The Oldies.About.Com FAQ
The most frequently asked oldies music questions answered here!
To all the oldies music fans who already visit this site: Please, browse through the FAQ and see if there's anything you think should be added -- I'm going to keep this on the front page as an ever-evolving resource! And to all you new visitors: Welcome! You've just found the most comprehensive oldies site on the net!
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Where can I identify an oldies song I've heard?
If you've heard the song in a television commercial, try my What's That Sound? page first. If it's something you've heard in a recent film, try What's That Soundtrack? If you know the lyrics pretty well, you may want to search via metrolyrics.com or take the song for a test ride on The Amazing Lyric Finding Machine. If all that fails, feel free and e-mail me!
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What are the biggest-selling albums of all time?
The Finger has a listing of the official best-selling albums of all time, as verified by Billboard statistics. (These figures are worldwide.) To keep up on the American sales statistics for reissues and new albums by oldies artists, visit Billboard Online, specifically the Billboard 200 (which handles new releases) and their Top Pop Catalog Albums chart (which deals with previously released albums). That little number next to the triangle indicates millions of albums sold. You'll need to register to get the full chart, however.
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Can I get specific chart information for a certain year, week, or artist?
That's hard to do on the web, because Billboard chart information is copyrighted, and they crack down on any site giving details. However, CyList has a database of Hot 100 hits with chart positions listed by year and song title, ScreenPictures.com has a yearly listing of the top 100 songs from 1960-1994. For those of you who need something more substantial and cross-referenced than that, you can't go wrong purchasing one of Joel Whitburn's official Billboard chart books. MySimon.com lists them all and lets you compare prices easily. Your best bet is to start with the Billboard Book of Top 40 Hits, which I refer to like a Bible.
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Is a certain oldies artist on tour?
My Oldies Music Concert Guide displays info for artists currently on tour; you can also search for individual artists on Pollstar.
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How can I contact oldies artists?
Check this site's Artist Index (listed alphabetically), find the site for the artist you need, and ask that webmaster. Some of these people have direct ties to the artist, some don't. Any site that's described as "official" will have an e-mail address that will lead you to the artist, either directly or indirectly.
- I'm doing a school project. Where can I find oldies music history?
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The oldies history section of this site lists tons of places to find that sort of information.
- What's "American Pie" about?
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Depends on who you ask. This article lists the most popular interpretations, as well as some of the stranger ones, and gives singer Don McLean's own take on his song.
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I heard a rumor. Is it true?
First, see if your question isn't already answered at Snopes.com, The Straight Dope, or The Smoking Gun. If it isn't, feel free and e-mail me!
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What's the latest on Phil Spector?
You can always get the latest on Phil's trial here. For general oldies music news, check out Your Hit Parade, which is updated weekly.
