Showing posts with label Dancing Queen. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dancing Queen. Show all posts

Tuesday, July 2, 2024

Karaoke: Top 100 Songs

Karaoke:

Top 100 Songs

101-karaoke.com defines karaoke as “a form of interactive entertainment where individuals sing along to recorded music using a microphone and a public address system…Originating from Japan, karaoke has spread worldwide, becoming a staple in bars, clubs, and private parties. It offers a fun and engaging way for people to express themselves musically and enjoy their favorite songs.”

Lists from more than 30 sources were aggregated to create this list.

Click here to see other genre-specific song lists.

1. Gloria Gaynor “I Will Survive” (1978)
2. Queen “Bohemian Rhapsody” (1975)
3. Whitney Houston “I Wanna Dance with Somebody Who Loves Me” (1987)
4. Journey “Don’t Stop Believin’” (1981)
5. Neil Diamond “Sweet Caroline” (1969)
6. Abba “Dancing Queen” (1976)
7. The Killers “Mr. Brightside” (2004)
8. Backstreet Boys “I Want It That Way” (1999)
9. Lady Gaga with Bradley Cooper “Shallow” (2018)
10. Bon Jovi “Livin’ on a Prayer” (1986)

11. Kelly Clarkson “Since U Been Gone” (2004)
12. The B-52’s “Love Shack” (1989)
13. Spice Girls “Wannabe” (1996)
14. Adele “Someone Like You (2011)
15. Frank Sinatra “My Way” (1969)
16. Oasis “Wonderwall” (1995)
17. Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” (1967)
18. Cyndi Lauper “Girls Just Want to Have Fun” (1983)
19. Bonnie Tyler “Total Eclipse of the Heart” (1983)
20. Taylor Swift “Shake It Off” (2014)

21. Elton John & Kiki Dee “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart” (1976)
22. TLC “No Scrubs” (1999)
23. Carly Rae Jepsen “Call Me Maybe” (2011)
24. Ben E. King “Stand by Me” (1961)
25. Def Leppard “Pour Some Sugar on Me” (1987)
26. Miley Cyrus “Party in the U.S.A.” (2009)
27. Toto “Africa” (1982)
28. Carrie Underwood “Before He Cheats” (2006)
29. Whitney Houston “I Will Always Love You” (1992)
30. Pharrell Williams “Happy” (2013)

31. Kenny Rogers & Dolly Parton “Islands in the Stream” (1983)
32. Olivia Newton John & John Travolta & Grease Cast “Summer Nights” (1978)
33. Shania Twain “Man! I Feel Like a Woman!” (1999)
34. Aretha Franklin “Respect” (1967)
35. Nancy Sinatra “These Boots Are Made for Walkin’” (1966)
36. Prince & the Revolution “When Doves Cry” (1984)
37. Britney Spears “Oops! I Did It Again” (2000)
38. Idina Menzel “Let It Go” (2013)
39. OutKast “Hey Ya!” (2003)
40. Garth Brooks “Friends in Low Places” (1990)

41. Guns N’ Roses “Sweet Child O’ Mine” (1987)
42. Dolly Parton “Jolene” (1973)
43. Madonna “Like a Prayer” (1989)
44. Jimmy Buffett “Margaritaville” (1977)
45. Smash Mouth “All Star” (1999)
46. Adele “Rolling in the Deep” (2010)
47. Miley Cyrus “Flowers” (2023)
48. Alanis Morissette “You Oughta Know” (1995)
49. Bruce Springsteen “Born to Run” (1975)
50. Elvis Presley “Can’t Help Falling in Love” (1961)

51. Fugees “Killing Me Softly” (1996)
52. John Denver “Take Me Home, Country Roads” (1971)
53. Vanilla Ice “Ice Ice Baby” (1990)
54. Lady Gaga “Bad Romance” (2009)
55. Johnny Cash “Ring of Fire” (1963)
56. Vanessa Carlton “A Thousand Miles” (2002)
57. N Sync “Bye Bye Bye” (2000)
58. Village People “Y.M.C.A.” (1978)
59. Celine Dion “My Heart Will Go On” (1997)
60. George Michael “Faith” (1987)

