Tag Archives: Billboard Hits

Billboard All-Time Hot 100 Top Songs

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I was doing some research today and thought it would be fun to review the Billboard All-Time Hot 100 top songs of Billboard’s 50th Anniversary.

The songs in the “50th Anniversary” charts had to appear on the Hot 100 in order to be counted. This may create some confusion (for example: many great country artists and songs are not on the “50th Anniversary” chart because, while very popular on the country charts they didn’t cross over to the Hot 100). Also, keep in mind the Hot 100 started in August 1958 so any prior songs are not listed, including some popular Elvis Presley songs.

The “50th Anniversary” chart is based on actual performance on the weekly Billboard Hot 100. The artist chart utilizes the same methodology, with weighted points applied to all titles charted by each artist during that 50-year span. They are ranked based on an inverse point system, with weeks at number one earning the greatest value and weeks at number one hundred earning the least.

Hot 100’s 50th Anniversary award relative points for every week that a title spent on the chart, regardless of rank. For the Hot 100’s 50th Anniversary, Billboard’s charts department ensured a more balanced representation of hits from all 50 years, by analyzing the length of chart runs in earlier decades, as well as the average weeks that titles spent in the top 10 and at number one. Weights for earlier spans were then formulated, to compensate for the shorter chart runs that titles experienced before the 1991 conversion to precise and objective sales and radio data from Nielsen Music.

