Browsing: Lists

A Brief History Over the years, especially in the 1960s, many hit songs have made overt or covert references to drug use.  Here we list 10 of the best songs that do just that.  (Note: We are not including songs just about drinking or alcohol; these will get their own list.)  Please also make note that we are not promoting the illegal use of drugs or the abuse of prescription drugs.  Regardless of how you feel, what songs would you have included in this list? Digging Deeper 10. “Wildwood Weed,” Jim Stafford, 1974. Kind of a fun little story song, it…

A Brief History On March 27, 1998, the little blue pill known as Viagra was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of the United States, giving aphrodisiacs such as “Spanish Flies” a run for their money.  This prescription drug to defeat male impotence quickly went mainstream and, along with the other erectile dysfunction drugs Cialis and Levitra, remains a hot commodity to this day.  Thanks to pharmacology, all these newly virile men can take their restored vitality to their local strip clubs and admire the beautiful dancers with confidence.  While there, they can reflect on the music being…

A Brief History On March 24, 1958, Elvis Aron Presley, the “King of Rock and Roll,” was drafted into the U.S. Army and served his country in Germany, on the front lines of the Cold War.  Millions of Americans have been drafted and responded obediently, and, of course, millions more have served voluntarily.  On the other hand, many American men of draft age or at least of age to serve during a war or conflict chose not to defend their country with their own blood but stayed on the sidelines, only later to pretend to be patriots.  Most of these phony patriots…

A Brief History We are talking rock and roll here, not ballads, soft rock or crossover songs.  These songs are ones that are usually not listed near the top of the “All Time” lists you find, although they may be found lower down.  These are songs that we believe deserve consideration for listing within the top ranks of history’s greatest rock songs.  What do you think?  Do you have favorites that are often slighted?  Let us know which songs you would have nominated for this list. Digging Deeper 10. “Surrender,” Cheap Trick, 1978. Ranking a baffling #471 on the Rolling…

A Brief History On March 20, 1852, Uncle Tom’s Cabin, Harriet Beecher Stowe’s story about an African-American family enslaved in the Antebellum South was published.  It went on to become the best-selling book in the U.S. during the entire 19th century, second only to the Bible.  Its anti-slavery message rallied abolitionists and infuriated and scared slave owners, perhaps fomenting the American Civil War.  Many books have influenced Americans over the years, and here we list 10 of the most influential.   Digging Deeper 10. The Turner Diaries, William Pierce, 1978.  This novel, written by William Pierce under the pen name of Andrew Macdonald, quickly became…