What Happened to Acapella Soul? Question: How many of you street performing cover groups have performed at an A-lister’s wedding? Acapella Soul: {Raises hand} “We performed at Uma Thurman’s wedding. And Richard Gere was there.” In a city known for its diverse music scene, Acapella Soul carved a niche for itself. This New York City […]
Smooth Criminal, by Michael Jackson and Alien Ant Farm Michael Jackson released “Smooth Criminal” in October1988 as a part of his “Bad” album. The song was written and produced by Michael Jackson himself and tells the story of a woman named Annie who is attacked in her apartment by a “smooth” criminal. The inspiration for
GIRLS JUST WANT TO HAVE FUN “Girls Just Want to Have Fun” has become an anthem for women empowerment since its release by Cyndi Lauper in 1983. However, Lauper was not the first artist to record the song. Robert Hazard, a Philadelphia-based musician who had a small but devoted following in the local music scene,
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Imagine “Imagine” was written and performed by John Lennon and released in 1971 as a part of his album of the same name. It quickly became a worldwide hit. The album also was a commercial and critical success, reaching number one on the US and UK charts. In an interview with Rolling Stone magazine, Lennon
Stand By Me “Stand By Me” was originally released in 1961 by Ben E. King. King, who was a member of the Drifters, initially wrote the song with Jerry Leiber, and Mike Stoller as a gospel song titled “Stand By Me Father.” (This song is still sung by many gospel artists.) The song’s melody was
Billie Jean “Billie Jean” is one of the most popular songs by Michael Jackson. It was released on January 2, 1983, as the second single from his sixth studio album, “Thriller.” The song’s distinctive bassline and catchy rhythm captivated audiences worldwide. The song was accompanied by a groundbreaking music video that featured Jackson’s signature dance
House of the Rising Sun “House of the Rising Sun” is a traditional folk song that has been passed down through generations and undergone many adaptations over the years. There is no clear evidence who wrote it or when it was first composed. The earliest known printed versions of the song date back to 1925
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Hallelujah Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah” is one of the most widely covered songs with over 300 versions recorded in various languages. Leonard Cohen wrote “Hallelujah” over the course of several years, with the lyrics undergoing multiple revisions before reaching their final form. In interviews, Cohen has discussed the song’s origins, noting that it was inspired in
Mad World “Mad World” was released by the British band Tears for Fears in 1982. It was written by Roland Orzabal, the lead vocalist of Tears for Fears, and performed by the band’s lead singer, Curt Smith. The lyrics were inspired by the book “The Catcher in the Rye” by J.D. Salinger, which Orzabal had
All Along the Watchtower “All Along the Watchtower” was written and originally recorded by legendary musician Bob Dylan in 1967. Dylan wrote the song during a tumultuous time in American history. The lyrics are deeply metaphorical and cryptic, as is typical of many of Dylan’s songs. The title refers to a passage in the Bible’s
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