Showing posts with label Chicago. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Chicago. Show all posts

Monday, March 11, 2024

The Top 50 Songs by Diane Warren

Diane Warren

Top 50 Songs

Songwriter Diane Warren was born September 7, 1956, in Van Nuys, California. Her first hit was “Solitaire,” a #7 hit for Laura Branigan in 1983. In the late ‘80s, she became the first songwriter in history to have seven hits – all by different artists – on the Billboard Hot 100. She has had 33 top-10 hits on the chart; nine went to #1. She is a Grammy, Emmy, Ivor Novello, and Golden Globe winner. She was nominated 14 times for Academy awards without a win before receiving an honorary Oscar in 2022.

Links:

Awards:

Check out the Spotify playlist “The Best of Diane Warren, 1983-2003.”

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. Aerosmith “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing” (1998)
2. Celine Dion “Because You Loved Me” (1996)
3. Toni Braxton “Un-Break My Heart” (1996)
4. LeAnn Rimes “How Do I Live” (1997)

DMDB Top 2%:

5. Starship “Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now” (1987)

DMDB Top 5%:

6. Bad English “When I See You Smile” (1989)
7. Chicago “Look Away” (1988)
8. Ace of Base “Don’t Turn Around” (1994)

DMDB Top 10%:

9. Cher “If I Could Turn Back Time” (1989)
10. Brandy “Have You Ever?” (1998)

11. Milli Vanilli “Blame It on the Rain” (1989)
12. Faith Hill “There You’ll Be” (2001)
13. LeAnn Rimes “Can’t Fight the Moonlight” (2000)
14. DeBarge “Rhythm of the Night” (1985)
15. Taylor Dayne “Love Will Lead You Back” (1990)
16. Michael Bolton “How Can We Be Lovers” (1990)
17. Trisha Yearwood “How Do I Live” (1997)
18. Joe Cocker “When the Night Comes” (1989)
19. Christina Aguilera “I Turn to You” (1999)
20. Michael Bolton with Kenny G “Missing You Now” (1992)

DMDB Top 20%:

21. Aretha Franklin & Elton John “Through the Storm” (1989)
22. Laura Branigan “Solitaire” (1983)
23. Belinda Carlisle “I Get Weak” (1988)
24. Celine Dion “If You Asked Me To” (1992)
25. Taylor Dayne “I’ll Be Your Shelter” (1990)
26. Michael Bolton “Time, Love & Tenderness” (1991)
27. Meat Loaf “I’d Lie for You and That’s the Truth” (1995)
28. Chicago “I Don’t Wanna Live Without Your Love” (1988)
29. Cher “Just Like Jesse James” (1989)
30. Expose “I’ll Never Get Over You Getting Over Me” (1993)

31. Cher “Save Up All Your Tears” (1991)
32. Michael Bolton “When I’m Back on My Feet Again” (1990)
33. Whitney Houston & Enrique Iglesias “Could I Have This Kiss Forever” (2000)
34. Cher “Love and Understanding” (1991)
35. Heart “Who Will You Run To?” (1987)
36. Gloria Estefan “Live for Loving You” (1991)
37. Kenny G with Peabo Bryson “By the Time This Night Is Over” (1993)
38. Heart “I Didn’t Want to Need You” (1990)
39. N Sync & Gloria Estefan “Music of My Heart” (1999)
40. Monica “For You I Will” (1997)

41. Roberta Flack & Maxi Priest “Set the Night to Music” (1991)
42. Aretha Franklin & Whitney Houston “It Isn’t, It Wasn’t, It Ain’t Never Gonna Be” (1989)
43. Shanice “Saving Forever for You” (1992)
44. Mark Chesnutt “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing” (1998)
45. Michael Bolton “Completely” (1993)

Beyond the DMDB Top 20%:

46. Cheap Trick “Ghost Town” (1988)
47. Air Supply “Lonely Is the Night” (1986)
48. Aaliyah “The One I Gave My Heart To” (1997)
49. Kiss “Let’s Put the X in Sex” (1988)
50. Celine Dion “Love Can Move Mountains” (1992)

Resources and Related Links:

First posted 10/30/2011; last updated 3/11/2024.

at 1 comment:
Labels: , , , , , , , , , ,

Saturday, November 4, 2023

On-Screen Musicals: Top 50

Screen Musicals:

Top 50 All Time

More than 30 lists were aggregated to come up with this list. The focus here is specifically on musicals adapted or created for the movies. Click here to see the top stage musicals and here for the top music-themed/driven movies.

Click here to see other media-based lists, such as best videos and best music books of all time.

1. Singin’ in the Rain (1952)
2. West Side Story (1961)
3. The Sound of Music (1965)
4. Cabaret (1972)
5. The Wizard of Oz (1939)
6. Chicago (2002)
7. Moulin Rouge! (2001)
8. Grease (1978)
9. Mary Poppins (1964)
10. My Fair Lady (1964)

11. Beauty and the Beast (1991)
12. A Star Is Born (1954)
13. Top Hat (1935)
14. Fiddler on the Roof (1975)
15. The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)
16. Oliver! (1968)
17. Meet Me in St. Louis (1944)
18. The King and I (1956)
19. The Band Wagon (1953)
20. On the Town (1949)

21. An American in Paris (1951)
22. Funny Girl (1968)
23. Sweeney Todd, the Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2007)
24. The Little Shop of Horrors (1986)
25. All That Jazz (1979)
26. South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut (1999)
27. Dancer in the Dark (2000)
28. Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (1954)
29. The Lion King (1994)
30. Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971)

31. The Music Man (1962)
32. Hedwig & the Angry Inch (2001)
33. Swing Time (1936)
34. 42nd Street (1933)
35. Phantom of the Opera (2004)
36. The Umbrellas of Cherbourg (1964)
37. Gigi (1958)
38. Hairspray (2007)
39. Dreamgirls (2006)
40. La La Land (2017)

41. Rent (2005)
42. Annie (1982)
43. West Side Story (2021)
44. Hair (1979)
45. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1938)
46. Carousel (1956)
47. Oklahoma! (1955)
48. Funny Face (1957)
49. Fame (1980)
50. Gold Diggers of 1933 (1933)

Resources/Related Links:

First posted 11/4/2023.

 
at No comments:
Labels: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Saturday, September 23, 2023

The Top 100 Adult Contemporary Songs of All Time


No, this isn’t what “soft rock” means.