Billboard All-Time Hot 100 top songs

  1. “The Twist” – Chubby Checker
  2. “Smooth” – Santana featuring Rob Thomas
  3. “Mack the Knife” – Bobby Darin
  4. “How Do I Live” – LeAnn Rimes
  5. “Macarena (Bayside Boys Mix)” – Los del Río
  6. “Physical” – Olivia Newton-John
  7. “You Light Up My Life” – Debby Boone
  8. “Hey Jude” – The Beatles
  9. “We Belong Together” – Mariah Carey
  10. “Un-Break My Heart” – Toni Braxton
  11. “Yeah!” – Usher featuring Lil Jon & Ludacris
  12. “Bette Davis Eyes” – Kim Carnes
  13. “Endless Love” – Diana Ross & Lionel Richie
  14. “Tonight’s the Night (Gonna Be Alright)” – Rod Stewart
  15. “Foolish Games” / “You Were Meant for Me” – Jewel
  16. “(Everything I Do) I Do It for You” – Bryan Adams
  17. “I’ll Make Love to You” – Boyz II Men
  18. “Theme from A Summer Place” – Percy Faith & His Orchestra
  19. “Le Freak” – Chic
  20. “How Deep Is Your Love” – The Bee Gees
  21. “Eye of the Tiger” – Survivor
  22. “I Just Want to Be Your Everything” – Andy Gibb
  23. “Low” – Flo Rida featuring T-Pain
  24. “Too Close” – Next
  25. “Every Breath You Take” – The Police
  26. “Flashdance… What a Feeling” – Irene Cara
  27. “Tossin’ and Turnin’” – Bobby Lewis
  28. “The Battle of New Orleans” – Johnny Horton
  29. “One Sweet Day” – Mariah Carey & Boyz II Men
  30. “Truly Madly Deeply” – Savage Garden
  31. “Silly Love Songs” – Paul McCartney & Wings
  32. “Let’s Get It On” – Marvin Gaye
  33. “Night Fever” – The Bee Gees
  34. “Another One Bites the Dust” – Queen
  35. “Say Say Say” – Paul McCartney & Michael Jackson
  36. “How You Remind Me” – Nickelback
  37. “Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree” – Dawn Featuring Tony Orlando
  38. “It’s All in the Game” – Tommy Edwards
  39. “I Want to Hold Your Hand” – The Beatles
  40. “Shadow Dancing” – Andy Gibb
  41. “Candle in the Wind 1997” / “Something About the Way You Look Tonight” – Elton John
  42. “No One” – Alicia Keys
  43. “End of the Road” – Boyz II Men
  44. “Call Me” – Blondie
  45. “Let Me Love You” – Mario
  46. “Stayin’ Alive” – The Bee Gees
  47. “Lady” – Kenny Rogers
  48. “I’m a Believer” – The Monkees
  49. “Gold Digger” – Kanye West featuring Jamie Foxx
  50. “Apologize” – Timbaland featuring OneRepublic
  51. “The Sign” – Ace Of Base
  52. “Centerfold” – The J. Geils Band
  53. “(Just Like) Starting Over” – John Lennon
  54. “The Boy Is Mine” – Brandy & Monica
  55. “Because I Love You (The Postman Song)” – Stevie B
  56. “I Love Rock N’ Roll” – Joan Jett & The Blackhearts
  57. “Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In” – The 5th Dimension
  58. “Whoomp! (There It Is)” – Tag Team
  59. “Ebony and Ivory” – Paul McCartney & Stevie Wonder
  60. “Rush, Rush” – Paula Abdul
  61. “That’s What Friends Are For” – Dionne Warwick, Elton John, Gladys Knight and Stevie Wonder
  62. “Upside Down” – Diana Ross
  63. “Sugar, Sugar” – The Archies
  64. “Dilemma” – Nelly featuring Kelly Rowland
  65. “I Heard It Through the Grapevine” – Marvin Gaye
  66. “You’re Still the One” – Shania Twain
  67. “Hot Stuff” – Donna Summer
  68. “I Will Always Love You” – Whitney Houston
  69. “Gangsta’s Paradise” – Coolio featuring L.V.
  70. “Abracadabra” – Steve Miller Band
  71. “Billie Jean” – Michael Jackson
  72. “You’re So Vain” – Carly Simon
  73. “Play That Funky Music” – Wild Cherry
  74. “Say You, Say Me” – Lionel Richie
  75. “My Sharona” – The Knack
  76. “All Night Long (All Night)” – Lionel Richie
  77. “Nothing Compares 2 U” – Sinéad O’Connor
  78. “I Swear” – All-4-One
  79. “Family Affair” – Mary J. Blige
  80. “Waiting for a Girl Like You” – Foreigner
  81. “Are You Lonesome Tonight” – Elvis Presley
  82. “Killing Me Softly with His Song” – Roberta Flack
  83. “Hurts So Good” – John Mellencamp
  84. “I’ll Be Missing You” – Puff Daddy & Faith Evans featuring 112
  85. “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head” – B.J. Thomas
  86. “Another Day in Paradise” – Phil Collins
  87. “Best of My Love” – The Emotions
  88. “You Make Me Wanna…” – Usher
  89. “Big Girls Don’t Cry” – Fergie
  90. “The Way We Were” – Barbra Streisand
  91. “Another Night” – The Real McCoy
  92. “It’s Now or Never” – Elvis Presley
  93. “Do That to Me One More Time” – Captain & Tennille
  94. “A Fifth of Beethoven” – Walter Murphy & The Big Apple Band
  95. “Like a Virgin” – Madonna
  96. “Maria Maria” (Album Version) – Santana featuring The Product G&B
  97. “I Will Survive” – Gloria Gaynor
  98. “I Can’t Stop Loving You” – Ray Charles
  99. “U Got It Bad” – Usher
  100. “Joy to the World” – Three Dog Night

Elvis Presley Billboard All-Time Hot 100 Top Songs with Rhode Island DJ

I am very surprised by all of the top ten, except maybe “Hey Jude” by The Beatles. It is not that I think they are not good or popular songs, I just did not conceptualize them as the ones that have had the most success on Billboard’s Hot 100 Charts of all time.

At the other end, I would have thought Madonna’s “Like A Virgin” would have been near the top of the list. The exclusion of songs like “Stairway To Heaven” by Led Zeppelin, as described below, stand out as clear missing by popularity over time.

The Beatles Billboard All-Time Hot 100 Top Songs with Rhode Island DJ

Prior to December 1998, songs did not appear on the Billboard Hot 100 until a retail single became available (which, incidentally, is why hits like Led Zeppelin‘s “Stairway to Heaven” and No Doubt‘s “Don’t Speak” never appeared on the Hot 100). In earlier years, retail singles came to market fairly early in a song’s life-usually shortly after, or even before, a song came to radio.

