Friday, December 31, 2021

TSORT: Songs of the Year, 1900-2021

TSORT Songs of the Year:

1900-2021

TSORT offers an aggregate of as many as 138 charts, although the number of charts becomes more sparse the farther back they stretch. Nonetheless, the site offers a page indicating songs of the year from 1900 to present.

Check out other “songs of the year” lists here.


Resources/Related Links:


First posted 4/13/2019; last updated 11/22/2022.

Digital Dream Door: Songs of the Year, 1920-2021

Digital Dream Door:

Songs of the year, 1920-2021

Digital Dream Door offers multiple best-of music lists, including song-of-the-year lists from 1940 to present. Here are the best songs from each year:

Check out other “songs of the year” lists here.


Resources/Related Links:


First posted 4/6/2019; last updated 12/31/2022.

IFPI: Song of the Year, 2007-2021

IFPI:

Songs of the Year, 2007-2021

As it says on their website, IFPI (the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry) “is the voice of the recording industry worldwide. [They] represent the interests of 1,300 record companies across the globe.” They put out annual reports on the state of the music industry. Since 2007, that report has included lists of the top acts, albums, and singles each year. Here are the top singles:

Check out other “songs of the year” lists here.

  • 2021: The Weeknd “Save Your Tears”
  • 2020: BTS “Dynamite”

  • 2019: Billie Eilish “Bad Guy
  • 2018: Camila Cabello with Young Thug “Havana
  • 2017: Ed Sheeran “Shape of You
  • 2016: Drake with WizKid & Kyla “One Dance
  • 2015: Wiz Khalifa with Charlie Puth “See You Again
  • 2014: Pharrell Williams “Happy
  • 2013: Robin Thicke with T.I. & Pharrell Williams “Blurred Lines
  • 2012: Carly Rae Jepsen “Call Me Maybe
  • 2011: Bruno Mars “Just the Way You Are (Amazing)
  • 2010: Ke$ha “Tik Tok

  • 2009: Lady Gaga “Poker Face
  • 2008: Lil’ Wayne with Static Major “Lollipop”
  • 2007: Avril Lavigne “Girlfriend”

Resources and Related Links:


First posted 3/15/2020; last updated 1/7/2023.

100 years ago: Isham Jones hit #1 with “Wabash Blues”

Wabash Blues

Isham Jones

Writer(s): Fred Meinken (music), Dave Ringle (words) (see lyrics here)


First Charted: December 10, 1921


Peak: 16 US, 11 GA, 12 SM (Click for codes to charts.)


Sales (in millions): 1.0 US


Airplay/Streaming (in millions): -- radio, 0.06 video, -- streaming

Awards:

Click on award for more details.

About the Song:

Born in Ohio in 1894, Isham Jones became a pianist, saxophonist, and composer before he formed his own jazz band. Some considered his “the best dance band of the pre-swing era.” PM That band included trumpeter Louis Panico, who played an integral part of “Wabash Blues” as “the laughing cornet,” a nickname derived from how much his trumpet playing sounded like a person laughing. SM

Wabash was a river which flows through Indiana, Ohio, and Illinois. It had been written about previously, most notably in “On the Banks of the Wabash” in the late 1890s. SM Dave Ringle added “standard blues lyrics” SM about being unhappy and lonesome that were similar to the song “Wang Wang Blues,” a hit from a year earlier. SM

Both songs are examples of “up-tempo, rather cheerful blues,” TY2 a break from the view “of the blues as being slow and depressing.” TY2 “Wabash Blues” “doesn’t follow the classic 12-bar blues form.” TY2 Instead, it was “a good example of a commercial blues, written in Tin Pan Alley for the general market.” TY2

“Wabash Blues” was one of Jones’ earliest hits. He reached the charts 73 times from 1920 to 1938. This was his first of eight #1 songs. PM It became “a jazz band favorite.” DJ The Benson Orchestra, featuring pianist Roy Bargy, also charted with the song (#6, 1922) DJ as did Dolly Kay (#13, 1922), Ted Lewis (#16, 1930), and Russ Morgan (#17, 1939). PM


Resources:


Related Links:


First posted 4/25/2023.

The Top 25 Albums of 2021

Dave’s Music Database:

Top Albums of 2021

Based on a combination of year-end lists and overall status in Dave’s Music Database, these are the top 25 albums of 2021:

  1. Olivia Rodrigo Sour
  2. Adele 30
  3. Morgan Wallen Dangerous: The Double Album
  4. Billie Eilish Happier Than Ever
  5. Lil Nas X Montero
  6. Drake Certified Lover Boy
  7. Tyler, the Creator Call Me if You Get Lost
  8. Taylor Swift Red (Taylor’s Version)
  9. Kacey Musgraves Star-Crossed
  10. Doja Cat Planet Her

  11. Little Simz Sometimes I Might Be Introvert
  12. Japanese Breakfast Jubilee
  13. Robert Plant & Alison Krauss Raise the Roof
  14. Justin Bieber Justice
  15. Silk Sonic An Evening with Silk Sonic
  16. Halsey If I Can't Have Love, I Want Power
  17. The Weather Station Ignorance
  18. Turnstile Glow On
  19. Taylor Swift Fearless (Taylor’s Version)
  20. Snail Mail Valentine

  21. Brandi Carlile In These Silent Days
  22. Jazmine Sullivan Heaux Tales
  23. Jon Batiste We Are
  24. Dry Cleaning New Long Leg
  25. Floating Points with Pharoah Sanders & the London Symphony Orchestra Promises

Resources and Related Links:


First posted 1/4/2022.

Wednesday, December 29, 2021

Taylor Swift: The #1’s

Taylor Swift

The #1’s: 2006-2021

Overview:

Singer born Taylor Alison Swift on 12/13/1989 in Reading, Pennyslvania. She released her first album in 2006 while still a teenager. She started out as a country artist but completely transformed to a pop star by 2014 with her 1989 album. She has spent more weeks atop the Billboard album chart (54) than any other woman in history. She has sold more than 200 million records worldwide and won three Grammys for Album of the Year.


