Ward did not like the song, but Knight insisted that a dance track was needed to capitalize on the current disco trend, and Ward relented. While Ward was recording her debut album, record label owner Frederick Knight presented her with a song he had written the previous year for Stacy Lattisaw. A chaotic, three-part, jukebox musical inspired story of two teens on a date, delivered 30-year-old man? Members of Meatloaf's studio band were convinced they'd never hear it on the radio.Īfter all, the original iteration was actually meant to last 27 minutes.When looking at the biggest hits of the disco era, you won't go far before running into the huge 1997 smash by Anita Ward, "Ring My Bell." It became the only notable hit from the short career of the talented southern singer.īefore signing a recording contract, Ward obtained a degree in psychology from Rust College in Holly Springs, Mississippi, and had become a schoolteacher. 'Paradise By The Dashboard Light' is a prime example of an artist that truly doesn't give a monkey's whether the listener doesn't understand what's going on, as long as they enjoy themselves.Īnd many people did – an initial calamitous chart flop, turned wedding party staple, selling millions. The brainchild of frequent collaborator, the late Jim Steinman, 'Paradise By The Dashboard Light' cemented the blueprint for how dramatic, theatrical compositions can be entertaining to the point that you don't realise you've been captivated for so long. Half of Meatloaf's discography could've ended up here, at the conclusion of our expedition. Meatloaf's singles seldom sink below the 5-minute mark AP Photo Fab Five Freddy (who gets namechecked in the song) Grandmaster Flash, and Melle Mel were essentially in the process of inventing rap music here.ĭoes anybody have a clue what Debbie Harry is actually saying here? No! And it doesn't matter, because the song is more than the sum of its parts, and one of Blondie's best. Of course, the band are indebted to their contemporaries for this reason. Some dismiss Harry's flows as sounding a bit nonsensical, forgetting that this was a time where people were still realising you could talk and rhyme over music. It's rhythmic guitars and saxophone riffs are structured in the same way the MCs were putting beats together in Brooklyn's underground clubs. Technically, 'Rapture' was the first official rap song to top the Billboard Hot 100. 'Rapture' is mish-mash of sci-fi imagery, disco, with a rap interlude from Debbie Harry to boot. Once again, the theory that pop music has to be punchy and to the point flounders here - with any luck, Styles's debut single will hit 1 billion streams on Spotify alone next year.īlondie's embrace of New York rap jarred and enthralled us all AP Photoīlondie's 'Rapture' arose at a time where the band had released five albums over five years and faced going creatively stagnant.įortunately for the nightclubs of the 80s, that didn't happen. Instead, it set him apart from his bandmates perfectly. It's difficult to verbalise what a move it was to make 'Sign of the Times' not only rooted in Bowie-esque sound palettes, but to make the listener tune in for at least 2 minutes longer than anything else in the top 10 at that moment in time.įor a 23-year-old star trying to make listeners (beyond the fandom you've already cultivated) take you seriously, there was potential for disaster. Gucci suits, acting in a Nolan film, and the adoration of Stevie Nicks will only get you so far.Ĭentral to Styles' whole schitck is taking a chance on the unconventional. There are lots of reasons Harry Styles was able to sustain the superstardom afforded to him through five years in the world's biggest boyband. Styles' embrace of flair and theatrics sets him apart from his former bandmates AP