The Music Court

               Sticking with Paul McCartney, on this date in 1973, Paul McCartney hit #1 on the charts with “My Love,” recorded with his Wings on their 1973 album Red Rose Speedway. The Beatles were finished and all were off embarking on solo careers. While Paul McCartney was pouring his heart into love songs, Ringo Starr was off recording songs like a cover of the fantastically titled, “No No Song,” where a recovering drug addict refuses drugs. Don’t you just love contrast. But, I kid, the song is actually quite catchy and so is Paul McCartney’s touching hit which sat #1 on the chart for most of June. Only a year later “Band on the Run,” also by flying Paul McCartney hit #1 in June. The man likes June.

         And wait, because I enjoy useless knowledge, guess who followed Paul as #1 on the Billboard top 100. I’ll give you a clue. His initials are GH and he was a Beatle. Okay pretty revealing clue. With, “Give Me Love,” George Harrison followed Paul. And, wait just one second I got you one more. Following George was the late great Billy Preston with his hit, “Will it Go Round in Circles.”

             Preston, known as the fifth Beatle, was given joint credit for the official Beatles-sanctioned release of “Get Back,” the only one to ever hold this honor. For all Beatles nuts reading this and going no no (I do not want the drugs) Matt you are wrong the Beatles backed for Tony Sheridan when they were new and in Hamburg. Yes, you are correct imaginary Beatles fans that are questioning me. Yet, these were unsanctioned reissues. My head is spinning with titles. Just understand he worked with The Beatles with the recording of the penultimate album Let it Be and The Beatles final release Abbey Road. Whether or not Let it Be is the penultimate album or not is also debated but simply I do not think it really matters. Whatever it may be, Billy Preston followed George who followed Paul all in 1973 with #1 hits and this is, in my opinion, an awesome coincidence.

           Just for the heck of it I would like to mention that later in 1973 Ringo hit #1 with “Photograph.” Can’t leave Ringo out.

Don't you just love the internet. An awesome photo with The Beatles and Billy Preston in the studio

 Check out Paul’s “My Love”: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DN4ZDjFGUB0 

  Check out Billy Preston’s afro on The Midnight Special and “Will it Go Round in Circles:” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9yiYbCJitvQ

Check out George Harrisons “Give Me Love” and a nice tribute: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RChR5DKgY_Y

Alright today is Monday, in case anybody forgot and is now running super late for work. Monday means misery for some and for others, like myself, it means a wealth of music to choose from. I must apologize for all the themed music and I promise I will stop myself from continuing to pull convenient daily songs from my musical head but today I just could not help it.

                  “Monday, Monday” by the drama and Doughnut-filled The Mamas And The Papas first appeared in the musical world in 1966. The song was written by John Phillips (Papa John, yes the original Papa John) who actually was a pretty talented song writer even years after the end of The Mamas And The Papas. The end of The Mamas And The Papas that came in 1967 and then again in 1968 because first Cass Elliot (Mama Cass), who was rather over-weight, was insulted by John Phillips (most likely Yo’ Mamma So Fat) in front of a young Mick Jagger. She was so embarrassed and insulted she left the band and then came back and then left again after wanting to embark on a solo career that culminated in heart failure in 1974.

            Okay now to the song. Phillips has an odd relationship with Mondays. According to the song, Monday’s are good to him but then they make him cry (possibly because they are leaving without him? Leaving in favor of the abusive Tuesday?) I find this to be an interesting predicament and almost certainly a catch-22 that can make your head swirl. Let us leave it that he was confused. The song is great though. A catchy piece of vocal harmonies and a good lead croon by Denny Doherty. Fun Fact: First song by a sexually integrated group to reach #1 on the charts. Leading the way for such bands like No Doubt and Black Eyed Peas, almost certainly posing the question what is going on.

Check it out on this glorious Monday: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H7KrlDZ5Hkw (Black and white makes it awesome).