By: Mariposa Michaels (Contributor)

Selena Quintanilla was born April 16, 1971 in Lake Jackson, Texas. This Hispanic songstress would eventually become “the Tejano Queen”, completely changing the industry for Hispanic singers to come.

Selena got her start as lead singer of her family band, Selena y Los Dinos, who toured Texas throughout the 1980’s. They first started performing in their parent’s Mexican restaurant, covering English songs their dad grew up on.  The group gained traction in south Texas, releasing several albums under the Selena y Los Dinos name.
 
This childhood experience prepped the young singer for stardom after the release of her self-titled debut album Selena was released in the fall of 1989. Selena released four more albums.
 
Selena had a thriving fan club throughout her career, and she even ventured into the clothing industry. Opening to branches of her Selena Etc. boutiques.
 
Selena also went on to win one Grammy, fourteen Billboard Latin Music Awards, 36 Tejano Music as well as many other accolades. She performed the most famous concert of her career in front of 60,000 people at the Houston Astrodome, on Feb. 26, 1995.
 
Sadly, just one month later Selena was killed by her former fan club president and manager of boutiques, Yolanda Saldivar. Selena was just 23 years old. A crossover album was released not long after her death, leaving many to mourn the loss of a great talent.
 
Selena was the Queen, and that’s why this week she deserves to sit at the top of her throne here at Vinyl.

TRACK 1: Baila Esta Cumbia

Baila Esta Cumbia made its debut in 1990 off Selena’s second studio album, Ven Conmigo. Like many of her songs, this one was penned by her big brother AB Quintanilla and Pete Astudillo. Baila Esta Cumbia ended up going six times platinum, becoming one of her most successful singles. It was covered in 2010 by artist Diana Reyes.

TRACK 2: Tu, Soló Tú

From the album Dreaming of You (1994), Tu, Soló Tú is liable to bring about the emotion felt in a Vicente Fernández song. It was the first Spanish single released after Selena's death. Originally written by Felipe Valdés Leal and recorded by Pedro Infante, Tu, Soló Tú started Selena's longest run on the Billboard Hot Latin Tracks, lasting for ten weeks.

TRACK 3: El Chico del Apartamento 512

Everyone loves the boy next door, including Selena. From the 1994 album Amor Prohibido, El Chico Del Apartamento 512 was once labeled one of Selena’s most “memorable” songs. It was written as a cumbia and has Colombian and other South American influences. This song was performed at Selena’s last concert on March 19, 1995.

TRACK 4: Bidi Bidi Bom Bom

From the album Amor Prohibido, Bidi Bidi Bom Bom debuted on Billboard Hot Latin Tracks on Aug. 13, 1994. This song would eventually peak at number one, the second time for Selena as a solo artist. It’s upbeat melody is a staple at many Hispanic traditions like Quinceañeras, weddings, and Cinco de Mayo celebrations. It has been covered by many artists and was even recorded in Portuguese.

TRACK 5: Como la Flor

“Like the Flower” (Como la Flor) was a smash-hit for Selena, going nine times platinum. It was originally released in 1992 from the album, Entre A Mii Mundo, but was remixed and released on Selena’s posthumous album, Dreaming of You. Kacey Musgraves covered Como la Flor in February of 2019 at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, twenty-four years after Selena’s final performance.

TRACK 6: Amor Prohibido

Written by Ricky Vela, Pete Astudillo and AB Quintanilla, this Selena song was released on May 13, 1994. A song about forbidden love, Amor Prohibido was the most successful Latin single of 1994. In 2015, Jennifer Lopez performed a twentieth anniversary tribute to Selena and included this song in the line-up.

TRACK 7

Dreaming of You was the lead single from Selena’s posthumous album, Dreaming of You. This album served as her first crossover, and this song lead the way to the album’s success. It sold 25,000 units in its first week of release. For many, Dreaming of You served as a goodbye to a beloved singer even closing out the 1997 film Selena.

By: Wilhelmina Williams (Contributor)

Barbara Ann Mandrell was born December 25, 1948 in Houston, Texas. She is considered one of the most successful female country artists of the ‘70s and ’80s, despite being widely unknown among newer country fans.

Her extensive career began as a young child playing multiple instruments touring with superstars like Patsy Cline, Johnny Cash and George Jones. Before her solo career began she toured with her family band as well.
Mandrell’s debut solo album, Treat Him Right, was released in 1971. She released 25 studio albums from 1971 to 1997. Eight albums charted in the Top 10 in U.S. Country, with all but seven breaking into the top 50 on the U.S. Country charts. Her singles include 27 top 10 hits, including 7 No. 1s.
 
Mandrell has been a Grand Ole Opry member since 1972 and was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2009. She was also the first woman inducted into the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum in 2014 and the first artist to win CMA Entertainer Of The Year for two consecutive years.

With musical talent to spare and the ability to transform songs of any genre with her own signature country style, it’s no surprise that she has won multiple GRAMMYs, People’s Choice Awards, Country Music Awards and more. For being ‘Country, When Country Wasn’t Cool’, we dedicate this week to the inimitable, Barbara Mandrell.

SONG OF THE monDAY

I've Been Loving You Too Long (To Stop Now) is an R&B hit written and recorded by Otis Redding in 1965. Other notable covers of the song include Ike and Tina Turner (for the album What You Hear Is What You Get: Live at Carnegie Hall) and The Rolling Stones. Barbara Mandrell’s version was included on her first studio album, 1971’s Treat Him Right and was her first single to chart.

