Post by Josh Joel's Top 40 on Sept 25, 2011 15:41:25 GMT -5
September 26, 1987
Droppers:
40: DON’T LOOK DOWN – THE SEQUEL - First top 40 for this duo out of England. They've hit the UK top 40 with this song just as well. This is the remix version of their song that originally appeared on their 1985 LP and this version here appears on the U.S. edition of "Dancing On The Couch". These are are absolutely soulful, I love most of their songs and this is no exception.
39: DON’T WAIT ME WAIT FOR LOVE – KENNY G - Lenny Williams (also part of Tower Of Power) performs the vocals on this one. This originally flopped on the soul charts but charted better here on AT40 which is a bit surprising. Great song.
38: ROCK STEADY – THE WHISPERS - This song still gets some Gold airplay in popular businesses such as Holiday Gas Stations here in the Twin Cities. This is their biggest pop hit ever thanks to LA Reid and Babyface formerly of the Deele. Who'd thought that these cats would achieve huge things twenty years later. A bona-fide soul singer and a judge on X-Factor and then running a record label.
37: IT’S A SIN – THE PET SHOP BOYS - This song as reported by Neil Tennant is about his Catholic upbringing and the way he views the church in an unfavourable matter.
36: SOMETHING REAL (INSIDE ME/INSIDE YOU) – MR. MISTER - A song from the same LP "Go On" that would also earn this band a Grammy nomination for their recording of their 2nd single "Healing Waters" in the category of Best Gospel Recording. This song IMO with a peace leaning approach is may also fit into the gospel/inspiration/uplifting category. Good song.
35: DON’T MEAN NOTHING – RICHARD MARX - First top 40 hit for this former jingle singer, songwriter, and back up singer. Great start and song that earned him a Grammy nomination in the Best Rock Performance category.
34: WHO’S THAT GIRL - MADONNA - One of a couple songs that doesn't appear on her "Immaculate Collection". This Latin flavoured song is one of my favourites from her especially that hot dance mix. Brilliant song from a "B" movie.
33: VICTIM OF LOVE – BRYAN ADAMS - OMG! This song really takes a tole on my heart, I get so sentimental each time I hear this song! Brilliant song that gets nearly no Gold airplay, I mean look at how everyone responded to this song back in the day. Thought so...
32: MONY MONY – BILLY IDOL - I never even cared for the studio version because I feel as though this is not him. To me this guy is a rocker and this live version has much more of rock groove and an edge, yeaaaaah! When I was in junior high this mix was always played on the jukebox at the youth center during our lunch break.
31: IN MY DREAMS – REO SPEEDWAGON - I am not a fan of these guys because they're too sappy for me. However, this song is one a couple of exceptions because it has sentiment and it makes sense especially when ya get in that mood, y'know. Brilliant song.
Classic AT40 Extra: HOLIDAY - THE OTHER ONES - This was huge in the then-West Germany and I heard this on multiple channels which living in Europe including SKY, The Super Channel (formerly Music Box), and MTV Europe. So guess what? This song may be obscure in the U.S. but it's not difficult to find! Brilliant song!
30: BREAKOUT – SWING OUT SISTER - Not the highest debut because tenny bopper Tiffany beat 'em. This song took like forever to reach the U.S. shores as I mentioned in the past. I was jamming to this in the fall/winter of 1986 in England during the time when my personal charts were strictly U.S. released singles, but this song here was one of *the* exceptions making my top ten because it was soo freaking brilliant!
29: BAD – MICHAEL JACKSON - And this one was leap frogged by Tiffany? I'm sure. Well at least this made it to #1. I hated this song then because it sounded so filthy without the swearing if that makes any sense. "Your butt is mine" or "If you don't like what I'm saying then won't you slap my face". Whoa hoa hoa there, buddy. When you right down to it at the end of the day it's a great song, it's has grown on me since.
28: I THINK WE’RE ALONE NOW - TIFFANY - Yes, it's guilty pleasure, it has the great pop-dance groove. Back then this was another jukebox banger in junior high it got my ever lovin' nerves, man, I tell ya. This was also a grower but only years later.
27: NEVER LET ME DOWN – DAVID BOWIE - I'm going to say "no" to this song because I just don't like the style this song is sung in which is "falsetto", and it just doesn't fit him IMO. Yet at the same time it has a great beat and instrumentation with the blazing harmonicas (and no it's not Stevie Wonder.. )
26: YOU ARE THE GIRL – THE CARS - That's their signature sound and it's from their "Greatest Hits" collection. Decent song.
