100 SONGS THAT CHANGED EVERYTHING. This post: THEME FROM SHAFT. Continues tomorrow.
Caffè Lattè pays tribute to 100 songs that innovated, changed the rules, defied convention and had a significant impact on the evolution of pop and rock music, presented in chronological order…
Check out the playlist on Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1j1WNc1Txp4Loh4txnqu7S?si=01aa2a187ada4e3d
100 SONGS THAT CHANGED EVERYTHING
1971
💥43 Theme From ‘Shaft’
Isaac Hayes
African-Americans
began to see themselves differently in the 1970s. While fighting for their civil
rights, the community gained empowerment, increased self-esteem and a “cool”
image. Nothing personified this shift better than the title character in the
1971 film ‘Shaft’. The uber-cool John
Shaft was a hero; and- more importantly- a black one. ‘Shaft’ was a blaxploitation
film, a trend that thrived in the early 1970s. Isaac Hayes made history with the
film’s theme, which he composed and produced. He had previously penned hits for
the duo Sam & Dave with Richard Porter. Released as a single, the theme
reached #1. At the Academy Awards, it collected the Best Original Song trophy:
a first for an African-American in that Oscar category. As well as breaking
that glass ceiling, the funky soul of “Theme From Shaft” helped lay the
groundwork for disco. Hayes influenced the likes of Chic, Prince and Nate Dogg.
1971- What’s Going On
The Revolution Will Not Be Televised
1969- Whole Lotta Love
1968- Helter Skelter
Voodoo Child (Slight Return)
Folsom Prison Blues Live
1967- Sunshine Of Your Love
A Day In The Life
Respect
Light My Fire
Venus In Furs
Strawberry Fields Forever
1966- Good Vibrations
Tomorrow Never Knows
Eight Miles High
1965- The Sounds Of Silence
My Generation
Papa’s Got A Brand New Bag
(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction
I’ve Been Loving You Too Long (To Stop Now)
1964- You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’
You Really Got Me
The House Of The Rising Sun
Where Did Our Love Go
1963- I Want To Hold Your Hand
Blowin’ In The Wind
Be My Baby
1962- Misirlou
1961- Crazy
1960- The Twist
Cathy’s Clown
1959- There Goes My Baby
What’d I Say
(Parts 1 & 2)
1957- Great Balls Of Fire
Jailhouse Rock
You Send Me
That’ll Be The Day
1955- Tutti Frutti
Maybellene
1955- Rock Around The Clock
1954- That’s All Right Mama
1951- Rocket 88
While
Frank Sinatra is credited with issuing the first ‘concept’ albums, The Beatles’
‘Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band’ LP soon surpassed all other similar
projects. In the 1970s, Marvin Gaye offered the first significant R&B
concept album. As one of the key acts on the Motown roster, Gaye had already
notched up a strong string of hits in the previous decade that included “Can I
Get A Witness”, “How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)” and “I Heard It Through
The Grapevine”. As well as these solo outings, Gaye sang on influential duets
such as “It Takes Two” (with Kim Weston), “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” and “Ain’t
Nothing Like The Real Thing” (with Tammi Terrell). At the start of the new
decade, Gaye was keen to make a change. Instead of recording pop /soul
crossover songs about love and relationships, he wanted to tackle social
commentary on his next album. The idea was inspired by his brother Frankie’s
experience fighting in the Vietnam War. “What’s Going On” saw Gaye pour out his
concerns about the struggles of those around him. When Berry Gordy Jr. heard the
finished product, the label chief refused to issue the single. Gaye held firm.
He was determined to release the single and title track from his album that
addressed civil rights, pollution, police brutality and other dark subjects. Gordy
was convinced the new direction was not commercial, but eventually relented. “What’s
Going On” is now cited as one of the most important singles (ditto the parent
album of the same name) in the soul and pop genres. Gaye’s project has inspired
generations in its wake. Most notably, his success with the single and LP
encouraged Stevie Wonder to also flex his muscle. 
The
dawn of a new decade saw many shifts in politics and civil rights. The Vietnam
War was raging. Various minority groups were demanding equality. These radical
changes were reflected in the music of the time and sometimes led by some of
these artists. Gil Scott-Heron’s spoken word poetry had been making inroads during
1970. He re-recorded his “The Revolution Will Not Be Televised” the following
year with a full band for his ‘Pieces Of A Man’ album. While some of the
references contained within are now dated, his message has remained powerful.
This was an African-American putting a line in the sand like never before. The Seventies
was the era of Malcolm X, The Black Panthers, blaxploitation movies and the ‘Black
Is Beautiful’ campaign; all celebrating difference rather than trying to
appease white mainstream expectations. The track indirectly was an early
precursor of rap and hip-hop. 