Jukebox Gems

07/04/2025

On this day in 1978, The Police released Roxanne, the first single from their debut album, 'Outlandos d’Amour.'

The song, about a man falling for a s*x worker, initially failed to chart in the UK. However, after the success of their hit Can't Stand Losing You, Roxanne was reissued the following year and climbed to No. 12.

06/04/2025

The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill – Lauryn Hill (1998)

Hill’s debut solo album blends hip-hop, R&B, and soul, showcasing her powerful voice and insightful lyrics.

It received widespread critical acclaim, earning five Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year, making Hill the first woman to win that category.

06/04/2025

On this day in 1966, The Beatles began recording 'Revolver' at Abbey Road Studios in London.

The session focused on the basic track of John Lennon’s new song. Inspired by his recent reading, Lennon had purchased a copy of Timothy Leary’s 'The Psychedelic Experience and The Tibetan Book of the Dead'.

In the book’s introduction, he came across the line, "When in doubt, relax, turn off your mind, float downstream," which captured his imagination and ultimately became the opening lyric of Tomorrow Never Knows.

05/04/2025

On this day in 1985, the charity single 'We Are the World' was broadcast simultaneously on over 5,000 radio stations worldwide.

Performed by USA for Africa, a star-studded group led by Lionel Richie and Michael Jackson, the song topped the charts in both the US and UK, becoming the fastest-selling single in America.

Proceeds from the song, along with merchandise sales and private donations, raised over $50 million for humanitarian aid in Africa.

04/04/2025

On this day in 1964, The Beatles set a US chart record by holding the top five spots on the Billboard Hot 100.

'Can't Buy Me Love' was at No. 1, followed by their cover 'Twist and Shout' at No. 2, and 'She Loves You' at No. 3. 'I Want to Hold Your Hand' was at No. 4, and 'Please Please Me' took the top five.

The band also had nine more singles charting in the Hot 100.

03/04/2025

In 1965, Bob Dylan made his debut on the UK singles chart with The Times They Are A-Changin’, reaching No. 9.

Surprisingly, the widely covered title track of his third album was never released as a single in the US.

02/04/2025

On this day in 1964, The Beach Boys started recording 'I Get Around', which would become their first No. 1 hit on the Billboard charts.

Released the next month, the song reflected the band’s rise to fame in an upbeat, autobiographical style.

02/04/2025

On this day in 2006, Gnarls Barkley, the duo of CeeLo Green and Danger Mouse, topped the singles chart with their debut hit 'Crazy'.

It held the No. 1 spot for nine weeks, the longest run in over a decade.

'Crazy' became the first song to top the UK charts solely from downloads and was later named the country’s best-selling single of 2006. It came from their Grammy-winning debut album, St. Elsewhere.

01/04/2025

Did you know Janet Jackson’s 1989 album, 'Rhythm Nation 1814', made history as the only album with seven Top 5 singles, including Miss You Much and Escapade.

Her Rhythm Nation World Tour (1990) even set records as the highest-grossing debut tour ever.

01/04/2025

On this day in 1966, Sam & Dave released their classic soul anthem Hold On, I’m Comin’.

Produced by the legendary duo Isaac Hayes and David Porter at Stax Records, the song became one of their biggest hits, reaching No. 1 on the Billboard R&B chart and No. 21 on the Hot 100.

Provided to YouTube by Rhino AtlanticHold On, I'm Coming · Sam & DaveSweat 'n' Soul: Anthology (1965-1971)℗ 1965 Atlantic Recording CorpVocals: Dave PraterVo...

31/03/2025

On this day in 1958, Chuck Berry released 'Johnny B. Goode'.

As one of the earliest recordings about rock ’n’ roll, it became a Top Ten hit on the Billboard Hot 100 and reached No. 2 on the R&B chart.

Years later, it was ranked No. 7 on Rolling Stone's list of the "500 Greatest Songs of All Time."

31/03/2025

On this day in 1984, Kenny Loggins hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 with Footloose, the title track from the film starring Kevin Bacon.

The high-energy anthem held the top spot for three weeks and also reached No. 1 in Australia.

A year later, Loggins scored another soundtrack hit with Danger Zone from Top Gun.

Provided to YouTube by Columbia/LegacyFootloose (From "Footloose" Soundtrack) · Kenny LogginsFootloose (15th Anniversary Collectors' Edition)℗ 1984 Columbia ...