Sixteen Candles Film + Soundtrack

1984 American Teen

Coming-of-age Comedy

Directed by John Hughes

Written by John Hughes

Produced by Hilton A. Green, Michelle Manning, & Ned Tanen

Cast -

Molly Ringwald

Anthony Michael Hall

Michael Schoeffling

Budget - $6.5 million ... Box Office - $23.6 million

Accolades -

Young Artist Awards (by the Young Artist Foundation)

Molly Ringwald - Best Young Actress in a Motion Picture

Anthony Michael Hall - Best Young Actor in a Motion Picture

No. 8 on Entertainment Weekly's The 50 Best High School Movies

- Soundtrack -

Released in 1984

Genres considered - Rock, New Wave

Track Listing -

Side One -

1.  16 Candles

2.  Hang Up the Phone

3.  Geek Boogie

Side Two -

1.  Gloria

2.  If You Were Here

(Wikipedia)

Sixteen Candles - Original Movie Soundtrack

April

Pink For a Girl

St. Tropez

April Showers

Wouldn't It Be Nice (Remastered 1999)

The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time (2020) - No. 2

Rolling Stone - 2020

The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time

No. 2 - Pet Sounds

by The Beach Boys

Released in May 1966

11th album by The Beach Boys

Genres considered - Progressive Pop, Chamber Pop, Psychedelic Pop, Art Rock

No. 1 on The Times - The 100 Best Albums of All Time (1993)

No. 1 on New Musical Express - New Musical Express Writers Top 100 Albums (1993)

No. 1 on Mojo - 100 Greatest Albums of All Time (1995)

No. 6 on The Guardian - 100 Best Albums Ever (1997)

No. 12 on Q - 100 Greatest Albums Ever (2006)

No. 10 on The Observer - The 50 Albums That Changed Music (2006)

No. 2 on Rolling Stone - The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time (2012, 2020, 2023)

No. 1 on Uncut - 200 Greatest Albums of All Time (2016)

No. 2 on Pitchfork - The 200  Best Albums of the 1960s (2017)

Inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame (1998)

Entered into the National Recording Registry (2004)

Review Scores -

AllMusic - 5/5 Stars

Chicago Sun Times - 4/4 Stars

Chicago Tribune - 4/4 Stars

Encyclopedia of Popular Music - 5/5 Stars

Entertainment Weekly - A+

Q - 5/5 Stars

Rolling Stone - 5/5 Stars

The Rolling Stone Album Guide - 5/5 Stars

Slant Magazine - 5/5 Stars

Track Listing -

Side One -

1.  Wouldn't It Be Nice

2.  You Still Believe in Me

3.  That's Not Me

4.  Don't Talk (Put Your Head on My Shoulder)

5.  I'm Waiting for the Day

6.  Let's Go Away for Awhile

7.  Sloop John B

Side Two -

1.  God Only Knows

2.  I Know There's an Answer

3.  Here Today

4.  I Just Wasn't Made for These Times

5.  Pet Sounds

6.  Caroline, No

Certified Platinum in the U.S.

Certified 2x Platinum in the UK

(Wikipedia)

James Brown - "I Got You (I Feel Good)" | Concert for the Rock & Roll Ha...

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame - Celebrate!

The Track List

Every great album has a story, a background, a reason, a method.  The recording process is inspired.  The album title is inspired.  The track list is inspired...

...and every great album is because of the track list.  In this April Special, I am presenting the track lists to the Michael Jackson albums noted in the post below.  

As I always say - Play it!

- Thriller -

Side One -

1.  Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'

2.  Baby Be Mine

3.  The Girl Is Mine

4.  Thriller 

Side Two -

5.  Beat It

6.  Billie Jean

7.  Human Nature

8.  P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)

9.  The Lady in My Life

- Bad -

Side One -

1.  Bad

2.  The Way You Make Me Feel

3.  Speed Demon

4.  Liberian Girl

5.  Just Good Friends

Side Two -

6.  Another Part of Me

7.  Man in the Mirror

8.  I Just Can't Stop Loving You

9.  Dirty Diana

10.  Smooth Criminal

11.  Leave Me Alone

- HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I -

Disc One:

HIStory Begins/Greatest Hits: HIStory, Volume I

1.  Billie Jean

2.  The Way You Make Me Feel

3.  Black or White

4.  Rock with You

5.  She's Out of My Life

6.  Bad

7.  I Just Can't Stop Loving You

8.  Man in the Mirror

9.  Thriller

10.  Beat It

11.  The Girl Is Mine

12.  Remember the Time

13.  Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough

14.  Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'

