This time, sixty years of country-western music.

Country Western music has been around a long time.

American folk music, Appalachian Cajun blues, old-time music Western New Mexico Red Dirt Tejano Texas country first originated in the 1920’s.

Of course back then an upwards throughout the 1950’s, there was no such thing as a concert.

Banjo, washboard players, harpsicord and guitar pickers played in tents, on grassy fields, honky-tonk saloons just to be heard, and until the emergence of Hank Williams, country western music was just a good-old boy pastime. Hank put country western music on the map and since that time to now, it is the second most well-loved style of music.

In 1933, country western music found a home in the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, TN, and one could say their stage was the next closest thing to performing a concert for their fans. In the mid-70’s came Austin City Limits. Country music was rising to the point of almost overtaking rock and roll.

Herein are sixty years of nostalgia and modern day music from 1960 to 2020 … but I have included two songs at the beginning of this list prior to 1960. It is only fitting.

This special comes from 1952 with the Kate Smith Evening Hour.

Kate Smith herself was well known during this time and perhaps sang the finest rendition of God Bless America, you would ever hear, but this really isn’t about Kate, but one of her guests, although if you care to listen, then go here ... https://youtu.be/TmfeNq5x5aQ

Though Roy Acuff is present, he’s not really the special guest … but Hank Williams is … the video is about 25 minutes long with various songs and worth the watch … but if you prefer, you can fast forward to 9:56 in the video to listen to Hank sing “Cold, Cold Heart.” … https://youtu.be/71BUPcHKLbI

Please understand the early days of concert going was to Nashville to see the entertainers at the Grand Ole Opry. And there, you would see and hear a variety of entertainers.

There will be a few years where I can find no actual stage performances lasting more than a few minutes, and to offset that, there will be individual performances for each year listed. And as each passes in review, you will, see, hear, and feel the progression of the music and the artists.

There is one recording that isn’t a song where I placed the word commercial by it. Think of it as a break in the action.

So kick your legs back, listen to a tune or two, and enjoy sixty years of country music, both old and new.

