Friday, September 14, 2007

Kathleen asks: On the Day You Were Born...

...what song topped the Billboard pop chart?

Music is important to writers. It's not just what we may or may not listen to while we're writing, but what do our characters listen to? What's playing on the radio during the story?

Fellow writer Susan Wiggs put me onto a web site today that went directly into the bookmarks--after I played around with it a bit. Pick a day--any day in the last 100 years--and find out what the most popular song was ON THAT DAY.

Cool, huh?

If you can figure out on which November 8th "Near You" by Francis Craig and his orchestra was the top tune, you'll know my age (which is really no secret). I know the song, of course, but I had to google Francis Craig, and I discovered that "Near You" is actually the all-time Billboard (or its equivalent) champ at #1 with 17 weeks.

Discovered more fun tidbits. The day DH was born? "Some Enchanted Evening" by Perry Como. Now you get into the 6 degrees of separation game. Perry Como was my parents' favorite singer. The day my parents were married the #1 song was "The Old Lamplighter," which was the theme of my junior prom. The day I met DH--"Get Back" (The Beatles). The day we were married--"Cracklin' Rosie."

This is too much fun for one person. It's your turn. Jump on this link and find out what the #1 song was on your big day. Days.

And here's another hint about the year "Near You" had its 17 week run. Here's me now.

15 comments:

Helen Brenna said...

Cute idea Kathy. My song is Bobby Lewis's Tossin' & Turnin'. Never heard it before and couldn't get it to play. Waaa!

Kathleen Eagle said...

I could sing it for you, Helen.

Michele Hauf said...

I Got You Babe, by Sonny and Cher. Yes! I remember sitting before the TV watching that show as a kid. My favorite show. ANd I thought Cher was the most beautiful woman.

Funny how you mentioned that we should know what our characters like to listen to. I was just trying to figure this one for my current heroine last night. The hero likes operatic soundtracks, but I'm thinking the heroine (who is 800 yrs old) may go for more of the pop stuff. A nice contrast to opera, yes?

Playground Monitor said...

"If" by Perry Como. I know Perry, but I don't know "If" Of course, I was a wee newborn babe, so why would I? :grin:

I looked up the #1's for the DH (Goodnight Irene), #1 son (Boogie, Oogie, Oogie), #2 son (Billie Jean), the DH (Goodnight Irene) and the grandbaby ("Ridin'" by Chamillionaire featuring Krayzie Bone -- WTF?).

This website is a big time suck and thank you very much for giving me yet another reason NOT to write. :grin:

Marilyn

And Kathleen, you're just a few years older than me and we're in the prime of life!

Kathleen Eagle said...

Right on, Marilyn. Prime time to the end! And rock ' roll is the soundtrack of our lives. Every memory comes with a song, a dance, a singer or a group.

Michele. Babe. I got you, Babe. Their first TV appearance on "Hullabaloo." Sonny in his wild vest and Cher in bells and headband.

A little Boomer trivia: There were two must-see shows back then that debuted new acts. Who remembers the other one?

Anonymous said...

Love this site and will have to send all my friends to it. My song is Maggie May/Reason to Believe by Rod Stewart. I've always been a really big Rod Stewart fan, maybe this is why.

Liza

Michele Hauf said...

Sonny and Cher must have been one of the must-sees. Hmm, all that comes to me is the Smothers Brothers.

What happened to all the great variety shows? I'd love for something like that again!

Debra Dixon said...

Hey, mine was "All Shook Up" by Elvis, which is fitting because I was born and lived in Memphis all my life!

Very cool site, Kathy!

Unknown said...

Wow, I LOVED this! My birth-day top song was "That Lucky Old Sun" by Frankie Laine. And what's interesting about that is that my mom and dad always called me "sunshine" when I was little. And they sang the old song "You Are My Sunshine" to me.

So "sun" shine was in the air on the day I was born.

Interesting. I wonder if they remembered that?

Michele Hauf said...

Wait! Donny and Marie!

Dara Edmondson said...

What a fun site - Mine is Soldier Boy by the Shirelles.

Susan Kay Law said...

Sherry, by the Four Seasons.

Of course, I don't remember that. I do remember all the songs from the day my kids were born, however!

Christie Ridgway said...

Oh, wow. I did everyone in the family. Total time sink...and I loved it!

Son 2 was "Jump" by Kris Kross. I remember those little hip hop kids. Wonder where they are now and if they have any of their money left?

Anonymous said...

LOL! Mine is Play That Funky Music by White Cherry. I was a Bicentennial baby. :) Gotta love it. :)

Kathleen Eagle said...

I love this! How cool that Betina got Frankie Laine. He sang "Rawhide." Along with me. At the top of my Rowdy Yates lovin' lungs.