Adult Contemporary, 1961-2023:

Top 100 Songs

It’s been called “soft rock,” “light rock,” “middle of the road,” and “adult contemporary.” By any name, this genre celebrates songwriters and balladry and music that skews toward a generally older audience.

This post originated in 2011 when Billboard magazine celebrated the 50th anniversary of their adult contemporary charts with a list of “The Top 100 Adult Contemporary Songs Ever.” They weighted the list so that the last decade’s trend toward longer stays at #1 (and longer stays on the chart) didn’t completely dominate the list. I posted a new ranking on my Facebook page that showed the biggest AC hits based solely on weeks at #1.

Still not satisfied, I went to my music database and sorted all songs to hit #1 on the adult contemporary charts. Then I sorted those songs based on total points in Dave’s Music Database. The results made for what I consider the most balanced of the three lists and acknowledging some bonafide classics which may not have had longevity at #1 or on the charts, but have had long-lasting impact.

One last thing – the pics are for the top-ten ranked AC acts according to Billboard. Click on the photos for the acts DMDB music makers encyclopedia entries.

Click here to see other genre-specific song lists.

1. Whitney Houston “I Will Always Love You” (1992)
2. Simon & Garfunkel “Bridge Over Troubled Water” (1970)
3. Bryan Adams “(Everything I Do) I Do It for You” (1991)
4. Don McLean “American Pie” (1971)
5. The Beatles “Let It Be” (1970)
6. The Righteous Brothers “Unchained Melody” (1965)
7. Ed Sheeran “Shape of You” (2017)
8. Celine Dion “My Heart Will Go On” (1997)
9. Adele “Rolling in the Deep” (2010)
10. Pharrell Williams “Happy” (2013)


Elton John

11. Gotye with Kimbra “Somebody That I Used to Know” (2011)
12. Lionel Richie & Diana Ross “Endless Love” (1981)
13. Ray Charles “I Can’t Stop Loving You” (1962)
14. U.S.A. for Africa “We Are the World” (1985)
15. Whitney Houston “I Wanna Dance with Somebody Who Loves Me” (1987)
16. Adele “Hello” (2015)
17. Coldplay “Viva La Vida” (2008)
18. The Weeknd “Blinding Lights” (2019)
19. Boyz II Men “I’ll Make Love to You” (1994)
20. Lionel Richie “All Night Long (All Night)” (1983)


Neil Diamond

21. Ed Sheeran “Thinking Out Loud” (2014)
22. Jason Mraz “I’m Yours” (2008)
23. Debby Boone “You Light Up My Life” (1977)
24. Adele “Someone Like You (2011)
25. Bee Gees “How Deep Is Your Love” (1977)
26. Ed Sheeran with Beyoncé “Perfect” (2017)
27. Bruno Mars “Just the Way You Are (Amazing)” (2010)
28. John Legend “All of Me” (2013)
29. George Michael “Careless Whisper” (1984)
30. Elvis Presley “Can’t Help Falling in Love” (1961)


Barbra Streisand

31. Taylor Swift “Shake It Off” (2014)
32. Kenny Rogers “Lady” (1980)
33. Stevie Wonder “I Just Called to Say I Love You” (1984)
34. Leona Lewis “Bleeding Love” (2007)
35. Roberta Flack “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” (1969)
36. Mariah Carey with Boyz II Men “One Sweet Day” (1995)
37. Shania Twain “You’re Still the One” 1998)
38. Tony Orlando & Dawn “Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree” (1973)
39. Barbra Streisand “The Way We Were” (1973)
40. Justin Timberlake “Can’t Stop the Feeling!” (2016)


Barry Manilow

41. Eric Clapton “Tears in Heaven” (1992)
42. Cyndi Lauper “Time After Time” (1983)
43. Katy Perry “Roar” (2013)
44. Henry Mancini with Audrey Hepburn “Moon River” (1961)
45. Justin Bieber “Love Yourself” (2015)
46. Lady Antebellum “Need You Now” (2009)
47. Katy Perry “Firework” (2010)
48. Harry Nilsson “Without You” (1971)
49. The Fifth Dimension “Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In” (1969)
50. Commodores “Three Times a Lady” (1978)


Kenny Rogers

51. James Blunt “You’re Beautiful” (2005)
52. Carly Simon “You’re So Vain” (1972)
53. Celine Dion “Because You Loved Me” (1996)
54. Maroon 5 with Cardi B “Girls Like You” (2017)
55. Taylor Swift “Love Story” (2008)
56. Taylor Swift “Blank Space” (2014)
57. Terry Jacks “Seasons in the Sun” (1974)
58. Seal “Kiss from a Rose” (1994)
59. Carole King “It’s Too Late” (1971)
60. Toni Braxton “Un-Break My Heart” (1996)