15.  Heat the World

Disc Two: HIStory Continues

1.  Scream

2.  They Don't Care About Us

3.  Stranger in Moscow

4.  This Time Around

5.  Earth Song

6.  D.S.

7.  Money

8.  Come Together

9.  You Are Not Alone

10.  Childhood

11.  Tabloid Junkie

12.  2 Bad

13.  HIStory

14.  Little Susie/Pie Jesu

15.  Smile

April Special - Michael Jackson's Highest Charting Albums

Michael Joseph Jackson

August 29, 1958 - June 25, 2009

The music industry and fans worldwide lost the "King of Pop" far too soon.  Michael Jackson is a forever treasure as a performer and entertainer.  Read more on Wikipedia.

Of the ten studio albums Michael Jackson recorded, the most well known was of course Thriller.  The songs and the music videos left a lasting impression that has yet to be surpassed by contemporary artists.  Michael truly is a forever treasure.

With that said, the following albums are noted as Michael Jackson's highest charting in the U.S. alone.

Thriller

Bad

HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I

Duran Duran (Reach Up For The) Sunrise (Official Music Video)

Set List Influence - Rush

Set List Inspiration - Duran Duran

Any season is fit for the wild boys to play it.

Birthday Season - Astronaut

Birthday season is well under way with the mystical magic of April settled in.  The British royals celebrate in April.  My family celebrates in April.  I grew up with friends celebrating in April.

As for me, my season came around two weeks early.  I was expected in mid-May but surprised my parents at the end of April.  The 29th has worked for me since.

As I've grown, so too have my favorite musicians and bands...such as Duran Duran who really put a stamp on 1980s pop music and beyond...

...and beyond is what NASA would say.  Astronaut is the Duran Duran album you may be thinking of.

Let's go from there.

Astronaut was released in September 2004.  Lift off goes from there.  Follow Wikipedia to read more.   

Track List -

1.  (Reach Up for The) Sunrise

2.  Want You More!

3.  What Happens Tomorrow

4.  Astronaut

5.  Bedroom Toys

6.  Nice

7.  Taste the Summer

8.  Finest Hour

9.  Chains

10.  One of Those Days

11.  Point of No Return

12.  Still Breathing

Certified Gold in the UK

While not released in the month of April, I associate enjoyment most at this time of year.  My late paternal grandmother was born in April and she was more than happy to purchase a copy as a gift.  In a shy way, I don't normally associate her era with modern genres uniquely defined by Duran Duran.

And so for the love of my grandmother, Duran Duran, and lucky April, Astronaut is an album to cherish now and beyond.

Duke Ellington, "Take the A Train"

Orchestral Shine

Duke's Example

Jazz Master - Duke

Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington

April 29, 1899 - May 24, 1974

American jazz pianist, composer, & leader of his Duke Ellington Orchestra from 1924 to end of life

Noted for performances at the Cotton Club in Harlem

Noted genres - Jazz, Swing

Inducted into DownBeat Jazz Hall of Fame (1956)

Honorary Doctorate of Humanities from Milton College (1964)

Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award (1966)

14 Grammy Awards & Total 25 Grammy Nominations

Honorary Doctor of Music Degree from Yale University (1967)

Presidential Medal of Freedom (1969)

Honorary PhD from Berklee College of Music (1971)

Honorary Doctor of Music from Howard University (1971)

Inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame (1971)

Legion of Honor by France - Highest civilian honor (1973)

Honorary Degree in Music from Columbia University (1973)

Posthumous Induction into the Big Band and Jazz Hall of Fame (1978)

Posthumous Induction into the Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame (1992)

Posthumous Pulitzer Prize Special Award for music in 1999

Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame

Gennett Records Walk of Fame

Duke Ellington Recordings 

Grammy Hall of Fame -

- "It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing)" 

Recorded in 1932 ... Inducted in 2008

- "Cocktails for Two" 

Recorded in 1934 ... Inducted in 2007

- Ellington at Newport (Live album)

Recorded in 1957 ... Inducted in 2004

- "Diminuendo and Crescendo in Blue"

Recorded in 1956 ... Inducted in 1999

- Far East Suite (Concept album)

Recorded in 1967 ... Inducted in 1999

- Black, Brown and Beige (Extended work)

Recorded in 1944 ... Inducted in 1990

- "Black and Tan Fantasy" 

Recorded in 1928 ... Inducted in 1981

- "Take the "A" Train" 

Recorded in 1941 ... Inducted in 1976

- "Mood Indigo" 

Recorded in 1931 ... Inducted in 1975

Discography

Wikipedia

My interest in music is not narrowed to one genre.  My current iTunes library reflects classical to alternative to hard rock to somehow anything in between.  Jazz, though, is a dominant presence...smooth jazz generally speaking.  "Rhapsody in Blue" and "Sing, Sing, Sing" are uniquely noted as historic icons, alongside Miles Davis and nods to contemporary jazz musicians.