61. Sonny & Cher “I Got You Babe” (1965)
62. Rihanna with Jay-Z “Umbrella” (2007)
63. Survivor “Eye of the Tiger” (1982)
64. Britney Spears “Baby One More Time” (1998)
65. Lynyrd Skynyrd “Sweet Home Alabama” (1974)
66. Queen “Don’t Stop Me Now” (1978)
67. Lil Nas X with Billy Ray Cyrus “Old Town Road” (2018)
68. Destiny’s Child “Say My Name” (1999)
69. Billy Joel “Piano Man’ (1973)
70. Dolly Parton “9 to 5” (1980)

71. Natasha Bedingfield “Unwritten” (2004)
72. Sir Mix-A-Lot “Baby Got Back” (1992)
73. The Weather Girls “It’s Raining Men” (1982)
74. Peabo Bryson & Regina Belle “A Whole New World” (1992)
75. The Proclaimers “I’m Gonna Be 500 Miles” (1988)
76. BeyoncĂ© “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)” (2008)
77. Amy Winehouse “Rehab” (2006)
78. The Temptations “My Girl” (1965)
79. Marc Ronson & Bruno Mars “Uptown Funk!” (2014)
80. Natalie Imbruglia “Torn” (1997)

81. The Rolling Stones “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction” (1965)
82. Brandy with Monica “The Boy Is Mine” (1998)
83. Amy Winehouse with Mark Ronson “Valerie” (2007)
84. The Beatles “Hey Jude” (1968)
85. Rick Springfield “Jessie’s Girl” (1981)
86. Joan Jett & the Blackhearts “I Love Rock and Roll” (1981)
87. Alanis Morissette “Ironic” (1996)
88. Olivia Newton-John & John Travolta “You’re the One That I Want” (1978)
89. Abba “Mamma Mia” (1975)
90. No Doubt “Don’t Speak” (1996)

91. Bill Medley with Jennifer Warnes “I’ve Had the Time of My Life” (1987)
92. Aretha Franklin “You Make Me Feel Like a Natural Woman” (1967)
93. Patsy Cline “Crazy” (1961)
94. Robbie Williams “Angels” (1997)
95. Wham! “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go” (1984)
96. The Righteous Brothers “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’” (1964)
97. Lionel Richie & Diana Ross “Endless Love” (1981)
98. Christina Aguilera “Genie in a Bottle” (1999)
99. Bee Gees “Stayin’ Alive” (1977)
100. Beastie Boys “You Gotta Fight for Your Right to Party” (1986)


Resources/Related Links:


First posted 7/2/2024.

Tuesday, November 7, 2023

Jeff Tweedy's book World Within a Song

Jeff Tweedy:

World Within a Song

Here’s the description on Amazon of this book by Wilco’s Jeff Tweedy, full title World Within a Song: Music That Changed My Life and Life That Changed My Music: “An exciting and heartening mix of memories, music, and inspiration from Wilco front man and New York Times bestselling author Jeff Tweedy, sharing fifty songs that changed his life, the real-life experiences behind each one, as well as what he’s learned about how music and life intertwine and enhance each other.”

“What makes us fall in love with a song? What makes us want to write our own songs? Do songs help? Do songs help us live better lives? And do the lives we live help us write better songs?”

I’ve provided the list here of the 50 songs Tweedy writes about. They are not ranked or listed in chronological order. They are simply listed in the order in which they appear in the book. It should also be noted that these are not necessarily songs Tweedy loves. For example, he despites “I Will Always Love You” and “Wanted Dead or Alive.”

Click here to see other lists from critics and individuals and here to see other lists from publications and/or organizations.


Spotify Playlist:

You can listen to all these songs via the Spotify playlist World Within a Song.


