Thursday, March 31, 2022

Lyle Lovett “12th of June” released

12th of June

Lyle Lovett

Writer(s): -- (see lyrics here)

Released: March 31, 2022

First Charted: --

Peak: 1 DF (Click for codes to charts.)

Sales (in millions): --

Airplay/Streaming (in millions): -- radio, 0.31 video, 0.50 streaming

Awards:

Click on award for more details.

About the Song:

In 1986, when Lyle Lovett released his self-titled debut album, he was marketed mostly as an alt-country singer/songwriter, but over the next quarter century he established himself as a beacon for “a creative stew of genres – playfully engaging jazz, big band swing, western swing, folk, gospel, and blues.” ^PM While he never stopped touring, he took a long hiatus from the studio after the release of his 2012 album Release Me. In 2022, he finally returned with 12th of June, his twelfth studio album.

“The album is an eclectic collection of new originals and beloved interpretations that will please existing fans while inviting new ones. It highlights the dynamics of Lyle and his Large Band and their singular ability to shift from one genre to the next with uncanny grace. From beautiful acoustic ballads to swinging big band numbers, this record will remind listeners why Lyle is a national musical treasure.” ^AZ

The most significant life even in that decade was the birth of his twin children born in 2017 on – you guessed it – the 12th of June. His amusing and poignant meditations on fatherhood are reflected in songs like the celebratory toddlers-may-have-it-figured-out anthem “Pants Is Overrated” and, of course, the title track – “the tender ballad” ^PM which serves as “the emotional heart of this new album.” ^PM

“The song accounts for the beautiful fragility of this life” ^PM encompassing “images of generations crossed in covered dish reunions where a Texas creek runs through a family cemetery, and the invoked voices of the departed who watch over us.” ^PM

Of course, it mostly is a reflection on fatherhood. Lovett was 59 years old when he became a father and started reflecting on his hope to be around for as much of his kids’ lives as possible. That’s where the song, which he wrote shortly before their first birthday, came from. ^NPR He said, “I’m not the first person to have children in the world. But, you know, when it happens to you, you kind of feel like you are…I had absolutely no idea how much I’d enjoy it. You know, it’s brought wonders and blessings and thoughts and songs to me that I…never imagined before.” ^NPR He added, “The thing that I want most to last of me is for my children to realize their dad loves them.” ^NPR

Resources:

DMDB encyclopedia entry for Lyle Lovett
^AZ Amazon (album review)
^NPR NPR.org (5/14/2022). “Lyle Lovett feels all of fatherhood on first album in a decade, ‘12th of June’” by Scott Simon
^PM PopMatters.com (5/16/2022). “After Ten Year Hiatus, Lyle Lovett Returns to Form with ‘12th of June’” by Rick Quinn

Tuesday, March 22, 2022

Elton John: Top 100 Songs

Elton John

Top 100 Songs

Pop/rock singer/songwriter and pianist born Reginald Kenneth Dwight on 3/25/1947 in Pinner, Middlesex, England. At age 7, he started formal piano lessons. At 11, he won a junior scholarship to the Royal Academy of Music. He joined his first group, Bluesology, in 1962. He took his name from members Elton Dean and Long John Baldry. Teamed up with lyricist Bernie Taupin in 1967; they’ve since collaborated on more than 30 albums. Formed Rocket Records in 1973. Played the “Pinball Wizard” in the movie version of Tommy. Elton was the #1 pop artist of the ‘70s; in 2013, Billboard ranked him the third all-time Hot 100 artist behind The Beatles and Madonna.

Two of his songs (“Candle in the Wind (Goodbye England’s Rose)” and “Your Song”) are featured in the DMDB book The Top 100 Songs of the Rock Era 1954-1999. His album, Goodbye Yellow Brick Road (1973), is featured in the DMDB book The Top 100 Albums of All Time.

Click here to see other best-of lists from performers and here to see other best-of lists from songwriters and/or producers.

Spotify Podcast:

Check out the Dave’s Music Database podcast Elton John’s Top 20 Hits based on this list. Debut: March 22, 2022, at 7pm CST. Tune in every Tuesday at 7pm for a new episode based on the lists at Dave’s Music Database.

Awards:

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. Songs which hit #1 on various charts are noted. (Click for codes to singles charts.)

