John Mellencamp dueted with Bruce Springsteen on “Wasted Days”

Wasted Days John Mellencamp and Bruce Springsteen

Writer(s): John Mellencamp (see lyrics here) Released: September 29, 2021 First Charted: -- Peak: -- Sales (in millions): -- Airplay/Streaming (in millions): -- radio, 1.44 video, -- streaming

Awards: Click on award for more details.

About the Song: “Wasted Days” is the lead single from John Mellencamp’s 25th studio album, Strictly a One-Eyed Jack. More significantly, it marks the first collaboration between him and Bruce Springsteen. The two both launched their careers in the 1970s with their brands of heartland rock. Each experienced major commercial success in the 1980s with multi-platinum selling albums and multiple top-10 hits. On “Wasted Days,” the “veteran purveyors of blue-collar rock” SF “offer up a jangly, acoustic tune dripping with nostalgia. The country rock-tinged track sees Mellencamp and Springsteen taking turns with lead vocal duties.” UCR “The song’s lush musical arrangement, including mandolin, accordion, drums, bass, acoustic and electric guitars…add warmth and vulnerability.” UCR Lyrically, the “hearty acoustic stroll” SF is all about vulnerability. It is “bleak and mournful” NPR in its reflection on “making the most of the years, months and minutes we've got left.” NPR “as the singers grapple with lives lived well past middle age.” NPR Mellencamp asks “existential questions such as ‘How many summers still remain/ How many days are lost in vain/ Who’s counting out these last dramatic years/ How many minutes do we have here?’” UD The song is one of three on which the pair collaborated for the new Mellencamp album. Bruce went to Bloomington, Indiana, to record with him. He said, “I love John a lot. he’s a great songwriter and I have become very close [with him] and had a lot of fun with him.” UD Thom Zimny, who has frequently worked with Springsteen, shot the video for the song in New Jersey in early September 2021. SF Resources: NPR NPR (9/29/2021). “John Mellencamp & Bruce Springsteen, ‘Wasted Days’” by Stephen Thompson SF Songfacts UD Udiscovermusic (9/29/2021). “John Mellencamp Recruits Bruce Springsteen for Acoustic Anthem ‘Wasted Days’” by Will Schube UCR Ultimate Classic Rock (9/29/2021). “Hear John Mellencamp and Bruce Springsteen Duet ‘Wasted Days’” by Corey Irwin Related Links: First posted 2/1/2022.

Lou Reed and Velvet Underground: Top 50 Songs

Lou Reed/Velvet Underground

Lou Reed was an experimental rock singer/songwriter born 3/2/1942 in Long Island, NY. He died 10/27/2013. He established himself as “The Godfather of Punk” with art-rock group The Velvet Underground (vocals/guitar: 1965-70). That group is considered the predecessor to alternative rock and punk and one of the most influential rock groups of all-time. The Velvet Underground also included John Cale (vocals/bass/viola: 1965-68), Sterling Morrison (guitar/backing vocals: 1965-70), Maureen Tucker (percussion: 1967-69), Nico (vocals: 1967), Doug Yule (bass/backing vox: 1969-70), and Billy Yule (drums: 70). Their album Velvet Underground & Nico (1967) is featured in the DMDB book The Top 100 Albums of All Time. Reed’s other three albums with the band – White Light/White Heat (1967), The Velvet Underground (1969), Loaded (1970) – all rank in the DMDB’s top 1000 albums of all time. Reed went solo in 1970. His albums Transformer (1972) and Berlin (1973) rank in the DMDB’s top 1000 albums of all time. Spotify Podcast: Check out Dave’s Music Database podcast: Covering Velvet Underground & Nico based on this list. It debuts September 28, 2021 at 7pm CST. Tune in every Tuesday at 7pm for a new episode based on the lists at Dave’s Music Database.