But, during the 1990s, when labels would strategize number-one chart bows by significant hits, the retail release of some priority singles were withheld until radio audience reached maximum levels. Although some of these songs spent significant numbers of weeks at number one or in the top ten, the delay of the sales component ultimately shortened the spans these songs would spend on the chart. With the new methodology rewarding points for a song’s entire chart run, rather than confining points to weeks spent in the top ten, the shorter chart lives recorded by the songs that debuted at number one impact their all-time standings.

Motown Records Billboard All-Time Hot 100 Top Songs with Rhode Island DJ

Which songs are you most surprised about high, low or omitted on the Billboard All-Time Hot 100 Top Songs?

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & Boston DJ

Your Party, Your Music, Your DJ

973.908.8147

DJMysticalMichael@gmail.com

Gerry Rafferty Baker Street

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Gerry Rafferty Baker Street was released in 1978, some consider one of the great years for Pop Music. This was three years after the dissolving of his previous band, Stealers Wheel due to contract disputes with the recording company. It reached number 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 charts and stayed there for six weeks. Rafferty was born and raised in Scotland.

Groom Removed Bride Garter at Fun Rhode Island Wedding DJ Gerry Rafferty Baker Street

Gerry Rafferty Baker Street featured saxophonist Raphael Ravenscroft. Ravenscroft was mostly known for his work with Pink Floyd that earned him critical success. There is an urban legend that Ravenscroft was never paid for his session work on Gerry Rafferty Baker Street. This is significant since Gerry Rafferty Baker Street was number 1 in the U.K. and number two in The U.S.A., and the royalties and sales that came with an international hit even in these days. When asked about this, Ravenscroft stated this is not true and that he was paid but there are still many who believe he was just not wanting to shed a bad light on Rafferty after his passing in 2011.

Gerry Rafferty Baker Street Music Video

http://youtu.be/lSIw09oqsYo

The single version of Gerry Rafferty Baker Street was recorded with the tape of the album version sped up slightly to raise the tempo to be more radio-friendly. This also had the result of raising the key by a half tone.

Gerry Rafferty Baker Street Lyrics

Winding your way down on Baker Street
Light in your head and dead on your feet
Well another crazy day, you’ll drink the night away
And forget about everything

This city desert makes you feel so cold
It’s got so many people but it’s got no soul
And it’s taken you so long to find out you were wrong
When you thought it held everything

You used to think that it was so easy
You used to say that it was so easy
But you’re tryin’, you’re tryin’ now

Another year and then you’d be happy
Just one more year and then you’d be happy
But you’re cryin’, you’re cryin’ now

Way down the street there’s a lad in his place
He opens the door, he’s got that look on his face
And he asks you where you’ve been, you tell him who you’ve seen
And you talk about anything

He’s got this dream about buyin’ some land
He’s gonna give up the booze and the one night stands
And then he’ll settle down in some quiet little town
And forget about everything

But you know he’ll always keep movin’
You know he’s never gonna stop movin’
Cause he’s rollin’, he’s the rollin’ stone

And when you wake up it’s a new morning
The sun is shining, it’s a new morning
And you’re going, you’re going home

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & NY DJ

Adele Turning Tables

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Adele is a such a powerful writer and vocalist, which is very evident on Adele Turning Tables. It is a nice change to see a pop singer succeed that looks like a regular person and not a stick figure or Photoshopped beauty. Unfortunately they decided to produce a ‘live’ video that has the pianist in two different shirts during the performance, not sure why they did that.

Adele Turning Tables Music Video Live at Albert Hall

It is rare that songs that top The Billboard Charts are produced with such quality like Adele Turning Tables. It lets me know there is still enough of us out there to know the difference and to provide hope to those wanting to share their musical gifts with us that they have a chance too.

 

Adele Laurie Blue Adkins was born in Tottenham, London, to a single teenage mother on 5 May 1988. She began singing at age four and asserts that she became obsessed with voices… Adele has cited the Spice Girls as a major influence in regard to her love and passion for music, stating that “they made me what I am today.”

