1983 – The Greatest Year in Music?

Last year, I explored the year 1987 as the greatest year in music.  It was a great year and had some huge top selling albums.  Now , I am going to argue for 1983 as the greatest year in music.  The greatest year in music is very subjective and each person will have a different year.  Probably your high school years and/or the year you really started digging music.  1983 was the year that I started becoming massively obsessed with music.

The year had some of the biggest selling albums and a ton of music that influenced me, but what makes the year even better were the debut albums that came out in 1983. Some of the biggest names in music.  Here are the albums and/or events that make 1983 the greatest year in music:

Michael Jackson:

michael_jackson_-_thrillerWe will start off with one of the biggest reasons 1983 might be the greatest year in music.  That reason is Michael Jackson.  His album, ‘Thriller’, actually came out on November 30, 1982.  However, the impact of that album was truly felt in 1983.  Believe it or not, ‘Thriller’, did not reach #1 until almost 3 months after its release.  On February, 26, 1983, ‘Thriller’ was the #1 album in the country.  It was the first of 37 weeks at #1.  The album is the top selling album of all time at over 65 million copies.  A number that is unheard of and might never be topped.

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My Sunday Song – “There Will Come A Day” by Faith Hill

For My Sunday Song #22, my wife has selected “There Will Come A Day” by Faith Hill.  I will now turn it over to my wife…

I will never forget seeing Faith Hill perform this song on television after the 9/11 attacks. She, along with numerous other artists, participated in a fundraising telethon with all net proceeds benefitting the United Way’s September 11th Telethon Fund. The combination of her powerful voice and the message that we can all relate to within the first four lines (especially after watching the evening news from any city) makes this one of my all time favorite songs. This song also paints the perfect picture of that amazing day when we will meet our maker. Regardless of what is going on in our world we can count on the fact that “there will come a day”.  

This song is from her 4th studio album Breathe released in November 1999. Two things about “favorite songs” of mine to keep in mind as you read over the next 8 weeks and get to know me: 1) when I find something I like, I play it over and over and over, and 2) if I’m in the car and I’m alone, I sing really loud and there’s probably some dancing in there too. I’ve always done these two things, they aren’t things that happened with age and nope, I didn’t care then if people saw me singing and dancing in the car and I don’t care now.

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Turntables & Vinyl #5 – The Needtobreathe Collection

For Christmas, I really only wanted one thing…well, it was actually 6 things.  I wanted the entire Needtobreathe album collection in Vinyl.  They have 6 studio albums and I am glad to say, Santa was good to me as I now have all their studio albums in Vinyl.  And what a collection it is.

I became a fan back off their first album “Daylight” which came out in 2006.  They have been labeled a Christian band, but they are really so much more than that label.  They are folk, southern rock, country, pop, rock and Christian all at the same time.  Their songwriting is exceptional with great stories and positive messages.  Bear Rinehart’s voice is amazing and carries so much emotion and he draws you into each song and takes you on a wonderful journey.

The band consists of the following:

  • Bear Rinehart – lead vocals
  • Bo Rinehart – lead guitar
  • Seth Bolt – bass
  • Josh Lovelace – keyboards/organ

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What to Expect in 2017 for New Music??

2017 is upon us and always fun anticipating what new albums are and will come out in the year.  There are quite a few we already know about, but some haven’t been officially announced or even a date set yet.  From what I have gathered around the internet, here are the bands that should have new albums out in 2017, but no dates announced yet.  The ones I want will be highlighted in Blue.

  • Adelitas Way
  • Adrenaline Mob
  • Arcade Fire
  • Avril Lavigne
  • Bad Religion
  • Blondie
  • Callum Scott
  • Charli XCX
  • Christina Aguilera
  • Coldplay – ‘Kaleidoscope’
  • Danzig
  • Dark Horse
  • Daughtry
  • Demon Hunter – ‘Outlive’

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The Top 20 Songs of 2016

It is time for the Top 20 Songs of 2016.  My previous post, if you missed it, was the Top 20 Rock Songs of 2016.  Go check it out by clicking on the link.  These 20 songs are all other genres other than rock.  Some were popular and chart toppers and others were not.  They are my favorites, that touched me in some way.