Awards (Velvet Underground):

Awards (Lou Reed):

Top 50 Songs of Lou Reed & Velvet Underground Dave’s Music Database lists are determined by song’s appearances on best-of lists as well as chart success, sales, radio airplay, streaming, and awards. This list includes songs by Velvet Underground and by Lou Reed as a solo artist. Some songs (such as “Satellite of Love”) are noted as Velvet Underground AND Lou Reed songs because they were initially recorded as demos by VU and later by Reed as full-fledged recordings. DMDB Top 1%: 1. Walk on the Wild Side (Reed, 1972) DMDB Top 5%: 2. I’m Waiting for the Man (VU & Nico, 1967) 3. Perfect Day (Reed, 1972) 4. Sweet Jane (VU, 1970) 5. Heroin (VU & Nico, 1967) DMDB Top 10%: 6. Rock and Roll (VU, 1970) 7. Venus in Furs (VU & Nico, 1967) 8. White Light/White Heat (VU, 1968) DMDB Top 20%: 9. All Tomorrow’s Parties (VU & Nico, 1967) 10. Pale Blue Eyes (VU, 1969) 11. Satellite of Love (VU/Reed, 1970/1972) 12. Coney Island Baby (Reed, 1975) 13. This Is Your Land (Simple Minds with Reed, 1989) 14. Sister Ray (VU, 1968) 15. Femme Fatale (VU & Nico, 1967) 16. Berlin (Reed, 1972) 17. Dirty Blvd. (Reed, 1989) 18. Vicious (Reed, 1972) 19. New Age (VU, 1970) 20. Caroline Says I (Reed, 1973) 21. Lisa Says (VU/Reed, 1969/1972) 22. Sally Can’t Dance (Reed, 1974) Beyond the DMDB Top 20%: 23. Sunday Morning (VU & Nico, 1967) 24. I Can’t Stand It (VU/Reed, 1969/1972) 25. After Hours (VU, 1969) 26. Candy Says (VU, 1969) 27. How Do You Think It Feels (Reed, 1973) 28. Kill Your Sons (Reed, 1974) 29. Waves of Fear (Reed, 1982) 30. Sad Song (VU/Reed, 1970/1972) 31. Rock and Roll Heart (Reed, 1976) 32. America (Star Spangled Banner) (Reed, 1980) 33. What Goes On (VU, 1969) 34. Busload of Faith (Reed, 1989) 35. Vicious Circle (Reed, 1976) 36. There She Goes Again (VU & Nico, 1967) 37. Jesus (VU, 1969) 38. Caroline Says II (Reed, 1973) 39. Beginning to See the Light (VU, 1969) 40. What’s Good (Reed, 1992) 41. Temporary Thing (Reed, 1976) 42. Here Comes the Bride (Reed, 1978) 43. Stephanie Says (VU, 1968) 44. Teach the Gifted Children (Reed, 1980) 45. Street Hassle (Reed, 1978) 46. I Love You (VU/Reed, 1970/1972) 47. Who Loves the Sun (VU, 1970) 48. Think It Over (Reed, 1980) 49. I Love You Suzanne (Reed, 1984) 50. There Is No Time (Reed, 1989) Resources and Related Links: DMDB Encyclopedia entry for Lou Reed DMDB Encyclopedia entry for Velvet Underground DMDB Encyclopedia entry for John Cale Velvet Underground/Lou Reed: Top 10 Albums First posted 3/2/2020; last updated 9/28/2021.

The Top 100 Genesis et al Songs

Genesis et al Top 100 Songs

Progressive-rock group Genesis formed in 1966. Original frontman Peter Gabriel went solo in 1975 and was replaced on vocals by the band’s drummer Phil Collins, who stayed with the group until 1992, maintaining a simultaneous solo career from 1981 on. Guitarist/bassist Mike Rutherford formed the side project Mike + the Mechanics in 1985 and keyboardist Tony Banks released solo material along the way. This list focuses on the material they created within and outside of Genesis. Click here to see other best-of lists from performers and here to see other best-of lists from songwriters and/or producers.

