Showing posts with label Happy Birthday to You. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Happy Birthday to You. Show all posts

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. Rosalía “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.

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

Monday, September 4, 2023

Highest-Earning Songs All Time

Highest-Earning Songs of All Time:

Surprisingly, there aren’t many resources out there listing royalties earned by songs. There are variations of a top-ten list that have floated around since at least 2014 (see sources at bottom of page) but that’s about it. This page lists twelve songs which have earned $30 million or more and then lists high-selling songs which may be in that bracket as well. Songs with royalty information are listed by songwriters and not the performers. Songs with numbers of copies sold are listed by the performers. Note that earnings and number of copies sold are often estimates.

Check other lists based on charts, sales, and airplay here.

Songs with Royalties of $30 Million or More:

  1. “Happy Birthday to You” by the Hill Sisters (1893). Earnings: $70 million
  2. “White Christmas” (1942) by Irving Berlin (1942). Earnings: $66 million, copies sold: 52 million
  3. “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’” by Barry Mann, Cynthia Weil, Phil Spector (1964). Earnings: $65 million
  4. “Yesterday” by John Lennon and Paul McCartney (1965). Earnings: $60 million
  5. “All I Want for Christmas Is You” by Mariah Carey & Walter Afanasieff (1994). Earnings: $60 million, copies sold: 16 million
  6. “Unchained Melody” by Alex North, Hy Zaret (1955). Earnings: $55 million
  7. “Stand by Me” by Ben E. King, Elmo Glick, Jerry Leiber, Mike Stoller (1961). Earnings: $50 million
  8. Santa Claus Is Coming to Town by Haven Gillespie & Fred J. Coots (1934). Earnings: $50 million
  9. “The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire)” by Mel Tormé and Robert Wells (1944). Earnings: $45 million
  10. “Wonderful Christmastime” by Paul McCartney (1979). Earnings: $40 million

  11. “Every Breath You Take” by Sting (1983). Earnings: $35 million
  12. “(Oh) Pretty Woman” by Roy Orbison & Bill Dees (1964). Earnings: $30 million

    Other High-Selling Songs But Royalties Unknown:

  13. “Shape of You” performed by Ed Sheeran (2017). Copies sold: 42 million
  14. “Despacito” performed by Luis Fonsi with Daddy Yankee & Justin Bieber (2017). Copies sold: 38 million
  15. “Candle in the Wind 1997” performed by Elton John (1997). Copies sold: 33 million
  16. “In the Summertime” performed by Mungo Jerry (1970). Copies sold: 31 million
  17. “Silent Night” written by Joseph Mohr (1818). Copies sold: 30 million
  18. “We’re Gonna Rock Around the Clock” performed by Bill Haley & His Comets (1955). Copies sold: 25 million
  19. “I Will Always Love You” performed by Whitney Houston (1992). Copies sold: 24 million
  20. “Something Just Like This” performed by The Chainsmokers with Coldplay (2017). Copies sold: 23 million
  21. “It’s Now or Never” performed by Elvis Presley (1960). Copies sold: 22 million
  22. “Perfect” performed by Ed Sheeran & Beyoncé (2017). Copies sold: 22 million

  23. “We Are the World” performed by U.S.A. for Africa (1985). Copies sold: 20 million
  24. “If I Didn’t Care” by the Ink Spots(1939). Copies sold: 19 million
  25. “Yes Sir, I Can Boogie” performed by Baccara (1977). Copies sold: 18 million
  26. “My Heart Will Go On” performed by Celein Dion (1997). Copies sold: 18 million
  27. “(Everything I Do) I Do It for You” performed by Bryan Adams (1991). Copies sold: 15 million
  28. “You’re the One That I Want” by Olivia Newton-John & John Travolta (1978). Copies sold: 15 million
  29. “Wind of Change” performed by the Scorpions (1991). Copies sold: 14 million
  30. “Sweet Mother” performed by Prince Nico Mbarga (1976). Copies sold: 13 million
  31. Sukiyaki” performed by Kyu Sakamoto (1963). Copies sold: 13 million
  32. “Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer” performed by Gene Autry (1949). Copies sold: 12.5 million

  33. “I Want to Hold Your Hand” performed by The Beatles (1963). Copies sold: 12 million
  34. Time to Say Goodbye” performed by Andrea Bocelli & Sarah Brightman (1995). Copies sold: 12 million
  35. “Y.M.C.A.” performed by the Village People (1978). Copies sold: 12 million

Resources/Related Links:

First posted 9/14/2023.

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

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)

Resources/Related Links:

First posted 9/4/2023.

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

Friday, March 14, 1997

William Studwell The Americana Song Reader

William Studwell:

The Americana Song Reader

This book by William Studwell was published in 1997. Amazon.com describes it as “an entertaining and informative collection of over 130 historical essays on various American and foreign songs that have had a significant impact on U.S. popular culture.” The book is divided into sections including dancing songs, marching songs, rural and western songs, songs that excite or amuse, songs that soothe or bring tears, children’s songs, circus songs, drinking songs, and college songs.

There is no ranking of the songs in the book, but I have created a top 100 ranking by putting the songs in order based on their overall status in Dave’s Music Database.

