Showing posts with label Dancing in the Street. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dancing in the Street. Show all posts

Tuesday, May 11, 2021

Girl Groups: Top 100 Songs

Girl Groups:

Top 100 Songs

Girl groups emerged in the early days of rock and roll. They were typically vocal groups with three or more singers and could be viewed as the female version of doo-wop. However, while the term “girl groups” is typically associated with the ‘50s and ‘60s, this list reflects how such music is not restricted to those decades. This list was created by aggregating over 20 lists and then taking all those songs appearing on 2 or more lists and ranking them based on overall DMDB points.

Click here to see other genre-specific song lists.

  1. Martha & the Vandellas “Dancing in the Street” (1964)
  2. The Ronettes “Be My Baby” (1963)
  3. Spice Girls “Wannabe” (1996)
  4. Sister Sledge “We Are Family” (1979)
  5. The Supremes “Baby Love” (1964)
  6. The Supremes “Stop! In the Name of Love” (1965)
  7. The Shirelles “Will You Love Me Tomorrow” (1960)
  8. The Supremes “Where Did Our Love Go” (1964)
  9. The Supremes “You Can’t Hurry Love” (1966)
  10. The Andrews Sisters “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy’ (1941)

  11. The Marvelettes “Please Mr. Postman” (1961)
  12. TLC “Waterfalls” (1994)
  13. The Emotions “Best of My Love” (1977)
  14. Martha & the Vandellas “Heat Wave” (1963)
  15. The Chordettes “Mr. Sandman” (1954)
  16. TLC “No Scrubs” (1999)
  17. The Bangles “Walk Like an Egyptian” (1986)
  18. The Dixie Cups “Chapel of Love” (1964)
  19. The Chiffons “He’s So Fine” (1963)
  20. Destiny’s Child “Independent Women” (2000)

  21. The Shangri-La’s “Leader of the Pack” (1964)
  22. The Supremes “You Keep Me Hangin’ On” (1966)
  23. The Crystals “Da Doo Ron Ron (When He Walked Me Home)” (1963)
  24. The Crystals “He’s a Rebel” (1962)
  25. Destiny’s Child “Say My Name” (1999)
  26. Martha & the Vandellas “Nowhere to Run” (1965)
  27. The Shirelles “Soldier Boy” (1962)
  28. The Supremes “Love Child” (1968)
  29. The Supremes “Someday We’ll Be Together” (1969)
  30. The Chiffons “One Fine Day” (1963)

  31. The Pussycat Dolls with Busta Rhymes “Don’t Cha” (2005)
  32. The Bangles “Eternal Flame” (1988)
  33. The Chantels “Maybe” (1958)
  34. LaBelle “Lady Marmalade” (1974)
  35. The Angels “My Boyfriend’s Back” (1963)
  36. The Supremes “Come See About Me” (1964)
  37. The Shangri-La’s “Remember Walking in the Sand” (1964)
  38. The Shirelles “Dedicated to the One I Love” (1959)
  39. The Go-Go’s “We Got the Beat” (1982)
  40. The Crystals “Then He Kissed Me” (1963)

  41. The Weather Girls “It’s Raining Men” (1982)
  42. The Supremes “I Hear a Symphony” (1965)
  43. The Bobbettes “Mr. Lee” (1957)
  44. Martha & the Reeves “Jimmy Mack” (1967)
  45. The Supremes “Back in My Arms Again” (1965)
  46. The Toys “A Lover’s Concerto” (1965)
  47. The Go-Go’s “Our Lips Are Sealed” (1981)
  48. The Pointer Sisters “I’m So Excited” (1982)
  49. En Vogue “My Lovin’ (You’re Never Gonna Get It)” (1992)
  50. The Supremes “Reflections” (1967)

