Song: “If She Knew What She Wants” Artist: Jules Shear Album: The Eternal Return Year Released: 1985 Genre: Singer-Songwriter Local Connection: Born in Pittsburgh in 1952 Did you know? Jules Shear attended the University of Pittsburgh in the early 1970’s where he distinguished himself with the Pitt Glee Club where he led a special side ensemble […]

Song: “Call That” Artist: Robin Grayson Album: Hold You Down EP Year Released: 2020 Genre: R&B Local Connection: Born and currently resides in Pittsburgh Did you know? Robin Grayson, along with writing and producing her own material, is a visual artist PittSongs is a non-chronological history of Pittsburgh music Support Robin Grayson #PittSongs #SupportPGHMusic

Song: “Padre, a costoro schiava non sono” Artist: Herva Nelli Album: Aida Year Released: 1949 Genre: Opera Local Connection: Emigrated from her native Italy to Pittsburgh at the age of 10 in 1919 Did you know? Herva Nelli gave her farewell performance in April 1962, with the Brooklyn Opera Company, at the Academy of Music, […]

Song: “Dinosaur” Artist: The Corbin Hanner Band Album: For the Sake of the Song Year Released: 1981 Genre: Country Local Connection: Band formed in Ford City in 1979 Did you know? Bob Corbin and Dave Hanner began making music together in high school, forming the bands Lost Lambs and later Gravel PittSongs is a non-chronological […]

Song: “Shoo-D-Boop and Cop Him” Artist: Betty Davis Album: They Say I’m Different Year Released: 1974 Genre: Funk/Soul Local Connection: Moved to Pittsburgh at age 12 and quietly resides here presently Did you know? Married to Miles Davis in 1968 and is credited to introducing him to the new fashions and music of the era, […]

Song: “Fallen” Artist: Lauren Wood Album: Cat Trick Year Released: 1981 Genre: Soft Rock Local Connection: Born in Pittsburgh Did you know? In 1972, Lauren Wood provided back-up vocals on Frank Zappa’s album The Grand Wazoo not long after the breakup of her psychedelic country rock band Rebecca & the Sunny Brook Farmers PittSongs is a non-chronological […]

Song: “To Thee We Confess” Artist: Acheron Album: Rites of the Black Mass Year Released: 1991 Genre: Death/Black Metal Local Connection: Band formed in Pittsburgh in 1989 Did you know? Acheron is named after the mythological river Acheron (Ancient Greek: Ἀχέρων – Akhérōn) located in the underground kingdom of Hades in ancient Greek mythology PittSongs is a non-chronological history of Pittsburgh music […]

Song: “Big Body” Artist: PK Delay Album: KIMBO Year Released: 2021 Genre: Rap, Hip-Hop Local Connection: Born in Pittsburgh in 1994 Did you know? PK Delay wrote a song every day (365 in total) in 2019 PittSongs is a non-chronological history of Pittsburgh music Support PK Delay #PittSongs #SupportPGHMusic

Song: “Angel’s Serenade (Braga)” Artist: Valentine Abt Album: Single Release Year Released: 1905 Genre: Instrumental Local Connection: Born in Pittsburgh in 1857 Did you know? Valentine Abt was credited with creating the duo-style of mandolin playing, in which one musician plays back and forth between melody, counter-melody and harmony so quickly that it sounds as […]

Song: “Blue Moon” Artist: The Marcels Album: Blue Moon Year Released: 1961 Genre: Doo-Wop Local Connection: Band formed in Pittsburgh in 1959 Did you know? The group was named after a popular hair style of the day, the marcel wave PittSongs is a non-chronological history of Pittsburgh music Support The Marcels #PittSongs #SupportPGHMusic

Song: “Main Title” Artist: Jay Chattaway Album: Maniac Cop OST Year Released: 1988 Genre: Film Score Local Connection: Born in Monongahela in 1946 Did you know? Jay Chattaway won an Emmy for Outstanding Music for a Series for the final episode of Star Trek: Voyager PittSongs is a non-chronological history of Pittsburgh music Support Jay Chattaway #PittSongs #SupportPGHMusic

Song: “Bullet” Artist: Chandra Rhyme Album: Single Release Year Released: 2021 Genre: Pop, R&B infused Hip-Hop Local Connection: Currently residing and working in Pittsburgh Did you know? Chandra Rhyme is an accomplished choreographer and dancer PittSongs is a non-chronological history of Pittsburgh music Support Chandra Rhyme #PittSongs #SupportPGHMusic

Song: “Grover’s a Puppet” Artist: Blogurt Album: We Like to Eat Year Released: 1995 Genre: Shleprock Local Connection: Band formed in Pittsburgh in the early 1990’s Did you know? Blogurt was a satirical, politically bent, indie rock band that featured bassoon PittSongs is a non-chronological history of Pittsburgh music Support Blogurt #PittSongs #SupportPGHMusic

Song: “A River Flows in You” Artist: Robin Meloy Goldsby Album: Waltz of the Asparagus People Year Released: 2011 Genre: Instrumental Piano Local Connection: Born in Pittsburgh 1958 Did you know? Robin Meloy Goldsby is the daughter of drummer Bob Rawsthorne, who was a regular band member on the television show “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood” PittSongs […]

Song: “Dull Days” Artist: Carsickness Album: Shooting Above the Garbage Year Released: 1980 Genre: Post punk Local Connection: Band formed in Pittsburgh 1979 Did you know? Carsickness disbanded around 1988, eventually morphing into Ploughman’s Lunch. They reunited in 2017 for two shows to celebrate the release of a compilation of their two albums via Get […]

Song: “Moody’s Mood For Love” Artist: Eddie Jefferson Album: The Jazz Singer Year Released: 1952 Genre: Jazz vocalist Local Connection: Born in Pittsburgh August 3, 1918 Did you know? Eddie Jefferson is credited as an innovator of vocalese, a musical style in which lyrics are set to an instrumental composition or solo PittSongs is a non-chronological […]

Song: “I Love Your Smile” Artist: Shanice Album: Inner Child Year Released: 1991 Genre: R&B, Pop, New Jack Swing Local Connection: Born in Pittsburgh May 14, 1973 Did you know? “I Love Your Smile” features a saxophone solo by Branford Marsalis as well as laughter from Janet Jackson and René Elizondo Jr. near the end of the song PittSongs is a non-chronological history of […]

Song: “List-Show” Artist: Meeting of Important People Album: Meeting of Important People Year Released: 2009 Genre: Garage Pop, Indie Rock Local Connection: Band formed in Pittsburgh in 2008 Did you know? “List-Show’ is the theme song to HughShowsTV and my upcoming podcast HughShows Live at Just-Records PittSongs is a non-chronological history of Pittsburgh music Support […]