Naturally one looks back at some nice years...and seasons of their past. Well, I've lived through 58 of them and many of them have been great. Lately, I've been posting songs from the Springtime of 1968.. Now, there really isn't any special connotation that came along with it; no really great memories of anything personal. After all I was only eleven. I was really fascinated with the weather and meteorology and I really wanted to become some kind of weatherman when I grew up. That is much to the regret of my Dad, who was a lawyer, and who wanted me to be one. Well, neither of them happened, but still that spring, I had a mini-weather station and I also listened to the transcribed weather broadcasts emanating from Newark Airport every hour for airport weather observations around the northeast.
Equally fascinating was the top 40 music scene in the spring of 1968. Of course from a historical standpoint, '68 wasn't a great year. While the year before had flower power and the Summer of Love and the year after was Woodstock, 1968 was a year of turmoil. Two assassinations, an escalating war overseas which was unpopular, and a sitting president who decided not to run for reelection. But the music was great.
"A Beautiful Morning", by the Rascals to me was my theme song that spring. Very often I would awaken to bright morning sun and blue skies, as I trotted off to sixth grade at Aldene Elementary School in Roselle Park. It was just that kind of up-tempo feel-good songs out there that, no matter how bad or difficult times lied ahead, and perhaps things would be okay after all.
Top 40 radio by 1968 had become separated in a way, unlike three years earlier when the whole generation would be listening to the Beatles and other Brit-invasion groups, Motown and some emerging American acts like Simon & Garfunkel, The Mamas & the Papas, The Byrds, Bob Dylan and many others. But 1967 was a year of change. Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band came out and many artists needed a whole album to make a statement; three minutes on a 45 rpm record was not enough. Thus more progressive, social commentary-filled songs were made, played by free-form FM radio stations. As a result, top 40 got the leftovers; in its place were bubblegun music, such as the Ohio Express, 1910 Fruitgum Company and several others. Some were geared at adults, like Herb Alpert's big solo vocal "This Guy's In Love With You". Some schmaltzy ("Honey" by Bobby Goldsboro), some pop psychedelic ("Just Dropped In" by The First Edition, featuring a young Kenny Rogers). The Beatles and Stones still had hits ("Lady Madonna", "Jumping Jack Flash"), and some other Brit bands also came back and hit, like Manfred Mann's "The Might Quinn", and The Troggs' "Love is All Around".
Romanticism abounded "La La Means I Love You" by the Delfonics, and the intriguing "Playboy" by Gene & Debbe which I hardly ever hear these days. The Graduate was popular as was "Mrs. Robinson" by Simon & Garfunkel. Straight ahead pop with a Memphis flair ("Cry Like a Baby" by The Box Tops), the birth of psychedelic soul ("Dance to the Music" by Sly & the Family Stone), classic posthumous soul ("Dock of the Day" by Otis Redding), and don't forget Lady Soul, Aretha Franklin who was red hot during that season ("Since You Been Gone" and "Think"). There were party anthems ("The Unicorn by The Irish Rovers and "Mony Mony" by Tommy James & the Shondells), and perhaps songs that questioned morals ("Young Girl", Gary Puckett & the Union Gap). Throw in an instrumental ("The Good, the Bad and the Ugly" by Hugo Montenegro), and sunshine pop (the aforementioned Rascals tune as well as "Like to Get to Know You", by Spanky & Our Gang) you have pretty much a smorgasbord of musical styles taking up the pop airways.
Many people (including my Mom, who started a job working for Ampeg, a company that specialized in music amplifiers), believe that 1968 was one of the best years for popular music and at a time when progressive, free-form rock was also exploring new areas (Led Zeppelin, etc), both formats were able to stand out at the same time.
STILL SHAKIN': Alabama Shakes still rule the roost, as "Don't Wanna Fight", tops my chart for a second week at the top. Another song from Sound & Color, "Gimme All Your Love" vaults from 48 to 13. Omnia Hegazy's "Dirt" jumps to #2 and could be her second number one song next week. The Black Keys' hold at #3. Maroon 5's "Sugar" is the only other new entry in the Top 20 this week.
MAKE NO BONES 'BOUT IT: I loved St. Paul & the Broken Bones' soulfulness on their song "Call Me" which was on the alt-rock charts last summer, and which I picked up on after my autumn hiatus. It hit my top spot but having only been a mid-charter on the alt charts, there was no follow-up. Well I can't let a great band and album go untouched, so I went with another track from their Half the City set, "Like a Mighty River". It's more of the same as "Call Me", and to be honest, I can't enough of their sound. Some feel-good soul is in order, many of it a throwback to the sixties period I mentioned above. While perhaps young audiences can't grasp this kind of music or the blues put forth by the Alabama Shakes, I am happy to see artists pay homage to the sounds of the past. Can old be new again? Well, it is with me, at least. I recommend this song; heck, pick up the entire album.
