You will not regret joining this edition, where I have selected twenty-five popular songs praising radio and music entertainment. Relax and enjoy ninety minutes of sheer music amusement.
| Title | Artist | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Radio Ga Ga | Queen | “Radio Ga Ga” is considered one of Queen’s signature songs. The song was written by Queen’s drummer, Roger Taylor. He was inspired by his concerns about the impact of television on radio, fearing that it would overshadow and replace the traditional medium. The title “Radio Ga Ga” is a play on words, representing the repetitive and nonsensical nature of radio chatter. |
| Radio Song (ft. KRS-One) | R.E.M. | “Radio Song” features a guest appearance by rapper KRS-One (of Boogie Down Productions). The song “Radio Song” by R.E.M. was written by the band’s lead vocalist, Michael Stipe, along with the other members of R.E.M., including Peter Buck (guitar), Mike Mills (bass), and Bill Berry (drums). The lyrics of “Radio Song” touch upon themes of commercialism and the impact of mass media on society. The chorus includes the lines “That’s me in the corner / That’s me in the spotlight / Losing my religion,” referencing the band’s previous hit, “Losing My Religion.” |
| Radio | Radios | The song “Radio” by The Radios is a pop-rock track with lyrics that reflect on the role of radio in people’s lives. The Radios consisted of Bart Peeters, Marc Kruithof, Alain Louvier, and Ronnie Van Baelen. |
| (Life Is a Rock) But the Radio Rolled Me | Tracey Ullman | “(Life Is a Rock) But the Radio Rolled Me” originally by Reunion in 1974 was covered by Tracey Ullman in 1983. The lyrics, essentially a stream of consciousness list of references to pop culture elements from the 1950s through the early 1970s, were written by Paul DiFranco, Norman Dolph, and Joey Levine. |
| Hail Hail Rock ‘n’ Roll | Garland Jeffreys | “Hail Hail Rock ‘n’ Roll” written and performed by Garland Jeffreys celebrates the power and impact of rock and roll music. |
| Play That Funky Music | Wild Cherry | “Play That Funky Music” by Wild Cherry was written by Rob Parissi, the lead vocalist and guitarist of Wild Cherry. The inspiration for the song reportedly came from an incident where a fan shouted, “Play some funky music, white boy” during one of the band’s performances. Wild Cherry was formed in 1970 in Mingo Junction, Ohio. The original members included Rob Parissi (vocals and guitar), Ben Difabbio (drums), Allen Wentz (bass), Larry Brown (keyboards), and Bryan Bassett (guitar). |
| I Love Rock And Roll | Joan Jett | “I Love Rock ‘n Roll” was originally released by the Arrows, a British band, in 1975. However, Joan Jett & the Blackhearts’ famous version was released in 1981. Joan Jett heard the song while touring in England with the Runaways and decided to record her own version. Joan Jett, an American rock singer, guitarist, and songwriter, formed the Blackhearts after the disbandment of her previous group, the Runaways. |
| Crocodile Rock | Elton John | “Crocodile Rock” is a song by Elton John, with lyrics by Bernie Taupin released as a single on October 27, 1972. The song is a nostalgic homage to the early rock and roll era of the late 1950s and early 1960s. |
| Listen To The Music | The Doobie Brothers | “Listen to the Music” was written by Tom Johnston, one of the founding members of The Doobie Brothers and released in 1972. The song reflects Johnston’s positive outlook on life and his desire to bring people together through music. |
| Titles | Barclay James Harvest | ”Titles’ by British band Barclay James Harvest is registered as a Traditional, arranged by band co-founder John Lees in 1975. The lyrics are made of Beatles song titles. Band members included Les Holroyd (bass, vocals), John Lees (guitar, vocals), Mel Pritchard (drums), Woolly Wolstenholme (keyboards, vocals, 1967-79). |
| Thank You For The Music | ABBA | “Thank You for the Music” by ABBA was first released as the B-side to the single “Eagle” in 1978 written by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus expressing gratitude for the gift of music and the joy it brings. The lead vocals on the track are performed by Agnetha Fältskog. |
