music Archives - Ramblin' with Roger

The 1992 Mainstream #1 Rock Tracks

an influential 1835 hymnal

The 1992 Mainstream #1 Rock Tracks were the songs that were getting airplay on mainstream rock stations, regardless of format (singles, album cuts, etc.).

Remedy – the Black Crowes, eleven weeks at #1M, #48 pop

How About That – Bad Company, 6 weeks at #1 M, #38 pop

Hotel Illness – the Black Crowes, 6 weeks at #1 M; did not chart on the pop charts, but it was released as a single. Probably unrelated, Hotel illness family ‘too traumatised to holiday again.’

Thorn In My Pride – the Black Crowes 4 weeks at #1 M, #80 pop

Human Touch – Bruce Springsteen, 3 weeks at #1 M. #16 pop

Even Better Than The Real Thing – U2, 2 weeks at #1 M, #32 pop

Again Tonight – John Mellencamp, 2 weeks at #1

One – U2, 2 weeks at #1 M, #10 pop

Sting Me – the Black Crowes, 2 weeks at #1 M, did not chart pop

Rest In Peace – Extreme, two at #1 M #96 pop

The rest were #1 for 1 week, Mainstream

Let’s Get Rocked – Def Leppard, #15 pop

Digging In The Dirt – Peter Gabriel, #52 pop

Keep The Faith – Bon Jovi, #29 pop

The Robinson brothers

From Wikipedia: “The Southern Harmony and Musical Companion is the second studio album by American rock band the Black Crowes, released on May 12, 1992… The album’s name derives from the full name of the Southern Harmony, an influential 1835 hymnal compiled by William Walker…

“It was a record for an album to feature four album rock number-one hits (previously set by Tom Petty in 1989, with three). The album itself reached the top spot of the Billboard 200 album chart, propelled by the success of these singles.”

I never owned the album, though someone had given me their previous collection, Shake Your Money Maker. The only albums I own from the songs represented above were Us (Gabriel), Human Touch (Springsteen), and Achtung Baby (U2).

Incidentally, I’m fond of One by Johnny Cash from the 2000 album American III: Solitary Man.

The #1 hits of 1936

Astaire, Dorsey, Goodman, Lombardo, Waller

I was wondering why the list of the#1 hits of 1936 was so long. It was a function of the national economy. The record industry underwent an almost total collapse. By 1932, only six million records had been sold, compared with a peak of 140,000,000 just five years earlier.

However, according to Joel Whitburn Presents A Century of Pop Music, the jukebox had become ubiquitous whenever people gathered to listen to music or dance. Some 225,000 were in operation by 1939.

You will likely recognize some of these. I’d heard 5 of the first six.

The songs

Pennies From Heaven – Bing Crosby with George Stoll and his orchestra (Decca), 10 weeks at #1. From the Columbia picture, Pennies From Heaven.

Goody Goody – Benny Goodman and his orchestra with Helen Ward, vocals (Victor), 6 weeks at #1. Co-written by Johnny Mercer.

The Way You Look Tonight – Fred Astaire with Johnny Green (no relation) and his orchestra (Brunswick), 6 weeks at #1. The Oscar-winning song from the movie Swing Time

Alone – Tommy Dorsey and his orchestra, with Cliff Weston, vocals (Victor), 6 weeks at #1, from the M-G-M film, A Night At The Opera

The Glory of Love – Benny Goodman and his orchestra, with Helen Ward, vocals (Victor) 6 weeks at #1

A Fine Romance (A Sarcastic Love Song) – Fred Astaire with Johnny Green andhis orchestra (Brunswick), 5 weeks at #1, from Swing Time, written by Fields/Kern

The Music Goes ‘Round and ‘Round – Tommy Dorsey and his Clambake Seven, with Edythe Wright, vocals (Victor), 5 weeks at #1, a novelty song

Did I Remember – Shep Fields and His Rippling Rhythm Orchestra, with Charles Chester, vocals (Bluebird), 4 weeks at #1, from the M-G-M film Suzy

It’s A Sin To Tell A Lie – Fats Waller and his Rhythm (Victor), 4 weeks at #1

Is It True What They Say About Dixie – Jimmy Dorsey and his orchestra, with Bob Eberly, vocals (Decca ), 4 weeks at #1

Three weeks at #1

Moon Over Miami – Eddie Duchin and his orchestra, with Lew Sherwood, vocals (Victor)

The Music Goes ‘Round and Around – Reilly-Farley and their Oxnard Club Boys, with Mike Reilly (Decca), a novelty song. Reilly’s name is subsequently spelled Riley.