1960: https://youtu.be/KAO7vs_Q9is

1961: https://youtu.be/CiOkt91cX9I

1962: https://youtu.be/xV2YwWjTaco

1963: https://youtu.be/4R1TxAj2agk

1964: https://youtu.be/oPMdZPWH1S4

1965: https://youtu.be/26LC1lVxbSA

1966: https://youtu.be/8_wwP8UZR1o

1967: https://youtu.be/Fa3I7wTOO8k

1968: https://youtu.be/QHv1NGiMOok

1969: https://youtu.be/WOHPuY88Ry4

1970: https://youtu.be/kwAYzOfwsyk - Classic hits various artists

1971: https://youtu.be/c_ZdjmzSBIo

1972: https://youtu.be/TKI6YXUZiq8 - various artists

1973: https://youtu.be/ZnL3if4O388

1974: https://youtu.be/mQ2tJ2VzjG8

1975: https://youtu.be/62p4-07DI48

1976: https://youtu.be/kPydlDfwiXA

1977: https://youtu.be/fKOAGBhkVGk

1978: https://youtu.be/e0EKjQO9N5E

1979: https://youtu.be/wBjPAqmnvGA

1980: https://youtu.be/NW0JLgrZ1Vo

1981: https://youtu.be/XaUiA0R_Z3c

1982: https://youtu.be/3cQNkIrg-Tk

1983: https://youtu.be/tIVoQpjlS3o

1984: https://youtu.be/aFkcAH-m9W0

1985: https://youtu.be/Fyi1qOTXp5M

1986: https://youtu.be/ytDNnUjIgBM

1987: https://youtu.be/sgJXbIP83A8

1988: https://youtu.be/BMHZTjz6bwU

1989: https://youtu.be/2vyP2pUMgpU - variety of different artists

1990: https://youtu.be/V7oXSQHK7s4

1991: https://youtu.be/AEQMKkkT7bw

1992: https://youtu.be/fRwtOZjNVhM

1993: https://youtu.be/SchEkueBfsw

1994: https://youtu.be/ktACO_o9Il4

1995: https://youtu.be/gTNLsMnWjHE

1996: https://youtu.be/8m7KOe0tZ7w

1997: https://youtu.be/L6TlNn8cvH8

1998: https://youtu.be/DT_HGNdf2no

1999: https://youtu.be/hQzZkNOsuyE

2000: https://youtu.be/7qH4qyi1-Ys - powerful opening

2001: https://youtu.be/D0ErQjdfj0A

2002: https://youtu.be/jABI_FDM8b0

2003: https://youtu.be/FqESx05OuCA - his final performance

2004: https://youtu.be/KAXQxXUEXu0 - In Norway

2005: https://youtu.be/hx_6i6_7OYk

2006: https://youtu.be/j6dMfJfUb0Q

2007: https://youtu.be/ZmBRKTa3hvE - comedy Rodney Carrington – Commercial

2008: https://youtu.be/vFTaoTVrEwk

2009: https://youtu.be/IZvpHwoQfqk

2010: https://youtu.be/m380MGKOsxo - this is just too cool

2011: https://youtu.be/xTdPVotOWq8 - I would call this country rock

2012: https://youtu.be/isBUDkfQwzw

2013: https://youtu.be/QYlOaE9K5_8 - first two minutes is slow to load

2014: https://youtu.be/26vuv0Azh4o

2015: https://youtu.be/_UDaLl9s4z4

2016: https://youtu.be/BL5DR_vZAKs

2017: https://youtu.be/PXVLtfJ5KQY

2018: https://youtu.be/07tL6JahREY

2019: https://youtu.be/7mHJaQpgTMY

2020: https://youtu.be/_i1SCRgposY

Granted, new-born babies won’t have any clue, but as parents, grandparents, one day you can let them know.

Before you say anything, yes, there were many number one songs over the years, but these are categorized as the overall number one song.

Each form/style of music have their own rankings, but this is overall rankings, so please, don’t shoot the messenger.

So kick back a second or two, scroll down to your year and say one of two things. “I knew that.” Or, “I had no idea.”

And of course, you can find all these songs on YouTube, but I’ll save you the time. Originally this only listed the song and artist. This time, a direct link right to your favorite song or songs

At the very end, only a very few can say they were born in two different years with a unique song as explained at the bottom.

(This has been redone from the original post,

including the current 2020 number one hit.

Instead of the name and recording artist,

you now have a direct link to the song.)