  51. The Chordettes “Lollipop” (1958)
  52. The Pointer Sisters “Slow Hand” (1981)
  53. Fifth Harmony with Ty Dolla $ign “Work from Home” (2016)
  54. Wilson Phillips “Hold On” (1990)
  55. The Exciters “Tell Him” (1962)
  56. Sisters with Voices (SWV) “Weak” (1993)
  57. Destiny’s Child “Survivor” (2001)
  58. The Supremes “Love Is Here and Now You’re Gone” (1967)
  59. The Jaynetts “Sally Go ‘Round the Roses” (1963)
  60. The Shirelles “Baby It’s You” (1961)

  61. En Vogue “Hold On” (1990)
  62. Destiny’s Child “Bootylicious” (2001)
  63. Paris Sisters “I Love How You Love Me” (1961)
  64. The Pointer Sisters “Fire” (1978)
  65. The Ad Libs “Boy from New York City” (1965)
  66. The Poni-Tails “Born Too Late” (1958)
  67. All Saints “Never Ever” (1997)
  68. The Essex “Easier Said Than Done” (1963)
  69. Bananarama “Venus” (1986)
  70. The Dixie Cups “Iko Iko” (1965)

  71. Silver Convention “Get Up and Boogie (That’s Right)” (1976)
  72. TLC “Creep” (1994)
  73. Wilson Phillips “Release Me” (1990)
  74. The Ronettes “Baby I Love You” (1963)
  75. The Murmaids “Popsicles and Icicles” (1963)
  76. The Crystals “There’s No Other Like My Baby” (1961)
  77. The Supremes “When the Lovelight Starts Shining Through His Eyes” (1963)
  78. The Shirelles “Mama Said” (1961)
  79. The Crystals “He’s Sure the Boy I Love” (1962)
  80. Bananarama “Cruel Summer” (1983)

  81. The Ronettes “Do I Love You?” (1964)
  82. The Supremes “Love Is Like an Itching in My Heart” (1966)
  83. Jade “Don’t Walk Away” (1992)
  84. The Supremes “The Happening” (1967)
  85. Salt-N-Pepa with En Vogue “Whatta Man” (1993)
  86. TLC “Ain’t 2 Proud 2 Beg” (1992)
  87. The Cookies “Chains” (1962)
  88. Bob B. Soxx & the Blue Jeans “Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah” (1963)
  89. TLC “What About Your Friends” (1992)
  90. The Pointer Sisters “Automatic” (1984)

  91. Spice Girls “Say You’ll Be There” (1997)
  92. The Shirelles “Tonight’s the Night” (1960)
  93. Salt-N-Pepa “Shoop” (1993)
  94. Sugababes “Freak Like Me” (2002)
  95. The Chiffons “Sweet Talkin’ Guy” (1966)
  96. En Vogue “Don’t Let Go (Love)” (1996)
  97. The Crystals “Uptown” (1962)
  98. The Supremes “My World Is Empty without You” (1965)
  99. En Vogue “Free Your Mind” (1992)
  100. The Ronettes “Walking in the Rain” (1964)
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First posted 4/14/2020; last updated 5/11/2021.

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Friday, August 22, 2014

50 years ago: Martha & the Vandellas chart with “Dancing in the Street”

Dancing in the Street

Martha & the Vandellas

Writer(s): William Stevenson/Ivy Hunter/Marvin Gaye (see lyrics here)

Released: July 31, 1964

First Charted: August 22, 1964

Peak: 2 US, 4 CB, 8 GR, 2 HR, 2 RB, 4 UK, 3 CN, 1 DF (Click for codes to charts.)

Sales (in millions): 1.0 US, 0.2 UK, 1.21 world (includes US + UK)

Airplay/Streaming (in millions): 3.0 radio, 12.89 video, 170.01 streaming

Awards:

Click on award for more details.

