- If Juliette Barnes were real - 20 June, 2014
- Love is a Camera – At least that’s what I tell my Instagram - 6 June, 2014
- Don’t Break the Law - 12 May, 2014
As 2014 moves onward, fresh talent and new music is inevitable. What is important to remember is that as much as the industry changes, for better or worse, music will always play an important part in society.
Today we might be celebrating a year of upcoming music, but it is always good fun to remember what happened before. Looking back music from past decades can help gauge the pulse of a time period, and the trends, tunes and hairstyles that got everyone talking. Let’s explore where we were and how far we’ve come over the last few decades:
2004 – The Biggest Musical Battle in History
Eamon topped the UK singles charts repeatedly back in 2004 with his hit ‘F**ck It (I Don’t Want You Back)’, beating the slut-abulous video ‘Call on Me’ by Eric Prydz. This song proved that expletives beat sexy lyrca. Well perhaps before everyone got on the Fifty Shades bandwagon…
Who managed to knock Eamon off of the top spot after a month of number ones? Frankee with ‘F.U.R.B (F**ck You Right Back)’. Two songs with the same musical arrangement, the love feud of 2004? Not quite. Frankee and Eamon never dated. Did she have any charting songs after this? No.
It only proves how much the public like a little bit of shock value and drama. Good gracious a song with swearing in constantly! Whatever next, gay sex?
1994 – Love Is All Around
Christmas has just come and gone so you have probably watched Love Actually at some point. Of course now you have ‘Christmas Is All Around’ in your head whenever you hear the Wet Wet Wet classic.
The song was a cover released for Four Weddings and a Funeral. Two films with Hugh Grant in, linked by a song? It must have been planned or something.
The 90s seemed to love nothing more than a power ballad. 93 was dominated by Meat Loaf’s ‘I’d Do Anything For Love’. 91 passed by similarly with Bryan Adams (Everything I Do) I Do It For You.
Maybe there is hope for a little bit more romance in 2014?
1984 – Controversial? I see a pattern.
The seventh best-selling single in UK singles chart history dominated the charts in 1984. Frankie Goes to Hollywood with ‘Relax (Don’t Do It) was ignored in 1983, but surged in 1984. To this day it remains a huge track.
The video is an utter triumph for the gays. A S&M gay bar with a drag queen. The idea of this video getting banned makes me question, are we being too tame these days? On second thoughts, perhaps synchronised orgasms are slightly too far.
1954 – Calamity Jane
Skipping the 70s and 60s because I had no idea what the songs were and therefore had no authority to write on them. 1954 however, what a record. A year before my mother was born. Now that is old. (Sorry Mum)
Although it was released in 1953, ‘Secret Love’ from the movie musical Calamity Jane was the biggest hit. Why not? It is a pretty romantic song and who doesn’t like musicals?
I was hoping for a box set of old classics for Christmas, instead I recorded a load on my YouView box. I cannot wait to watch The King and I¸ Oklahoma and High Society.
So there you have it, sixty years of music. Is there a pattern? Yes, romance or controversy wins outs. It also looks like it is the gays who buy all the music.