***************

1940: I’ll Never Smile Again – https://youtu.be/il7DWoLySW8

1941: Amapola - https://youtu.be/rRDN77DEEGM

1942: White Christmas – https://youtu.be/QQyy8SpDpTY

1943: I’ve Heard That Song Before – https://youtu.be/cK0j8_N_dBg

1944: Swinging On A Star – https://youtu.be/KNUg0t3D97w

1945: Till The End Of Time – https://youtu.be/wTqx1NIfKD0

1946: The Gypsy – https://youtu.be/iEijRYQUFAo

1947: Near You – https://youtu.be/angPhGHb5F4

1948: Button and Bows – https://youtu.be/1wkQsrU3pBs

1949: Riders In The Sky – https://youtu.be/iRV6JszMXoo

1950: Goodnight Irene – https://youtu.be/saykpHOm5fc

1951: Too Young – https://youtu.be/4LnwsrU0eK0

1952: Blue Tango – https://youtu.be/0YEsJpKsbBU

1953: Where Is Your Heart - https://youtu.be/pJ-7t1N4XVo

1954: Little Things Mean A Lot – https://youtu.be/H3J51zCr1n0

1955: Cherry Pink - https://youtu.be/VOFrvgfOhxA

1956: Heartbreak Hotel – https://youtu.be/MzRnKQrm61w

1957: All Shook Up – https://youtu.be/aNPTwk8NAYE

1958: Nel Blu de Pinto de Blue (Volare) – https://youtu.be/t4IjJav7xbg

1959: The Battle of New Orleans – https://youtu.be/mjXM6x_0KZk

1960: Theme From A Summer Place – https://youtu.be/tFi_CKNJjwE

1961: Tossin’ and Turnin’ – https://youtu.be/XRnvfqzMA0w

1962: Big Girls Don’t Cry ’ – https://youtu.be/DAgQIb77UhU

1963: Surfin’ USA – https://youtu.be/sNypbmPPDco

1964: I Want To Hold Your Hand – https://youtu.be/jenWdylTtzs

1965: I Can’t Help Myself - https://youtu.be/zAsL_cwtBxs

1966: The Ballad of the Green Berets – https://youtu.be/8kj9qv6rmG8

1967: Respect – https://youtu.be/mOwcxKDAQIE

1968: Hey Jude – https://youtu.be/tRnFHfI7WAQ

1969: Sugar Sugar – https://youtu.be/0Sg5CdItQwo

1970: Bridge Over Troubled Water – https://youtu.be/9BLHRw_vieM

1971: Joy To The World – https://youtu.be/Dp7KfG9AjaY

1972: Let’s Stay Together – https://youtu.be/4wm4hsmNALU

1973: Let’s Get It On – https://youtu.be/hh_3ebELyS0

1974: The Way We Were – https://youtu.be/CZAudGmXmA0

1975: Love Will Keep Us Together – https://youtu.be/_QNEf9oGw8o

1976: Silly Love Songs – https://youtu.be/HwKUaYBUYNc

1977: Tonight’s The Night – https://youtu.be/IZr6AE-u2UM

1978: Shadow Dancing – https://youtu.be/4TpgFetd4r8

1979: My Sharona – https://youtu.be/g1T71PGd-J0

1980: Call Me – https://youtu.be/StKVS0eI85I

1981: Bette Davis Eyes – https://youtu.be/wyRosnwO_mg

1982: Physical – https://youtu.be/6zwPVU92-XQ

1983: Every Breath You Take – https://youtu.be/aSATTrwW0xs

1984: When Doves Cry – https://youtu.be/UG3VcCAlUgE

1985: Careless Whisper – https://youtu.be/dO1MRZMQob8

1986: That’s What Friends Are For – https://youtu.be/66Qkf2Jm6pc

1987: Walk Like An Egyptian – https://youtu.be/Cv6tuzHUuuk

1988: Faith – https://youtu.be/DUf3G-dyA0A

1989: Look Away – https://youtu.be/2DkKRFUbH_4

1990: Hold On – https://youtu.be/qrbQA4FZsJA

1991: Everything I Do – https://youtu.be/Y0pdQU87dc8

1992: End of The Road – https://youtu.be/zDKO6XYXioc

1993: I Will Always Love You – https://youtu.be/3JWTaaS7LdU

1994: The Sign – https://youtu.be/hBzlTsX7scM

1995: Gangsta’s Paradise – https://youtu.be/fPO76Jlnz6c

1996: Macarena – https://youtu.be/kdrVPX_H7mk

1997: Something About The Way – https://youtu.be/B93Tir6l5FA

1998: Too Close – https://youtu.be/kwEZRPkAAu8

1999: Believe – https://youtu.be/f4i2EUZWQnM

2000: Breathe – https://youtu.be/7dk3SqN6IAI

2001: Hanging By A Moment – https://youtu.be/tPnK39ax_AM

2002: How You Remind Me – https://youtu.be/7Xfls4MNrSI

2003: In Da Club – https://youtu.be/5qm8PH4xAss

2004: Yeah – https://youtu.be/GxBSyx85Kp8

2005: We Belong Together – https://youtu.be/MxBJck94O08

2006: Bad Day – https://youtu.be/qheSwHyxKC4

2007: Irreplaceable – https://youtu.be/2EwViQxSJJQ

2008: Low – https://youtu.be/ckKFxMw6z0c

2009: Boom Pow – https://youtu.be/4m48GqaOz90

2010: Tik-Tok – https://youtu.be/iP6XpLQM2Cs

2011: Rolling In The Deep – https://youtu.be/rYEDA3JcQqw

2012: Somebody That I Used To – https://youtu.be/8UVNT4wvIGY

2013: Thrift Shop – https://youtu.be/8OL5uxXlOEI (Language)

2014: Happy – https://youtu.be/ZbZSe6N_BXs

2015: See You Again – https://youtu.be/37Vh_etC18w

2016: Love Yourself – https://youtu.be/djzDWMy1z7k

2017: Despacito – https://youtu.be/oFEw5jLlTA8

2018: God’s Plan – https://youtu.be/m1a_GqJf02M

2019: Old Town Road – https://youtu.be/w2Ov5jzm3j8

2020: Physical – https://youtu.be/9HDEHj2yzew

***************

Now, which of you were born when the greatest number one hit of all time was released?