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(If Loving You is Wrong) I Don’t Want to Be Right was originally written by Stax Records songwriters Homer Banks, Carl Hampton, and Raymond Jackson for The Emotions, but the groups version of the recording was never released. Barbara Mandrell included her version on the 1978 album, Moods, which reached No. 8 on the U.S. Country charts. The song was Mandrell’s second No.1 hit. Luther Ingram also found success with his own recording of the song.

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Written by Stephen Allen Davis and Dennis Morgan, There’s No Love in Tennessee was the only new single released in conjunction with Barbara Mandrell’s Barbara Mandrell: Greatest Hits (1985). The song reached No. 7 on the U.S. Country charts.

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Barbara Mandrell’sfirst No. 1 hit, Sleeping Single in a Double Bed was also the first single from the album Moods. The song was written by Kye Fleming and Dennis Morgan. Mandrell won the American Music Award for Favorite Country Single for the song in 1980.

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Another Kye Fleming and Dennis Morgan writing collaboration, I Was Country When Country Wasn’t Cool was Barbara Mandrell’s first No. 1 hit of the ‘80s. Though not listed, George Jones makes a guest appearance in the recording of the song, shortly after being mentioned in the lyrics. The song’s success is largely credited with contributing to Mandrell’s winning Entertainer of the Year from the Country Music Association in 1981. The track’s album, Barbara Mandrell - Live, reached No. 4 on the U.S. Country charts and was certified Gold.

SONG OF THE saturDAY

Percy Sledge first sang When A Man Loves A Woman in 1966 after Calvin Lewis and Andrew Wright penned the track. It was a No. 1 hit then and again in 1991 when Michael Bolton recorded his own version. While Barbara Mandrell’s version, from the 1991 album Key's in the Mailbox, did not chart, it was a return to the stylistic choice of putting her classic country emphasis on popular music that she was well-known for throughout her early career.

SONG OF THE sunDAY

Happy Birthday Dear Heartache, written by Archie Jordan and Mack David, made it all the way to No. 3 for Barbara Mandrell. The song was released as the first single on 1984’s Clean Cut, the 15th studio album she released. The album would make it all the way to No. 8 on the charts.

Nightbird is an album by Eva Cassidy. Released in November 2015, the album was originally a 2-disc CD, plus a DVD, of her live performance at Blues Alley in Washington D.C. in January 1996. It was the last album Cassidy recorded before her death in November of that year.

Nineteen of the songs on Nightbird were included on Cassidy's self-published album, Live at Blues Alley (1996). Twelve had never been released.

If you don't know who Eva Cassidy is, she's amazing. Angelic and soothing, her voice can mesmerize you. We can't feature all 31 songs from Nightbird, but we can pluck out seven of our favorite in honor of this great talent and incredible entertainer. Ladies and gentleman, Eva Cassidy.

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Ain't Doin Too Bad was originally released by the Sinatra of the Blues, Bobby Bland in 1964. Eva Cassidy's cover is the second track on Nightbird (2015).

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Ain’t No Sunshine was written by Bill Withers and was released from his 1971 album, Just As I Am. A break-through hit for Withers, it peaked at No. 3 on Billboard Hot 100. Eva Cassidy's sultry cover is the third track on Nightbird (2015).

SONG OF THE wednesDAY

Blue Skies was written by Irving Berlin in 1926 for the musical, Betsy, and first performed by Belle Baker. It was one of the first songs featured in a talkie when Al Jolson performed it in The Jazz Singer (1927). Eva Cassidy's cover is the first track on Nightbird (2015).

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Nightbird was originally recorded in 1996 at Blues Alley in DC and first released on the album, Live at Blues Alley (1996). Eva Cassidy died of melanoma in 1996 before the world knew who she was. Nightbird was re-released posthumously on her album Nightbird (2015).

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Written by Eddie Cooley and Otis Blackwell (under the pseudonym John Davenport), Fever was originally recorded by Little Willie John and released in 1956. Peggy Lee’s 1958 version is the most-popular. It was nominated for three awards at the first ever Grammy Awards in 1959. Eva Cassidy’s version is the eleventh track on Nightbird (2015).

SONG OF THE saturDAY

Written in 1945 and released in 1946, Autumn Leaves (Le feuilles mortes) is a French song. Composed by Joseph Kosma, with lyrics by Jacques Prévert, Johnny Mercer translated it to English. Tons of artists have covered it. Eva Cassidy included her version on the 1996 album, Live at Blues Alley. The song’s the twelfth track on Nightbird (2015).

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Fields of Gold was written and recorded by Sting and first appeared on his album, Ten Summoner’s Tales (1983). Eva Cassidy’s cover appears on several of her albums. It charted in Sweden, the Netherlands, and hit No. 1 in Poland. It’s the fourth track on Nightbird (2015).

INXS, originally The Farriss Brothers, was an Australian band out of Sydney formed in 1977. The original members were bassist Garry Gary Beers, keyboardist Andrew Farriss, drummer Jon Farriss, guitarist Tim Farriss, guitarist and saxophonist Kirk Pengilly, and lead singer Michael Hutchence.

Known first for their new wave/pop style and later for a harder pub rock sound, they dominated the charts from the mid 80s to the early 90s. They have sold over 60 million copies worldwide and are the third-highest selling Australian musical act behind AC/DC and the Bee Gees.

After Michael Hutchence’s suicide in 1997, INXS continued to perform with fill-ins like Jon Stevens, J.D. Fortune, and Ciaran Gribbin, but eventually the band called it quits in 2012.

