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Paul Gambaccini with America's Greatest Hits

Music: Classic Pop & Rock

A selection from the week's American charts, plus classics from the last six decades.

Paul plays his selection from this week's American charts, plus classics from the last six decades.

Paul Gambaccini

Paul Gambaccini with America's Greatest Hits: 19/05/2012

Music: Rock & Indie

19/05/2012

BBC Radio 2 - Paul Gambaccini with America's Greatest Hits, 19/05/2012

Paul Gambaccini presents this week's US hits and classics from the last six decades.

Paul Gambaccini blends this week's US hits from the digital songs, albums, country, R&B and rock charts with LP and singles classics from the last six decades.

Paul Gambaccini presents tracks from this week's US charts and hits from the last six decades. 

In the feature 'Headline News [Number one albums on noteworthy days]' we hear 'We Shall Be Free' by Garth Brooks from 'The Chase'. It was number one on 3rd November 1992 - the day on which Bill Clinton was elected President. We also hear 'Ramblin' Man' by The Allman Brothers Band from 'Brothers And Sisters'. It was number one on 20th September 1973 when Billie Jean King defeated Bobby Riggs in a 'Battle Of The Sexes' tennis match. In the regular feature 'The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face', songs are played from albums by The Statler Brothers and Jackson Browne. 'It's Not The Same Old Song' highlights 'My Home Town' by Paul Anka and a different song with the same title by Bruce Springsteen.

In 'A Matter Of Life And Death' Paul celebrates the birth on this date in 1949 of bassist and singer Dusty Hill of ZZ Top by playing their hit 'La Grange'. We also hear '(You Gotta) Fight For Your Right (To Party!)' by The Beastie Boys. It is played in tribute to Adam Yauch (aka MCA) of the group, who recently died. Beginning this week, Paul counts down the Top 100 list of songwriters based on success in the American chart from 1955 - 2005. We hear songs from John D. Loudermilk (Number 100) and Freddie Perren (99). 

Our R&B Number Ones are from 1955 - 'Unchained Melody' by Roy Hamilton, and this week - 'Share My Love' by R. Kelly. We hear Country number ones from 1972 and now by Merle Haggard and Eric Church. This week's featured past and present Rock hits are by Fastball and The Black Keys. Carrie Underwood's album 'Blown Away' enters at the top of the chart. On the singles side, 'Somebody That I Used To Know' by Gotye featuring Kimbra is the best selling song of the week.

Amazing music. Played by an amazing line up.

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Paul Gambaccini with America's Greatest Hits

19/05/2012

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