And no, it wasn’t recorded by Elvis, The Beatles, or Michael Jackson.

That song is: The Twist – Chubby Checker … it is the only song to reach number one, twice, by the same recording artist, within two years of each other. Were you born in either of those years?

No, I won’t tell you the years, but you can Google it!

... and if you dare, come back here, and give yourself up!

Now who's who in 2020 ..

BTS

Taylor Swift

Drake

Billie Eilish who was number one in 2019 dropped to fifth.

I have to be honest here, I am not a fan of rap or hip-hop music. But, it is still a part of the music industry and as such, has been, and is recognized globally around the world as musical entertainment. So to be fair, I made the conscious effort to assemble songs that best express this genre of music. I will have three rap or hip-hop songs per year listed that were the best of the best from 1979 to 1994, plus a few surprises.

And before anyone says anything, my expression for not liking rap or hip-hop is neither bias or prejudicial. My preferences lean in other directions and I could never get into rap. With that said, here is a little history for you.

Rapping, or rhyming, spitting, emceeing, or M’Cing is a musical form of vocal delivery that incorporates “rhyme, rhythmic speech, and street vernacular”, which is performed or chanted in a variety of ways, usually over a backing beat or musical accompaniment. The components of rap include “content” (what is being said), “flow” (rhythm, rhyme), and “delivery” (cadence, tone).

Rap differs from spoken-word poetry in that it is usually performed in time to musical accompaniment. Rap, being a primary ingredient of hip hop music, it is associated with that genre in particular; but the origins of rap precede hip-hop culture. The earliest precursor to modern rap is the West African griot tradition, in which “oral historians”, or “praise-singers”, would disseminate oral traditions and genealogies, or use their rhetorical techniques for gossip or to “praise or critique individuals.” The following is a video to give you an idea of the tradition. Be advised it isn’t in English but the presentation is very good. https://youtu.be/QdrPmZwsXiM

Griot traditions connect to rap along a lineage of black verbal reverence, such as through James Brown interacting with the crowd and the band between songs, to Muhammad Ali’s verbal taunts and the poems of The Last Poets. Therefore, rap lyrics and music are part of the “Black rhetorical continuum” and aim to reuse elements of past traditions while expanding upon them through “creative use of language and rhetorical styles and strategies”.

The person credited with originating the style of “delivering rhymes over extensive music”, that would become known as rap, was Anthony “DJ Hollywood” Holloway from Harlem, New York. Most, if not all of his music was live, but he did release one single in 1980, but stayed primarily a DJ throughout most of his life. According to Kurtis Blow and Pete DJ Jones, Hollywood was the first rapper in the hip-hop style, making him the “Father” of the Hip Hop style.

Rap is usually delivered over a beat, typically provided by a DJ, turntablist, beatboxer, or performed ‘a cappella’ without accompaniment. Stylistically, rap occupies a gray area between speech, prose, poetry, and singing. The word, which predates the musical form, originally meant “to lightly strike”, and is now used to describe quick speech or repartee. The word had been used in British English since the 16th century. It was part of the African American dialect of English in the 1960’s meaning “to converse”, and soon after that in its present usage as a term denoting the musical style. Today, the term rap is so closely associated with hip-hop music that many writers use the terms interchangeably.

For the sake of artistry, the focus will be on old school rap (1979–84) which was “easily identified by its relatively simple raps”. The emphasis was not on lyrical technique, but simply good times.

The other part will be what is known as the golden age of rap (mid-1980’s to early 90’s). Inclusively this would span 15 years: 1979 to 1994.

There are other areas I could go through, but if I did, then this would become a novella instead of what it is intended for: entertainment and enjoyment. So … then let us begin.