About the Song:

Martha Reeves was a secretary at Motown who had sung backup on Marvin Gaye’s hits “Stubborn Kind of Fellow” and “Hitch Hike” SS when she got the opportunity of a lifetime – she was given the chance to record a demo. RS500 The song, “Dancing in the Street,” was originally offered to Kim Weston, who would later marry William Stevenson, RS500 one of the writers, but she turned it down. NRR As Stevenson says, though, “When Martha got into the song…that was the end of the conversation!” RS500 She said, it “was Mickey’s greatest gift to me.” SS

Stevenson says the inspiration for the song came from riding through Detroit during the summer with Marvin Gaye, another of the song’s writers. To let the kids cool off, the city would open up the fire hydrants to release the water into the streets. Stevenson says, “They appeared to be dancing in the water.” SF In an amusing twist, Gaye sang backup on the song for the singer who used to sing backup for him. SS

Writer Paul Williams called it “the quintessential hymn of revolution.” PW Indeed, the song came at the peak of the civil rights movement which could lead one to interpret the song as a call to “mobilize for freedom. But even if taken on its own terms as intended by its creators – just a joyous celebration of music and dancing – this is a classic.” SS

Of all the dance songs ever written, none come as close as this one to “conveying not only the physical experience but the emotional tenor of what it means to dance publicly.” MA The song’s “primal rhythms [are]…so simple anyone can groove to it and so infectious everyone does.” AMG As “the quintessential hymn of revolution, riot, and rapture” it makes everyone want to join the party. PW Music historian Steve Sullivan says “no record exemplified the mergence of rhythm & blues’ new golden age like ‘Dancing in the Street.’” SS

Resources:

First posted 8/22/2011; last updated 2/3/2023.

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Thursday, February 13, 2014

ASCAP: Top 100 Songs

ASCAP:

Top 100 Songs

The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) formed in 1914. They are a membership association of more than 930,000 songwriters, composers and music publishers. In honor of their 100th birthday, they created a list of their top 100 songs as well as a list of the songs of the year from 1914 to 2013 (see here). I’ve posted the top 100 list here. Note that the original list refers to the songs and their songwriters. I have listed the songs with the artist who has the highest-ranked version of the song in Dave’s Music Database.

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

1. Patty S. Hill & Mildred J. Hill (songwriters) “Happy Birthday to You” (1893)
2. The Temptations “My Girl” (1964)
3. Bing Crosby with the Ken Darby Singers “White Christmas” (1942)
4. Judy Garland “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” (1944)
5. Bette Midler “Wind Beneath My Wings” (1989)
6. Martha & the Vandellas “Dancing in the Street” (1964)
7. Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” (1967)
8. Tina Turner “What’s Love Got to Do with It?” (1984)
9. Elvis Presley “Can’t Help Falling in Love” (1961)
10. Johnny Nash “I Can See Clearly Now” (1972)

11. Judy Garland “Over the Rainbow” (1939)
12. Peter Frampton “Baby I Love Your Way” (live, 1976)
13. Dooley Wilson “As Time Goes By” (1942)
14. Phil Collins “In the Air Tonight” (1981)
15. Billy Medley with Jennifer Warnes “I’ve Had the Time of My Life” (1987)
16. Eagles “Take It Easy” (1972)
17. Dobie Gray “Drift Away” (1973)
18. Bobby Helms “Jingle Bell Rock” (1957)
19. The Marcels “Blue Moon” (1961)
20. Eurythmics “Sweet Dreams Are Made of This” (1983)

21. Whitney Houston “The Greatest Love of All” (1985)
22. Lynyrd Skynyrd “Sweet Home Alabama” (1974)
23. Gene Autry & the Pinafores “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” (1949)
24. Stevie Wonder “I Just Called to Say I Love You” (1984)
25. The Temptations “Get Ready” (1966)
26. Berlin “Take My Breath Away” (1986)
27. Mary Wells “My Guy” (1964)
28. Vaughn Monroe “Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!” (1945)
29. Dionne Warwick & Friends “That's What Friends Are For” (1985)
30. Kool & the Gang “Celebration” (1980)

31. Simple Minds “Don’t You Forget about Me” (1985)
32. Louis Armstrong “What a Wonderful World” (1967)
33. Tears for Fears “Everybody Wants to Rule the World” (1985)
34. The Contours “Do You Love Me?” (1962)
35. Nat “King” Cole “When I Fall in Love” (1957)
36. U2 “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For” (1987)
37. The Mamas & the Papas “California Dreamin’” (1966)
38. Cyndi Lauper “Time After Time” (1983)
39. George Michael “Careless Whisper” (1984)
40. The Flamingos “I Only Have Eyes for You” (1959)

