200 Favourite Music Acts. Today: #113: THE COMMODORES. Continues tomorrow.

Caffe` Latte`

on Spotify

This countdown is on spotify, featuring the latest update and the earlier songs that form  the entire list of:

The Caffé Latté

200

FAVOURITE

MUSIC ACTS

#113

COMMODORES

The members of The Commodores were students at Tuskegee Institute, Alabama. In 1967, the band formed from the ashes of 2 dissolved groups: The Jays and The Mystics. Once The Commodores signed with Motown, the band took off, making its chart debut with "Machine Gun" in 1974. The following year, "I Feel Sanctified" topped the US R&B chart. More soul chart toppers ensued: "Just To Be Close To You" (1976), "Easy" (1977) and "Too Hot Ta Trot" (1978). The latter was included on the 'Thank God It's Friday' soundtrack. This disco film included The Commodores as part of the cast.

1978 saw the band reach a new height. "Three Times A Lady" reached #1 on America's Pop, R&B and Adult Contemporary charts. It also made the top in Britain, Canada and Australia. 

The sound of the group shifted from the funky grooves of "Brick House" to ballads such as "Sail On". The latter proved more lucrative. "Still" topped the US chart in 1979.

As the 1980s began, Lionel Richie was contemplating a solo career. He remained a Commodore as he released "Endless Love", a duet with Diana Ross. In 1981, the song made #1 around the planet. 

Richie quit the group in 1982. With the exception of "Nightshift" in 1985, the group struggled without him. Richie's solo career soon surpassed his success with The Commodores. Only 2 founding members remain in the current line-up: Walter "Clyde" Orange and William King. The trio still includes Richie's replacemment, J.D. Nicholas.

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114 COLDPLAY

115 SIMPLY RED

116 ONE DIRECTION

117 CAROLE KING

118 R. KELLY

119 EMELI SANDE`

120 QUINCY JONES

121 LADY GAGA

122 ELVIS COSTELLO

123 RAY CHARLES

124 ED SHEERAN

125 NATALIE COLE

126 SMOKEY ROBINSON

127 KANYE WEST

128 ELVIS PRESLEY

129 ERIC BENET

130 SAM SMITH

131 JAMES TAYLOR

132 STEELY DAN

133 IKE & TINA TURNER

134 DES’REE

135 ACE OF BASE

136 VAN MORRISON

137 SAM COOKE

138 THE DOORS

139 AMY WINEHOUSE

140 PHARRELL WILLIAMS

141 GEORGE BENSON

142 MINNIE RIPERTON

143 VILLAGE PEOPLE

144 CURTIS MAYFIELD

145 FOREIGNER

146 EURYTHMICS

147 TOTO

148 BARRY WHITE

149 CARL RISELEY

150 TONI BRAXTON

151 NEIL DIAMOND

152 HALL & OATES

153 LUTHER VANDROSS

154 ERIC CLAPTON

155 THE O’JAYS

156 RUMER

157 SLY & THE FAMILY STONE

158 LITTLE RICHARD

159 HAROLD MELVIN & THE BLUE NOTES

160 CHRIS ISAAK

161 MICHAEL McDONALD

162 GLORIA GAYNOR

163 TWENTY ONE PILOTS

164 BEN E. KING

165 MEAT LOAF

166 JAMES REYNE

167 JOAN ARMATRADING

168 SADE

169 A-HA

170 GLEN CAMPBELL

171 DIRE STRAITS

172 COLD CHISEL

173 LINDA RONSTADT

174 ANTHONY CALLEA

175 LISA STANSFIELD

176 EN VOGUE

177 MICHAEL BUBLE`

178 TRACY CHAPMAN

179 DRAGON

180 OLETA ADAMS

181 LITTLE RIVER BAND

182 SOPHIE ELLIS – BEXTOR

183 THE RONETTES

184 CERRONE

185 MODELS

186 SCISSOR SISTERS

187 DARREN HAYES

188 PETULA CLARK

189 MARTHA & THE VANDELLAS

190 LIGHTHOUSE FAMILY

191 ART GARFUNKEL

192 THE REELS

193 JANIS IAN

194 JOHN PAUL YOUNG

195 S CLUB 7

196 CHARLIE PUTH

197 THE MARVELETTES

198 ICEHOUSE

199 LEO SAYER

200 LIZA MINNELLI

200 SONGS WITH THE BEST LYRICS. This post: #81: EVERYBODY HURTS. Continues: tomorrow.

CAFFE` LATTE` PRESENTS

200 SONGS

WITH THE

BEST LYRICS

A countdown of the 200 songs possessing the best lyrics of all-time. A playlist on spotify will be added at the end of the week.

#8I

EVERYBODY HURTS

“…Everybody cries

& everybody hurts sometimes...”

Featured on R.E.M.'s 1992 album 'Automatic For The People', the track "Everybody Hurts" is an encouraging and soothing track.

It was released as a single in the following year, going Top 10 in Britain, Canada, Australia and parts of Europe.

