Showing posts with label Virgin Radio. Show all posts

Saturday, June 11, 2016

50 years ago: The Rolling Stones’ “Paint It Black” hit #1

Paint It Black

The Rolling Stones

Writer(s): Mick Jagger, Keith Richards (see lyrics here)

Released: May 7, 1966

First Charted: May 14, 1966

Peak: 1² US, 1¹ CB, 1¹ HR, 1 CL, 1¹ UK, 1¹ CN, 1³ AU, 1 DF (Click for codes to singles charts.)

Sales (in millions): --

Airplay/Streaming (in millions): -- radio, 188.0 video, 641.81 streaming

Awards:

Click on award for more details.

About the Song:

This was the sixth #1 hit for the Rolling Stones in the UK and their third in the United States. The song was featured on the U.S. version of Aftermath and the UK version of the Big Hits (High Tides and Green Grass) compilation. The song “broke free of the blues and R&B influences” ^AMG of previous hits, showcasing singer Mick Jagger and guitarist Keith Richards as “versatile, growing writers who could compete head-to-head with the best rock composers of the era, such as their chief rivals, the Beatles, of course.” ^AMG

The song holds the distinction as the first number-one hit to feature a sitar ^WK and “perhaps the most effective use of the Indian instrument in a rock song.” ^AMG Brian Jones started exploring eastern instruments out of frustration from being overshadowed by Jagger and Richards. ^WK Jones used the sitar to arrange the basic arrangements for “Paint It Black” after a discussion with George Harrison, who had recently used the sitar on the Beatles’ “Norwegian Wood.” ^WK It may have been Jones’ “greatest musical achievement,” ^AMG but he got no songwriting credit for it. Richards explained that Jones never presented a finished song to the group, hence his omission from the credits. ^SF

The intent of the song lyrically was to use color-based metaphors to describe the grief one suffers after the loss of a spouse or partner, ^WK reportedly inspired by the death of a former girlfriend of Jagger’s. ^AMG There are also claims Jagger drew on the 1922 novel Ulysses by James Joyce and its themes of desperation and depression. ^WK Jagger explained that the song’s exploration of a character “so entrenched in his depression and rage that he has lost all hope” ^WK fit with the theme of Aftermath, where each song offered insight into “the darkness of his psyche.” ^WK When Jagger sings that he wants to “see the sun blotted out from the sky, [it is] surely one of the most despairing images in popular music.” ^AMG

Amusingly, the song was originally released as “Paint It, Black.” The comma, however, was an error on the part of Decca Records and not meant to be part of the title. The incorrect title implied that a person named “Black” was being encouraged to do the painting. ^AMG Some fans interpreted it as a statement on racial relations. ^WK

Resources:

DMDB encyclopedia entry for The Rolling Stones
^AMG All Music Guide
^SF Songfacts
^WK Wikipedia

Sunday, December 31, 2006

Virgin Radio: Top 100 Songs

Virgin Radio:

Top 100 Songs

Virgin Radio has done listeners’ polls to determine the Top 100 Tracks/Songs of All Time. Here is an exclusive Dave’s Music Database in which three of those lists from 2001, 2005, and 2006 have been aggregated into one list. The original lists don’t appear to be online anymore.

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

1. The Beatles “Hey Jude” (1968)
2. U2 “One” (1992)
3. Queen “Bohemian Rhapsody” (1975)
4. John Lennon “Imagine” (1971)
5. Robbie Williams “Angels” (1997)
6. Oasis “Wonderwall” (1995)
7. The Police “Every Breath You Take” (1983)
8. R.E.M. “Losing My Religion” (1991)
9. The Rolling Stones “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction” (1965)
10. Led Zeppelin “Stairway to Heaven” (1971)

11. The Beatles “Yesterday” (1965)
12. Oasis” Don’t Look Back in Anger” (1995)
13. The Verve “Bitter Sweet Symphony” (1997)
14. The Beatles “Let It Be” (1970)
15. Eagles “Hotel California” (1977)
16. R.E.M. “Everybody Hurts” (1992)
17. The Jam “A Town Called Malice” (1982)
18. U2 “Pride (In the Name of Love)” (1984)
19. David Bowie “Space Oddity” (1969)
20. Coldplay “Yellow” (2000)

21. Pink Floyd “Another Brick in the Wall Part II” (1979)
22. Madness “It Must Be Love” (1981)
23. Queen “We Will Rock You” (1977)
24. Derek & the Dominos “Layla” (1971)
25. The Stranglers “Golden Brown” (1982)
26. Guns N’ Roses “Sweet Child O’ Mine” (1988)
27. Van Morrison “Brown-Eyed Girl” (1967)
28. Bob Marley & the Wailers “No Woman, No Cry” (1975)
29. Oasis “Live Forever” (1994)
30. David Gray “Babylon” (2000)

