Late Night Music NBA/NHL Playoffs Edition Part 174........."Record Of The Year"
I honestly don't know where this one came from, but I figured it would be a good category.
Obviously, in order to receive votes, the song had to win the Record of the Year Grammy. Also receiving votes in this category were "Clocks" by Coldplay, "All I Wanna Do" by Sheryl Crow (left out because the video was filmed in Clarksville), "Rosanna" by Toto, and "Sailing" by Christopher Cross. NOT RECEIVING VOTES was "My Heart Will Go On" by Celine Dion.
"Get Lucky"- Daft Punk featuring Pharrell Williams and Nile Rodgers (2014). Man this song is so dang catchy! This latest winner of the prestigious award makes you wanna get up and dance even if you can't! This song by the French house electronica duo featured American soul star Pharrell Williams ("Happy"- I smell a bonus video!) and legendary guitarist Nile Rodgers (both who also co wrote the song) and peaked at #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 while peaking at #1 in several countries around the world in support of the duo's 2013 album Random Access Memories. Some music critics site this song as the resurrection of Pharrell Williams career, as his name became more known again before the release of "Happy". This song definitely put Daft Punk on the map after being in utter oblivion in the United States. This Michael Jackson meets Tron meets Star Wars music video is super retro and modern at the same time. Man what a great track!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h5EofwRzit0
"Smooth"- Santana featuring Rob Thomas (2000). Everyone who knows anything about me knows that I absolutely LOATHE Rob Thomas and Matchbox 20. This however, is not Matchbox 20. This super catchy song from my senior year of high school put Santana back in the mainstream map in support of their 1999 album Supernatural (which also took home the Best Album Grammy at the same ceremonies). Even more amazing, it was Santana's first single in over 14 years, spent TWELVE weeks at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100, and is famous for being the final #1 song of the 1990's, as it was the #1 song when the clock struck midnight for Y2K. Ugh, I love this song, but I'm already sick of watching Rob Thomas. Why is that guy even famous? Moving on now.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Whgn_iE5uc
"Don't Worry Be Happy"- Bobby McFerrin (1989). Bobby McFerrin had the fortune of having his one and only hit from his 1988 album Simple Pleasures going to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and taking home the grammy in the process. This song is famous for comprised 100% of McFerrin's voice using no instruments at all thus becoming the first (and so far only) acapella song to reach #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and the only acapella song to take home the Grammy for Record of the Year. Despite the single's success and the highly entertaining video featuring Bill Irwin and Robin Williams, McFerrin refuses to perform the song live and claims that the song "ruined his musical life as he knew it". I know it had to be tough being on top of the world.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-diB65scQU
"Somebody That I Used To Know" - Gotye featuring Kimbra (2013). I freaking love this song! Gotye has got to be one of the most talented musicians on the planet and he got his recognition he deserved when this song went to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2012 in support of his hit album Making Mirrors. This Australian and New Zealand bombshell wound up making one of the best duets ever along with one of the coolest videos ever. Despite being a karaoke instant classic, this has got to be one of my favorite songs ever, and I have it to thank for getting me into a deeper repertoire of Gotye that the rest of the world is missing out on. I smell a bonus video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8UVNT4wvIGY
"Higher Love"- Steve Winwood (1987). Pretty solid live performance here from former Eric Clapton bandmate Steve Winwood with his comeback smash hit album Back In the High Life. This live performance also features Chaka Khan who sang background vocals on the original single in 1986. The single went on to be Winwood's first #1 solo single when it went topped the Billboard Hot 100 in the summer of 1986. I have to say I've never really cared for Chaka Khan, but she was a good addition to this song by adding even more of an R & B feel. Sometimes the duet combos we feel are the weirdest turn out to be some of the best.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pHEpjQUlf0Q
"Hotel California"- The Eagles (1978). In 1977, the Eagles were already household names, and had just made a lineup change by adding Joe Walsh as a full time member. What came of that was a legendary album that had the unfortunate of coming out the same year of Fleetwood Mac's Rumours and became known as probably the best album ever to not win the Album Of The Year Grammy Award. This single, however, took home the Record of the Year gold fueled by it's climb to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and it's unreal guitar solos and eery story telling by Don Henley. Despite it's obvious comparisons to Heaven and Hell, according to Henley, was "an interpretation of the current high life in the state of California". This song remains a staple at Eagles live shows and has been done with several versions and instruments.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yyy4yaVwsv0
"Love Will Keep Us Together"- Captain and Tennille (1976). This catchy Neil Sedaka penned song topped the Billboard Hot 100 for 4 weeks in support of Captain and Tennille's album of the same name. This then real life recently divorced couple took the world by storm with this song when it was the highest selling single of 1975 and remained throughout their career their most recognizable song and easily their biggest hit. This video is a clip from their short lived ABC Network variety show which helped solidify their fame in the late 1970's adult easy listening charts. Captain and Tennille is always gonna be one of those groups you just hate to admit that you like. There have been very fewer cheesy groups in recent memory.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zSwXPIbOodQ
