Ariana Grande’s hit “7 Rings” set numerous streaming records when released in 2019 and was at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 for eight consecutive weeks, setting new milestones every time it reached that position.
Howard Shore’s Lord of the Rings score doesn’t follow traditional tonal analysis, yet its chord progression uses simple tricks to produce captivating music that sounds incredible.
Earth Wind & Fire – “Shining Star”
Maurice White composed “Shining Star” for the soundtrack of the 1974 movie That’s the Way of the World and became EWF’s first #1 hit at that time, contributing greatly to their success during that period.
Earth Wind & Fire were best known as a funk band, yet they incorporated elements from all styles from James Brown to Sly & the Family Stone into one compelling, seamless whole.
B.B. King – “Lucille”
B.B. King was performing at a dance hall in Twist, Arkansas when two men got into an argument and knocked over a barrel of kerosene used to heat the building, sparking an early firestorm that quickly spread. With only his $30 Gibson guitar left standing after all had been saved from burning down, B.B. decided to name her Lucille; from then on it would become his trademark name for all guitars owned.
Epiphone honors legendary bluesman Robert Johnson with this luxurious take on a Gibson ES-355 finished in Transparent Ebony. Notable appointments include gold hardware, TP-6 tailpiece with fine tuners and split block mother of pearl inlays on its fretboard.
Steve Goodman – “City of New Orleans”
In 1972, Chicago folk singer Steve Goodman composed the song City of New Orleans to describe a train journey from Chicago to New Orleans on the Illinois Central Railroad – both bittersweet and nostalgic in equal measures.
Guthrie’s rendition of this song quickly rose into the Top 20, giving Goodman enough financial success to dedicate himself fully to music as his full-time profession. Over time, this classic tune would become an American standard and cover versions by multiple artists can still be heard today.
John Denver asserted he co-wrote the song, while official records in the Library of Congress list Goodman as its sole author.
Kaleo – “All the Pretty Girls”
Kaleo, an Icelandic band featuring JJ on lead vocals, Rubin Pollock on guitar, David Antonsson on bass, and Kristjansson on drums recently visited The Current studio to perform one song and chat with Mark Wheat about their inspirations for writing it: an idyllic Icelandic summer house setting and bright night skies inspired them.
Ariana’s playful chorus may appear simple at first glance, yet its production features sophisticated production that creates a vivid sound world. Additionally, this arrangement boasts above average Chord Complexity and Melodic Complexity scores.
Diana Ross – “Baby Love”
Motown girl group The Supremes scored an outstanding hit with “Baby Love”, one of their most beloved songs. The arrangement is complex with high Chord Complexity and Melodic Complexity scores as well as tension-filled Chord-Bass Harmony notes.
Detail is what keeps this arrangement intriguing, with zipper hats on beat 2 of the first bar and a filtered synth pad on beat 3 of the second bar providing extra stimulation for Ariana’s playful lead vocal that keeps even casual listeners hooked.
Blue Oyster Cult – “Don’t Fear the Reaper”
Blue Oyster Cult’s first major pop crossover hit came after years of treading the line between hard rock and progressive music, when lead singer Buck Dharma composed this emotional tune while contemplating an early death of himself.
The opening riff, chord progression, channel mixing and drums work to build and release tension as tension-building build-up ensues before lyrics enter. The song’s message about eternal love and mortality can be uplifted while its critics accuse it of glorifying suicide.
Sublime – “What I Got”
Sublime was an internationally popular band that combined punk and reggae music in a distinctive style that won the hearts of millions. Touring and performing backyard parties across America without caring what anyone thought, Sublime would often make headlines just two months before this album would be released due to lead singer Bradley Nowell’s death from an heroin overdose.
Sublime always acknowledged and quoted other artists and songs in their music in an honorable manner. On their album, there’s an unfinished rendition that sounds as though they’re practicing, while there’s another more polished one which serves as the “reprise.” Listen to both!
Jimi Hendrix – “Scarlet Begonias”
Hendrix was an iconic rock musician whose revolutionary sound of electric guitars continues to influence generations of musicians today.
He began as a backup musician for performers such as Little Richard and the Isley Brothers before forming his own band with bassist Noel Redding and drummer Mitch Mitchell. Success quickly followed; they even performed at Woodstock music festival!
Hendrix later formed the Band of Gypsys with Cox and Miles, and released their album of that name early 1970.
The Rolling Stones – “Gimme Shelter”
Producer Jack Nitzchke called gospel singer Merry Clayton, then 20 at the time, and asked her to sing on a new song they were creating together. Clayton had already provided backup vocals for Ray Charles, Elvis Presley and Bobby Darin but initially she refused his request.
Gimme Shelter is one of the Stones’ best-known songs, having been inspired by Keith Richards observing Londoners seeking shelter during a rainstorm. It became a symbol of the turbulent end of the 1960s.