25: FAKE – ALEXANDER O’NEAL - I love this song because it's dedicated to all those "plastic" out there and you know who you are so stop playin'. Can't go wrong with Jam & Lewis, now. Biggest solo pop smash for the guy that is known by just about everyone here in the Twin Cities as a "crackhead". I think he's clean now, but it is so sad that he has that rep, y'know.
24: LITTLE LIES – FLEETWOOD MAC - I love this and always have. The song is basically about believing the lies although it is known deep down inside it is in fact a "lie". This written by Christie McVie who sings lead with her then husband Eddy Quintela.
23: CAUSING A COMMOTION - MADONNA - Yes, the person who also critiqued this show is right, this is the "LP version" of the song. But my answer remains that AT40 did play the "single version". My bad, bro. I like this song only slightly more than "Who's That Girl", it would've been nice to see it hit #1, but it settled for #2 on *all* the major publication charts including Cashbox, Billboard and yes Radio and Records.
22: LET ME BE THE ONE - EXPOSE - This song has much more of an R&B feel than that Miami sound especially the vocals by Italian born singer Gioia Bruno sounding like a straight-up black woman.
21: ONLY IN MY DREAMS – DEBBIE GIBSON - I know that this is the "LP Version" because I own the album on cassette, I just don't know where it is..In actuality, this the "remixed version" that is really the "edited" 12" dance version with the added percussion and synthesizers. This the first "pop" album that I've ever purchased and it was totally awesome.
LDD: COMING AROUND AGAIN - CARLY SIMON - Clearly an under rated song but it was huge in the UK and on the U.S. AC charts. Brilliant song. The B side by the way is basically the same song but a medley of "Itsy Bitsy Spider"/"Coming Around Again".
Classic AT40 Extra: HOURGLASS - SQUEEZE - Catchy catchy song, but they've had better, I mean the ones that didn't even make the 40 with vocals by Paul Carrack such as "Tempted". Great song nonetheless.
20: WHO FOUND WHO - JELLYBEAN - This much more pop leaning and somewhat disappointing because of the direction Jellybean went from his club oriented stuff that wasn't mainstream friendly. Decent song nonetheless.
19: JUMP START – NATALIE COLE - Reggie and Vincent Calloway of the Midnight Star produced this hot upbeat dance R&B track. It's one her best dance songs. Brilliant song.
18: I NEED LOVE – L.L. COOL J - First pop top 40 hit ever for this Queens rapper who reportedly lived with his grandma at the time. Brilliant song.
17: CASANOVA - LEVERT - One of two Calloway brothers production here and they've had awesome year, both of these songs were top 2 hits on the soul charts. Of course this one was the #1 smash. Brilliant song.
16: ONE HEARTBEAT – SMOKEY ROBINSON - I think Kenny G plays sax on this song, it's smooth and romantic. He's one of my least favourite artists, but this song is quite decent.
15: CAN’T WE TRY – DAN HILL WITH VONDA SHEPARD - Very appropriate song for married couples because I believe that marriages should be taken very seriously since you've stood before God. Great song.
14: PAPER IN FIRE – JOHN COUGAR MELLENCAMP - Although this isn't really one of my favourite songs this song is in fact a gem. I mean you can hear the accordions and other raws instruments as well as soulful vocals in the background. Great choice for a first single from the LP "The Lonesome Jubilee".
13: WHO WILL YOU RUN TO - HEART - 2nd top tener from the LP "Bad Animals". I like this song a bit more than "Alone".
12: WIPEOUT – THE FAT BOYS AND THE BEACH BOYS - This was another jukebox banger in junior high and this one really got to me (in a bad way). Years later I can jam to this. Decent song.
11: DOING IT ALL FOR MY BABY – HUEY LEWIS AND THE NEWS - They passed Kool & The Gang for top group of the 80s. As Kool & The Gang stopped charting in the top 40 after "Stone Love". These guys kept on charting through the mid 90s. Decent song.
10: U GOT THE LOOK - PRINCE - I really got burned out on this song when it was hot. Now, it's a jammin' classic. I play this here and then.
Classic AT40 Extra: HEAVEN IS A PLACE ON EARTH - BELINDA CARLISLE - I just love this woman's voice and she really could have had a bigger solo career. This one is her biggest hit ever. Great song even though I prefer "I Get Weak" which made the runner up spot.
9: TOUCH OF GREY – THE GRATEFUL DEAD - One and only top 40 hit for this veteran act. Decent song.
