“You Say” Lauren Daigle was #1 for 129 weeks? “That was a one and done…probably”

Garrett Lobaugh

Lauren Daigle‘s latest single, “Hold On to Me,” is doing well, but it remains to be seen if it can match the record-breaking success of “You Say.” Lauren says she doesn’t expect a repeat — and that’s O.K.

You Say,” released three years ago last month, topped numerous Billboard charts, including Adult Top 40, Adult Contemporary and Hot Christian Songs.  On the latter, it stayed at number one for an astonishing 129 weeks.  In fact, it was the first song to spend 100 or more weeks on any Billboard chart, ever.

“That was a one and done, probably,” Laure laughs. “I mean, unless there’s other plans out there, I have no idea if that will ever happen again. That’s why you have to revel in the moment when it happens.”

“Being present is so…rich because moments will pass you by and you’ll realize, ‘OK, I missed out on the joy of what that moment had. And now I’m longing for that moment in a different season,'” she cautions. “And it just doesn’t work out.”

Lauren, who’ll kick off a world tour on September 24, says for her, that’s the only way to approach any sort of overwhelming achievement.

“Being present and really reveling in, like, the ‘Wow, I can’t believe that happened,’ because it may never happen again,” she says. “But hopefully, fingers crossed, you wish for the best!” 

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The Rolling Stones’ classic album ‘Tattoo You’ was released 40 years ago today

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Today, August 24, marks the 40th anniversary of the release of The Rolling Stones‘ classic 1981 album Tattoo You.

Tattoo You spent nine consecutive weeks at #1 on the Billboard 200 in the fall of ’81, holding the top spot on the chart longer than any other Stones album.

Tattoo You featured three singles that reached the Billboard Hot 100’s top 20 — “Start Me Up,” “Waiting on a Friend” and “Hang Fire,” which peaked at #2, #13 and #20, respectively.

Respected music journalist and author Alan Light tells ABC Audio that many people consider Tattoo You to be “the last great Rolling Stones album,” while noting that it’s “such a funny and odd project” in the band’s history.

What made Tattoo You unusual was that it was put together from unfinished outtakes that The Rolling Stones had recorded during various sessions throughout the 1970s and that the band revisited to complete for the album.

Because of this, ex-Stones guitarist Mick Taylor, who left the group in late 1974, actually appears on two of the record’s tracks.

Tattoo You also features contributions from a variety of guest musicians, including keyboardists Nicky Hopkins, Ian Stewart and Billy Preston, founding Santana percussionist Michael Carabello, The Who‘s Pete Townshend and legendary jazz saxophonist Sonny Rollins.

Townshend sang backing vocals on the song “Slave,” while Rollins delivered a memorable solo on “Waiting on a Friend,” and also played on “Slave” and “Neighbors.”

To date, Tattoo You has sold over 4 million copies in the U.S. As announced last week, The Rolling Stones will release a 40th anniversary reissue of the album on October 22. The reissue’s deluxe versions will feature nine previously unreleased tracks from that period to which the band has added new vocals and guitar.

Here’s Tattoo You‘s original track list:

“Start Me Up”
“Hang Fire”
“Slave”
“Little T&A”
“Black Limousine”
“Neighbours”
“Worried About You”
“Tops”
“Heaven”
“No Use in Crying”
“Waiting on a Friend”

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Paul McCartney unveils full list of songs profiled in upcoming The Lyrics book

Liveright/W.W. Norton

In February, Paul McCartney announced plans to release a book this fall called The Lyrics: 1956 to the Present, which offers a self-portrait while also profiling 154 songs he’s written throughout his long career.

Now, the former Beatles legend has unveiled the full list of songs that will be featured in the book, spanning alphabetically from “All My Loving” though “Your Mother Should Know.”

The Lyrics, which is available for pre-order now, will be published on November 2. McCartney reveals that the two-volume work will include lyrics to an unrecorded Beatles song titled “Tell Me Who He Is.”

As Sir Paul was writing of the book, the handwritten lyrics to the tune were discovered in one of his notebooks that’s believed to be from the early 1960s.

The Lyrics also will feature other handwritten lyric sheets, as well as rare personal photos, drawings and rough drafts of songs. McCartney has penned commentary about each tune to give fans a look inside his creative process.

As previously reported, the commentary was based on conversations McCartney had over the course of five years with Pulitzer Prize-winning Irish poet and Princeton University professor Paul Muldoon.

