I chose 1981 music as my theme this year. My newest novel The Summer of Princess Diana is set in the summer of 1981, and oh! the music! Let’s take a look back at a pivotal time in the music industry.
Country music often crossed over to the pop charts, and here is a prime example. Eddie Rabbitt was a country singer and songwriter (he composed “Kentucky Rain” for Elvis Presley and “Pure Love” for Ronnie Milsap), and had hits with Juice Newton and Crystal Gayle.
“I Love a Rainy Night” was released late in 1980 but charted in early 1981, succeeding another country music star, Dolly Parton, whose “9 to 5” had hit #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop songs.
Here is Eddie Rabbitt, and his band, on the show “Solid Gold.” Yes, it’s all lip-synched.
Martha Reynolds Writes 
Once again……..cringe……….but a huge hit! ZD
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I mean, no one is actually playing an instrument, right?
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I didn’t realize he was a country music singer. That is probably the only song of his that I know so makes sense. I don’t grow up with country music. Weekends In Maine
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I didn’t either, but realize there were a lot of country songs that were on the radio. I found a few more for this series, too.
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At first I thought I didn’t know this song, but when I hit “play” it sounded very familiar.
PS: I was hoping you’d use “In the air tonight” for your letter I
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Some letters gave me lots of choices, as you can see. 😉
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Wow! As a child who was very into dance, I wanted to be a Solid Gold dancer when I grew up! lol!
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Oh, if only…… 😂 🕺
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You are really picking great songs. When you publish your next book, consider sharing a playlist of songs to accompany it. You could be the first to do that!
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I think I did put one together, Jacqui – I’ll look for the post and send it.
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Sounds great. For which book?
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For this new one! The Summer of Princess Diana
https://marthareynoldswrites.com/2021/08/07/a-playlist-for-the-summer-of-princess-diana/
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Clicking…
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I love “Kentucky Rain.”
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Yes, Eddie Rabbit wrote it, and Elvis recorded it in 1970.
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My son and his pal recently featured “I Love a Rainy Night” on their music podcast.
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My sister told me that the rhythm of this song comes from the sound of windshield wipers.
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That makes sense!
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Sounds about right!
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Hari OM
I like that I could hear every word (unchallenging lyrics it has to be said!) and even enjoyed this rocky version of country music! There may even have been a shoulder-bob or two… Don’t recall ever having heard this before. YAM xx
I=Introspection
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I’m glad it was a new song for you, Yamini!
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I love rock and roll.
On Mon, Apr 11, 2022 at 3:01 AM Martha Reynolds Writes wrote:
> Martha Reynolds posted: ” I chose 1981 music as my theme this year. My > newest novel The Summer of Princess Diana is set in the summer of 1981, and > oh! the music! Let’s take a look back at a pivotal time in the music > industry. Country music often crossed over to the pop charts,” >
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That’s nice to know, Deb.
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