THE ERA OF THE PRODUCER/DJ? One trend I have been noticing in today's pop music is the role of the producer as a lead artist, with featured vocalists as guests on their songs. While many artists have featured different vocals on their songs (think of the Santana albums in the late 90's and early 2000's), rarely is the focus on the producer. A prime example, of course, is Mick Ronson, who had produced many key albums, but also has a set out which features, of course Bruno Mars and others. Zedd is another who has graced my charts as well. And then there's Calvin Harris, who is back with another entry at #83 "Outside", the follow-up to his top 10's "Summer" and "Blame". This one features Ellie Goulding, who just missed my top 20 with "Love Me Like You Do". It's not the first time Goulding has worked with Harris, "I Need Your Love" hit #66 in 2013. This one had already peaked on the Hot 100 but as the case with St. Paul, I just can't get enough of this guy. Sure, the formula is the same as his other songs: A vocal, then an instrumental break, a rather simplistic one, but still Goulding's vocals, reminiscent of her "Lights" hit, takes charge, perhaps more than the featured ones in the past. Another winner. Oh, and should I mention that Harris is the latest boyfriend of Taylor Swift? Don't worry, that'll probably pass very soon.
ALL ABOUT THAT HUSBAND?: Meghan Trainor debuts next, with her third single. Say what you will about her, but she seems to be making an effort in bringing retro-oriented doo-wop pop back. You can be forgiven if you keep thinking of Dion Dimucci when you listen to her latest single "Dear Future Husband". It does have that "Runaround Sue" vibe to it. Take off your shoes and dance!!!!
Back to Alt-rock, we also have debuts by Saint Motel, Imagine Dragons, and Joywave. Saint Motel is an indie-pop band from L.A., and the song "My Type" is a rhythmic piece leading off with horns and it seems like they're having a good time. The Dragon's latest shows another side of this band, another rhythmic effort which cooks. Joywave is an indie band from Rochester and graced my chart earlier this year with "Tongues". "Somebody New" sounds like a song I've heard before, but apparently not. It's a catchy thing.
MORE LINKS: I now have the entire top 30 linked to a website or a YouTube video, as well as any new songs that debuted in the past two weeks. Click to your heart's content. Remember, feedback is much appreciated!
| This Week | Last Week | ARTIST-Title | Weeks on List |
| 1 | 1 | NUMBER ONE:
Album: Sound & Color
(2 weeks at #1)
|
10 |
| 2 | 4 | Omnia Hegazy - Dust | 7 |
| 3 | 3 | The Black Keys- Weight of Love | 11 |
| 4 | 2 | Mark Ronson f. Bruno Mars - Uptown Funk | 13 |
| 5 | 6 | Future Islands - Seasons (Waiting On You) | 12 |
| 6 | 8 | Corinne Bailey Rae - Bluebird | 9 |
| 7 | 10 | Hozier - Angel of Small Death and the Codiene Scene | 10 |
| 8 | 12 | Jungle - Busy Earnin' | 7 |
| 9 | 5 | Belle and Sebastian - The Party Line | 11 |
| 10 | 13 | Phoebe Ryan - Mine | 11 |
| 11 | 7 | Ariana Grande - Love Me Harder | 14 |
| 12 | 14 | Launderettes - Red River | 12 |
| 13 | 48 | TOP 20 IMPACT OF THE WEEK:
"Gimme All
Your Love"
Album: Sound & Color
|
2 |
| 14 | 19 | Tennis - I'm Callin' | 5 |
| 15 | 9 | Florence + the Machine - What Kind of Man | 10 |
| 16 | 15 | Modest Mouse - Lampshades on Fire | 11 |
| 17 | 11 | White Arrows - We Can't Ever Die | 13 |
| 18 | 23 | Maroon 5 - Sugar | 8 |
| 19 | 16 | The Raveonettes - Killer in the Streets | 15 |
| 20 | 18 | Taylor Centers - Wild | 11 |
| 21 | 36 | The Decemberists - Calvary Captain | 4 |
| 22 | 21 | Sir Sly - You Haunt Me | 11 |
| 23 | 25 | Kjband - Man of Few Words | 13 |
| 24 | 24 | The Big Takeover - Dolphins | 9 |
| 25 | 26 | Catfish & the Bottlemen - Kathleen | 14 |
| 26 | 29 | Kongos - I Want to Know | 6 |
| 27 | 17 | Calvin Harris f. John Newman - Blame | 13 |
| 28 | 22 | Ellie Goulding - Love Me Like You Do | 10 |
