Sunday, June 26, 2022

Paul McCartney: Top 100 Songs

Paul McCartney

Top 100 Songs

Rock singer/songwriter and bassist James Paul McCartney was born on June 18, 1942 in Liverpool, England. He was a founding member of the Beatles (1960-70) before going solo in 1970 and also working with Wings (1971-79). This list contains his work as a solo artist, with Wings (W), and those Beatles’ songs (B) on which he was the lead singer or shared vocals.

Click here to see other acts’ best-of lists.


Spotify Podcast:

Check out the Dave’s Music Database podcast Paul McCartney – The Best of the Beatles, 1962-1970 based on this list. Premiere: June 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. Hey Jude (1968) B #1 US, UK
2. I Want to Hold Your Hand (1963) B #1 US, UK
3. Yesterday (1965) B #1 US
4. Let It Be (1970) B #1 US
5. She Loves You (1963) B #1 US, UK
6. A Day in the Life (1967) B
7. Eleanor Rigby (1966) B 1 UK
8. Can’t Buy Me Love (1964) B #1 US, UK
9. Penny Lane (1967) B #1 US
10. Get Back (1969) B #1 US, UK

11. We Can Work It Out (1965) B #1 US, UK
12. Ebony and Ivory (with Stevie Wonder, 1982) #1 US, UK
13. Paperback Writer (1966) B #1 US, UK
14. Say, Say, Say (with Michael Jackson, 1983) #1 US
15. Day Tripper (1965) B #1 UK
16. Silly Love Songs (1976) W #1 US
17. I Saw Her Standing There (1963) B
18. Maybe I’m Amazed (1970)
19. Band on the Run (1973) W #1 US

DMDB Top 2%:

20. And I Love Her (1964) B

21. My Love (1973) W #1 US
22. The Long and Winding Road (1970) B #1 US
23. Hello Goodbye (1967) B #1 US, UK
24. Love Me Do (1962) B #1 US
25. Michelle (1965) B
26. Mull of Kintyre (1977) W #1 UK
27. Live and Let Die (1973) W
28. Lady Madonna (1968) B
29. Coming Up (live, 1980) W #1 US
30. All My Loving (1963) B

31. Blackbird (1968) B
32. Eight Days a Week (1964) B #1 US
33. Wonderful Christmas Time (1979)

DMDB Top 5%:

34. Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da (1968) B
35. With a Little Luck (1978) W #1 US
36. Jet (1973) W
37. Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey (with Linda McCartney, 1971) #1 US
38. Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (1967) B
39. Here, There and Everywhere (1966) B
40. Got to Get You into My Life (1966) B

41. Four Five Seconds (with Rihanna & Kanye West, 2015)
42. Listen to What the Man Said (1975) W #1 US
43. Let ‘Em In (1976) W
44. Another Day (1971)
45. The Girl Is Mine (with Michael Jackson, 1982)
46. Back in the U.S.S.R. (1968) B
47. No More Lonely Nights (1984)
48. Helter Skelter (1968) B
49. Goodnight Tonight (1979) W
50. Junior’s Farm (1974) W

DMDB Top 10%:

51. Take It Away (1982)
52. She’s a Woman (1964) B
53. Helen Wheels (1973) W
54. Hi, Hi, Hi (1972) W 55. Magical Mystery Tour (1967) B
56. Drive My Car (1965) B
57. P.S. I Love You (1962) B
58. She’s Leaving Home (1967) B
59. Golden Slumbers/Carry That Weight/The End/Her Majesty (1969) B
60. Pipes of Peace (1983) #1 UK

61. Mary Had a Little Lamb (1972) W
62. My Brave Face (1989)
63. Venus and Mars Rock Show (1975) W
64. Spies Like Us (1985)

DMDB Top 20%:

65. Oh! Darling (1969) B
66. So Bad (1983)
67. Hope of Deliverance (1992)
68. The Fool on the Hill (1967) B
69. Birthday (1968) B
70. The World Tonight (1997)

71. Girls’ School (1977) W
72. Getting Closer (1979) W
73. Press (1986)
74. Arrow Through Me (1979) W
75. When I’m 64 (1967) B
76. Give Ireland Back to the Irish (1972) W
77. This One (1989)
78. Here Today (1982)
79. I’ve Had Enough (1978) W
80. Letting Go (1975) W

81. Let Me Roll It (1973) W
82. Figure of Eight (1989)
83. C Moon (1972) W
84. Rocky Racoon (1968) B
85. London Town (1978) W
86. Long Tall Sally (1964) B
87. Dance Tonight (2007)
88. Nineteen Hundred and Eighty Five (1973) W
89. Ever Present Past (2007)
90. Kansas City/Hey Hey Hey Hey (1964) B

91. Sally G (1974) W
92. I’m Down (1965) B
93. Getting Better (1967) B
94. Waterfalls (1980) W
95. Fixing a Hole (1967) B
96. Put It There (1989)
97. Mrs. Vandebilt (1973) W

Beyond the DMDB Top 20%:

98. Ball Room Dancing (1982)
99. Freedom (2001)
100. You Never Give Me Your Money (1969) B


Resources and Related Links:


First posted 6/18/2012; last updated 6/26/2022.

