Awakenings: Why do YOU love music so much?

What is so special about music? Could it be...it stills the mind, warms the heart, soothes the soul? Is it because it is always there when we need it? Perhaps it is because it can be turned off and turned back on in an instant. Maybe because we can pick and choose, keep or toss, love it or hate it, all according to a single mood of the moment. Regardless the reason, it is all around us to enjoy and relish in the memories as the music goes on beating to the rhythm of the changing times. Often it's not just the music but all the trivia that goes along with it.

1967 Nancy and Frank Sinatra were at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Somethin' Stupid', (making them the only father and daughter to have a US No.1 single as a team). The song was written by folk singer C. Carson Parks and originally recorded in 1966 by Parks and his wife Gaile Foote, as "Carson and Gaile". Robbie Williams recorded the song as a duet in 2001 with actress Nicole Kidman which went on to top the UK charts.

1968 Bobby Goldsboro started a five week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Honey', it made No.2 on the UK chart and also No.2 when re- issued in 1975.

“Honey” is produced to tug the heartstrings, with an easy-to-hum melody, a whispery angel choir, and chimes that ring out when Honey departs this vale of tears. And at the fade, when Goldsboro repeats the song’s first verse, he does so with an audible lump in his throat.

It’s a fine performance for its time and its audience, but you wouldn’t do this song now, and if you did, you wouldn’t do it this way. [Source: popdose.com]

1974 Elton John went to No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Bennie And The Jets', his second US No.1, it made No.37 in the UK.

"Bennie and the Jets" (also titled as "Benny & the Jets") is a song composed by Elton John and Bernie Taupin. The song is written in the key of G major and first appeared on the Goodbye Yellow Brick Road album in 1973. "Bennie and the Jets" has been one of John's most popular songs and was performed during John's appearance at Live Aid. The track is spelled Benny on the sleeve of the single and in the track listing of the album, but Bennie on the album vinyl disc label. [Source: wikipedia.org]

1974 Paul McCartney's Band On The Run went to No.1 on the US album charts. McCartney's third US No.1, went on to sell over 6 million copies world-wide.

Shortly after the Band On The Run album was released, McCartney told Melody Maker: "The basic idea about the band on the run is a kind of prison escape. At the beginning of the album the guy is stuck inside four walls, and eventually breaks out. There is a thread, but it's not a concept album."

Asked if this was a reference to Wings escaping from The Beatles, he replied: "Sort of – yeah. I think most bands on tour are on the run." [Source: songfacts.com]

1985 USA for Africa started a four week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with 'We Are The World.'

"We Are The World" was originally recorded by the supergroup USA for Africa in 1985 as a charity single. It was written by Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie, produced by Quincy Jones and Michael Omartian for the album We are the World. With sales in excess of 20 million copies, it is one of the fewer than thirty all-time singles to have sold 10 million (or more) copies worldwide.

1993 The first Aerosmith Day was observed in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts after the band were given their very own holiday.

There is an Aerosmithsonian in the Hard Rock Cafe in Boston. It consists of Tyler's microphone stand appropriately draped with scarves, one of his stage outfits made by Teresa Tyler, as well as boots that Joe Perry wore, denim jacket and pants (embellished by Teresa Tyler) worn by Tom Hamilton, Joe Perry's guitar, and Joey Kramer's drum head. [Source: songfacts.com]

Last, but not least, ...

2009 Procol Harum's 'A Whiter Shade Of Pale' was the most played song in public places in the past 75 years, according to a chart compiled for BBC Radio 2.

Queen's 'Bohemian Rhapsody' was at number two followed by

'All I Have To Do Is Dream' by the Everly Brothers.

Wet Wet Wet's 1994 hit, 'Love Is All Around', was at number four followed by

Bryan Adams's 1991 hit '(Everything I Do), I Do It For You.'