Tunes Du Jour Celebrates Brothers And Sisters Day

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May 2 is Brothers And Sisters Day, and today on the old blogorooni is a playlist of 30 duos or groups that include siblings. I didn’t include EVERY set of brothers and sisters, as I limit these playlists to 30 songs, so apologies to the Brothers Allman, the Sisters Pointer and all the other qualifying worthwhile acts. I’ll get you next time.

Here’s what is included:

**Don’t Look Back in Anger – Oasis**

This anthem of Britpop is fueled by the volatile but brilliant creative tension between Manchester’s most famous brothers, Noel and Liam Gallagher.

**Gaslighter – The Chicks**

While Natalie Maines takes the lead, the group’s foundation is built on the masterful musicianship of sisters Martie Maguire and Emily Strayer.

**God Only Knows – The Beach Boys**

The ethereal harmonies of this masterpiece are anchored by the Wilson brothers (Brian, Dennis, and Carl), proving that “family blend” is a real sonic phenomenon.

**Let It Be Me – The Everly Brothers**

Don and Phil Everly practically invented the art of close-harmony singing, influencing every duo that followed in their footsteps.

**Mmmbop – Hanson**

Isaac, Taylor, and Zac Hanson took the world by storm as youngsters, showcasing a tight-knit musical bond that has kept them recording together for decades.

**The Rain, The Park & Other Things – The Cowsills**

The real-life inspiration for The Partridge Family, this family band featured six siblings and their mother creating pure sunshine-pop gold.

**Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin) – Sly & The Family Stone**

Sly, Freddie, and Rose Stone revolutionized funk and soul as a multi-talented family unit at the heart of the psychedelic era.

**She Talks To Angels – The Black Crowes**

Brothers Chris and Rich Robinson have steered the Black Crowes through decades of rock and roll, proving that sibling rivalry can be a powerful creative engine.

**Sex On Fire – Kings Of Leon**

The Followill clan—brothers Caleb, Nathan, and Jared, plus cousin Matthew—turned their Southern upbringing into global stadium-rock stardom.

**Private Idaho – The B-52’s**

The quirky genius of the B-52’s was spearheaded in part by the late Ricky Wilson and his sister Cindy, whose shared vision helped define the New Wave era.

**You Shook Me All Night Long – AC/DC**

The backbone of the “Thunder from Down Under” was the rock-solid rhythm section and songwriting partnership of brothers Angus and Malcolm Young.

**Summer Girl – HAIM**

The Haim sisters (Este, Danielle, and Alana) are the modern standard-bearers for sibling synergy, blending West Coast cool with effortless familial intuition.

**Crazy Horses – The Osmonds**

Proving they were more than just teen idols, the Osmond brothers cranked up the fuzz pedals for this surprisingly heavy slice of 70s rock.

**Hot Line – The Sylvers**

With nine siblings in the lineup, The Sylvers brought a massive, coordinated family energy to the disco and R&B charts.

**Goodbye to Love – The Carpenters**

Richard and Karen Carpenter combined his meticulous arrangements with her once-in-a-generation voice to create some of the most enduring pop music ever made.

**Oh Carolina – Folkes Brothers**

John, Mico, and Junior Folkes helped lay the groundwork for ska and reggae with their historic collaborations in 1960s Jamaica.

**Baby, I Love You – The Ronettes**

Centered around sisters Ronnie and Estelle Bennett (and their cousin Nedra), The Ronettes defined the Girl Group sound with their powerhouse vocals.

**Eddie My Love – The Teen Queens**

Sisters Betty and Rosie Collins achieved 1950s stardom as teenagers, delivering some of the most soulful doo-wop harmonies of the era.

**I Can Never Go Home Anymore – The Shangri-Las**

This dramatic masterpiece features two sets of sisters—the Weiss siblings and the Ganser twins—who brought operatic intensity to pop music.

**My Golden Years – The Lemon Twigs**

Brian and Michael D’Addario carry the torch for baroque pop, displaying a musical shorthand that only brothers who grew up playing together could possess.

