100 SONGS THAT CHANGED EVERYTHING. This post: WHAT'S GOING ON. 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

💥42 What’s Going On

Marvin Gaye

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.

1970-   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