My love for jazz, from smooth to classic to swing to so on, begins with one name - Duke Ellington.

From one April 29th to another, may Duke's big band play it!

The Truth About Love

6th album 

Released in September 2012

Genres considered - Pop, Pop Rock

Lyrical themes - Love, Monogamy, Sexuality

No. 1 in 8 countries, including Australia, Canada, Germany, and Sweden

No. 1 on Billboard 200

7th best-selling album of 2012

Over 7 million copies sold worldwide as of 2016

No. 1 in the U.S.

No. 1 New Zealand

No. 2 in the UK

No. 4 in France

No. 1 in Austria & Switzerland

Top 10 in Denmark, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, etc.

"Try" - Top 10 in several countries, including Australia, Canada, Germany, the UK, and the U.S.

Grammy Nomination (Best Pop Vocal Album, 2013)

Juno Awards Nomination (International Album of the Year, 2014)

Review Scores -

AllMusic - 4.5/5 Stars

The A.V. Club - B-

Billboard - 4.5/5 Stars

Chicago Tribune - 2.5/4 Stars

Entertainment Weekly - A

The Guardian - 4/5 Stars

Rolling Stone - 3/5 Stars

Slant Magazine - 3/5 Stars

Spin - 7/10

Track Listing -

1.  Are We All We Are

2.  Blow Me (One Last Kiss)

3.  Try

4.  Just Give Me a Reason

5.  True Love

6.  How Come You're Not Here?

7.  Slut Like You

8.  The Truth About Love

9.  Beam Me Up

10.  Walk of Shame

11.  Here Comes the Weekend

12.  Where Did the Beat Go?

13.  The Great Escape

Certified Gold in Finland, France, Hungary, & Spain

Certified Platinum in Austria, Ireland, & Italy

Certified 2x Platinum in Brazil, Denmark, Mexico, Poland, Sweden, & Switzerland

Certified 3x Platinum in Germany, the UK, & U.S.

Certified 4x Platinum in New Zealand

Certified 6x Platinum in Canada

Certified 9x Platinum in Australia

(Wikipedia)

Who is Pink?

Alecia Beth Moore-Hart

Stage Name - Pink

b. September 8, 1979

Genres considered - Pop, Pop Rock, R&B

Can't Take Me Home - Debut Solo Album (2000)

Trustfall - Latest album (2023)

Full Discography

Over 135 million records sold worldwide

Pink is one of the world's best-selling music artists with roughly 60 million albums & 75 million singles sold.

Awards -

3 Grammy Awards

2 Brit Awards

1 Daytime Emmy Award

7 MTV Video Music Awards

2 MTV Europe Music Awards

BMI Pop Awards

President's Award for "her outstanding achievement in songwriting and global impact on pop culture and the entertainment industry"

IHeartRadio Music Award Icon Award

2013 Woman of the Year at the Billboard Women in Music 

Billboard Icon Award ... Billboard Legend of Live

No. 10 on VH1'a 100 Greatest Women in Music

No. 27 on Forbes' The Celebrity 100 (2010)

Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame 

Honored by the Songwriters of North America 

Pink is the most played female artist of the 21st Century in the UK

The above are accolades alone.  Read further on Wikipedia.

