Next week is my birthday! I’m celebrating with this Battle of the Bands that features songs that were No. 1 in Germany, the UK, the US, and Japan when I was born. What were they? Keep on reading to find out!
Listen to all the songs and vote for your favorite in the comments below!
US No. 1: “Forever Your Girl” by Paula Abdul
“Forever Your Girl” was No. 1 in the US on may 23. I have previously mentioned Paula Abdul’s “Forever Your Girl” about a year ago with my 2019 Birthday post. This is what I wrote about the song:
To be honest, it isn’t my favorite off her debut album nor one of my favorites of her discography. But, what my mom in reference to this song makes it something cherished.
My mom and I are music trivia geeks. She would know a lot of an oldie and its backstory. One day many years ago, “Forever My Girl” came on the radio and turned to my mom who was driving the car and told her that the song was the number one song on the charts when I was born. And, her response was very sweet: “You are forever going to be my girl”.
UK No. 1: “Ferry ‘Cross the Mersey” by The Christians, Holly Johnson, Paul McCartney, Gerry Marsden & Stock Aitken Waterman
A cover of the 1964 tune by Gerry Marsden, “Ferry Cross the Mersey” was No. 1 in the UK when I was born. This was released as a charity single for The Hillsborough Disaster Fund. If you don’t know about the Hillsborough Disaster, it was a huge human crush that happened as a soccer/football match was starting at Hillsborough Stadium in England on April 15, 1989. Sadly, 96 people perished. The name of the 95 who perished at the time of the single’s release in 1989 (one more person later perished in 1993) is shown in the music video above.
“Ferry Cross the Mersey” is a great tribute to the victims of Hillsborough Disaster and their families.
Japan No. 1: “Arashi no Sugao” (嵐の素顔) by Shizuka Kudo
Because I live in Japan and love Japanese music, I wanted to share the No. 1 Japanese song when I was born, which was Shizuka Kudo’s “Arashi no Sugao” The True Face of the Storm. It is one of the favorite Kudo songs as it showcases a different side of her with powerful vocals. And the dance for the song, especially between the beginning chorus and first verse, is very memorable and often coined as the Shizuka Kudo dance.
A week or so ago, Shizuka Kudo performed a short acapella version at her home to celebrate the 31st anniversary of the single’s release. You can check it out here.
Germany No. 1: “Looking for Freedom” by David Hasselhoff
You know, I was talking to someone last week about if a singer or band becomes big in Germany or Europe, then they will become a big worldwide star. Maybe that is the case for David Hasselhoff? While becoming a household name once again in the US with the TV show Baywatch in 1989, he was becoming a star in Germany at the same time with his music.
“Looking for Freedom” was the No. 1 hit in Germany on May 23. Hasselhoff has said that this song was a “song for hope” for those who lived in East Germany at the time when the Berlin Wall was coming down, thus reuniting Germany. His performance of the tune during New Year’s Eve 1989, two months after the wall fell, at the Wall is very memorable as people came together to sing with him.
As someone who grew up watching David Hasselhoff on Baywatch, it was pretty hard to imagine him as a singer at first. But he sold me with his awesome performance as Dr. Henry Jekyll/Edward Hyde in the musical Jekyll & Hyde.
Who Will It Be?
Now it is your turn to vote! Who will be the victor? Tell me in the comments below! I can’t wait to hear what you guys think!
I am also part of the “Battle of the Bands” blog collection. After you vote, please visit the other battles:
🌞 Visit TOSSING IT OUT by clicking HERE.
🌞 Visit MIKE’S RAMBLINGS’by clicking HERE.
🌞 Visit CURIOUS AS A CATHY by clicking HERE.
🌞 Visit THE SOUND OF ONE HAND TYPING by clicking HERE
🌞 Visit JINGLE JANGLE JUNGLE by clicking HERE.
🌞 Visit ANGELS BARK by clicking HERE.
🌞 Visit THE DOGLADY’S DEN by clicking HERE.
🌞 Visit CHERDO ON THE FLIPSIDE by clicking HERE.
🌞 Visit STMoC PRESENTS BATTLE OF THE BANDS by clicking HERE.
The Winner for “What Kind of Flowers Do You Want? (Battle of the Bands)“
Thank you to all who voted in the Battles of the Bands for beautiful songs about mothers;
The Winner of the Battle is…
“A Song For Mama” by Boyz II Men
Here are the results for those who are wondering:
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The only one I’ve heard is the Paula Abdul song. But I didn’t know David Hasselhoff was a singer before he was an actor!
Those good ol’ days! Can’t say that I have a favourite from this list. I am familiar with Paula Abdul and I vaguely remember Hasselhoff singing. So, if I had to choose, I’ll probably go for Paula Abdul.
This post made me smile and go back in time. Thanks for sharing.
A song for mama by boys 2 men always makes me cry.
I never heard Paula Abdul song. Let me check her out !
