During the thousands upon thousands of songs in the Back to School A to Z there are certain “subsections” of songs that fit and vibe together for a multitude of reasons. When Professor Pierre Robert was in the midst of the letter G on Tuesday September 3rd, one of those sub categories of tuneage made quite the impact. It was a rock roll-call for a name that hit many different notes…
Gloria!
Taking up a full block of songs there were 5 Glorias present and accounted for. 4 of the 5 of those tunes could traditionally fall into the rock wheelhouse. One of them was certainly a patent-pending Pierre Robert left turn. But it truly was the spirit of “Everything That Rocks” and what this musical adventure is all about. Listener Don from Galloway summed it up pretty well when he called into Pierre’s classroom. “Thank you for the Gloria block, it reminds me of my wife so thank you for that… I like everything from Pantera to Patsy Cline good music is good music!”. Gold star pupil right there!
In case you missed this musical lesson, here are the Gloria songs we played in the Back to School A to Z. We look forward to the many memories we will get to share as we have many letters of the alphabet to get to. Also please be sure to let us know how you’re celebrating on the fancy thinkin’ box & phones on social media. Be sure to tag WMMR on X, Instagram, and Facebook and use the hashtag #WMMRAtoZ
"Gloria"- Them
The bill of musical Glorias started in 1964 in Belfast, Ireland. 60 years ago a band by the name of Them made their mark with this song. It was also the launching point for a member of the band that would find worldwide success as a solo artist: Van Morrison.
"Gloria" - Doors
The first of 2 covers of Them’s Gloria, this raunchy rendition made its way on the Doors setlist on many an occasion. It was also included on their 2nd live album Alive, She Cried.
"Gloria" - Patti Smith
Another cover of Them’s Gloria, this one came 11 years later on Patti Smith’s debut release Horses. Patti’s rendition includes verses from two of her own poems “Oath” and “Land”. Fun fact: Patti spent some her formative years in the Philadelphia/New Jersey area. Patti was a graduate of Deptford Township High School. Another notable alumni from that school is our very own Ryan Shuttleworth
"Gloria" - U2
Another Irish original with the name of Gloria comes from Dublin’s own U2. This particular Gloria from 1981’s October isn’t really about a named Gloria. It comes from the Latin line “Gloria in te Domine” which found prominently in the chorus translates to “Glory to You”. At least we think none of us here speak Latin…
"Gloria" - Laura Branigan
Get your dancing shoes on for this absolute left turn! Professor Pierre proving its Everything That Rocks with this 1982 disco hit from Laura Branigan. Originally written in 1979 by Italian musicians Umberto Tozzi and Giancarlo Bigazzi, this earworm stayed on the Hot 100 charts for an incredible 32 weeks. As Pierre puts it “In the early 80s going into the disco clubs I really wasn’t a big fan of the music. But every time ‘Gloria’ came on I ran to the dance floor!”