31. U2 “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For” (1987)
32. Free “All Right Now” (1970)
33. The Police “Roxanne” (1979)
34. The Clash “Should I Stay Or Should I Go” (1982)
35. Meat Loaf “Bat Out of Hell” (1979)
36. The Jam “Going Underground” (1980)
37. Tracy Chapman “Fast Car” (1988)
38. The Human League “Don’t You Want Me?” (1981)
39. The Rolling Stones “Paint It Black” (1966)
40. The Rolling Stones “Jumpin’ Jack Flash” (1968)

41. Dire Straits “Romeo and Juliet” (1981)
42. T-Rex “Get It On (Bang a Gong)” (1971)
43. Crowded House “Don’t Dream It’s Over” (1987)
44. Red Hot Chili Peppers “Under the Bridge” (1992)
45. The Kinks “Lola” (1970)
46. The Jam “That’s Entertainment” (1981)
47. Eurythmics “Sweet Dreams Are Made of This” (1983)
48. Coldplay “Trouble” (2000)
49. U2 “With Or Without You” (1987)
50. Oasis “Champagne Supernova” (1995)

51. Queen “Killer Queen” (1974)
52. Dexy’s Midnight Runners “Come on Eileen” (1982)
53. U2 “Where the Streets Have No Name” (1987)
54. The Beatles “Strawberry Fields Forever” (1967)
55. David Bowie “Ashes to Ashes” (1980)
56. The Specials “Ghost Town” (1981)
57. Blondie “Sunday Girl” (1979)
58. Guns N’ Roses “November Rain” (1992)
59. Bon Jovi “Livin’ on a Prayer” (1986)
60. Stealers Wheel “Stuck in the Middle with You” (1973)

61. The Who “My Generation” (1966)
62. The Beatles “Help!” (1964)
63. Madness “My Girl” (1980)
64. Queen with David Bowie “Under Pressure” (1981)
65. U2 “Beautiful Day” (2000)
66. The Beatles “All You Need Is Love” (1967)
67. Electric Light Orchestra “Mr. Blue Sky” (1978)
68. Queen “Don’t Stop Me Now” (1979)
69. David Bowie “Starman” (1972)
70. The Beatles “A Day in the Life” (1967)

71. The Animals “The House of the Rising Sun” (1964)
72. The Beach Boys “God Only Knows” (1966)
73. Paul Weller “Wild Wood” (1993)
74. Lynyrd Skynyrd “Sweet Home Alabama” (1974)
75. George Harrison “My Sweet Lord” (1970)
76. Blondie “Heart of Glass” (1978)
77. Rod Stewart “Maggie May” (1971)
78. Bob Dylan “Like a Rolling Stone” (1965)
79. James Blunt “You’re Beautiful” (2005)
80. The Rolling Stones “Brown Sugar” (1971)

81. The Doors “Light My Fire” (1967)
82. Bruce Springsteen “Born to Run” (1975)
83. Soft Cell “Tainted Love” (1981)
84. The Kinks “Waterloo Sunset” (1967)
85. Steve Harley with Cockney Rebel “Make Me Smile (Come Up and See Me)” (1975)
86. The Beach Boys “Good Vibrations” (1966)
87. Goo Goo Dolls “Iris” (1998)
88. Simon & Garfunkel “Bridge Over Troubled Water” (1970)
89. New Order “Blue Monday” (1983)
90. The Jimi Hendrix Experience “All Along the Watchtower” (1968)

91. Joy Division “Love Will Tear Us Apart” (1980)
92. Frankie Goes to Hollywood “Relax” (1983)
93. The Who “Substitute” (1966)
94. David Bowie “Heroes” (1977)
95. Simon & Garfunkel “Mrs. Robinson” (1968)
96. Elvis Costello “Oliver’s Army” (1979)
97. The Police “Message in a Bottle” (1979)
98. Keane “Somewhere Only We Know” (2004)
99. Snow Patrol “Run” (2004)
100. The Verve “The Drugs Don’t Work” (1997)

Resources/Related Links:

Dave’s Music Database: “Lists from other publications and/or organizations”
Virgin Radio

First posted 4/4/2011; last updated 11/12/2023.

Saturday, December 27, 2003

Virgin Records: Top 100 Albums

Virgin Records:

The Top 100 Albums

Through a variety of media outlets, including radio and publishing, Virgin Records has put out a variety of best-of album lists through the years. This exclusive DMDB list consolidates four Virgin lists (see sources at bottom of page) into one top 100.

Check out other publications and organizations’ best-of album lists here.

1. Nirvana Nevermind (1991)
2. Pink Floyd Dark Side of the Moon (1973)
3. Led Zeppelin Led Zeppelin IV (1971)
4. The Rolling Stones Exile on Main Street (1972)
5. Queen A Night at the Opera (1975)
6. Meat Loaf Bat Out of Hell (1977)
7. Eagles Hotel California (1976)
8. Guns N’ Roses Appetite for Destruction (1987)
9. Dire Straits Brothers in Arms (1985)
10. The Beatles Revolver (1966)

11. R.E.M. Automatic for the People (1992)
12. The Beatles Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band (1967)
13. The Beatles Abbey Road (1969)
14. The Beach Boys Pet Sounds (1966)
15. Oasis (What’s the Story) Morning Glory (1995)
16. U2 The Joshua Tree (1987)
17. The Beatles The Beatles (aka “The White Album”) (1968)
18. David Bowie The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars (1972)
19. The Smiths The Queen Is Dead (1986)
20. David Bowie Hunky Dory (1971)