On the Web:


Lists:

Awards:

The Studio Albums:

Hover over an album cover to see its title and year of release. Click on the album to go to its dedicated DMDB page.


Compilations:

While Swift has released multiple editions of her studio albums and even re-recorded versions of some of them, she has yet to release a proper career retrospective. This page offers a glimpse of each of her studio albums, highlighting those songs which have reached #1 on various charts, thus offering a sampling of what songs would be most likely to appear on a very overdue compilation. Dates indicate the songs first appearance at #1 on any of the noted charts. Click for codes to singles charts.


Taylor Swift (2006):

Swift’s self-titled debut was released when she was sixteen years old. The album gave her five top-10 country hits, two of which went to #1. All five of those songs also reached the Billboard top 40. The album spent 24 weeks atop the country album chart and reached #5 on the overall Billboard album chart. It was certified as 7x platinum.

  • 12/22/2007: “Our Song” (CW: 6)
  • 8/23/2008: “Should’ve Said Now” (CW: 2)


Fearless (2008):

Like its predecessor, Swift’s second album gave her five top-10 country hits, two of which reached #1. However, this album made her a bona fide pop star, giving her five top-10 pop hits and winning the Grammy for Album of the Year. In addition, the two songs listed here rank amongst the DMDB’s top 1000 of all time. The album spent 11 weeks at #1 on the overall Billboard album chart and 35 weeks atop the country chart. It was certified for 10 million in sales in the United States.


Valentine’s Day (soundtrack, 2010):

  • 2/6/2010: “Today Was a Fairytale” (DG: 1, CN: 1)


Speak Now (2010):

Once again, Swift kept one foot in pop and the other in country, spending 6 and 13 weeks atop those respective album charts. It was certified for 6 million in sales in the U.S. The album gave her five more top-10 country hits and four more top-10 pop hits.

  • 8/21/2010: “Mine” (DG: 1, AC: 1)
  • 10/30/2010: “Back to December” (DG: 1)
  • 11/26/2011: “Sparks Fly” (CW: 1)
  • 3/31/2012: “Ours” (CW: 1)


Red (2012):

Swift’s farewell to country saw her spend 16 weeks at #1 on the country album chart and 7 on the pop chart. It landed 7 million in sales in the United States. She got three more top-10 country hits and four top-10 pop hits, including her first pop chart-topper, “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together.”

  • 9/1/2012: “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together” (BB: 3, DG: 5, CW: 10, CN: 4)
  • 10/13/2012: “Begin Again” (DG: 1)
  • 10/27/2012: “I Knew You Were Trouble” (BA: 4, DG: 3, RR: 6, A40: 1)


1989 (2014):

Swift’s full-fledged pop coronation made her a superstar. She racked up three #1 pop hits and two more top-10’s. “Shake It Off” and “Blank Space” rank in the DMDB’s top 1000 of all time. The album logged 11 weeks atop the Billboard album chart. At more than 12 million sales worldwide, it is her biggest seller to date. It also garnered her a second Album of the Year Grammy.

  • 9/6/2014: “Shake It Off” (BB: 4, BA: 4, DG: 4, ST: 2, RR: 2, AC: 5, A40: 8, CN: 4, AU: 3)
  • 11/1/2014: “Out of the Woods” (DG: 1)
  • 11/15/2014: “Blank Space” (BB: 7, BA: 6, DG: 7, ST: 7, RR: 5, AC: 4, A40: 6, CN: 6, AU: 3)
  • 3/15/2015: “Style” (RR: 3, AC: 2, A40: 2)
  • 6/6/2015: with Kendrick Lamar “Bad Blood” (with Kendrick Lamar, BB: 1, BA: 5, DG: 5, RR: 6, A40: 3, CN: 1, AU: 3)
  • 10/25/2015: “Wildest Dreams” (BA: 2, RR: 2, A40: 4)


Fifty Shades Darker (soundtrack, 2017):

  • 12/31/2016: Zayn with Taylor Swift “I Don’t Wanna Live Forever” (with Zayn, DG: 2)


Reputation (2017):

This one spent four weeks at #1 on the album chart and sold more than 4.5 million worldwide. It gave Swift another Billboard Hot 100 chart topper with “Look What You Made Me Do” and a top-5 hit with “Ready for It?” Three more songs reached the top 20.

  • 9/16/2017: “Look What You Made Me Do” (BB: 3, DG: 1, ST: 2, RR: 1, UK: 2, CN: 3, AU: 2)
  • 9/23/2017: “Ready for It?” (DG: 1)
  • 11/11/2017: “Gorgeous” (DG: 1)
  • 11/25/2017: “Call It What You Want” (DG: 1)
  • 7/22/2018: “Delicate” (RR: 1, AC; 10, A40: 4)


Lover (2019):

Swift’s sixth consecutive chart-topper only spent one week atop the Billboard album chart but matched the 4.5+ million in sales of its predecessor. Swift barely missed the #1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking in the runner-up spot with “Me!” and “You Need to Calm Down.” The title cut was also a top-10 hit.

  • 5/11/2019: “Me!” (with Brendon Urie, DG: 1)
  • 6/29/2019: “You Need to Calm Down” (DG: 1)
  • 8/31/2019: “Lover” (DG: 2)


Miss Americana (documentary, 2020):

  • 2/15/2020: “Only the Young” (DG: 1)


Folklore (2020):

For her eighth album, Swift racked up another eight weeks at #1 on the Billboard album chart, but saw a drop-off in sales. It still sold 2 million worldwide. “Cardigan” gave Swift another #1 hit and “Exile” and “The 1” reached the top 10. The album was her third to win the Grammy for Album of the Year.

  • 8/8/2020: “Cardigan” (BB: 1, DG: 1, ST: 1)


Evermore (2020):

Swift’s ninth studio release gave her another 3 weeks atop the Billboard album chart. This was her first album to fail to sell a million copies. “Willow” became Swift’s seventh song to reach the pinnacle of the Billboard Hot 100.

