Today, in the Upworthiest...
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How one tiny lyric change made the ‘Piña Colada Song’ one of the biggest hits of the ’70s | ||
One small edit completely changed the meaning of Rupert Holmes’ beloved hit. | ||
By Tod Perry | ||
There are a billion different decisions that go into making a hit song. A songwriter has to settle on a tempo, key, chord changes, and lyrics. The band has to manage the small interactions between the instruments that give the song its energy, swing, and dynamics. One false move could throw an otherwise catchy tune into something that fails to move anyone. | ||
Given the number of correct decisions a songwriter or producer has to make for a song to work, it’s a wonder that most aren’t too paralyzed to write a note. | ||
Singer-songwriter Rupert Holmes had a massive hit in 1979 with “Escape (The Piña Colada Song),” which was number one on the Billboard Hot 100 for three weeks. It’s maintained its popularity over the decades, having been featured in countless films and TV shows, including Guardians of the Galaxy, Shrek, and Better Call Saul. | ||
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Upworthy writer pens "lovers to lovers" romcom novel, "A Last Time for Everything"
By Evan Porter
Hey, I'm Evan! I'm a Senior Writer here at Upworthy and have been finding some of the best feel-good stories on the Internet since 2015. When I'm not writing about parenting, education, or weird science experiments on the site, I have a second job: as a novelist! Today, I'm excited to announce the release of my second book, A Last Time for Everything. Here's the pitch: "With a surprise baby on the way, a couple races against the clock to complete the Bucket List they wrote when they first met so they can squeeze in a lifetime’s worth of adventures before bellyflopping into parenthood."
The book is a lighthearted, funny, and occasionally ridiculous romantic comedy about relationships, parenthood, and how hard it's becoming to be the person you always dreamed you would. It's currently available wherever books are sold. Thank you for the support, readers!
P.S. If you want to follow along with my books and writing, you can find me on Instagram.
“I don’t have any children, so you would be next in line as my best friend’s daughter.” 😭
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A nervous woman asked for over-40 stories of inspiration. The Internet delivered. | ||
Women share how they overhauled their lives after 40, and it’s gloriously inspiring | ||
From joining the circus to going back to medical school, it’s never too late to change your life. | ||
By Evan Porter | ||
Deena Lang was nervous. The popular social media creator is gearing up to turn 46 and, more importantly, to tackle a major career pivot in her life. She wrote on Instagram recently that working as a creator gave her a lot of joy, but not a lot of stability or mental challenge. She was looking for a change. | ||
“Let’s be real – this place doesn’t offer benefits or a retirement plan and I refuse to work until the day I die,” she wrote. But transitioning into a new career in insurance, understandably, had her feeling apprehensive. Was she really cut out for a change this big? At 46, had she missed her window to change her life? | ||
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An Upworthiest Quiz
What's still on your bucket list?
Yesterday’s Results
Yesterday’s quiz: Ringo wrote only two Beatles songs all by himself. Which two? Over 40% of you correctly answered "Octopus's Garden" and "Don't Pass Me By."
"Yellow Submarine" and "Act Naturally" (26.4%)
"Octopus's Garden" and "Don't Pass Me By" (40.2%)
"With a Little Help From My Friends" and "Boys" (22.7%)
"Good Night" and "Honey Don't" (10.7%)
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An American got hired as a part-time barista in Germany. The job benefits blew her mind. | ||
Weekly working hours: 20. Annual paid vacation days: 36. | ||
By Annie Reneau | ||
If you’ve never left your home country, it’s easy to assume certain things are “normal” when they’re actually abnormal elsewhere. As an American living in Germany points out, that normalization can sometimes blind us to how problematic some norms actually are. | ||
A woman named Lanna shared that she left the United States two-and-a-half years ago and is now living in Germany. She recently got a job as a part-time barista to make some extra cash. The experience, even before she has started the job, has “broken” her—but “in a good way.” | ||
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