For over twenty years they left their mark on the music world, as well as on everyone here at Vinyl. That's why we've chosen to honor this awesome Aussie talent with 14 of our favorite INXS songs.

WEEK 1

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Bitter Tears was written by Andrew Farriss and Michael Hutchence. It was released in 1991 from INXS’s album X (1990). The song was released in the UK to coincide with the band headlining the Summer XS concert at Wembley Stadium. In the US, the song peaked at No. 46 on Billboard Hot 100 but No. 4 on Billboard Mainstream Rock.

SONG OF THE tuesDAY

Never Tear Us Apart was released on Aug. 8, 1988 from INXS’s sixth studio album, Kick. With music by Andrew Farriss and lyrics by Michael Hutchence, It reached No. 14 on the Australian charts, but in the US, it peaked at No. 7 on Billboard Hot 100. After his death in 1997, Michael Hutchence’s coffin was carried out of St. Andrews Cathedral by the remaining members of the band and Hutchence’s brother while Never Tear Us Apart played in the background.

SONG OF THE wednesDAY

Suicide Blonde was released in August 1990 from INXS’s album, X. Rumored to be about Michael Hutchence’s then girlfriend Kylie Minogue after she had died her hair platinum blonde for a role in the 1989 movie The Delinquents. The song hit No. 1 in Canada and New Zealand, No. 2 in Australia, and No. 9 in the US. The single became poignant again in 1998 after Hutchence’s lover, Paula Yates, tried to commit suicide less than a year after his suicide in 1997.

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Elegantly Wasted was released in March 1997 as the lead single from INXS’s tenth album, Elegantly Wasted. With a B-side of Need You Tonight, the song didn’t chart on Billboard Hot 100 but reached No. 13 on Adult Top 40 and on Billboard Mainstream Rock. In Canada, it became the band’s fourth and final number one. It’s said that Elegantly Wasted was written after Michael Hutchence and Bono from U2 went out for a night on the town.

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Need You Tonight was the first single released worldwide from INXS's 1987 album, Kick. To date, it's the band's only number 1 on Billboard Hot 100. It was one of the last songs written for the album but one of the most-popular. It's been covered by various artists, including Britney Spears and Bonnie Raitt. On the album, Need You Tonight is linked to the song, Mediate (or Meditate depending on which pressing you have). Mediate never appears without Need You Tonight, but Need You Tonight is often played as a stand-alone.

SONG OF THE saturDAY

Written by Andrew Farriss after the birth of his daughter, Beautiful Girl was released in February 1993 as the fifth international single from INXS’s album, Welcome to Wherever You Are (1992). Farriss said he was trying to write about the power of having something besides yourself to worry and think about. In the US, Beautiful Girl was only available in cassette. Bono of U2 plays piano and sings back-up vocals for the song.

SONG OF THE sunDAY

Devil Inside is from INXS's 1987 album, Kick. It was released in 1988 and is one of the band’s best-known songs. It peaked at No. 2 on Billboard Hot 100, blocked by Billy Ocean’s Get Outta My Dreams, Get Into My Car and Whitney Houston’s Where Do Broken Hearts Go. The music video was shot in California and directed by Joel Schumacher, but Kirk Pengilly didn’t like it because he thought it was “too American.” London Grammar's cover of Devil Inside was used in a trailer for season four of HBO's Game of Thrones.

WEEK 2

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Baby Don’t Cry was written by Andrew Farriss about missing his daughter, Grace, while on tour. It was released in September 1992 as the second single from INXS’s album, Welcome to Wherever You Are. The song uses the 60-piece Australian Chamber Orchestra and hit No. 20 in the UK, No. 30 in Australia, but didn’t chart in the US.

SONG OF THE tuesDAY

Written by Andrew Farriss and Michael Hutchence, What You Need is the lead track from INXS’s 1985 album, Listen Like Thieves. It wasn’t originally on the album, but producer Chris Thomas said he didn’t think there was a “hit.” The band was given one day to deliver, so they came up with What You Need. Released as the first single In Australia and New Zealand and the second in the US, the song became the band’s first American Top Ten hit, peaking at No. 5 on Billboard Hot 100.

SONG OF THE wednesDAY

New Sensation was released from INXS’s album Kick (1987). About a party lifestyle, the song reached No. 3 on Billboard Hot 100. It was written by Michael Hutchence, with music by Andrew Farriss, and features a saxophone solo by Kirk Pengilly. The opening lyric, “Live, baby, live” was used as the title of the band’s 1991 album Live Baby Live. In 2018, McDonald’s used New Sensation to sell the Big Mac.

SONG OF THE thursDAY

Taste It was the fourth single released from INXS’s 1992 album, Welcome to Wherever You Are. It reached No. 5 in the US on Billboard Hot Mainstream Rock and No. 1 on Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100. There are mixed tales about the song’s inspiration. In an interview, Michael Hutchence said it was about the devil, the angel, and choice. According to the 2014 Australian TV miniseries INXS: Never Tear Us Apart, Taste It was partially inspired by an accident where Hutchence lost his sense of taste and smell.

SONG OF THE friDAY

Listen Like Thieves is the title song from INXS's fifth studio album, Listen Like Thieves (1985). Written by the entire band, it was released in 1986 and landing at No. 28 in Australia and No. 54 on Billboard Hot 100 and No. 12 on Billboard Album Rock Tracks. The band Was (Not Was) covered the song to promote their 1991 album, Hello Dad...I'm in Jail.