21. Fleetwood Mac Rumours (1977)
22. U2 Achtung Baby (1991)
23. Sex Pistols Never Mind the Bollocks, Here’s the Sex Pistols (1977)
24. The Beatles Rubber Soul (1965)
25. Bruce Springsteen Born to Run (1975)
26. Bob Dylan Blonde on Blonde (1966)
27. Paul Simon Graceland (1986)
28. Alanis Morissette Jagged Little Pill (1995)
29. The Doors The Doors (1967)
30. The Jimi Hendrix Experience Are You Experienced? (1967)

31. Blur Parklife (1994)
32. Pearl Jam Ten (1991)
33. Crowded House Woodface (1991)
34. The Who Who’s Next (1971)
35. Stevie Wonder Songs in the Key of Life (1976)
36. Blondie Parallel Lines (1978)
37. Manic Street Preachers Everything Must Go (1996)
38. The Verve Urban Hymns (1997)
39. Red Hot Chili Peppers Blood Sugar Sex Magik (1991)
40. Elton John Goodbye Yellow Brick Road (1973)

41. Metallica Master of Puppets (1986)
42. AC/DC Back in Black (1980)
43. The Jam All Mod Cons (1978)
44. Derek and the Dominos Layla & Other Assorted Love Songs (1970)
45. The Police Synchronicity (1983)
46. Elvis Costello My Aim Is True (1977)
47. Elvis Costello & The Attractions Imperial Bedroom (1982)
48. Bon Jovi Slippery When Wet (1986)
49. The Rolling Stones Aftermath (1966)
50. Sting Ten Summoner’s Tales (1993)

51. Def Leppard Pyromania (1983)
52. The Cars The Cars (1978)
53. ZZ Top Eliminator (1983)
54. Radiohead The Bends (1995)
55. Radiohead OK Computer (1997)
56. The Stone Roses The Stone Roses (1989)
57. Van Morrison Astral Weeks (1968)
58. Bob Dylan Blood on the Tracks (1975)
59. Velvet Underground & Nico Velvet Underground & Nico (1967)
60. The Jimi Hendrix Experience Electric Ladyland (1968)

61. Love Forever Changes (1967)
62. Bob Dylan Highway 61 Revisited (1965)
63. Miles Davis Kind of Blue (1959)
64. Prince Sign ‘O’ the Times (1987)
65. The Clash London Calling (1979)
66. Pink Floyd Wish You Were Here (1975)
67. Oasis Definitely Maybe (1994)
68. Marvin Gaye What’s Going On (1971)
69. Massive Attack Blue Lines (1991)
70. Portishead Dummy (1994)

71. Pink Floyd The Wall (1979)
72. Joni Mitchell Blue (1971)
73. The Rolling Stones Let It Bleed (1969)
74. The Band The Band (1969)
75. R.E.M. Out of Time (1991)
76. Beck Odelay (1996)
77. Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band Trout Mask Replica (1969)
78. Travis The Man Who (1999)
79. Simon & Garfunkel Bridge Over Troubled Water (1970)
80. Michael Jackson Thriller (1982)

81. Lou Reed Transformer (1972)
82. Neil Young After the Gold Rush (1970)
83. Leftfield Leftism (1995)
84. Bob Marley & the Wailers Legend (compilation: 1973-83, released 1984)
85. Kate Bush Hounds of Love (1985)
86. Smashing Pumpkins Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness (1995)
87. Prince & the Revolution Purple Rain (soundtrack, 1984)
88. Television Marquee Moon (1977)
89. Led Zeppelin Physical Graffiti (1975)
90. Björk Debut (1993)

91. The Beatles A Hard Day’s Night (soundtrack, 1964)
92. David Bowie Low (1977)
93. The Smiths The Smiths (1984)
94. Tori Amos Little Earthquakes (1992)
95. Primal Scream Screamadelica (1991)
96. Carole King Tapestry (1971)
97. Mike Oldfield Tubular Bells (1973)
98. Jeff Buckley Grace (1994)
99. U2 The Unforgettable Fire (1984)
100. Neil Young Harvest (1972)

Resources and Related Links:

Dave’s Music Database: Best-of Album Lists by Publications/Organizations
1998: The Virgin All-Time Top 1000 Albums
This revised book from Colin Larkin is the result of more than 200,000 poll participants.
2000: The Virgin All-Time Top 1000 Albums
This is the third edition of Colin Larkin’s books, again produced by gathering more than 200,000 votes.
2003: “Great Albums You Really Should Own”
List was compiled by DJ Daryl Denham for Virgin Radio from more than 3500 votes.
12/27/03: “Top 25 Rock Albums All Time”
Presented on Virgin Radio on Russ Williams’ Rebel Yell show.

First posted 12/27/2003; last updated 9/4/2026.

Monday, December 1, 1997

Robbie Williams charted with “Angels”