Melody From The Sky – Jan Garber and his orchestra, The Idol of The Air Lanes, with Lee Bennett, vocals (Decca)

Two weeks at #1

When Did You Leave Heaven – Guy Lombardo and his Royal Canadians, with Carmen Lombardo, vocals (Victor), from the 20th Century Fox film Sing, Baby, Sing

In The Chapel In The Moonlight -Shep Fields and his Rippling Rhythm Orchestra (Bluebird)

These Foolish Things Remind Me Of You – Benny Goodman and his orchestra, with Helen Ward, vocals (Victor), from the revue, Spread It Abroad

A Beautiful Lady In Blue – Jan Garber and his orchestra, The Idol of The Air Lanes, with Lew Palmer, vocals (Decca)

It’s Been So Long – Benny Goodman and his orchestra, with Helen Ward, vocals (Victor). From the M-G-M film The Great Ziegfeld

Until The Real Thing Comes Along – Andy Kirk and his Twelve Clouds of Joy, with Pha Terrell, vocals (Decca)

Lost – Guy Lombardo and his Royal Canadians, with Carmen Lombardo, vocals (Victor)

When I’m With You – Hal Kemp and his orchestra, with Skinnay Ennis, vocals (Brunswick). From the Temple film Poor Little Rich Girl

You Turned The Tables On Me – Benny Goodman and his orchestra, with Helen Ward, vocals (Victor). From the 20th Century Fox film Sing, Baby, Sing

There’s A Small Hotel – Hal Kemp and his orchestra, with Maxine Grey, vocals (Brunswick). From the musical On Your Toes, written by Rodgers and Hart.

Take My Heart – Eddy Duchin and his orchestra, with Jerry Cooper, vocals (Victor)

One week at #1

Lights Out – Eddy Duchin and his orchestra, with Lew Sherwood, vocals (Victor)

You– Tommy Dorsey and his orchestra, with Edythe Wright, vocals (Victor). From the M-G-M film, The Great Ziegfeld

All My Life – Fats Waller and his Rhythm (Victor). From the Republic film Laughing Irish Eyes

I’m Putting All My Eggs In One Basket – Fred Astaire with Johnny Green and his orchestra (Brunswick). From the film Follow The First, written by Irving Berlin

I’ll Sing You A Thousand Love Songs – Eddy Duchin and his orchestra, with Jimmy Newill, vocals. From the Cosmopolitan film Cain and Mabel

March rambling: Clean up the faux king mess on aisle 47

272-867-5309

Just a couple of the many signs seen at the No Kings rally on Saturday, March 28, at the New York State Capitol in Albany: “Clean up the faux king mess on aisle 47.” “So many wrongs – so little cardboard.”

War Becomes Spectacle in His Horrific Propaganda Promoting War in Iran

Volume in stock and oil futures surged minutes before his market-turning post. (If you can access Substack, read Paul Krugman’s Treason in the futures market.)

Ever find yourself watching regime officials and thinking, “What’s wrong with these people?” Three writers offer their answers. “The transition to pathocracy begins when a disordered individual emerges as a leader figure. While some members of the ruling class are appalled by the brutality and irresponsibility of the leader and his acolytes, his disordered personality appeals to some psychologically normal individuals. They find him charismatic. His impulsiveness is mistaken for decisiveness; his narcissism for confidence; his recklessness for fearlessness.” – Steve Taylor, “The Problem of Pathocracy“

Robert Mueller: The former Marine overhauled – and, supporters say, helped save – the FBI after the 9/11 attacks. Then he took on FOTUS in the probe of a lifetime.

Sen. Whitehouse to uncover connections between FOTUS, Russia, and Epstein. (48:10)

What to do with the new FOTUS-signed paper currency

J.D. Vance and Police Stings: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver

Also

“Humanity has just endured the 11 hottest years on record,” said the secretary-general of the United Nations after the release of the new UN climate report. “When history repeats itself 11 times, it is no longer a coincidence. It is a call to act.”

An investigation by The New York Times found extensive evidence that

Cesar Chavez, the United Farm Workers co-founder and a civil rights icon, groomed and sexually abused girls who worked in the movement for years.

Understaffing as a form of ensh!ttification

Valerie Perrine, Oscar Nominee and Superman Actress, Dies at 82. I saw her in Superman I and II, The Electric Horseman, and Lenny.

Chuck Norris, Black-Belt Action Star of Movies and Television, Dies at 86. I never saw a Norris movie; it wasn’t my thing.

The global nonprofit organization Cancer Support Community (CSC) is taking over one of music’s most unforgettable phone numbers. Anyone impacted by cancer can call CSC-867-5309 (272-867-5309) to receive immediate support, trusted information, and personalized guidance from trained specialists.

What’s the hardest MLB outfield to play in?

‘I’m Dead. Don’t Send Me Any More Mail.’ My relationship with my landlord was among the most reliable of my life. I miss her.

Dick Van Dyke – A Century On Screen

The Conspiracy That Led to the End of the World and The Day It Rained Blobs of Goo and The Man Who Made the Front Page Twice and When an Olive Garden Review Became Internet Famous and How Ignoring Orders Gave Us an Idiom and Because Not Everyone Can Be a Burger King

MUSIC

The Ballad of Stephen Miller – Bruce Kluger

Heavy Foot – Mon Rovîa

Perspective – human/puppet duo of Sammy J and Randy Feltface

Days We Left Behind – Paul McCartney

Bein’ Alive – Melissa Etheridge

It Ain’t Easy Being Green – Ray Charles

Irish Rhapsodies by Charles Villiers Stanford. 4: The Fishermen of Lough Neagh

Louella – Marcia Ball

Tales: A Folklore Symphony by Carlos Simon, “a four-movement piece for orchestra that explores African American folklore as well as Afrofuturist stories.”