"Strangers In The Night"- Frank Sinatra (1967). Frank Sinatra made one of his biggest splashes ever when this title track to his most commercially successful album of his storied career went to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and took home the Record of the Year Grammy Award. This album marked the peak of Sinatra's fame as it was his last album with famed conductor Nelson Riddle. This song and album slowly introduced Sinatra to a new market, as this and other songs would be used in numerous movies and television programs. This would also mark the end of standards singers dominance of the Grammys, as pop and rock and roll artists dominated the category for decades to come. This video marks a solid live performance of Sinatra, who could amazingly perform at a high level late into his life. Absolutely one of the most talented and gifted voices in the history of music.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s4fWMgoWrbE
"Moon River"- Henry Mancini and Audrey Hepburn (1962). In the early days of the Grammys, it was orchestral classics like this theme from the Audrey Hepburn movie "Breakfast at Tiffany's" that would immortalize Henry Mancini's and Audrey Hepburn's famed careers forever. While this classic would be covered by such greats as Perry Como, Frank Sinatra, Rod Stewart, Josh Ritter, Ben E. King, and Westlife just to name a few, this original would take home the Grammy gold in one of the earliest ceremonies. This song seemed to fit Audrey Hepburn's amazing voice perfectly.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LpxYuv2O46c
"Use Somebody"- Kings of Leon (2010). This family group from Nashville took the world by storm with their smash debut album Only By The Night when this lead single peaked at #4 on the Billboard Hot 100. This lonely power ballad owned by Caleb Followill put the Kings of Leon in the mainstream in addition to their already powerful cult following especially in their hometown of Nashville and the surrounding area. When I watch this video, I think about how the Followills themselves admitted that they knew nothing about music when they started the band in the early 2000's, they just wanted to meet women. I think that decision worked out pretty good.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gnhXHvRoUd0
"Need You Now"- Lady Antebellum (2011). This title track from Nashville country trio Lady Antebellum's smash album shot all the way to #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 before taking home the Grammys for Record and Song of the Year with this amazing song and super cool video. The grouping of these three musicians who were trying to be successful solo artists was the best decision all three of them ever made. This is also one of the best karaoke duet songs ever. This song received amazingly high mainstream radio play despite its obvious country genre influence. I can't remember a country single getting that high on the Billboard Hot 100 in a long time. The crossover appeal of Lady Antebellum is what will continue to make them such a popular draw on TV and concert events.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eM213aMKTHg
"Rolling In The Deep"- Adele (2012). When Adele's 21 pretty much swept the 2012 Grammys, it was one of the most guaranteed foregone conclusions in the history of the awards. Despite being very low key and elegant, Adele took the world by storm when this lead single from the much anticipated follow up to 19 shot to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and quickly became her staple song and became a popular song with cover bands all over the country. The crossover appeal of this song made the super talented Adele the pop diva she deserves to be. Being her first collaboration with Paul Epworth, this song according to Adele, was inspired by a Nashville tour bus driver and was written in a matter of hours after Adele broke up with her boyfriend.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rYEDA3JcQqw
"Boulevard of Broken Dreams"- Green Day (2006). This single from Green Day's concept album/Broadway show American Idiot sets the stage for the rest of album with this song's story stemming from a severe hangover and the questions the character has in making decisions in life. Yeah, I'm lost too. Despite Green Day's idiotic political stances and obscure references, this song remains one of their most famous peaking at #2 on the Billboard Hot 100. I do find it sort of funny that Green Day has all but disappeared since this political album showed that they had no interest in actually making music, only in pushing their own political agenda on the unwilling public. Just a thought.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Soa3gO7tL-c
"Walk On"- U2 (2002). This "title track" to U2's smash album All That You Can't Leave Behind gained U2 the Grammy for Record of the Year for the second consecutive year in 2002, marking the first time ever a band had won the award two years in a row from the same album, and only the second act to ever win the award two years in a row. This protest song written for Burmese prisoner Aung San Suu Kyi became an overnight success with the accompanying video which shows some of her clips as well as clips of the band playing, as usual in their videos. The song went on to peak at #21 on the Billboard Adult Top 40 Tracks also becoming one of the few Record of the Year winners who did not reach the top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100. The song gained popularity when it was played to honor 9/11 victims and workers at the 2001 "Concert For America".
