November 9th marks a special anniversary. On November 9th, 1967, 45 years ago, the first issue of Rolling Stone magazine was published. The magazine, founded in San Francisco by Jann Wenner, has been one of the most well-known music magazines since then, covering the evolution of music over the years.
I have always loved Rolling Stone because it encompasses my two favorite things: magazines and music. I have been obsessed with Rolling Stone ever since I saw Almost Famous and decided that, just like William, I would write for them one day too (yoo-hoo! any one with Rolling Stone connections, help a girl out!).
In celebration of this 45th Anniversary milestone at my dream workplace, I composed a playlist of number one songs from every year since 1967. The list was compiled from Wikepedia’s list of number one hits, based on the Billboard Charts for each year. I perused the list of number ones from every year, and picked a track that either was the longest-running number one or that I personally associated with that year, but regardless of how I chose it, each of these tracks hit number one for at least one week in its respective year.
The playlist starts at 1967 and ends with 2012. One of my favorites from each decade is outlined below:
The 60s
Daydream Believer – The Monkees – 1967
This song is so happy to me. While I never lived in the 60s, it just feels like the 60s to me. It makes me want to kick back, turn on the record player and drink a Coke from a glass bottle.
The 70s
December 1963 (Oh What A Night) – Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons – 1976
This. Song. It may be the catchiest song of all time. I cannot imagine listening to this song without smiling. Maybe it’s because I have some awesome memories attached to this one, but maybe it’s just that great of a track.
The 80s
Every Rose Has Its Thorn – Poison – 1988
Oh, I know I shouldn’t. This should NOT be one of my favorite songs. It’s so cheesy, and so… EIGHTIES, but it’s so good. It makes me want to slow dance in a biker bar with a sticky floor, ok that’s another O.C. reference, these are really becoming subliminal. I also associate this one with the time I saw Miley Cyrus perform it in Central Park with Bret Michaels. Amazing.
The 90s
MMMBop – Hanson – 1997
This was my decade. My childhood. This song WAS my childhood. All I can think about when I hear this song is coming home from school, kicking off my light-up LA Gears, eating Dunkaroos and watching Hey Arnold! I’m really sorry if you weren’t a 90s kids. How could you not love Hanson? I was Taylor OBSESSED.
The 00s
It Wasn’t Me – Shaggy, Ricardo Ducent – 2001
Going through the number ones of this decade was too fun. I had a memory attached to every single one of the songs, and looking at those that hit number one had me saying “Yes! I remember THAT” to myself the whole time. This song is middle school dances, “late” nights, sleepovers with your best friends, hoping for that boy to finally talk to you. I can almost smell the school cafeteria.
The 10s
Call Me Maybe – Carly Rae Jepsen – 2012
Just typing “The 10s” makes me feel really old. This was by far the song of the summer, and it was a fun one! Carly Rae really started her career with a bang with this single. Although the Justin Bieber, Selena Gomez, and Ashley Tisdale (among others) made promoting it, probably didn’t hurt much.
With this playlist I suggest keeping it off of shuffle. Listen to it from 1967 all the way until 2012 and smile at the way music has changed. Associate your own memories with these songs. Think of Rolling Stone and how it has been there for all of these changes, and most of all, enjoy!
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