1961 No. 1, Penned By The Legendary Carole King, Hit The Top 65 Years Ago Today
Bobby Vee was a regular fixture on the charts during the '60s, but it took a Carole King song about a stolen partner for him to reach the top spot in 1961.
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Back to Archive Index'60s (7)
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1960 Country No. 1, Later Recorded By Reba McEntire, Topped The Charts 66 Years Ago Today
In 1960, Connie Francis became the first female singer to hit No. 1 twice on the Billboard Hot 100, and it was partly thanks to her love of country music.
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The Top 5 Folk Rock Hits That Took Over 1967
In 1967, folk rock hits by the Mamas and the Papas, Buffalo Springfield, the Cowsills, Scott McKenzie, and Bobbie Genry took over the airwaves.
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5 Songs By The Kinks That Prove 1966 Was The Best Year Of Their Career
In 1966, the Kinks released several songs that were not only catchy, but also included social commentary. That combination made 1966 the best of their career.
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The Top 10 Hits That Took Over Summer 1960
The summer of 1960 was ruled by lovestruck ballads from Roy Orbison, the Everly Brothers, and Connie Francis; novelty songs; and, of course, Elvis Presley.
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'60s Rock Icons That Tarnished Their Own Legacy
These rock stars were seemingly untouchable legends in the 1960s. However, they have all since tarnished their own image with their own mistakes.
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The Top 10 Hits That Took Over Summer 1961
The summer of 1961 saw a varied mix of top song genres, ranging from ballads to R&B to folk, with songs by artists like Pat Boone, Dee Clark, and Bobby Lewis.
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'70s (1)
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The Longest Rock Song Ever Recorded Is A 1972 Prog-Rock Epic
So long it spanned both sides of a vinyl LP, the longest-ever rock song was a satirical poke in the eye at other '70s prog-rock bands, and has yet to be beaten.
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'80s (6)
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The Top 5 Synth-Pop Hits That Took Over 1983
In the early '80s, these songs that heavily utilized synthesizers climbed the charts and became wildly popular for their fun sounds and catchy tunes.
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5 Heart Songs That Prove 1985 Was The Best Year Of Their Career
Heart pulled of an incredibly successful reinvention in 1985 with a self-titled album that included "These Dreams," "What About Love," and more.
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Hits That Took Over The '80s Thanks To College Radio
Before breaking into the mainstream and becoming alternative rock classics, these college radio songs defined the underground sound of the ’80s.
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5 Songs That Prove 1980 Was The Best Year For Yacht Rock
In 1980, the term yacht rock had yet to be coined, but from Boz Scaggs to Hall & Oates, that year gave us some of the best examples of the easy-listening genre.
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This Heartfelt 1989 Ballad No. 1, Which Also Soared In Spanish, Reached The Top 37 Years Ago Today
By the end of the '80s, Gloria Estefan had found success on the Hot 100 and Latin charts, but with this song of enduring love and devotion, she topped both.
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This Evocative 1988 Rock No. 1, Built From A Nearly-Scrapped Slash Riff, Topped The Charts 38 Years Ago Today
Guns N' Roses scored their first and only No. 1 hit with a song built on a guitar riff Slash came up with on the fly and didn't take seriously.
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'90s (5)
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1998 Power Ballad, Sole No. 1 Hit For Aerosmith, Topped The Charts 28 Years Ago Today
It was written with a pop diva in mind, but this soundtrack cut became a surprise hit for Aerosmith and sent the Boston hard-rockers straight to No. 1.
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1993 No. 1, Built On A Toe-Tapping The Emotions Sample, Hit The Top 33 Years Ago Today
This Mariah Carey song held the Billboard Hot 100 top spot for 8 weeks in 1993. The track, based on a fantasy, was built on a sample from the Emotions.
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This 1991 R&B No. 1, Produced By The Group's Talent Show Director, Topped The Charts 35 Years Ago Today
It pays to keep old friendships alive, as an Oklahoma group found out when they brought this future No. 1 hit to their former high school music director.
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The 5 Best Soft Rock Solos Of The '90s
We've compiled a list of the five best solos from rock songs in the '90s. See if you remember these songs by Sting, Sarah McLachlan, and others.
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This Harmonious 1990 Pop No. 1, Wilson Phillips' Second Smash Of The Year, Hit The Top 36 Years Ago Today
Wilson Phillips were known for their harmonies and their pop sensibilities, and they had their second No. 1 hit 36 years ago with this smash song.
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Classic Rock (22)
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5 Guitar Solos We Wish We Could Hear Again For The First Time
These incredible guitar solos still thrill us with every listen. Let's break down some iconic performances we wish we could hear for the first time again.
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The Blues Classic With No Known Authors That Jimmy Page Made His Own
There are plenty of classic blues songs with no known authors, and Jimmy Page played this one in 1968 during his time between the Yardbirds and Led Zeppelin.
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Quote Of The Day By Van Morrison: 'It Can Destroy You If ...'