Chicago

61. Phil Collins “Another Day in Paradise” (1989)
62. One Republic “Counting Stars” (2013)
63. Bill Medley & Jennifer Warnes “I’ve Had the Time of My Life” (1987)
64. Dionne Warwick & Friends “That's What Friends Are For” (1985)
65. Sam Smith “Stay with Me” (2014)
66. Daniel Powter “Bad Day” (2005)
67. Captain & Tennille “Love Will Keep Us Together” (1975)
68. Fergie “Big Girls Don’t Cry (Personal)”
69. Harry Styles “As It Was” (2022)
70. Dolly Parton “9 to 5” (1980)


Billy Joel

71. Rick Astley “Never Gonna Give You Up” (1987)
72. Olivia Newton-John “I Honestly Love You” (1974)
73. Stevie Wonder “You Are the Sunshine of My Life” (1973)
74. Glen Campbell “Rhinestone Cowboy” (1975)
75. Kenny Rogers & Dolly Parton “Islands in the Stream” (1983)
76. Billy Joel “Just the Way You Are” (1977)
77. Train “Hey, Soul Sister” (2009)
78. Lee Ann Womack with Sons of the Desert “I Hope You Dance” (2000)
79. Gilbert O’Sullivan “Alone Again (Naturally)” (1972)
80. Sheryl Crow “All I Wanna Do” (1994)


Carpenters

81. B.J. Thomas “Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head” (1969)
82. Snow Patrol “Chasing Cars” (2006)
83. Magic! “Rude” (2013)
84. Frank Sinatra “Strangers in the Night” (1966)
85. The Lumineers “Ho Hey” (2012)
86. Lionel Richie “Say You Say Me” (1985)
87. Glen Campbell “Wichita Lineman” (1968)
88. Passenger “Let Her Go” (2012)
89. Mariah Carey “Vision of Love” (1990)
90. Louis Armstrong “Hello, Dolly!” (1964)


Lionel Richie

91. Backstreet Boys “I Want It That Way” (1999)
92. Taylor Swift “You Belong with Me” (2008)
93. Paul McCartney & Stevie Wonder “Ebony and Ivory” (1982)
94. Stan Getz with Joao & Astrud Gilberto “The Girl from Ipanema” (1964)
95. Jimmy Dean “Big Bad John” (1961)
96. Roger Miller “King of the Road” (1965)
97. Post Malone “Circles” (2019)
98. Savage Garden “Truly Madly Deeply” (1997)
99. Carpenters “They Long to Be Close to You” (1970)
100. Chicago “If You Leave Me Now” (1976)


Anne Murray

Resources/Related Links:

First posted 7/22/2011; last updated 9/23/2023.

at 3 comments:
Labels: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Tuesday, September 22, 2020

Dave's Music Database Hall of Fame: Music Maker Inductees (September 2020)

Top 20 Billboard Hot 100 Acts

Originally posted 9/22/2020.

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 seventh class of music maker inductees celebrates some of the all-time Billboard Hot 100 acts from 1958-2015 (see the full list here). These are the top 20 from that list, minus previous inductees, which included the Beatles, Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson, Elton John, Madonna, Elvis Presley, Prince, The Rolling Stones, and Stevie Wonder.

See the full list of music maker inductees here.

Bee Gees (active 1966-2001)

Inducted September 2020 as a “Top Billboard Hot 100 Act”

Pop/disco trio from Manchester, England consisting of brothers Barry and twins Maurice and Robin. They first performed in December 1955. They went to Australia in 1958; performed as the Gibbs, later as BG’s, finally the Bee Gees. Returned to England in February 1967. In 1969, each tried a solo career. Reunited the next year. Best known for 1977’s Saturday Night Fever soundtrack, which is featured in the DMDB book The Top 100 Albums of All Time. “Stayin’ Alive” is featured in the DMDB book The Top 100 Songs of the Rock Era. Read more.

Chicago (active 1967-)

Inducted September 2020 as a “Top Billboard Hot 100 Act”

Jazz-oriented rock group formed in Chicago. Originally called The Big Thing; later Chicago Transit Authority. Members included Peter Cetera (v/b: 67-85), Robert Lamm (k/v), James Pankow (trombone), Lee Loughnane (trumpet), Terry Kath (g; died of an accidental self-inflicted gunshot on 1/23/78 at age 31), Walt Parazaider (reeds), Danny Seraphine (d: 67-89), Donnie Dacus (g: 78-79), Bill Champlin (k: 82-), Jason Scheff (v: 85-), and DaWayne Bailey (g: 89-). Best known for #1 songs “If You Leave Me Now,” “Hard to Say I’m Sorry,” and “Look Away” as well as album rock staples “25 or 6 to 4” and “Saturday in the Park.” Read more.

Daryl Hall & John Oates (active 1974-)

Inducted September 2020 as a “Top Billboard Hot 100 Act”

Pop-rock, blue-eyed-soul duo. Met while students at Temple University in 1967. Hall sang backup for many top soul groups before teaming up with Oates in 1972. In the late 1980s, they passed the Everly Brothers as the #1 charting duo of the rock era. Had #1 pop hits with “Rich Girl,” “Kiss on My List,” “Private Eyes,” “I Can’t Go for That,” “Maneater” and “Out of Touch.” Read more.

Janet Jackson (1966-)

Inducted September 2020 as a “Top Billboard Hot 100 Act”

R&B/pop singer born in Gary, Indiana. Youngest of nine children. Her older brothers, including Michael Jackson, were in the Jackson 5. She debuted at age 7 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas with her brothers. She was a regular on TV’s Good Times (1977-79), Diff’rent Strokes (1981-82) and Fame (1984-85) before becoming a superstar singer. She had #1 hits with “When I Think of You,” “Miss You Much,” “Escapade,” “Black Cat,” “Love Will Never Do Without You,” and “That’s the Way Love Goes.” Read more.