SONG OF THE saturDAY

Disappear was written by Michael Hutchence and Jon Farriss while they were living together in Hong Kong in 1989. Released in 1990 as the second single from the INXS 1990 album X, the song peaked at No. 8 on Billboard Hot 100 and became the band’s seventh and last Top 10 hit.

SONG OF THE sunDAY

Written by Andrew Farriss and Michael Hutchence, Original Sin was released as the first single from INXS’s fourth studio album, The Swing (1984). It became an international hit, landing on the chart in eight countries, reaching No. 58 in the US on Billboard Hot 100. Daryl Hall sings back-up vocals on the chorus. In 2010, INXS re-recorded Original Sin with Rob Thomas and DJ Yalediys for their tribute album, Original Sin. That version hit No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Dance Club Songs.

Born in Golden, Texas, on Aug. 21, 1988, Kacey Musgraves stormed the music scene in 2012 and has been steamrollin' ever since.

She started writing songs when she was 8 years-old and self-produced three albums before signing with Mercury Nashville.

Though she was influenced by Alison Krauss, Lee Ann Womack, John Prine, Bobbie Gentry, and Jim Croce, this six-time Grammy winner has been heralded for her unique lyrics and for putting a twist on old-school country sound. She has released four albums, Same Trailer Different Park (2013), Pageant Material (2015), A Very Kacey Christmas (2016), and Golden Hour (2018).

If you haven't given this amazing talent a listen, we've got seven of our favorite Musgraves songs to help you get started. Give us a week, and we think you'll agree that Kacey Musgraves is a true gem among the costume jewelry that decorates country music today.

SONG OF THE monDAY

Merry Go 'Round was released in September 2012 as the lead single from Kacey Musgraves' debut, Grammy Award-winning album, Same Trailer Different Park. Co-written by Shane McAnally and Josh Osborne, the song's a cynical observation of life in the American heartland and references Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary, Jack and Jill, and Mary Had a Little Lamb. The song peaked at No. 63 on Billboard Hot 100, but it hit No. 14 on Hot Country Songs, No. 10 on Country Airplay, and won Musgraves another Grammy for Best Country Song.

SONG OF THE tuesDAY

Released in 2015, Pageant Material is Kacey Musgraves’ second album under the Mercury Nashville label. Most of the songs were recorded live in Nashville’s historic RCA Studio A, and the effort earned Musgraves her second Grammy nomination for Best Country Album. The title song was never released as a single, but we think it would have done well commercially. She uses tongue-in-cheek lyrics to poke fun of herself for not being Pageant Material, and many of us here at Vinyl resonate deeply with that sentiment.

SONG OF THE wednesDAY

Silver Lining is from Kacey Musgraves' debut album, Same Trailer Different Park (2012). Written by Musgraves, Shane McAnally and Josh Osborne, Silver Lining was never released as a single, which is a shame. The melody is uplifting and easy-going, and the lyrics explore the idea that we have to weather the darkest, hardest of times to experience the brighter things in life. All in all, it's one of our favorite Musgraves tunes.

SONG OF THE thursDAY

Written by Kacey Musgraves, Luke Laird and Shane McAnally, Blowin’ Smoke was released on April 1, 2013 as the second single from Musgraves’ album, Same Trailer Different Park. The song is about a down-on-her-luck waitress talking shit about this and that and starts and ends with diner sound effects recorded at a Waffle House. It peaked at No. 31 on Billboard Hot Country Songs and No. 23 on Country Airplay. The music video was directed by Honey.

SONG OF THE friDAY

Released on Feb. 11, Rainbow is the fifth single from Kacey Musgraves' latest studio album, Golden Hour (2018). Written by Musgraves, Shane McAnally and Natalie Hemby, it landed at No. 98 on Billboard Hot 100, No. 20 on Adult Contemporary, and No. 17 on Hot Country Songs. It's a message of hope for those facing adversity and was the last song her grandmother heard her write before died.

SONG OF THE saturDAY

Kacey Musgraves’ 2018 album, Golden Hour, won two Grammys for Best Country Album and Album of the Year. Two of the songs also won Grammys. Butterflies won for Best Country Solo Performance and Space Cowboy for Best Country Song. Musgraves got the idea for Space Cowboy when her riding teacher told her that when a horse wanted to run there was no point in shutting the gate. A couple of days later, Kacey, Luke Laird and Shane McAnally put together the finishing touches.

SONG OF THE sunDAY

Biscuits was the lead single for Kacey Musgraves’s 2015 album, Pageant Material, which earned a Grammy nomination for Best Country Album. Written by Musgraves, Shane McAnally, and Brandy Clark, Biscuits peaked at No. 28 on Hot Country Songs, No. 41 on Country Airplay, and Billboard ranked it at No. 16 for the Top 25 Songs of 2015 and No. 1 for 10 Best Country Songs of 2015.

BONUS TRACK

Written by Kacey Musgraves, Brandy Clark, and Josh Osborne, Late To the Party is from the 2015 album, Pageant Material. It was never released as a single, but Musgraves performed the song on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. It’s about being happy in love, and it’s a whimsical, easy-going tune worthy of inclusion on any “Best of Kacey Musgraves” compilation.

Born Roberta Lee Streeter on July 27, 1942 in Chickasaw County, Mississippi, Bobbie Gentry is one of the most influential artists most people have never heard of.

She chose her stage name after watching Ruby Gentry, a 1952 movie about a woman who overcame poverty to make something out of her life.

She charted eleven hits on Billboard Hot 100, won three Grammy awards, put Southern Gothic on the map, had a successful Vegas show, was a model and partial owner of the Phoenix Suns and, most importantly, one of the first female artists to write and produce her own music.