  1. Deep Purple “Smoke on the Water” (1973)
  2. Leo Sayer “Long Tall Glasses (I Can Dance)” (1974)
  3. Bachman-Turner Overdrive “Takin’ Care of Business” (1974)
  4. Bob Dylan “Don’t Think Twice, It’s Alright” (1963)
  5. Paul McCartney & Wings “Mull of Kintyre” (1977)
  6. Aphrodite’s Child “Loud, Loud, Loud” (1972)
  7. Joni Mitchell “Both Sides Now” (1968)
  8. Lene Lovich “Lucky Number” (1978)
  9. Patti Smith “Gloria (In Excelsis Deo)” (1976)
  10. Slovenly “As if It Always Happens” (1987)

  11. Over the Rainbow” (1939)
  12. The Clash “Death or Glory” (1979)
  13. The Knack “My Sharona” (1979)
  14. Randy Newman “In Germany Before the War” (1977)
  15. Abba “Dancing Queen” (1976)
  16. Grandmaster Flash & the Furious Five “The Message” (1982)
  17. Volcano Suns “Balancing Act” (1985)
  18. Suicide “Frankie Tearrdrop” (1977)
  19. 10cc “I’m Not in Love” (1975)
  20. The Rolling Stones “Connection” (1967)

  21. The Undertones “Forever Paradise” (1981)
  22. Uncle Tupelo “Satan, Your Kingdom Must Come Down” (1975)
  23. The Replacements “God Damn Job”
  24. The Allman Brothers Band “Ramblin’ Man” (1973)
  25. The Minutemen “History Lesson Part 2” (1984)
  26. Television “Little Johnny Jewel” (1975)
  27. John Cage “4:33” (1952)
  28. Michelle Shocked “Anchorage” (1988)
  29. Otis Redding “Sittin’ on the Dock of the Bay” (1968)
  30. Jimmie Davis “You Are My Sunshine” (1940)

  31. Dolly Parton “I Will Always Love You” (1974)
  32. Bon Jovi “Wanted Dead or Alive” (1986)
  33. Souled American “Before Tonight” (1996)
  34. Junior Walker & the All Stars “Shotgun” (1965)
  35. The Band “The Weight” (1968)
  36. The Shirelles “Will You Love Me Tomorrow” (1960)
  37. Lynyrd Skynrd “Free Bird” (1973)
  38. Francis Scott Key (words), John Stafford Smith (music) “The Star-Spangled Banner” (1814)
  39. R.E.M. “Radio Free Europe” (1981)
  40. Ramones “I’m Against It” (1978)

  41. RosalĂ­a “Bizcochito” (2022)
  42. The Beatles (no particular song noted)
  43. Arthur Russell “Close My Eyes” (2008)
  44. Patty S. Hill & Mildred J. Hill (songwriters) “Happy Birthday to You” (1893)
  45. Diane Izzo “Love Like a Wire” (2014?)
  46. Billie Eilish “I Love You” (2019)
  47. Velvet Underground “Who Loves the Sun” (1970)
  48. Herman’s Hermits “I’m into Something Good” (1964)
  49. Duke Ellington “I’m Beginning to See the Light” (1944)
  50. The Staple Singers “I’ll Take You There” (1972)

Resources/Related Links:


First posted 1/22/2024.

Tuesday, June 2, 2020

Top 100 Party Songs

First posted 11/12/2018; updated 6/2/2020.

Party Songs:

Top 100

This list was compiled by aggregating more than 50 lists focused on “party songs.”

Note: click here to see other genre-specific song lists.

1. Village People “Y.M.C.A.” (1978)
2. Los Del Rio “Macarena (Bayside Boys Mix)” (1995)
3. The B-52’s “Love Shack” (1989)
4. Kool & the Gang “Celebration” (1980)
5. Cyndi Lauper “Girls Just Want to Have Fun” (1983)
6. DJ Casper (aka “Mr. C the Slide Man) “Cha Cha Slide” (2004)
7. OutKast “Hey Ya!” (2003)
8. Abba “Dancing Queen” (1976)
9. The Beatles “Twist and Shout” (1963)
10. BeyoncĂ© “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)” (2008)

11. Van Morrison “Brown-Eyed Girl” (1967)
12. Sister Sledge “We Are Family” (1979)
13. Rednex “Cotton Eye Joe” (1994)
14. Kenny Loggins “Footloose” (1984)
15. Neil Diamond “Sweet Caroline” (1969)
16. Journey “Don’t Stop Believin’” (1981)
17. Aretha Franklin “Respect” (1967)
18. AC/DC “You Shook Me All Night Long” (1980)
19. Sir Mix-A-Lot “Baby Got Back” (1992)
20. Justin Timberlake “Sexyback” (2006)