8: LA BAMBA – LOS LOBOS - I can sing just about every lyric to this song without fail. Great song.
7: CARRIE - EUROPE - Third U.S. top 40 hit and their biggest reached #3. I'm fond of this ballad and I guess it must be a break-up.
LDD: LUKA – SUZANNE VEGA- Great song with a song spoken in the point of a view of an abused child.
6: WHEN SMOKEY SINGS - ABC - These guys have some soul, but Motown soul? They did a great job paying tribute to a living Motown legend. Great song, though I'm not sure if I prefer the LP version or the single mix which is this one here.
5: LOST IN EMOTION – LISA LISA AND CULT JAM - I hated this song back in the day and never understood why this was #1. I enjoy this greatly nowadays because it incorpartes that classic Motown and 60s girl group groove. Great song.
4: I HEARD A RUMOUR - BANANARAMA - Third top tener for the English girls written and produced by Stock Aikten and Waterman. This song has the groove and the hooks. At the same time it's a *bad* song because of the repetitive chorus line which sound awfully mindless. I mean OK, you heard a "rumour", I get it, could have used another chorus line besides this one.
3: I JUST CAN’T STOP LOVING YOU – MICHAEL JACKSON - The spoken intro that they played is soooo annoying sounded like he was in desperation. Nonetheless it's a decent song.
AT40 Classic Extra: SHOULD'VE KNOWN BETTER - RICHARD MARX - For the most part the lyrics are right on point as he's still doing what is possible to ease that pain of agony from a lost relationship he thought was true love. But the part that really bugs me is the line "It's been a million years since..". OK OK OK, I understand it's figure of speech, but c'mon, at least said felt. No one on this Earth even lives any where near that length of time. You are blessed if you can go over slightly 100 years, man. Just saying. Nonetheless altogether it's a great song.
2: HERE I GO AGAIN - WHITESNAKE - Great radio version and I prefer it. A lot of R&B listeners I've spoken to like this one. David Coverdale has soul. I mean that's really the origin of "heavy metal", the roots of rhythm and blues. Brilliant song.
1: DIDN’T WE ALMOST HAVE IT ALL – WHITNEY HOUSTON - Part of her consecutive streak of #1s there. Great song sounding so much like her AC hit "All At Once".
Droppers:
40: DON’T LOOK DOWN – THE SEQUEL - First top 40 for this duo out of England. They've hit the UK top 40 with this song just as well. This is the remix version of their song that originally appeared on their 1985 LP and this version here appears on the U.S. edition of "Dancing On The Couch". These are are absolutely soulful, I love most of their songs and this is no exception.
39: DON’T WAIT ME WAIT FOR LOVE – KENNY G - Lenny Williams (also part of Tower Of Power) performs the vocals on this one. This originally flopped on the soul charts but charted better here on AT40 which is a bit surprising. Great song.
38: ROCK STEADY – THE WHISPERS - This song still gets some Gold airplay in popular businesses such as Holiday Gas Stations here in the Twin Cities. This is their biggest pop hit ever thanks to LA Reid and Babyface formerly of the Deele. Who'd thought that these cats would achieve huge things twenty years later. A bona-fide soul singer and a judge on X-Factor and then running a record label.
37: IT’S A SIN – THE PET SHOP BOYS - This song as reported by Neil Tennant is about his Catholic upbringing and the way he views the church in an unfavourable matter.
36: SOMETHING REAL (INSIDE ME/INSIDE YOU) – MR. MISTER - A song from the same LP "Go On" that would also earn this band a Grammy nomination for their recording of their 2nd single "Healing Waters" in the category of Best Gospel Recording. This song IMO with a peace leaning approach is may also fit into the gospel/inspiration/uplifting category. Good song.
35: DON’T MEAN NOTHING – RICHARD MARX - First top 40 hit for this former jingle singer, songwriter, and back up singer. Great start and song that earned him a Grammy nomination in the Best Rock Performance category.
34: WHO’S THAT GIRL - MADONNA - One of a couple songs that doesn't appear on her "Immaculate Collection". This Latin flavoured song is one of my favourites from her especially that hot dance mix. Brilliant song from a "B" movie.
33: VICTIM OF LOVE – BRYAN ADAMS - OMG! This song really takes a tole on my heart, I get so sentimental each time I hear this song! Brilliant song that gets nearly no Gold airplay, I mean look at how everyone responded to this song back in the day. Thought so...
