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June 3, 2019 9:13 pm  #1


Monday Marks A Rare Top 40 Date

And now, the most unimportant post you will read this week. 

I almost let the day pass without realizing that: today, June 3, is one of the only dates specifically mentioned in a huge Top 40 hit. In this case, it came from the #1 song of 1967, Bobbie Gentry's "Ode To Billie Joe." It begins by noting in its very first lyric, "It was the 3rd of June, another sleepy dusty Delta day."

There are only two others I can think of that were equally big hits. 

The Temptations' "Papa Was A Rolling Stone," talks about the 3rd of September, that day I'll always remember."

And Chicago spent Saturday In The Park, "I think it was the 4th of July."

There have been months and days of the week in other songs, but I can't think of another big hit that mentions a specific date by name.   

 

June 3, 2019 9:21 pm  #2


Re: Monday Marks A Rare Top 40 Date

Well, as it turns out, Time Magazine reminded me of a few more, although not all of them could be called huge Top 40 hits. 

Top 10 Date-Specific Songs

 

     Thread Starter
 

June 3, 2019 10:28 pm  #3


Re: Monday Marks A Rare Top 40 Date

What about Desiree, by Neil Diamond?  Maybe not a huge hit, but it starts with "It was the third of June".


Cheers,
Jody Thornton
 
 

June 3, 2019 11:13 pm  #4


Re: Monday Marks A Rare Top 40 Date

Maybe a song or two in this compilation mentions a date? Otherwise, it is still a great collection of songs that are about each day of the week...






 

Last edited by Radiowiz (June 3, 2019 11:14 pm)


RadioWiz & RadioQuiz are NOT the same person. 
RadioWiz & THE Wiz are NOT the same person.

 
 

June 3, 2019 11:34 pm  #5


Re: Monday Marks A Rare Top 40 Date

Ferlin Husky "The Drunk Driver" and "Just You Wait, Henry Higgins" (from "My Fair Lady") mention May 20.

Several songs have the Fourth of July in their lyrics. CCR "Born On The Bayou" comes to mind.

"Riot In Cell Block #9" notes a specific date and year: July 2, 1953.

There is also "Summer The First Time" by Bobby Goldsboro, whose lyrics mention "the last day of June."

Last edited by TomSanders (June 3, 2019 11:36 pm)

 

June 4, 2019 6:52 am  #6


Re: Monday Marks A Rare Top 40 Date

I would have loved to have heard the original 7+ minute version of Ode To Billy Joe. Sadly, it no longer exists, as the album version of the tune is 4:15. Same length as the 45.

 

June 5, 2019 3:01 pm  #7


Re: Monday Marks A Rare Top 40 Date

EW&F - September

Do you remember the 21st night of September?
Love was changing the minds of pretenders
While chasing the clouds awayOur hearts were ringing
In the key that our souls were singing
As we danced in the night
Remember how the stars stole the night awayHey hey hey
Ba de ya, say do you remember
Ba de ya, dancing in September
Ba de ya, never was a cloudy dayBa duda, ba duda, ba duda, badu
Ba duda, badu, ba duda, badu
Ba duda, badu, ba duda
 

Last edited by tvguy (June 5, 2019 3:01 pm)