 

According to the Official Charts Company in The U.K., Adele is the first living artist to achieve the feat of two top five hits in both the Official Singles Chart and the Official Albums Chart simultaneously since The Beatles in 1964.

Adele 21 Adele Turning Tables with Rhode Island DJ

“Turning Tables” received acclaim from music critics who praised Adele’s vocals and its production. The song reached the top-twenty of the singles charts in four countries, including Belgium, Italy and the Netherlands. It also peaked at number 62 on the UK Singles Chart and 63 on the US Billboard Hot 100. It was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for selling over 500,000 digital downloads. “Turning Tables” was promoted with live performances across both sides of the Atlantic, including Late Night with David Letterman in America and The Jonathan Ross Show in the United Kingdom. American actress and singer Gwyneth Paltrow performed a cover of the single in the Glee episode “A Night of Neglect“.Wikipedia

At the 51st Grammy Awards in 2009, Adele won awards in the categories of Best New Artist and Best female Pop Performance.

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & NY DJ

This Day In Music History: Tommy James

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It was on this date in 1987 that a very unique situation was manifested in the US Billboard Singles Charts. Tommy James had one of his songs, “Mony, Mony” by Bill Idol reach number one. This by itself is not unique but the fact that the week before another of his singles recorded by Tiffany, “I Think We’re Alone Now” was number one is unique!

Tommy James & The Shondells Mony, Mony

It is very unusual for songs written almost twenty years earlier to be back to back number one hits by different recording artists. Tommy James was a great singer and songwriter with may classic American Pop hits. Along with the already mentioned songs, Tommy James wrote and enjoyed success with songs like “Crimson and Clover”, “Hanky Panky” “Crystal Blue Persuasion”, “Draggin’ The Line”  and “Sweet Cherry Wine”. Joan Jett achieved success with her cover version of “Crimson and Clover” as well.

Tommy James was one of the musical artists that was continually in a fight with the recording industry and was left somewhat pennyless with all the hits he penned and recorded with his group The Shondells. It is a shame that this has to happen to artists like Tommy James and others.

Tommy James & The Shondells I Think We’re Alone Now

Enjoy the music videos of Tommy James originals!

The Tommy James Story

“The music of Tommy James is heard continuously, everyday, in every country in the world: on the radio, television or a film soundtrack. To date, he’s sold over 100 million records and has been awarded 23 gold singles plus nine gold and platinum albums…

As of 2011, over 300 artists have recorded their rendition of a Tommy tune (among them Prince, R.E.M, Tom Jones, Cher, and Concrete Blond) or performed his songs in concert (including Bruce Springsteen, Kelly Clarkson, Santana, and Broken Bells).

Over the years, Tommy’s music has graced countless movies, television shows, and advertisements. Notable appearances on the big screen include spots in Forrest Gump, Oliver Stone’s Heaven And Earth, Cape Fear, Don’t Tell Mom The Babysitter’s Dead, We Are Marshall, Pirate Radio, and the 1999 summer blockbuster Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me.” The Official Site of Tommy James & The Shondells

 

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & NY DJ

Billboard 2011 Year End Winner From Rhode Island DJ’s Perspective

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It is rare that the same artist wins Billboard year-end #1 for best album, song and artist. It is even rarer that an artist that recorded the album at age twenty-one wins all three. HINT!  HINT! Yes Adele has won all the main categories for a pop artist for 2011. I am not surprised since she is an amazing artist that has dominated the Billboard Charts and the music industry all year. In fact, she may have single-handedly saved the record industry.

 

I remember when I first heard “Turning Tables”. I was blown away and could not stop listening to it. I knew then she had found something special in her work and I made certain to listen to the whole album immediately. I was not disappointed, very impressed. Still am over a year later as song after song tops the Billboard charts. I still sometimes get a tear in my eyes when I hear “Someone Like You”. I realize this is a peculiar thing to add to my blog but true. Great writing and performances can affect me that way.

 

21 is now Billboard #1 for nineteen weeks! The upcoming interview and performance on 60 Minutes her appearance and performance at The Grammys should keep it at the top for #20.  It is refreshing and a statement about her talent that an artist who focuses less on how she looks and more on how she performs can have the kind of popularity and success that she has achieved. I hope more artists will choose to follow her model and infuse the music industry with artists placing their energy into their craft, not their image or appearance.