  • 12/26/2020: “Willow” (BB: 1, DG: 1, A40: 3)


Fearless (Taylor’s Version) (2021):

  • 2/27/2021: “Love Story (Taylor’s Version)” (DG: 1)


Red (Taylor’s Version) (2021):

  • 11/15/2021: “All Too Well (Taylor’s Version)” (BB: 1, DG: 1, ST: 1, CW: 3, CN: 1, AU: 1)

Resources and Related Links:


First posted 11/16/2021; last updated 12/29/2021.

Tuesday, December 28, 2021

Top 50 Songs of 2021

Dave’s Music Database:

Top 50 Songs of 2021

These are the top 50 songs of 2021 based on their overall performance in Dave’s Music Database, which is determined by combining chart data, sales figures, streaming, video views, and aggregates from more than 30 year-end lists.

Check out “Top Songs and Albums of the Year” lists here.


Check out Dave’s Music Database podcast: The Top 20 songs of 2021 based on this list.


    DMDB Top 1%:

  1. Olivia Rodrigo “Drivers License
  2. The Kid Laroi with Justin Bieber “Stay
  3. Silk Sonic (Bruno Mars & Anderson.Paak) “Leave the Door Open

    DMDB Top 2%:

  4. Adele “Easy on Me
  5. Lil Nas X “Montero (Call Me by Your Name)”
  6. Olivia Rodrigo “Good 4 U”
  7. Justin Bieber with Daniel Caesar & Giveon “Peaches”
  8. BTS “Butter”
  9. Ed Sheeran “Bad Habits”
  10. Lil Nas X with Jack Harlow “Industry Baby”

    DMDB Top 5%:

  11. Elton John with Dua Lipa “Cold Heart (Pnau Remix)”
  12. Walker Hayes “Fancy Like”
  13. Doja Cat with SZA “Kiss Me More”
  14. Taylor Swift “All Too Well (Taylor’s Version)”
  15. Polo G “Rapstar”
  16. Encanto Cast (Carolina Gaitán, Mauro Castillo, Adassa, Rhenzy Feliz, Diane Guerrero, Stephanie Beatriz, et al) “We Don’t Talk About Bruno”
  17. Gayle “abcdefu”
  18. Doja Cat “Woman”
  19. Cardi B “Up”
  20. Doja Cat “Need to Know”

  21. Billie Eilish “Happier Than Ever”
  22. Coldplay with BTS “My Universe”
  23. Lil Tjay with 6lack “Calling My Phone”
  24. Imagine Dragons with JID “Enemy”
  25. Doja Cat & the Weeknd “You Right”
  26. Morgan Wallen “Wasted on You”
  27. Ed Sheeran “Shivers”
  28. Olivia Rodrigo “Traitor”

    DMDB Top 10%:

  29. Saweetie with Doja Cat “Best Friend”
  30. Nicky Youre & Dazy “Sunroof”

  31. Latto “Big Energy”
  32. Megan Thee Stallion “Thot Shit”
  33. Maroon 5 with Megan Thee Stallion “Beautiful Mistakes”
  34. Drake “What’s Next”
  35. Kacey Musgraves “Justified”
  36. Drake with Future & Young Thug “Way 2 Sexy”
  37. BTS “Permission to Dance”
  38. Marshmello with the Jonas Brothers “Leave Before You Love Me”
  39. Billie Eilish “Your Power”
  40. The Weeknd “Take My Breath”

  41. Justin Bieber “Ghost”
  42. Justin Bieber “Anyone”
  43. Adele “Oh My God”
  44. Olivia Rodrigo “Déjà Vu”
  45. Farruko “Pepas”
  46. Baby Keem with Kendrick Lamar “Family Ties”

    DMDB Top 20%:

  47. Coldplay “Higher Power”
  48. Doja Cat “Get Into It (Yuh)”
  49. Imagine Dragons “Follow You”

Resources/Related Links:


First posted 12/26/2021; last updated 1/17/2023.

Saturday, December 25, 2021

The Top 100 Christmas Songs of All Time

Christmas Songs:

Top 100

These are the top 100 Christmas songs according to Dave’s Music Database. 40 lists focused on Christmas songs were aggregated together and then the highest-ranking songs were reordered based on their overall status in Dave’s Music Database, which compiles multiple lists as well as chart performances, sales figures, and awards for songs.

Songs are listed first by songwriters and then the song in quotation marks. The year the song was published is listed in parentheses after the song title. If a specific performer is associated with the song, then that performer and the year of its release are listed in parentheses.

Click here to see other genre-specific song lists.

1. “White Christmas” (written by Irving Berlin, performed by Bing Crosby, 1942)
2. “Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer” (written by Johnny Marks, performed by Gene Autry, 1949)
3. “Silent Night” (words: Joseph Mohr, music: Franz Gruber, English translation: John Freeman Young; performed by Bing Crosby, 1935)
4. “The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire)” (written by Mel Tormé & Robert Wells, performed by Nat “King” Cole, 1946)
5. “Winter Wonderland” (music: Felix Bernard, words: Richard B. Smith, performed by Guy Lombardo, 1934)
6. “Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!” (music: Jule Styne, words: Sammy Cahn, performed by Vaughn Monroe, 1945)
7. “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” (written by Bob Geldof & Midge Ure, performed by Band Aid, 1984)
8. “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town” (written by J. Fred Coots & Haven Gillespie, performed by Bing Crosby & the Andrews Sisters, 1952)
9. “All I Want for Christmas Is You” (written by Mariah Carey & Walter Afanasieff, performed by Carey, 1994)
10. “The Little Drummer Boy” (written by Harry Simeone, Katherine K. Davis, & Henry V. Onorati; performed by the Harry Simeone Chorale; 1958)