Awards (for Genesis):

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Awards (for Phil Collins):

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Awards (for Peter Gabriel):

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Awards (for Mike + the Mechanics):

Top 100 Songs Dave’s Music Database lists are determined by song’s appearances on best-of lists as well as chart success, sales, radio airplay, streaming, and awards. This one combines songs by Genesis along with solo material from Phil Collins, Peter Gabriel, and Tony Banks as well as Mike Rutherford’s side project Mike + the Mechanics. DMDB Top 1%: 1. Sledgehammer (Peter Gabriel, 1986) 2. In the Air Tonight (Phil Collins, 1981) 3. Another Day in Paradise (Phil Collins, 1989) 4. Against All Odds (Take a Look at Me Now) (Phil Collins, 1984) 5. In Your Eyes (Peter Gabriel, 1986) DMDB Top 2%: 6. A Groovy Kind of Love (Phil Collins, 1988) 7. Solsbury Hill (Peter Gabriel, 1977) DMDB Top 5%: 8. The Living Years (Mike + the Mechanics, 1988) 9. Invisible Touch (Genesis, 1986) 10. Sussudio (Phil Collins, 1985) 11. One More Night (Phil Collins, 1985) 12. Easy Lover (Phil Collins with Philip Bailey, 1984) 13. You’ll Be in My Heart (Phil Collins, 1999) 14. Biko (Peter Gabriel, 1980) 15. Two Hearts (Phil Collins, 1988) 16. Separate Lives (Phil Collins with Marily Martin, 1985) 17. In Too Deep (Genesis, 1986) 18. You Can’t Hurry Love (Phil Collins, 1982) DMDB Top 10%: 19. Throwing It All Away (Genesis, 1986) 20. Land of Confusion (Genesis, 1986) 21. That’s All (Genesis, 1983) 22. Follow You, Follow Me (Genesis, 1978) 23. Games Without Frontiers (Peter Gabriel, 1980) 24. Mama (Genesis, 1983) 25. Don’t Give Up (Peter Gabriel with Kate Bush, 1986) 26. Tonight, Tonight, Tonight (Genesis, 1986) 27. I Wish It Would Rain Down (Phil Collins, 1989) 28. Shock the Monkey (Peter Gabriel, 1982) 29. Abacab (Genesis, 1981) 30. Hold on My Heart (Genesis, 1991) 31. Silent Running (Mike + the Mechanics, 1985) 32. Misunderstanding (Genesis, 1980) 33. Something Happened on the Way to Heaven (Phil Collins, 1989) 34. No Son of Mine (Genesis, (1991) 35. I Can’t Dance (Genesis, 1991) 36. Steam (Peter Gabriel, 1992) 37. Turn It on Again (Genesis, 1980) 38. Big Time (Peter Gabriel, 1986) 39. All I Need Is a Miracle (Mike + the Mechanics, 1985) 40. Digging in the Dirt (Peter Gabriel, 1992) 41. Take Me Home (Phil Collins, 1985) 42. Jesus He Knows Me (Genesis, 1991) 43. Do You Remember? (Phil Collins, 1989) 44. No Reply at All (Genesis, 1981) DMDB Top 20%: 45. Both Sides of the Story (Phil Collins, 1993) 46. Man on the Corner (Genesis, 1981) 47. Illegal Alien (Genesis, 1983) 48. Home by the Sea (Genesis, 1983) 49. Don’t Lose My Number (Phil Collins, 1985) 50. I Missed Again (Phil Collins, 1981) 51. Paperlate (Genesis, 1982) 52. Word of Mouth (Mike + the Mechanics, 1991) 53. Everyday (Phil Collins, 1993) 54. Dance into the Light (Phil Collins, 1996) 55. Hero (Phil Collins with David Crosby, 1993) 56. Taken In (Mike + the Mechanics, 1985) 57. Red Rain (Peter Gabriel, 1986) 58. The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway (Genesis, 1974) 59. Nobody’s Perfect (Mike + the Mechanics, 1988) 60. Taking It All Too Hard (Genesis, 1983) 61. Hang in Long Enough (Phil Collins, 1989) 62. I Know What I Like in Your Wardrobe (Genesis, 1973) 63. The Carpet Crawlers (Genesis, 1974) 64. Summertime (Peter Gabriel, 1994) 65. I Don’t Care Anymore (Phil Collins, 1982) 66. Seeing Is Believing (Mike + the Mechanics, 1988) 67. Shortcut to Somewhere (Tony Banks with Fish, 1986) 68. I Don’t Remember (Peter Gabriel, 1980) 69. Over My Shoulder (Mike + the Mechanics, 1995) 70. Everybody Gets a Second Chance (Mike + the Mechanics, 1991) Beyond the DMDB Top 20%: 71. I Go Swimming (Peter Gabriel, 1983) 72. Your Own Special Way (Genesis, 1976) 73. Kiss That Frog (Peter Gabriel, 1992) 74. When You’re Falling (Peter Gabriel with Afro-Celt Sound System, 2001) 75. Supper’s Ready (Genesis, 1972) 76. Never a Time (Genesis, 1991) 77. True Colors (Phil Collins, 1998) 78. We Said Hello Goodbye (Phil Collins, 1985) 79. I Have the Touch (Peter Gabriel, 1982) 80. That Voice Again (Peter Gabriel, 1986) 81. Can’t Stop Loving You (Phil Collins, 2002) 82. Domino, Part 1: The Last Domino (Genesis, 1986) 83. Just a Job to Do (Genesis, 1983) 84. Family Snapshot (Peter Gabriel, 1980) 85. Keep It Dark (Genesis, 1981) 86. It’s in Your Eyes (Phil Collins, 1996) 87. It’s Gonna Get Better (Genesis, 1983) 88. Blood of Eden (Peter Gabriel with Sinéad O’Connor, 1992) 89. No Self Control (Peter Gabriel, 1980) 90. Inside Out (Phil Collins, 1985) 91. More Than This (Peter Gabriel, 2002) 92. Lovetown (Peter Gabriel, 1994) 93. Shaking the Tree (Peter Gabriel with Youssou N’Dour, 1989) 94. Duchess (Genesis, 1980) 95. Another Murder of a Day (Tony Banks with Fish, 1991) 96. I Grieve (Peter Gabriel, 1998) 97. Congo (Genesis, 1997) 98. Now That You’re Gone (Mike + the Mechanics, 1999) 99. Nobody Knows (Mike + the Mechanics, 1988) 100. Firth of Fifth (Genesis, 1973) Resources and Related Links: DMDB Encyclopedia entry for Genesis DMDB Encyclopedia entry for Phil Collins DMDB Encyclopedia entry for Peter Gabriel DMDB Encyclopedia entry for Mike + the Mechanics Dave’s Music Database: “Best-of Lists for Performers” Dave’s Music Database: “Best-of Lists for Songwriters and/or Producers First posted 1/31/2012; updated 9/22/2021.

