Every iconic song or act has a starting point, but the journey to the top is rarely a straight line. In Music Origins, we go behind the scenes to uncover the roots of the music you love. From the unexpected early recordings of legendary artists to the bizarre historical accidents that turned forgotten tracks into global hits, we explore the foundations, evolutions, and hidden legacies that shaped music history
Song: Everything Is Beautiful (1970) Artist: Ray Stevens Album: Everything Is Beautiful (Barnaby) Writer: Ray Stevens I grew up listing to Ray Stevens comedy songs. I was so used to laughing so hard to Ray Stevens on the radio that I probably never realized that the song Everything is Beautiful was written and performed by Stevens. I … Read more
Song: Flirtin’ With Disaster (1979) Artist: Molly Hatchet Writers: Dave Lawrence Hludeck, Danny Joe Brown, Banner Harvey Thomas Album: Flirtin’ With Disaster (Epic) Flirtin’ With Disaster by Molly Hatchet is often listed as one of the best country rock or Southern rock songs of all time, along with such classics as Can’t You See by Marshall … Read more
Song: No Sugar Tonight (1970) Artist: The Guess Who Album: American Woman Writer: Randy Bachman No Sugar Tonight was released as a B-side for the Guess Who’s single, American Woman, perhaps their best-known song. The single hit number one on the week of May 9, 1970, becoming their biggest hit. Originally, however, No Sugar Tonight was … Read more
Song: Diamond Girl (1973) Artist: Seals and Crofts Album: Diamond Girl (Warner Brothers) The song Diamond Girl was performed and recorded by Seals and Croft in 1973. Their equally famous hit Summer Breeze is a bit too saccharine for me, even from a consistent saccharin act. I mean, “blowing through the Jasmine in my mind?” … Read more
Song: Brandy Artist: Looking Glass (1972) Album: Looking Glass (Epic) For a one-hit wonder, Looking Glass scored a huge one. Brandy (You’re a Fine Girl) was tremendously popular and is still a soft radio classic, not to mention a staple of Karaoke. It was, in fact, so big that it caused Barry Manilow to rename his song … Read more
Song: Lowdown (1976) Artist: Boz Scaggs Album: Silk Degrees (CBS) Lowdown was the biggest hit off of Boz Scaggs’ Silk Degrees Album, in 1976. Boz Scaggs, whose real name is William Royce Scaggs, began working on Silk Degrees, he had just come off his first album without his road band, Silk Dancer. There were a number of … Read more
Song: Couldn’t Get it Right (1977) Artist: Climax Blues Band Album: Gold Plated (Sire) Couldn’t Get it Right was a no. 3 hit for the Climax Blues Band in May of 1977. They shared the charts with Stevie Wonder, with Sir Duke at number one, Leo Sayer with When I Need You at number two. … Read more