This Day in Music
Domo arigato, Mr. Roboto. Please take us on planet of eight decades for happy trip of nostalgia, and visit King Graceland with yesteryear of shiny music.
Releases
1983: Prog-light-turned-pop band Styx releases their eleventh studio album, "Kilroy Was Here."
Intended as a concept rock opera about a time when music is criminalized, it suffered firstly from lack of originality. Rush had already tackled the theme gloriously with their 1976 album, "2112," and Frank Zappa did it even better on 1979's "Joe's Garage."
The second problem was that it just wasn't all that good, with Rolling Stone ranking it 2-Stars, and aggregator AllMusic delivering a rating of 2.5-Stars. It did however spin-out one bona fide hit song, "Mr. Roboto," which reached No. 1 on the Canada RPM Top Singles Chart, and No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100. The success of the single drove the commercial success of the album, sending it to Platinum certification in both Canada and the U.S., reaching No. 3 on the Billboard 200.
1983: Irish rock band U2 releases their third studio album, "War." Working once again with producer Steve Lillywhite, who had done U2's first two releases, the album was a lyrical departure from prior themes of adolescence and spirituality, becoming an overtly political reflection of the zeitgeist of the early 1980's, particularly on the songs "Sunday Bloody Sunday," and "New Year's Day."
The band's musical stylings were still present, but somewhat more aggressive to match the mood of the lyrics. Spirituality wasn't completely abandoned however, as the quartet adapted Psalm No. 40 into what would become their classic concert-ending chant, "40."
Appearing on the album were The Coconuts, the trio of singing dancers famous for their work with August Darnell aka Kid Creole.
Critics heaped widespread acclaim on the album, with both AllMusic and Blender ranking it 5-Stars. Fans were equally impressed, sending the LP to No. 1 on the U.K. Albums Chart, No. 4 on the Canada RPM Chart, and No. 12 on the Billboard 200. Surprisingly, it reached only No. 16 in Ireland. It would be certified multi-Platinum in several countries and has sold over eleven million copies worldwide.
1986: “Pretty in Pink,” the soundtrack to the entirely forgettable John Hughes movie of the same name is released. Featuring several new wave hits of the mid-80’s, it reached No. 5 on the Billboard 200. It is most notable for two excellent tracks, “Pretty in Pink” by Psychedelic Furs and “Bring on the Dancing Horses” by Echo and the Bunnymen.
1985: Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers release the single "Don't Come Around Here No More," from the album "Southern Accents." Co-written with Dave Stewart of Eurythmics fame, who also played electric sitar on the track, the song is equally famous for its Alice in Wonderland-themed video that had no relation whatsoever to the narrative of the lyrics, a common occurrence in the 1980's. The video and the catchy hook sent the song to No. 13 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Events
1986: The world is shocked and heartbroken when George Michael announces that legendary duo Wham! would split up following their summer tour, bringing to an end their four-year legacy.
The Daily Elvis
1980: Writing for Observer magazine, journalist and screenwriter Ray Connolly covers the early years of Elvis, before his arrangement with Col. Tom Parker, in a melancholically insightful essay.
Pictured: Tom Petty as The Mad Hatter in the video for “Don’t Come Around Here No More,” with children’s writer Louise Foley playing Alice as a cake. It’s better not to ask why.
