Finally our musical journey through numbers reached adulthood with 18. Surprisingly this number is much less popular with songwriters than it’s predecessor 16. Perhaps that is because it has only recently taken on the mantle of adulthood. So today’s collection may not be as well known as with some numbers but it has still has some interesting songs iin its make up.
“I’m Eighteen” is a song by Alice Cooper, first released as a single in November 1970 backed with “Is It My Body”. It was the band’s first top-forty success—peaking at number 21—and convinced Warner Bros. that Alice Cooper had the commercial potential to release an album. The song and its B-side feature on the band’s first major-label album Love it to Death (1971).
“Eighteen with a Bullet,” is a song written by Pete Wingfield which appeared in the singles charts on both sides of the Atlantic in 1975. It is a pastiche doo-wop number involving word play on hit record chart positions—a bullet, in record-chart parlance, referring to a song still selling strongly and/or moving up the charts. It entered the Billboard chart in August 1975, peaking at no. 15. It also reached no. 7 in the UK. The song was Wingfield’s only charting single in either country.
“Eighteen Wheels and a Dozen Roses” is a song written by Paul Nelson and Gene Nelson, and recorded by American artist Kathy Mattea. It was released in March 1988 as the second single from her album Untasted Honey. The song hit number one on both the US and Canadian Country charts in 1988. The song is about a truck driver named Charlie who is retiring after thirty years to spend more time with his wife. The song mentions Charlie receiving a gold watch, a common retirement gift.
18 and Life” is a song by American band Skid Row. It was released in June 1989 as the second single from their self titled debut album. The song is the band’s biggest hit, reaching No. 4 on the US Billboard chart. It was certified Gold in September 1989, when it sold 500,000 copies. The song also charted at No. 12 in the UK.
“18 til I Die” is a song written by Bryan Adams, and Robert John Mutt Lange for Adams seventh studio recorded album 18 Til I Die (1996). Its lyrics are about maintaining youthful traits, even as one grows older. Released as a single in the UK in April 1997, it peaked at number 22 in the charts. It found its biggest success in Adams’ native Canada, where it peaked at number 21, while it failed to make a significant impact elsewhere. Despite barely charting anywhere, Adams continues to play this song at his concerts.
“18” is title track from the sixth studio album by American musician, songwriter, and producer Moby. It was released in May 2002. After the unexpected commercial and critical success of his previous album, Play (1999), Moby started to write songs for a follow-up during its supporting tour. He started work on the album at its conclusion in December 2000, using fewer samples than before. Following its release, 18 went to number one in 12 countries, including the UK, and reached number 4 in the US. The album went on to sell over 4 million copies worldwide.
