390

EltonJohn,'GoodbyeYellowBrickRoad'

Writers:John,BernieTaupin
Producer:GusDudgeon
Released:Sept.'73,MCA
17weeks;No.2
InspiredbytheRollingStones'GoatsHeadSoup,JohnandlyricistTaupinwent
toKingston,Jamaica,torecordJohn'ssixthalbum."Thestudiowassurrounded
bybarbedwire,"saidTaupin,"andtherewereguyswithmachineguns."Too
scaredtoleavetheirhotel,theduowrote21songsinthreedays,including
"GoodbyeYellowBrickRoad."
Appearson:GoodbyeYellowBrickRoad(Island)
RELATED:
500GreatestAlbumsofAllTime:EltonJohn'sGoodbyeYellowBrickRoad
100GreatestSingersofAllTime:EltonJohn

100GreatestArtistsofAllTime:EltonJohn

389

R.E.M.,'RadioFreeEurope'

Writers:R.E.M.
Producers:MitchEaster,DonDixon
Released:July'83,I.R.S.
5weeks;No.78
"Wehatedit,"saidPeterBuckofthesoundonthefirstversionof"Europe,"on
indielabelHibTone."Itwasmasteredbyadeafman,
apparently."R.E.M.rerecordeditforMurmur,witharichermelodyandtighter

rhythm"likeMotown,"Buckrecalled.MichaelStipemumbledhislyricsa
vagueriffonU.S.culturalimperialismbecausehehadn'tfinishedwriting
themwhenitwastimetorecord.
Appearson:Murmur(A&M)
RELATED:
500GreatestAlbumsofAllTime:R.E.M.'s

Murmur
100BestAlbumsoftheEighties:R.E.M.'s

Murmur

388

U2,'Pride(IntheNameofLove)'

Writers:Bono,theEdge,AdamClayton,LarryMullenJr.
Producers:BrianEno,DanielLanois
Released:Oct.'84,Island
15weeks;No.33
Thechordscamefroma1983soundcheckinHawaii;thelyricsaboutMartin
LutherKingJr.wereinspiredbyanexhibitatChicago'sPeaceMuseum.With
backingvocalsbyPretenderssingerChrissieHynde(creditedasMrs.Christine
Kerr;shewasmarriedtoJimKerrofSimpleMindsatthetime),theresultwas
theband'sfirstTop40hit.
Appearson:TheUnforgettableFire

(Island)
RELATED:
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100GreatestSingersofAllTime:Bono

387

RayCharles,'HittheRoadJack'

Writer:PercyMayfield
Producer:SidFeller
Released:Sept.'61,ABCParamount
11weeks;No.1
CharlesaskedMayfield,aonetimeR&Bhitmakerwhoseperformingcareerwas
curtailedbyacaraccidentin1952,ifhehadanysongsforCharlestorecord.
Mayfieldofferedup"HittheRoadJack."Thesnarlingfemalevocalwas
providedbyMargieHendricksoftheRaelettes.Hendricks'affairwithCharles
producedasonin1959;CharlesfiredherfromtheRaelettesin1964.
Appearson:UltimateHitsCollection(Rhino)

RELATED:
100GreatestArtistsofAllTime:RayCharles

100GreatestSingersofAllTime:RayCharles

386

YeahYeahYeahs,'Maps'

Writers:YeahYeahYeahs
Producer:DavidAndrewSitek
Released:Feb.'04,Interscope
13weeks;No.87
"Maps"isbothasoulballadandanartpunkclassic,withtorrentsofjagged
guitarnoiseandthunderingdrumsbackingupKarenO'slovesickwail.
TheYYY'sbreakthroughhitwasinspiredbyacaseofrealliferock&roll
romance:TheDivineMissO(realnameKarenOrzolek)wrotethesongabout
beingontourandmissingherboyfriend,AngusAndrew,singerforfellowNew
YorkbandLiars.
Appearson:FevertoTell(Interscope)

Readmore:http://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/the500greatestsongsof
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