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Today In Music History

May 31 in Music History: Death Cab For Cutie's "Narrow Stairs" hits No. 1

Death Cab for Cutie
Death Cab for CutieRyan Russell/Courtesy of the artist

May 31, 2023

History highlight:

Today in 2008, Death Cab For Cutie were at No. 1 on the U.S. album chart with their sixth release Narrow Stairs. Four singles were released for the album: "I Will Possess Your Heart," "Cath...," "No Sunlight" and "Grapevine Fires." The song "I Will Possess Your Heart" reached No. 6 on the U.S. Alternative Songs chart; was named iTunes U.K. song of the year 2008; and was nominated for the 2009 Grammy Award for Best Rock Song. 

Also, today in: 

1964 - The Dave Clark Five made their North American television debut on The Ed Sullivan Show, where they performed "Glad All Over.” They would later make 18 more appearances on the show — more than any other rock band. 

1966 - Filming began on the Monkees’ first TV series. The band’s first single, "Last Train to Clarksville," was released in August 1966, just weeks before their TV broadcast debut.  

1968 - Working on what would become The White Album, the Beatles added overdubs of bass and vocals on "Revolution." As they added numerous overdubs, the final six minutes of the song evolved into chaotic jamming, with Lennon repeatedly shouting "all right" and Yoko Ono speaking random phrases.  

1976 - The Who entered the Guinness Book of World Records for performing the loudest concert in history. Their concert at England's Charlton Athletic Grounds had reached 76,000 watts at 120 decibels. This record would stand for nearly a decade.  

1977 - The BBC announced a ban on the new Sex Pistols single "God Save The Queen," saying it was "in gross bad taste.” 

1980 - Lipps Inc. went to No. 1 on the U.S. singles chart with "Funkytown." The disco hit was also a No. 1 in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Norway, Australia and the Netherlands. It reached No. 2 in the U.K. It was written by musician, composer, and record producer Steven Greenberg and sung by Cynthia Johnson. Fun fact: Greenberg reportedly wrote the song while the band was living in Minneapolis and harboring dreams of moving to New York. 

1982 - I.R.S. Records announced it had signed the Athens, Georgia-based quartet R.E.M., with news of the band’s forthcoming debut EP, Chronic Town, to be released on August 24 of that year, along with plans for a full-length release to follow in 1983. 

1986 - Peter Gabriel scored his second solo U.K. No. 1 album with So, which featured featuring the singles "Sledgehammer" and a duet with Kate Bush called "Don't Give Up.” 

1998 - Geri Halliwell announced she had quit the Spice Girls, saying, "This is because of differences between us. I am sure the group will continue to be successful and I wish them all the best." 

2008 - Death Cab For Cutie were at No. 1 on the U.S. album chart with their sixth release Narrow Stairs. Four singles were released for the album: "I Will Possess Your Heart," "Cath...," "No Sunlight" and "Grapevine Fires." The song "I Will Possess Your Heart" reached No. 6 on the U.S. Alternative Songs chart; was named iTunes U.K. song of the year 2008; and was nominated for the 2009 Grammy Award for Best Rock Song. 

2014 - A car and jewelry belonging to Miley Cyrus were stolen from her home in Los Angeles’ San Fernando Valley. 

Birthdays:

Peter Yarrow of Peter, Paul and Mary is 85. 

John Bonham, drummer for Led Zeppelin, was born today in 1948. 

Mike Edwards, cellist for ELO, was born today in 1948. 

Karl Bartos of Kraftwerk is 71. 

Fritz Hilpert of Kraftwerk is 67. 

Darryl "D.M.C." Matthews McDaniels is 59. 

Andrew John Hurley of Fall Out Boy is 43. 

Highlights for Today in Music History are gathered from This Day in Music, Paul Shaffer's Day in Rock, Song Facts and Wikipedia.