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

1. “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” (1908) 2. “After the Ball” (1892)
3. “Meet Me in St. Louis, Louis” (1904)
4. “When the Saints Go Marching In” (1880)
5. “The Old Folks at Home (Swanee River)” (1851)
6. “The Yellow Rose of Texas” (1853)
7. “Happy Birthday to You” (1893)
8. “Oh! Susanna” (1846)
9. “Home on the Range” (1873)
10. “Rhapsody in Blue” (1924)

11. “Turkey in the Straw” (1820)
12. “Listen to the Mocking Bird (aka “The Mocking Bird”)” (1855)
13. “Home Sweet Home” (1823)
14. “Daisy Bell (A Bicycle Built for Two)” (1892)
15. “Camptown Races (Gwine to Run All Night)” (1850)
16. “Auld Lang Syne” (1799)
17. “I’ve Been Working on the Railroad” (1894)
18. “The Sidewalks of New York” (1894)
19. “The Band Played On” (1895)
20. “Carry Me Back to Old Virginny” (1893)

21. “Old MacDonald Had a Farm” (1706)
22. “My Old Kentucky Home” (1853)
23. “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” (1806)
24. “The Entertainer” (1902)
25. “Clementine” (1884)
26. “I’m Always Chasing Rainbows” (1918)
27. “Jimmy Crack Corn (The Blue Tail Fly)” (1846)
28. “Rock-a-Bye Baby” (1884)
29. “My Wild Irish Rose” (1899)
30. “Stein Song (University of Maine)” (1910)

31. “The Man on the Flying Trapeze” (1867)
32. “The Arkansaw Traveler” (1863)
33. “Beautiful Ohio” (1918)
34. “Buffalo Gals (Will You Come Out Tonight)” (1844)
35. “Row, Row, Row Your Boat” (1852)
36. “Red River Valley” (1896)
37. “Mary Had a Little Lamb” (1830)
38. “The Missouri Waltz (Hush-a-Bye Ma Baby)” (1914)
39. “Beautiful Dreamer” (1864)
40. “I Dream of Jeannie with the Light Brown Hair” (1854)

41. “I’ll Take You Home Again, Kathleen” (1875)
42. “For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow” (1709)
43. “Three Blind Mice” (1609)
44. “Indiana” (1917)
45. “The Little Brown Jug” (1869)
46. “Brahms’ Lullaby (Wiegenlied)” (1868)
47. “Sing a Song of Sixpence” (1790)
48. “The Hokey Pokey” (1826)
49. “Drink to Me Only with Thine Eyes” (1762)
50. “The Whiffenpoof Song” (1909)

51. “Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush” (1842)
52. “Nobody Knows the Trouble I’ve Seen” (1867)
53. “Vive la Compagnie (Vive l’Amour)” (1818)
54. “Git Along Little Dogies (Whoopee, Ti Yi Yo)” (1893)
55. “Give Me That Old Time Religion” (1965)
56. “Maryland, My Maryland!” (1861)
57. “The Streets of Laredo” (1911)
58. “Simple Gifts” (1848)
59. “William Tell Overture” (1829)
60. “Chopsticks” (1877)

61. “While Strolling Through the Park One Day (The Fountain in the Park)” (1884)
62. “The Blue Danube Waltz” (1867)
63. “The Big Rock Candy Mountain” (1928)
64. “Reuben and Rachel” (1871)
65. “March of the Toys” (1903)
66. “Jesse James” (1919)
67. “An American in Paris” (1929)
68. “The Merry Widow Waltz (I Love You So)” (1907)
69. “The Anvil Chorus” (1853)
70. “Mississippi Mud” 1927)

71. “Invitation to the Dance (Aufforderung Zum Tanze)” (1821)
72. “Sabre Dance” (1948)
73. “Romeo and Juliet” (1871)
74. “Flying Dutchman Overture” (1844)
75. “Green Grow the Lilacs” (1800)
76. On Wisconsin!” (1909)
77. “The Hearse Song (The Worm Crawls in, the Worm Crawls Out)” (1796)
78. “Drinking Song” (1953)
79. “Humoresque” (1894)
80. “Sleeping Beauty Waltz” (1890)

81. “There Is a Tavern in This Town” (1883)
82. “Flight of the Bumblebee” (1940)
83. “Slaughter on Tenth Avenue” (1936)
84. “1812 Overture” (1880)
85. “Can Can” (1858)
86. “A Night on Bald Mountain” (1887)
87. “Dance of the Hours” (1905)
88. “Funeral March of a Marionette” (1879)
89. “Grand Canyon Suite” (1932)
90. Tales from the Vienna Woods” (1868)

91. “Light Cavalry Overture (Leichte Cavallerie)” (1869)
92. “Far Above Cayuga’s Waters” (1870)
93. “The Sorcerer's Apprentice (L’Apprenti Sorcier)” (1897)
94. “Toreador Song” (1875)
95. “Ride of the Valkyies” (1856)
96. “Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2” (1921)
97. “Over the Waves” (1916)
98. “99 Bottles of Beer on the Wall” (1928)
99. “How Dry I Am” (1919)
100. “Peter and the Wolf” (1937)

Resources/Related Links:

First posted 12/9/2025.

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