Billboard Awards Adele 21 with DJ Mystical Michael

Congratulations Adele on an amazing year, album and Billboard success!

 

DJ Mystical Michael – Rhode Island DJ & NY DJ

First #! Hit By A Girl Group: A Rhode Island DJ Looks Back

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It is on this day in 1961 that the first girl group ever achieved a #1 single. The Shirelles reached the top of the HOT 100 with “Will You Love Me Tomorrow” written by Gerry Goffin and Carole King. Carole was eighteen when she co-wrote this hit single. The Shirelles were from Paterson, NJ and signed a record deal after being noticed performing at a talent show at their high school.

Girl Group The Shirtelles

Girl Group Country Sold (only albums) Genre Studio Albums Members Years Active
1. Spice Girls  United Kingdom 75 million Pop 3 5 → 4 → 5 1996–2001, 2007–2008 (8 years)
2. TLC  United States 50 million R&B/Hip Hop 4 3 → 2 1991–2003, 2008–present (16 years)
3. Destiny’s Child  United States 45 million R&B 4 4 → 3 1997–2005 (9 years)
4. Bananarama  United Kingdom 40 million Pop 10 3 → 2 1981–present (30 years)
5. Speed  Japan 20 million Pop 4 4 1996–2001, 2003, 2008–present (10 years)
6. The Supremes  United States 20 million R&B 29 4 → 3 1959–1977 (19 years)
7. En Vogue  United States 20 million R&B 6 4 → 3 → 4 1989–present (23 years)
8. Morning Musume  Japan 16 million Pop 12 Rotational 1997–present (15 years)
9. Salt-N-Pepa  United States 15 million Hip Hop 5 3 1986–1999, 2008–present (17 years)
10. SWV  United States 15 million R&B 3 3 1990–1998, 2005–present (17 years)

 

Surprisingly, The Spice Girls are the greatest selling pop band in the UK since The Beatles. Surprising in a different manner is the absence of The Dixie Chicks. I wonder if the fact that they are not a typical ‘girl group’ and are actual musicians and writers that they are omitted from the ‘girl group’ genre.

 

It is interesting to note, The Supremes due to the fact of when they were at the height of the success it took 29 albums to reach sixth place on the list where-as The Spice Girls only recorded three studio albums. Clearly if The Supremes were at the peak of the popularity today they would be far and away the best-selling girl group ever. This illustrates how much the music industry has changed in the last twenty-five years.

 

When I was living in South Korea, there were several very popular girl groups. Young ladies idolized them and considered them role models.  The most famous at the time were The Wonder Girls. The rise in popularity outside of their native countries of J-Pop and K-Pop has introduced listeners worldwide to the various girl groups that head the charts in Japan and South Korea. As a side note, these stars are rarely found drunk, drugged, naked or breaking the law as young females celebrities are in The USA.

 

Who is your favorite girl group ever?

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & NY DJ

This Weeks Billboard Top 200 Albums Featuring Pink Floyd? A Curious DJ

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As a professional full-time DJ, I like to scan the Billboard Charts weekly to keep up on what is new, fading and different trends. Today I was viewing the Billboard Top 200 Album Charts and saw something that had me tilting my head in confusion; Pink Floyd has FOUR albums in the current Top 200! What?

 

The professional DJ wonders, “Can that really be true?”

 

It turns out it is true. For reasons I do not understand, Pink Floyd albums are still selling at a very high rate. Not that I think their albums are not worthy of sales, but all the albums that are on the charts are over twenty-five years old! The highest is Dark Side Of The Moon, which remained on the charts for 741 weeks from 1973-1988 consecutively; the longest in history, but that was almost thirty years ago. I actually had both an 8-track and vinyl version of the album but again, that was twenty-eight years ago.

