THROWBACK THURSDAY
Welcome back to Throwback Thursday! Each week I compile a playlist of songs, and a list of notable events from this week in music history. This week we have a playlist full of iconic artists and songs, from Elton John to Prince.
Our playlist opens this week with Creedence Clearwater Revival’s “Bad Moon Rising.” This was the lead single from the band’s Green River album, released in 1969. The song was a massive hit for Creedence Clearwater Revival, peaking at number two on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. There have been numerous renditions of the song recorded by artists in several genres.
“Bad Moon Rising”- Creedence Clearwater Revival (1969)
“Rocket Man”- Elton John (1972)
“Give Me Love (Give Me Peace On Earth)” - George Harrison (1973)
“Pinball Wizard”- The Who (1969)
“Say It Ain’t So”- Weezer (1994)
“I Wish U Heaven” - Prince (1988)
“No Substance”- Bad Religion (1998)
“10:15 Saturday Night”- The Cure (1979)
“MacArthur Park” - Richard Harris
Second, we have “Rocket Man” by Elton John, which is arguably one of the singer’s greatest hits. Written by Elton John and Bernie Taupin, the song was the lead single on John’s album Honky Chateau. Just last month, “Rocket Man” was certified triple platinum by the British Phonographic Industry.
Weezer’s “Say It Ain’t So” is the fifth track featured on our playlist this week, and it was released as the American Rock band’s third single from their debut self-titled album, which was released in 1994. “Say It Ain't So” is widely regarded as one of the band’s best songs, in which frontman Rivers Cuomo took inspiration from a moment in his high school years.
The penultimate song on this week’s playlist, “10:15 Saturday Night,” by The Cure, is the opening track to the British punk band’s debut album, Three Imaginary Boys. The song was written by Robert Smith when he was just 16 years-old, and it has been performed at nearly every one of the band’s live shows since its release.
Our playlist closes this week with “MacArthur Park” by Richard Harris. This track was written and composed by Jimmy Webb, and became one of Harris’ biggest hits, after it peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. In addition to being a hit for Harris, “MacArthur Park” was also covered by many artists including Donna Summers, whose cover scored number one on the charts.
In music history, it was an eventful week– with several notable events reaching their respective anniversaries.
In May of 1963, The Beatles landed their first number one hit with their song “From Me to You.” Although the song didn’t make much noise in the United States, it hit the top of the charts in the U.K. as their third single.
That very same year, the Rolling Stones had their first ever recording session. It was held in London, and there they recorded their first single, which was a cover of “Come On” by Chuck Berry. The band would not know it yet, but they would soon become one of the most popular bands worldwide, pioneering the early years of the rock era.
In 1981, Diana Ross and Lionel Richie recorded one of the biggest songs of the decade, “Endless Love” for the film of the same title. Interestingly, the song was recorded so last minute that it needed to be inserted into the soundtrack almost immediately, and the two musicians met at 3 a.m. in Reno, Nevada for the recording.
On May 11 1981, Bob Marley lost his battle with cancer at just 36 years-old. Despite his limited time, the legacy that Marley created has continued to fuel the history of music, and his messages of peace and unity still touch the world today.
Join us next week for a brand new playlist with blasts from the past from your favorite artists and bands!