Paul McCartney (1942-)

Inducted September 2020 as a “Top Billboard Hot 100 Act”

Rock singer/songwriter and bassist born James Paul McCartney in Liverpool, England. With the Quarrymen and the Beatles (60-70) before going solo and recording with the Wings (71-79). He had #1 hits with “My Love,” “Band on the Run,” “Listen to What the Man Said,” “Silly Love Songs,” “With a Little Luck,” “Coming Up,” “Ebony and Ivory” (a duet with Stevie Wonder), and “Say, Say, Say” (a duet with Michael Jackson). Read more.

Olivia Newton-John (1948-)

Inducted September 2020 as a “Top Billboard Hot 100 Act”

Country/pop singer born in Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, England. With Pat & Olivia duo and group Tomorrow before going solo. Moved to Australia in 1953. At age 16, won talent contest to England. CMA Award for 1974 Female Vocalist of the Year. In movies Grease, whose soundtrack is featured in the DMDB book The Top 100 Albums of All Time, as well as Xanadu, and Two of a Kind. Had #1 hits with “I Honestly Love You,” “Have You Never Been Mellow,” “You’re the One That I Want,” “Magic,” and “Physical.” Read more.

Rihanna (1988-)

Inducted September 2020 as a “Top Billboard Hot 100 Act”

Pop/R&B singer born in Saint Michael, Barbados. Youngest artist (age 23) in Billboard history to land 10 #1’s. “Umbrella,” “Love the Way You Lie,” “We Found Love,” and “Work” are featured in the DMDB book The Top 100 Songs of the Digital Era. Read more.

Rod Stewart (1945-)

Inducted September 2020 as a “Top Billboard Hot 100 Act”

Rock singer born Roderick David Stewart in Highgate, London, England. With the Shotgun Express (66),Jeff Beck Group (67-69), andThe Faces (69-75). Has worked as a solo artist since 1969. “Maggie May” is featured in the DMDB book The Top 100 Songs of the Rock Era. He had #1 hits with that song, “Tonight’s the Night (Gonna Be Alright), “Da Ya Think I’m Sexy?,” and “All for Love.” Read more.

The Supremes (active 1959-1976)

Inducted September 2020 as a “Top Billboard Hot 100 Act”

Female R&B vocal group from Detroit. Formed as The Primettes in 1959. Signed to Motown’s Tamla label in 1960. Changed name to The Supremes in 1961. Members included Diana Ross (59-69), Mary Wilson (59-76), Florence Ballard (59-67; died 2/22/76), Barbara Martin (59-61), Cindy Birdsong (67-76), Jean Terrell (69-73), Lynda Lawrence (72-73), Scherrie Payne (73-76), and Susaye Green (76). Had a dozen #1 hits including “Where Did Our Love Go,” “Baby Love,” “Stop! In the Name of Love,” and “You Can’t Hurry Love,” all of which rank in the DMDB’s top 1% of songs. Read more.

Usher (1978-)

Inducted September 2020 as a “Top Billboard Hot 100 Act”

R&B singer born Usher Raymond IV on 10/14/1978 in Dallas, TX. “Yeah!” is featured in the DMDB book The Top 100 Songs of the Digital Era. His album Confessions ranks in the top 100 albums of the 21st century. Read more.
at No comments:
Labels: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Thursday, May 4, 2017

The Top 50 Adult Contemporary Acts

image of Elton John, Celine Dion, and Lionel Richie from billboard.com

According to Billboard magazine, these are the top 50 adult contemporary artists, as determined by their success on the adult contemporary singles charts from 1961-2011. See the original link here.

1. Elton John
2. Neil Diamond
3. Barbra Streisand
4. Barry Manilow
5. Kenny Rogers
6. Chicago
7. Billy Joel
8. Carpenters
9. Lionel Richie
10. Anne Murray

11. Dionne Warwick
12. Phil Collins
13. Elvis Presley
14. Gloria Estefan/Miami Sound Machine
15. Whitney Houston
16. Olivia Newton-John
17. Herb Alpert
18. Michael Bolton
19. Celine Dion
20. Andy Williams

21. Frank Sinatra
22. John Denver
23. Bobby Vinton
24. Rod Stewart
25. Glen Campbell
26. Al Martino
27. James Taylor
28. Mariah Carey
29. Helen Reddy
30. Madonna

31. Carly Simon
32. Stevie Wonder
33. Daryl Hall & John Oates
34. Richard Marx
35. Engelbert Humperdinck
36. Dean Martin
37. Linda Ronstadt
38. Dan Fogelberg
39. Tom Jones (singer)
40. Air Supply

41. Diana Ross
42. Cher
43. 5th Dimension
44. Jack Jones
45. The Lettermen
46. B.J. Thomas
47. Johnny Mathis
48. Amy Grant
49. Fleetwood Mac
50. Perry Como

at No comments:
Labels: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Sunday, October 19, 2014

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's Greatest Snubs

image from earthsmightiest.com

With the announcement of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s 2015 nominees, it is time once again to commence with the whining, complaining, and Hall bashing. Blogs and social media everywhere will light up with people griping that the Hall is worthless because their favorite band has not been enshrined.