32: MONY MONY – BILLY IDOL - I never even cared for the studio version because I feel as though this is not him. To me this guy is a rocker and this live version has much more of rock groove and an edge, yeaaaaah! When I was in junior high this mix was always played on the jukebox at the youth center during our lunch break.
31: IN MY DREAMS – REO SPEEDWAGON - I am not a fan of these guys because they're too sappy for me. However, this song is one a couple of exceptions because it has sentiment and it makes sense especially when ya get in that mood, y'know. Brilliant song.
Classic AT40 Extra: HOLIDAY - THE OTHER ONES - This was huge in the then-West Germany and I heard this on multiple channels which living in Europe including SKY, The Super Channel (formerly Music Box), and MTV Europe. So guess what? This song may be obscure in the U.S. but it's not difficult to find! Brilliant song!
30: BREAKOUT – SWING OUT SISTER - Not the highest debut because tenny bopper Tiffany beat 'em. This song took like forever to reach the U.S. shores as I mentioned in the past. I was jamming to this in the fall/winter of 1986 in England during the time when my personal charts were strictly U.S. released singles, but this song here was one of *the* exceptions making my top ten because it was soo freaking brilliant!
29: BAD – MICHAEL JACKSON - And this one was leap frogged by Tiffany? I'm sure. Well at least this made it to #1. I hated this song then because it sounded so filthy without the swearing if that makes any sense. "Your butt is mine" or "If you don't like what I'm saying then won't you slap my face". Whoa hoa hoa there, buddy. When you right down to it at the end of the day it's a great song, it's has grown on me since.
28: I THINK WE’RE ALONE NOW - TIFFANY - Yes, it's guilty pleasure, it has the great pop-dance groove. Back then this was another jukebox banger in junior high it got my ever lovin' nerves, man, I tell ya. This was also a grower but only years later.
27: NEVER LET ME DOWN – DAVID BOWIE - I'm going to say "no" to this song because I just don't like the style this song is sung in which is "falsetto", and it just doesn't fit him IMO. Yet at the same time it has a great beat and instrumentation with the blazing harmonicas (and no it's not Stevie Wonder.. )
26: YOU ARE THE GIRL – THE CARS - That's their signature sound and it's from their "Greatest Hits" collection. Decent song.
25: FAKE – ALEXANDER O’NEAL - I love this song because it's dedicated to all those "plastic" out there and you know who you are so stop playin'. Can't go wrong with Jam & Lewis, now. Biggest solo pop smash for the guy that is known by just about everyone here in the Twin Cities as a "crackhead". I think he's clean now, but it is so sad that he has that rep, y'know.
24: LITTLE LIES – FLEETWOOD MAC - I love this and always have. The song is basically about believing the lies although it is known deep down inside it is in fact a "lie". This written by Christie McVie who sings lead with her then husband Eddy Quintela.
23: CAUSING A COMMOTION - MADONNA - Yes, the person who also critiqued this show is right, this is the "LP version" of the song. But my answer remains that AT40 did play the "single version". My bad, bro. I like this song only slightly more than "Who's That Girl", it would've been nice to see it hit #1, but it settled for #2 on *all* the major publication charts including Cashbox, Billboard and yes Radio and Records.
22: LET ME BE THE ONE - EXPOSE - This song has much more of an R&B feel than that Miami sound especially the vocals by Italian born singer Gioia Bruno sounding like a straight-up black woman.
21: ONLY IN MY DREAMS – DEBBIE GIBSON - I know that this is the "LP Version" because I own the album on cassette, I just don't know where it is..In actuality, this the "remixed version" that is really the "edited" 12" dance version with the added percussion and synthesizers. This the first "pop" album that I've ever purchased and it was totally awesome.
LDD: COMING AROUND AGAIN - CARLY SIMON - Clearly an under rated song but it was huge in the UK and on the U.S. AC charts. Brilliant song. The B side by the way is basically the same song but a medley of "Itsy Bitsy Spider"/"Coming Around Again".
Classic AT40 Extra: HOURGLASS - SQUEEZE - Catchy catchy song, but they've had better, I mean the ones that didn't even make the 40 with vocals by Paul Carrack such as "Tempted". Great song nonetheless.
20: WHO FOUND WHO - JELLYBEAN - This much more pop leaning and somewhat disappointing because of the direction Jellybean went from his club oriented stuff that wasn't mainstream friendly. Decent song nonetheless.