The song is credited to the group members. Its lyrics explain that we all have times that are difficult but that if we persevere, the pain will pass.

As new songs are covered on this blog, a definitive version will be added to a spotify playlist. Find it and the other Caffé Latté playlists at:

https://open.spotify.com/user/alanrosscaffelatte

200 Favourite Music Acts. Today: #114: COLDPLAY. Continues tomorrow.

Caffe` Latte`

on Spotify

This countdown is on spotify, featuring the latest update and the earlier songs that form  the entire list of:

The Caffé Latté

200

FAVOURITE

MUSIC ACTS

#114

COLDPLAY

The members of Coldplay met at London's University College and began performing in 1998. An EP entitled 'Safety' followed. In 1999 the band signed with Parlophone.

Debut album 'Parachutes' was issued in 2000. It reached #1 in Britain on the strength of the Top 10 singles "Yellow" and "Trouble". Its success was surpassed by sophomore release 'A Rush Of Blood To The Head' 2 years later. This album topped charts in the UK, Europe, Brazil, Canada and Australia. In the US, it peaked at #5.  The album included the 3 Top 10 hits: "In My Place", "The Scientist" and "Clocks". Grammy Awards followed.

In 2005, Coldplay unleashed 'X&Y'. This album made #1 in America, Britain, Europe, Canada and Australia. "Speed Of Sound", "Fix You" and "Talk" were Top 10 hits lifted off the disc. 

By now, Coldplay - and notably lead vocalist Chris Martin - was widely recognized as one of the leading groups in rock music. Collaborating with producer Brian Eno produced 'Viva La Vida Or Death And All His Friends'. The 2008 album reached the top in the USA, UK, Argentina, Europe, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. The title track became the band's 1st #1 single in America and Britain. 

In 2011, Coldplay scored a 2nd UK chart-topper with "Paradise" from 'Mylo Xyloto', which also went to #1 in many countries including America and Britain. 'Ghost Stories' did the same in 2014. 'A Head Full Of Dreams' followed the next year, becoming the band's 7th consecutive UK #1 album. "Something Just Like This", a collaboration with The Chainsmokers, was a Top 3 international hit in 2017 and was included on Coldplay's 'Kaleidoscope' EP.

https://open.spotify.com/user/alanrosscaffelatte

spotify:user:alanrosscaffelatte

115 SIMPLY RED

116 ONE DIRECTION

117 CAROLE KING

118 R. KELLY

119 EMELI SANDE`

120 QUINCY JONES

121 LADY GAGA

122 ELVIS COSTELLO

123 RAY CHARLES

124 ED SHEERAN

125 NATALIE COLE

126 SMOKEY ROBINSON

127 KANYE WEST

128 ELVIS PRESLEY

129 ERIC BENET

130 SAM SMITH

131 JAMES TAYLOR

132 STEELY DAN

133 IKE & TINA TURNER

134 DES’REE

135 ACE OF BASE

136 VAN MORRISON

137 SAM COOKE

138 THE DOORS

139 AMY WINEHOUSE

140 PHARRELL WILLIAMS

141 GEORGE BENSON

142 MINNIE RIPERTON

143 VILLAGE PEOPLE

144 CURTIS MAYFIELD

145 FOREIGNER

146 EURYTHMICS

147 TOTO

148 BARRY WHITE

149 CARL RISELEY

150 TONI BRAXTON

151 NEIL DIAMOND

152 HALL & OATES

153 LUTHER VANDROSS

154 ERIC CLAPTON

155 THE O’JAYS

156 RUMER

157 SLY & THE FAMILY STONE

158 LITTLE RICHARD

159 HAROLD MELVIN & THE BLUE NOTES

160 CHRIS ISAAK

161 MICHAEL McDONALD

162 GLORIA GAYNOR

163 TWENTY ONE PILOTS

164 BEN E. KING

165 MEAT LOAF

166 JAMES REYNE

167 JOAN ARMATRADING

168 SADE

169 A-HA

170 GLEN CAMPBELL

171 DIRE STRAITS

172 COLD CHISEL

173 LINDA RONSTADT

174 ANTHONY CALLEA

175 LISA STANSFIELD

176 EN VOGUE

177 MICHAEL BUBLE`

178 TRACY CHAPMAN

179 DRAGON

180 OLETA ADAMS

181 LITTLE RIVER BAND

182 SOPHIE ELLIS – BEXTOR

183 THE RONETTES

184 CERRONE

185 MODELS

186 SCISSOR SISTERS

187 DARREN HAYES

188 PETULA CLARK

189 MARTHA & THE VANDELLAS

190 LIGHTHOUSE FAMILY

191 ART GARFUNKEL

192 THE REELS

193 JANIS IAN

194 JOHN PAUL YOUNG

195 S CLUB 7

196 CHARLIE PUTH

197 THE MARVELETTES

198 ICEHOUSE

199 LEO SAYER

200 LIZA MINNELLI

200 SONGS WITH THE BEST LYRICS. This post: #82: BLACK AND BLUE. Continues: tomorrow.

CAFFE` LATTE` PRESENTS

200 SONGS

WITH THE

BEST LYRICS

A countdown of the 200 songs possessing the best lyrics of all-time. A playlist on spotify will be added at the end of the week.