These are just personal opinions. Dave’s Music Database has consolidated more than 50 lists (see resources at bottom of page) to determine just who is getting overlooked most. Here are the results:

  1. The Moody Blues
  2. Cheap Trick
  3. Deep Purple
  4. Chicago
  5. Journey
  6. Electric Light Orchestra
  7. Yes
  8. Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble *
  9. The Cure
  10. Iron Maiden

  11. The Cars
  12. T-Rex
  13. Bon Jovi
  14. Joy Divison
  15. Def Leppard
  16. Judas Priest
  17. Depeche Mode
  18. Motorhead
  19. The Smiths *
  20. The Doobie Brothers

  21. Pat Benatar
  22. Warren Zevon
  23. Boston
  24. Roxy Music
  25. Jethro Tull
  26. Joe Cocker
  27. Dire Straits
  28. Devo
  29. Peter Frampton
  30. Kraftwerk *

  31. Todd Rundgren
  32. Bad Company
  33. Replacements
  34. Thin Lizzy
  35. Steve Miller Band
  36. New York Dolls
  37. The Zombies
  38. Joan Jett & the Blackhearts *
  39. Emerson, Lake & Palmer
  40. Duran Duran

  41. The Guess Who
  42. Gram Parsons
  43. MC5
  44. Foreigner
  45. Chic *
  46. King Crimson
  47. The B-52’s
  48. Styx
  49. The Monkees
  50. Steppenwolf

  51. Big Star
  52. Pixies
  53. Scorpions
  54. Motley Crue
  55. Sonic Youth
  56. Dick Dale
  57. Black Flag
  58. Kate Bush
  59. Nick Drake
  60. Barry White

  61. New Order
  62. Jimmy Buffett
  63. Three Dog Night
  64. Procol Harum
  65. The Runaways
  66. Tommy Janes & the Shondells
  67. Afrika Bambaataa
  68. Whitney Houston
  69. Dead Kennedys
  70. Love

  71. Blue Oyster Cult
  72. Slayer
  73. Joan Baez
  74. X
  75. Los Lobos
  76. War
  77. INXS
  78. Janet Jackson
  79. Meat Loaf
  80. Eurythmics

  81. J. Geils Band
  82. Television
  83. Johnny Burnette & the Rock ‘N’ Roll Trio
  84. Willie Nelson
  85. Toto
  86. Brian Eno
  87. Weird Al Yankovic
  88. Captain Beefheart
  89. Ozzy Osbourne
  90. Carole King

  91. Soundgarden
  92. Commodores
  93. Little Feat
  94. Carpenters
  95. Harry Nilsson
  96. The Jam
  97. The Buzzcocks
  98. The Spinners *
  99. The Clovers
  100. Grand Funk Railroad

* 2014 nominee

Resources and Related Links:
at No comments:
Labels: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Tuesday, October 2, 2007

Chicago: A Retrospective (1967-2007)

Chicago

A Retrospective: 1967-2007

Overview:

Chicago formed in 1967. They were originally known as The Big Thing and later the Chicago Transit Authority. Thanks to Lee Loughnane, James Pankow (both still with the band today), and Walt Parazaider, the band brought a jazzy quality to rock and roll with their horn section. It defined their sound through the late ‘60s and ‘70s. However, after getting dropped by their label, they shifted to a more adult contemporary sound in the ‘80s and had a commercial resurgence.

The Players

This is not a complete list. The focus is just on those members who were part of the band from 1967 through 2009.
  • Dawayne Bailey (guitar/vocals: 1986-95)
  • Peter Cetera (vocals/bass: 1967-85) *
  • Bill Champlin (keyboards/vocals: 1981-2009)
  • Donnie Dacus (guitar/vocals: 1978-80)
  • Laudir de Oliveira (percussion: 1973-81)
  • Bruce Gaitsch (guitar: 1995)
  • Keith Howland (guitar/backing vocals: 1995-2021)
  • Tris Imboden (drums/harmonica: 1990-2018)
  • Terry Kath (guitar: 1967-78) *
  • Robert Lamm (keyboard/vocals: 1967-) *
  • Lee Loughnane (trumpet: 1967-) *
  • James Pankow (trombone: 1967-) *
  • Walt Parazaider (reeds: 1967-2017) *
  • Chris Pinnick (guitar: 1980-85)
  • Jason Scheff (vocals: 1985-2016)
  • Danny Seraphine (drums: 1967-90) *

* inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2016 as members of Chicago

Links

Awards:

Compilations

This page highlights all of the songs featured on these compilations.

Songs featured on any of the above anthologies are noted below chronologically under the studio albums under which they originally appeared. If the song charted, the date of the song’s release or first chart appearance and its peaks on various charts are noted in parentheses. Click for codes to charts.

Spotify Playlist

Check out my Spotify playlist Chicago 1969-1995 to get nearly all of the songs mentioned on this page in one big 42-song playlist.

1969-1975

Chicago released seven studio albums in this time period, generating 16 top-40 singles – 11 of which reached the top 10. Here are the tracks from those albums that are featured on the noted compilations.

Chicago Transit Authority (1969)

  • Questions 67 & 68 (8/9/69, 24 BB, 13 CB, 15 GR, 17 HR, 34 AC, 12 CL, 54 CN, 11 DF) II,VB
  • I’m a Man (1/10/70, 49 BB, 67 CB, 17 HR, 9 CL, 8 UK, 8 CN, 10 DF) H2,VB,40
  • Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is? (11/6/70, 7 BB, 5 CB, 7 GR, 6 HR, 5 AC, 5 CL, 2 CN, 35 AU, 5 DF) IX,H1,VB,40
  • Beginnings (6/25/71, 7 BB, 11 CB, 6 GR, 7 HR, 1 AC, 7 CL, 8 CN, 6 DF) IX,H1,BB,40

Chicago II (1970)