11. “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus” (written by Tommie Connor, performed by Jimmy Boyd, 1952)
12. “Jingle Bells” (written by James S. Pierpont, 1857)
13. “Baby, It’s Cold Outside” (written by Frank Loesser, performed by Johnny Mercer with Margaret Whiting, 1949)
14. “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” (written by Walter Kent, Kim Gannon & Buck Ram; performed by Bing Crosby; 1943)
15. “The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don’t Be Late)” (written by Ross Badasarian, performed by David Seville & the Chipmunks, 1958)
16. “O Holy Night (Minuit, Chrétiens)” (written by Adolphe Adams & John Sullivan Dwight, 1847)
17. “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” (music: Ralph Blane, words: Hugh Martin, performed by Judy Garland, 1944)
18. “Happy X-Mas (War Is Over)” (written and performed by John Lennon & Yoko Ono, 1971)
19. “Last Christmas” (written by George Michael, performed by Wham!, 1984)
20. “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” (music: Felix Mendelssohn, words: Charles Wesley, 1855)

21. “O Come All Ye Faithful (Adeste Fideles)” (songwriters unknown, 1744)
22. “Joy to the World” (music: George Frideric Handel, words: Isaac Watts, arranged by Lowell Mason, 1719)
23. “Away in a Manger” (music: James Ramsey Murray, words: Charles H. Gabriel, 1887)
24. “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” (written by Johnny Marks, performed by Brenda Lee, 1958)
25. “Blue Christmas” (written by Billy Hayes & Jay W. Johnson, performed by Elvis Presley, 1957)
26. “It Came Upon a Midnight Clear” (words: Rev. Edmund Hamilton Sears, music: Richard Storrs Willis, 1850)
27. “O Little Town of Bethlehem” (music: Lewis Redner, words: Phillips Brooks, 1868)
28. “Frosty the Snowman” (written by Steve Nelson & Walter E. Rollins, performed by Gene Autry, 1950)
29. “The First Noel” (written by Davies Gilbert, 1823)
30. “We Three Kings of Orient Are” (written by John Henry Hopkins Jr., 1857)

31. “Jingle Bell Rock” (written by Joe Beal & Jim Boothe, performed by Bobby Helms, 1957)
32. “Fairytale of New York” (written by Jem Finer & Shane MacGowan, performed by the Pogues with Kirsty MacColl, 1987)
33. “Sleigh Ride” (written by Leroy Anderson & Mitchell Parish, performed by Anderson, 1949)
34. “All I Want for Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth” (written by Donald Yetter Gardner, performed by Spike Jones, 1948)
35. “Wonderful Christmas Time” (written and performed by Paul McCartney, 1979)
36. “Merry Xmas Everybody” (written by Noddy Holder and Jim Lea, performed by Slade, 1973)
37. “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)” (written by Jeff Barry, Ellie Greenwich & Phil Spector; performed by Darlene Love; 1963)
38. “Peace on Earth/The Little Drummer Boy” (written by Ian Fraser, Larry Grossman, Alan Kohan, Harry Simeone, Katherine K. Davis, & Henry V. Onorati ; performed by Bing Crosby & David Bowie, 1977)
39. “Santa Baby” (written by Joan Javits, Philip Springer, & Tony Springer; performed by Eartha Kitt; 1953)
40. “Run Rudolph Run” (written by Johnny Marks & Marvin Brodie, performed by Chuck Berry, 1958)

41. “Silver Bells” (written by Jay Livingston & Ray Evans, performed by Bing Crosby, 1952)
42. “Mary’s Boy Child” (written by Jester Hairston, performed by Harry Belafonte, 1956)
43. “Here Comes Santa Claus” (written by Gene Autry & Oakley Haldeman, performed by Autry, 1947)
44. “Please Come Home for Christmas” (written by Charles Brown & Gene Redd, performed by the Eagles, 1978)
45. “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” (words: John Mason Neale, music: traditional, 1851)
46. “Good King Wencelas” (written by John Mason Neale, 1860)
47. “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” (written by Edward Pola & George Wyle, 1963)
48. “Feliz Navidad” (written and performed by José Feliciano, 1970)
49. “Christmas Wrapping” (written by Chris Butler, performed by the Waitresses, 1981)
50. “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” (traditional, 1760)

51. “There’s No Place Like Home for the Holidays” (written by Robert Allen, performed by Perry Como, 1954)
52. “A Holly Jolly Christmas” (written by Johnny Marks, performed by Burl Ives, 1964)
53. “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas” (written by Meredith Wilson, performed by Perry Como, 1945)
54. “Little Saint Nick” (written by Brian Wilson & Mike Love, performed by the Beach Boys, 1963)
55. “What Child Is This?” (words: William Chatterton Dix, music: “Greensleeves,” 1865)
56. “2000 Miles” (written by Chrissie Hynde, performed by the Pretenders, 1983)
57. “Pretty Paper” (written by Willie Nelson, performed by Roy Orbison, 1963)
58. “Step into Christmas” (written by Elton John & Bernie Taupin, performed by John, 1973)
59. “Father Christmas” (written by Ray Davies, performed by the Kinks, 1977)
60. “Christmas in Hollis” (written by Joseph Simmons, Darryl McDaniels, & Jason Mizell; performed by Run-D.M.C., 1987)

61. “Christmas Time Is Here” (music: Vince Guaraldi, words: Lee Mendelson, performed by Guaraldi, 1965)
62. “Mistletoe” (written by Nasri Atweh, Adam Messinger, & Justin Bieber; performed by Bieber; 2011)
63. “Merry Christmas Baby” (written by Lou Baxter & Johnny Moore, performed by Chuck Berry, 1958)
64. “I Believe in Father X-Mas” (written by Greg Lake & Peter Sinfield, performed by Lake, 1975)
65. “I Saw Three Ships” (unknown, 1833)
66. “Carol of the Bells” (written by Peter J. Wilhousky & M. Leontovich, 1919)
67. “Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer” (written by Randy Brooks, performed by Elmo & Patsy, 1979)
68. “River” (written and performed by Joni Mitchell, 1971)
69. “Do You Hear What I Hear?” (written by Harry Simeone, performed by Bing Crosby, 1963)
70. “Thank God It’s Christmas” (written by Brian May & Roger Taylor, performed by Queen, 1984)