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gwKEdFoUB0o
"Kiss From A Rose"- Seal (1996). Seal contributed this spectacular single to the soundtrack of the very stupid film "Batman Forever" and included it on his 1994 sophomore album Seal. It shot to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 despite the movie being panned by critics. Somehow, the Batman franchise had to make a bomb with George Clooney before it decided to stop. Thank God Christopher Nolan saved us all later. Anyway, this song and video gave us a great soundtrack that not only took home this Grammy, but the VMA for Video of the Year. I really wish I could see Seal play the guitar left handed playing this song. That would be super cool.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ateQQc-AgEM
"We Are The World"- USA For Africa (1986). Had to do it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OoDY8ce_3zk
BONUS VIDEOS- "Prayer For The Dying"- Seal
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Btl5PYdpcNs
"Back in the High Life Again"- Steve Winwood
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Adw772km7PQ
"I Run To You"- Lady Antebellum
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rs38lKxmtI4
"Happy"- Pharrell Williams
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6Sxv-sUYtM
Obviously, in order to receive votes, the song had to win the Record of the Year Grammy. Also receiving votes in this category were "Clocks" by Coldplay, "All I Wanna Do" by Sheryl Crow (left out because the video was filmed in Clarksville), "Rosanna" by Toto, and "Sailing" by Christopher Cross. NOT RECEIVING VOTES was "My Heart Will Go On" by Celine Dion.
"Get Lucky"- Daft Punk featuring Pharrell Williams and Nile Rodgers (2014). Man this song is so dang catchy! This latest winner of the prestigious award makes you wanna get up and dance even if you can't! This song by the French house electronica duo featured American soul star Pharrell Williams ("Happy"- I smell a bonus video!) and legendary guitarist Nile Rodgers (both who also co wrote the song) and peaked at #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 while peaking at #1 in several countries around the world in support of the duo's 2013 album Random Access Memories. Some music critics site this song as the resurrection of Pharrell Williams career, as his name became more known again before the release of "Happy". This song definitely put Daft Punk on the map after being in utter oblivion in the United States. This Michael Jackson meets Tron meets Star Wars music video is super retro and modern at the same time. Man what a great track!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h5EofwRzit0
"Smooth"- Santana featuring Rob Thomas (2000). Everyone who knows anything about me knows that I absolutely LOATHE Rob Thomas and Matchbox 20. This however, is not Matchbox 20. This super catchy song from my senior year of high school put Santana back in the mainstream map in support of their 1999 album Supernatural (which also took home the Best Album Grammy at the same ceremonies). Even more amazing, it was Santana's first single in over 14 years, spent TWELVE weeks at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100, and is famous for being the final #1 song of the 1990's, as it was the #1 song when the clock struck midnight for Y2K. Ugh, I love this song, but I'm already sick of watching Rob Thomas. Why is that guy even famous? Moving on now.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Whgn_iE5uc
"Don't Worry Be Happy"- Bobby McFerrin (1989). Bobby McFerrin had the fortune of having his one and only hit from his 1988 album Simple Pleasures going to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and taking home the grammy in the process. This song is famous for comprised 100% of McFerrin's voice using no instruments at all thus becoming the first (and so far only) acapella song to reach #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and the only acapella song to take home the Grammy for Record of the Year. Despite the single's success and the highly entertaining video featuring Bill Irwin and Robin Williams, McFerrin refuses to perform the song live and claims that the song "ruined his musical life as he knew it". I know it had to be tough being on top of the world.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-diB65scQU
"Somebody That I Used To Know" - Gotye featuring Kimbra (2013). I freaking love this song! Gotye has got to be one of the most talented musicians on the planet and he got his recognition he deserved when this song went to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2012 in support of his hit album Making Mirrors. This Australian and New Zealand bombshell wound up making one of the best duets ever along with one of the coolest videos ever. Despite being a karaoke instant classic, this has got to be one of my favorite songs ever, and I have it to thank for getting me into a deeper repertoire of Gotye that the rest of the world is missing out on. I smell a bonus video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8UVNT4wvIGY
