THE SUPREMES / PHIL COLLINS - YOU CAN’T HURRY LOVE

Publicació: 25 de juliol de 1966

Llistes: Regne Unit: #3   EUA: #1 (2 setmanes)

"You Can't Hurry Love" és una cançó del 1966 interpretada per les Supremes, llançada sota el segell Motown com el segon single del seu àlbum "The Supremes A' Go-Go". Produïda i escrita pel reconegut equip de Motown Holland-Dozier-Holland, la cançó és celebrada com un dels llançaments més destacats de les Supremes i de Motown. Billboard la va elogiar com la cançó més emocionant del grup fins a la data, destacant les seves veus de primera categoria i l'acompanyament instrumental excepcional.

Eddie Holland va acunyar el títol de "You Can't Hurry Love" per ajustar-se a la melodia de Brian Holland. Lamont Dozier en va recordar els orígens en una entrevista per "1000 UK #1 Hits" de Jon Kutner i Spencer Leigh, assenyalant que inicialment l'equip tenia com a objectiu remodelar "Come See About Me", però van acabar transformant-lo en "You Can't Hurry Love". La seva intenció era infondre a la cançó un toc de gòspel, cosa que finalment va donar forma al seu so distintiu.

La versió de Phil Collins va assolir un èxit significatiu, arribant al número 10 del Billboard Hot 100 als Estats Units i encapçalant la UK Singles Chart a finals de 1982. Aquesta versió va destacar com a tema principal de la pel·lícula de 1988 titulada "Buster", la qual Collins va protagonitzar. La línia de baix de la versió de Collins va inspirar la línia de baix d'Andy Rourke a la cançó de The Smiths "This Charming Man".

Phil Collins va demostrar la seva admiració per Motown inscrivint "Motown, us saludem" a la coberta del seu àlbum "Hello, I Must Be Going", que incloïa la seva versió de "You Can't Hurry Love". El videoclip acompanyant de la versió de Collins va retre homenatge als Supremes, mostrant tres Phil Collins en línia, recordant la formació i coreografia icòniques de les Supremes.

"You Can't Hurry Love" va marcar l'inici d'una nova etapa d'èxit per les Supremes, amb una segona sèrie consecutiva de números 1 a les llistes americanes. Després del seu èxit inicial a finals de 1964 i al llarg de 1965 amb cinc singles consecutius número 1, les Supremes van iniciar una altra ratxa el 1966. Començant amb "You Can't Hurry Love", van aconseguir quatre número 1 més consecutius al Billboard Hot 100.

THE SUPREMES / PHIL COLLINS - YOU CAN’T HURRY LOVE

Released : July 25, 1966

Charted:  UK: #3    US: #1 (2 weeks)

"You Can't Hurry Love" is a 1966 song by the Supremes, released under the Motown label as the second single from their album "The Supremes A' Go-Go". Produced and written by Motown's renowned team Holland-Dozier-Holland, the song is celebrated as one of the Supremes' and Motown's standout releases. Billboard praised it as the group's most thrilling song to date, highlighting its top-notch vocals and exceptional instrumental backing.

Eddie Holland coined the title for "You Can't Hurry Love" to fit Brian Holland's melody. Lamont Dozier remembered the song's origins in an interview for "1000 UK #1 Hits" by Jon Kutner and Spencer Leigh, noting that the team initially aimed to remodel "Come See About Me" but ended up transforming it into "You Can't Hurry Love". Their goal was to infuse the song with a gospel vibe, which ultimately shaped its distinctive sound.

Phil Collins' cover achieved significant success, reaching number 10 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and topping the UK Singles Chart in late 1982. This version of the song was prominently featured as the main theme for the 1988 film also titled "Buster," in which Collins starred. The bassline from Collins' rendition of "You Can't Hurry Love" inspired Andy Rourke's bassline in The Smiths' song "This Charming Man."

Phil Collins demonstrated his admiration for Motown by inscribing "Motown, we salute you" on the sleeve of his album "Hello, I Must Be Going," which included his cover of "You Can't Hurry Love." The accompanying music video for Collins' version paid homage to The Supremes, featuring three Phil Collinses standing in a line, reminiscent of The Supremes' iconic lineup and choreography.

"You Can't Hurry Love" marked the beginning of another successful run for the Supremes, with a second string of consecutive #1 hits on the American charts. Following their initial success at the end of 1964 and into 1965 with five consecutive #1 singles, the Supremes began another streak in 1966. Starting with "You Can't Hurry Love," they went on to achieve four more consecutive #1 hits on the Billboard Hot 100. 

DIRE STRAITS - LADY WRITER

Estrenada: juliol de 1979

Llistes: Regne Unit: #51   EUA: #45

"Lady Writer" és una cançó del 1979 inclosa a l'àlbum "Communiqué", el segon LP de la banda. Escrita pel cantant principal Mark Knopfler, va ser llançada com el segon single de la banda sota el segell Vertigo. Va assolir posicions modestes a les llistes, arribant al número 51 a les llistes de senzills del Regne Unit i al número 45 al Billboard Hot 100 dels Estats Units.