21. Marcia Griffiths “Electric Slide (Electric Boogie)” (1990)
22. Bee Gees “Stayin’ Alive” (1977)
23. House of Pain “Jump Around” (1992)
24. Chubby Checker “The Twist” (1960)
25. Michael Jackson “Billie Jean” (1982)
26. Bon Jovi “Livin’ on a Prayer” (1986)
27. Usher with Lil’ Jon & Ludacris “Yeah!” (2004)
28. Sorta Crackers Band/The Emeralds “Chicken Dance” (1982)
29. LMFAO with Lauren Bennett & GoonRock “Party Rock Anthem” (2011)
30. The Isley Brothers “Shout (Parts 1 and 2)” (1959)

31. Whitney Houston “I Wanna Dance with Somebody Who Loves Me” (1987)
32. Michael Jackson “Thriller” (1982)
33. Pink “Get the Party Started” (2001)
34. Def Leppard “Pour Some Sugar on Me” (1987)
35. Lynyrd Skynyrd “Sweet Home Alabama” (1974)
36. Commodores “Brick House” (1977)
37. Nelly “Hot in Herre” (2002)
38. Bob Seger & the Silver Bullet Band “Old Time Rock and Roll” (1978)
39. Wild Cherry “Play That Funky Music” (1976)
40. The Romantics “What I Like About You” (1980)

41. Black Eyed Peas “I Gotta Feeling” (2009)
42. Prince “1999” (1982)
43. Salt-N-Pepa “Push It” (1987)
44. 50 Cent “In Da Club” (2002)
45. Brooks & Dunn “Boot Scootin’ Boogie” (1991)
46. Cupid “Cupid Shuffle” (2007)
47. Garth Brooks “Friends in Low Places” (1990)
48. Pharrell Williams “Happy” (2013)
49. Vanilla Ice “Ice Ice Baby” (1990)
50. The Foundations “Build Me Up Buttercup” (1968)

51. Montell Jordan “This Is How We Do It” (1995)
52. Psy “Gangnam Style” (2012)
53. Flo Rida with T-Pain “Low” (2007)
54. MC Hammer “U Can’t Touch This” (1990)
55. Rick Springfield “Jessie’s Girl” (1981)
56. The Temptations “My Girl” (1965)
57. Robin Thicke with T.I. & Pharrell Williams “Blurred Lines” (2013)
58. BeyoncĂ© with Jay-Z…Crazy in Love (2003)
59. Dexy’s Midnight Runners “Come on Eileen” (1982)
60. Ke$ha…Tik Tok (2009)

61. Young M.C. “Bust a Move” (1989)
62. Guns N’ Roses “Sweet Child O’ Mine” (1987)
63. Olivia Newton-John & John Travolta “You’re the One That I Want” (1978)/ “Grease Megamix” (1990)
64. Michael Jackson “Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough” (1979)
65. Rick James “Super Freak” (1981)
66. Lady Gaga with Colby O’Donis “Just Dance” (2008)
67. Miami Sound Machine “Conga” (1985)
68. Earth, Wind & Fire “September” (1978)
69. Black Eyed Peas “Let’s Get It Started” (2003)
70. Gloria Gaynor “I Will Survive” (1978)

71. California Swag District “Teach Me How to Dougie” (2010)
72. Usher with Pitbull “DJ Got Us Falling in Love” (2010)
73. Marc Ronson & Bruno Mars “Uptown Funk!” (2014)
74. Deee-Lite “Groove Is in the Heart” (1990)
75. Taylor Swift…Shake It Off (2014)
76. Miley Cyrus “Party in the U.S.A.” (2009)
77. Billy Idol “Mony Mony (live)” (1987)
78. Daft Punk with Pharrell Williams “Get Lucky” (2013)
79. C + C Music Factory “Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now)” (1990)
80. Carly Rae Jepsen “Call Me Maybe” (2011)