"Higher Love"- Steve Winwood (1987). Pretty solid live performance here from former Eric Clapton bandmate Steve Winwood with his comeback smash hit album Back In the High Life. This live performance also features Chaka Khan who sang background vocals on the original single in 1986. The single went on to be Winwood's first #1 solo single when it went topped the Billboard Hot 100 in the summer of 1986. I have to say I've never really cared for Chaka Khan, but she was a good addition to this song by adding even more of an R & B feel. Sometimes the duet combos we feel are the weirdest turn out to be some of the best.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pHEpjQUlf0Q
"Hotel California"- The Eagles (1978). In 1977, the Eagles were already household names, and had just made a lineup change by adding Joe Walsh as a full time member. What came of that was a legendary album that had the unfortunate of coming out the same year of Fleetwood Mac's Rumours and became known as probably the best album ever to not win the Album Of The Year Grammy Award. This single, however, took home the Record of the Year gold fueled by it's climb to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and it's unreal guitar solos and eery story telling by Don Henley. Despite it's obvious comparisons to Heaven and Hell, according to Henley, was "an interpretation of the current high life in the state of California". This song remains a staple at Eagles live shows and has been done with several versions and instruments.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yyy4yaVwsv0
"Love Will Keep Us Together"- Captain and Tennille (1976). This catchy Neil Sedaka penned song topped the Billboard Hot 100 for 4 weeks in support of Captain and Tennille's album of the same name. This then real life recently divorced couple took the world by storm with this song when it was the highest selling single of 1975 and remained throughout their career their most recognizable song and easily their biggest hit. This video is a clip from their short lived ABC Network variety show which helped solidify their fame in the late 1970's adult easy listening charts. Captain and Tennille is always gonna be one of those groups you just hate to admit that you like. There have been very fewer cheesy groups in recent memory.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zSwXPIbOodQ
"Strangers In The Night"- Frank Sinatra (1967). Frank Sinatra made one of his biggest splashes ever when this title track to his most commercially successful album of his storied career went to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and took home the Record of the Year Grammy Award. This album marked the peak of Sinatra's fame as it was his last album with famed conductor Nelson Riddle. This song and album slowly introduced Sinatra to a new market, as this and other songs would be used in numerous movies and television programs. This would also mark the end of standards singers dominance of the Grammys, as pop and rock and roll artists dominated the category for decades to come. This video marks a solid live performance of Sinatra, who could amazingly perform at a high level late into his life. Absolutely one of the most talented and gifted voices in the history of music.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s4fWMgoWrbE
"Moon River"- Henry Mancini and Audrey Hepburn (1962). In the early days of the Grammys, it was orchestral classics like this theme from the Audrey Hepburn movie "Breakfast at Tiffany's" that would immortalize Henry Mancini's and Audrey Hepburn's famed careers forever. While this classic would be covered by such greats as Perry Como, Frank Sinatra, Rod Stewart, Josh Ritter, Ben E. King, and Westlife just to name a few, this original would take home the Grammy gold in one of the earliest ceremonies. This song seemed to fit Audrey Hepburn's amazing voice perfectly.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LpxYuv2O46c
"Use Somebody"- Kings of Leon (2010). This family group from Nashville took the world by storm with their smash debut album Only By The Night when this lead single peaked at #4 on the Billboard Hot 100. This lonely power ballad owned by Caleb Followill put the Kings of Leon in the mainstream in addition to their already powerful cult following especially in their hometown of Nashville and the surrounding area. When I watch this video, I think about how the Followills themselves admitted that they knew nothing about music when they started the band in the early 2000's, they just wanted to meet women. I think that decision worked out pretty good.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gnhXHvRoUd0
