The two songs atop the Billboard Hot 100 the week of August 16, 1986, had reversed positions from the week before. Peter Cetera’s ‘Glory of Love‘ was now in the #2 spot while Madonna ascended to #1 with ‘Papa Don’t Preach.’
Looking up at them was former Go-Go’s lead singer Belinda Carlisle, whose debut single as a solo artist peaked at #3. ‘Mad About You’ was the first of three top five singles for Carlisle.
In a podcast about their curation of the ’30 Greatest Living American Songwriters’ list, one New York Times critic said he regretted not including more songwriters who primarily wrote for other people. It’s easier to celebrate the artists whose faces and voices we treasure as much as their writing chops.
I have no such regrets, and my own list is comprised only of songwriters who also perform.
The Times, on the other hand, did manage to recognize five individuals or teams whose work happens primarily behind the scenes.
Yesterday, I lauded the wonderful network and cable shows I enjoyed in 2016 but I neglected to mention the ones I streamed. Well, that’s because there weren’t any for most of the year.
I’m only halfway through the new season of Mozart in the Jungle, a show I absolutely love. [NOTE: Since writing this, I finished the season.] I’m thisclose to starting Stranger Things but haven’t pulled the trigger yet. I’m a season behind on Orange is the New Black. I hear great things about Bojack Horseman and Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt but, well, see all of the above.
Meet Me In Montauk 