American Songwriter News

The 1980s was the era for experimentation, adopting the “new wave” of popular music, and diving into taboo subjects and imagery that would have made the typical listener in the 1960s or even 1970s clutch their pearls. Still, not everyone was ready to be open-minded in the 80s. Just look at the release of “Relax” by Frankie Goes To Hollywood. Back in 1983, the English band dropped “Relax” in the UK. The song entered the Top 75 in the UK in just a few weeks. By early 1984, it cracked the Top 40. It made it all the way to No. 1 on the UK Singles chart. “Relax” even knocked Paul McCartney off of the top spot (“Pipes Of Peace” was the song, if you were wondering). It was a No. 10 hit on the US pop charts, too. The song also reached the Top 10 across the globe. It’s safe to say that this song was a massive hit and people loved it. And Frankie Goes To Hollywood achieved that feat with a big fat ban slapped on their song by the BBC. Read more at link in bio

Having to divulge the deep, dark secrets behind a song to a public audience is one thing. Having to divulge those deep, dark secrets to your spouse is another. (And in some cases, a songwriter might even prefer the first option over the second.) For singer-songwriter Neil Young, he ran into some trouble trying to explain “Cinnamon Girl”, the opening track off his second album, Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere, to his first wife, Susan Acevedo. It’s not hard to see why, either. Read more below: americansongwriter.com/the-neil-young…

Both a musician and songwriter, Jon Dee Graham fashioned a career in the music industry that always included that signature Texas grit and soul. He became such a famed figure in Texas that the Austin Music Hall of Fame inducted him three times. Once for his time with The Skunks. The second for his contributions with True Believers. And the third was his contributions as a solo artist. Sadly, Graham’s family recently announced that the musician passed away at 67.  Although dealing with health issues, Graham’s sudden death came as a shock. While fans took a moment to remember Graham and celebrate his legacy in country music, it didn’t take long before rumors started circulating. With the cause of death unknown at the time, some decided to speculate what exactly happened. Add that with AI, and the family was forced to release another statement.  Read more below: americansongwriter.com/family-felt-ob…

Wynonna Judd Shows Off Her Sass With "Woman to Woman" Performance During Tammy Wynette Tribute Concert

49 Years Ago Today, Glen Campbell Was at No. 1 With a Song He Knew He Had To Record the First Time He Heard It

Kelly Clarkson Was Fighting Back Tears Before Singing This Reba McEntire Tribute Cover—by the End, It Was Reba Who Was Crying

Country’s Newest Superstar Blocks Luke Combs From No. 1 With Viral Hit

31 Years Ago Today, a Crazed Fan Attempted To Take the Life of a Rock Icon on Stage for Making “Satanic” Music

How Kenny Rogers Crossed Over From Psychedelic Rocker, Later Ousted in 'The Big Lebowski,' to Country Legend

John Fogerty marked the recent 28th anniversary of the premiere of the classic Coen Brothers movie The Big Lebowski by posting a flashback video clip on his social media pages of him performing with “The Dude” himself, Jeff Bridges. The movie debuted on March 6, 1998. Coinciding with the anniversary, Fogerty shared a clip from an August 2011 benefit concert held in Sturgis, South Dakota. During the show, Bridges joined the CCR frontman to sing two songs, including the band’s signature tune “Proud Mary. Read more at link in bio

Like Mother, Like Daughter: Georgette Jones Honors Tammy Wynette With an Incredible Cover of Her Mom’s No. 1 Hit at the Ryman

3 Landmark Future-Changing Moments in Popular Music That No One Ever Talks About

Born on This Day in 1933, the Artist Who Recorded Johnny Cash’s Biggest Hit First and Was Among the First Women To Represent Country Music on Television

Formed back in 1979, Romeo Void didn’t make many waves with their debut 1981 album, It’s a Condition. However, the 1982 release Benefactor had attracted some attention in North America, and their 1984 album Instincts made it to No. 68 in the US. The band became best known for the 1984 hit “A Girl In Trouble (Is A Temporary Thing)”. That track peaked at No. 11 on the US Dance chart and No. 35 on the coveted Hot 100 chart. Read more at link in bio