DMDB Top 1%:

1. Candle in the Wind 1997 (Goodbye England’s Rose) (1997) #1 US, UK, CN, AU
2. Your Song (1970)
3. That's What Friends Are For (Dionne Warwick with Elton John, Gladys Knight, & Stevie Wonder, 1985) #1 US, AC, RB, CN, AU
4. Don’t Go Breaking My Heart (w/ Kiki Dee, 1976) #1 US, AC, UK, CN, AU
5. Bennie and the Jets (1973) #1 US, CN
6. Goodbye Yellow Brick Road (1973) #1 CN
7. Crocodile Rock (1972) #1 US, CN
8. Tiny Dancer (1971)

DMDB Top 2%:

9. Rocket Man (1972)
10. Daniel (1973) #1 AC, CN
11. Can You Feel the Love Tonight? (1994) #1 AC, CN
12. Philadelphia Freedom (1975) #1 US, CN
13. Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me (1974) #1 UK, CN
14. Circle of Life (1994)

DMDB Top 5%:

15. Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds (1974) #1 US, CN
16. Candle in the Wind (1973)
17. Someone Saved My Life Tonight (1975)
18. Saturday Night’s Alright for Fighting (1973)
19. Something About the Way You Look Tonight (1997) #1 AC, UK, CN, AU
20. Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me (live with George Michael, 1991) #1 US, AC, UK, CN

21. Island Girl (1975) #1 US
22. I Guess That’s Why They Call It the Blues (1983)
23. Step into Christmas (1973)
24. Sacrifice (1989) #1 UK
25. I’m Still Standing (1983) #1 CN
26. Nikita (1985)
27. Funeral for a Friend/Love Lies Bleeding (1973)
28. Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word (1976) #1 AC

DMDB Top 10%:

29. Honky Cat (1972)
30. Little Jeannie (1980) #1 AC, CN

31. Mama Can’t Buy You Love (1979) #1 AC
32. Sad Songs Say So Much (1984)
33. The Bitch Is Back (1974) #1 CN
34. Healing Hands (1989) #1 AC, UK
35. Empty Garden (1982)
36. The One (1992) #1 AC, CN
37. I Don’t Wanna Go on with You Like That (1988) #1 AC, CN
38. Cold Heart (Pnau Remix) (with Dua Lipa, 2021) #1 A40, UK, CN, AU
39. Levon (1971)
40. Blue Eyes (1982) #1 AC
41. True Love (w/ Kiki Dee, 1993)
42. Through the Storm (w/ Aretha Franklin, 1989)

DMDB Top 20%:

43. Written in the Stars (w/ LeAnn Rimes, 1999)
44. Who Wears These Shoes? (1984)
45. Blessed (1995)
46. Kiss the Bride (1983)
47. Friends (1971)
48. You Gotta Love Someone (1990) #1 AC, CN
49. Border Song (1970)
50. Part-Time Love (1978)

51. The Last Song (1992)
52. Nobody Wins (1981)
53. Believe (1995) #1 AC, CN
54. Club at the End of the Street (1989)
55. Pinball Wizard (1975)
56. Don't Ya Wanna Play This Game No More? (Sartorial Eloquence) (1980)
57. Simple Life (1992) #1 AC
58. Wrap Her Up (1985)
59. Song for Guy (1978)
60. Ego (1978)

61. Honky Tonk Women (live, 1970)
62. A Word in Spanish (1988)
63. Bite Your Lip (Get Up and Dance) (1976)
64. I Feel Like a Bullet in the Gun of Robert Ford (1975)
65. Made in England (1995)
66. Chloe (1981)
67. Grow Some Funk of Your Own (1975)
68. Heartache All Over the World (1986)
69. Victim of Love (1979)
70. I Want Love (2001)

71. I Saw Her Standing There (live w/ John Lennon, 1974)
72. Merry Christmas (with Ed Sheeran, 2021)
73. In Neon (1984)

Beyond the DMDB Top 20%:

74. Recover Your Soul (1997)
75. Don’t Go Breaking My Heart (w/ RuPaul, 1993)
76. Passengers (1984)
77. I Just Can’t Wait to Be King (1994)
78. Take Me to the Pilot (1970)
79. Flames of Paradise (w/ Jennifer Rush, 1987)
80. I Guess That’s Why They Call It the Blues (live w/ Mary J. Blige, 2000)

81. Runaway Train (w/ Eric Clapton, 1992)
82. Madman Across the Water (1971)
83. Someone to Watch Over Me (1994)
84. Bohemian Rhapsody (live w/ Queen & Axl Rose, 1992)
85. Are You Ready for Love? (1979) #1 UK
86. You Can Make History (Young Again) (1995)
87. Someday Out of the Blue (2000)
88. Harmony (1973)
89. Fight (No Matter How Long) (The Bunburys, 1988)
90. Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters (1972)