She has impacted generations of country artists and her legacy should be honored, which is why we’re dedicating this week to a genuine gem, Ms. Bobbie Gentry.

SONG OF THE monDAY

Big Boss Man is a blues song first recorded by Jimmy Reed in 1961. It was written by Luther Dixon and Al Smith and has been covered by artists such as Elvis Presley and B.B. King. Bobbie Gentry’s version was included on her second studio album, The Delta Sweete (1968), which was re-released by Capitol Records as Tobacco Road in 1971 without the songs Big Boss Man and Parchman Farm.

SONG OF THE tuesDAY

Bobbie Gentry wrote and recorded Fancy in 1969. It was included on the 1970 album, Fancy, which earned a Grammy nomination. According to Gentry, the song was her strongest women’s lib statement, and it became a crossover hit, peaking at No. 26 on Hot Country and No. 31 on Billboard Hot 100. Reba McEntire covered it in 1990 on her Rumor Has It album. Her version hit No. 8 on Hot Country.

SONG OF THE wednesDAY

Written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David, I’ll Never Fall In Love Again has been covered by several artist, with Dionne Warwick’s version being the highest chart-topper in the US at No. 6 on Billboard Hot 100. Bobbie Gentry’s version appeared on her 1969 album, Touch ‘Em With Love and again on Fancy. Her version hit No. 1 in the UK.

SONG OF THE thursDAY

Ode to Billie Joe is Bobbie Gentry’s most successful song. From the album, Ode to Billie Joe (1967), it’s about indifference and the inability to connect with one another, even over shared grief. The album knocked the Beatles’s Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band off the top spot of Billboard Hot LP after a 15-week reign. The song, Ode to Billie Joe, became an international hit, landing at No. 1 on Billboard Hot 100 and earned Gentry three Grammy awards.

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Sittin’ Pretty was written by Bobbie Gentry and Kelly Gordon. The song was originally included on Gentry’s third studio album, Local Gentry (1967), which was re-released in 1971 as Sittin’ Pretty. Though the song (and album) didn’t chart, it’s one of our favorite jams here at Vinyl.

SONG OF THE saturDAY

Written by John Hartford, Gentle on My Mind was first recorded by Glen Campbell and released in 1967 on the album, Gentle on My Mind. It won four Grammy awards, two for Hartford and two for Campbell. The song was also included on the album, Bobbie Gentry and Glen Campbell (1968). Gentry had toured with Campbell and frequently performed on his TV show. That album hit No. 1 on Billboard Top Country and No. 11 on Billboard Top LPs chart.

SONG OF THE sunDAY

Apartment 21 was written by Bobbie Gentry and recorded during the Fancy recording sessions. The song was released as a stand-alone single in 1970 with a b-side of Seasons Come, Seasons Go. Though it peaked at No. 81 on Billboard Hot 100 and No. 19 on Adult Contemporary, it is considered by several critics to be among Gentry’s best work.

If you don't have Ani DiFranco's music in your playlist, you're missing out on one righteous babe.

Born Angela Maria DiFranco in Buffalo, New York on September 23, 1970, Ani is unlike any other artist. She's political, an entrepreneur, a philanthropist, a poet, a pioneer, and she writes and performs awesome music.

At age 18, she became one of the first independent musicians to create her own record label, Righteous Babe, and since has produced albums for a variety of artists.

To label her as a folk artist is inaccurate. Part folk, alternative, jazz, punk, funk and hip hop DiFranco's music crosses genres.

Her clever and raw lyrics mixed with the quality of her musical performances are what make Ani so special. If you haven't given her a listen, we're certain after a few samples, you'll want to hear more.

SONG OF THE monDAY

Buildings and Bridges is from Ani DiFranco's fifth studio album, Out of Range (1994). Though the album wasn't as commercially-successful as some of her others, it's one of our favorites. Buildings and Bridges is about being able to adapt in the face of difficult times because, as Ani says, what doesn't bend breaks.

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Shameless is from Ani DiFranco's seventh album, Dilate. Released in 1996, Dilate is her highest-selling and most critically-acclaimed album. Written by DiFranco, Shameless is about coveting another man's wife. She has performed it live multiple times and has been applauded for openly discussing bisexuality during a time when that wasn't done. 

SONG OF THE wednesDAY

O.K. is from Ani DiFranco's eleventh studio album, Revelling/Reckoning (2001). Your Next Bold Move, the lead track of Reckoning, was used in GASCD, a 2002 political compilation. Peaking at No. 50 on US Billboard 200, there are several great songs on this double album, but O.K. is more than just okay. It's one of our favorites.

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Written by Ani DiFranco and originally released on her 1995 album, Not a Pretty Girl, 32 Flavors is one of our favorite Ani songs. A pun on Baskin-Robbins’s slogan “31 flavors”, it was used in a 1999 NFL commercial and was covered by Alana Davis on her debut album, Blame it on Me (1997). Her version of the song peaked at No. 37 on Billboard Hot 100.

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Deep Dish is from Ani DiFranco's eighth studio album, Little Plastic Castle. Released in 1998, it is her highest-charting album, reaching No. 22 on Billboard Top 200. There are several great jams on Little Plastic Castle, but we chose Deep Dish because of the upbeat tempo and awesome use of horns. It's a perfect way to welcome Friday.

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Both Hands is from Ani DiFranco's debut album, Ani DiFranco. The album was recorded in September 1990 and was the first Righteous Babe release. We like most songs on the album, but Both Hands stands out as a touching ballad that showcases Ani's softer side. We also like the live version of the song from her 1997 album, Living In Clip.

