Saturday, June 17, 2023

Noah Kahan charted with “Dial Drunk”

Dial Drunk

Noah Kahan with Post Malone

Writer(s): Noah Kahan, Austin Post, Noah Levine (see lyrics here)


Released: July 17, 2023


First Charted: June 17, 2023


Peak: 25 BB, 21 AC, 9 A40, 12 AA, 12 MR, 32 UK, 14 CN, 45 AU, 1 DF (Click for codes to charts.)


Sales (in millions): 2.0 US, 0.6 UK, 3.04 world (includes US + UK)


Airplay/Streaming (in millions): -- radio, 31.28 video, 547.22 streaming

Awards:

Click on award for more details.

About the Song:

Everyone has songs that are personally iconic for them. Some resonate as mantras (Indigo Girls’ “Closer to Fine,”Michael Franti’s “Everyone Deserves Music”) or reflections on life (XTC’s “Dear God,” Crowded House’s “Silent House”). There are those that capture pivotal moments of young adulthood either in mood or message (Styx’s “Renegade,” David + David’s “Welcome to the Boomtown”). For me, there are also songs that will forever represent a time where my sense of musical discovery expanded (Marillion’s “Kayleigh,” Tori Amos’ “Silent All These Years”). On the latter front, most people tend to abandon the pursuit of new music in their thirties, preferring to soak up the nostalgia of their youth. Even at 57, however, I’m always interested in finding new artists, new songs, and new sounds. “Dial Drunk” became one of those latter songs.

My son Evan was home from college over Christmas break 2023 and expressed surprise at hearing me listen to Noah Kahan on Spotify. Evan had just seen Kahan live in New York with a friend. I confessed that the song “Dial Drunk” had just randomly popped up on my playlist and I hadn’t been familiar with the artist although I’d heard the song a few times. The song became a launching point for me as I delved deep into Kahan’s music and was especially taken by the slew of musicians with whom he’d dueted (Zach Bryan, Brandi Carlile, Hozier, Kacey Musgraves, Post Malone, and Joy Oladokun). It sent me down a very welcomed rabbit hole for 2024 as I embraced what I call “New Americana” music, which included the artists I’ve listed as well as Benson Boone, Shaboozey, Teddy Swims and others.

As for Noah Kahan’s background, the folk-pop singer/songwriter was born on January 1, 1997 in Strattford, Vermont. He released his first album, Busyhead, in 2019 but it wasn’t until his third album, 2022’s Stick Season, that his career really took off. The double-platinum release peaked at #2 on the Billboard album chart propelled by the top-10 success of the title cut as well as top-40 success with “Northern Attitude” and “Dial Drunk.” The latter – the third single – caught the attention of rapper and singer Post Malone. Kahan said of the collaboration, which included a new verse written by Malone, that “it has been a dream come true to make this collaboration happen.” WK

Kahan also said of the song in general, “I never know when or why a song is going to land and to see the meaning and connection you have drawn from this track has inspired me in a way I have never been inspired before.” WK Songfacts.com said of the song, “In this raw and introspective narrative, Noah Kahan finds himself in a dire situation, having just been arrested for drunk driving and desperately needing help. Struggling with his own demons and breaking a promise, he dials his ex's phone number, which he knows will go unanswered. From the very beginning of the song, the tone is set, as he reflects on the irony of remembering his promise not to contact his ex, yet succumbing to the allure of the past while under the influence of alcohol.” SF


Resources:


First posted 10/15/2024.

Wednesday, June 14, 2023

The Smiths/Morrissey: Top 50 Songs

The Smiths

left to right: Andy Rourke, Morrissey, Johnny Marr, and Mike Joyce;
image from Wikipedia.org

The Smiths were a college rock/synth-pop group formed in Manchester, England. They only lasted five years (1982-1987), but had a significant impact. The band was comprised of Morrissey (vocals), Johnny Marr (guitar), Andy Rourke (bass), and Mike Joyce (drums). The Smiths’ 1986 album The Queen is Dead is featured in the DMDB book The Top 100 Albums of All Time.