19: JUMP START – NATALIE COLE - Reggie and Vincent Calloway of the Midnight Star produced this hot upbeat dance R&B track. It's one her best dance songs. Brilliant song.
18: I NEED LOVE – L.L. COOL J - First pop top 40 hit ever for this Queens rapper who reportedly lived with his grandma at the time. Brilliant song.
17: CASANOVA - LEVERT - One of two Calloway brothers production here and they've had awesome year, both of these songs were top 2 hits on the soul charts. Of course this one was the #1 smash. Brilliant song.
16: ONE HEARTBEAT – SMOKEY ROBINSON - I think Kenny G plays sax on this song, it's smooth and romantic. He's one of my least favourite artists, but this song is quite decent.
15: CAN’T WE TRY – DAN HILL WITH VONDA SHEPARD - Very appropriate song for married couples because I believe that marriages should be taken very seriously since you've stood before God. Great song.
14: PAPER IN FIRE – JOHN COUGAR MELLENCAMP - Although this isn't really one of my favourite songs this song is in fact a gem. I mean you can hear the accordions and other raws instruments as well as soulful vocals in the background. Great choice for a first single from the LP "The Lonesome Jubilee".
13: WHO WILL YOU RUN TO - HEART - 2nd top tener from the LP "Bad Animals". I like this song a bit more than "Alone".
12: WIPEOUT – THE FAT BOYS AND THE BEACH BOYS - This was another jukebox banger in junior high and this one really got to me (in a bad way). Years later I can jam to this. Decent song.
11: DOING IT ALL FOR MY BABY – HUEY LEWIS AND THE NEWS - They passed Kool & The Gang for top group of the 80s. As Kool & The Gang stopped charting in the top 40 after "Stone Love". These guys kept on charting through the mid 90s. Decent song.
10: U GOT THE LOOK - PRINCE - I really got burned out on this song when it was hot. Now, it's a jammin' classic. I play this here and then.
Classic AT40 Extra: HEAVEN IS A PLACE ON EARTH - BELINDA CARLISLE - I just love this woman's voice and she really could have had a bigger solo career. This one is her biggest hit ever. Great song even though I prefer "I Get Weak" which made the runner up spot.
9: TOUCH OF GREY – THE GRATEFUL DEAD - One and only top 40 hit for this veteran act. Decent song.
8: LA BAMBA – LOS LOBOS - I can sing just about every lyric to this song without fail. Great song.
7: CARRIE - EUROPE - Third U.S. top 40 hit and their biggest reached #3. I'm fond of this ballad and I guess it must be a break-up.
LDD: LUKA – SUZANNE VEGA- Great song with a song spoken in the point of a view of an abused child.
6: WHEN SMOKEY SINGS - ABC - These guys have some soul, but Motown soul? They did a great job paying tribute to a living Motown legend. Great song, though I'm not sure if I prefer the LP version or the single mix which is this one here.
5: LOST IN EMOTION – LISA LISA AND CULT JAM - I hated this song back in the day and never understood why this was #1. I enjoy this greatly nowadays because it incorpartes that classic Motown and 60s girl group groove. Great song.
4: I HEARD A RUMOUR - BANANARAMA - Third top tener for the English girls written and produced by Stock Aikten and Waterman. This song has the groove and the hooks. At the same time it's a *bad* song because of the repetitive chorus line which sound awfully mindless. I mean OK, you heard a "rumour", I get it, could have used another chorus line besides this one.
3: I JUST CAN’T STOP LOVING YOU – MICHAEL JACKSON - The spoken intro that they played is soooo annoying sounded like he was in desperation. Nonetheless it's a decent song.
AT40 Classic Extra: SHOULD'VE KNOWN BETTER - RICHARD MARX - For the most part the lyrics are right on point as he's still doing what is possible to ease that pain of agony from a lost relationship he thought was true love. But the part that really bugs me is the line "It's been a million years since..". OK OK OK, I understand it's figure of speech, but c'mon, at least said felt. No one on this Earth even lives any where near that length of time. You are blessed if you can go over slightly 100 years, man. Just saying. Nonetheless altogether it's a great song.
2: HERE I GO AGAIN - WHITESNAKE - Great radio version and I prefer it. A lot of R&B listeners I've spoken to like this one. David Coverdale has soul. I mean that's really the origin of "heavy metal", the roots of rhythm and blues. Brilliant song.
1: DIDN’T WE ALMOST HAVE IT ALL – WHITNEY HOUSTON - Part of her consecutive streak of #1s there. Great song sounding so much like her AC hit "All At Once".