This week, the first week of January, 2016, we will be looking at famous firsts in US Chart history!

We call it:  "We're #1!"

January 8, 2016

Chubby Checker's one song going to number one twice in two separate years is very impressive.

What about having a song go to number one three times?  In the same year? During the same run?

It has happened FOUR times, believe it or not, and one artist has had it happened twice.

The first time was in 1978.

"Le Freak" went to number one on December 9, 1978 and after being knocked out the next week by Barbara Streisand and Neil Diamond  for one week returned to the top spot for another two weeks.

If that wasn't enough after two weeks out of first thanks to the Bee Gees the song returned to the number one slot for ANOTHER two weeks!

The song spent 25 weeks total on the Hot 100 chart!

The triple #1 return was not matched until 2008 when it happened three more times!

"Bleeding Love" by Leona Lewis, "Whatever You Like" by T.I. and "Live Your Life" by T.I. featuring Rihanna all repeated the feat!


That's it for the midday musical interludes for this week!

Monday we will have a new theme and more music to break up your work day!

Thanks for reading!  Hope you enjoyed!

~ Glenn

This week, the first week of January, 2016, we will be looking at famous firsts in US Chart history!

We call it:  "We're #1!"

January 7, 2016

Many times an artist is fortunate to have a single number one song let along multiple ones.

But only one artist has had one song go to number one twice...in different years.

Released as a single in 1960, and aided by appearances on Dick Clark's National Bandstand, Ernest Evans hit the top of the charts for one week in 1960.

The song came BACK to the charts in 1962 when the "Twist" craze started making its way through the country again.  Reaching number one again.  This time for two weeks.


Tomorrow:  Some times you just can't keep a good song down!

~ Glenn

This week, the first week of January, 2016, we will be looking at famous firsts in US Chart history!

We call it:  "We're #1!"

January 6, 2016

Today a short song with a long history and some staying power.

Written all the way back in 1953, but not being released until 1960, this song took some twists and turns before finding itself at the top of the Billboard charts.

According to the song writer it came after a desperate attempt to keep his girlfriend from going home one night and reached #1 on October 9th, 1960 for Maurice Williams and The Zodiacs.

Coming in at 1:37 it still holds the record for the shortest song to ever reach the top of the Billboard Hot 100.

Another song with multiple remakes, the song hit the charts again (with some redone lyrics) for Jackson Browne and was released (twice) by Dreamhouse.

Tomorrow:  We're gonna do it again!

~ Glenn

This week, the first week of January, 2016, we will be looking at famous firsts in US Chart history!

We call it:  "We're #1!"

January 5, 2016

If you had to pick two singers from the 1980's that were about as opposite as you could get which two would it be?

No matter your musical tastes if the names "Tiffany" and "Billy Idol" came up on that list you'd be right.

Tiffany with her mall shows and pop sound vs Billy Idol with the sneer and the rock and roll edge.

But these two have a common thread that will link them forever in the annals of music history and one that puts them in this week's "First" theme.

In November of 1987 Tiffany released her debut single, a remake of a 1967 song that had only reached #4 for the original group, which rose straight to the number one position on the charts.  A spot it held for two weeks.

While that is notable, what happened next makes it even more interesting (to me at least).

The song that knocked Tiffany out of the #1 spot?

Also a remake.

Also of a song by the same group in 1968.

Two songs, back-to-back number one the Billboard Hot 100, both remakes of hit songs by Tommy James and the Shondells.

And if you want to kill some more time "I Think We're Alone Now" has been covered over a dozen times by some very varied artists.  Go find your favorite!

Tomorrow's entry will be short and sweet!

~ Glenn

This week, the first week of January, 2016, we will be looking at famous firsts in US Chart history!

We call it:  "We're #1!"

January 4, 2016

Some firsts can only happen once.

This one is actually hard to figure out which first was first.

The "first" song to debut at #1 on the Billboard charts was actually the first #1 on the first chart when it debuted on July 27, 1940.

Listing just ten songs the "first" #1 was "I'll Never Smile Again" by Tommy Dorsey and His Orchestra.

Featuring Frank Sinatra, the song stayed atop the chart for 12 weeks!

The first song at #1 in the Hot 100 era was "Poor Little Fool" by Ricky Nelson on August 4, 1958.

But that's not what we're looking for.  

The first song to actually DEBUT at #1?  If I told you the song was by Michael Jackson would you be surprised?

If I told you it did not happen until 1995 would you be surprised?!?!

In the history of the Hot 100 era that accomplishment did not happen until MJ released "You Are Not Alone" on September 2, 1995.

The first of 24 songs to premier on the charts at the top position, it was Jackson's 13th and final #1 single.

Tomorrow we will examine two number one songs, performed by two (very) different artists with a very common connection!

~ Glenn