71. “I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas” (written by John Rox, performed by Gayla Reevey, 1953)
72. “I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday” (written by Roy Wood, performed by Wizzard, 1973)
73. “Merry Christmas (I Don't Wanna Fight Tonight)” (written by Joey Ramone, performed by the Ramones, 1989)
74. “Christmas Is the Time to Say 'I Love You'” (written and performed by Billy Squier, 1981)
75. “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch” (words: Theodor Geisel, music: Albert Hague, performed by Thurl Ravenscroft, 1966)
76. “Santa Tell Me” (written by Ariana Grande, Savan Kotecha, & Ilya; performed by Grande; 2013)
77. “In Dulci Jubilo” (writer unknown, 1328)
78. “The Twelve Days of Christmas” (words: Frederic Austin, music: traditional, 1780)
79. “Deck the Halls” (words: Thomas Oliphant, music: “Nos Galan,” 1862)
80. “Go Tell It on the Mountain” (written by John Wesley Work Jr., 1865)

81. “This Christmas” (written by Donny Hathaway as Donny Pitts with Nadine Theresa McKinnor, performed by Hathaway, 1970)
82. “Christmas All Over Again” (written by Tom Petty, performed by Petty with the Heartbreakers, 1992)
83. “O Christmas Tree (O Tannenbaum)” (words: Ernst Anschütz, music: “Ach Tannenbaum,” 1824)
84. “Christmas Island” (written by Lyle Moraine, performed by the Andrews Sisters, 1946)
85. “Underneath the Tree” (written by Kelly Clarkson & Greg Kurstin, performed by Clarkson, 2013)
86. “Angels We Have Heard on High” (paraphrased by James Chadwick, arranged by Edward Shippen Barnes, music: “Gloria,” 1862)
87. “We Need a Little Christmas” (written by Jerry Herman, performed by Percy Faith, 1966)
88. “Merry Christmas Darling” (written by Frank Pooler & Richard Carpenter, performed by the Carpenters, 1970)
89. “Coventry Carol” (writer unknown, 1534)
90. “Christmas Eve (Sarajevo 12/24)” (performed by Trans-Siberian Orchestra, 1996)

91. “Hard Candy Christmas” (written by Carol Hall, performed by Dolly Parton, 1982)
92. “Someday at Christmas” (written by Ron Miller & Bryan Wells, performed by Stevie Wonder, 1967)
93. “Nuttin’ for Christmas” (written by Sid Tepper & Roy C. Bennett, performed by Barry Gordon, 1955)
94. “What Christmas Means to Me” (performed by Stevie Wonder, 1967)
95. “Mele Kalikimaka (Hawaiian Christmas Song)” (written by Robert Alex Anderson, performed by Bing Crosby & the Andrews Sisters, 1949)
96. “Christmas Song” (written by Dave Matthews, performed by Dave Matthews Band, 1993)
97. “Don’t Wait Till the Night Before Christmas” (written by Lewis & Baer, performed by Eddy Duchin, 1938)
98. “Up on the Housetop” (written by Benjamin Hanby, 1864)
99. “Christmas Time Is Here Again” (written by John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, & Richard Starkey; performed by the Beatles; 1967)
100. “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” (arranged by Arthur Warrell, performed by Marian Anderson, 1968)


Resources and Related Links:

First posted 12/25/2011; last updated 7/6/2021.

Friday, December 24, 2021

Grammys Winners: Best Musical Theater Album

Grammy Winners for Best Musical Theater Album:

1959 to 2021

The Grammys have awarded “Best Musical Theater Album” since 1959. The work must be comprised of more than 51% or more new material. The award is typically given to the album producer, principal singers, and composers and lyricists. It has been known under multiple names including Best Original Cast Album, Best Broadway Show Album, Best Show Album, Best Original Cast Show Album, Best Score from an Original Cast Show Album, Best Cast Show Album, Best Musical Cast Show Album, and Best Musical Show Album.

Check out other album of the year awards here.

Check out other stage & screen lists here.

  • 2021: Alanis Morissette & Glen Ballard (music & lyrics), Michael Farrell (music) Jagged Little Pill
  • 2020: Anais Mitchell (music & lyrics) Hadestown

  • 2019: David Yazbeck (music & lyrics) The Band’s Visit
  • 2018: Benj Pasek & Justin Paul (music & lyrics) Dear Evan Hansen
  • 2017: Brenda Russell, Allee Willis, & Stephen Bray (music & lyrics) The Color Purple
  • 2016: Lin-Manuel Miranda (music & lyrics) Hamilton
  • 2015: Various Artists Beautiful: The Carole King Musical
  • 2014: Cyndi Lauper (music & lyrics) Kinky Boots
  • 2013: Glen Hansard & Marketa Irglova (music & lyrics) Once
  • 2012: Robert Lopez, Trey Parker, & Matt Stone (music & lyrics) The Book of Mormon
  • 2011: Green Day American Idiot
  • 2010: Leonard Bernstein (music) & Stephen Sondheim (lyrics) West Side Story

  • 2009: Lin-Manuel Miranda (music & lyrics) In the Heights
  • 2008: Duncan Sheik (music) & Steven Sater (lyrics) Spring Awakening
  • 2007: Bob Gaudio (music) & Bob Crewe (lyrics) Jersey Boys
  • 2006: Eric Idle (music & lyrics) & John De Prez (music) Monty Python’s Spamalot
  • 2005: Stephen Schwartz (music & lyrics) Wicked
  • 2004: Jule Styne (music) & Stephen Sondheim (lyrics) Gypsy
  • 2003 Marc Shaiman & Scott Wittman (music & lyrcs) Hairspray
  • 2002: Mel Brooks (music & lyrics) The Producers
  • 2001: Elton John (music) & Tim Rice (lyrics) Aida
  • 2000: Irving Berlin (music & lyrics) Annie Get Your Gun