| I Write the Songs | Barry Manilow | “I Write the Songs” by Barry Manilow is written by Bruce Johnston and released in 1975. Bruce Johnston wrote “I Write the Songs” as a tribute to his mentor, Brian Wilson of The Beach Boys. The song was originally recorded by The Captain & Tennille for their 1975 album “Love Will Keep Us Together”, however Barry Manilow’s version became more widely known and successful. |
| Killing Me Softly With His Song | Pitingo | “Killing Me Softly with His Song” is a classic song written by Charles Fox and Norman Gimbel, covered in 2008 by the Spanish flamenco singer Pitingo. The best-known version of this song is the one performed by Roberta Flack in 1973, and later covered by The Fugees in 1996. |
| Don’t Take Away The Music | Tavares | “Don’t Take Away the Music” by Tavares was written by Keni St. Lewis and Freddie Perren. Freddie Perren, who was a member of the Corporation (Motown’s songwriting and producing team), also produced the song. Tavares, a family group consisting of five brothers. |
| Dance To The Music | Sly & The Family Stone | “Dance to the Music” is a funk and soul song by Sly and the Family Stone, written and produced by Sly Stone, the frontman and leader of Sly and the Family Stone. |
| Harlem Shuffle | Bob & Earl | “Funky Street” is a soul and R&B song performed by Arthur Conley, written by Arthur Conley and Rose Marie McCoy and released in 1968. |
| Funky street | Arthur Conley | “Harlem Shuffle” was originally written and recorded by Bob & Earl, a Los Angeles-based R&B duo consisting of Bobby Byrd and Earl Nelson. The original version was released in 1963 and The Rolling Stones covered the song in 1986. |
| Dance Dance Dance (Yowsah Yowsah Yowsah) | Chic | “Dance Dance Dance (Yowsah Yowsah Yowsah)” is a disco hit by Chic that was released in 1977, written by Bernard Edwards and Nile Rodgers. The word “yowsah” is a slang term that was popular in the 1920s and 30s, meaning “wow” or “amazing”. |
| Down On The Street | Shakatak | “Down on the Street” is a 1984 song by British band Shakatak, written by Bill Sharpe and Roger Odell. The song is about the joy of nightlife. |
| Dancing In The Street | Martha Reeves & The Vandellas | “Dancing in the Street” was released in 1964 as a single by Martha and the Vandellas, a Motown girl group consisting of Martha Reeves, Rosalind Ashford, and Betty Kelly. The song was written by Marvin Gaye, William “Mickey” Stevenson, and Ivy Jo Hunter and is known for its iconic opening line, “Calling out around the world, are you ready for a brand new beat?” David Bowie and Mick Jagger covered the song during the Live Aid concert in 1985. |
| Roof Garden | Al Jarreau | “Roof Garden” by Al Jarreau, released in 1982 was written by Al Jarreau, Tom Canning, and Jay Graydon. |
| Murder On the Dancefloor | Sophie Ellis-Bextor | “Murder on the Dancefloor” by by Sophie Ellis-Bextor, released in 2001,was written by Sophie Ellis-Bextor and Gregg Alexander. The lyrics tell a story of intrigue, betrayal, and romance set against the backdrop of a nightclub or dance floor. |
| I’m in the Mood for Dancing | The Nolans | “I’m in the Mood for Dancing” by The Nolans, released in 1979, was written by Ben Findon, Mike Myers, and Robert Puzey. The Nolans, originally known as The Nolan Sisters, were a family group of Irish and British singers. |
| He’s The Greatest Dancer | Sister Sledge | “He’s the Greatest Dancer” is a 1979 disco song by Sister Sledge, written and produced by Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards, members of the funk and disco band Chic, with backing vocals performed by Alfa Anderson and Luci Martin, also members of Chic. The distinctive guitar riff was sampled by Will Smith in his hit “Gettin’ Jiggy wit It”. |
| My Feet Keep Dancing | Chic | “My Feet Keep Dancing” is a 1979 disco song, written and produced by Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards, the core members of Chic. |
Sources
The information sources of the song facts include, but are not limited to, Wikipedia, songfacts.com, discogs.com, secondhandsongs.com, YouTube and artists’ related websites.