81. Maroon 5 with Christina Aguilera “Moves Like Jagger” (2011)
82. Big & Rich “Save a Horse, Ride a Cowboy” (2004)
83. Michael Jackson “Beat It” (1983)
84. Kanye West with Jamie Foxx “Gold Digger” (2005)
85. The Jackson 5 “ABC” (1970)
86. V.I.C. “Wobble” (2008)
87. Ray Anthony “Hokey Pokey” (1953)
88. Elvis Presley “Can’t Help Falling in Love” (1961)
89. Lonestar “Amazed” 1999)
90. Jennifer Lopez & Pitbull “On the Floor” (2011)

91. Billy Medley with Jennifer Warnes “I’ve Had the Time of My Life” (1987)
92. Prince “Kiss” (1986)
93. David Bowie “Let’s Dance” (1983)
94. Lou Bega “Mambo No. 5” (1999)
95. Spice Girls “Wannabe” (1996)
96. Martha & the Vandellas “Dancing in the Street” (1964)
97. Rihanna with Calvin Harris “We Found Love” (2011)
98. Wham! “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go” (1984)
99. LMFAO “Sexy and I Know It” (2011)
100. SilentĂł “Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae)” (2015)

Monday, September 21, 1992

Abba released Gold compilation

First posted 3/27/2008; updated 9/7/2020.

Gold: Greatest Hits

Abba


Buy Here:


Recorded: 1974-1982


Released: September 21 1992


Peak: 25 US, 18 UK, 4 CN, 14 AU


Sales (in millions): 6.0 US, 5.1 UK, 34.4 world (includes US and UK)


Genre: dance pop


Tracks: (Click for codes to singles charts.)

  1. Dancing Queen (8/21/76, #1 US, #1 UK, gold single)
  2. Knowing Me, Knowing You (2/26/77, #14 US, #1 UK, #7 AC)
  3. Take a Chance on Me (2/4/78, #3 US, #1 UK, #9 AC, gold single)
  4. Mamma Mia (12/13/75, #32 US, #1 UK, #12 AC) G1
  5. Lay All Your Love on Me (7/18/81, #7 UK)
  6. Super Trouper (11/15/80, #45 US, #1 UK, #14 AC)
  7. I Have a Dream (12/15/79, #2 UK)
  8. The Winner Takes It All (8/2/80, #8 US, #1 UK, #1 AC)
  9. Money, Money, Money (11/20/76, #56 US, #3 UK, #38 AC)
  10. S.O.S. (8/9/75, #15 US, #6 UK, #19 AC) G1
  11. Chiquitita (2/3/79, #29 US, #2 UK, #15 AC)
  12. Fernando (3/27/76, #13 US, #1 UK, #1 AC) G1
  13. Voulez-Vous (7/14/79, #80 US, #40 AC)
  14. Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man after Midnight) (10/20/79, #3 UK)
  15. Does Your Mother Know (5/5/79, #19 US, #4 UK, #41 AC)
  16. One of Us (12/12/81, #3 UK, #33 AC)
  17. The Name of the Game (10/22/77, #12 US, #1 UK, #9 AC)
  18. Thank You for the Music (11/12/83, #33 UK)
  19. Waterloo (4/20/74, #6 US, #1 UK) G1

Rating:

4.568 out of 5.00 (average of 14 ratings)


Awards:

About the Album:

In the U.K., Abba released two majorly successful #1 greatest hits compilations during their career. First up was 1976’s Greatest Hits, which was one of the country’s top 10 best-selling albums ever according to the 2007 report by the Official U.K. Charts Company. The first collection had only six charted hits, including #1 U.K. songs Waterloo, Mamma Mia, and Fernando.

1979’s Greatest Hits, Vol. 2 was a much more solid compilation that represented Abba’s heyday. It featured ten songs that went top 10 in the U.K., four of which went to #1 – Dancing Queen, Take a Chance on Me, Knowing Me, Knowing You, and The Name of the Game. ‘Dancing Queen’ was also a U.S. chart topper.

However, the best compilation didn’t appear until 1993. The “19-song Gold collection was the first hits compilation prepared specifically for the CD format by the 1970s supergroup.” AMG “Appearing after a period of several years in which their music had been off the market, [it] was a welcome addition to the catalog.” AMG It weeded out non-charting and unnecessary album cuts from the first two greatest hits sets and added material released after the second collection, most notably the U.K. #1 hits The Winner Takes It All and Super Trouper. “It is still the simplest and most straightforward collection of the group's material that it is possible to buy.” AMG

Resources and Related Links:

Monday, October 11, 1976

Abba’s Arrival arrives

First posted 3/27/2008; updated 9/13/2020.

