change in the Grammy categories but neither was the case.
Remembering Marvin Gaye 40 Years Later
Hard to believe that it’s been 40 years since the untimely passing of Marvin Gaye.
Hard to believe that it’s been 40 years since the untimely passing of Marvin Gaye.
Extended Guitar Solos That Deserve More Love
Some cursory research reveals that the median length of a guitar solo in a hit song is 35 seconds, give or take.
Some cursory research reveals that the median length of a guitar solo in a hit song is 35 seconds, give or take.
Remember Melanie, the Folkie Who Sang About a ‘Brand New Key’?
Rock and roll tour manager Regis Boff got his start working with Melanie and literally had a front-row seat to those fervent performances almost every night.
Rock and roll tour manager Regis Boff got his start working with Melanie and literally had a front-row seat to those fervent performances almost every night.
The Epic Track: ‘Don’t Fear the Reaper’
The song became a longtime staple on rock radio playlists, and it’s been covered by bands like Heaven 17, Goo Goo Dolls, and Candlemass.
The song became a longtime staple on rock radio playlists, and it’s been covered by bands like Heaven 17, Goo Goo Dolls, and Candlemass.
The Bitter Irony of Barbie’s Oscar Nod
Barbie received eight Oscar nominations, including the coveted Best Picture. But Best Director was not one of them.
Barbie received eight Oscar nominations, including the coveted Best Picture. But Best Director was not one of them.
5 Underappreciated Female Music Pioneers
From the Queen of electric blues to the first Funk Princess, these five female artists are all deserving of wider recognition.
From the Queen of electric blues to the first Funk Princess, these five female artists are all deserving of wider recognition.
Five Acts to Watch in 2024
One thing is sure: these artists sing, write, and perform at an interesting level.
One thing is sure: these artists sing, write, and perform at an interesting level.