"Lady Writer" va ser inspirada per Marina Warner, a qui Mark Knopfler va veure en un programa de televisió. La frase d'obertura "Lady Writer on the TV..." reflecteix aquesta inspiració. Marina Warner, coneguda pel seu treball acadèmic, incloent un llibre sobre el culte a la Verge Maria, semblava haver recordat a Knopfler una antiga relació, desencadenant una resposta que va infondre a la cançó una sensació d'amargor. La lletra suggereix que qualsevol semblança que Warner tingués amb la seva antiga amant era purament física.

"Lady Writer" va rebre crítiques positives pel seu estil musical i el talent de Mark Knopfler. Billboard la va descriure com una "rocker hipnòtica" amb una "instrumentació ardent" i "veu diferencial". Cash Box va comparar la seva musicalitat amb "Sultans of Swing", elogiant el peculiar estil de guitarra i veu de Knopfler. Record World va destacar les excepcionals habilitats com a compositor i guitarrista de Knopfler, assenyalant la seva sinergia amb l'ambient musical de Muscle Shoals, on es va gravar la cançó.

El videoclip mostra els membres de la banda en un concert en directe amb la versió d'estudi de l'àudio de la cançó sobreposada a les imatges.

DIRE STRAITS - LADY WRITER

Released: July 1979

Charted:  UK: #51  US: #45 

"Lady Writer" is a 1979 song featured on the second album, “Communiqué”. Written by the band's lead singer, Mark Knopfler, it was released as the band's second single on the Vertigo label, achieving a modest position on the charts , peaking at #51 on the UK Singles Charts and #45 on the US Billboard Hot 100. 

"Lady Writer" was inspired by Marina Warner, whom Mark Knopfler saw on a TV program. The opening line "Lady Writer on the TV..." reflects this inspiration. Marina Warner, known for her scholarly work including a book about the cult of the Virgin Mary, appeared to have reminded Knopfler of a past love, triggering a response that infused the song with a sense of bitterness. The lyrics suggest that any similarity Warner bore to his former lover was purely physical.

"Lady Writer" garnered positive reviews for its musical style and Mark Knopfler's distinctive talents. Billboard characterized it as a "hypnotic rocker" featuring "sizzling instrumentation" and "distinctive vocals." Cash Box likened its musicality to "Sultans of Swing," praising Knopfler's unique guitar picking and vocal style. Record World highlighted Knopfler's exceptional songwriting and guitar skills, noting their synergy with the musical environment of Muscle Shoals, where the song was recorded. 

The music video shows the band members in a live concert over which the studio version of the song's audio has been dubbed into the images.

SWEET - BALLROOM BLITZ

Estrenada: 14 de setembre de 1973

Llistes: Regne Unit: #2   EUA: #5

"The Ballroom Blitz", sovint referida simplement com a "Ballroom Blitz", és una cançó de la banda britànica de glam rock The Sweet, escrita per Nicky Chinn i Mike Chapman i enregistrada els dies 11 i 12 de juny de 1973 als estudis Audio International de Londres. La cançó es va llançar com a single al setembre de 1973 i va assolir un notable èxit a les llistes, arribant al número u a Canadà, al número dos al UK Singles Chart i a la llista australiana, i al número cinc al Billboard Hot 100 dels Estats Units.

Després de l'èxit de "Blockbuster", The Sweet va continuar la seva inèrcia amb "Ballroom Blitz", que és considerada una cançó arquetípica del glam rock. Inclou elements típics del gènere: histeria adolescent, interjeccions extravagants, vestuaris televisius extravagants, un ritme contundent, riffs de guitarra potents i un estil vocal distintiu. La cançó comença amb un anunci del cantant principal Brian Connolly, adreçant-se als membres de la banda Steve Priest (baix), Andy Scott (guitarra) i Mick Tucker (bateria), que serveix com a introducció divertida de la banda per als oients. La cançó encarna els aspectes teatrals que van definir el gènere del glam rock durant els anys 1970.

La cançó narra la història del caos que irromp durant una actuació d'una banda en una sala de ball, provocant el que es coneix com un "ballroom blitz". La inspiració per al concepte de la cançó està lligada de manera vaga a un incident real on Sweet van ser expulsats de l'escenari a la Grand Hall de Kilmarnock, Escòcia, a causa de la pertorbació de l'audiència. Els compositors Nicky Chinn i Mike Chapman van tenir la intenció que les lletres fossin capritxoses i sense sentit, buscant cançons sense un significat específic. Chapman va aclarir que la cançó va ser concebuda inicialment com un conte humorístic sobre un home que té una experiència de malson en una discoteca, possiblement sota la influència de les drogues. Les lletres inclouen referències a ocasions estranyes i a una noia misteriosa en una cantonada.

