KRAFTWERK - THE MODEL / COMPUTER LOVE

THE MODEL

Estrena: 22 de setembre de 1978

Llistes: Regne Unit: #1 (1 setmana)

Das Model" ("The Model") és una cançó del grup electrònic alemany Kraftwerk, publicada el 1978. Escrita pels membres de la banda Ralf Hütter i Karl Bartos, amb lletra d'Emil Schult, la cançó forma part de l'àlbum “Die Mensch-Maschine” (conegut internacionalment com “The Man-Machine”).

"Das Model" es va inspirar en les models del club nocturn The Bagel, a Colònia. La cançó narra la vida d'una model ambiciosa que constantment intenta impressionar els altres. El narrador admira la seva bellesa i determinació, desitjant portar-la a casa, però reconeix que ella es fa la difícil. Els versos descriuen la seva vida nocturna, des d'anar a clubs fins a fer de model per anuncis, posant en relleu la seva determinació per tenir èxit. La cançó acaba amb l'esperança del narrador de tornar a trobar-se amb la model, reflectint la seva admiració per ella malgrat els seus èxits.

"Das Model" es va publicar inicialment com a cara B de “Neon Lights” el 1978, però va guanyar popularitat entre els DJs alemanys, fet que la va fer destacar al país. No va tenir impacte fora d'Alemanya fins que es va reeditar al Regne Unit tres anys després com a cara B de “Computer Love”. Aquesta vegada, els DJs van preferir "Das Model", fet que va portar a la seva reedició com a doble cara A amb “Computer Love”. Aquesta estratègia va fer que la cançó arribés al número u de les llistes del Regne Unit, convertint-se en l'únic número u de Kraftwerk al país i el primer disc alemany en aconseguir aquest èxit.

COMPUTER LOVE

Estrena: juliol de 1981

Llistes: Regne Unit: #1 (1 setmana)

"Computer Love" (en alemany: "Computerliebe") es va publicar el 1981 com a part de l'àlbum “Computer World”. Inicialment, es va llançar com a single al Regne Unit, on va arribar al lloc número 36 de la llista d’èxits, amb “The Model” com a cara B. El desembre de 1981, la cançó es va reeditar com a single i maxi-single de doble cara A al costat de “The Model”, cosa que va portar ambdues cançons a aconseguir un èxit significatiu i, finalment, a encapçalar les llistes del Regne Unit.

La temàtica de “Computer Love” gira al voltant de la recerca de l'amor a través dels ordinadors, un concepte que avui sembla profètic. Publicada fa més de 40 anys, Kraftwerk va imaginar un món transformat per la tecnologia molt abans de l'arribada d'internet i de les xarxes socials. A principis dels anys vuitanta, els ordinadors eren grans i impersonals, i el seu potencial per fomentar connexions humanes era pràcticament desconegut. “Computer World”, l'àlbum on apareix la cançó, és un àlbum conceptual que explora la integració creixent dels ordinadors en la vida quotidiana i la societat, i prediu el seu futur paper en la comunicació i les relacions.

KRAFTWERK - THE MODEL / COMPUTER LOVE

THE MODEL

Released: September 22, 1978

Charted:  UK: #1 (1 week)

"Das Model" ("The Model" in English) is a song by the German electronic band Kraftwerk, released in 1978. Written by band members Ralf Hütter and Karl Bartos, with lyrics by Emil Schult, the track appears on their album “Die Mensch-Maschine”, also known as “The Man-Machine” in international versions.

"Das Model" was inspired by the models at The Bagel nightclub in Cologne. The song narrates the life of an aspiring model who is constantly striving to impress those around her. The singer admires her beauty and ambition, wishing to take her home, but he recognizes that she is playing hard to get. The verses depict her nightlife, from attending clubs to posing for advertisements, highlighting her determination to succeed. The song concludes with the singer's hope to encounter the model again, reflecting his admiration for her despite her achievements. 

"Das Model" was initially released as the B-side of "Neon Lights" in 1978, but it gained popularity among German DJs, leading to its prominence in Germany. The song did not make an impact outside of Germany until it was reissued in the UK three years later as the B-side of "Computer Love." This time, DJs favored "Das Model", prompting its reissue as a double A-side with "Computer Love". This strategy ultimately led to the song reaching number one on the UK chart, marking Kraftwerk's only UK #1 hit and the first German record to achieve this milestone.

COMPUTER LOVE

Released: July 1981

Charted:  UK: #1 (1 week)

"Computer Love" (German: "Computerliebe") was released in 1981 as part of Kraftwerk's album “Computer World”. Initially, it was released as a 7-inch single in the UK, where it peaked at #36 on the singles chart, backed by "The Model." In December 1981, the song was re-released as a double A-side 12-inch single alongside "The Model," which led to both tracks achieving significant success and ultimately topping the UK charts.