**Crazy on You – Heart**

Ann and Nancy Wilson shattered the glass ceiling of 70s rock, combining powerhouse vocals with virtuoso guitar playing in a sisterly bond that remains unbreakable.

**Hero Takes a Fall – Bangles**

Sisters Vicki and Debbi Peterson formed the core of the Bangles, blending 60s garage-rock influence with perfect sibling vocal stacks.

**I’ll Be Good To You – The Brothers Johnson**

George “Lightnin’ Licks” and Louis “Thunder Thumbs” Johnson brought a sophisticated, funk-fueled sibling energy to R&B.

**Stay Gold – First Aid Kit**

Klara and Johanna Söderberg of Sweden create folk music so intimate and harmonically precise it feels like they are sharing a single voice.

**Closer – Tegan And Sara**

Identical twins Tegan and Sara Quin have evolved from indie-folk to synth-pop icons, always maintaining the distinct perspective of their shared life experiences.

**Who’s That Lady – The Isley Brothers**

Spanning several generations of the Isley family, this legendary group turned sibling collaboration into a decades-long hit machine.

**Mama’s Pearl – Jackson 5**

The gold standard for family bands, the Jackson brothers (Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon, and Michael) displayed a level of professional polish that redefined pop music.

**Rock & Roll Fantasy – The Kinks**

Ray and Dave Davies are the definitive “battling brothers” of rock, but their lifelong collaboration resulted in one of the most influential catalogs in history.

**Full of Fire – The Knife**

Karin Dreijer and Olof Dreijer of Sweden push the boundaries of electronic music, using their sibling bond to explore avant-garde and experimental sounds.

**Saints – The Breeders**

When Kim Deal recruited her twin sister Kelley to join The Breeders, they created some of the most iconic and infectious alternative rock of the 90s.

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Tunes Du Jour Presents 1979

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The year 1979 was a vibrant time in popular music, characterized by disco’s stronghold on the charts and a rich variety of emerging and evolving genres. From dancefloor anthems to rock classics, the year’s hits reflected a dynamic musical landscape.

Disco reigned supreme in 1979, dominating the airwaves and nightclubs alike. Gloria Gaynor’s empowering “I Will Survive” became an instant classic, while Chic’s “Good Times” and Sister Sledge’s “We Are Family” kept dance floors packed. The genre’s influence extended far and wide, with Village People’s “Y.M.C.A.” becoming a cultural phenomenon, Donna Summer’s “Hot Stuff” showcasing disco’s enduring appeal, and Amii Stewart’s cover of “Knock on Wood” breathing new life into a soul classic. McFadden & Whitehead’s “Ain’t No Stoppin’ Us Now” and Sylvester’s “You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)” further exemplified disco’s ability to blend uplifting messages with irresistible rhythms.

While disco flourished, rock music continued to evolve and diversify. AC/DC’s “Highway to Hell” solidified their status as the preeminent heavy metal band of the era, its raw energy and power chords setting a new standard for the genre. Dire Straits’ “Sultans of Swing” showcased a more refined, guitar-driven sound, while The Police emerged with “Message in a Bottle,” signaling the rise of post-punk. The new wave and power pop scenes gained momentum with Elvis Costello & the Attractions’ “Oliver’s Army,” The Jam’s “The Eton Rifles,” and Squeeze’s “Up the Junction” all making their mark. Meanwhile, M’s “Pop Muzik” and Blondie’s “Heart of Glass” demonstrated how disco influences could be merged with new wave sensibilities.

The year also saw the birth of iconic pop hits that would define the era. Michael Jackson’s “Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough” hinted at the superstardom that awaited him, while The Knack’s “My Sharona” became an instant power pop classic. The Buggles’ prophetic “Video Killed the Radio Star” not only topped charts but would later make history as the first music video played on MTV. Earth, Wind & Fire’s “September” continued to showcase the enduring appeal of funk, while R&B ballads like Peaches & Herb’s “Reunited” and The Commodores’ “Still” made significant impacts on the pop charts.