***************

1979

Fatback Band – King Tim III - https://youtu.be/sqoXRe-RRFw

The Sugarhill Gang – Rapper’s Delight - https://youtu.be/mcCK99wHrk0

Curtis Blow – Christmas Rappin’ - https://youtu.be/9xUFnGWWtoQ

1980

Anthony “DJ Hollywood” Holloway - https://youtu.be/jF_UbFJWAj4

Kurtis Blow – The Breaks - https://youtu.be/heXlCbrVzcc

Funky 4 Plus 1 – That’s -the Joint - https://youtu.be/FzuskHUux6U

The Treacherous Three – Body Rock - https://youtu.be/hi47EDWTuJ4

1981

Let’s Dance (Make Your Body Move) Wes Street Mob - https://youtu.be/6q1Afk-IkG8

Rappin Ain’t No Thing – The Boogie Boys - https://youtu.be/ZLxw48fyaYQ

Genius Rap – Dr. Jeckyll and Mr. Hyde - https://youtu.be/fEusjv45hjg

1982

Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five – The Message - https://youtu.be/PobrSpMwKk4

Afrika Bambaataa – Planet Rock - https://youtu.be/9J3lwZjHenA

Fearless Four – Rockin It - https://youtu.be/WBPbxRMJKiA

1983

Run DMC – Sucker MCs - https://youtu.be/iOKMWSR2Aio

Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five - New York NY - https://youtu.be/jErRL-IFKmY

Grandmaster Melle & The Furious Five – White Lines - https://youtu.be/HB-Kkvf5j5Y