#82

BLACK AND BLUE

“…I’m white inside

but that don’t help my case

’cause I can’t hide

what is in my face...”

"(What Did I Do To Be So) Black And Blue" is a jazz standard most famously covered by Louis Armstrong. He re-recorded versions of the song. It was written by Fats Waller, Harry Brooks and Andy Razaf.

"Black And Blue" is widely regarded as the advent of songs relating to civil rights. In its wake came more powerful anthems such as "A Change Is Gonna Come" (Sam Cooke), "Say It Loud - I'm Black And I'm Proud" (James Brown) and "I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel To Be Free" (Nina Simone).

As new songs are covered on this blog, a definitive version will be added to a spotify playlist. Find it and the other Caffé Latté playlists at:

https://open.spotify.com/user/alanrosscaffelatte

200 Favourite Music Acts. Today: #115: SIMPLY RED. Continues tomorrow.

Caffe` Latte`

on Spotify

This countdown is on spotify, featuring the latest update and the earlier songs that form  the entire list of:

The Caffé Latté

200

FAVOURITE

MUSIC ACTS

 

#115

SIMPLY RED

Simply Red revolves around lead vocalist Mick Hucknall. The original line-up formed in Manchester in 1984. Debut album 'Picture Book' was released the following year, featuring debut single "Money's Too Tight (To Mention)". This remake of a soul track by The Valentine Brothers broke Simply Red around the world. In 1986, a re-issue of "Holding Back The Years" provided the band with its biggest hit. The single reached #1 in America and peaked at #2 in the UK.

Follow-up LP 'Men And Women' repeated the #2 success of the group's debut album in Britain. 'A New Flame' gave the band its 1st UK #1. This release included a cover of "If You Don't Know Me By Now", a #1 hit in America, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

More British #1 albums followed: 'Stars' (1991), 'Life' (1995), 'Greatest Hits' (1996) and 'Blue' (1998). In 1995, Simply Red finally had a chart-topping song in its country of origin with "Fairground".

Following the 2007 album 'Stay', Hucknall retired Simply Red. The group re-emerged with the new album 'Big Love' in 2015. It peaked at #4 in the UK.

https://open.spotify.com/user/alanrosscaffelatte

spotify:user:alanrosscaffelatte

116 ONE DIRECTION

117 CAROLE KING

118 R. KELLY

119 EMELI SANDE`

120 QUINCY JONES

121 LADY GAGA

122 ELVIS COSTELLO

123 RAY CHARLES

124 ED SHEERAN

125 NATALIE COLE

126 SMOKEY ROBINSON

127 KANYE WEST

128 ELVIS PRESLEY

129 ERIC BENET

130 SAM SMITH

131 JAMES TAYLOR

132 STEELY DAN

133 IKE & TINA TURNER

134 DES’REE

135 ACE OF BASE

136 VAN MORRISON

137 SAM COOKE

138 THE DOORS

139 AMY WINEHOUSE

140 PHARRELL WILLIAMS

141 GEORGE BENSON

142 MINNIE RIPERTON

143 VILLAGE PEOPLE

144 CURTIS MAYFIELD

145 FOREIGNER

146 EURYTHMICS

147 TOTO

148 BARRY WHITE

149 CARL RISELEY

150 TONI BRAXTON

151 NEIL DIAMOND

152 HALL & OATES

153 LUTHER VANDROSS

154 ERIC CLAPTON

155 THE O’JAYS

156 RUMER

157 SLY & THE FAMILY STONE

158 LITTLE RICHARD

159 HAROLD MELVIN & THE BLUE NOTES

160 CHRIS ISAAK

161 MICHAEL McDONALD

162 GLORIA GAYNOR

163 TWENTY ONE PILOTS

164 BEN E. KING

165 MEAT LOAF

166 JAMES REYNE

167 JOAN ARMATRADING

168 SADE

169 A-HA

170 GLEN CAMPBELL

171 DIRE STRAITS

172 COLD CHISEL

173 LINDA RONSTADT

174 ANTHONY CALLEA

175 LISA STANSFIELD

176 EN VOGUE

177 MICHAEL BUBLE`

178 TRACY CHAPMAN

179 DRAGON

180 OLETA ADAMS

181 LITTLE RIVER BAND

182 SOPHIE ELLIS – BEXTOR

183 THE RONETTES

184 CERRONE

185 MODELS

186 SCISSOR SISTERS

187 DARREN HAYES

188 PETULA CLARK

189 MARTHA & THE VANDELLAS

190 LIGHTHOUSE FAMILY

191 ART GARFUNKEL

192 THE REELS

193 JANIS IAN

194 JOHN PAUL YOUNG

195 S CLUB 7

196 CHARLIE PUTH

197 THE MARVELETTES

198 ICEHOUSE

199 LEO SAYER

200 LIZA MINNELLI