The subject matter of "Computer Love" revolves around the theme of seeking romance through computers, a concept that seems prophetic today. Released over 40 years ago, Kraftwerk envisioned a world transformed by technology, long before the advent of the internet and social networks. In the early 1980s, computers were large and impersonal, and their potential for fostering human connections was largely unrecognized. "Computer World," the album on which the song appears, serves as a concept album that explores the increasing integration of computers into daily life and society, predicting their future role in communication and relationships.

AEROSMITH - DUDE (LOOKS LIKE A LADY)

Released: September 22, 1987

Charts: US: #14   UK: #20  

"Dude (Looks Like a Lady)" is a song released as the lead single from the ninth studio album, “Permanent Vacation”, in 1987. Written by Steven Tyler, Joe Perry, and Desmond Child, the song centers on a man who is mistaken for a woman. The concept originated when Tyler mistakenly identified Mötley Crüe's singer Vince Neil as a woman due to his long blonde hair, which led to jokes among the band about how "the dude looked like a lady." The narrative of the song follows a man who, after being drawn to a stripper, discovers she is actually a man but chooses to embrace the situation, highlighting themes of acceptance and challenging societal norms. 

This song was the result of an unexpected collaboration with songwriter Desmond Child, who was brought in by A&R executive John Kalodner. Initially, the band was hesitant to work with an outside writer, feeling confident in their ability to write songs independently, but during a session, Steven Tyler shared an unfinished song titled "Cruisin' for the Ladies," which Child criticized as a boring title. Tyler then revealed the melody he had sung, which included the phrase "Dude Looks Like a Lady," inspired by the humorous incident where they mistook Mötley Crüe's Vince Neil for a woman. Then Child encouraged the band to use this phrase as the title. 

"Dude (Looks Like a Lady)" reflects a progressive attitude toward sexuality for its time, as the band navigated the complexities of writing about a man who appears to be a woman and the ensuing attraction. Despite their heterosexual identity, the band members were mindful of how the song might be perceived, especially regarding the LGBT community. Desmond Child emphasized that they wanted to ensure it didn’t come off as offensive. He reassured them that he, as a gay man, found the concept acceptable. Child noted that the song promotes the idea of not judging others based on appearances, marking it as a daring and inclusive message for its time.

The music video is primarily a performance piece interspersed with random shots of girls and quirky visuals. It effectively showcased the band, particularly lead singer Steven Tyler, whose eccentric stage presence captivated viewers, especially since many had never seen them perform before. 

The inclusion of female figures not only appealed to the target audience but also reinforced the song's theme of blurring gender lines. Tyler is seen in a striking outfit that combines masculine and feminine elements. A humorous moment occurs when a bride turns out to be John Kalodner, the A&R executive who facilitated the song's collaboration.

AEROSMITH - BACK IN THE SADDLE 

Released: March 22, 1977

Charts: US: #38      

"Back in the Saddle" is a song written by Steven Tyler and Joe Perry. It serves as the opening track on their 1976 album “Rocks” and was released as the album's third single in 1977, peaking at #38 on the Billboard Hot 100. Initially, it had moderate commercial success, but over time, it has gained recognition as one of the band's most iconic songs and a staple in their live performances. The song is noted for its aggressive sound, openly sexual themes, and forceful emotional tone.

"Back in the Saddle" narrates the story of a cowboy who visits a bar, encounters a girl, and spends the night with her, featuring rich sexual innuendo and Old West imagery, such as lines like "I'm like a loaded gun" and "This snake is gonna rattle." The character Sukie Jones, mentioned in the song, is a fictional creation by Steven Tyler. Inspired by discussions with producer Jack Douglas, Tyler used the cowboy theme to express the band's return with a new album and a desire to rock hard. He interpreted the phrase "back in the saddle" as a metaphor for sexual experiences and crafted the lyrics in the stairwell of the Record Plant recording studio after the music was completed.

The main riff of "Back in the Saddle" was created by guitarist Joe Perry on a 6-string bass guitar he had recently acquired. Perry has noted that he came up with the riff while lying on the floor, "stoned on heroin." The song was not recorded until nearly a year later when Aerosmith used their rehearsal space, known as "The Wherehouse" in Waltham, Massachusetts, as a makeshift studio. They brought in a mobile recording unit to capture the tracks for their album “Rocks”.

After the band constructed the song around Joe Perry's guitar riff, they recognized it would serve as a powerful opener for the album. Producer Jack Douglas aimed to create a larger-than-life vibe that would immerse listeners in the music. For the bridge, lead singer Steven Tyler attached tambourines to his cowboy boots and stomped on plywood in the studio. To create the sound of a whip crack, they initially bought a bullwhip but ultimately used a cord to simulate the whip sound, complemented by the noise of a cap gun for the crack effect.

 

BEACH BOYS - KOKOMO

Estrena: 8 de juliol de 1988

Llistes: EUA: #1 (1 setmana)  Regne Unit: #25

"Kokomo" és una cançó llançada al juliol de 1988 per a la banda sonora de la pel·lícula “Cocktail” i posteriorment inclosa a l'àlbum “Still Cruisin'”. Escrita per John Phillips, Scott McKenzie, Mike Love i Terry Melcher, la cançó es va convertir en un èxit significatiu, arribant al número u del Billboard Hot 100 dels Estats Units i encapçalant les llistes a Austràlia. Va ser el primer èxit original al top 20 dels Beach Boys en 20 anys i el seu primer número u en 22 anys, convertint-se també en el seu últim èxit en el top 40.

