Okay - I'm not (or wasn't) a fan of Savage Garden. I never liked Janet Jackson. Queen was cool and I dug their stuff. Simon and Garfunkel, as mellow as they were, knew how to craft a song.... Whether I liked the March 1st, number one songs of the last 80 years, and as insipid as some of the lyrical evolution was, things have really taken a turn in the last decade.
I've generally considered number one songs to be an indicator of the lowest common denominator of a culture's understanding and comprehension. That the lowest common denominator of 1970 was probably close to the peak of our culture today is telling. How far have we been dumbed down in 40 years? I thought "Tonight's gonna be a good night" was the most repetitive inane tune I'd have to hear for the next decade, and then the Peas outdid themselves. Bring back Aqua; I'd rather be in a Barbie World.
2010 - Black-Eyed Peas - Imma Be
Rich baby quick quick imma imma imma be
The shit baby check me out be
Imma be, imma be
On top, never stop (be be)
Imma be, imma be - imma imma imma be
Imma be, fcukin her
Imma imma imma be - imma be be be imma imma be
2000 - Savage Garden - I Knew I Loved You
Maybe it's intuition
But some things you just don't question
Like in your eyes
I see my future in an instant
and there it goes
1990 - Janet Jackson - Escapade
My mind's tired, I've worked so hard all
Worked so hard all week
I just got paid, we've got it made
Ready to go
I promise you, I'll show you such a good time
1980 - Queen - Crazy Little Thing Called Love
I gotta be cool relax, get hip
Get on my tracks
Take a back seat, hitch-hike
And take a long ride on my motor bike
Until I'm ready
Crazy little thing called love
1970 - Simon and Garfunkel - Bridge Over Troubled Water
Sail on Silver Girl,
Sail on by
Your time has come to shine
All your dreams are on their way
See how they shine
If you need a friend
I'm sailing right behind
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will ease your mind
1960 - Percy Faith - Theme From A Summer Place
There's a summer place
Where it may rain or storm
Yet I'm safe and warm
For within that summer place
Your arms reach out to me
And my heart is free from all care
1950 - Red Foley - Chattanooga Shoe Shine Boy
Have you ever passed the corner of Fourth and Grand
Where a little ball of rhythm has a shoeshine stand?
People gather 'round and they clap their hands,
He's a great big bundle of joy--
He pops a boogie woogie rag,
The Chattanoogie Shoe Shine Boy.
1940 - Glen Miller - In The Mood
First I held him lightly and we started to dance
Then I held him tightly what a dreamy romance
And I said "Hey, baby, it's a quarter to three
There's a mess of moonlight, won't-cha share it with me"
"Well" he answered "Baby, don't-cha know that it's rude
To keep my two lips waitin' when they're in the mood"
1930 - Harry Richman - Puttin' On The Ritz
Have you seen the well-to-do
Up and down Park Avenue
On that famous thoroughfare
With their noses in the air
High hats and arrowed collars
Wide spats and fifteen dollars
Spending every dime
For a wonderful time