- Artist: Electric Light Orchestra
- Year: 1979
- Album: Discovery
"Don't Bring Me Down" is indeed one of Electric Light Orchestra's (ELO) most iconic songs. Released in 1979, it became the band's highest-charting hit in the United States, reaching No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The song has a more straightforward rock sound, which marked a departure from the band's usual fusion of rock and classical music elements. ELO, led by Jeff Lynne, was known for their innovative approach to music, blending orchestral instruments with rock and pop, which earned them critical acclaim throughout the 1970s.
- Artist: Creedence Clearwater Revival
- Year: 1969
- Album: Willy and the Poor Boys
Creedence Clearwater Revival (CCR) is indeed known for their Southern rock sound, but they were actually formed in El Cerrito, California, not in the South. The song "Down on the Corner" was a hit from their 1969 album Willy and the Poor Boys, which features a distinctive jug band sound. The album and the song are both emblematic of CCR's ability to blend rock, blues, and country influences into their music.
- Artist: Elton John
- Year: 1974
- Album: Caribou
This song, released in 1974, features backing vocals by Toni Tennille of Captain & Tennille. It is one of Elton John's classic hits and showcases his powerful vocal performance and emotive piano playing. Seventeen years later, Elton recorded a cover with George Michael and released it as a single in 1991. That version also topped the charts on both sides of the Atlantic in the UK and the U.S.
- Artist: Gerry Rafferty
- Year: 1978
- Album: City to City
"Right Down the Line" is one of Gerry Rafferty's most popular songs, reaching No. 12 on the Billboard Hot 100. Gerry Rafferty was a member of the band Stealers Wheel, which is best known for their hit "Stuck in the Middle with You." Gerry Rafferty's vocals have a distinct smoothness achieved through a technique called double-tracking, where his voice is layered on top of itself.The song blends soft rock with a touch of reggae, thanks to the laid-back rhythm and the subtle use of a steel guitar.
- Artist: Alice in Chains
- Year: 1992
- Album: Dirt
"Down in a Hole" is one of the most iconic songs from Alice in Chains. The song featured on their critically acclaimed 1992 album Dirt. The song showcases the band's signature blend of heavy metal and grunge, characterized by haunting melodies and introspective lyrics. Alice in Chains, along with Nirvana, Pearl Jam, and Soundgarden, played a pivotal role in the grunge movement that emerged from Seattle in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Alice in Chains was among the first grunge bands to gain widespread mainstream success, thanks in part to their unique sound that combined elements of metal, rock, and alternative music. Their success helped pave the way for other grunge bands to break into the mainstream.
- Artist: The Band
- Year: 1969
- Album: The Band
"The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down" is indeed a poignant song by The Band. Written by Robbie Robertson and sung by Levon Helm, the song's content and menaing have become somewhat controversial since the turn of the millennium. Some argue that the song is primary an anti-war song and that it focuses on Southerner's sorrow for the deaths of relatives and friends during the Civil War. Others say it glorifies and views as sentimental the slaveholding era of the South. Whichever side of the debate you fall on, the fact remains that it was written by a Canadian. Some of the full context of the themes may have been missed by Robertson. Regardless, the song was popular enough to reach #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
- Artist: Jerry Reed
- Year: 1977
- Album: Smokey and the Bandit (Soundtrack)
"East Bound and Down" is the theme song for the movie Smokey and the Bandit, and it was performed by Jerry Reed. Jerry Reed was a multi-talented individual who not only had a successful career as a country music singer and songwriter but also made a name for himself as an actor. In addition to his role in Smokey and the Bandit, where he played the character Cledus "Snowman" Snow, he also starred in other films such as "Gator."
- Artist: Tom Petty
- Year: 1989
- Album: Full Moon Fever
"I Won’t Back Down" is a notable song co-written by Tom Petty and Jeff Lynne. It was released in 1989 as the lead single from Petty's first solo album Full Moon Fever. The song became a top 20 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, peaking at number 12. Tom Petty was a member of the supergroup The Traveling Wilburys, which was formed in the late 1980s. The group included some of the most influential musicians of the time: Bob Dylan, George Harrison, Jeff Lynne, Roy Orbison, and Tom Petty himself. Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, the band with which Petty is most closely associated, were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2001.
- Artist: Billy Joe Royal
- Year: 1965
- Album: Down in the Boondocks
Billy Joe Royal's song "Down in the Boondocks" reached No. 9 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1965. The song, written by Joe South, tells the story of a young man from a poor background who is in love with a girl from a higher social class. Its catchy melody and relatable lyrics made it a memorable hit of its time.
- Artist: KC and the Sunshine Band
- Year: 1975
- Album: KC and the Sunshine Band
"Get Down Tonight" became KC and the Sunshine Band's first No. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100. KC and the Sunshine Band were one of the most successful disco groups of the 1970s, with five number-one hits. "Get Down Tonight" has gone on to be one of the most sampled songs in history. The song was originally titled "What You Want Is What You Get," but frontman KC (Harry Wayne Casey) changed it to have a more party-ready vibe. The song's instantly recognizable intro features a double-speed guitar solo, adding a burst of energy right from the start.