1984

Jazzy Jay & T La Rock – It’s Yours - https://youtu.be/1MLaUp3m3BU

Cold Crush Brothers – Fresh, Wild, Fly & Bold - https://youtu.be/FPXhCUDVHlk

Fat Boys – Stick Em - https://youtu.be/wipr12ZmBfw

1985

Doug E. Fresh & Snoop Dogg – LaDi DaDi - https://youtu.be/d61tWnYYwYc

LL Cool J – Rock The Bells - https://youtu.be/tyg6_nPwlio

Schoolly D – PSK, What Does It Mean - https://youtu.be/HSkH9Aa74N0

1986

Run DMC – Peter Piper - https://youtu.be/XddX604kiNQ

Boogie Down Productions – South Bronx - https://youtu.be/ihOh4ix6HPY

Ice T – 6 in The Morning - https://youtu.be/Ud4hgJwA0wY

1987

Public Enemy – Rebel Without A Pause - https://youtu.be/djuc0kg97yo

Eric B & Rakim – I Ain’t No Joke - https://youtu.be/2TN-kDEKxF0

Audio Two – Top Billin - https://youtu.be/krTLRQOOFAw

1988

Eric B & Rakim – Microphone Friend - https://youtu.be/uPfIIn5V_LQ

Big Daddy Kane – Set It Off - https://youtu.be/3IVYxTvA99U

NWA – Straight Outta Compton - https://youtu.be/TMZi25Pq3T8

1989

Public Enemy – Fight the Power - https://youtu.be/UwhJxRWKSnQ

Queen Latifah ft Monie Love – Ladies First - https://youtu.be/8Qimg_q7LbQ

Ice T – You Played Yourself - https://youtu.be/v7djYYE63Ug

Top Five Hip-Hop Soul in the 80’s

Let the Music Play – Shannon - https://youtu.be/_-0sUuGufmw

I.O.U. - Freeez feat. John Rocca - https://youtu.be/h1MDlJM_C1k

Play At Your Own Risk - Planet Patrol - https://youtu.be/omtYW9fGpkM

One More Shot - C-Bank feat. Jenny Burton - https://youtu.be/Xj2tn3dSblA

Walking on Sunshine - Rocker’s Revenge - https://youtu.be/DAfD-mhpplo

1990

The Humpty Dance – Digital Underground - https://youtu.be/PBsjggc5jHM

Momma Said Knock You Out – LL Cool J - https://youtu.be/vimZj8HW0Kg

911 is a Joke – Public Enemy - https://youtu.be/CPNK0VspQ0M

1991

O.P.P. – Naughty by Nature - https://youtu.be/idx3GSL2KWs

Mind Playing Tricks On Me – Geto Boys - https://youtu.be/IJtHdkyo0hc

Scenario – A Tribe Called Quest - https://youtu.be/Q6TLWqn82J4

1992

It Was A Good Day – Ice Cube - https://youtu.be/h4UqMyldS7Q

Take It Personal – Gang Starr - https://youtu.be/kLIoldHh53Q

Baby Got Back – Sir Mix-a-Lot - https://youtu.be/X53ZSxkQ3Ho

1993

Keep Ya head Up – Tupac Shakur - https://youtu.be/V69C37noXyk

G.E.T.O – Geto Boys - https://youtu.be/EMSZvPpTEZ0

Gin and Juice – Snoop Dogg - https://youtu.be/DI3yXg-sX5c

1994

Juicy – The Notorious B.I.G. - https://youtu.be/_JZom_gVfuw

NY State of Mind – Nas - https://youtu.be/Q81lInyFZfE

I Seen a Man Die – Scarface - https://youtu.be/QQeN-OXZrLo

Top Five Hip-Hop Soul in the 90’s

Sade - No Ordinary Love - https://youtu.be/_WcWHZc8s2I

Deborah Cox - Nobody’s Supposed to Be Here - https://youtu.be/H947PtHmh0Y

Brandy & Monica - The Boy Is Mine - https://youtu.be/qSIOp_K5GMw

Color Me Badd - I Wanna Sex You Up - https://youtu.be/Oxu3pq319r0

Xscape - Just Kickin’ It - https://youtu.be/w_BTEFAVwjU

The top 55 Broadway songs.

Many are from the musicals we remember,

or have run for an incredible amount of time on Broadway.

This lists the play first, then the song, then of course, the link.

These plays and songs are not in chronological order by year.

Now, you can spice up your writing with whimsical music

that has charmed, dazed, and amazed audiences around the world.

(The song Some Other Time, from On The Town and

Lost in the Stars, from said same, there was

no clear sounding video hence my choice)

Enjoy!

***************

The Phantom Of The Opera – https://youtu.be/77umP7IRxD4

The Book of Mormon – https://youtu.be/GVJgmp2Tc2s

Kinky Boots - https://youtu.be/-EoXr07bmAs

Gypsy - Rose’s Turn – https://youtu.be/Totzt9duNNE

The Lion King - https://youtu.be/ewOAsUWQJvo

Showboat – Ol’ Man River – https://youtu.be/pSzYRo9j7YM

The Producers – Springtime For Hitler - https://youtu.be/wvM_JpqViBA

Sunday In The Park – Finishing the Hat – https://youtu.be/ducG55pfCMQ

Dream Girls – And I’m Telling You I’m Not Going – https://youtu.be/QsiSRSgqE4E

South Pacific – Some Enchanted Evening – https://youtu.be/rGyfw3yiMT4

Cabaret – Cabaret – https://youtu.be/moOamKxW844

Hamilton – Satisfied – https://youtu.be/b5VqyCQV1Tg

Moulin Rouge – Elephant Song Medley - https://youtu.be/VxLaO8Xzjsk

Follies – Losing My Mind – https://youtu.be/oUGZg4eOdvI

The Music Man – Ya Got Trouble – https://youtu.be/LI_Oe-jtgdI

On The Town – Some Other Time – https://youtu.be/A9bLMqztl0Y

Sweeny Todd – A Little Priest – https://youtu.be/ryF2rt0hQiM

Cats – Memory – https://youtu.be/8gd_ohoPzYc

Annie Get Your Gun – Anything You Can Do I Can Do Better – https://youtu.be/_UB1YAsPD6U

Carousel – You’ll Never Walk Alone - https://youtu.be/B7YhWIzd-gc - starts at 3:43