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Up Up Up Up Up Up is the title track for Ani DiFranco's ninth studio album, Up Up Up Up Up Up. Released in 1999, the album landed at No. 29 on US Billboard 200, and the song Jukebox earned a Grammy nomination for Female Rock Vocal Performance. We think the song, Up Up Up Up Up Up is one of the best on an album full of bests.

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Fire Door was originally included on Ani DiFranco's debut album, Ani DiFranco. Though we like the original, we prefer the live version from her 1997 album, Living In Clip. Rolling Stone named that album one of the Essential Recordings of the 90s. Fire Door's sporadic guitar, upbeat tempo, and poetic lyrics make the song one of the best on the album.

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Bliss Like This is from Ani DiFranco’s thirteenth studio album, Educated Guess (2004). The album was recorded alone at her homes in Buffalo and in New Orleans and has more jazz elements than some of her previous work. We especially like the song, Bliss Like This because of the fun-loving lyrics and the swanky vibe of the music.

SONG OF THE wednesDAY

Back Back Back is from Ani DiFranco's tenth album, To the Teeth. Released in 1999, it is a tad more political than some of her other work. The album addresses topics like America's gun culture and the Columbine massacre. The music fuses jazz, funk, and folk, and Back Back Back is an ode to self-reflection and a call to denounce anger.

SONG OF THE thursDAY

Originally from Ani DiFranco's second studio album, Not So Soft (1991), Gratitude is a song about the harassment that women endure, even from so-called-friends. The song is one of Ani's most popular for live performances, and the version from So Much Shouting So Much Laughter (2002), Ani's second live album, is our favorite. 

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Napoleon is from Ani DiFranco's album, Dilate (1996). Slant Magazine ranked Dilate as one of the best albums of the 1990s. Napoleon is a passionate song about, in our opinion, the music industry. Ani created her record label, Righteous Babe, and has maintained complete artistic control over her work. It is one of the things we respect most about this artist. 

SONG OF THE saturDAY

First recorded by Dionne Warwick in 1962, Wishin' and Hopin' was written by Hal David and Burt Bacharach. It became a hit for Dusty Springfield in 1964. Ani DiFranco recorded a version for the 1997 movie, My Best Friend's Wedding that, along with the Austin Powers movies, led to renewed popularity of Bacharach-David music.

SONG OF THE sunDAY

Hell Yeah is from Ani DiFranco's 1994 album, Out of Range. The song is about being too afraid to tell someone that you like them. The lyrics are beautiful, quirky, and unique, and Hell Yeah is ranked in the top five on our list of most poetic songs. Not surprising seeing as Out of Range is among our top five most poetic albums.

Born on March 28, 1986 as Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta, Lady Gaga is music royalty and, in our opinion, a leading candidate poised to take the throne.

No matter what you think of her unconventional and provocative work, there’s no denying her knack for wowing us common folk. Whether it’s the outfits on the red carpet, the Super Bowl and acting performances, or that unbelievable voice, this Lady’s got chops.

It’s our honor this week to pay tribute to her ship with seven of our favorite Gaga songs.

SONG OF THE monDAY

Written and produced by Lady Gaga and RedOne, Hair is from Gaga's 2011 album, Born This Way. The melody of the song was inspired by Kiss, Iron Maiden, and Bruce Springsteen. Released worldwide as the album's second promotional release (the first was The Edge of Glory), Hair was not originally intended to be a single but ended up peaking at No. 12 on Billboard Hot 100.

SONG OF THE tuesDAY

Alejandro was released as the third single from Lady Gaga’s 2009 EP, The Fame Monster. Another hit written and produced by Gaga and RedOne, the song’s lyrics are about bidding ex-lovers farewell, and the melody takes influence from ABBA, Madonna, and Ace of Base. It landed at No. 5 on Billboard Hot 100, making it her seventh consecutive single to hit the Top 10 in the US.

SONG OF THE wednesDAY

Paparazzi was the last single released from Lady Gaga's debut album The Fame (2008). Gaga wrote the song with music producer and then boyfriend, Rob Fusari. Back in the day, Fusari compared Gaga’s vocals to Freddie Mercury and created the moniker "Lady Gaga" after Queen's song, Radio Ga Ga. Paparazzi is about Gaga’s struggles with fame. The song landed at a very successful No. 6 on Billboard Hot 100.

SONG OF THE thursDAY

Yoü and I is from Lady Gaga’s album, Born This Way (2011). Co-produced by Robert John “Mutt” Lange, it had been originally intended to be used solely as a promo, but after a few live performances, Interscope released the song as the album’s fourth single. Nominated for a Grammy, Yoü and I samples Queen’s We Will Rock You, features Brian May on electric guitar, and is allegedly about ex-boyfriend Lüc Carl.

SONG OF THE friDAY

Poker Face is from Lady Gaga’s 2008 album, The Fame. Written by Gaga and RedOne, it topped the charts in over 20 countries and became the best-selling song of 2009 in the world. The main gist behind the song is it’s about sex and bisexuality with an ode to her previous rock-n-roll boyfriends mixed in. It was nominated for a Grammy for Song and Record of the Year and won for Best Dance Recording.

SONG OF THE saturDAY

Written and produced by Lady Gaga and RedOne from The Fame Monster (2009), Bad Romance is about being attracted to doomed relationships. It landed at No. 2 on Billboard Hot 100, won two Grammy awards, sold over 12 million copies worldwide, and RIAA has certified it platinum 11 times. The music video was nominated for ten awards at the MTV VMAs, winning seven including Video of the Year.