Company (Broadway show) Tiny Desk Concert

I Believe – Andrew Rannells and the Broadway Company of The Book of Mormon (LIVE on The Late Show)

Little Green – Joni Mitchell

Coverville 1573: The 2026 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Nominees and 1574: The Wilson Pickett Cover Story II

Green Onions -Booker T. & The MGs

Comedy Tonight from A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum – Jason Alexander

The Albums of My Life: The WHEN HARRY MET SALLY Soundtrack, which I had never heard until now

I Got Rhythm from the musical Crazy for You

Green River – Creedence Clearwater Revival

K-Chuck Radio: Many Rainy Nights in Soho

These Dreams – Heart

September again and again

True Love – Tobias Jesso Jr.

Kung Fu Fighting – Carl Douglas

Sondheim/Webber medley – Will Anderson and Rachael Joyce

Rick Beato reacts to the experimental math rock band from Quebec: Angine de Poitrine

Loving You – Minnie Riperton

Start a Band, Even if You’re Terrible

Lenten music; Barber’s Adagio

‘full of pathos and cathartic passion’

There are rituals I must follow regarding Lenten music. Early on, I play an album of Barber’s Adagio, specifically THIS album.

As I noted here:

From This Day in History:

Adagio for Strings had begun not as a freestanding piece, but as one movement of Barber’s 1936 String Quartet No. 1, Opus 11. When that movement provoked a mid-composition standing ovation at its premiere performance, Barber decided to create the orchestral adaptation that he would soon send to Toscanini.

In later years, the piece would be played at the state funerals of both Franklin Delano Roosevelt and John F. Kennedy, taking its place as what one observer has called “the semi-official music of mourning.”

“It is an adaptable piece, which has been arranged for solo organ, clarinet choir, woodwind band, and, as Agnus Dei, for chorus with optional organ or piano accompaniment, among others.”

From Wikipedia: “Alexander J. Morin, author of Classical Music: The Listener’s Companion (2001), said that the piece was ‘full of pathos and cathartic passion’ and that it ‘rarely leaves a dry eye.’… As part of a musical retrospective in 2000, NPR named Adagio for Strings one of the 100 most important American musical works of the 20th century.” Listening to eight versions leaves me a bit a puddle.

Listen:

Boston Symphony Orchestra

Galway

Canadian Brass

The Choir Of Trinity College, Cambridge (Agnus Dei)

Kalman Opperman Clarinet Choir, Richard Stoltzman, clarinet

Tokyo String Quartet

David Pizarro, organ

Smithsonian Chamber Players Kenneth Slowik, conductor

You might assume that it might feel a bit repetitive, but not really. Still, I have a particular affection for the organ version and the Agnus Dei. My least favorite is the Galway, a sentiment echoed by a couple of Amazon reviewers, but I don’t hate it.

Some time after I have played the whole thing, I will listen to a bunch of requiems, especially by Fauré, Rutter, and, of course, Mozart.

Spring songs

Classics Explained

I was trying to decide what to play for some spring songs. Fortunately, I pulled Joel Whitburn’s Album Cuts, 1955-2001 off my shelf. The annoying thing is that, as a strict list, it does not differentiate between songs with the same title but are different, and covers of the same song.

Spring – Little Milton (1969)

Spring – John Denver (1972)

Spring – Meryl Streep · George Winston (1985) from The Velveteen Rabbit, a story I love

Spring – · Ned’s Atomic Dustbin (1992)

These were all different songs, despite the same title.

Spring Again – Lou Rawls (1977)

Spring Fever – Biz Markie (1989)

Now, I come to a song with oodles of covers. “Spring Can Really Hang You Up the Most” (1955) is a popular song with lyrics by Fran Landesman, set to music by Tommy Wolf. The title is a jazz rendition of the opening line of T. S. Eliot’s The Waste Land, “April is the cruelest month.” The song describes how somebody feels sad and depressed despite all the good things associated with spring

Spring Can Really Hang You Up The Most – The Pete Jolly Trio (1963)

Spring Can Really Hang You Up The Most – Ella Fitzgerald (1960)

Then…

Spring Collection – The Vapors (1980)

Spring Comes To Spiddal – The Waterboys (1990)

Spring Is Here – Peter Nero. When I tried to search for Nero’s Spring Concerto from 1961, this is what came up.

Spring Creek – George Winston (1991) from the album Summer

Spring Fever -· Elvis Presley (1965)

Spring Fever – Orleans (1976)

I was unfamiliar with all of the songs.

Highbrow

There are two pieces of music I play every vernal equinox. The first is The Rite of Spring (1913) by Igor Stravinsky. I always loved the story of the ballet, explained entertainingly by Classics Explained.

There are several recordings. I decided on Stravinsky Conducts Stravinsky (1960) with the Columbia Symphony Orchestra.

The other annual ritual is playing The Four Seasons (1725) by Antonio Vivaldi. I prefer summer and winter; the solstices are in minor keys, whereas the equinoxes are in major keys.