Morrissey went on to a successful solo career after the band broke up. Marr worked with other bands, most notably The The (1988-94) and Electronic (1989-98), recorded a couple of solo albums (2013-14), did session work with Beck, Bryan Ferry, Pet Shop Boys, Talking Heads and others and produced Modest Mouse (2006-09). Rourke died on 5/19/2023 at 59 years old.

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


Check out the DMDB podcast episode The Best of the Smiths, 1983-1987 (In Memory of Andy Rourke) based on this list.

Awards (The Smiths):

Awards (Morrissey):


Top 50 Songs


This list includes material by the Smiths and Morrissey as a solo artist (noted in parentheses). 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.

DMDB Top 1%:

1. How Soon Is Now? (1984)

DMDB Top 2%:

2. There Is a Light That Never Goes Out (1986)
3. This Charming Man (1983)

DMDB Top 5%:

4. Everyday Is Like Sunday (Morrissey, 1988)

DMDB Top 10%:

5. Suedehead (Morrissey, 1988)
6. Please, Please, Please Let Me Get What I Want (1984)
7. Heaven Knows I’m Miserable Now (1984)
8. The More You Ignore Me, the Closer I Get (Morrissey, 1994) #1 MR

DMDB Top 20%:

9. Panic (1986)
10. William It Was Really Nothing (1984)

11. Bigmouth Strikes Again (1986)
12. Girlfriend in a Coma (1987)
13. Irish Blood, English Heart (Morrissey, 2004)
14. Hand in Glove (1983)
15. Ask (1986)
16. Shoplifters of the World Unite (1987)
17. Sheila Take a Bow (1987)
18. Stop Me if You’ve Heard This One Before (1987)
19. The Boy with the Thorn in His Side (1985)
20. What Difference Does It Make? (1984)

21. First of the Gang to Die (Morrissey, 2004)
22. Half a Person (1987)

Beyond the DMDB Top 20%:

23. The Last of the Famous International Playboys (Morrissey, 1989)
24. Tomorrow (Morrissey, 1992) #1 MR
25. Is It Really So Strange? (1987)
26. Paint a Vulgar Picture (1987)
27. Last Night I Dreamt That Somebody Loved Me (1987)
28. Shakespeare’s Sister (1985)
29. That Joke Isn’t Funny Anymore (1985)

30. Girl Afraid (1984)
31. Asleep (1985)
32. Sweet and Tender Hooligan (1987)
33. Still Ill (1984)
34. I Started Something I Couldn’t Finish (1987)
35. November Spawned a Monster (Morrissey, 1990)
36. Interesting Drug (Morrissey, 1989)
37. You Just Haven’t Earned It Yet Baby (1987)
38. You Have Killed Me (Morrissey, 2006)
39. The Headmaster Ritual (1985)
40. Ouija Board, Ouija Board (Morrissey, 1989)

41. We Hate It When Our Friends Become Successful (Morrissey, (1992)
42. Boxers (Morrissey, 1995)
43. Piccadilly Palare (Morrissey, 1990)
44. The Queen Is Dead (1986)
45. Our Frank (Morrissey, 1991)
46. Sing Your Life (Morrissey, 1991)
47. Frankly Mr. Shankly (1986)
48. Death of a Disco Dancer (1987)
49. Some Girls Are Bigger Than Others (1986)
50. Reel Around the Fountain (1983)


Resources and Related Links:


First posted 2/7/2020; updated 6/14/2023.

Tina Turner: Top 50 Songs

Tina Turner

Top 50 Songs

R&B/rock singer born Anna Mae Bullock on 11/26/39 in Nutbush, TN. Died 5/24/2023. Found success as half of a duo with Ike Turner, to whom she was married from 1962-78. After a few overlooked solo efforts in the ‘70s, Tina returned with the album Private Dancer in 1984 and launched one of rock’s greatest comeback stories. The 12-time Grammy winner has been called “The Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll” and sold more than 200 million records worldwide.

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.


Check out the DMDB podcast episode Celebrating Tina Turner, 1939-2023 based on this list.