SONG OF THE sunDAY

Million Reasons was written by Lady Gaga, Hillary Lindsey, and Mark Ronson for Gaga’s 2016 album, Joanne. The song sprung from conversations with Lindsey about the men in Gaga’s life. Written on an old-school typewriter, it originally peaked at No. 57 on Billboard Hot 100, but after her Super Bowl LI performance, it re-entered the charts at No. 4 tying LL Cool J and J-Lo’s Control Myself for highest re-entry.

Born in Alberta, Canada on Nov. 7, 1943, Joni Mitchell is a nine-time Grammy winner, Rock-n-Roll Hall of Fame inductee, artist, poet, singer, and songwriter.
 
If you haven't heard Joni Mitchell's music you've certainly heard a cover of one of her songs or know someone she has influenced. Prince, Nora Jones, Herbie Hancock, Sarah McLaughlin, Tori Amos, Kanye West, Taylor Swift, Madonna, Stevie Nicks, Tina Turner, k.d. Lang, Janet Jackson, and countless others have said Mitchell was a direct influence on their work.

What makes Joni so great, in our opinion, is her songs. She has a range of melodies from upbeat and rhythmic to relaxing and sensuous, but all of them have unique, thought-provoking lyrics that paint a picture in a way that it can only be described as pure poetry.
 
Though we could play a month of Joni, we've picked fourteen of our very favorites from this poetic goddess who’s been a great inspiration to us all here at Vinyl.

1. Big Yellow Taxi - from Ladies of the Canyon

Joni Mitchell wrote Big Yellow Taxi after her first trip to Hawaii. It was recorded and originally released from her 1970 album, Ladies of the Canyon. Though it was a hit in Canada, the song didn't gain popularity in the US until after Mitchell released a live version in 1974. The song's been covered by several artists, including the Counting Crows.

2. Raised On Robbery - from Court and Spark

Joni Mitchell had released a new album every year since 1968, but in 1973, she took some time off to work on Court and Spark (1974). Raised On Robbery was the album’s first single. Released in December 1973, it landed at No. 65 on Billboard Hot 100, and the album went on to become one of Mitchell’s greatest commercial successes.

3. Both Sides Now - from Clouds

Written by Joni Mitchell, Both Sides Now was originally recorded by Judy Collins. Released as a single in 1968, it won a Grammy. Joni released her own version in 1969 from the album, Clouds. The song was inspired by a passage in Saul Bellow's Henderson the Rain King (1959) and has been covered by dozens of artists.

4. You Turn Me On, I'm a Radio - from For the Roses

Released from the album For the Roses (1972), Joni Mitchell wrote You Turn Me On, I’m a Radio as a response to pressure Asylum Records was putting on her to write a hit song. She believed using radio-themed lyrics would entice stations to play the tune. With Graham Nash on harmonica, the single became Joni’s first Top 40 in the US.

5. Free Man In Paris - from Court and Spark

Free Man In Paris is from Joni Mitchell's 1974 album, Court and Spark. The song is about close friend David Geffen, during a trip the two took to Paris. It's one of Joni's most popular hits and has been covered by numerous artists. In the 1970s, an instrumental version was used as the theme for CBC's The Saturday Evening News.

6. All I Want - from Blue

All I Want is from our favorite Joni Mitchell album, Blue (1971). The album is one of the greatest of all time, and the songs were inspired by Joni's relationship with two men - Graham Nash and James Taylor. Blue and All I Want reference her relationship with Taylor and dealing with his heroin addiction. She really did knit him a sweater.

7. Night Ride Home - from Night Ride Home

Night Ride Home is from Joni Mitchell’s 1991 album, Night Ride Home. Though the album wasn’t commercially-successful, several songs received critical praise. Night Ride Home was originally titled “Fourth of July” and had been written about an evening in Hawaii. She first performed it in promotion of her 1988 album, Chalk Mark In a Rain Storm.

8. Help Me - from Court and Spark

Help Me is from Joni Mitchell’s 1974 album, Court and Spark. Commercially, it is her most successful song. Landing at No. 7 on Billboard Hot 100 and No. 1 on the Easy Listening charts, it is her only US top ten hit. Several artists have covered it, Prince references it in The Ballad of Dorothy Parker, and it’s been featured in South Park and Shameless.

9. Face Lift - from Taming the Tiger

Face Lift is from Joni Mitchell’s 1998 album, Taming the Tiger. Along with songs like Little Green and Chinese Café, Face Lift discusses the details of Joni getting pregnant and giving her daughter up for adoption in 1965, the main drive behind her songwriting. After the two reunited in 1997, Joni said she no longer felt the need to write.

10. Chelsea Morning - from Clouds

Joni Mitchell wrote Chelsea Morning while living in New York, before she had a record deal. It was included on her second album, Clouds (1969), because several artists had already covered it, including Judy Collins who had released a version a month before the release of Clouds. Fun Fact: Chelsea Clinton’s name was chosen because of Collins’ version.

11. A Case of You - from Blue

A Case of You is from Joni Mitchell’s 1971 album, Blue. Written around 1970, the song was inspired by her break up with Graham Nash. Mitchell plays the dulcimer, and James Taylor plays the guitar. It’s been covered over 300 times, but our favorite - hands down - is Prince’s version, which can be found on the 2007 album, A Tribute to Joni Mitchell.