 

Also charting this week in order of appearance on the charts are The Wall, Wish You Were Here and Animals. It is peculiar to see Pink Floyd albums surrounded by Maroon 5, LMFAO, Blake Shelton and Taylor swift, again, not judging any of the artists, just peculiar. It certainly demonstrates how different the American music industry is today. Any genre from Pop, Dance, R&B, Rap, Hip Hop, Rock, Country even Tony Bennett and Frank Sinatra can produce a strong-selling album and professional DJs will play them at Weddings and events.   The Singles Chart has always allowed for diversity since it is just a song and not an entire album. By the way, Adele currently has two albums in the top ten, 21 and 19, with “Someone Like You” #1 on The Top 100 Singles, her second #1 following the success of “Rolling in The Deep”.

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & NY DJ

DJ Lists Most #1 Hits on The Billboard HOT 100 All-Time By Artist

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Time to look at Billboard’s 50th Anniversary List of Top #1 Hits by Artist
20 – The Beatles First No. 1: “I Want to Hold Your Hand” (1964)

18 – Mariah Carey First No. 1: “Vision of Love” (1990)

13 – Michael Jackson First No. 1: “Ben” (1972)

12 – Madonna First No. 1: “Like a Virgin” (1984)

12 – The Supremes First No. 1: “Where Did Our Love Go” (1964)

11 – Whitney Houston First No. 1: “Saving All My Love for You” (1985)

10 – Janet Jackson First No. 1: “When I Think of You” (1986)

10 – Stevie Wonder First No. 1: “Fingertips – Pt. 2” (1963)

9 – Bee Gees First No. 1: “How Can You Mend a Broken Heart” (1971)

9 – Elton John First No. 1: “Crocodile Rock” (1973)

9 – Paul McCartney & Wings First No. 1: “Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey” (1973)

8 – The Rolling Stones First No. 1: “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction” (1965)

8 – Usher First No. 1: “Nice and Slow” (1998)

I am not surprised The Beatles are on top, Michael Jackson #3 or Madonna  #4 but was not expecting Mariah Carey to be #2, 18 #1 hits is incredible! Really the rest of the list are all legends except Usher. Artists known throughout the world among many ages, genres and cultures.  If you integrate The Beatles, Paul McCartney & Wings, solo and other collaborations Paul’s collective accomplishments, he is totaling 33 #1 hits. I remember my father bringing home the ’45’ of “I Want To Hold Your Hand”.  The B side in The UK was “This Boy” but in The USA it was “I Saw Her Standing There”, the copy I quickly ruined through overplay and youthful exuberance..

 

Half the top 8 were Motown artists; Michael & Janet Jackson, The Supremes and Stevie Wonder. It is interesting to view The Bee Gees as one recording artist since they experienced two completely separate ‘careers’ starting with the Folk Rock Hits beginning with “How Can You Mend A Broken Heart” and reformed in the late 70’s with their Disco hits like “Night Fever” and Stayin’ Alive”.

 

It never would have occurred to me “Crocodile Rock” was Elton’s first #1 Billboard hit. I did some research and Honkey Chateau made it #1 in the album charts but no #1 single till “Crocodile Rock”.

 

Where is Elvis you ask? Good question! Elvis had 20 #1 hits but Billboard was celebrating their 50th Anniversary of The HOT 100, which was established in 1958, and he had 13 of those #1’s before The HOT 100 existed.

Which artists are you surprised are on the list and which did you think would be but aren’t?

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & NY DJ

Top Selling Albums of All Time: A Professional DJ Review

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A professional DH review of Top Selling Albums of All Time.

I thought it would be fun to take a look at which albums are the highest selling ever in The USA. I was surprised to find out it was The Eagles Greatest Hits. I thought it was Michael Jackson Thriller.

 

Of the albums that are NOT collections, greatest hits or live, M.J. is the highest with two rock classics being Led Zeppelin IV and Pink Floyd The Wall not far behind. The surprising thing about The Wall is that it is a double album, meaning that it sold over 23 million copies of a double album costing almost twice as much!

 

It is nice to see two Country titles right up there with the Pop and Rock top sellers by crossover stars Garth Brooks and Shania Twain. The top two soundtracks are The Bodyguard by Whitney Houston and Saturday Night Fever by The BeeGees.