As 1979 drew to a close, the musical landscape was rich and varied. While disco maintained its grip on popular culture, the seeds of change were being sown. The diversity of the year’s hits, from Charlie Daniels Band’s country crossover “The Devil Went Down to Georgia” to Rickie Lee Jones’ jazz-influenced “Chuck E’s In Love,” stood out against the backdrop of disco and straightforward pop tunes. This musical variety, along with emerging studio technologies and evolving artist expressions, set the stage for the significant shifts that would characterize the sound of the coming decade.

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Tunes Du Jour Presents 1980

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As the calendar turned to 1980, the music world stood at a fascinating crossroads. The year marked not just the dawn of a new decade, but also a pivotal moment in popular music, where established genres evolved and new sounds emerged to captivate listeners.

The influence of disco could still be felt, though its dominance was waning. Michael Jackson’s “Rock With You” showcased his exceptional vocal talents and danceable rhythms, while Diana Ross’s “Upside Down” demonstrated the sophisticated production techniques that defined the era. These tracks, along with hits like Lipps, Inc.’s “Funkytown” and The Brothers Johnson’s “Stomp!”, proved that disco’s infectious energy still had the power to fill dance floors.

Stevie Wonder’s “Master Blaster (Jammin’)” further exemplified how established artists were adapting to the changing musical landscape, infusing reggae influences into his signature soulful sound.

However, 1980 also heralded the rise of new wave and synth-pop, genres that would come to define much of the decade’s sound. Gary Numan’s “Cars” introduced many listeners to the futuristic possibilities of synthesizer-driven music, creating an atmospheric soundscape that was both innovative and influential. Blondie’s “Call Me” further exemplified the genre’s versatility, blending punk aesthetics with disco beats to create a chart-topping hit that appealed to a broad audience. Pretenders established themselves with “Brass in Pocket,” a song that showcased Chrissie Hynde’s distinctive vocals and the band’s unique blend of punk energy and pop sensibility.

Rock and punk maintained a strong presence throughout the year. Pink Floyd’s “Another Brick in the Wall, Pt. 2” dominated charts worldwide, its memorable chorus and biting social commentary resonating with listeners. The Clash’s “London Calling” and AC/DC’s “You Shook Me All Night Long” brought raw energy and rebellious spirit to the airwaves. These tracks, along with Motörhead’s aggressive “Ace of Spades,” spoke to listeners seeking music that channeled their frustrations and aspirations. In contrast, Joy Division’s haunting “Love Will Tear Us Apart” showcased a more introspective side of post-punk, its emotional depth influencing countless artists in the years to come. The Cure’s “A Forest” further expanded the boundaries of post-punk, its atmospheric sound and introspective lyrics pointing towards the gothic rock movement that would flourish in the coming years.

The year was also marked by significant releases that left an indelible mark on popular culture. John Lennon’s “(Just Like) Starting Over” served as a poignant reminder of his enduring legacy, released shortly before his untimely death. Queen’s “Another One Bites the Dust” demonstrated the band’s ability to blend rock with funk, creating an anthem that remains popular decades later. David Bowie’s “Ashes to Ashes” continued his tradition of pushing musical boundaries, seamlessly merging art rock with electronic elements.

Oh, a guy named Prince had his breakthrough hit “I Wanna Be Your Lover.” We’d hear more from him throughout the 1980s.

As the year closed, it was clear that 1980 had set the stage for the decade to come. The eclectic mix of sounds reflected a world in transition. It was a year where artists embraced both the past and the future, creating music that was as much a reflection of its time as it was a precursor to the trends that would define the 1980s.

Your (Almost) Daily Playlist: 2-17-24

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A used unwashed black t-shirt worn by Green Day’s Billie Joe Armstrong during the promotion of the band’s American Idiot album sold for $2500 at a charity auction, with the proceeds going to the Oakland School of the Arts. I would love to dispose of my laundry pile the same way, but I doubt anybody would pay more than $400 for my sweat-stained socks.

Billie Joe Armstrong was born on this date in 1972. Tracks from his band are included on today’s playlist.

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