Quan els Beach Boys van gravar "Kokomo", els seus dies de domini a les llistes de vendes ja havien quedat enrere, i havien passat a tocar en fires i espectacles de nostàlgia. No obstant això, la seva reputació com a autors de cançons divertides i alegres els va fer ser una opció natural per a la banda sonora de “Cocktail”, una pel·lícula protagonitzada per Tom Cruise. En una entrevista, Mike Love va compartir com va sorgir la cançó: el director de la pel·lícula va demanar als Beach Boys que creessin una cançó per a una escena en la qual el personatge de Cruise passava de ser un bàrman de Nova York a un entorn tropical a Jamaica.

Mike Love va descriure el procés de composició, explicant que John Phillips va escriure inicialment les estrofes, però Love va canviar la lletra per fer-les semblar més actuals. Terry Melcher estava treballant en la maqueta de la cançó, però encara faltava la tornada. Va ser aleshores quan Love va intervenir amb la frase ja icònica "Aruba, Jamaica", que havia conceptualitzat abans. Per telèfon, Love va cantar la melodia i la lletra per a Melcher, incloent-hi el famós: "Aruba, Jamaica, ooo, I want to take you." Melcher ho va escriure mentre Love ho cantava, creant així el ganxo que es convertiria en una peça clau del ressorgiment tardà dels Beach Boys amb "Kokomo". Terry Melcher va escriure el pont, que va cantar Carl Wilson. Tot i que Scott McKenzie està acreditat com a escriptor, Love no estava segur de la seva contribució a la cançó.

"Kokomo" és tant el nom d'una ciutat a Indiana com d'un petit complex a Montego Bay, Jamaica, però el títol de la cançó en realitat es va inventar. Estava pensat per simbolitzar la destinació tropical ideal que la gent somia quan vol escapar-se a una illa paradisíaca. A John Phillips li va agradar com sonava el nom "Kokomo" i va decidir utilitzar-lo com a títol.

Abans de "Kokomo", l'últim número u dels Beach Boys als Estats Units havia estat "Good Vibrations" l'any 1966. Amb 22 anys entre aquests èxits, aquesta va ser la bretxa més ampla que qualsevol artista havia experimentat entre números u als Estats Units fins que Cher va batre el rècord. Ella va encapçalar les llistes amb "Believe" l'any 1999, 25 anys després del seu anterior número u, "Dark Lady", que va arribar al primer lloc el 1974.

BEACH BOYS - KOKOMO

Released: July 8, 1988

Charts:  US: #1 (1 week)   UK: #25 

"Kokomo" is a song released in July 1988 for the “Cocktail” movie soundtrack and later included on the album “Still Cruisin'”. Written by John Phillips, Scott McKenzie, Mike Love, and Terry Melcher, the song became a significant hit, reaching number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 and topping the charts in Australia. It marked the Beach Boys' first original top-20 hit in 20 years and their first number-one hit in 22 years, also becoming their last top 40 hit. 

By the time the Beach Boys recorded "Kokomo," their days of dominating the charts were largely behind them, and they had transitioned to playing fairs and nostalgia shows, but their reputation for fun, upbeat songs made them a natural choice for the “Cocktail” movie soundtrack, which starred Tom Cruise. In a interview, Mike Love shared how the song came together: the film's director asked the Beach Boys to create a song for a scene where Cruise's character transitions from a New York bartender to a tropical setting in Jamaica.

Mike Love described the songwriting process, explaining that John Phillips initially wrote the verses, but Love changed the lyrics to sound more current. Terry Melcher was working on the demo track, but the song was still incomplete without a chorus. That's when Love stepped in with the now-iconic "Aruba, Jamaica" line, which he had conceptualized earlier. Over the phone, Love sang the melody and lyrics for Melcher, including the now-famous chorus: "Aruba, Jamaica, ooo, I want to take you." Melcher wrote it down as Love sang it, creating the catchy hook that would become a cornerstone of the Beach Boys' late-career resurgence with "Kokomo." Terry Melcher wrote the bridge, which Carl Wilson sang. Although Scott McKenzie is credited as a writer, Love was unsure of his contribution to the song.

"Kokomo" is both the name of a city in Indiana and a small resort in Montego Bay, Jamaica, but the song's title was actually made up. It was intended to symbolize the ideal tropical destination that people dream of when wanting to escape to a paradise island. John Phillips liked how the name "Kokomo" sounded and decided to use it as the title. 

Before "Kokomo," the Beach Boys' last US #1 hit was "Good Vibrations" in 1966. With 22 years between chart-toppers, this was the longest gap any artist had experienced between US #1 hits until Cher broke the record. She topped the charts with "Believe" in 1999, 25 years after her previous #1, "Dark Lady," which hit the top spot in 1974.