 

Which albums surprised you?

29 Million Albums Sold

  • Their Greatest Hits 1971-1975 – Eagles (Elektra)

27 Million Albums Sold

  • Thriller – Michael Jackson (Epic)

23 Million Albums Sold

  • Led Zeppelin IV – Led Zeppelin (Swan Song)
  • The Wall- Pink Floyd (Columbia)

21 Million Albums Sold

  • Back in Black – AC/DC (Elektra)
  • Greatest Hits Volumes I & II – Billy Joel (Columbia)

20 Million Albums Sold

  • Double Live – Garth Brooks (Capitol Nashville)
  • Come On Over – Shania Twain (Mercury Nashville)

19 Million Albums Sold

  • The Beatles – The Beatles (Capitol)
  • Rumours – Fleetwood Mac (Warner Bros.)

17 Million Albums Sold

  • Boston – Boston (Epic)
  • The Bodyguard (Soundtrack) – Whitney Houston (Arista)

16 Million Albums Sold

  • The Beatles 1967-1970 – The Beatles (Capitol)
  • No Fences – Garth Brooks (Capitol Nashville)
  • Hotel California – Eagles (Elektra)
  • Cracked Rear View – Hootie & the Blowfish (Atlantic)
  • Greatest Hits – Elton John (MCA)
  • Physical Graffiti – Led Zeppelin (Swan Song)
  • Jagged Little Pill – Alanis Morissette (Maverick)

15 Million Albums Sold

  • The Beatles 1962-1966 – The Beatles (Capitol)
  • Saturday Night Fever (Soundtrack) – Bee Gees (Polydor/Atlas)
  • Appetite for Destruction – Guns ‘N Roses (Geffen)
  • Dark Side of the Moon – Pink Floyd (Capitol)
  • Supernatural – Santana (Arista)
  • Born in the U.S.A. – Bruce Springsteen (Columbia)

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & NY DJ

Hey DJ: Just Play Good Music!

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One of the things that is a constant in the professional DJ and music business is the notion of ‘good music’.  When I am working with a new client to book their event, it is very common when asking them what kind of music do you want at your wedding or whatever the event is to get an answer similar to this, “Please play only good music!”.

 

First note is that I would not or any other professional DJ on purpose play ‘bad music’!

 

Second and more important is that the term ‘good music’ typically translates as; ‘music that I like’. Of course, there is no such thing as good or bad music really. It is just a matter of taste and for most people, the difference between a talented composer and someone who writes music while walking down the street is not distinguishable.

 

Example:  If you are about to perform a professional DJ gig with a crowd of young, rural high school students, their definition of what ‘good music’ is would probably be much different than that of a Professor of Music History at Princeton University. It is not that one of them is right and the other is wrong, it is just that ‘good music’ is subjective and not really an accurate means of defining what you like.

 

It is safe to say that since he has passed on, Michael Jackson has been raised to a level of recognition that few have enjoyed globally. Does this mean his music is ‘good’? Would the reverse also be true then? If an ultra-talented cellist who performs only for private audiences and has chosen not to record anything to be released nationally or globally, and not know by many expert true offocionados a creator of ‘bad music’?

 

When booking a professional DJ for your event, especially a wedding DJ, be very specific in what genres and exact songs you want to have played and when. It is your event and you should be the one who has chosen the main direction of the musical selections.

 

It is helpful to request music for your event like this; “We want Soul and R&B music from the 60’s, 70’s and early 80’s, we do not like Modern R&B or Soul. We love Diana Ross, Stevie Wonder, Prince and Michael Jackson of course.” This is fairly clear without needing to spell out exactly which artists/songs you would be requesting.

 

This is not as helpful; “We like R&B and Soul.” This leaves a lot of room for misunderstanding, interpretation and possible confusion.

 

Be clear and concise in what you want at YOUR EVENT! Form there, an experienced professional DJ can follow along and creatively mix in what you requested, what your guests request at the event and what is working in real-time.

 

Remember: It is YOUR event and YOU get to choose the music. We just weave together the songs with the crowd and make it flow and create a unique and quality event for you.

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DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & NY DJ