91. Love Song (1970)
92. Ghetto Gospel (w/ Tupac Shakur, 2004) #1 UK, AU
93. This Train Don’t Stop There Anymore (2001)
94. Easier to Walk Away (1990)
95. Burn Down the Mission (1970)
96. Ain’t Nothing Like the Real Thing 9with Marcella Detroit, 1993)
97. Tonight (1976)
98. Act of War (with Millie Jackson, 1985)
99. Your Song (w/ Alessandro Safina, 2002)
100. Skyline Pigeon (1969)

Resources and Related Links:

DMDB Encyclopedia entry for Elton John
DMDB profile page for Elton John
Dave’s Music Database: “Best-of Lists for Performers”
Dave’s Music Database: “Best-of Lists for Songwriters and/or Producers”

First posted 3/25/2017; updated 3/22/2022.

Wednesday, March 16, 2022

Post-Punk Revival: Top 50 Albums

Post-Punk Revival:

The Top 50 Albums

The post-punk revival was a movement which primarily took place in the first decade of the 21st century. It was a return of indie rock that was inspired by the garage rock of the 1960s as well as the new wave and post-punk music of the late 1970s and early 1980s.

This list was created by aggregating 11 lists focused on the best albums of the post-punk revival. Other albums not featured on those lists, but by artists featured on those lists were also factored in. In addition, albums by artists mentioned as prominent in the movement who did not have albums on one of the lists were included. Only albums released between 2000 and 2010 were considered. Finally, all qualifying albums were then ranked according to their overall status in Dave’s Music Database.

Check out other best-of-genre/category lists here.

Spotify Podcast:

Check out the Dave’s Music Database podcast episode The Post-Punk Revival, 2000-2010 based on this list. Premiere: March 16, 2022 at 7pm CST. Every Tuesday at 7pm CST a new based on the lists at Dave’s Music Database debuts.

1. The Strokes Is This It (2001)
2. The White Stripes Elephant (2003)
3. Arctic Monkeys Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not (2006)
4. The White Stripes White Blood Cells (2001)
5. Franz Ferdinand Franz Ferdinand (2004)
6. LCD Soundsystem Sound of Silver (2007)
7. The Killers Hot Fuss (2004)
8. Kings of Leon Only by the Night (2008)
9. The Libertines Up the Bracket (2002)
10. Interpol Turn on the Bright Lights (2002)

11. The National High Violet (2010)
12. Yeah Yeah Yeahs Fever to Tell (2003)
13. The Black Keys Brothers (2010)
14. Arctic Monkeys Favourite Worst Nightmare (2007)
15. TV on the Radio Return to Cookie Mountain (2006)
16. Bloc Party Silent Alarm (2007)
17. Modest Mouse Good News for People Who Love Bad News (2004)
18. LCD Soundsystem This Is Happening (2010)
19. The Shins Chutes Too Narrow (2003)
20. The National Boxer (2007)

21. Kaiser Chiefs Employment (2005)
22. The Strokes Room on Fire (2003)
23. TV on the Radio Dear Science (2008)
24. The White Stripes Get Behind Me Satan (2005)
25. The Killers Sam’s Town (2006)
26. The Vines Highly Evolved (2002)
27. The White Stripes Icky Thump (2007)
28. LCD Soundsystem LCD Soundsystem (2005)
29. Modest Mouse The Moon & Antarctica (2000)
30. Franz Ferdinand You Could Have It So Much Better (2005)

31. Kings of Leon Come Around Sundown (2010)
32. The Bravery The Bravery (2005)
33. The Shins Wincing the Night Away (2007)
34. The Hives Veni Vidi Vicious (2000)
35. The Libertines The Libertines (2004)
36. The Hold Steady Heaven Is Whenever (2010)
37. Spoon Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga (2007)
38. The Hold Steady Boys and Girls in America (2006)
39. Interpol Antics (2004)
40. The Strokes First Impressions of Earth (2006)

41. The Shins Oh, Inverted World (2001)
42. The Strokes The Modern Age (EP, 2001)
43. Spoon Kill the Moonlight (2002)
44. Kings of Leon Youth & Young Manhood (2003)
45. Editors The Back Room (2005)
46. The Futureheads The Futureheads (2004)
47. Franz Ferdinand Tonight (2009)
48. The Rapture Echoes (2003)
49. The Walkmen Bows + Arrows (2004)
50. The National Alligator (2005)