12. Black Crow - from Hejira

Black Crow is from Joni Mitchell's 1976 album, Hejira. The album was inspired by a cross-country car trip she took from Maine to LA. The song, Black Crow, is about the difficulty Mitchell had when she left her second home in British Columbia's Sunshine Coast. Commercially, the album didn't perform well, but it's still one of our favorites here at Vinyl.

13. The Magdalene Laundries - from Turbulent Indigo

The Magdalene Laundries is from Joni Mitchell's album, Turbulent Indigo. For the cover, Joni  took inspiration from Vincent van Gogh and painted a self portrait. Released in 1994, the album won a Grammy and is her most-successful since the 1970s. The Magdalene Laundries is about the suffering of Irish woman in the Magdalene Asylum.

14. River - from Blue

Though never released as a single, River is one of Joni Mitchell's most popular songs. From the 1971 album Blue, River was inspired by Joni's breakup with Graham Nash. The piano solo borrows from Jingle Bells, and it's often been called a Christmas song. There are over 400 recordings, placing it second to Both Sides Now for most covers.

Kneel for Queen, one of the greatest bands of all time.

Formed in London in 1970, Freddie Mercury, Brian May, Roger Taylor, and John Deacon came to international fame in 1974.

Pioneers of the music video and ultimate charity concert performances, Queen created some of the most memorable, universal, and best-selling songs the world has ever known.

Though we could show favor for this music royalty for a month of Sundays, we'll do our best to pay homage with 14 must-have Queen hits.

Flash was written by Brian May and recorded by Queen for the 1980 film, Flash Gordon. There are two versions of the song. Flash's Theme is from the album and includes dialogue from the beginning of the movie. The single version features excerpts from the entire film and can be found on Queen's 1981 Greatest Hits album.

Written by John Deacon, Another One Bites the Dust is from The Game (1980). Inspired by Chic's Good Times, the song is Queen's best-selling single. When released, evangelical critics claimed it promoted smoking marijuana when played backwards. Today, since the bassline has nearly 110 beats per minute, it's been used to teach proper CPR in the UK.

From Sheer Heart Attack (1974), Killer Queen was written by Freddie Mercury and was Queen's first international hit. It landed at No. 2 in the UK and No. 12 in the US. The song's about a high-class call girl and falsely attributes the phrase "Let them eat cake" to Marie Antoinette. Mercury used a grand and upright piano to create a Vaudeville sound.

Written by Brian May, Fat Bottomed Girls is from Queen's 1978 album, Jazz. It was released as a double A-side with Bicycle Race, and the music video was filmed at the Dallas Convention Center. Each song references the other, with Fat Bottomed Girls reaching No. 11 on the UK charts and No. 24 on Billboard Hot 100.

Freddie Mercury wrote Crazy Little Thing Called Love in 1979. Released as a single from Queen's 1980 album, The Game, it became their first No. 1 hit on Billboard Hot 100. In interviews, Mercury said he had written the tune for Elvis Presley in about five minutes, and it marked the first song he played the guitar for during live performances.

I Want to Break Free was written by John Deacon and released in 1984 from Queen's album, The Works. The music video was a spoof of the British soap opera, Coronation Street, where the members of the band dressed as female characters. In the UK, viewers understood the joke, but in the US, it was not well received.

Somebody to Love was written by Freddie Mercury and included on Queen's 1976 album, A Day at the Races. It uses similar techniques to their hit Bohemian Rhapsody, only with an infused gospel sound instead of opera. The song questions God's role in a life without love, and Mercury was influenced by Aretha Franklin when he wrote it.

Written by Freddie Mercury, Play the Game is the lead track on Queen's 1980 alum, The Game. It opens with overlapping sounds from an Oberheim synthesizer, marking the band's acceptance of electronic instruments in an otherwise "no synth" stance on their sound. The album cover and music video are the first time Mercury appeared with a mustache.

We Will Rock You was written by Brian May and included on Queen's 1977 album, News of the World. Meant to be played before We Are the Champions, together, they have become a staple at sporting events and one of the greatest songs of all-time. We Will Rock You and We Are the Champions were inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2009.

Also from the 1977 album, News of the World, We Are the Champions was written by Freddie Mercury and is considered one of Queen's most popular songs. It's meant to be played after We Will Rock You. Together, they were the last songs the band played at the charity concert Live Aid in 1985, one of Mercury's greatest live performances.

Written by drummer Roger Taylor, Radio Ga Ga is from the 1984 Queen album, The Works. The song hit No. 1 in 19 countries and landed at No. 2 in the UK and No. 16 in the US on Billboard Hot 100. It discusses the issue of video killing radio and was performed at every concert from 1984 until Freddie Mercury’s death.

You're My Best Friend was written by bassist, John Deacon and released from Queen's 1975 album, A Night at the Opera. Deacon had written the song for his wife, and it was originally recorded with a Wurlitzer electric piano. Freddie Mercury hated playing the Wurlitzer, opting to use a grand piano instead during live performances of the song.

Inspired by the 1978 Tour de France, Bicycle Race is from Queen's album, Jazz. Written by Freddie Mercury, it released with Fat Bottomed Girls. The music video was banned in several countries because it showed nude models racing bikes around Wimbledon Stadium. Despite the lyrics, Mercury didn't like bike riding, but he was a Star Wars fan.

Freddie Mercury wrote Bohemian Rhapsody for Queen's 1975 album, A Night at the Opera. They made a promotional video for the song, which is considered revolutionary today. The video was created because the lyrics were too awkward to lip-sync during live performances on TV shows like the BBC's Top of the Pops.