Having arrived at 9, we are nearly at the end of of our first tranche of numerical lists of songs, I am expecting there to be several songs which reference the use of 9 for emergencies and also because of its’ rhyming possibilities. So let’s have look and see what we can find.
“Love Potion No. 9” is a song written in 1959 by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller. It was originally performed by the Clovers, who took it to number 23 on the US as well as R&B charts that year. The song was recorded by the Searchers in 1964. Their version reached number three on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and number two on Cash Box during the winter of 1965.
“If 6 Was 9” is a song written by Jimi Hendrix and recorded by the Jimi Hendrix Experience. It was first released on their second album Axis: Bold As Love (1967). Later, it appeared on the soundtrack for the 1969 film Easy Rider and the soundtrack for the 1991 film Point Break. The style of the song has been referred to as “acid-fueled blues”. The guitar solo is noteworthy for making innovative use of studio technology for the time, with stereo panning from left to right and vice versa, along with other effects, such as slap echo, fuzzbox distortion, and reverb.
“#9 Dream” is a song written by John Lennon and first issued on his 1974 album Walls and Bridges released as the second single from that album months later on as catalogue Apple 1878 in the United States and Apple R6003 in the United Kingdom. Fittingly, it peaked at number 9 on the Billboard, and it hit number 23 in the UK. A video for the song was made in 2003.
“9 to 5” (or “Morning Train“) is a popular song written by British songwriter Florrie Palmer and recorded by Sheena Easton in 1980, becoming her biggest hit. It peaked at number three in the United Kingdom in August 1980 and was certified gold. In February 1981, it was released in the United States and Canada under the title “Morning Train (Nine to Five)” to avoid confusion with Dolly Parton’s recent hit “9 to 5”. It reached number one in both countries, becoming Easton’s only chart-topper in those nations.
“9 Crimes” is the first single from the album 9 by Damien Rice. This song has additional vocals from Lisa Hannigan as do the rest of the songs on the album. The 7″ is pressed on clear-colored vinyl and has with a fold-out poster. The single’s video was directed by Jamie Thraves and is reminiscent of the classic short film, The Red Balloon.
“Nine” is a track from Banga the eleventh and most recent studio album by American rock musician Patti Smith, released in June 2012 on Columbia. “Nine” is reportedly a birthday song for Smith’s friend Johnny Depp. It was recorded throughout 2011 at New York’s Electric Lady Studio and Hoboken’s Hobo Recorders. Inspired by Smith’s “unique dreams and observations”, the material on Banga focuses on “a wide range of human experience” and features songs about history, current affairs, death and nature.
