The next category of my ’30 Greatest Living American Songwriters’ list is Bands. The New York Times largely ignored bands when compiling their list — OutKast was the only exception — and I think that was a mistake.
I understand the temptation to include artists who write alone, but it’s not like The Times didn’t name some songwriting duos and trios on their list. So why not a group of people who write and perform their songs together?
Continuing my personal list of the ’30 Greatest Living American Songwriters,’ this next batch consists of the new(ish) guard — artists who’ve released music in the 90s or later.
My list shares three names in common with The New York Times’ list in this category: Fiona Apple, Lana Del Rey, and Taylor Swift.
Here are the rest:
After spending last week chronicling The New York Times‘ selections of the ’30 Greatest Living American Songwriters,’ this week I’m turning to my own list.
Unlike The Times, I have no obligation to represent multiple genres or recognize major historic figures. My list is entirely based on my tastes and habits, which are relatively narrow given the scope of American popular music over the past 50 years or so. And, yes, I know this list is extremely white. So am I. What can you do?
A trio of repeats topped the Billboard Hot 100 the week of May 31, 1966: Percy Sledge’s ‘When a Man Loves a Woman,’ The Mindbenders’ ‘A Groovy Kind of Love,’ and The Rolling Stones’ ‘Paint It Black.’
At #4, on its way to a peak at #2, was The Lovin’ Spoonful’s ‘Did You Ever Have to Make Up Your Mind?’ This gentle rocker was the band’s fourth of seven straight singles to reach the top 10 of the chart (only these guys and Gary Lewis and the Playboys had that many consecutive top ten hits to start their career).
Throwing back to the week of May 30, 1956, we find Elvis Presley’s ‘Heartbreak Hotel‘ and Morris Stoloff’s ‘Moonglow and Theme from Picnic‘ hanging on atop the singles chart.
Just behind at #3 was the song that would eventually end Presley’s seven-week stint in the top spot: ‘The Wayward Wind’ by pop singer Gogi Grant. This song would go on to spend six weeks at #1.
Meet Me In Montauk 