  • Make Me Smile (3/28/70, 9 BB, 11 CB, 11 GR, 13 HR, 9 CL, 11 CN, 33 AU, 22 DF) IXH1,VB,40
  • 25 or 6 to 4 (6/18/70, 4 BB, 6 CB, 5 GR, 6 HR, 3 CL, 7 UK, 2 CN, 12 AU, 1 DF) IX,H2,VB,40
  • Colour My World (6/26/71, 7 BB, 75 CB, 7 HR, 6 CL, 21 DF) IX,H1,VB,40

Chicago III (1971)

  • Free (2/19/71, 20 BB, 19 CB, 27 GR, 27 HR, 27 CL, 12 CN, 99 AU, 36 DF) VB
  • Lowdown (5/8/71, 35 BB, 25 CB, 35 GR, 25 HR, 29 CL, 19 CN) VB

Chicago V (1972)

  • Saturday in the Park (7/29/72, 3 BB, 3 CB, 2 GR, 3 HR, 8 AC, 3 CL, 2 CN, 43 AU, 1 DF) IX,H1,VB,40
  • Dialogue (Part I & II) (10/21/72, 24 BB, 17 CB, 24 GR, 25 HR, 26 CL, 26 CN, 91 AU, 11 DF) II,H2,VB

Chicago VI (1973)

  • Feelin’ Stronger Everyday (6/22/73, 10 BB, 8 CB, 6 GR, 11 HR, 8 CL, 12 CN, 74 AU, 16 DF) IX,H2,VB,40
  • Just You ‘N’ Me (9/28/73, 4 BB, 1 CB, 3 GR, 2 HR, 4 RR, 7 AC, 1 CL, 3 CN, 23 AU, 21 DF) IX,H1,VB,40

Chicago VII (1974)

  • I’ve Been Searching So Long (3/16/74, 9 BB, 7 CB, 3 GR, 5 HR, 6 RR, 8 AC, 21 CL, 5 CN, 44 AU, 16 DF) IX,H2,VB,40
  • Call on Me (6/22/74, 6 BB, 10 CB, 16 GR, 11 HR, 17 RR, 1 AC, 21 CL, 9 CN, 27 DF) VB,40
  • Wishing You Were Here (10/12/74, 11 BB, 9 CB, 9 GR, 12 HR, 12 RR, 1 AC, 17 CL, 51 UK, 12 CN, 51 AU, 14 DF) IX,H1,VB,40
  • Happy ManII,VB

Chicago VIII (1975)

  • Old Days (4/25/75, 5 BB, 6 CB, 11 GR, 8 HR, 7 RR, 3 AC, 18 CL, 6 CN, 80 AU, 22 DF) II,H2,VB,40

Chicago IX: Greatest Hits

Chicago

Recorded: 1969-1975

Released: November 10, 1975

Peak: 15 US, -- UK, 12 CN, 16 AU, 12 DF

Sales (in millions): 5.0 US

Genre: jazz rock/classic rock

Rating:

4.380 out of 5.00 (average of 9 ratings)

Awards:

(Click on award to learn more).

Tracks:

(1) 25 or 6 to 4 (2) Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is? (3) Colour My World (4) Just You ‘N’ Me (5) Saturday in the Park (6) Feelin’ Stronger Every Day (7) Make Me Smile (8) Wishing You Were Here (9) Call on Me (10) I’ve Been Searching So Long (11) Beginnings

About the Album:

In just six years, Chicago had released seven studio albums and a live album. For their ninth outing, they released this chart-topping compilation that gathered up 11 of their hits from the era.

1976-1981

Chicago released five studio albums during this period, but their commercial clout was beginning to slip. Chicago 13 (1979) became the band’s first album to miss platinum status and then Chicago XIV (1980) didn’t even go gold.

Chicago X (1976)

  • Another Rainy Day in New York City (6/25/76, 32 BB, 33 CB, 26 GR, 31 H, 36 RR, 2 AC, 25 CL, 37 CN) VB,40
  • If You Leave Me Now (7/30/76, 1 BB, 1 CB, 1 GR, 1 HR, 1 RR, 1 AC, 1 CL, 1 UK, 1 CN, 1 AU, 1 DF) II,H1,VB,40

Chicago XI (1977)

  • Baby What a Big Surprise (9/23/77, 4 BB, 4 CB, 3 GR, 8 HR, 3 RR, 8 AC, 2 CL, 41 UK, 3 CN, 14 AU, 15 DF) II,H2,VB,40
  • Take Me Back to Chicago (5/13/78, 63 BB, 62 CB, 55 HR, 39 AC, 33 CL, 66 CN, 27 DF) II,VB

Hot Streets (1978)

  • Alive Again (10/13/78, 14 BB, 13 CB, 9 GR, 12 HR, 7 RR, 39 AC, 22 CL, 11 CN, 37 AU, 33 DF) II,VB
  • No Tell Lover (12/23/78, 14 BB, 14 CB, 11 GR, 18 HR, 9 RR, 5 AC, 22 CL, 10 CN, 67 AU, 33 DF) II,H2,VB,40
  • Gone Long Gone (4/14/79, 73 BB, 75 CB, 97 HR, 42 CL, 93 CN) II

Greatest Hits Volume II

Chicago

Recorded: 1969-1978

Released: November 23, 1981

Peak: 171 US, -- UK, -- CN, -- AU

Sales (in millions): --

Genre: jazz rock/classic rock

Rating:

3.569 out of 5.00 (average of 8 ratings)

Tracks:

(1)

About the Album:

After the poor reception of 1980’s Chicago XIV, the band’s label, Columbia Records, dropped them. They capped the era with another greatest hits collection. The band only had two top-ten hits from this era so there wasn’t much to celebrate and the compilation fell flat. It didn’t even pull anything from the band’s most recent two albums, given their relative failure.