  • 1999: Elton John (music) and Tim Rice (lyrics) The Lion King
  • 1998: John Kander (music) & Fred Ebb (lyrics) Chicago
  • 1997: Bill Whelan (music) Riverdance
  • 1996: Jerry Leiber & Mike Stoller (music & lyrics) Smokey Joe’s Café: The Songs of Leiber and Stoller
  • 1995: Stephen Sondheim (music & lyrics) Passion
  • 1994: Pete Townshend (music & lyrics) The Who’s Tommy
  • 1993: Frank Loesser (music & lyrics) Guys and Dolls
  • 1992: Cy Coleman (music) with Betty Comden & Adolph Green (lyrics) The Will Rogers Follies
  • 1991: Claude-Michel Schönberg (music) with Alain Boublil & Herbert Kretzmer (lyrics) Les Misérables
  • 1990: Various Artists Jerome Robbins’ Broadway

  • 1989: Stephen Sondheim (music & lyrics) Into the Woods
  • 1988: Claude-Michel Schönberg (music) with Alain Boublil & Herbert Kretzmer (lyrics) Les Misérables
  • 1987: Stephen Sondheim (music & lyrics) Follies in Concert
  • 1986: Leonard Bernstein (music) & Stephen Sondheim (lyrics) West Side Story
  • 1985: Stephen Sondheim (music & lyrics) Sunday in the Park with George
  • 1984: Andrew Lloyd Webber (music) & T.S. Eliot (lyrics) Cats
  • 1983: Henry Krieger (music) & Tom Eyen (lyrics) Dreamgirls
  • 1982: Lena Horner (performer) Lena Horne: The Lady and Her Music
  • 1981: Andrew Lloyd Webber (music) & Tim Rice (lyrics) Evita
  • 1980: Stephen Sondheim (music & lyrics) Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street

  • 1979: Fats Waller (music) & various artists (lyrics) Ain’t Misbehavin’
  • 1978: Charles Strouse (music) & Martin Charnin (lyrics) Annie
  • 1977: Various Artists Bubbling Brown Sugar
  • 1976: Charlie Smalls et al (music & lyrics) The Wiz
  • 1975: Judd Woldin (music) & Robert Brittan (lyrics) Raisin
  • 1974: Stephen Sondheim (music & lyrics) A Little Night Music
  • 1973: Mick Grant (music & lyrics) Don’t Mother Me, I Can’t Cope
  • 1972: Stephen Schwartz (music & lyrics) Godspell
  • 1971: Stephen Sondheim (music & lyrics) Company
  • 1970: Burt Bacharach (music) & Hal David (lyrics) Promises, Promises

  • 1969: Galt MacDermot (music) with Gerome Ragni & James Rado (lyrics) Hair
  • 1968: John Kander (music) & Fred Ebb (lyrics) Cabaret
  • 1967: Jerry Herman (music & lyrics) Mame
  • 1966: Burton Lane (music) & Alan Jay Lerner (lyrics) On a Clear Day You Can See Forever
  • 1965: Jule Styne (music) & Bob Merrill (lyrics) Funny Girl
  • 1964: Jerry Bock (music) & Sheldon Harnick (lyrics) She Loves Me
  • 1963: Richard Rodgers (music & lyrics) No Strings
  • 1962: Frank Loesser (music & lyrics) How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying
  • 1961: Richard Rodgers (music) and Oscar Hammerstein II (lyrics) The Sound of Music
  • 1960: Jule Styne (music) & Stephen Sondheim (lyrics) Gypsy / Albert Hague (music) & Dorothy Fields (lyrics) Redhead
  • 1959: Meredith Willson (music & lyrics) The Music Man

Resources and Related Links:


First posted 12/24/2021.

Laurence Olivier Awards for Best New Musical

Laurence Olivier Award:

Best New Musical: 1976-2020

The Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Musical was established in 1976. It is presented annually by the Society of London Theatre in recognition of British productions. The awards were originally known as the Society of West End Theatre Awards, but renamed in honor of actor Laurence Olivier in 1984.

Check out other album of the year awards here.

  • 2020: Benj Pasek & Justin Paul (music & lyrics) Dear Evan Hansen
  • 2019: Irene Sankoff & David Hern (music & lyrics) Come from Away
  • 2018: Lin-Manuel Miranda (music & lyrics) Hamilton
  • 2017: Tim Minchin (music & lyrics) Groundhog Day
  • 2016: Cyndi Lauper (music & lyrics) Kinky Boots
  • 2015: Ray Davies (music & lyrics) Sunny Afternoon
  • 2014: Robert Lopez, Trey Parker, & Matt Stone (music & lyrics) The Book of Mormon
  • 2013: Irving Berlin (music & lyrics) Top Hat
  • 2012: Tim Minchin (music & lyrics) Matilda
  • 2011: Neil Benjamin & Laurence O’Keefe (music & lyrics) Legally Blonde
  • 2010: Duncan Sheik (music) & Steven Sater (lyrics) Spring Awakening

  • 2009: Bob Gaudio (music) & Bob Crewe (lyrics) Jersey Boys
  • 2008: Marc Shaiman & Scott Wittman (music & lyrcs) Hairspray
  • 2007: Tony Kushner (music & lyrics) Caroline, or Change
  • 2006: Elton John (music) & Lee Hall (lyrics) Billy Elliot the Musical
  • 2005: Mel Brooks (music & lyrics) The Producers
  • 2004: Richard Thomas (music & lyrics) and Stewart Lee (lyrics) Jerry Springer
  • 2003: Madness (music & lyrics) Our House
  • 2002: --
  • 2001: Stephen Sondheim (music & lyrics) Merrily We Roll Along
  • 2000: George Stiles (music) & Anthony Drewe (lyrics) Honk!