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. What’s Love Got to Do with It? (1984)
2. River Deep, Mountain High (with Ike, 1966)

DMDB Top 5%:

3. Proud Mary (with Ike, 1971)
4. We Don’t Need Another Hero (1985)
5. The Best (1989)

DMDB Top 10%:

6. Private Dancer (1984)
7. I Don’t Wanna Fight (1993)
8. Typical Male (1986)
9. It’s Only Love (with Bryan Adams, 1984)
10. Better Be Good to Me (1984)
11. Let’s Stay Together (1983)

DMDB Top 20%:

12. Help! (1984)
13. Tonight (with David Bowie, 1984)
14. Come Together (with Ike, 1970)
15. Nutbush City Limits (with Ike, 1973)
16. One of the Living (1985)
17. Two People (1986)
18. What You Get Is What You See (1986)
19. Golden Eye (1995)
20. Tearing Us Apart (with Eric Clapton, 1986)

21. Steamy Windows (1989)
22. I Want to Take You Higher (with Ike, 1970)
23. It Takes Two (with Rod Stewart, 1990)
24. Ooh Poo Pah Doo (with Ike, 1964)
25. Fool in Love (with Ike, 1960)

Beyond the DMDB Top 20%:

26. Show Some Respect (1984)
27. Why Must We Wait Until Tonight (1993)
28. Missing You (1996)
29. It’s Gonna Work Out Fine (with Ike, 1961)
30. Up in Heah (with Ike, 1972)

31. When the Heartache Is Over (1999)
32. Baby Get It On (with Ike, 1975)
33. Bold Soul Sister (with Ike, 1969)
34. Sexy Ida (with Ike, 1974)
35. Tra La La La La (with Ike, 1962)
36. I’ve Been Loving You Too Long (1969)
37. Come Together (1976)
38. Addicted to Love (1988)
39. I Idolize You (with Ike, 1960)
40. I Can’t Stand the Rain (1984)

41. Workin’ Together (with Ike, 1970)
42. I’m Yours (Use Me Anyway You Wanna) (with Ike, 1971)
43. Poor Fool (with Ike, 1961)
44. The Hunter (with Ike, 1969)
45. You Should’a Treated Me Right (with Ike, 1962)
46. Open Arms (2004)
47. Break Every Rule (1986)
48. Look Me in the Heart (1989)
49. I Don’t Wanna Lose You (1989)
50. I Can’t Believe What You Say for Seeing What You Do (with Ike, 1964)


Resources and Related Links:


First posted 5/27/2023; last updated 6/14/2023.

The Top 100 Songs of Sting & The Police

Sting & The Police

Top 100 Songs

Rock singer/bassist Sting was born Gordon Matthew Thomas Sumner on 10/2/1951 in Wallsend, England. He got the nickname “Sting” because of a yellow and black jersey he used to wear. He was in the groups Last Exit, Strontium 90, and Nuclear Waste before forming the new wave group The Police with drummer Stewart Copeland and guitarist Andy Summers. They released five studio albums from 1978 to 1983. In 1985, Sting released his first solo album.

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


Check out the DMDB podcast episodes The Best of Sting, 1985-2021 and The Best of the Police, 1977-1986 (In Celebration of the 40th Anniversary of Synchronicity) based on this list.

Awards (The Police):

Awards (Sting):


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 are by Sting unless noted otherwise.

DMDB Top 1%:

1. Every Breath You Take (The Police, 1983)
2. Roxanne (The Police, 1978)

DMDB Top 2%:

3. Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic (The Police, 1981)
4. Message in a Bottle (The Police, 1979)
5. All for Love (Sting with Rod Stewart & Bryan Adams, 1993)
6. Fields of Gold (1993)

DMDB Top 5%:

7. Don’t Stand So Close to Me (The Police, 1980)
8. King of Pain (The Police, 1983)
9. If I Ever Lose My Faith in You (1993)
10. Spirits in the Material World (The Police, 1981)

11. Synchronicity II (The Police, 1983)
12. All This Time (1991)
13. Desert Rose (with Cheb Mami, 1999)
14. If You Love Somebody Set Them Free (1985)

DMDB Top 10%:

