“Rock Around the Clock,” (1954). Bill Haley and the Comets. In the early years of Rock music, the inclusion of this song would be a no brainer. It was the first great Rock and Roll hit, selling 25 million copies. Nowadays, we may have a desire to right the record, and say that black performers like Big Joe Turner, Bo Diddley and Ike Turner were the real originators of the style, but the fact is that in the segregated atmosphere of that time, it was necessary for a talented white group to champion the music to a larger audience. The Comets were able to rise to the occasion.
Britney Spear’s unforgettable hit of the late 90’s, “Baby One More Time” is a song that all of your guests will know and sing along to. Regardless of age, most people have heard the famous song numerous times. This one is great for singing along and dancing. The number one pop hit begins with a repetitive “Oh baby, baby.” When you play this song, your guests will go wild, especially if mom is in the process of opening the baby shower gifts. There is actually a part of the song that describes a feeling that can be applied to mothers.
Bohemian Rhapsody – Queen This song from Queen’s Night at the Opera album is one of the most unlikely hits of all time. There’s no chorus or hook to speak of, it journeys through a few different parts before rocking out towards the end. Even though the lyrics don’t always make a lot of sense, people everywhere are able to sing out every word including all the scaramouches and fandangos.
14. “I Will Survive,” (1978). Gloria Gaynor. It is the anthem of the disco mania of the 1970s. Previous disco hits had been “The Hustle,” (1975) by Van McCoy and the Soul City Symphony, and “Tangerine,” (1976) by Salsoul Orchestra. These instrumentals allowed dancers to focus on the rhythms and steps as they learned the new dance crazes of the period, be they partner dances, like the Latin Hustle, or line dances like the Bus Stop. The 1977 film, “Saturday Night Fever” included songs with vocal parts by the BeeGees (Stayin’ Alive) and the Trammps, “Disco Inferno.” However, the lyrics to these songs were always secondary and usually barely intelligible. With the soaring vocal performance of Gloria Gaynor on this song, and the message in the lyrics, the hustle finally found its voice and came alive.
Piano Man – Billy Joel Like Elton John, Billy Joel has many songs that are consistent hits at the piano bar, it’s easy to see why, Billy spent the early part of his career playing piano bars in New York. This song chronicles what he saw night after night from his spot at the keyboard, which are the same things most of still see as piano bar entertainers. A timeless classic outside of the piano bar, but in the piano bar it’s a theme song made to be sung loud. And drunk if possible.
Many of these, such as Hush Little Baby or Oh My Darlin’ Clementine, are well known classics. You can also find us top songs this week by the Beatles (Paperback Writer, Eleanor Rigby), Bruce Springsteen (Born In The U.S.A.), Oasis (Songbird) and others that could please older children and teenagers.
Livin’ on a Prayer – Bon Jovi The chorus to Bon Jovi’s biggest hit will get any room singing at the top songs this week of their lungs. This is a go to sing when you need to punch up the energy in the room.
Possibly the best known band from this genre is Green Day. They also are among the most popular bands of all time. Some of their earlier work is more punk, but in recent years they have released more albums that have had a pop flair to them. At the end of the day, you either love Green Day or you hate them. Some of their best albums include Dookie, American idiot, and Nimrod. All in all, they have made some great music over the years.