Les Misérables – One Day More - https://youtu.be/Sv-BxH3SVS8

Sweet Charity – Big Spender - https://youtu.be/1XTdZX6r4u8

Funny Girl – Don’t Rain On My Parade – https://youtu.be/-Yfh_CpA9Sk

Hair – Aquarius – https://youtu.be/Cb8luHdpR84

Chicago – All That Jazz – https://youtu.be/vVyhM8gHXS8

Porgy and Bess – Summertime - https://youtu.be/O7-Qa92Rzbk

Fiddler On The Roof – If I Were A Rich Man – https://youtu.be/k_XeHLrkwTY

A Little Night Music – Send In The Clowns – https://youtu.be/cNwnrA8EshM

Caroline Or Change – Lot’s Wife – https://youtu.be/Dx3KhKfA3kw

West Side Story – Tonight – https://youtu.be/m7xTvb-FAhQ

Guys And Dolls – Adelaide’s Lament – https://youtu.be/RX-eFkGdJNM

Girl Crazy – I Got Rhythm – https://youtu.be/NQ2z-C8HdiA

Wicked – Defying Gravity – https://youtu.be/O5V9KwppMfs

Candide – Glitter And Be Gay – https://youtu.be/EdC652e9dpE

Fun Home – Ring Of Keys – https://youtu.be/pMAuesRJm1E

Pal Joey – Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered – https://youtu.be/GIpQggP0WvI (Jo Ann Greer sing)

Lady In The Dark – My Ship – https://youtu.be/ojT4LfRVYr0 - https://youtu.be/8osQIUdl9Sc - (1941)

A Chorus Line – At The Ballet – https://youtu.be/gTZpXCcFq20

Rent – Seasons Of Love – https://youtu.be/UvyHuse6buY

Man Of La Mancha – The Impossible Dream – https://youtu.be/zbgTUwUP-ew

Lost In The Stars – Lost In The Stars – https://youtu.be/GqPqux11QSE

Company – Another Hundred People – https://youtu.be/Mum-304-5PM

Little Shop Of Horrors – Suddenly Seymour – https://youtu.be/oXfaCWl79xU

The King And I – Something Wonderful – https://youtu.be/Gdyk1q2Szfc

La Cage Aux Folles – I Am What I Am – https://youtu.be/Kih_pV6ohPQ

Evita – Don’t Cry For Me Argentina – https://youtu.be/Y4yA-QaUk-c

Annie – Maybe – https://youtu.be/NkbXYYgcsKM

Hello Dolly – Hello Dolly – https://youtu.be/jDUw96eOfh0

Oklahoma – Oklahoma – https://youtu.be/ZbrnXl2gO_k

Mame – We All Need A Little Christmas – https://youtu.be/-UL9rVtRvRI

Anything Goes – Anything Goes – https://youtu.be/IlCZutwVlzQ

Avenue Q – Everyone’s A Little Bit Racist – https://youtu.be/RovF1zsDoeM

Damn Yankees – Whatever Lola Wants – https://youtu.be/aQv2sq6jEhU

My Fair Lady – Wouldn’t It Be Loverly – https://youtu.be/q5fW7sERw7I

The Wiz – Ease On Down The Road - https://youtu.be/0Vx91y5zFQo

***************

This now concludes the search for music to put a spark into your thoughts,

an idea to paper, so whether you are writing, about to write or have written,

music is a catalyst to engtertain our emotions,

and it is our emotions that prompt us to write,

and enteratin those who read.

As Judy Garland said before she sang ‘Lost In The Stars’,

all the lyrics written come from beautiful poems.

There was one area in music I had forgotten about—the One-Hit Wonders. They were the songs the groups or solo artist you went crazy over, and then you never hear about them again, or they peaked with their song at number one but never had another hit again—but when you hear the song again you say, “Oh yeah I remember that one, it was sung by what’s his/her name.”

Well I’m going to take the guesswork away with the following one-hit wonders and the vocals who performed them. So sit back, relax, and relive the tune and what’s his/her name.

I excluded one-hit wonders from 1940 to 1959 as most people today wouldn’t have a clue who these musicians were or even remember hearing the song, but there should be enough here to keep you busy while you tap your feet, snap your fingers. or maybe even shake a tail feather!