Dave's Music Database Hall of Fame: Music Maker Inductees (September 2021)

Originally posted 9/22/2021. January 22, 2019 marked the 10-year anniversary of the DMDB blog! To honor that, Dave’s Music Database announced its own Hall of Fame. This eleventh class of music maker inductees is comprised of the top country acts. Inductees were determined by looking at the DMDB list of the top 100 country acts, ranking them by overall points in Dave’s Music Database, and then inducting the ten highest-ranked acts not previously inducted. See the full list of music maker inductees here.

Alabama (active 1969-2006) Inducted September 2021 as a “Top Country Act”

This group from Fort Payne, Alabama, has been inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. “Love in the First Degree” and “Mountain Music” rank amongst the top 200 country songs of all time. They won the Academy of Country Music Album of the Year award for Feels So Right, The Closer You Get (which also won the Country Music Association Album of the Year), and Roll On. They also won American Music Awards Country Album of the Year Awards for The Closer You Get, 40 Hour Week, and their first Greatest Hits collection. Read more.

Eddy Arnold (1918-2008) Inducted September 2021 as a “Top Country Act”

Country singer born in Henderson, TN. He has been inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame and is a recipient of the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. He ranked as the #1 country artist in the 8th edition of Joel Whitburn’s Billboard: Hot Country Songs book. “Cattle Call,” “Bouquet of Roses,” and “Make the World Go Away” all rank in the top 200 country songs of all time. The latter is also in the Grammy Hall of Fame and National Recording Registry. Read more.

