Popular Songs
Released in September 1988, this became the first a cappella song to reach number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The "instruments" are entirely overdubbed voice parts and other sounds made by McFerrin, using no instruments at all.
Official classification: 1980s, Jazz, Popular Songs, Audio, Jazz, Vocal Percussion, Vocalising, United States, Curriculum support, reggae, A Capella
Shelton's number 1 selling version of the popular 1956 song, with a clear military theme. Shelton was well known as a singer who entertained troops during WW2, particularly as the original singer of Lili Marlene.
Official classification: 1950s, Popular Songs, Audio, Pop, Curriculum support
1995 solo single by the American Soul singer who also goes by the name Mardou Fox and has sung lead vocals for bands such as The Brand New Heavies and Incognito along with collaboration projects with artists such as Paul Weller and Jazzamatazz.
Official classification: 1990s, Popular Songs, Audio, Pop, Curriculum support, Funky
1994 solo single by the American Soul singer who also goes by the name Mardou Fox and has sung lead vocals for bands such as The Brand New Heavies and Incognito along with collaboration projects with artists such as Paul Weller and Jazzamatazz.
Official classification: 1990s, Popular Songs, Audio, Pop, Curriculum support, Funky
Written for the film The Beach and produced by William Orbit, Pure Shores was released in 2000, hitting number 1 and going Platinum with over 720,000 copies sold.
Official classification: 2000s, Film & Animation, Popular Songs, Audio, Electronica, Pop, Curriculum support
1972 single composed by Elton John and Bernie Taupin all about an astronaut. Ideal for listening as example for space theme, particularly in KS2, along with Bowie's Space Oddity.
Official classification: Space, 1970s, Popular Songs, Audio, Pop, United Kingdom, Curriculum support
UK Number one dance hit in 2009 for the Scottish DJ and Producer.
Official classification: 2000s, Dance, Popular Songs, Audio, Scotland, Curriculum support, Dance
Hard rock original single by the British band, first released as a single in June 1970, reissued in 1980 and again in 1995. To this day it remains Deep Purple's highest charting UK single. Features riff played by electric guitar, bass and keyboard.
Official classification: Riffs, 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, Popular Songs, Audio, Rock, United Kingdom, Curriculum support, Unit 10. Hooks and riffs, Heavy Metal
Debut single by the British singer from his debut album Born to Do It. Released in 2000, the song made him the youngest solo artist at the time to have his debut single peak at number one on the UK Singles Chart
Official classification: 2000s, Popular Songs, Audio, R&B, United Kingdom, Curriculum support
Released on the Motown label and the first single taken from 1980 album 'diana', hitting number one on the Billboard Hot 100 September 1980.
A good example of disco/funk music and an ideal accompaniment for dance at key stages 1-3.
Official classification: 1980s, Dance, Popular Songs, Audio, United States, Curriculum support, Funky, Disco
1990 cover version of 1960 novelty song telling the story of a shy girl in a revealing bikini bathing suit who stays immersed in the ocean water to hide from view. This version features children's TV presenter of the time Timmy Mallet.
Official classification: 1990s, Popular Songs, Audio, United Kingdom, Curriculum support, Disco
1960s number 4 hit by US Rock, Pop and Country singer Brenda Mae Tarpley, alsoe known as Little Miss Dynamite, due to her height of just 4 ft 9 inches and 1957 single 'dynamite'.
Official classification: 1960s, Popular Songs, Audio, Country, Rock, United States, Curriculum support
Mama" is a popular song first written in 1941 by Cesare Andrea Bixio with Italian lyrics, recorded with mixture of italian and english by American pop singer Connie Francis in 1959 for her album Connie Francis Sings Italian Favorites, with her hit single released in February 1960.
Official classification: 1900-1949, 1960s, Popular Songs, Audio, Pop, United States, Italy, Curriculum support
1970 number 2 single in the UK and an early example of four track studio recording, heavy on the multi-layered drums that dominate over the very quiet vocal track.
Official classification: 1970s, Popular Songs, Audio, Rock, United Kingdom, Curriculum support
1978 cover version of rock and roll ballad written by Roy Orbison and Joe Melson and sung by Orbison in 1961.
Official classification: 1970s, Popular Songs, Audio, United Kingdom, Curriculum support, Rock n Roll
Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Goes), 1970 number one hit for this British 'one hit wonder' group.
Official classification: 1970s, Popular Songs, Audio, Pop, United Kingdom, Curriculum support
Bowie's 1980 revisit of his Major Tom from a Space Oddity.
KS3 idea: may be interesting to compare the two songs and notice the difference between the two in instrumentation, specifically the use in this song of synthesisers and funk or 'slap' bass, some characteristic sounds from pop music developed during the 70s decade.
Official classification: Space, 1980s, Popular Songs, Audio, Rock, Pop, United Kingdom, Curriculum support
Blues influenced 1960 hit for The King of Rock n Roll.
KS3 pupils may be able to identify the Blues style aspects of this record in the variation of the 12 bar chord progression, walking bass line and piano parts.
Official classification: 1960s, Popular Songs, Audio, Blues, United States, Curriculum support, Rock n Roll
Originally written in late 50s, this version was a hit for Presley in 1970 featuring a full instrumental arrangement including strings and brass along with typical rock n roll band set up.
Official classification: Popular Songs, Audio, United States, Curriculum support, Swing
Bing's version of the popular Christmas song about Santa's Red Nosed Reindeer.
KS1/2 idea - good comparison to be made between this and Rockin Rudolph version.
Official classification: Christmas, Popular Songs, Audio, Curriculum support