| 29 | 34 | Alice Russell - Breakdown | 8 |
| 30 | 27 | Fitz and the Tantrums - Fools Gold● | 22 |
| 31 | 20 | Waters - I Feel Everything | 16 |
| 32 | 28 | Alvvays - Archie Marry Me | 14 |
| 33 | 53 | MOVER OF THE WEEK: |
3 |
| 34 | 39 | Django Django - First Light | 8 |
| 35 | 31 | Foster the People - Are You What You Want To Be● | 19 |
| 36 | 41 | Avi Buffalo - Think It's Gonna Happen Again | 6 |
| 37 | 38 | Fitz and the Tantrums - 6AM● | 31 |
| 38 | 40 | Glass Animals - Gooey | 9 |
| 39 | 30 | The Kooks - Bad Habit | 12 |
| 40 | 33 | Lucius - Hey, Doreen | 17 |
| 41 | 35 | TV on the Radio - Happy Idiot | 14 |
| 42 | 44 | Zella Day - Hypnotic | 7 |
| 43 | 43 | The Drums - I Can't Pretend | 9 |
| 44 | 50 | Mark Ronson f. Kevin Parker - Daffodils | 5 |
| 45 | 32 | Kelly Clarkson - Heartbreak Song | 10 |
| 46 | 37 | St. Paul and the Broken Bones - Call Me● | 21 |
| 47 | 47 | Tame Impala - Let It Happen | 4 |
| 48 | 60 | Mumford & Sons - Believe | 3 |
| 49 | 57 | Awolnation - Hollow Moon | 4 |
| 50 | 70 | Ed Sheeran - Thinking Out Loud | 9 |
| 51 | 51 | George Ezra - Budapest | 11 |
| 52 | 56 | Lana Del Rey - Shades of Cool | 19 |
| 53 | 49 | Madonna - Living For Love | 7 |
| 54 | 42 | Meghan Trainor - Lips are Movin' | 14 |
| 55 | 46 | The Mowglis - Through the Dark | 8 |
| 56 | 62 | Real Estate - Talking Backwards | 4 |
| 57 | 68 | Locksley - Let It Ride | 6 |
| 58 | 63 | Best Coast - California Nights | 5 |
| 59 | 45 | Fall Out Boy - Centuries | 13 |
| 60 | 71 | Courtney Barnett - Pedestrian At Best | 6 |
| 61 | 58 | The Big Takeover - Children of the Rhythm● | 25 |
| 62 | 64 | The Wombats - Greek Tragedy | 8 |
| 63 | 52 | Foxygen - Cosmic Vibrations | 14 |
| 64 | 74 | Jessica Lea Mayfield - Standing In the Sun | 3 |
| 65 | 55 | Fremont - All That I Needed | 15 |
| 66 | 86 | Meg Myers - Sorry | 2 |
| 67 | 89 | Cheerleader - The Sunshine of Your Youth | 2 |
| 68 | 54 | Interpol - My Desire | 13 |
| 69 | 59 | Stater-Kinney - Bury Our Friends | 16 |
| 70 | 67 | Blondfire - Waves | 10 |
| 71 | 69 | Cage the Elephant - Cigarette Daydreams● | 19 |
| 72 | 72 | Death Cab for Cutie - Black Sun | 8 |
| 73 | 75 | Taylor Swift - Style | 4 |
| 74 | 65 | Yelawolf- Till It's Gone | 13 |
| 75 | 66 | The Griswolds - If You Wanna Stay | 8 |
| 76 | 76 | In the Valley Below - Peaches | 5 |
| 77 | --- | TOP DEBUT:
Album: Half the City
|
1 |
| 78 | 61 | Rihanna, Kanye West, Paul McCartney - FourFive Seconds | 7 |
| 79 | 77 | Elel - 40 Watt | 3 |
| 80 | 80 | Life In Film - Get Closer | 3 |
| 81 | 79 | Kid Rock - First Kiss | 4 |
| 82 | 85 | Walk the Moon - Shut Up & Dance | 6 |
| 83 | --- | Calvin Harris f. Ellie Goulding - Outside | 1 |
| 84 | 73 | Hozier - Take Me To Church● | 33 |
| 85 | 82 | Houndmouth - Sedona | 6 |
| 86 | 91 | Carly Rae Jepsen - I Really Like You | 2 |
| 87 | 88 | Rival Sons - Open My Eyes | 3 |
| 88 | 98 | Ariana Grande - One Last Time | 2 |
| 89 | 83 | Matt & Kim - Get It | 7 |
| 90 | 84 | Christina Perri - The Words | 6 |
| 91 | 90 | Linus Young - Fun In the Sun | 4 |
| 92 | --- | Meghan Trainor - Dear Future Husband | 1 |
| 93 | 100 | Offspring - Coming For You | 3 |
| 94 | --- | Saint Motel - My Type | 1 |
| 95 | 96 | Nate Ruess - Nothing Without Love | 2 |
| 96 | --- | Of Monsters and Men - Crystals | 1 |
| 97 | --- | Joywave - Somebody New | 1 |
| 98 | 78 | Jungle - Time | 29 |
| 99 | 94 | Robert LeLong - Long Way Down | 3 |
| 100 | 81 | Deers - Bamboo | 13 |
Tremors:
| 101 | 101 | Incubus - Absolution Calling |
| 102 | Imagine Dragons - Shots |
| 103 | Belle and Sebastian - Nobody's Empire | |
| 104 | 102 | Genevieve - Colors |
| 105 | 103 | Sam Smith - Lay Me Down |
| 106 | 104 | Sleater-Kinney - A New Wave |
| 107 | 105 | Broncho - Class Historian |
| 108 | 106 | Matthew E. White - Rock and Roll Is Cold |
| 109 | Night Riots - Contagious |
|
|
Songs
with the greatest increase in favorite points over the prior week.
● Songs
with 25 or more plays on my iPod.
▲ Songs with 50 or more plays on my iPod.