Friday, June 17, 2022

Kate Bush hit #1 with “Running Up That Hill” 37 years after release

Running Up That Hill (A Deal with God)

Kate Bush

Writer(s): Kate Bush (see lyrics here)


First Charted: August 5, 1985


Peak: 3 US, 28 CB, GR 36, 33 RR, 9 AC, 5 A40, 24 AA, 34 AR, 2 MR, 13 UK, 2 CN, 19 AU, 3 DF (Click for codes to charts.)


Sales (in millions): -- US, 1.45 UK, 2.03 world (includes US + UK)


Airplay/Streaming (in millions): -- radio, 210.5 video, 882.38 streaming

Awards:

Click on award for more details.

About the Song:

“Running Up That Hill” was released as the lead single for Kate Bush’s fifth album, Hounds of Love. In her native UK, the song reached #3 on the charts, her fifth single to make the top 10. She’d had much less success in the United States where her only chart hit on the Billboard Hot 100 had been 1978’s “The Man with the Child in His Eyes” reaching #85. However, “Hill” gave Bush her solitary top 40 hit in the U.S., going to #30.

The song wasn’t done, though. 37 years later, it was prominently featured in the Netflix TV series Stranger Things as the favorite song of the character Max. This renewed interest in the song and it reached new chart peaks around the globe, hitting #1 in the United Kingdom, Australia, and other countries. In the United States the song climbed all the way to #4 and topped Billboard’s streaming and digital sales charts.

The song was originally called “A Deal with God,” but representatives at EMI Records hesitated to release a song with the word “God” in it. Bush changed the title, but subtitled the song “A Deal with God” on the Hounds of Love album. Executives were also more interested in releasing “Cloudbursting” as the first single but Bush pushed for “Hill” because it was the first song she wrote for the album and she thought it better represented the album. WK

Thematically, the “brutally truthful, painfully sensual song” AMG isn’t about religion, but the differences between men and women. Bush said, “If we could actually swap each others’ roles, if we could actually be in each other’s place for a while, I think we’d both be very surprised! And I think it would lead to a greater understanding.” WK She conceived the idea that “if they could make a deal with God to change places…they’d understand what it’s like to be the other person.” SF The “concept is a flip on the Faustian bargain where one makes a deal with the devil.” SF


Resources:


Related Links:


First posted 6/15/2022; last updated 2/3/2023.

Tuesday, June 14, 2022

Michael Franti: Top 40 Songs

Michael Franti

Top 40 Songs

Singer born 4/21/1966 in Oakland, California. His music blends reggae, hip-hop, funk, soul, jazz, folk, and rock. He has also been an outspoken advocate for peace and social justice issues. He was born to a white mother and black father and given up for adoption because his mom feared her racist family wouldn’t accept him. He was adopted by Finnish American couple Carole Wisti and Charles Franti. Before launching his solo career (with his backing band Spearhead) in 1994, Franti was with the Beatnigs (1986-90) and Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy (1991-93).

For a complete list of this act’s DMDB honors, check out the DMDB Music Maker Encyclopedia entry.

Click here to see other acts’ best-of lists.


Spotify Podcast:

Check out the Dave’s Music Database podcast The Best of Michael Franti, 1994-2022 based on this list. Debut: June 14, 2022, at 7pm CST. Tune in every Tuesday at 7pm for a new episode based on the lists at Dave’s Music Database.


Top 40 Songs


Dave’s Music Database lists are determined by song’s appearances on best-of lists, appearances on compilations and live albums by the featured act, and songs’ 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 10%:

1. The Sound of Sunshine (2010)
2. Say Hey (I Love You) (2008)

DMDB Top 20%:

3. Everyone Deserves Music (2003)
4. Once a Day (with Sonna Rele, 2015)
5. Hey Hey Hey (No Matter How Life Is Today) (2010)
6. Life Is Better with You (2013)
7. I’m Alive (Life Sounds Like) (2013)
8. I Got You (2020)

Beyond the DMDB Top 20%:

9. Sometimes (2001)
10. Nobody Cries Alone (2018)

11. The Flower (with Victoria Canal, 2019)
12. Good Day for a Good Day (2021)
13. 11:59 (2013)
14. This World Is So Fucked Up But I Ain’t Ever Givin’ Up on It (2019)
15. Rock the Nation (2001)
16. Ganja Babe (1997)
17. I’ll Be Waiting (2010)
18. Brighter Day (2022)
19. The Only Thing Missing Was You (2019)
20. People in tha Middle (1994)