"Need You Now"- Lady Antebellum (2011). This title track from Nashville country trio Lady Antebellum's smash album shot all the way to #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 before taking home the Grammys for Record and Song of the Year with this amazing song and super cool video. The grouping of these three musicians who were trying to be successful solo artists was the best decision all three of them ever made. This is also one of the best karaoke duet songs ever. This song received amazingly high mainstream radio play despite its obvious country genre influence. I can't remember a country single getting that high on the Billboard Hot 100 in a long time. The crossover appeal of Lady Antebellum is what will continue to make them such a popular draw on TV and concert events.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eM213aMKTHg
"Rolling In The Deep"- Adele (2012). When Adele's 21 pretty much swept the 2012 Grammys, it was one of the most guaranteed foregone conclusions in the history of the awards. Despite being very low key and elegant, Adele took the world by storm when this lead single from the much anticipated follow up to 19 shot to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and quickly became her staple song and became a popular song with cover bands all over the country. The crossover appeal of this song made the super talented Adele the pop diva she deserves to be. Being her first collaboration with Paul Epworth, this song according to Adele, was inspired by a Nashville tour bus driver and was written in a matter of hours after Adele broke up with her boyfriend.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rYEDA3JcQqw
"Boulevard of Broken Dreams"- Green Day (2006). This single from Green Day's concept album/Broadway show American Idiot sets the stage for the rest of album with this song's story stemming from a severe hangover and the questions the character has in making decisions in life. Yeah, I'm lost too. Despite Green Day's idiotic political stances and obscure references, this song remains one of their most famous peaking at #2 on the Billboard Hot 100. I do find it sort of funny that Green Day has all but disappeared since this political album showed that they had no interest in actually making music, only in pushing their own political agenda on the unwilling public. Just a thought.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Soa3gO7tL-c
"Walk On"- U2 (2002). This "title track" to U2's smash album All That You Can't Leave Behind gained U2 the Grammy for Record of the Year for the second consecutive year in 2002, marking the first time ever a band had won the award two years in a row from the same album, and only the second act to ever win the award two years in a row. This protest song written for Burmese prisoner Aung San Suu Kyi became an overnight success with the accompanying video which shows some of her clips as well as clips of the band playing, as usual in their videos. The song went on to peak at #21 on the Billboard Adult Top 40 Tracks also becoming one of the few Record of the Year winners who did not reach the top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100. The song gained popularity when it was played to honor 9/11 victims and workers at the 2001 "Concert For America".
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gwKEdFoUB0o
"Kiss From A Rose"- Seal (1996). Seal contributed this spectacular single to the soundtrack of the very stupid film "Batman Forever" and included it on his 1994 sophomore album Seal. It shot to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 despite the movie being panned by critics. Somehow, the Batman franchise had to make a bomb with George Clooney before it decided to stop. Thank God Christopher Nolan saved us all later. Anyway, this song and video gave us a great soundtrack that not only took home this Grammy, but the VMA for Video of the Year. I really wish I could see Seal play the guitar left handed playing this song. That would be super cool.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ateQQc-AgEM
"We Are The World"- USA For Africa (1986). Had to do it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OoDY8ce_3zk
BONUS VIDEOS- "Prayer For The Dying"- Seal
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Btl5PYdpcNs
"Back in the High Life Again"- Steve Winwood
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Adw772km7PQ
"I Run To You"- Lady Antebellum
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rs38lKxmtI4
"Happy"- Pharrell Williams
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6Sxv-sUYtM
Adele
The Eagles
Kings of Leon
Frank Sinatra
U2
posted by General 5A Pigott at 6:10 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home