You probably know Alone as one of the most famous songs by Heart, and for good reason. But it was actually written and recorded by a little-known group called i-Ten in 1983. Billy Steinberg and Tom Kelly, the founding members of the band, named after the interstate, ‘wrote the song as a power ballad’ for … Read more
Album: Yakety Yak (Atco) Song: Charlie Brown (1959) Artist: The Coasters Writers: Jerry Leiber, Mike Stoller Charlie Brown, Charlie Brown He’s a clown, that Charlie Brown He’s gonna get caught Just you wait and see (Why’s everybody always pickin’ on me) The Coasters, often called ‘the clown princes of 1950’s rock,’ had a no. 2 … Read more
Cracklin’ Rosie wasn’t Neil Diamond’s first hit, as a writer, that is. He first topped the charts with I’m a Believer by the Monkees. However, “Cracklin’ Rosie,” sometimes misspelled as Cracklin’ Rose, was one of the songs, if not the song, that made Neil Diamond a superstar. It reached number one October 10, 1970, spending 15 … Read more
When Tina Turner left her tumultuous and abusive relationship with Ike Turner and decided to record and perform rock music, the rock world was forever enriched. Her first big hit off her 1984 Private Dancer album, What’s Love Got to Do With It, was a revelation and a no. 1 hit. Then, Better Be Good to Me … Read more
Me and Bobby McGee has certainly made the rounds. It has been recorded countless times by different musicians. Notable versions include Johnny Cash, Loretta Lynn, Dolly Parton, Gordon Lightfoot, Jerry Lee Lewis, Waylon Jennings, Kenny Rogers, and Lee Ann Rimes. The song was even recorded by the Grateful Dead. However, I think it is safe to … Read more
Song: Imaginary Lover (1978) Artist: Atlanta Rhythm Section Atlanta Rhythm Section, active from 1972 to 1981, was a Southern Rock influenced band often compared to Lynyrd Skynyrd or the Allman Brothers, albeit more radio-friendly. Imaginary Lover was one of two top ten hits, written by Bobby Buie, Robert Nix, and Dean Daughtry: Imaginary Lovers Never turn you … Read more
Song: Hot Child in the City (1978) Artist: Nick Gilder Album: City Nights (Chrysalis) At around the same time that Billy Joel was winning a Grammy for Just the Way You Are and disco, punk, and New Wave were simultaneously selling records, a pop/rock song about a runaway teenage girl who may or may not be a … Read more