- Artist: Johnny Cash
- Year: 1970
- Album: The Johnny Cash Show
The song was famously performed by Johnny Cash, whose rendition won the Country Music Association (CMA) Award for Song of the Year. What many people may not know was that the song was written by Kris Kristofferson. Kristofferson would go on to join Cash and Waylon Jennings in forming the country supergroup The Highwaymen in 1985. Besides his own successful country music career, Kristofferson made a name for himself as an actor, most prominently starring in the 1976 Barbara Streisand version of A Star Is Born. Ray Stevens also recorded a mildly successful version of the song, though he later became more famous for his comedic novelty songs.
- Artist: Led Zeppelin
- Year: 1975
- Album: Physical Graffiti
Led Zeppelin's "Down by the Seaside" was originally intended for their Led Zeppelin IV album. However, the song was held over and eventually landed on their sprawling double album, Physical Graffiti. The song features a unique underwater-sounding guitar effect, achieved through a Leslie speaker or tremolo, adding a dreamlike quality to the seaside atmosphere.
- Artist: Paul Simon
- Year: 1972
- Album: Paul Simon
"Me & Julio Down by the Schoolyard" is a song by Paul Simon released as a single in 1972. The song's lyrics tell the story of two boys who get into trouble and the subsequent reaction of their community. It was considered ambiguous and led to some radio stations banning it for being potentially misleading or controversial. Later, in 2007, Simon was awarded the first-ever Gershwin Prize for Popular Song by the Library of Congress, an honor that celebrates the profound and positive effect of popular music on the world’s culture.
- Artist: Petula Clark
- Year: 1964
- Album: Downtown
"Downtown" is a song that became an international hit and reached No. 1 on the US Billboard Hot 100. Petula Clark, the artist who performed the song, was the first British female artist to win a Grammy Award, which she received in 1965 for "Downtown." The song, which is considered her biggest hit, was written by Tony Hatch and Jackie Trent in just 30 minutes.
- Artist: The Beatles
- Year: 1965
- Album: Help!
"I'm Down" was written by Paul McCartney and released as the B-side to the "Help!" single in 1965. The song showcases McCartney's love for rock and roll and has a high-energy, Little Richard-inspired vocal performance. JThe Beatles went on to set the record for the most number-one hits on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, with 20 songs reaching the top spot.
- Artist: Garth Brooks
- Year: 1993
- Album: In Pieces
"Ain't Goin' Down ('Til the Sun Comes Up)" is one of the signature songs by Garth Brooks. Released in 1993 as the lead single from his album In Pieces, the song quickly became a chart-topping hit and is known for its high-energy, rapid-fire lyrics. It showcases Garth's ability to blend traditional country with rock influences. The song has gone on to become a fan favorite and a staple in his live performances. Garth Brooks holds the unique distinction of being the only artist in history to have nine albums that have each sold over 10 million copies in the United States.
- Artist: Disturbed
- Year: 2000
- Album: The Sickness
Disturbed's "Down with the Sickness" boasts a couple of interesting quirks. The signature "ooh-wah-ah-ah-ah" sound at the beginning wasn't planned. Lead singer David Draiman says it emerged from vocal effects used after throat surgery. He clarified this after some rumors suggested it was the result of heartburn. The song's dark lyrics might surprise some, as they deal with the narrator's internal struggles and a plea for help masked by the song's aggressive sound.
- Artist: Men at Work
- Year: 1981
- Album: Business as Usual
"Down Under" by Men at Work was a significant song in Australian music history. It became an unofficial national anthem due to its catchy tune and lyrics that celebrate Australian culture and identity. Men at Work, the band behind the song, achieved considerable success in the early 1980s, and they were awarded the Grammy Award for Best New Artist in 1983. Interestingly, "Down Under" almost didn't see the light of day. The band initially considered it a joke song and were hesitant to release it. However, once it was released, it quickly became their biggest hit, resonating with audiences both in Australia and internationally.
- Artist: Diana Ross
- Year: 1980
- Album: Diana
"Upside Down" is a song by Diana Ross that topped the Billboard Hot 100 for four weeks. Diana Ross's disco anthem "Upside Down" wasn't as smooth sailing as it sounds. Though it became her biggest solo hit, Ross initially clashed with producers Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards over the song's direction. She disliked their funky, minimalist approach and even stormed out of the studio at one point! Thankfully, a compromise was reached, resulting in the iconic dance floor smash.
- Artist: Neil Young
- Year: 1969
- Album: Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere
"Down by the River" is a song by Neil Young from his 1969 album Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere. While the song does feature an extended guitar solo, it is actually Neil Young himself who plays the solo, not Danny Whitten. Whitten was a guitarist and vocalist in Young's backing band Crazy Horse. The meaning of the song is shrouded in a bit of mystery. The lyrics, with the repeated line "I shot my baby down by the river," are undeniably dark. However, Young himself has offered conflicting explanations. In one instance, he downplayed the violence, claiming it was a metaphor for a passionate argument. Yet, other explanations hint at a more sinister story of a jealous rage. This ambiguity adds a layer of intrigue to the song's enduring legacy.
