British new wave duo Eurythmics were one of the premier music acts of the 1980s. The pair were known for their captivating videos, Annie Lennox’s genre-bending attire, and their amazing music, including gems like “This City Never Sleeps.” This atmospheric song effectively captures the mood of a big city in the evening. There is a distinct sound of a large metropolis at night, a steady muffled hum of activity, expertly conveyed in this song. It evokes images of dark city streets and nearly deserted underground train stations. Lennox delivers a mesmerizing vocal performance; and Dave Stewart creates an intoxicating soundscape, employing sonic samples–such as underground trains, distant conversations, random sounds of the streets, thunder, etc.–to help further enhance the night-time big-city vibe. A hypnotic bass line drives the song, which features brooding keyboards and feedback-laden guitar blasts.
“This City Never Sleeps” was inspired by Lennox's early struggling years when she lived alone in a London bedsit. The song is about her feelings of loneliness and solitude. Surrounded by strangers in a big city, her sense of claustrophobia and disconnection was overwhelming: “Walls so thin, I can almost hear them breathing/And if I listen in I can hear my own heart beating.”
“This City Never Sleeps” is a track from Eurythmics’ hugely successful second album Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This), released in 1983 on RCA Records. The song was co-written and produced by Stewart and Lennox. Stewart also played all the instruments on the track. It was featured on the soundtrack for the erotic romantic drama 9½ Weeks (1986).
Eurythmics performing "This City Never Sleeps" at The Church Studios in North London in 1983
Reggae legend Peter Tosh transforms Chuck Berry’s rock and roll classic “Johnny B. Goode” into an epic Jamaican saga on this electrifying cover. He brings his special reggae magic to Berry’s rockin’ tale of a poor country boy who pins his dreams of stardom on his amazing guitar abilities. Tosh even changed the locale of the original from the backwoods of Louisiana to the Jamaican countryside of Mandeville. His soul-stirring rendition adds a whole new energy and feel to the song–lending it a spiritual quality. It’s brilliantly arranged and performed, featuring powerful horns, a mighty rhythm, and a scorching guitar solo from Donald Kinsey. And Tosh’s strong vocal performance is filled with passion and conviction.
Tosh’s cover of “Johnny B. Goode” was a single from his 1983 album Mama Africa. It rose to #48 on the UK singles chart and remained on the chart for six weeks. It also performed well on the charts in Belgium (#14), the Netherlands (#10), Zimbabwe (#15), Germany (#31) and New Zealand (#29). However, it only managed to reach #84 on the Billboard Hot 100.
The players on Tosh’s cover of “Johnny B. Goode” were Lebert “Gibby” Morrison (bass), Steven Golding (guitar), Carlton "Santa" Davis (drums), Peter Tosh (lead and background vocals, clavinet), David Madden (trumpet), Byron Allred (keyboard), Dean Fraser (saxophone), Donald Kinsey (lead guitar), Arnold Brakenridge (trumpet), Robin Lyn (organ), Ronald "Nambo" Robinson (trombone), Peter Couch (keyboard) and Junior "Chico" Chin (trumpet). The background vocals were provided by Pam Hall, Betty Wright, Raymond Hall, Dorrett Myers, Peter Tosh, Donald Kinsey, and Audrey Hall.
Peter Tosh is one of reggae music’s most important and influential figures. He was a founding member of the Wailers, along with Bob Marley and Bunny Wailer. The pioneering Jamaican band helped shape the sound of reggae music in the 1960s and ‘70s. Tosh also had a terrific solo career, releasing some incredible music. His album No Nuclear War won the Grammy for Best Reggae Album in 1988.
Tosh was also a passionate social activist who constantly spoke out against racism, discrimination, and oppression. Many of his songs were about fighting racial injustice and inequality, including “Fight On,” “Equal Rights,” “Not Gonna Give It Up,” and “Fight Apartheid.” Additionally, he strongly advocated for the legalization of marijuana. In 1976, he released the song “Legalize It,” which promotes marijuana’s legalization. Tosh was also a devoted follower of Rastafari and its principles. Tragically he was murdered during a home invasion robbery on September 11, 1987. He was 42.
