Singles Released This Week Years Ago

 

One more round with songs that have topped the charts and some obscure titles.

1972: David Bowie

1973: Kool and the Gang

1978: Chic

1978: The Police

1965: Spencer Davis Group

1977: Sex Pistols

1968: The Move

1884: Stone Temple Pilots

1969: The Band

1966: The Royal Guardsmen

1970: Stephen Stills

1979: The B-52s

Singles Released This Week Years Ago

 

Enjoy this week's selection of a ride through various genres.

1958: Big Bopper

1970: Chicago

1978: Human League

1972: Seals & Croft

1991: Pearl Jam

1965: The Yardbirds

1978: Donna Summer

1958: Bo Diddley

1982: The Jam

1966: The Lovin' Spoonful

1969: John Lennon

1976: Blue Oyster Cult

1986: Run DMC

1989: Public Enemy

1974: Dobi Gray

1974: Stevie Wonder

1979: The B-52's

Forgotten Alternative Part II

 

Another few files I found from a compilation I made a few years ago. First one is a song from Siouxsie And The Banshees from their later period. They became famous in the first wave of punk and their debut is still a classic. On Peek-A-Boo they tried to combine their late post-punk sounds with samples like many others did. Not their best song but in the context of time a good one.

Siouxsie and the Banshees - Peek-A-Boo

From Athens, Georgia in 1979 The B-52's appeared on the scene and their self-titled debut was one of the records of the year. A new wave band that played just a retro sound with a Rickenbacker guitar, organs and harmonies was the big thing this year. And Planet Claire is probably one of the best opening tracks of a debut album.

The B-52's - Planet Claire 

In 1987 Andrew Eldritch and his band Sisters Of Mercy released Floodland their second album. The lead single was This Corrosion a melange of gothic meets Meat Loaf with a 50-piece choir. It is a song that worked at this time and was played in many places and brings back memories. Nothing more or less.

Sisters Of Mercy - This Corrosion

XTC were on of the finest new wave bands from their beginnings in the late 70's until the mid 80's. Always on the search for the perfect pop song and always very close to it. I don't know many other bands that made so many remarkable albums in this ear. Still a pleasure to listen to them after decades.

XTC - Senses Working Overtime

I entered the cosmos of Julian Cope with his third album Saint Julian and the lead single World Shut Your Mouth. This song was the beginning of a long lasting fondness to him and his music.

Julian Cope - World Shut Your Mouth

Purchased (Not Only) By The Cover

In 1979 the were I changed my musical preferences radical I listened a lot of new music and almost every week another band appeared on the scene that was worth to listen. Music and the outfit of the bands changed rapidly and so I was more than confused to see an album in my trusted record shop that with dazzling yellow background and musicians dressed like in 60's science fiction movies. I asked myself if the music is as retro as the cover suggests and I got curious to take a listen. And I was more than confused to hear a Rickenbacker guitar as the dominant instrument in a raw mixture of New Wave, Rock, Dance and Pop. It is a classic that was nearly played to death at my place 40 years ago but still worth to listen again from time to time.

The B-52's - Planet Claire
The B-52's - Dance This Mess Around
The B-52's - Rock Lobster

Rock Lobster

Back in 1979 The B-52's released their first record. To me the album  struck  by his garish cover and the retro design of the musicians. I bought blind just on the recommendation of my local record trader. After I had played the record at home, I was completely beaten by this sound, the overexcited voices of the singers and the sound of the Rickenbacker. This record was one of my favorites of this year. Sad, that the lead guitarist of the band Ricky Wilson died on HIV-influenced illness in 1985.

The B-52's - Rock Lobster