Music is the best gift, in my opinion. I’ve made several birthday playlists for Shantel, but I got a little creative with this one. The songs are organized chronologically through time and have a connection, in some way, to her September 17th birthday. Some songs are connected pretty straight forwardly, but others are associated with the date by interesting facts related to the band or artist. Enjoy this playlist and the musical history included!
Hey Good Lookin’ – Hank Williams
Hank Williams was born on September 17th in 1923 in Mount Olive, Alabama. Hank Williams’ single ‘Hey Good Lookin’’ hit Number 1 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart in 1951.
Rockin’ Through the Rye – Bill Haley & His Comets
On September 17th in 1956, the BBC announced the removal of Bill Haley and His Comets’ ‘Rockin’ Through The Rye’ from its playlist because they felt the song went against traditional British standards. The record, based on an 18th century Scottish Folk tune, was at No.5 on the UK charts.
A Rose and a Baby Ruth – George Hamilton IV
Country and Western musician, George Hamilton, died on September 17th in 2004. His version of the song “A Rose and a Baby Ruth”, which was released in October 1956 and reached Number 6 on the Billboard Magazine Pop chart.
Jambalya (On the Bayou) – Brenda Lee
Brenda Lee’s “Jambalaya (On The Bayou)” was released on September 17th in 1956. It was her first single for Decca Records.
Money (That’s What I Want) – The Beatles
On September 17th in 1962, The Beatles played the last of three Monday night gigs at The Queen’s Hall, Widnes, Cheshire. Also on the lineup was Billy Kramer and the Coasters, Rory Storm and the Hurricanes, and Sonny Kaye and the Reds. Among the songs that might have been played at this show was “Money (That’s What I Want)”, the last track on 1963’s With The Beatles.
Not Fade Away – The Rolling Stones
On September 17th in 1964, police were called to a Rolling Stones concert at the ABC Theatre in Carlisle, England, after a trouble broke out with the 4,000 fans at the show. Among songs that might have been played at this show are a cover of Buddy Holly’s “Not Fade Away” which was released as a single by The Rolling Stones on February 21, 1964.
Light My Fire – The Doors
On September 17th in 1967, The Doors were banned from The Ed Sullivan Show after Jim Morrison broke his agreement with the show’s producers. Morrison said before the show that he wouldn’t sing the words, Girl, we couldn’t get much higher, from “Light My Fire” but did anyway.
Grazing In the Grass – The Friends of Distinction
American guitarist, Al Casey (a member of the session band the Wrecking Crew, who recorded music for artists such as the Beach Boys, Phil Spector, The Monkees, and Elvis), died on September 17th in 2006. Casey performed on the The Friends of Distinction version of the single “Grazin’ in the Grass”, which was released in March of 1969.
Can’t Get Enough of Your Love – Barry White
On September 17, 1974, Barry White’s “Can’t Get Enough of Your Love Babe” was #1 on the Billboard charts.
Pretty Vacant – Sex Pistols
On September 17th in 1976, The Sex Pistols played a gig for the inmates at Chelmsford Prison, Essex in England. Among the songs they may have performed was “Pretty Vacant”.
Bicycle Race – Queen
On September 17th in 1978, the video for Queen’s single “Bicycle Race” was filmed at Wimbledon Stadium, UK. It featured 65 naked female professional models racing around the stadium’s track on bicycles, which had been hired for the day. The rental company was reported to have requested payment for all the saddles when they found out how their bikes had been used.
Listen Like Thieves – INXS
On September 17th in 2000, Paula Yates was found dead in bed from a suspected drug overdose. Yates had presented the UK music TV show The Tube during the 80s and was the girlfriend of INXS singer Michael Hutchence. INXS’ album ‘Listen Like Thieves’ was released in 1985.
Never Enough – The Cure
The Cure’s “Never Enough” was released as a single on September 17th in 1990. The Cure is Shantel’s favorite band.
Grey Cell Green – Ned’s Atomic Dustbin
John Penney, singer of Ned’s Atomic Dustbin, was born on September 17th in 1968. “Grey Cell Green” was a single released in 1991 from the album God Fodder.
November Rain – Guns N’ Roses
On September 17th in 1991, due to high anticipated demand, over 4 million copies of Guns N’ Roses album Use Your Illusion I and Use Your Illusion II were simultaneously released for retail sale, making it the largest ship-out in pop history in the US. The album Use Your Illusion I included the single, “November Rain”.
Poison – The Prodigy
Born on September 17th in 1969, The Prodigy’s Keith Flint, whose song “Poison”, was released as a single from the album Music for the Jilted Generation on July 4, 1994.
Basket Case – Green Day
The Billboard Alternative Rock chart #1 song on September 17th in 1994, was “Basket Case” by Green Day from the album Dookie.
Do You Like Me – Fugazi
Fugazi’s Guy Picciotto was born on September 17th in 1965. Picciotto is the lead vocalist on “Do You Like Me?”, which is track number 1 on Fugazi’s 1995 album Red Medicine.
Hyper-Ballad – Bjork
On September 17th in 1996, a bomb was found at a South London sorting office addressed to Icelandic singer Bjork. Police in Miami had alerted the post office after finding the body of Ricardo Lopez who had made a video of himself making the bomb and then killing himself. Bjork’s “Hyperballad” was released as a single on February 12, 1996, from the album Post.
Everybody’s Free (To Wear Sunscreen) – Baz Luhrmann
Australian filmmaker, Baz Luhrmann, performer of the 1999 spoken word single “Everbodys Free (To Wear Sunscreen)”, was born on September 17th in 1962.
Breaking the Habit – LINKIN PARK
On September 17th in 2004, The Billboard Alternative Rock chart #1 song was Linkin Park’s “Breaking the Habit”.
I Write Sins Not Tragedies – Panic! at the Disco
Jon Walker, former bassist and split vocalist of Panic! at the Disco, was born on September 17th in 1985. Walker was with Panic! at the Disco when they won the video of the year award at the 2006 MTV Video Music Awards for their song “I Write Sins Not Tragedies”, although he had not recorded the song with the band nor did he appear in the video. “I Write Sins Not Tragedies” was released as a single on 2006 from the album A Fever You Can’t Sweat Out.
Riptide – Vance Joy
The Billboard Alternative Rock chart #1 song on September 17th in 2014 was Vance Joy ‘s “Riptide”.
Natural – Imagine Dragons
On September 17th in 2018, The Billboard Alternative Rock chart #1 song was “Natural” by Imagine Dragons.
Deadbeat Club – The B-52’s
September 17th, 2019 – The B-52’s are performing at The Anthem in D.C. Deadbeat Club is Shantel’s favorite B-52’s song and is featured on the band’s album from 1989, Cosmic Thing.
If you have Apple Music, you can listen to the playlist, here!