1982-1989

These could be called the “David Foster” years. Other than Chicago 19, Foster served as the producer and – for better or worse – reinvented the band as an adult-contemporary juggernaut. It did bring them back to commercial relevance with the #1 hits “Hard to Say I’m Sorry” and “Look Away” and two multi-platinum albums. The band did fall back a little after lead singer Peter Cetera left in 1985 for a solo career, but then roared back with an all-new band achievement – four top-10 hits from their Chicago 19 album.

Chicago 16 (1982)

  • Hardy to Say I’m Sorry (5/17/82, 1 BB, 1 CB, 1 GR, 1 RR, 1 AC, 4 UK, 1 CN, 4 AU, 4 DF) 82,H1,VB,40
  • Love Me Tomorrow (9/25/82, 22 BB, 22 CB, 2 GR, 4 RR, 8 AC, 35 CN, 82 AU, 21 DF) 82,H2,VB,40
  • Get Away (27 DF) 82,V1,VB

Chicago 17 (1984)

  • Stay the Night (5/4/84, 16 BB, 15 CB, 13 GR, 11 RR, 7 AR, 47 CN, 1 DF) 82,H2,VB
  • Hard Habit to Break (8/3/84,3 BB, 2 CB, 1 G, 1 RR, 3 AC, 8 UK, 5 CN, 20 AU, 2 DF) 82,H1,VB,40
  • You’re the Inspiration (11/16/84, 3 BB, 1 BA, 4 CB, 2 GR, 1 RR, 1 AC, 14 UK, 5 CN, 43 AU, 3 DF) 82,H2,VB
  • Along Comes a Woman (2/22/85, 14 BB, 19 CB, 5 GR, 7 RR, 25 AC, 10 AR, 96 UK, 17 CN, 5 DF) 82,VB

Chicago 18 (1986)

  • Will You Still Love Me? (11/15/86, 3 BB, 4 CB, 2 GR, 2 RR, 2 AC, 6 CN, 24 DF) 82,H1,VB,40
  • If She Would Have Been Faithful (3/21/87, 17 BB, 16 CB, 10 GR, 12 RR, 9 AC, 54 CN, 14 DF) 82,VB,40

Chicago 19 (1988)

  • I Don’t Wanna Live Without Your Love (6/4/88, 3 B, 5 CB, 2 GR, 3 RR, 5 AC, 4 CN, 60 AU, 22 DF) 82,H2,VB
  • Look Away (9/23/88, 1 BB, 1 BA, 1 CB, 1 GR, 1 RR, 1 AC, 77 UK, 1 CN, 12 DF) 82,H1,VB,40
  • You’re Not Alone (1/21/89, 10 BB, 9 CB, 7 GR, 9 RR, 9 AC, 22 CN, 27 DF) H2,VB,40
  • We Can Last Forever (5/6/89, 55 BB, 53 CB, 12 AC, 74 CN, 26 DF) 82,VB
  • What Kind of Man Would I Be? (12/2/89, 5 BB, 5 CB, 2 GR, 4 RR, 2 AC, 4 CN, 27 DF) 82,H2,VB,40

Greatest Hits 1982-1989

Chicago

Recorded: 1982-1989

Released: November 21, 1989

Peak: 37 US, 6 UK, 73 CN, 71 AU

Sales (in millions): 5.0

Genre: jazz rock/classic rock

Rating:

4.413 out of 5.00 (average of 8 ratings)

Tracks:

(1) Hard to Say I’m Sorry/Get Away (2) Look Away (3) Stay the Night (4) Will You Still Love Me? (5) Love Me Tomorrow (6) What Kind of Man Would I Be? (7) You’re the Inspiration (8) I Don’t Wanna Live Without Your Love (9) Hard Habit to Break (10) Along Comes a Woman (11) If She Would Have Been Faithful (12) We Can Last Forever

About the Album:

Producer David Foster had stripped away the jazz-meets-rock sound that made Chicago so beloved and replaced it with middle-of-the-road balladry. To be fair, they were well-constructed songs that were embraced by adult contemporary and top-40 radio, giving Chicago a career renaissance. It just wasn’t the same band. Like the previous two compilations, this one didn’t have anything new, although “What Kind of Man Would I Be?,” a song from Chicago 19, was released as a single to support this collection.

The Very Best of: Only the Beginning

Chicago

Recorded: 1969-1995

Released: July 2, 2002

Peak: 20 US, 11 UK, -- CN, 86 AU

Sales (in millions): 2.0 US, 0.1 UK

Genre: jazz rock/classic rock

Rating:

3.951 out of 5.00 (average of 7 ratings)

Awards:

(Click on award to learn more).

Tracks, Disc 1:

(1) Make Me Smile (2) 25 or 6 to 4 (3) Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is? (4) Beginnings (5) Questions 67 & 68 (6) I’m a Man (7) Colour My World (8) Free (9) Lowdown (10) Saturday in the Park (11) Dialogue (Part I & II) (12) Just You ‘N’ Me (13) Feelin’ Stronger Every Day (14) I’ve Been Searching So Long (15) Wishing You Were Here (16) Call on Me (17) Happy Man (18) Another Rainy Day in New York City (19) If You Leave Me Now

Tracks, Disc 2:

(1) Old Days (2) Baby What a Big Surprise (3) Take Me Back to Chicago (4) Alive Again (5) No Tell Lover (6) Love Me Tomorrow (7) Hard to Say I’m Sorry/Get Away (8) Stay the Night (9) Hard Habit to Break (10) You’re the Inspiration (11) Along Comes a Woman (12) Will You Still Love Me? (13) If She Would Have Been Faithful (14) Look Away (15) What Kind of Man Would I Be? (16) I Don’t Wanna Live Without Your Love (17) We Can Last Forever (18) You’re Not Alone (19) Chasin’ the Wind (20) Sing, Sing, Sing

