They thought they were done with the making of the album Every Picture Tells A Story, but it seemed to be a song short, so they added a song Rod Stewart wrote about losing his virginity. The song was a bit long and had no actual chorus, but it did pad out the album. Stewart’s record label also put the song on the b-side of the album’s first single. The song’s title? “Maggie May.” Perhaps you’ve heard it.
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The theme of today’s playlist is cover versions of songs that originated in stage musicals. Here are the songs listed with the shows that introduced them:
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David Bowie was more than just a singer, songwriter, musician, and actor. He was a visionary, a trailblazer, and a role model for millions of people who felt different, marginalized, or excluded.
Bowie’s musical career spanned six decades and countless genres, from glam rock to pop to electronic. He constantly reinvented himself, creating iconic personas such as Ziggy Stardust, Aladdin Sane, and the Thin White Duke. He was not afraid to experiment, challenge, and surprise his fans and critics.
Bowie’s music was not only innovative, but also meaningful. He explored themes such as alienation, identity, sexuality, and mortality. He was one of the first mainstream artists to openly express his bisexuality and to blur the lines between masculine and feminine. He drew inspiration from various sources, such as kabuki theatre, mime, Bauhaus art, and cinema. He influenced generations of musicians, artists, and activists who followed his example of being true to oneself.
David Bowie was a rebel, a hero, and a legend. He changed the face of music and culture with his talent, creativity, and courage. He inspired and empowered millions of people who felt they didn’t fit the norm or the expectations of society. He showed us that we can be anything we want to be, and that we should celebrate our differences rather than hide them. He left us with a rich and diverse musical legacy that will continue to resonate for generations to come.
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Elvis Presley was more than just a singer. He was a cultural icon, a musical innovator, and a philanthropist. His legacy lives on in his songs, his movies, and his charitable deeds.
Elvis’s musical contributions are undeniable. He popularized a new style of music that blended elements of blues, country, gospel, and pop. He influenced countless artists, from the Beatles to Bruce Springsteen, and inspired generations of fans. He recorded over 700 songs, many of which became classics, such as “Jailhouse Rock,” “Hound Dog,” “Heartbreak Hotel,” and “Suspicious Minds.” He won three Grammy Awards, a Lifetime Achievement Award, and was inducted into several halls of fame. He sold over one billion records worldwide, making him the best-selling solo artist of all time.
Elvis’s philanthropic efforts are less known, but equally impressive. He was generous with his time, talent, and money, supporting various causes and organizations. He donated to the March of Dimes, the American Cancer Society, the American Library Association, and many others. He gave thousands of teddy bears to children’s hospitals, paid off people’s debts and mortgages, and performed benefit concerts for the USS Arizona Memorial, the Cynthia Milk Fund, and the Kui Lee Cancer Fund. He recorded songs that addressed social issues, such as “In the Ghetto” and “If I Can Dream.”
Elvis’s impact on music and society is still felt today, more than 40 years after his death. His songs are still played on the radio, his movies are still watched on TV, and his fans are still loyal and passionate. His Graceland mansion is a museum and a shrine, visited by millions of people every year. His image is still recognizable and iconic, inspiring countless impersonators and tributes.
Elvis Presley was the King of Rock and Roll and a generous soul. He gave us his music, his movies, and his charity. He gave us his heart, his soul, and his love. He gave us the wonder of him.
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R.E.M. was one of the most influential and innovative bands of the 1980s and 1990s, creating a distinctive sound that blended alternative rock, folk, and pop. The band, which consisted of Michael Stipe, Peter Buck, Mike Mills, and Bill Berry, formed in 1980 in Athens, Georgia, and soon became the quintessential college rock band, attracting a loyal fan base with their poetic lyrics, jangly guitars, and charismatic stage presence.
R.E.M. was not only a musical force, but also a social and political one. The band used their platform to raise awareness and support for various causes, such as environmentalism, human rights, animal rights, and AIDS research., and they also celebrated their own identities, with Stipe coming out as queer in 1994 and Buck embracing his Buddhist faith.
Some of R.E.M.’s songs reflected their activism and values, such as “Fall on Me”, which addressed acid rain and “Orange Crush”, which criticized the Vietnam War. Other songs captured the emotions and experiences of their listeners, such as “Losing My Religion”, which explored doubt and obsession, “Everybody Hurts”, which offered comfort and hope, and “Nightswimming”, which evoked nostalgia and innocence.
R.E.M. also experimented with different musical styles and formats, such as incorporating rap, electronica, and country elements. They also challenged the music industry norms, refusing to print lyrics with their albums until 1994, avoiding lip-syncing on television, and maintaining creative control over their work.
R.E.M. disbanded in 2011, after 31 years and 15 studio albums, leaving behind a legacy of music and social impact that inspired countless artists and fans. Their songs are still widely played and enjoyed today, and their influence can be heard in bands such as Nirvana, Radiohead, Pearl Jam, and Coldplay. R.E.M. was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2007, and received numerous awards and accolades for their artistic and humanitarian achievements.
If you want to revisit some of R.E.M.’s best songs, or discover them for the first time, check out this playlist that features some of their hits and deep cuts.
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The year after I graduated from college I moved out of my parents’ house into my own apartment in Woodbridge, New Jersey, where I lived for two years before moving into Manhattan. Woodbridge was no great shakes, though there was one cool thing about it. Around the corner from me was an independent record store whose name I will never recall. Always on the hunt for new music, I would spend hours there flipping through the racks. It was on one of those occasions, in 1986 or ’87, that I chanced upon an album named Let It Be. I already had an album at home called Let It Be by a different band, and that one was pretty good, so I figured I’d take a chance on this Let It Be. It’s by a band named The Replacements, and while I had never heard their music, I did recall reading positive things about them in the music press. I splurged the $9 + tax on the still sealed vinyl LP, took that baby home, and have never looked back. I now own every album ever released by The Replacements in triplicate plus one (is that called quadruplicate?), not because I’m an obsessive, but because I worked for their record company. And because I’m an obsessive.
The Replacements’ Paul Westerberg was born on this date in 1959. A few of the band’s earlier recordings are included on today’s playlist.
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Five years after then president of The Recording Academy proclaimed that women need to step up, the ladies have responded with “How’s this, jerkface?” Women dominate this year’s Grammy nominations. More importantly, all but two of the top 20 songs on my year-end list are led by female artists (with one guy showing up to provide guest vocals). That’s a record, I think, but don’t quote me on that. I’m too lazy to check. I don’t have a deep analysis for this phenomenon, but I do have a deep appreciation for the talent and diversity of these women (not that women have ever been underrepresented in my annual tallies). The highest placing male acts on my 2023 list are none other than The Rolling Stones and The Beatles. Yes, you read that right. The legends are back, and they still can show the young-uns how it’s done. With their song “Angry,” The Rolling Stones have achieved a remarkable feat: the longest span from first appearance to most recent appearance in my year-end surveys. In 1981, my first year of making such lists, the group placed with “Start Me Up.” The 80s are also well represented by Kylie Minogue and Madonna, each of whom made a triumphant return to my list after long absences. Welcome back, ladies! And last but not least, let’s give a round of applause to Megan Thee Stallion, who has been in my top five for five years in a row. That’s a record, I think, but don’t quote me on that. I’m too lazy to check. Now, without further ado, here is my list of the best songs of 2023. Enjoy!
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