  • 1999: Taliep Petersen (music) & David Kramer (lyrics) Kat and the Kings
  • 1998: Alan Menken (music) with Howard Ashman & Tim Rice (lyrics) Beauty and the Beast
  • 1997: Claude-Michel Schönberg (music) with Alain Boublil, Edward Hardy, & Stephen Clark (lyrics) Martin Guerre
  • 1996: Various Artists Jolson
  • 1995: Stephen Flaherty (music) & Lynn Ahrens (lyrics) Once on This Island
  • 1994: Cy Coleman (music) & David Zippel (lyrics) City of Angels
  • 1993: George Gershwin (music) & Ira Gershwin (lyrics) Crazy for You
  • 1992: Georges Bizet (music) & Oscar Hammerstein II (lyrics) Carmen Jones
  • 1991: Stephen Sondheim (music & lyrics) Sunday in the Park with George
  • 1990: --

  • 1989: Various Artists Return to the Forbidden Planet
  • 1988: Leonard Bernstein (music) with Stephen Sondheim et al (lyrics) Candide
  • 1987: Stephen Sondheim (music & lyrics) Follies
  • 1986: Andrew Lloyd Webber (music) with Charles Hart & Richard Stilgoe (lyrics) Phantom of the Opera
  • 1985: Noel Gay (music) with Douglas Furber & L. Arthur Rose (lyrics) Me and My Girl
  • 1984: Harry Warren (music) with Al Dubin & Johnny Mercer (lyrics) 42nd Street
  • 1983: Willy Russell (music & lyrics) Blood Brothers
  • 1982: Monty Norman (music) & Peter Nichols (lyrics) Poppy
  • 1981: Andrew Lloyd Webber (music) & T.S. Eliot (lyrics) Cats
  • 1980: Stephen Sondheim (music & lyrics) Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street

  • 1979: Monty Norman (music & lyrics) with Julian More (lyrics) Songbook
  • 1978: Andrew Lloyd Webber (music) & Tim Rice (lyrics) Evita
  • 1977: Guy Woolfenden (music) & Trevor Nunn (lyrics) The Comedy of Errors
  • 1976: Marvin Hamlisch (music) & Edward Kleban (lyrics) A Chorus Line

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First posted 12/24/2021.

Tony Award Winners for Best Revival of a Musical

Tony Awards:

Best Revival of a Musical: 1977-2019

From 1977 to 1993, the Tonys gave an award annually to the Best Revival. Musicals and non-musicals were lumped into the same category. In 1994, they were separated into two separate awards. Those musicals which won for Best Revival of a Musical or Best Revival are noted below.

Check out other album of the year awards here.

  • 2019: Richard Rodgers (music) & Oscar Hammerstein II (lyrics) Oklahoma!
  • 2018: Stephen Flaherty (music) & Lynn Ahrens (lyrics) Once on This Island
  • 2017: Jerry Herman (music & lyrics) Hello, Dolly!
  • 2016: Brenda Russell, Allee Willis, & Stephen Bray (music & lyrics) The Color Purple
  • 2015: Richard Rodgers (music) & Oscar Hammerstein II (lyrics) The King and I
  • 2014: Stephen Trask (music & lyrics) Hedwig and the Angry Inch
  • 2013: Stephen Schwartz (music & lyrics) Pippin
  • 2012: George Gershwin (music) with Ira Gershwin & Dubose Heyward (lyrics) Porgy and Bess
  • 2011: Cole Porter (music & lyrics) Anything Goes
  • 2010: Jerry Herman (music & lyrics) La Cage aux Folles

  • 2009: Galt MacDermot (music) with Gerome Ragni & James Rado (lyrics) Hair
  • 2008: Richard Rodgers (music) & Oscar Hammerstein II (lyrics) South Pacific
  • 2007: Stephen Sondheim (music & lyrics) Company
  • 2006: Richard Adler (music) & Jerry Ross (lyrics) The Pajama Game
  • 2005: Jerry Herman music & lyrics) La Cage aux Folles
  • 2004: Stephen Sondheim (music & lyrics) Assassins
  • 2003: Maury Yeston (music & lyrics) Nine
  • 2002: Stephen Sondheim (music & lyrics) Into the Woods
  • 2001: Harry Warren (music) with Al Dubin & Johnny Mercer (lyrics) 42nd Street
  • 2000: Cole Porter (music & lyrics) Kiss Me, Kate

  • 1999: Irving Berlin (music & lyrics) Annie Get Your Gun
  • 1998: John Kander (music) & Fred Ebb (lyrics) Cabaret
  • 1997: John Kander (music) & Fred Ebb (lyrics) Chicago
  • 1996: Richard Rodgers (music) & Oscar Hammerstein II (lyrics) The King and I
  • 1995: Jerome Kern (music) & Oscar Hammerstein II (lyrics) Show Boat
  • 1994: Richard Rodgers (music) & Oscar Hammerstein II (lyrics) Carousel
Best Revival
  • 1993: Anna Christie *
  • 1992: Frank Loesser (music & lyrics) Guys and Dolls
  • 1991: Jerry Bock (music) & Sheldon Harnick (lyrics) Fiddler on the Roof
  • 1990: Jule Styne (music) & Stephen Sondheim (lyrics) Gypsy

  • 1989: Our Town *
  • 1988: Cole Porter (music & lyrics) Anything Goes
  • 1987: All My Sons *
  • 1986: Sweet Charity *
  • 1985: A Day in the Death of Joe Egg *
  • 1984: Death of a Salesman *
  • 1983: Richard Rodgers (music) & Lorenz Hart (lyrics) On Your Toes
  • 1982: Othello *
  • 1981: Arthur Sullivan (music) & W.S. Gilbert (libretto) The Pirates of Penzance
  • 1980: Morning’s at Seven *

  • 1979: --
  • 1978: Dracula
  • 1977: George Gershwin (music) with Ira Gershwin & Dubose Heyward (lyrics) Porgy and Bess
* non-musicals

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First posted 12/24/2021.

Tony Award Winners for Best Musical

Tony Awards:

Best Musical: 1949-2020

The Tony Award for Best Musical has been presented since 1949. Broadway musicals which have no been previously produced on Broadway are eligible. Winners are determined by Tony Award voters.

Check out other album of the year awards here.