Tracks Not on Previously Noted Albums:

  • Chasin’ the Wind ((from 1991 album Twenty One, 1/19/91, 39 BB, 31 CB, 24 GR, 37 RR, 13 AC, 50 CN, 38 DF) VB
  • Sing Sing Sing (from 1995 album Night & Day) VB

About the Album:

This is a vastly superior collection to the Heart of Chicago compilations released in 1997 and ’98. First, this set puts the songs in chronological order – although it weirdly starts off with a couple songs from the second album and then moves to material from the first album. Chicago is also a band that has amassed so many hits at this point in their career that a single-disc retrospective is bound to fail. Thankfully this collection works – although it could have stopped in 1989 and jettisoned the two forgettable songs from the ‘90s.

The Heart of Chicago 1967-1997

Chicago

Recorded: 1967-1997

Released: April 22, 1997

Peak: 55 US, 21 UK, 47 CN, -- AU

Sales (in millions): 0.5

Genre: jazz rock/classic rock

Rating:

4.060 out of 5.00 (average of 13 ratings)

Tracks:

(1) You’re the Inspiration (2) If You Leave Me Now (3) Make Me Smile (4) Hard Habit to Break (5) Saturday in the Park (6) Wishing You Were Here (7) The Only One (8) Colour My World (9) Look Away (10) Here in My Heart (11) Just You ‘N’ Me (12) Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is? (13) Will You Still Love Me? (14) Beginnings (15) Hard to Say I’m Sorry/Get Away

Tracks Not on Previously Noted Albums:

  • Here in My Heart (4/19/97, 59 BB, 1 AC) H1,40
  • The Only One (10/11/97, 17 AC) H1

About the Album:

This is why I’m not a fan of non-chronological compilations. Jumping back and forth between the jazz-rock of Chicago’s early days on such songs as “Beginnings” and “Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?” and the David Foster-produced adult contemporary ballad of latter years like “You’re the Inspiration” and “Look Away” makes for a very disjointed listening experience. A listener is much better served by plopping down the cash for the first three compilations highlighted here.

The Heart of Chicago Volume II

Chicago

Recorded: 1969-1998

Released: May 12, 1998

Peak: 154 US, -- UK, -- CN, -- AU

Sales (in millions): 0.5

Genre: jazz rock/classic rock

Rating:

3.559 out of 5.00 (average of 13 ratings)

Tracks:

(1) Dialogue (Part I & II) (2) Old Days (3) All Roads Lead to You (4) Love Me Tomorrow (5) Baby What a Big Surprise (6) You’re Not Alone (7) What Kind of Man Would I Be? (8) No Tell Lover (9) Show me a Sign (10) I’ve Been Searching So Long (11) Call on Me (12) I Don’t Wanna Live Without Your Love (13) Feelin’ Stronger Every Day (14) Stay the Night (15) I’m a Man (16) 25 or 6 to 4

Tracks Not on Previously Noted Albums:

  • All Roads Lead to You (6/6/98, 14 AC) H2
  • Show Me a Sign (4/17/99, 28 AC) H2

About the Album:

This collection is even less necessary than its predecessor. Once again, the mix of old and new Chicago creates a sort of Jekyll and Hyde experience where the listener never knows which version of the band they’ll get from one song to the next. That’s bad enough, but then this collection is comprised of the songs that weren’t considered worthy for the first set. To be fair, Chicago has more than enough great songs to flesh out multiple compilations but the way these two packages were put together leaves one feeling like they already got the cream of the crop via the first set. The one glaring exception – “25 or 6 to 4.” How did that not make the first collection?

The Best of Chicago: 40th Anniversary Edition

Chicago

Recorded: 1969-2005

Released: October 2, 2007

Peak: 100 US, -- UK, -- CN, -- AU

Sales (in millions): 0.5 US

Genre: jazz rock/classic rock

Rating:

3.939 out of 5.00 (average of 11 ratings)

Tracks, Disc 1:

(1) Questions 67 & 68 (2) 25 or 6 to 4 (3) Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is? (4) Make Me Smile (5) Beginnings (6) Colour My World (7) Saturday in the Park (8) Feelin’ Stronger Every Day (9) Just You ‘N’ Me (10) I’ve Been Searching So Long (11) Call on Me (12) Wishing You Were Here (13) Old Days (14) Another Rainy Day in New York City (15) If You Leave Me Now

Tracks, Disc 2:

(1) Baby What a Big Surprise (2) No Tell Lover (3) Hard to Say I’m Sorry (4) Love Me Tomorrow (5) Hard Habit to Break (6) You’re the Inspiration (7) Will You Still Love Me? (8) If She Would Have Been Faithful (9) I Don’t Wanna Live Without Your Love (10) Look Away (11) What Kind of Man Would I Be? (12) You’re Not Alone (13) Here in My Heart (14) Feel (15) Love Will Come Back

Tracks Not on Previously Noted Albums:

  • Feel (from 2006 album XXX, 3/25/06, 19 AC) 40
  • Love Will Come Back (from 2006 album XXX, 5/13/06, 21 AC) 40

About the Album:

This collection isn’t vastly different from The Very Best of: Only the Beginning, which was released just five years prior. Both collections benefit from presenting the songs chronologically and being two-disc packages. This set, however, isn’t as impressive considering they trimmed the number of songs down from 39 on the earlier set to just 30 here.

Resources and Related Links:

First posted 7/17/2025.

at No comments:
Labels: , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)