Following the book’s November 2 publication, the British Library in London will host a free companion display dubbed “Paul McCartney: The Lyrics” that will be open from November 5 of this year to March 3, 2022. The exhibit will feature handwritten lyrics and photographs spanning Sir Paul’s entire career.

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Eddie Vedder, Alice Cooper, Dave Matthews & more taking part in Audible’s ‘Words + Music’ series

Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Global Citizen VAX LIVE

Pearl Jam‘s Eddie Vedder, Alice Cooper and Dave Matthews are among artists hosting new episodes of Audible’s ongoing Words + Music series, an audio program described as a combination of music and storytelling.

Vedder’s installment, titled I Am Mine, is set to premiere October 21, and will find the grunge rocker “reflecting on a life at the intersection of art, sensitivity, masculinity, and ascendant pop/rock-super stardom that defined an age.”

Cooper will be giving a rare inside look at the real person behind his iconic shock rock persona in Who I Really Am: The Diary of a Hollywood Vampire, debuting October 7. Meanwhile, Matthews’ currently untitled episode, which has a to-be-announced release date, will find him on an “expedition filled with moments of personal insight, and global impact, scored by new renditions of the music that made him a defining voice in global, popular music.”

Other artists taking part in Words + Music include Against Me!‘s Laura Jane Grace, Elvis Costello and Sharon Van Etten. Previous episodes have been hosted by Green Day‘s Billie Joe Armstrong, St. Vincent, Tom Morello and Patti Smith.

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Sunday surprise: SZA drops three new songs

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SZA surprised her fans Sunday with three new songs, which she described on Twitter as “Dumping random thoughts.”

The Oscar and Grammy nominee shared the new tracks on an anonymous Soundcloud account, and tweeted that her astrologer reader, known on Twitter on Messiah of Astrology, “made me do it.”

On the first song, “Nightbird,” SZA begs her lover to “please spend the night. I only have you for a short time,” followed by the midtempo “I Hate You” about a relationship filled joy and pain. The trio of tunes ends with “Joni,” a tender acoustic guitar ballad.

Two months ago, 30-year-old SZA collaborated with SAINt JHN on the love song “Just for Me,” from the Space Jam: A New Legacy soundtrack, and prior to that, in April, she teamed up with Doja Cat for “Kiss Me More.”

SZA’s last solo single, “Good Days,” was released on Christmas 2020. Its been four years since she dropped her double platinum debut album, 2017’s Ctrl.

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Kool & the Gang’s Robert “Kool” Bell continuing the band’s legacy following tragic loss: “It’s kinda heavy losing my brother”

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After an amazing 57 years, Grammy winners Kool & the Gang are not allowing the recent passing of two of their founding members stop the band.

Ronald Bell, the primary composer and producer behind many of their iconic hits, including their global anthem “Celebration,” died September 9, 2020, at the age of 68, while saxophonist Dennis “Dee Tee” Thomas passed away last month at age 70.

“It’s kinda heavy losing my brother last year, Dee Tee this year, and the whole COVID thing,” band leader Robert “Kool” Bell tells Grammy.com. “We’re trying to get through it and trying to move forward. Our dates are starting to come back.”

Kool & the Gang recently performed on a European mini-tour, and reopened the Hollywood Bowl with sold-out concerts on July 3 and 4.

The group released their first new album in eight years, Perfect Union, on Friday, inspired by President Joe Biden‘s campaign slogan of the same name.

Kool says Ronald was the driving force behind the project.

“My brother basically did most of the album and got us back into the studio before I lost him last year, but it’s good to be back out there,” he comments. “When Biden was running for president, he played ‘Celebration.’ When he won, ‘Celebration’ was one of the most-played songs around the world.”

Bell adds that his brother came up with the album’s first single, “Pursuit of Happiness,” which has a theme of peace and harmony.

“When Biden was making his speech for his nomination, he went into the Constitution and spoke about the pursuit of happiness and a perfect union,” Kool notes. “We have some dance stuff on the album, but this project is about pushing for world peace and people coming together.”

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Corey Taylor urges vaccination after feeling “the worst I’ve ever been sick in my life” with COVID-19

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Corey Taylor is encouraging all his fans to get vaccinated as he recovers from a battle with COVID-19.

The Slipknot frontman revealed that he tested positive for the virus last Friday, a day after he finished a solo tour. In a new video message posted Monday afternoon, Taylor shares that he’s feeling much better — his fever’s broken, and he no longer feels body aches — and credits being fully vaccinated for helping him in his recovery.