From the Sixties:

Teen Angel – Mark Denning - https://youtu.be/KG_VIcoiCFA

Alley-Oop - Hollywood Argyles - https://youtu.be/vcNSGFeUIV0

Mister Custer – Larry Verne - https://youtu.be/8z9ntoTwQfc - https://youtu.be/_kHHEexaW8o

Mother-In-Law – Ernie K. Doe - https://youtu.be/6EN5eJf5h_k

The Stripper – David Rose - https://youtu.be/Y2CWfSLyjx8

Telstar – The Tornados - https://youtu.be/WPDvsLSnUGc

Sukiyaki – Kyu Sakamoto - https://youtu.be/rbTsG9jrJsU

The Singing Nun – Dominique - https://youtu.be/IIn7YzoXlzE - English: https://youtu.be/Qkq0Ncf32cs

Ringo – Lorne Greene - https://youtu.be/b6-57XCH6Vo

Winchester Cathedral – New Vaudeville Band – https://youtu.be/geaWf4qLON8

Judy In Disguise – John Fred & His Playboy Band - https://youtu.be/SzC8D-qQM-o

Green Tambourine – The Leon Pipers - https://youtu.be/S5Vz-z4PEkk

In the Year 2525 – Zager & Evans - https://youtu.be/N03Uoj6p9QA

Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Hi Goodbye - Steam - https://youtu.be/jsaTElBljOE

From the Seventies

Venus – The Shocking Blue - https://youtu.be/aPEhQugz-Ew

The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia – Vicki Lawrence - https://youtu.be/sE-8MTP37uY

Seasons in the Sun – Terry Jacks - https://youtu.be/YG9otasNmxI

The Night Chicago Died – Paper Lace - https://youtu.be/ryVh9BuwOs4

I Can Help – Billy Swan - https://youtu.be/sD5HnHo7JbY

Kung Fu Fighting – Carl Douglas - https://youtu.be/bmfudW7rbG0

Lovin’ You – Minnie Riperton - https://youtu.be/W_xIBfrdxQU

The Hustle – Van Mccoy - https://youtu.be/SFzMs2SN--s

Afternoon Delight – Starlight Band - https://youtu.be/wu1UXCdyNo0

Play That Funky Music – Wild Cherry - https://youtu.be/SFiv9M577a4

Disco Duck – Rick Dees & The Idiots - https://youtu.be/sysgZabVlZw

Don’t Give Up On Us – David Soul - https://youtu.be/YY8APrYU2Gs

Undercover Angel – Alan O’Day - https://youtu.be/01PSf4Bokic

Hot Child in the City – Nick Gilder - https://youtu.be/ERqwe_D7anI

Knock On Wood – Amii Stewart - https://youtu.be/92NpzXXpQtg

Ring My Bell – Anita Ward - https://youtu.be/4_68RwJyzkA

Pop Muzik – M - https://youtu.be/gPoiv0sZ4s4

From The Eighties

Funkytown – Lipps Inc - https://youtu.be/PqiZ_gryYUQ

Chariots of Fire – Vangelis - https://youtu.be/8a-HfNE3EIo

MIckey – Toni Basil - https://youtu.be/0aqLwHP4y6Q

Shake You Down - Gregory Abbott - https://youtu.be/Uc8wmLul3uw

Don’t Worry Be Happy – Bobby McFerrin - https://youtu.be/d-diB65scQU

When I’m With You - Sheriff - https://youtu.be/qlqJyZg_3-o

From the Nineties

I’m Too Sexy – Right Said Fred - https://youtu.be/P5mtclwloEQ

Baby Got Back – Sir ix-A-Lot - https://youtu.be/X53ZSxkQ3Ho

A Whole New World/From Aladdin – Peabo Bryson & Regina Belle - https://youtu.be/PmvT7B3u7II

From the 2000’s

Butterfly – Crazy Town – (Comes with a warning) - https://youtu.be/9hYNjn1gohM

Lean Back – Terror Squad - https://youtu.be/ajmI1P3r1w4

Laffy Taffy – D4L - https://youtu.be/3NXBgSCSrIk

Bad Day – Daniel Powter - https://youtu.be/gH476CxJxfg

Do I Make You Proud – Taylor Hicks - https://youtu.be/L0n_OHb7e9M

Two songs above have an extra song listed. I couldn’t resist the follow-up to Mister Custer, and the other is the English version of The Singing Nun sung by Debbie Reynolds.

Vicki Lawrence was a frequent regular on The Carol Burnett Show as Chrissy and who later had a starring role as Thela Harper in aa's Family. David Soul was also an actor in the TV series Starsky & Hutch, with Paul Michael Glaser.

I do hope these songs brought back some good memories and for those of you who may never have heard many of these, perhaps new memories can be made.

Enjoy!