Music
When Iron Maiden released ‘The Trooper‘ in June 1983, they weren’t just putting out another single—they were stamping their mark on heavy metal history. The song, from their fourth studio album Piece of Mind, quickly became one of their signature tracks and a defining anthem of the genre. Bassist and songwriter Steve Harris penned the […]
By the late 1970s, FM radio was at its peak. Unlike AM’s tight, hit-driven playlists, FM stations were the home of adventurous DJs spinning long album tracks, deep cuts, and emerging artists. It was in this golden era of radio that Steely Dan—already legends for their razor-sharp songwriting and pristine production—were asked to write a […]
When Don Henley stepped out on his own after the Eagles’ breakup in 1980, the world wasn’t sure if the drummer and co-lead vocalist could carry a solo career. By 1982, that doubt was erased with the release of I Can’t Stand Still, and its standout single, ‘Dirty Laundry.‘ Sharp, satirical, and musically cutting-edge, the […]
When Guns N’ Roses unleashed Appetite for Destruction in 1987, it became one of the most iconic hard rock albums of all time. Among its standout tracks was ‘Paradise City,’ a song that captured both the grit of Los Angeles and the yearning for something better. The origins of ‘Paradise City’ go back to a […]
When the Doobie Brothers released Toulouse Street in 1972, the band had already built a reputation as a hard-working San Jose outfit with a loyal following. But it was ‘Listen to the Music’ — written by guitarist and vocalist Tom Johnston — that launched them into the national spotlight. The single reached No. 11 on […]
At the height of their careers in the early 1980s, two legends from opposite ends of the music industry came together to create one of the most iconic songs of the decade. That duo was Michael Jackson and Eddie Van Halen, and the song became Beat It. MJ, who would be releasing his sixth studio […]
You’ve blasted them on album, cassette and CD. However, did you really hear what those classic rock anthems were saying? Beneath the guitar solos, leather pants and smoke machines, a deeper game was being played. Now, 40+ years on, the truth is crawling out from under the Marshall stacks. Let’s start with the big one; Led Zeppelin. Yeah, Stairway […]
When Van Halen dropped Fair Warning in April 1981, the band was already riding a wave of fame, but this record marked a different turn. Darker, heavier, and more experimental than their first three albums, it pushed the boundaries of what the Pasadena quartet had been doing. Nestled in the tracklist was ‘Unchained,’ a song […]
Dire Straits’ ‘Money for Nothing‘ is one of the defining songs of the 1980s, both musically and culturally. Released in 1985 as the lead single from the band’s Brothers in Arms album, it quickly became their biggest hit, topping the charts in the United States and reaching the Top 10 across the world. Written by […]
Pink Floyd’s ‘Money‘ is one of the most recognizable songs in rock history, both for its unusual structure and for the role it played in shaping the success of the band’s landmark 1973 album, The Dark Side of the Moon. Written primarily by Roger Waters, the track stood out immediately because of its 7/4 time […]
The Eagles’ 1980 ballad ‘I Can’t Tell You Why‘ holds a special place in the band’s history, both musically and personally. Featured on their final studio album before their first breakup, The Long Run, the song marked a new direction for the group while also showcasing a fresh voice. Unlike their signature country-rock hits, this […]
When Bob Seger released ‘Night Moves‘ in 1976, it became the song that forever changed his career. Up until then, Seger had been a popular regional act in Detroit and throughout the Midwest, known for his fiery live shows with the Silver Bullet Band. Despite years of relentless touring and a loyal hometown following, national […]