40 – On the Way to the Sky – Neil Diamond 7/10
The 36th top 40 hit from an institution at the peak of his vocal power. The opening section is musically reminiscent of “Song Sung Blue” & then goes into Neil's trademark “dramatic ballad” style.
39 – Juke Box Hero – Foreigner -/10
Yet another entry on the long list of “poor boy discovers rock n' roll & buys a guitar” tunes. I've heard it way too many times in the last 33 years to give an opinion.
38 – Edge of Seventeen – Stevie Nicks 3/10
Also way overplayed, but I've disliked it from the first spin. I love me some Stevie, but there are those tunes on which she grates on my nerves, and this is the mother of them all.
37 – Tell Me Tomorrow – Smokey Robinson 9/10
Another institution at one of many peaks in a long career. Smoke applies his legendary instrument to a sweet & savory piece of mid-tempo “adult R&B”. Only went to #33!
36 – My Guy – Sister Sledge 7/10
A harmless, pleasant remake of the Mary Wells classic is the 3rd & final Top 40 hit for this Philly family who'd been largely written off as casualties of the “disco backlash”.
35 – Somewhere Down the Road – Barry Manilow 5/10
In a previous critique, I dinged Barry for repeating himself. Well …
34 – Freeze-Frame – J.Geils Band 4/10
I'm a Geils fan, but I've never been able to get on board with their two big hits. They just strike my ear as contrived. Pop pandering didn't pay off for long, & the band soon disintegrated.
33 – I Believe – Chilliwack 7/10
The Vancouverites follow up their fantastic “My Girl (Gone Gone Gone She Been Gone So Long etc.)” with a very pleasant soft rock tune with the misfortune of sounding about 7 years out of date.
32 – Turn Your Love Around – George Benson 8/10
A solid track recorded for his greatest hits “Collection”, which showcases his major shift from jazz guitar virtuoso to pop / R&B vocalist. I like both sides of the man, but the purists sure didn't.
31 – Physical – Olivia Newton-John 7/10
Livvy finally heads down the charts after wearing us all out spending 2 ½ months at #1.
30 – You Could Have Been With Me – Sheena Easton 9/10
By far my favorite tune by the Scottish songbird – it just has this incredible haunting, moody feel to it. The male backing vocals are perfectly suited to her strong lead. Only got to #15, alas.
29 – One Hundred Ways – Quincy Jones feat. James Ingram 7/10
Q's biggest hit under his own name. Immaculately arranged, but it's a little too soft around the edges. Ingram, as usual, commands with his vocals.
28 – When All Is Said & Done – ABBA 7/10
A fitting choice for their 14th & final visit to the 40. One more toast and we're gone. Love the line “Slightly worn but dignified and not too old for sex “!
27 – Do You Believe In Love – Huey Lewis & The News 8/10
I love how their first Top 40 hit immediately follows ABBA's last one. Just like with “Waterloo” 8 years earlier, these guys announce from day one that they're a pop music force to be reckoned with.
26 – Call Me – Skyy 7/10
Not the vodka, but a NYC combo put together by an ex-member of Brass Construction. A solid piece of funk, but rather interchangeable with a lot of other similar R&B hits of the era.
25 – Daddy's Home – Cliff Richard 5/10
OK, it'd be waaay too easy to make a tasteless joke here in light of recent revelations swirling around Sir Cliff. An unremarkable remake of the oft-covered doo-wop evergreen.
24 – Take Off – Bob & Doug McKenzie feat. Geddy Lee 8/10
If, like me, you're both an SCTV and Rush fanatic, you'll know how epic this was. Coo loo coo coo coo coo coo coooooooo!
23 – The Sweetest Thing – Juice Newton 7/10
The 3rd of 5 good hits in a row from Judy Kay, & the most overtly country of the lot (it hit #1 on that chart). Her distinctive voice really stands out on this big ballad.
22 – Tonight I'm Yours – Rod Stewart 7/10
Don't hurt me, don't hurt me! This enjoyably bouncy, but rather lightweight title track can't quite hold a candle to it's predecessor (“Young Turks”).
21 – Should I Do It – Pointer Sisters 7/10
Another enjoyably bouncy but rather lightweight follow-up to a much stronger hit (“Slow Hand”). Gotta admit, it's fun to hear the Pointers go '50s in light of their start as a '40s retro act.
20 – Chariots of Fire – Vangelis 5/10
Ironic that the theme to a movie about running is such a snooze-fest (as was the movie itself). If I'm not mistaken, it's the first #1 one-hit wonder since M's “Pop Muzik” in '79.