P!NK - Try (The Truth About Love - Live From Los Angeles)

April

Pink For a Girl

Nathan Evans - Wellerman (Sea Shanty)

April Showers

Joni Mitchell - Carey (Official Audio)

The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time (2020) - No. 3

Rolling Stone - 2020

The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time

No. 3 - Blue

by Joni Mitchell

Released in June 1971

4th album by Joni Mitchell

No. 15 on Billboard 200

No. 3 on UK Albums Chart

No. 9 on Canadian RPM Albums Chart

No. 3 on Rolling Stone - Highest entry by a female artist*

*No. 30 in 2012

No. 2 - Rolling Stone - 50 Essential Female Albums (2002)

No. 2 - Rolling Stone - Women Who Rock: The 50 Greatest Albums of All Time (2012)

No. 14 on VH1's 100 Greatest Albums of Rock and Roll Era (2001)

No. 18 on Mojo - The 100 Greatest Albums Ever Made (1996)

No. 65 - Mojo - The 100 Records That Changed the World (2005)

No. 33 on Uncut's 200 Greatest Albums of All Time (2016)

No. 86 in Pitchfork's The 100 Best Albums of the 1970s (2004)

No. 1 on iTunes (2001)

No. 1 Audio CD on Amazon 

"Carey" - No. 93 on Billboard Hot 100

Review Scores -

AllMusic - 5/5 Stars

Encyclopedia of Popular Music - 5/5 Stars

MusicHound - 5/5 Stars

Pitchfork - 10/10

Rolling Stone - 5/5 Stars

The Rolling Stone Album Guide - 5/5 Stars

Track Listings -

Side One -

1.  All I Want

2.  My Old Man

3.  Little Green

4.  Carey'

5.  Blue

Side Tw0 -

1.  California

2.  This Flight Tonight

3.  River

4.  A Case of You

5.  The Last Time I Saw Richard

Certified Gold in Australia

Certified Platinum in the U.S.

Certified 2x Platinum in the UK

(Wikipedia)

Cher Spotlight | 2024 Induction Ceremony

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame - Celebrate!

April Special - Michael Jackson's Debut Solo

Michael Joseph Jackson

August 29, 1958 - June 25, 2009

Michael Jackson is forever known as the "King of Pop."  You can take his story from there.  Read more on Wikipedia.

Of the 10 albums in Michael Jackson's name, the most notable selection is Thriller.  

Let's start five albums before, where debut success began.

Got to Be There

Released in January 1972

Genres considered - Pop, R&B

Mixed reviews 

Track Listing -

Side One -

1.  Ain't No Sunshine 

2.  I Wanna Be Where You Are

3.  Girl Don't Take Your Love from Me

4.  In Our Small Way

5.  Got to Be There

Side Two -

6.  Rockin' Robin

7.  Wings of My Love

8.  Maria (You Were the Only One)

9.  Love Is Here and Now You're Gone

10.  You've Got a Friend

Certified Gold in the U.S.

(Wikipedia)

Duran Duran - Ordinary World (Official Music Video)

Set List Influence - Rush

Set List Inspiration - Duran Duran

Any season is fit for the wild boys to play it.

Birthday Season - The Wedding Album

April birthday season has kicked off, from her 100th to his 65th and many more older or younger or somewhere in between.

Of the two, I am younger but not the youngest.  I am certain, however, that I am the only fan to discover Duran Duran while in early elementary school.  I was always allowed to listen to the band after completing my homework.

While not released in the month of April, I somehow enjoy the album's songs most at this time of year.  From childhood intrigue to adulthood fan appreciation, Duran Duran shined in The Wedding Album.  When the original lineup came to be, select album songs were performed live as though they had never split.

The Wedding Album was released in February 1993.  The story goes from there.  Follow Wikipedia to read more.

Track List -

1.  Too Much Information

2.  Ordinary World

3.  Love Voodoo

4.  Drowning Man

5.  Shotgun

6.  Come Undone

7.  Breath After Breath

8.  U.M.F.

9.  Femme Fatale

10.  None of the Above

11.  Shelter

12.  To Whom It May Concern

13.  Sin of the City

Certified Gold in the UK

Certified Platinum in the U.S.

David Bowie - Fame

Released in the U.S. in June 1975

Released in the UK in July 1975

Second single from David Bowie's 9th album, Young Americans

Genres considered - Funk, Funk Rock, Soul

Lyrical meaning behind the song - David Bowie's "...dissatisfaction with the troubles of fame and stardom..."

"Fame" was Bowie's first No. 1 single on Billboard Hot 100 & Canadian Singles Chart

"Fame" ranked No. 8 on Billboard Year-End Hot 100

No. 17 on UK Singles Chart

Honors -

Inducted into The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll

"...one of Bowie's 30 essential songs..." - Rolling Stone (2016, following David Bowie's death)

No. 21 on NME's list of Bowie's 41 Greatest Songs

(NME - New Musical Express, British entertainment website)

Certified Gold in Canada & the U.S.

(Wikipedia)