Peter Tosh and his band perform "Johnny B. Goode" at the Greek Theatre in 1983
In 1975, Bay Area groove masters Tower of Power thrilled funk lovers with the high-powered funk jam “Drop It In The Slot.” The band left no crumbs on this sizzling groove, snatching up every morsel of funk. The track features a marvelous horn arrangement that showcases the talents of TOP's formidable horn section. Rocco Prestia lays down a fantastic bass line, and David Garibaldi’s wicked drumming keeps the funk blazing hot. And lead singer Hubert Tubbs packs his dynamic vocal performance with tons of energy and soul. The track also boasts sweet guitar riffs, percolating keyboards and a killer bridge.
“Drop It In The Slot” was written by Tower of Power members Emilio Castillo and Stephen “Doc” Kupka. It’s a track from the band's sixth studio album In The Slot, released on September 12, 1975. The album marked the debut of their new lead singer Hubert Williams, who replaced Lenny Williams. And David Garibaldi returned to the fold after his absence on TOP’s previous album Urban Renewal (except for one track). In The Slot was the band’s last album release on Warner Bros. Records before moving to Columbia Records. The collection performed solidly on the charts, climbing to #29 on Billboard’s R&B/Soul album chart and #67 on the Billboard 200.
“Drop It In The Slot” has been sampled on six songs, including the Beastie Boys’ “Egg Man” and DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince’s “Caught in the Middle (Love and Life).”
The full band lineup for the In The Slot album was Francis Rocco Prestia (bass), David Garibaldi (drums), Bruce Conte (guitar, backing vocals), Hubert Tubbs (lead vocals), Stephen “Doc” Kupka (baritone saxophone), Greg Adams (trumpet, flugelhorn), Chester Thompson (organ, piano, clavinet, synthesizer [Arp] and backing vocals), Mic Gillette (trumpet, trombone, flugelhorn, piccolo trumpet, bass trombone and backing vocals), Emilio Castillo (tenor saxophone, backing vocals) and Lenny Pickett (tenor saxophone, alto saxophone, piccolo flute, flute, clarinet, contrabass clarinet and Lyricon). Castillo and Tower of Power produced the album.
“Drop It In The Slot” is one of Tower of Power’s most well-known tracks and a classic example of the band’s supertight funk sound.
New wave artist Lene Lovich released her breakthrough hit "Lucky Number" on January 26, 1979. The track made Lovich a major figure in the burgeoning post-punk movement of the late ‘70s and part of the UK's pop-culture landscape.
Lovich co-wrote“Lucky Number” with her longtime music collaborator and life partner guitarist/songwriter Les Chappell, who also produced the song. In 1978, an early version of the song was released as the B-side of Lovich’s cover of Tommy James & the Shondells’ 1967 pop smash, “I Think We’re Alone Now.” The single, released on London-based independent label Stiff Records, failed to chart. “Lucky Number” was re-released by Stiff in 1979 as an A-side. Music lovers enthusiastically embraced the song, and it landed in the top 10 in several countries, including the UK (#3), Australia (#2), Belgium (#5), New Zealand (#3) and the Netherlands (#4). It was also included on Lovich’s debut album Stateless (1978).
“Lucky Number” has a zany, slightly unhinged charm and loads of manic energy. It’s an exciting mix of new wave and punk rock. Lovich brings her signature quirky vocal style to the track, replete with hiccups, trills, and squeaks. The frenetic groove features a driving beat, cool guitar licks, and an energetic bass line.
The song begins with Lovich espousing the joys of single life and how it gives her the freedom to do as she pleases and not have to answer to anyone. But her attitude abruptly changes when she falls hard for a guy.
“Lucky Number” was covered by German singer-songwriter Nina Hagen, known as “The German Godmother of Punk." It has been sampled on two songs, “Having So Much Fun” (Tiga) and “Preplex” (Plunderphonics). The song has been featured on the soundtracks of several television series and feature films, including the highly acclaimed TV series Black Mirror (season 6, episode 5, titled “Demon 79,” originally aired on June 15, 2023).
The song's personnel are Lene Lovich (lead vocals), Les Chapell (guitar, background vocals), Ron François (bass, background vocals), Bobby Irwin (drums), and Nick Plytas (keyboards).
“Lucky Number” is an influential classic that helped define the sound of early new wave music and is Lovich’s most well-known song. Also, Lovich’s unique vocal style has influenced many female artists in new wave, pop, rock, punk, and alternative music.
Fun montage of dance clips taken from movies and TV shows set to "Lucky Number"
Lene Lovich performing "Lucky Number" on Top of the Pops in 1979