Garth Brooks Inducted September 2021 as a “Top Country Act”

Country singer born in Tulsa, OK. He has been inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame and Songwriters Hall of Fame. As of 2020, he has – according to the RIAA – sold more albums (156 million) than any other solo artist in the United States. “The Dance” and “Friends in Low Places” both rank in the top 200 country songs of all time. The latter song also ranks in the top 1% of all time. He has seven albums, including No Fences and Ropin' the Wind, which rank in the top 1000 albums of all time. Read more.

Glen Campbell (1936-2017) Inducted September 2021 as a “Top Country Act”

Country singer born in Billstown, AR. He has been inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame and is a recipient of the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. “Gentle on My Mind,” “Wichita Lineman,” “Galveston,” and “Rhinestone Cowboy” rank in the top 200 country songs of all time. The latter two songs also rank in the top 1% of all time. “Gentle on My Mind,” “By the Time I Get to Phoenix,” and “Wichita Lineman” are in the Grammy Hall of Fame. “Rhinestone Cowboy” won Single and Song of the Year from the Academy of Country Music as well as Song of the Year from the Country Music Association. Read more.

Johnny Cash (1932-2003) Inducted September 2021 as a “Top Country Act”

Country singer born in Kingsland, AR. He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. “Folsom Prison Blues,” “I Walk the Line,” “Ring of Fire” and “Hurt” rank in the top 1% of all time. His live At Folsom Prison album is featured in the DMDB book The Top 100 Albums of All Time. That album, as well as At San Quentin and American Recordings rank in the top 1000 albums of all time. Read more.

Alan Jackson (1958-) Inducted September 2021 as a “Top Country Act”

Country singer born in Newnan, GA. He has been inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame and Songwriters Hall of Fame. “Don’t Rock the Jukebox,” “Chattahoochee,” “Where Were You When the World Stopped Turning,” and “It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere” rank in the top 200 country songs of all time and each has won at least won award for Single or Song of the Year from the Academy of Country Music and/or Country Music Association. The latter two also won Grammys for Country Song of the Year. He won the Academy of Country Music Album of the Year award three times for Don’t Rock the Jukebox, A Lot About Livin' and a Little 'Bout Love, and Drive. Read more.

George Jones (1931-2013) Inducted September 2021 as a “Top Country Act”

Country singer born in Saratoga, TX. He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame and received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. “She Thinks I Still Care” and “He Stopped Loving Her Today” rank in the top 200 country songs of all time. The latter also ranks in the top 1% of all time. According to the 8th edition of Joel Whitburn’s Billboard: Hot Country Songs book, he has more entries on the country charts than any other performer. Read more.

Willie Nelson (1933-) Inducted September 2021 as a “Top Country Act”

Country singer born in Abbott, TX. He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame, Songwriters Hall of Fame, and received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. His version of “Always on My Mind” is featured in the DMDB book The Top 100 Songs of the Rock Era, as is “Crazy,” which was written by Nelson and recorded by Patsy Cline. The latter tops the list of the top 200 country songs of all time. That list also includes “Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain,” “Mammas, Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys,” “On the Road Again,” and “Always on My Mind.” Red Headed Stranger is one of the top 1000 albums of all time. Read more.

Kenny Rogers (1938-2020) Inducted September 2021 as a “Top Country Act”

The Country Music Hall of Fame inductee was born in Houston, TX. His songs “Lucille,” “The Gambler,” “Coward of the County,” “Lady,” and “Islands in the Stream” rank in the top 200 country songs of all time. The latter two also rank in the top 1% of all time. His albums The Gambler and his 1980 compilation Greatest Hits rank in the top 1000 albums of all time. Read more.

Hank Williams (1923-1953) Inducted September 2021 as a “Top Country Act”

Country singer born in Mount Olive, AL. He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. Nine of his songs rank in the top 200 country songs of all time. Among them are “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry,” “Cold, Cold Heart,” and “Your Cheatin' Heart,” which also rate in the top 1% of all time. His 40 Greatest Hits compilation is one of the top 1000 albums of all time. Read more.