  • 2020: Various Artists Moulin Rouge!
  • 2019: Anais Mitchell (music & lyrics) Hadestown
  • 2018: David Yazbeck (music & lyrics) The Band’s Visit
  • 2017: Benji Pasek & Justin Paul (music & lyrics) Dear Evan Hansen
  • 2016: Lin-Manuel Miranda (music & lyrics) Hamilton
  • 2015: Jeanine Tesori (music) & Lisa Kron (lyrics) Fun Home
  • 2014: Steven Lutvak (music) & Robert L. Freedman (lyrics) A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder
  • 2013: Cyndi Lauper (music & lyrics) Kinky Boots
  • 2012: Glen Hansard & Markéta Irglová Once
  • 2011: Robert Lopez, Trey Parker, & Matt Stone The Book of Mormon
  • 2010: David Bryan (music & lyrics) & Joe DPietro (lyrics) Memphis

  • 2009: Elton John (music) & Lee Hall (lyrics) Billy Elliot the Musical
  • 2008: Lin-Manuel Miranda (music & lyrics) In the Heights
  • 2007: Duncan Sheik (music) & Steven Sater (lyrics) Spring Awakening
  • 2006: Bob Gaudio (music) & Bob Crewe (lyrics) Jersey Boys
  • 2005: Eric Idle (music & lyrics) & John De Prez (music) Spamalot
  • 2004: Robert Lopez & Jeff Marx (music & lyrics) Avenue Q
  • 2003: Marc Shaiman & Scott Wittman (music & lyrcs) Hairspray
  • 2002: Jeanine Tesori (music) & Dick Scanlan (lyrics) Thoroughly Modern Millie
  • 2001: Mel Brooks (music & lyrics) The Producers
  • 2000: Various Artists Contact

  • 1999: Various Artists Fosse
  • 1998: Elton John (music) & Tim Rice (lyrics) The Lion King
  • 1997: Maury Yeston (music & lyrics) Titanic
  • 1996: Jonathan Larson (music & lyrics) Rent
  • 1995: Andrew Lloyd Webber (music) with Don Black & Christopher Hampton (lyrics) Sunset Boulevard
  • 1994: Stephen Sondheim (music & lyrics) Passion
  • 1993: John Kander (music) & Fred Ebb (lyrics) Kiss of the Spider Woman
  • 1992: George Gershwin (music) & Ira Gershwin (lyrics) Crazy for You
  • 1991: Cy Coleman (music) with Betty Comden & Adolph Green (lyrics) The Will Rogers Follies
  • 1990: Cy Coleman (music) & David Zippel (lyrics) City of Angels

  • 1989: Various Artists Jerome Robbins’ Broadway
  • 1988: Andrew Lloyd Webber (music) with Charles Hart & Richard Stilgoe (lyrics) Phantom of the Opera
  • 1987: Claude-Michel Schönberg (music) with Alain Boublil & Herbert Kretzmer (lyrics) Les Misérables
  • 1986: Rupert Holmes (music & lyrics) The Mystery of Edwin Drood
  • 1985: Roger Miller (music & lyrics) Big River
  • 1984: Jerry Herman music & lyrics) La Cage aux Folles
  • 1983: Andrew Lloyd Webber (music) & T.S. Eliot (lyrics) Cats
  • 1982: Maury Yeston (music & lyrics) Nine
  • 1981: Harry Warren (music) with Al Dubin & Johnny Mercer (lyrics) 42nd Street
  • 1980: Andrew Lloyd Webber (music) & Tim Rice (lyrics) Evita

  • 1979: Stephen Sondheim (music & lyrics) Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
  • 1978: Fats Waller (music) & various artists (lyrics) Ain’t Misbehavin’
  • 1977: Charles Strouse (music) & Martin Charnin (lyrics) Annie
  • 1976: Marvin Hamlisch (music) & Edward Kleban (lyrics) A Chorus Line
  • 1975: Charlie Smalls et al (music & lyrics) The Wiz
  • 1974: Judd Woldin (music) & Robert Brittan (lyrics) Raisin
  • 1973: Stephen Sondheim (music & lyrics) A Little Night Music
  • 1972: Galt MacDermot (music) & John Guare (lyrics) Two Gentlemen of Verona
  • 1971: Stephen Sondheim (music & lyrics) Company
  • 1970: Charles Strouse (music) & Lee Adams (lyrics) Applause

  • 1969: Sherman Edwards (music & lyrics) 1776
  • 1968: Jule Styne (music) with Adolph Green & Betty Comden (lyrics) Hallelujah, Baby!
  • 1967: John Kander (music) & Fred Ebb (lyrics) Cabaret
  • 1966: Mitch Leigh (music) & Joe Darion (lyrics) Man of La Mancha
  • 1965: Jerry Bock (music) & Sheldon Harnick (lyrics) Fiddler on the Roof
  • 1964: Jerry Herman (music & lyrics) Hello, Dolly!
  • 1963: Stephen Sondheim (music & lyrics) A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum
  • 1962: Frank Loesser (music & lyrics) How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying
  • 1961: Charles Strouse (music) & Lee Adams (lyrics) Bye Bye Birdie
  • 1960: Richard Rodgers (music) & Oscar Hammerstein II (lyrics) The Sound of Music / Jerry Bock (music) & Sheldon Harnick (lyrics) Fiorello!

  • 1959: Albert Hague (music) & Dorothy Fields (lyrics) Redhead
  • 1958: Meredith Willson (music & lyrics) The Music Man
  • 1957: Alan Jay Lerner (music) & Frederick Loewe (lyrics) My Fair Lady
  • 1956: Richard Adler (music) & Jerry Ross (lyrics) Damn Yankees
  • 1955: Richard Adler (music) & Jerry Ross (lyrics) The Pajama Game
  • 1954: Alexander Borodin (music) with Robert Wright & George Forrest (lyrics) Kismet
  • 1953: Leonard Bernstein (music) with Betty Comden & Adolph Green (lyrics) Wonderful Town
  • 1952: Richard Rodgers (music) & Oscar Hammerstein II (lyrics) The King and I
  • 1951: Frank Loesser (music & lyrics) Guys and Dolls
  • 1950: Richard Rodgers (music) & Oscar Hammerstein II (lyrics) South Pacific
  • 1949: Cole Porter (music & lyrics) Kiss Me, Kate

Resources and Related Links:


First posted 12/24/2021.