Music Monday. Because it sounded catchier than Music Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, or Sunday.
Why, I have no idea.
Today’s music choice actually was inspired by my boyfriend requesting this song on his Amazon Echo. It’s a song he loves, and one that I had (surprisingly) forgotten about until last week. For some reason, it came to me when I was at work, and then later that evening, he mentioned it and we had one of those “OMG” moments.
I first heard this song on a 1996 dance music compilation album that also included the “Roxbury Duo” version of “What is Love?” It wasn’t the Jock Jams albums (I owned those too – they were dance school standard in the day), but it was a really good album.
When I’ve thought dance music, I’ve always thought something with lyrics that I could dance too. Up until this point in my life, I’d only danced to songs with lyrics.
This wasn’t one of my dance school songs, but rather, something I used at home for improv. Though I would have loved the opportunity to dance to this amazing song.
The song is the composition of Italian dance composer Robert Miles, entitled “Children.” It was originally released in 1995 the EP Soundtracks on Joe Vanelli’s label, DBX. Unfortunately for Miles, the song did not chart. But that’s ok, because Miles went on to release it as the lead single on his November 1995 album Dreamland. That resulted in the song being certified Gold and Platinum, and reaching #1 in twelve countries. It was Miles’ most successful song.
“Children” was inspired by two things – a response to photos of Yugoslav war victims that Miles’ father brought home from a humanitarian mission, as well as his career as a DJ. The track was created as a way to end DJ sets and calm rave attendees prior to driving home as a means to reduce car accident deaths. The song reported cost 150 pounds ($201.30 USD) to record.
More: Background and Writing
The song reached #21 on the Billboard Hot 100, #23 on the Billboard Hot Adult Top 40 Tracks, #32 on the Rhythmic Top 40, and #17 on the Billboard Top 40 Mainstream. However, it reached #1 on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play the week of June 15, 1996.
I will admit, this isn’t a song for everyone, but it should be familiar to dancers who actively dancing in the mid-1990s, clubbers, and those who like this type of sound.
I just looked up Robert Miles (real name Roberto Concina), and sadly, he passed away on May 9, 2017 from cancer.
You know, I really hate leaving these articles on a sad note, so how about this?
Can you believe we’re coming up on October already? Music Monday will be back next week, as we work from a spooktacular playlist of songs celebrating the month of bats, ghosts, and witches.
Until next time, enjoy the music!
Allison's Written Words