21. Stay Human (All the Freaky People) (2001)
22. Good to Be Alive Today (2016)
23. Good Shit Happens (2020)
24. Bomb the World (2003)
25. Light Up Ya Lighter (2006)
26. You’re Number One (2019)
27. Work Hard and Be Nice to People (2020)
28. I’m on Your Side (2020)
29. Hey World (Don’t Give Up) (2008)
30. I Got Love for Ya (2016)

31. Oh My God (2001)
32. I Know I’m Not Alone (2006)
33. Soulshine (2001)
34. Hello Bonjour (2006)
35. Just to Say I Love You (2018)
36. Yes I Will (2003)
37. We Don’t Stop (2003)
38. Hole in the Bucket (1994)
39. Little Things (2019)
40. Love Invincible (2003)


Resources and Related Links:


First posted 6/8/2022; last updated 6/14/2022.

Wednesday, June 8, 2022

Def Leppard: Top 50 Songs

Def Leppard

Top 50 Songs

Hard rock group formed in Sheffield, England in 1977. One of the premiere groups in the '80s pop-metal craze often referred to as “hair bands.” Members: Joe Elliott (vocals), Steve Clark (guitar: 1977-91; died on 1/8/91 of alcohol-related respiratory failure), Pete Willis (guitar: 1977-82), Rick Savage (b), Rick Allen (drums; lost left arm in an auto accident on 12/31/84), Phil Collen (guitar: 1982-), Vivian Campbell (guitar: 92-)

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 Dave’s Music Database podcast: The Best of Def Leppard, 1979-2022 based on this list. Debut: June 7, 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 50 Songs


Dave’s Music Database lists are determined by song’s appearances on best-of lists, appearances on compilations and live albums by the featured act, and songs’ chart success, sales, radio airplay, streaming, and awards.

DMDB Top 1%:

1. Pour Some Sugar on Me (1987)

DMDB Top 2%:

2. Photograph (1983)
3. Love Bites (1987)

DMDB Top 5%:

4. Rock of Ages (1983)
5. Hysteria (1987)
6. Bringin’ on the Heartbreak (1981)
7. Foolin’ (1983)
8. Animal (1987)

DMDB Top 10%:

9. Rocket (1987)
10. Let’s Get Rocked (1992)
11. Two Steps Behind (1992)

DMDB Top 20%:

12. When Love and Hate Collide (1995)
13. Have You Ever Needed Someone So Bad? (1992)
14. Armageddon It (1987)
15. Stand Up (Kick Love into Motion) (1992)
16. Make Love Like a Man (1992)
17. Tonight (1992)
18. Promises (1999)
19. Work It Out (1996)
20. Miss You in a Heartbeat (1992)
21. Too Late for Love (1983)

Beyond the DMDB Top 20%:

22. Women (1987)
23. Now (2002)
24. Rock Brigade (1980)
25. Let It Go (1981)
26. Slang (1996)
27. All I Want Is Everything (1996)
28. Paper Sun (1999)
29. No Matter What (2005)
30. Wasted (1979)

31. Breathe a Sigh (1996)
32. Rock! Rock! Till You Drop (1983)
33. Hello America (1980)
34. Heaven Is (1992)
35. Billy’s Got a Gun (1983)
36. Action (1992)
37. Desert Song (1987)
38. High ‘N’ Dry (Saturday Night) (1981)
39. Long Long Way to Go (2002)
40. Me and My Wine (1981)

41. Day After Day (1999)
42. Comin’ Under Fire (1983)
43. Goodbye (1999)
44. Action! Not Words (1983)
45. Four Letter Word (2002)
46. Nine Lives (with Tim McGraw, 2008)
47. 20th Century Boy (2006)
48. Elected (live, 1992)
49. From the Inside (1992)
50. Undefeated (2011)


Resources and Related Links:


First posted 6/2/2022; last updated 6/8/2022.

Tuesday, June 7, 2022

Heavy Metal Albums – Top 50

Heavy Metal/Hard Rock:

The Top 100 Albums

Here are the best heavy metal/hard rock albums, according to Dave’s Music Database. 20 lists of “heavy metal” and/or “hard rock” albums were compiled to create the aggregate list below.