“This is the worst I’ve ever been sick in my life,” Taylor says. “Had I not been vaccinated, I shudder to think how bad it would have been. But because I had that extra little bit of protection, man, it definitely helped me get through it.”

To those who are “still on the fence” about getting the jab, Taylor has one piece of advice: “Go, go, go.” 

“If you’re still on the fence, I’m telling you right now, it’s the best thing you can do for yourself,” he says.

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Elton John charts on the ‘Billboard’ Hot 100 for first time in 21 years

EMI/Interscope

Elton John is back on the Billboard Hot 100 for the first time in 21 years — and he has Dua Lipa to thank.

Billboard reports Elton’s song with Dua, “Cold Heart (Pnau Remix),” debuts at number 81 on the chart dated August 28.

Elton’s last appearance on the chart was on the tally dated July 29, 2000, when “Someday Out of the Blue” ranked at number 99 after peaking at 49.

“Cold Heart” also debuted at number three on the Hot Dance/Electronic Songs chart and at number 16 on the Adult Contemporary radio airplay chart, giving Elton his 74th career entry and extending his current record for the most AC hits of any artist.

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Kelsea Ballerini pays tribute to Taylor Swift with “Teardrops on My Guitar” cover on Jonas Brothers tour

ABC/Fred Lee

Kelsea Ballerini kicked off her opening slot on the Jonas Brothers‘ tour with a tribute to Taylor Swift

During the opening night of The Remember This Tour in Las Vegas on Friday, Kelsea dedicated part of her set to a medley of songs by her favorite artists, including that of the country and pop superstar. 

“There is one particular woman who really paved the way for people like me,” Kelsea prefaced her performance, playing a few notes on her guitar before launching into “Teardrops on My Guitar,” as the crowd let out elated cheers upon hearing the first few lyrics. 

Kelsea then offered an understated, acoustic rendition of the track, and the audience sang passionately alongside her. 

“Teardrops on My Guitar” was released in 2007 as the second single off Taylor’s self-titled debut album. The multi-platinum song reached the top 15 of the Billboard Hot 100 and #2 on the Hot Country Songs chart.  

Kelsea continues on with the Jonas Brothers through the fall, when the tour wraps at The Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles on October 27. 

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Ringo Starr, Brian Wilson and more stars pay tribute to late Everly Brothers singer Don Everly

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Don Everly of the influential early rock ‘n’ roll duo The Everly Brothers died Saturday at his home in Nashville at the age of 84.  In the wake of his passing, musicians who were inspired by the duo’s music have taken to social media to post tribute messages in Don’s honor.

Former Beatles drummer Ringo Starr posted an homage to Don and his younger brother and band mate, Phil, who died in 2014, on his Twitter that reads, “God bless Don and Phil the Everly brothers we loved them peace and love.” The message is accompanied by a vintage photos of The Beatles and The Everly Brothers together.

Founding Beach Boys member Brian Wilson also paid tribute to Don on his Twitter page.  “I’m sad to hear about Don Everly passing,” Wilson wrote. “The Everly Brothers were a big influence on us and we learned a lot from their beautiful harmonies. Love & mercy to Don’s family.”

Meanwhile, Peter Frampton tweeted, “I am so sad to hear about the loss of Don Everly. Both Phil and Don created songs and harmonies that changed music forever. You will be together again now. RIP Don and Phil.”

Here are tributes from some other notable music artists:

Rock ‘n’ roll pioneer Jerry Lee Lewis: “The Everly Brothers are integral to the fabric of American music. Very few of us can say we were around at the beginning, and even fewer can say we’re still here. With my friend Don’s passing, I am reflective…reflective on a life full of wonderful friends, spectacular music and fond memories…God Bless Don Everly and long live Rock and Roll music.”

Don McLean: “I met the Everly Brothers in 1969 and asked them about Buddy Holly. Phil said Buddy took the plane so he could do his laundry. I think Buddy had other laundry to do as well. This started my thinking for ‘American Pie’ which I wrote later. Additionally, Don was a great lead singer and unique rhythm guitar player.”

Kinks guitarist Dave Davies: “Very sad day. Both of the Everlys were part of my musical life growing up. We were inspired by their wonderful records and their singing and their voices. ‘Wake Up Little [Susie]’ was my favorite as a kid.”

David Crosby: “[The Everly Brothers were the first] people who made me really love harmony…'[All I Have to Do Is] Dream.'”

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