There is so much information here I didn’t know! Really great and interesting post!
yeah Boys II men are classic! o liked this post thanks 🙂
No matter what music always makes me feel better. I didn’t know David had done any music!! x
Wow i never knew David Hasselhoff sings! This makes me feel old lol
Wow. How time flies. Paula Abdul is the only artist I’m aware of on this list. Brings back memories.
I honestly am not updated of the recent hits but, what you listed here seem great! Hope that the deserving one will hit the spot..
It is always good to go back in times and always remembered all of these awesome singer and their songs.
Oh David hahaha I don’t know why this always makes me laugh. He’s so odd.
You know, sometimes I forget Hasselhoff even had a single. He does have a nice voice.
ah, true classics! These take me back to a time decades ago when I was a radio producer…
Wow! How time flies. The only person I’m familiar with here is Paula Abdul. This brings back memories. I wonder who wins this year.
These singers remind me of the 80’sand 90’s. I’d place my bet for Paula Abdul
As usual my best choice goes to Japanese music Japan No. 1: “Arashi no Sugao and I love her voice 🙂
I’ve actually just started to listen to music again. I will definitely consider these tracks.
Mama’s boy is such a cute song.
Haven’t heard these songs, but will definitely do it now. Thanks for sharing.
Me and wifey loves all these songs..we enjoyed it! Happy birthday in advance
Love these songs! Hope they make it to the top as always. I love listening to them even every day.
ohh wow….I actually checking out each of them & personally I enjoy US No 1 😀
thanks for this listing ya 😀
cheers, siennylovesdrawing
My vote goes to Kudo. 🙂
I’m gonna be biased here and say Arashi no Sugao because out of the four, it’s what I like the best. Plus I’m a huge fan of Japanese music.
This is such a nostalgia trip! This was really fun!
Yay, this is so vintage! Thanks for bringing us back to their era 😀
It’s nice to hear new songs. Im not really into hearing new music because I have a solid playlist that I can listen forever. haha Thanks for sharing this list.
All of those bring so much memory of my high school days. Thank you for that.
Wow I had never heard of any of these songs before. Looks like I need to hear them now.
I think the Japanese song is the winner, but I am very bias, I love japanese music.
My middle daughter’s birthday is also May 23! And I love that you share your passion for music with your mom. Those songs were a great blast from the past for me. But I hadn’t heard of either one of the new ones.
I love the music you always suggest, it is great! I am familiar with kpop but not so much with Japanese music, Arashi no Sugao by Shizuka Kudo is awesome actually, I like it.
I had never heard that Hasselhof was a singer. amazing new information to me!
Happy Birthday in advance! I’m a fan of David but I didn’t know he has a song like that haha
I’ve never even heard forever your girl! What a great song!
David Hasselhoff was number 1 in Germany??? I didn’t even know he was a singer!
For me, the #1 is Paula Abdul 🙂
PAULA ABDUL FOR THE WIN. My god did I LOVE her when I was younger!
Wow, the song of Shizuka Kudo is really a wonderful. I am not aware about hit songs but the shared songs are great…
I think I would vote for Paula Abdul. Her song brings back memories.
I love Paula Abdul. She was my idol when I was growing up. I loved how she sang and she had the best dance moves! So my vote would be for Forever your Girl!
Paula Abdul is the best! I totally forgot about her music. I’m not sure how that is possible with so many good hits
These are some great songs. I’ve always liked Paula Abdul!
I will vote for Paula Abdul also. She is a great artist and her humble experiences and responses speaks alot even off air.
Happy Birthday in advance! I’m a fan of David but I didn’t know he has a song like that haha
Blast from the past! I didn’t know Hasselhoff sung, he isn’t all that bad.
I still don’t understand how Hasselhaff was/is so popular in Germany.😊
For some reason my computer would not play the videos, but my phone did. I love vote and always will Paula Abdul!
Haven’t heard these songs but I always appreciate your blog expanding my music base. Thanks for sharing these artists!
Oooooh…growing up I used to LOVE listening to Paula Abdul! Brings back so many memories…Mr Hasselhoff is just cheesy! He is better suited for Bay Watch with Pamela Anderson, lol
I think I will vote for looking for freedom any day!
I haven’t listened to most of these songs before! It would be difficult to choose one best song! 🙂
I didn’t know David Hasselhoff was a singer. I only know him for Knight Rider and Baywatch. I will check out his song later., Thanks for sharing.
You brought us back in time, it’s a nice feeling.
I love listening to old songs! Thanks for sharing
xoxo
Lovely
http://mynameislovely.com
I have to go with Ferry ‘Cross the Mersey. I love Holly Johnson!
I’m a Paula Abdul fan since then. I love her music and how she performed.
That Forever Your Girl album by Paula Abdul was EVERYTHING!!!!!
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I really like and appreciate your blog post.
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Thanks so much for the blog post.
It’s hard to vote against Paula Abdul, but my vote goes to David Hasselhoff. His song almost has a country vibe to it.