15. Englishman in New York (1987)
16. Wrapped Around Your Finger (The Police, 1983)
17. De Do Do Do De Da Da Da (The Police, 1980)
18. Russians (1985)
19. Fortress Around Your Heart (1985)
20. Walking on the Moon (The Police, 1979)

21. Can’t Stand Losing You (The Police, 1978)
22. Be Still My Beating Heart (1987)
23. We’ll Be Together (1987)
24. Love Is the Seventh Wave (1985)
25. Fragile (1987)
26. Invisible Sun (The Police, 1981)
27. Don’t Stand So Close to Me ‘86 (The Police, 1986)

DMDB Top 20%:

28. It’s Probably Me (Sting with Eric Clapton, 1992)
29. So Lonely (The Police, 1978)
30. They Dance Alone (1987)

31. I Burn for You (The Police, 1982)
32. When We Dance (1994)
33. Brand New Day (1999)
34. Epilogue (Nothing ‘Bout Me) (1993)
35. You Still Touch Me (1996)
36. Someone to Watch Over Me (1987)
37. Driven to Tears (The Police, 1981)
38. Moon Over Bourbon Street (1985)
39. Secret Journey (The Police, 1981)
40. Always on Your Side (Sheryl Crow with Sting, 2006)

41. Mack the Knife (1959)
42. When the World Is Running Down You Make the Best of What’s Still Around (The Police, 1980)
43. Stolen Car (Take Me Dancing) (2003)
44. I’m So Happy I Can’t Stop Crying (1996)
45. The Soul Cages (1991)
46. Spread a Little Happiness (1982)
47. Send Your Love (2003)
48. The Bed’s Too Big Without You (The Police, 1979)
49. Shape of My Heart (1993)
50. My Funny Valentine (2002)

51. Let Your Soul Be Your Pilot (1996)
52. Down So Long (live with Jeff Beck, 1986)
53. Why Should I Cry for You? (1991)
54. Roxanne (live, 1981)
55. Murder by Numbers (The Police, 1983)
56. Message in a Bottle (live, 1981)
57. I Can’t Stop Thinking About You (2016)

Beyond the DMDB Top 20%:

58. Bring on the Night (The Police, 1979)
59. Strange Fruit (1987)
60. Ain’t No Sunshine (live, 1991)

61. Little Wing (1987)
62. Demolition Man (The Police, 1981)
63. I Hung My Head (1996)
64. (Sittin’ on) The Dock of the Bay (2020)
65. Whenever I Say Your Name (Sting with Mary J. Blige, 2003)
66. Mad About You (1991)
67. Canary in a Coal Mine (The Police, 1980)
68. Synchronicity I (The Police, 1983)
69. This Cowboy Song (1995)
70. Tea in the Sahara (The Police, 1983)

71. Fall Out (The Police, 1977)
72. Demolition Man (new recording, 1993)
73. The Lazarus Heart (1987)
74. After the Rain Has Fallen (1999)
75. Next to You (The Police, 1978)
76. On Any Other Day (The Police, 1979)
77. Rock Steady (1987)
78. Brimstone and Treacle (1982)
79. Walking in Your Footsteps (The Police, 1983)
80. A Day in the Life (live, 1993)

81. Practical Arrangement (Sting with Jo Lawry, 2013)
82. The River (Sting live with Bruce Springsteen, 1988)
83. Consider Me Gone (1985)
84. Seven Days (1993)
85. Tomorrow We’ll See (1999)
86. I’m So Happy I Can’t Stop Crying (Sting with Toby Keith, 1997)
87. I Shall Be Released (Sting et al live, 1981)
88. Be My Girl – Sally (The Police, 1978)
89. Truth Hits Everybody (The Police, 1978)
90. Fill Her Up (1999)

91. Voices Inside My Head (The Police, 1980)
92. Don’t Make Me Wait (with Shaggy, 2018)
93. Does Everybody Stare (The Police, 1979)
94. Come Down in Time (1991)
95. We Work the Black Seam (1985)
96. Need Your Love So Bad (1982)
97. Only You (1982)
98. Bombs Away (The Police, 1980)
99. Tempted (live, 1991)
100. Tutti Frutti (1982)


Resources and Related Links:


First posted 10/4/2011; updated 6/14/2023.