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

1. Guns N’ Roses Appetite for Destruction (1987)
2. Iron Maiden The Number of the Beast (1982)
3. AC/DC Back in Black (1980)
4. Van Halen Van Halen (1978)
5. Black Sabbath Paranoid (1970)
6. Metallica Master of Puppets (1986)
7. Slayer Reign in Blood (1986)
8. Metallica Ride the Lightning (1984)
9. Metallica Metallica (aka “The Black Album”) (1991)
10. Def Leppard Pyromania (1983)

11. Def Leppard Hysteria (1987)
12. AC/DC Highway to Hell (1979)
13. Ozzy Osbourne Blizzard of Ozz (1980)
14. Kiss Destroyer (1976)
15. Judas Priest British Steel (1980)
16. Motörhead Ace of Spades (1980)
17. Metallica Kill ‘Em All (1983)
18. Black Sabbath Master of Reality (1971)
19. Megadeth Rust in Peace (1990)
20. Kiss Alive! (1975)

21. Black Sabbath Black Sabbath (1970)
22. Slayer Seasons in the Abyss (1990)
23. Judas Priest Screaming for Vengeance (1982)
24. Bon Jovi Slippery When Wet (1986)
25. Deep Purple Machine Head (1972)
26. Metallica …And Justice for All (1988)
27. Pantera Vulgar Display of Power (1992)
28. Iron Maiden Iron Maiden (1980)
29. Skid Row Skid Row (1989)
30. Alice in Chains Dirt (1992)

31. Led Zeppelin Led Zeppelin IV (1971)
32. Queensrÿche Operation Mindcrime (1988)
33. Dio Holy Diver (1983)
34. Iron Maiden Powerslave (1984)
35. Aerosmith Toys in the Attic (1975)
36. Anthrax Among the Living (1987)
37. Korn Korn (1994)
38. Mötley Crüe Dr. Feelgood (1989)
39. Megadeth Peace Sells…But Who’s Buying? (1986)
40. Megadeth Countdown to Extinction (1992)

41. Soundgarden Badmotorfinger (1991)
42. Van Halen 1984 (1984)
43. Iron Maiden Piece of Mind (1983)
44. Led Zeppelin Led Zeppelin II (1969)
45. Motörhead No Sleep ‘Til Hammersmith (1981)
46. Led Zeppelin Led Zeppelin I (1969)
47. Slayer South of Heaven (1988)
48. Judas Priest Sad Wings of Destiny (1976)
49. Aerosmith Rocks (1976)
50. Pantera Cowboys from Hell (1990)


Resources and Related Links:


First posted 7/1/2011; last updated 6/7/2022.

Friday, June 3, 2022

Michael Franti Follow Your Heart released

Follow Your Heart

Michael Franti & Spearhead


Released: June 14, 2022


Peak: -- US, -- UK, -- CN, -- AU


Sales (in millions): -- US, -- UK, -- world (includes US and UK)


Genre: alternative rock/hip-hop/reggae


Tracks:

Song Title [time] (date of single release, chart peaks) Click for codes to singles charts.

  1. Follow Your Heart [3:05] (4/22/22, --)
  2. Better [3:19]
  3. Baby Let Your Soulshine [2:57]
  4. Brighter Day [3:13] (4/5/22, --)
  5. Life Is Amazing [2:54]
  6. No Makeup [3:10]
  7. Good Day for a Good Day [3:10] (7/1/21, 24 AA)
  8. Best at Loving You [2:54]
  9. People Need People [3:24]
  10. Trying to Keep the Lights On [3:02]
  11. Life Reminds Us We’re Alive [3:04]


Total Running Time: 34:12

Rating:

3.593 out of 5.00 (average of 3 ratings)


Awards: (Click on award to learn more).

About the Album:

There are two distinct descriptors which have followed Michael Franti since the onset of his career. First, he makes music which integrates multiple genres. Second, he makes music with a social conscience. NPR describes Michael Franti as “equal parts musician and activist” RL while Classic Rock magazine notes how he “re-frames rock, pop, and hip-hop tropes in a seamless alchemical compendium of ear worms, resilience and unifying positivity.” RL

Regarding Franti’s 12th album with Spearhead, Mojo magazine says, “the feel here is of unstinting human positivity.” RL Franti himself says this is his favorite album they’ve ever done. He said, “it’s about how we get through this crazy time that we’re living in; how we find the optimism and the joy, but mainly to follow our hearts and listen to the voice inside you to find passion and purpose.” RL He adds that he hopes “Follow Your Heart gives fans the courage to continue looking for and holding onto that perseversence.” SR

He learned in recent years “that people need people.” RL He “wrote many songs about connection, resilience, and finding the light, even in the midst of all the crazy.” RL He said, “I wanted to make a record that was uplifting and vulnerable. These songs have all been written during the pandemic, a time in which I lost my father to Covid, lost my job (as a touring musician) and leaned on my wife, family and friends and found a closeness with them that I never knew before. I laughed louder, played harder, cried deeper, and danced with more freedom than I’ve ever felt during this crazy time – the music reflects it all.” HG

He says of the single Brighter Day that it is “a song about never giving up, even when life feels overwhelming. When the issues of the world seem impossible to fix, and when your heart feels like it’s being ripped into pieces, lean into those you love for strength and support.” RL

Resources and Related Links:


Other Related DMDB Pages:


First posted 6/14/2022.