20 Songs From The First Halves Of Long, Storied Music Careers
One might debate whether some of these songs are technically from the first half of the artist's recording career, or merely on the cusp. But we should hope it will soon be undeniably true.
Bob Dylan
First Album: Bob Dylan (1962)
Less than thirty years later, in a career that spans over sixty...
Bob Dylan, "Unbelievable" (1990)
The Rolling Stones
First Album: England's Newest Hitmakers (1964)
Less than thirty years later, in a career that just reached sixty...
The Rolling Stones, "Highwire" (1991)
Smokey Robinson
First album (with Smokey's name on the cover): Going To A Go-Go (1965)
Just over twenty-five years later, in a career approaching its 60th anniversary...
Smokey Robinson, "Double Good Everything" (1991)
Al Green
First Album: Back Up Train (1967)
About twenty five years later, more than thirty to come...
Al Green, "Love Is Reality" (1992)
Van Morrison
First Album: Blowin' Your Mind (1967)
28 years in, 29 and counting after...
Van Morrison, "Days Like This" (1995)
Neil Young
First Album: Neil Young (1968)
About 27 years later, from an album that turns 30 next year...
Neil Young, "Downtown" (1995)
Randy Newman
First Album: Randy Newman (1968)
Same as Neil...
Randy Newman, "You've Got A Friend In Me" (1995)
Rod Stewart
First Album: The Rod Stewart Album (1969)
Another song about to turn 30...
Rod Stewart, "Leave Virginia Alone" (1995)
Paul McCartney
First Album: McCartney (1970)
27 years later, from an album that just turned 27...
Paul McCartney, "Young Boy" (1997)
ZZ Top
First Album: ZZ Top's First Album (1971)
SNL stole their bit!
ZZ Top, "What's Up With That" (1996)
AC/DC
First Album: High Voltage (1975)
Only twenty years later, almost thirty since!
AC/DC, "Cover You In Oil" (1995)
The Cure
First Album: Three Imaginary Boys (1979)
21 years later, 24 (and counting) to follow...
The Cure, "Maybe Someday" (2000)
Madonna
First Album: Madonna (1983)
20 years later, from an album that turned 20 last year...
Madonna, "American Life" (2003)
Red Hot Chili Peppers
First Album: The Red Hot Chili Peppers (1984)
From the first twenty of their forty and counting...
Red Hot Chili Peppers, "The Zephyr Song" (2002)
Sting
First Album: The Dream Of The Blue Turtles (1995)
A song that turned 20 last year, from a career that turns 40 in 2025...
Sting, "Stolen Car (Take Me Dancing)" (2003)
Mariah Carey
First Album: Mariah Carey (1990)
Fifteen years after her debut, from an album turning 20 next year...
Mariah Carey, "We Belong Together" (2005)
Radiohead
First Album: Pablo Honey (1993)
14 years later, from an album that turns 14 next mont...see opening caveat...
Radiohead, "Jigsaw Falling Into Place" (2007)
Weezer
First Album: Weezer (1994)
They've spent 30 years in the game! And this came 14 in...
Weezer, "Pork And Beans" (2008)
Foo Fighters
First Album: Foo Fighters (1995)
A band with almost thirty years in the game, a song more than 15 years old...
Foo Fighters, "Long Road To Ruin" (2007)
Jay-Z
First Album: Reasonable Doubt (1996)
The Blueprint 3 turns 15 this month, Reasonable Doubt turns 30 in two years...
JAY-Z, "Young Forever" (2009)
All gratitude for the perspective on time & age this list provides can go to anthonyisright at gmail dot com.