If you missed the Top Rock Albums of 2016 or the Top Albums of 2016 (that were not Rock), just click on the link and go check them out.

Let’s get started…

20. “24K Magic” by Bruno Mars off the album ’24K Magic’: Ok, I love this song.  There is something about Bruno that I enjoy.  It is what you come to expect from Bruno and that isn’t a bad thing.  Very catchy and makes you want to dance.

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The Top 20 Rock Songs of 2016

Welcome to the Top 20 Rock Songs of 2016.  These songs are my favorite songs of the year and were not necessarily played on the radio or even shot up the charts.  They just moved me in some way good or bad!

If you missed the Top Rock Albums of 2016 or the Top Albums of 2016 (that were not Rock), just click on the link and go check them out.

It is time to start the list so here we go…

20. “Parasite (feat. John 5)” by Ace Frehley off the album ‘Origins, Vol. 1’:  I wouldn’t pick a covers song for this list if this one wasn’t so damn good.  John 5 on guitar is amazing and since this is an old Kiss song it is perfect for Ace.  I think it sounds better than the original.

19. “Raise Hell” by Dorothy off the album ‘RockisDead’:  This bluesy gem from Dorothy has such a great sound and Dorothy’s vocals are perfect for this style.  I expect big things from this band!

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Concerts, Concerts, Concerts – The 90’s

I am going to continue rehashing all the concerts I have been to that I still have the tickets stubs for those shows and even mention shows I remember that I can’t find a ticket stub.  I started off talking about The 80’s (click to read about it), now we will pick up in the 90’s and see what wonderful shows I attended.

The 90’s

The first show for me of this new decade was none other than…KISS!!  It was July 20, 1990 and this time it was at the Coca-Cola Lakewood Amphitheater.  This was a great show.  The opening acts were Danger Danger for sure and the other act was possibly Slaughter.  Not positive on that one. This show got me hooked on Danger Danger so that is why I remember it.  The tour was for the album Hot in the Shade and had a huge Sphinx for the state setup.  Ticket prices were now over $20 at $24 after fees.

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My Sunday Song – “Mary, Did You Know?” by Pentatonix

My Sunday Song – Special Christmas Edition.  Merry Christmas to all and I thought I would give you one of my favorite songs that is the true meaning of Christmas.  The song was written in 1991 and it has been covered by a ton of artists.  It was tough to choose one and I went with the Pentatonix version.  It is a beautiful version of a beautiful song.

Yes, Christmas is about giving and receiving gifts, but Jesus is the real reason so don’t forget that.  I hope you have a blessed and wonderful day.

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Friday New Releases – December 23rd

To my surprise, there were actually some albums that were released today…two days before Christmas.  I pulled up Apple Music to see if there was anything and sure enough, there was.  In case you are interested for some last minute gifts, here are the handful of releases worth mentioning.  There are a couple (highlighted in Blue) that I will give a listen.  Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas to you all!!!

170x170bb-67  Nine Inch Nails – Not the Actual Events E.P. – (The Null Corporation):  NIN is back with a 5 song E.P. just in time for Christmas.  I am not a huge fan, but there stuff is interesting enough to at least give one spin.

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What Do You Want For Christmas? – Playlist

Everybody wants something for Christmas.  There are a bunch of albums I would like to get on vinyl so if anyone is feeling generous, the new Motley Crue ‘The End’ Box Set would be nice.  My kids keep telling me what they want for Christmas despite the fact I keep telling them it is too late to put in new orders as Santa already has decided what they are getting.  Plus, Mommy and Daddy are done shopping.

Musicians are no different.  They want a lot of things for Christmas.  What do they want you ask?  I will tell you what they told me when I asked them.  Here is what they said…

Huey Lewis & The News – “I Want A New Drug” – I think someone has a problem!!

Queen -“I Want It All” – Greedy much?

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