Van Morrison once said that being famous invites others to project onto you, saying it can "destroy" a person. Here's how he learned to work through that.
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The 5 Best Creedence Clearwater Revival Songs That Aren't Fortunate Son
While Creedence Clearwater Revival’s “Fortunate Son” boasts its own cultural footprint, these five tracks are still some of the best of the era.
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5 Classic Albums That Define '60s Bubblegum Pop
These five classic albums helped define the sweet sound of '60s bubblegum pop. We're looking back at hits from the Archies, the Monkees, and more.
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The 5 Best Duets Of '70s AM Gold
Turn up the radio and the nostalgia. Here are five of the best duets from ’70s A.M. radio that feature unforgettable voices and timeless pop hooks.
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The 5 Best Live Albums Of All Time
We're revisiting some of the most legendary live albums of all time, with performances from Johnny Cash, Bob Dylan, Nirvana, Jimi Hendrix, and more.
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Classic Rock Hits That Also Smashed In Japan
These tracks made a splash in the U.S., but also resonated with music fans in Japan, where they proved equally – if not even more – popular.
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The 5 Best Guitar Solos That Sound Hard But Are Easy To Play
Some legendary guitar solos sound far more intimidating than they really are. These famous lead lines deliver an impressive sound without impossible technique.
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The Best Classic Rock For Your Early Morning Coffee
Looking to kick off your day with some super laid-back vibes? Try this playlist of mellow classic rock that's perfect for sipping over fresh coffee.
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The 5 Best One-Album Supergroups Of All Time
These five supergroups released just one album each. Still, their all-star lineups and unforgettable music left a lasting mark on rock history.
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56 Years Ago Today, Rock Lost A Guitar Legend So Good Eric Clapton Couldn't Believe What He Was Hearing
In the '60s, Eric Clapton was regarded as a guitar god, but on one fateful day a future guitar legend upstaged him, who would only shine for another four years.
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5 Guitar Solos Every '70s Fan Will Go Wild For
These five unforgettable guitar solos capture the power and spirit of ’70s rock. Crank up the volume and let's revisit the decade’s greatest licks.
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Tom Waits May Have Written It, But Springsteen's Classic Cover Reigns Supreme
Thanks to live covers, this 1980 Tom Waits song has become so associated with Bruce Springsteen that it's often mistaken for a Springsteen original.
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The 5 Best Journey Songs That Aren't Don't Stop Believin'
Journey has far more to offer than “Don’t Stop Believin.’” Take a look at five of the band’s best songs, from soaring ballads to overlooked rock gems.
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Tommy James May Have Penned It, But Joan Jett's Classic Cover Is The One We All Know
Joan Jett owes some of her success to the original writers of her biggest hits, including Tommy James. He penned this classic with his band, the Shondells.
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The Best Rock Hits That Still Get Gen X On The Dance Floor
These classic rock hits still get Gen X moving. We're revisiting the unforgettable songs and irresistible riffs that still bring everyone to the dance floor.
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The 5 Best Talking Heads Songs That Aren't Once In A Lifetime
We're going beyond “Once in a Lifetime” with five of Talking Heads’ best songs. Let's revisit their greatest love songs and dance-floor classics.
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5 Debut Albums That Changed Rock History, Ranked
These debut albums by the Ramones, the Strokes, the Jimi Hendrix Experience, Black Sabbath, and the Velvet Underground changed the trajectory of rock.
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The Best Laid-Back Classic Rock For Your Dinner Party Playlist
Made for laid-back vibes and easy listening, these timeless classic rock tracks will bring just the right energy to your dinner party playlist.
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5 Bruce Springsteen Songs That We'd Unfortunately Rather Forget
Bruce Springsteen is one of the most successful musicians in rock history, but even he has some songs we'd rather forget. Here are five of them.
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4 Musicians Who Battled Extreme Weather — And Made Music History
When the weather turned bad for outdoor concerts, Prince, Neil Young, U2, and the Rolling Stones followed the rule that the show must go on.
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Decades (11)
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The 3 Longest-Held Vocal Notes In Rock History Have Us Gasping For Air
Some rock singers have operatic vocal cords and breathing techniques, and if you don't believe us, try emulating these epic notes at your next karaoke session.
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The Co-Writer Behind One Of Rock's Most Iconic Songs Was Born 79 Years Ago Today
A talented guitarist, who was inspired to write one of the Eagles' greatest hits at a beach house, has yet another year behind him as one of rock's legends.
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Quote Of The Day By Emmylou Harris: 'It's Good To Know That ...'
With a career spanning many decades and multiple genres, legendary country star Emmylou Harris is well-versed in what it takes to maintain artistic momentum.
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The 5 Longest Folk Rock Songs Of All Time
Sometimes a good folk rock story needs more time to tell, and icons such as Bob Dylan and Leonard Cohen took as long as they wanted with these epic songs.
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Quote Of The Day By Steven Tyler: 'It's An Honor That I Get To Be ...'
When Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler sat for a chat with Oprah Winfrey, he admitted having a big ego, but recognized that luck played a key role in his success.
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Quote Of The Day By Townes Van Zandt: 'There Have Been Songs I Didn't Write Because ...'
Townes Van Zandt was the living embodiment of outlaw country music, yet his self-awareness stayed his hand when writing songs that could influence others.
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Quote Of The Day By Slash: 'I Just Locked Onto This Guitar And ...'
These days, Slash is known as the global rock-star guitarist of Guns N' Roses, but once upon a time, he was just a teenager holding a guitar and a dream.
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Quote Of The Day By Elton John: 'I Wasn't A Heartthrob ...'
From the '70s, as Elton John surged into a decades-long career, his on-stage presentation became increasingly flamboyant, which he later admitted was overdone.
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Quote Of The Day By Lenny Kravitz: 'I Wasn't Comfortable Being Myself Yet ...'
Lenny Kravitz shot to fame at the end of the '80s, but the now-iconic rock star faced some challenges with his perceived identity before his big break.
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These Classic Rock Stars Picked Their Own Funeral Songs — What The Choices Reveal About Them
It's the last tune to play you out, a requiem for a life well lived, and these classic rock stars picked funeral songs that truly speak to their inner self.
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5 British Rock Greats From The '60s And '70s That Never Made It Big In America
The British Invasion swept many bands across the pond from the mid-60s, but despite dominating the charts at home, bands such as Status Quo were left behind.
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Entertainment (9)
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The Ultimate Beginner's Guide To Collecting Records
Being a vinyl collector is a fun and worthwhile hobby. If you're thinking about embarking, here's a beginner's guide to what you need to know to get started.
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Rock Stars Who Wasted Thousands Of Dollars On Bizarre Things
From ghost-hunting gear to a first-class seat for a hat, rock stars have spent thousands of dollars on things most of would find puzzling at best.
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Strict Rules Famous Musicians Made People Follow While On Tour
From exacting dietary requirements to more extravagant requests, here are some nonnegotiable rules famous musicians have enforced while on tour.
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5 Expensive Guitars Rock Legends Say Are Absolutely Worth The Money
From B.B. King to Dave Grohl, whether they strummed or shredded, rock legends have weighed in on their favorite guitars. But be warned: They don't come cheap.
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5 Things Every New Collector Should Consider Before Buying A Vinyl Record Player
Before you buy a record player, you need to consider things like where you'll put your turntable and how involved you want to be in the record-playing process.
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9 Features You Should Never Overlook Before Buying A Vinyl Record Player
While the underlying technology of record players remains constant, skipping some features will frustrate modern users or diminish the listening experience.
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How To Balance Your Vinyl Record Player's Arm
Any good record player will have a tonearm with an adjustable counterweight, so here's how to use it to get the best sound quality and wear out of your vinyls.
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5 Rock Legends Who Composed Music For Classic Video Games
Art-rockers Devo and Queen's Brian May are just a couple of the legendary rock acts who contributed their talents to classic video games.
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The Wildest Album Packaging Gimmicks That Cost Too Much To Last
Before the cost caught up to them, these albums had some pretty wild packaging gimmicks. Unfortunately, none of these designs could realistically last.
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Other Genres (8)
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5 Folk Rock Songs That Are As Quiet As They Are Powerful
These songs by Tracy Chapman, Leonard Cohen, PJ Harvey, and more are unforgettable reminders that folk rock doesn't need to be loud to be effective.
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5 Classic Albums That Define Funk
Some of the most defining funk albums come from legends like Parliament, James Brown, Sly and the Family Stone, Betty Davis, and Prince. Here are our picks.
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The 5 Most Romantic Soft Rock Solos Of All Time
Some of the most romantic soft rock solos of all time can be heard in these songs by Michael Bolton, Lionel Richie, Phil Collins, Paul McCartney, and Journey.
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The 5 Longest Albums In Rock History Are Worth Taking The Time To Hear
Some artists, including the Clash and Smashing Pumpkins, say go big or go home. Here's why their epically long albums and these others are worth a listen.
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5 Classic Hit Love Songs That Were Way Bigger Outside The US
While you've likely heard of the timeless love songs on this list, they found even more success on the charts of countries other than the United States.
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Classic Covers The Original Artists Admitted Were Better Than Theirs
Artists as big as Dolly Parton, Tom Petty, Paul McCartney, and Bob Dylan admitted that these covers of their songs were even better than the originals.
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The 5 Best Duets In Pop History
The best duets occur when two artists come together to create something greater than themselves, and the ones we've picked certainly do the job.
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Quote Of The Day By Prince: 'Don't Ask Me About ...'
Prince was an enigma; a unique talent who never conformed to expectations, and he didn't want to be asked his opinion on popular new acts, either.
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Superstitions (1)
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Musicians Who Are Notoriously Superstitious
Famous musicians are very talented, but luck also plays into a lucrative career making music. That's probably why some of them are notoriously superstitious.
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