"Ballroom Blitz" va ser el segon èxit de la banda als Estats Units, després de "Little Willy". Tot i que van assolir un major èxit i controvèrsia a la seva Gran Bretanya natal per les seves lletres extravagants, a Amèrica eren més vistos com una novetat, coneguts per oferir entreteniment divertit i relativament desenfadat.

A l'episodi de la temporada 32 de The Simpsons titulat "The Road to Cincinnati", "Ballroom Blitz" apareix en una escena on dos personatges, el director Skinner i el superintendent Chalmers, es barallen en un menjador. La confrontació entre ells, descrita metafòricament com un "ballroom blitz", sorgeix a causa de comentaris negatius fets per Chalmers sobre Skinner.

SWEET - BALLROOM BLITZ

Released: September 14, 1973

Charted:  UK: #2   US: #5 

"The Ballroom Blitz," often referred to simply as "Ballroom Blitz" is a song by the British glam rock band The Sweet, written by Nicky Chinn and Mike Chapman and recorded on 11–12 June 1973 at Audio International Studio in London. The song was released as a single in September 1973 and achieved significant chart success, reaching number one in Canada, number two in the UK Singles Chart and the Australian Chart, and number five on the US Billboard Hot 100.

After the success of "Blockbuster," The Sweet continued their momentum with "Ballroom Blitz," which is considered an archetypal glam rock song. It features elements typical of glam rock: teenage hysteria, campy interjections, extravagant TV costumes, a stomping beat, tough guitar riffs, and a distinctive vocal style. The song begins with a roll call by lead singer Brian Connolly, addressing band members Steve Priest (bass), Andy Scott (guitar), and Mick Tucker (drums), which serves as a playful introduction to the band for listeners. The song embodies the flamboyant and theatrical aspects that defined the glam rock genre during the 1970s.

The song tells a story of chaos erupting during a band's performance in a ballroom, leading to what is termed as a "ballroom blitz." The inspiration for the song's concept is loosely linked to a real-life incident where Sweet was driven offstage at the Grand Hall in Kilmarnock, Scotland, due to audience disruption. Songwriters Nicky Chinn and Mike Chapman intended the lyrics to be whimsical and nonsensical, aiming for songs with no specific meaning. Chapman clarified that the song was initially conceived as a humorous tale about a man having a nightmarish experience in a discotheque, possibly under the influence of drugs. The lyrics include references to strange occurrences and a mysterious girl in the corner. 

"Ballroom Blitz" marked the band's second hit in the United States, following "Little Willy." While they achieved greater success and controversy in their native UK due to their outlandish lyrics, in America, they were more of a novelty act, known for delivering fun and relatively lighthearted entertainment. 

In the season 32 episode of The Simpsons titled "The Road to Cincinnati," "Ballroom Blitz" is featured during a scene where two characters, Principal Skinner and Superintendent Chalmers, engage in a fight in a dining hall. The confrontation between them, described metaphorically as a "ballroom blitz," arises from negative remarks made by Chalmers about Skinner.

DIRE STRAITS - CALLING ELVIS / HEAVY FUEL

Released: August 19, 1991

Album: On Every Street

"Calling Elvis" is a song penned by Mark Knopfler featured on the last studio album, "On Every Street". Released as the album's lead single in August 1991 by Vertigo and Warner Bros., it reached number 21 in the UK and achieved top 10 positions in several other countries.

"Calling Elvis" is a song centered around a fan's belief that Elvis Presley is still alive. It references several Elvis songs such as "Heartbreak Hotel," "Love Me Tender," "Love Me (Treat Me Like a Fool)," "Don't Be Cruel," and "Return to Sender," as well as the famous phrase "Elvis has left the building." Knopfler's inspiration for the song came from an incident where his brother-in-law remarked that he was harder to reach than Elvis, after repeatedly trying to contact him while Knopfler had left his phone off the hook.

The music video was a collaboration between Gerry Anderson, known for Thunderbirds, and Steve Barron. It features marionette representations of the band members of Dire Straits, along with characters from Thunderbirds. The video also includes a woman character, blending elements of puppetry and live-action scenes to complement the song's theme and references to Elvis Presley.

"Heavy Fuel" released in 1991 from the album "On Every Street," became a hit single, reaching No. 1 on the US Billboard Album Rock Tracks chart. The song, characterized by its ironic tone, features Mark Knopfler singing about the virtues of vices such as cigarettes, hamburgers, Scotch, lust, money, and violence. The lyric "You got to run on heavy fuel" is derived from Martin Amis' novel "Money," which inspired Knopfler's exploration of these themes in the song.

The music video stars American actor-comedian Randy Quaid, portraying a roadie who engages in various antics around the band's performance venues. Quaid's character also fantasizes about being the band's lead singer, Mark Knopfler, adding a humorous touch to the video's narrative.