41. REO Speedwagon “Can’t Fight This Feeling” (1984)
42. Bing Crosby with John Scott Trotter’s Orchestra “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” (1943)
43. Natalie Cole with Nat “King” Cole “Unforgettable” (1991)
44. Harry Simeone Chorale “The Little Drummer Boy” (1958)
45. Gloria Gaynor “I Will Survive” (1978)
46. Don Henley “The Boys of Summer” (1984)
47. The Temptations “The Way You Do the Things You Do” (1964)
48. John Waite “Missing You” (1984)
49. Madonna “Vogue” (1990)
50. Huey Lewis & the News “The Power of Love” (1985)

51. Jerry Lee Lewis “Great Balls of Fire” (1957)
52. Eagles “Hotel California” (1976)
53. Bruce Springsteen “Dancing in the Dark” (1984)
54. Perry Como “Silver Bells” (1953)
55. The Beatles “Come Together” (1969)
56. The Miracles “The Tracks of My Tears” (1965)
57. Barbra Streisand “The Way We Were” (1973)
58. Joe Cocker “You Are So Beautiful” (1974)
59. Leroy Anderson “Sleigh Ride” (1949)
60. Bing Crosby with Trudy Erwin “Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin’” (1943)

61. Bryan Adams “(Everything I Do) I Do It for You” (1991)
62. Lionel Richie “All Night Long (All Night)” (1983)
63. The Doors “Light My Fire” (1967)
64. Joe Cocker & Jennifer Warnes “Up Where We Belong” (1982)
65. Wild Cherry “Play That Funky Music” (1976)
66. Marvin Gaye “What’s Going On” (1971)
67. Bryan Adams “Heaven” (1984)
68. Shania Twain “You’re Still the One” (1998)
69. Irene Cara “Flashdance...What a Feelin’” (1983)
70. Santana & Rob Thomas “Smooth” (1999)

71. The Beatles “Yesterday” (1965)
72. Ray Parker, Jr. “Ghostbusters” (1984)
73. Henry Mancini with Audrey Hepburn “Moon River” (1961)
74. Bruce Springsteen “Born in the U.S.A.” (1984)
75. Kenny Loggins “Footloose” (1984)
76. John Cougar Mellencamp “Jack and Diane” (1982)
77. The Jackson 5 “I’ll Be There” (1970)
78. Whitney Houston “How Will I Know” (1985)
79. Chicago “You’re the Inspiration” (1984)
80. Marvin Gaye “Sexual Healing” (1982)

81. John Cougar Mellencamp “Small Town” (1985)
82. Fine Young Cannibals “She Drives Me Crazy” (1989)
83. Tom Petty “Free Fallin’” (1989)
84. M.C. Hammer “U Can’t Touch This” (1990)
85. George Michael “Faith” (1987)
86. Bill Haley & the Comets “We’re Gonna Rock Around the Clock” (1954)
87. All-4-One “I Swear” (1994)
88. Faith Hill “Breathe” (1999)
89. Cyndi Lauper “Girls Just Want to Have Fun” (1983)
90. Richard Marx “Right Here Waiting” (1989)

91. Whitney Houston “Saving All My Love for You” (1985)
92. Marvin Gaye “Let’s Get It On” (1973)
93. Bon Jovi “Livin’ on a Prayer” (1986)
94. The Rolling Stones “Start Me Up” (1981)
95. Heart “These Dreams” (1985)
96. Aerosmith “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing” (1998)
97. Heatwave “Always and Forever” (1977)
98. Dire Straits “Money for Nothing” (1985)
99. Natalie Imbruglia “Torn” (1997)
100. LeAnn Rimes “How Do I Live” (1997)

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First posted 9/4/2023.

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