Arrival

Abba


Released: October 11, 1976


Peak: 20 US, 110 UK, 4 CN, 18 AU


Sales (in millions): 0.5 US, 1.65 UK, 10.5 world (includes US and UK)


Genre: dance pop


Tracks: (Click for codes to singles charts.)

  1. When I Kissed the Teacher
  2. Dancing Queen (8/21/76, 1 US, 1 UK, 1 CN, 1 AU, sales: 3 million)
  3. My Love, My Life
  4. Dum Dum Diddle
  5. Knowing Me, Knowing You (2/26/77, 14 US, 7 AC, 1 UK, 5 CN, 9 AU)
  6. Money, Money, Money (11/20/76, 56 US, 38 AC, 3 UK, 47 CN, 1 AU, sales: 1 million)
  7. That’s Me
  8. Why Did It Have to Be Me?
  9. Tiger
  10. Arrival


Total Running Time: 33:09


The Players:

  • Agnetha Fältskog (vocals)
  • Anni-Frid Lyngstad (vocals)
  • Benny Andersson (synthesizer, piano, accordian, chimes, marimba, backing vocals)
  • Björn Ulvaeus (guitar, vocals, backing vocals)

Rating:

4.209 out of 5.00 (average of 11 ratings)


Awards:

About the Album:

“ABBA’s fourth album…shows the quartet at the absolute top of their game.” AMG They had achieved modest success internationally, but with Arrival they achieved global superstardom. WK It was the best-selling album of 1977 in the UK. WK

Of course, the most-celebrated song on the album was Dancing Queen, the biggest hit of Abba’s career. However, “the record was filled with brilliant material, including the spirited When I Kissed the Teacher; the dramatic, achingly beautiful Knowing Me, Knowing You (yet a further hit); the pounding Money, Money, Money (still another hit off the album); and the playful That's Me.” AMG


Notes: “Fernando” was added to the 1997 CD edition of the album. In 2001, the song “Happy Hawaii” was also added as a bonus track.

Resources and Related Links:

Saturday, September 4, 1976

Abba “Dancing Queen” hit #1 in UK

Dancing Queen

Abba

Writer(s): Benny Andersson/Bjorn Ulvaeus (see lyrics here)


Released: August 16, 1976


First Charted: August 21, 1976


Peak: 11 US, 11 CB, 11 HR, 3 GR, 4 RR, 6 AC, 16 UK, 12 CN, 18 AU, 2 DF (Click for codes to charts.)


Sales (in millions): 1.0 US, 1.06 UK, 6.0 world (includes US + UK)


Airplay/Streaming (in millions): 1.0 radio, 464.7 video, 1002.10 streaming

Awards:

Click on award for more details.

About the Song:

This song has mistakenly been rumored to have been written for the wedding of the King and Queen of Sweden. KL Abba did debut the song at a televised tribute to Sweden’s Queen Silvia and King Gustaf XVI, a day before their marriage on June 19, 1976. SF However, since the song’s origins date to August 1975, TB it hardly could have been written with the nuptials in mind.

The lyrics deal with a visit to a disco, but the song hones in on the joy of dancing. AMG That has aided the song’s durability since it isn’t just tied to disco, but to the greater world of dance-pop music. AMG The song is “arguably the world’s first Europop disco hit” SF with a rhythm inspired by George McCrae’s 1974 “Rock Your Baby.” BBC

Björn Ulvaeus says that when he and Benny Andersson, his co-writer and co-member in Abba, finished mixing the instrumental track, he was so excited he drove all over Stockholm to find someone to listen to the song. He ended up at his sister’s house, playing it over and over. As he says, “We couldn’t believe how good it sounded.” BBC

Neither could the rest of the world. The song topped multiple international charts, BBC notably becoming the group’s biggest of their nine #1 songs in the U.K. and part of an 18 consecutive top-ten singles streak. FB In the U.S., the song was the group’s best-selling single LW and only hit to reach the chart pinnacle.


Resources:


Related Links:


First posted 9/4/2011; last updated 7/14/2023.