19 – Make A Move On Me – Olivia Newton-John 9/10
I used to think the reason I love this song was thanks to “Physical” burn-out, but 3 decades later, it still holds up as a d**n fine pop record. The cheesy synths are actually charming in a strange way, & ONJ's vocal is definitely charming in a gooood way.
18 – Harden My Heart – Quarterflash 8/10
One of the most recognizable sax riffs ever paired with an appealingly passionate lead vocal. Just had to boot up the video to watch Rindy Ross running around in that black leotard. Rrrrowr.
17 – Key Largo – Bertie Higgins 5/10
I can't bring myself to hate on the Higgs. His vocal is pleasantly gruff, & the corny lyrics are kinda touching, but all in all it's pure schmaltz. He drummed for Tommy Roe in the '60s!
16 – Bobbie Sue – Oak Ridge Boys 1/10
N-n-n-no no thanks. Th-th-th-this song is a duh-duh-dud. I really like their country hits in the last half of the '70s, so this and “Elvira” really chaps my hide.
15 – Love in The First Degree – Alabama 5/10
I'm a lot more forgiving of these guys than I was at the time. Actually quite pleasant, despite the cliche-riddled lyrics. This is the closest they got (pun intended) to the pop Top 10 despite having six thousand country #1s.
14 – Pac-Man Fever – Buckner & Garcia 6/10
I was 17 at the time, & spent waaaay too many hours (& quarters) running thru that maze. A lot of things make me nostalgic for those days, but this tune isn't one of them. Fun but forgettable.
13 – Through the Years – Kenny Rogers 4/10
Far too schmaltzy for it's own good, & Kenny strains to hit the big notes. Thankfully, he'd soon rebound with the excellent “Love Will Turn You Around”.
12 – Spirits in the Material World – The Police 8/10
“Our so-called leaders speak / with words they try to jail ya”. One of their more sublime reggae / new wave fusions – I find it far preferable to it's predecessor (“Every Little Thing ...”).
11 – We Got the Beat – The Go-Gos 8/10
I mentioned that I was 17 at the time, yes? Let's just say these five gals had their hooks in me. And then that summer, the Rolling Stone cover with them in their underwear showed up … Moving right along …
10 - Take It Easy On Me – Little River Band 8/10
Their last top 10 & one of their best. Glenn Shorrock's vocal is excellent, as are the band harmonies on the chorus.
9 – Leader of the Band – Dan Fogelberg 7/10
I used to find this one a bit too stiffly earnest for my taste, but after I lost my Dad it took on a deeper significance. The fact that Dan died at only 56 & never had kids of his own adds another layer.
8 – Mirror, Mirror – Diana Ross 7/10
Co-written by Michael “Maniac” Sembello. Decent dance groove with a terrific chorus. Always thought Chaka Khan would've done a killer version of this.
7 – I Can't Go For That (No Can Do) – Hall & Oates 10/10
Just wow. Absolutely superlative vocals from Daryl & John over a deceptively simple & hypnotic instrumental track. In a perfect world, it would've stayed at #1 for the six following weeks that were usurped by “Centerfold”.
6 – Sweet Dreams – Air Supply 5/10
The Aussie soft rock kings are usually a guilty pleasure, but this overwrought ballad just doesn't do much for me. It's as full of hot air as the balloon on the album cover.
5 – That Girl – Stevie Wonder 10/10
Another just wow, and in that same perfect world, this would've gotten the 7 weeks at #1 that went to the sappy “Ebony & Ivory” in May. The construction on this is awe-inspiring. Sad to say, it's the last truly classic Stevie Wonder single to date.
4 – Shake It Up – The Cars 7/10
The Cahs finally hit the big time by letting their pop instincts take the forefront. Doesn't match anything on their first two albums, but still guaranteed to get you out of your seat.
3 – I Love Rock n' Roll – Joan Jett & The Blackhearts 9/10
Our soon-to-be Hall of Fame inducted punk goddess blows the doors off. Who'd have guessed in '78 or so that the scruffy teenage Runaway would soon have a platinum single with 7 weeks at #1?
2 – Open Arms – Journey 6/10
This was my senior prom theme, so it gets an extra point for nostalgia value. Unfortunately, without the buxom Deborah & her sea green chiffon swaying in my arms to it, it just sounds sappy.
1- Centerfold – J. Geils Band 3/10
I think I've made my feelings about this one clear elsewhere in the recap. I've had the blues, the reds & the pinks … one thing's for sure … (bomp bomp) … this song STINKS!