Category: Heaven & Earth

Howard Jones is a British musician, singer, and songwriter who played a key role in the synth-pop movement of the 1980s. He became known for hits like “What Is Love?”, “New Song”, “Things Can Only Get Better”, and today’s song choice. In July 1985, he performed at Wembley Stadium as part of the Live Aid concert. In 2018, Howard Jones released his autobiography, titled, “Always Running”, where he reflects on his life and career in the music industry. On this very day, February 23rd, 1955, he was born in Southhampton, Hampshire, England (the eldest…

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James Blunt is a British singer, songwriter, and musician who gained fame with hit singles like “You’re Beautiful”, “Goodbye My Lover” and today’s song choice. His debut LP, “Back to Bedlam”, is one of the best-selling albums in U.K. history. He has sold over 20 million records worldwide, and has received two Brit Awards, including “Best British Male” (in 2006). On this very day, February 22nd, 1974, he was born in Tidworth, Hampshire, England. In celebration of his birthday, I’ve chosen a song that topped the charts in several different countries. If…

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Peter Tork was an American musician and singer who was best known as a key member of the 1960s pop-rock band, The Monkees. Alongside fellow bandmates Davy Jones, Michael Nesmith, and Micky Dolenz, the group recorded a string of popular hits including “Last Train to Clarksville”, “I’m Not Your Stepping Stone”, “Daydream Believer”, and today’s song choice. On this very day, February 21st, 2019, Peter Tork died of a rare cancer (at 77 years of age). In memory of his passing, I’ve chosen the bands’ most recognizable track. If you’d…

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Rihanna is a Barbadian singer who rose to fame (in the mid-2000s) and has since become one of the best-selling music artists of all time. She is known for a string of chart-topping singles, including “Pon De Replay”, “Umbrella”, “Disturbia”, “Rude Boy”, “Only Girl in the World”, “We Found Love”, and today’s song choice (to name a few). Throughout her career, she has received numerous accolades, including 9 Grammys, 12 Billboard Music Awards, and 6 Guinness world records.  As of 2023, she was ranked as the wealthiest female musician in the world (with…

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Smokey Robinson is an American singer, songwriter, record producer, and former frontman of the Miracles. Often referred to as the “King of Motown”, he helped the group produce numerous hits, including “Shop Around”, “You’ve Really Got a Hold on Me”, “Ooo Baby Baby”, and “The Tracks of My Tears”. In the 1970s, he left the Miracles and pursued a successful solo career. His most popular solo hits include “Cruisin’”, “Just to See Her”, and today’s song choice. Throughout his incredible career, he has received many accolades, including the “Grammy Lifetime…

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Juice Newton is an American singer and songwriter who achieved mainstream success (in the early 1980s). Her music blurred the lines between pop and country, making her one of the most prominent figures in the country-pop crossover movement. Some of her most successful singles include “Love’s Been a Little Bit Hard on Me”, “Break it to me Gently”, “Queen of Hearts”, “The Sweetest Thing I’ve Ever Known”, and today’s song choice. In 1982, she won the CMA award for “Female Vocalist of the Year”. On this very day, February 18th,…

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Ed Sheeran is a highly successful singer, songwriter, musician, and record producer, who is well known for his melodic and acoustic sound. Influenced by genres like Folk and R&B, he developed an interest in music from a young age. Some of his biggest hits include “The A Team”, “Lego House”, “Sing”, “Thinking Out Loud”, “Perfect”, “Shape of You”, and today’s song choice. Throughout his career, he has received multiple Grammy Awards, including “Song of the Year” for “Thinking Out Loud”. He also earned 5 Brit Awards and 6 Billboard Music Awards, including “Top Artist” (in…

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The Weeknd is a Canadian singer, songwriter, and record producer whose mysterious persona has garnered widespread acclaim. Over the years, he has produced numerous hit songs, including “Starboy”, “Blinding Lights”, “The Hills”, “Earned It”, and today’s song choice. His unique sound and style helped him win multiple Grammy Awards, including “Best Urban Contemporary Album” for “Starboy”. On top of his 4 Grammy Awards, he has accumulated 20 Billboard Music Awards, 6 AMAs, and 22 Juno Awards. On this very day, February 16th, 1990, he was born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.…

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Nat King Cole was an American vocalist who was born in Montgomery, Alabama on March 17th, 1919. Some of his most popular hit songs, include “Nature Boy”, “Mona Lisa”, “Too Young”, and today’s song choice. Throughout his career, he received numerous awards, including an incredible 21 Grammys. Furthermore, in 1990, he was posthumously awarded the “Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award”. He will always be remembered as a trailblazer (who paved the way for many future black artists). On this very day, February 15th, 1965, Nathaniel Adams Cole died in Santa Monica,…

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Rob Thomas is an American singer and songwriter who’s known for his soulful voice, and many contributions to the pop-rock genre. He initially rose to fame (in the mid-1990s) as lead singer of Matchbox Twenty. Some of this band’s most noteworthy hits include songs like “Push” “3AM”, “If You’re Gone”, “Unwell”, and “Bent”. In 1999, Rob Thomas collaborated with Santana on the hit single, “Smooth”. This track went on to become a massive success, earning several awards (including the Grammy for “Song of the Year”). On this very day, February…

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Waylon Jennings was an American singer, songwriter, and musician, who was born on June 15th, 1937. His distinctive voice (and rebellious spirit) made him a legendary figure in country music. In the early 1970s, alongside Willie Nelson, he helped spearhead the “outlaw country movement”. Some of Jennings’ most popular songs include “Good Hearted Woman”, “Are You Sure Hank Done It This Way?”, and today’s song choice. Throughout his career, he received multiple Grammy Awards, and in 2001, he was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. On this very…

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Michael McDonald was an American singer and songwriter who is best known for his work with the Doobie Brothers. During his time with the band, he contributed primarily with hits like “Takin’ It to the Streets”, “Minute by Minute”, and “What a Fool Believes”. In the 1980s, he embarked on a successful solo career, recording hit singles such as “Sweet Freedom” and today’s song choice. Often associated with the blue-eyed soul genre, he has been recognized with multiple Grammy Awards throughout his career, and in 2021, he was inducted into…

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Whitney Houston (born August 9th, 1963) was an American singer who was one of the most celebrated vocalists in the history of popular music. She came from a very musical family that included her cousin, Dionne Warwick, and her godmother, Aretha Franklin. Some of her most popular singles include “Saving All My Love for You”, “How Will I Know”, “The Greatest Love of All”, “I Wanna Dance with Somebody”, and the song I chose for today. Considered one of the best-selling artists of all time, she received numerous awards throughout…

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Roberta Flack is an American singer, songwriter, and musician, who is known for her angelic voice and contributions to various genres, including Soul, R&B, and Pop. Some of her most well-known hits include “Killing Me Softly”, “Feel Like Making Love”, “The Closer I get to You”, and today’s song choice. Throughout her amazing career, she has received multiple Grammy Awards, including four consecutive wins for “Best Female Pop Vocal Performance”. In the year 2020, she also won the “Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award” (in recognition of all her contributions to music).…

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Bill Haley (often referred to as the “father of rock and roll”), was an American musician who was born on July 6th, 1925. He is best known as leader of Bill Haley & the Comets, a band that played a crucial role in the early development of rock music. Formed in 1952, this group became known for hits like “Shake, Rattle and Roll”, “See You Later Alligator”, “Razzle Dazzle”, and today’s song choice. In 1987, he was posthumously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. On this very…

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