The Beatles
It might surprise you to find out that the Beatles were not instantly famous. Their first seven-inch record was released in the U.K. in October 1962 and only made it to No. 17 on the British charts during its initial run. However, homeland success followed in '63 as six successive singles invited reports of Beatlemania, including No. 1 hits "She Loves You" and "I Want to Hold Your Hand." That same year, their first U.S. single debuted
Jay-Z
Rap-roaring out of the gate in February 1996, this single introduced the world to Jay-Z, paving the way for "Reasonable Doubt," his debut album (hear it), five months later. The track cracked the top five of the Billboard Hot Rap Tracks, and hit No. 50 on the Hot 100.
R.E.M.
Though an earlier faster version was released on a tiny Athens, Ga., label in 1981, this re-recorded version of R.E.M.'s first single was the indie shot heard round the music world. Even though it barely cracked the Hot 100, the track was a huge critical success.
Usher
One of the most talented singers of the last 20 years made his debut at 15 with this slice of New Jack swing. This track, which made it No. 56 on the Hot R&B chart in August 1993, appeared on the soundtrack for the Tupac Shakur and Janet Jackson film, "Poetic Justice."
Ray Charles
Want a quick way to get any joint jumping? Drop the needle on Ray Charles' first single, released in June of 1953. The subject of the song is partying on what is presumably a Saturday night in America, and Ray sounds like a man right in the thick of it.
U2
Released only in Ireland in February 1980, the debut from the biggest band of the last thirty years didn't make much noise. The track appeared on the 2008 reissue of "Boy," and listening to it, one can certainly hear the vocal heroics and roaring guitar that will later focus into world acclaim.
Madonna
Madge's debut from October 1982 wasn't exactly a flop -- it did make some noise on the dance charts -- but it failed to crack the Billboard Hot 100. Still, the infectious track, which later appeared on her first record, does make you want to get up and dance.
LL Cool J
Coming in at No. 12 on VH1's 100 Greatest Songs of Hip Hop, the debut single by LL Cool J made waves in the rap community upon its release in October 1985. The track, off the Rick Rubin-produced album "Radio" (listen to it), went to No. 15 on the Hot R&B charts.
Elvis Presley
You might think that Elvis burst out of the gate as a world-renowned sex symbol with No.1s like 1956's "Heartbreak Hotel." In fact, his first offering only hit big in his hometown of Memphis, Tenn., thanks to the support of local radio DJs
The Rolling Stones
When the de facto anti-Beatles released their debut single in June 1963, it went out with a whimper, reaching only No.21 on the British singles chart. A Chuck Berry cover, the tune wasn't just ignored by the general public -- the band hated it too, thinking the song sounded too poppy.
Beyoncé
Recorded for the soundtrack of "Austin Powers in Goldmember," in which she co-starred with Mike Myers, this dance track failed to chart on the Hot 100 -- which, considering how huge Beyoncé was to soon become with hits like "Crazy in Love," is hard to believe.
Sugarland
A little slice of mid-tempo country pop, this single launched the career of trio (which soon after became duo) Sugarland. Taken from the band's 2004 debut, "Twice the Speed of Life," (hear it) the track climbed all the way to No. 2 on the Billboard Country chart.
Johnny Cash
The man in black was just a man on the make when Memphis-based Sun Records (who else did the label back?) put out his first single. It's a song about a guy on a train talking to the guy who takes his bags, and it didn't chart much. But even at that young age, Cash's voice was astounding.
Beastie Boys
An odd and funny mix of funk, rap, and weird, this track was released as a cassette single in May 1983 and, well, underperformed. Of course, no one expected it to chart. Listening to it, you really wouldn't know that this is the same trio that put out "Check Your Head."
Bon Jovi
One of the great hair metal karaoke epics, this single was from Bon Jovi's self-titled debut from January 1984. The song, which made it to No. 39 on the Hot 100 singles chart, is about a teenage girl who doesn't like her parents, so she runs away and becomes . . . a prostitute. Ah, the '80s.
Katy Perry
Some call her a poser, others a pop princess, but one thing's for sure -- Katy Perry's no flash in the pan. The first of what now are numerous mega-hits, this single came out in April of 2008 and went No. 1 in America and nine other countries.
Aretha Franklin
The Queen of Soul's first nationally released single is a slow burning torch song released in September 1960 and shows off the riveting chops that would bring her fame by the middle of that decade. A track off her Columbia debut album, this song made it to No. 10 on the Billboard R&B chart.
Lady Gaga
A lot of people compare Madonna and Gaga, and listening to their respective first singles, it's easy to see why. Both of their debuts (Madonna's?) are simple pleas to forget your troubles on the dance floor. Gaga's did a little better, though: it went to No. 1 on the Hot 100 in April 2008.
Run-DMC
Released as a cassette single in March of 1983, this essential track of old school hip hop did not chart upon its release. However, when it was remixed by Jason Nevins and reissued in 1997 it did a whole lot better, coming in at No. 1 in several countries.
Michael Jackson
After a series of mega-hits as a member of the Jackson 5, Michael struck out on his own in October 1971 with a slow ballad, heavy on the strings, that cracked the top five of both the Billboard Hot 100 and R&B charts.
James Brown
Even though it's credited to the The Famous Flames, that soaring voice is undeniable: It's the Godfather of Soul introducing himself to the world in March 1956. The track went all the way to No. 5 on the Billboard R&B charts.
The Supremes
Led by the timeless voice of Diana Ross, Motown girl group The Supremes had to release several singles before they began a series of smash hits with 1964's "Where Did Our Love Go?" This one came out a few years before, and completely failed to chart.
Mariah Carey
Though no one has ever doubted her work ethic, Mariah Carey didn't have to work very hard to get to the top of the pops. Released in May 1990, her debut single shot straight to No. 1 in America, New Zealand, and Canada.
leetwood Mac
Though they're known for mid-'70s pop-rock masterpieces (as on their 1977 "Rumours" album), Fleetwood Mac started off as a very bluesy British band. Their debut single, from 1967, was a cover of an Elmore James standard, and completely failed to chart.
Carrie Underwood
In June 2005, hot off winning the fourth season of "American Idol," Carrie Underwood put out this country-tinged power ballad. It went straight to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, and paved the way for her debut from that later that year, "Some Hearts"
Christina Aguilera
About as demure as a sexploitation pop come-hither can be, this song introduced the world to El Aguilera, and the world responded. Released in June 1999 as part of her self-titled debut, it went to number one almost everywhere, including America, Canada, and Great Britain.
No comments:
Post a Comment