Post by bobbo428 on Apr 14, 2014 0:02:41 GMT -5
CHART CRITIQUE 4-11-87
In April 1987, I was enjoying my work at a thrift shop, as well as doing odd jobs for a neighbor. April 11 itself was a sunny, warm day—perfect for working outdoors.
Of the songs that dropped off, I would have liked to hear the Jets’ “You Got It All” (a guilty pleasure).
40 I KNOW WHAT I LIKE HUEY LEWIS & THE NEWS
Yuppie-sounding mainstream number—It sounded more like an early fall song—while the next single, “doing It all for My Baby” sounded like late spring and should have been the fourth single. The tune seemed like a nod to conservativism, saying that he liked things that did not change.
39 RIGHT ON TRACK-BREAKFAST CLUB
I enjoyed this song back in 1987, and I still find the song catchy.
38 BIG LOVE-FLEETWOOD MAC
This was another song that, despite pedestrian lyrics, worked because of excellent guitar licks. The instruments keep building up pent-up tension until they reach a crescendo at the very end of the song. It is one of many examples of Lindsey Buckingham's innovation--he knows how to craft a killer instrumental hook (as he had in 1984 with his solo hit, "Go Insane.")
37 NOTHING’S GONNA CHANGE MY LOVE FOR YOU-GLENN MEDEIROS
I enjoyed this ballad back in 1987, but grew to dislike it because of considerable AC airplay the next 10-15 years. However, I once again enjoy the song because I have not heard it as much lately. It was an earnest tune. The singer’s last name was similar to that of one of my supervisors at the time.
36 TALK DIRTY TO ME-POISON
Casey called them “glam metal,” but we all know what they were—look at their hair! I was almost 26 when this tune came out, so I wasn’t to crazy about it. If I were 16, I might have enjoyed it more.
35 LIGHT OF DAY-BARBUSTERS (JOAN JETT & THE BLACKHEARTS/MICHAEL J FOX)
Boogie rock tune that is seldom heard these days—this sounded like a summer tune released three months early. It had some garage rock elements.
AT40 EXTRA: I WANNA BE YOUR MAN-ROLLING STONES
A fun tune I was not familiar with
34 I WILL BE THERE-GLASS TIGER
Earnest, if trite, arena rock number was likable enough.
33 SHIP OF FOOLS (SAVE ME FROM TOMORROW)-WORLD PARTY
Enjoyable, melodic, engaging tune should have been a bigger hit. It might have done better around 1991 or 1992. The subtle piano hook was a highlight.
32 HEAT OF THE NIGHT-BRYAN ADAMS
Adams' next hit was another slice of AOR rock fodder: It had some foreboding overtones, but it wasn't anything unusual—though I enjoyed the instrumental break. This song had more of an autumnal feel to it, so I might have enjoyed it more had it been popular six months earlier/later.
31 AS WE LAY-SHIRLEY MURDOCK
R&B slow jam that captures the morning-after guilt and regret associated with an extramarital affair. The tune had a soulful hook. Casey still called it the soul chart—I wonder which week was the last week he called it the “soul,” rather than “black” chart (or “urban,” as he called it in the ‘90s.)
30 THE LADY IN RED-CHRIS DEBURGH
Earnest soft rock tune has received huge amounts of recurrent AC airplay.
29 THAT AIN’T LOVE-REO SPEEDWAGON
Guilty pleasure with strong vocal and instrumental hooks
28 SERIOUS-DONNA ALLEN
Standard freestyle dance tune--meh
27 SOMEWHERE OUT THERE-LINDA RONSTADT/JAMES INGRAM
romantic movie ballad that was well sung
26 SMOKING GUN-ROBERT CRAY BAND
Enjoyable blues-rock tune was one of my favorites in the countdown.
25 CANTCHA SAY/STILL IN LOVE)-BOSTON
Likable medley showed off the band’s excellent guitar work.
24 WHAT’S GOING ON-CYNDI LAUPER
I enjoyed Casey’s story about Marvin Gaye and the original version of the song—Lauper’s version was pop-oriented—earnest but a bit off in the phrasings.
23 WITH OR WITHOUT YOU -U2
When I first heard this song, I had a feeling it would be the band’s commercial breakthrough on the pop charts. It was their biggest hit ever. The track has a foreboding quality to it, and the lyrics reflect on a co-dependent relationship that one cannot let go of. The song’s tone is torturous, and there is a strain of martyrdom to it) The guitars unleash a torrent of frustration at the end of the song and serves as a catharsis.
22 COME AS YOU ARE-PETER WOLF
No, this was not the more famous Nirvana tune—but a catchy rocker that was actually a considerably higher-charting tune than the Nirvana classic. The guitar hook was cool, and the sax break added a party rock vibe.
21 THE HONEY THIEF-HIPSWAY
Tune had a catchy hook, but the lyrics were very questionable—sly and Lolita-ish. It also had an INXS feel to it, as well as Frankie Goes to Hollywood.
LDD: MY HOMETOWN,” BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN—A poignant dedication—I hope Melissa and her father made out all right—Melissa would be 42 years of age now and could have a song or daughter that age now.
20 DOMINOES-ROBBIE NEVILL
Standard mainstream pop fare—the refrain was catchy, however.
19 STONE LOVE-KOOK AND THE GANG
Enjoyable, spring-sounding pop tune—this would be their last top-40 hit.
18 LA ISLA BONITA-MADONNA
I enjoyed this much more than “Open Your Heart.” This song had a tropical flavor, both lyrically and musically, and it was apropos that the song peaked during the warm month of May. This was one of my personal favorites by Madonna--you can't help but to be uplifted by this almost-perfect recording.
17 (I JUST) DIED IN YOUR ARMS-CUTTING CREW
Tuneful mainstream pop rocker has gotten a lot of recurrent airplay.
16 MANDOLIN RAIN-BRUCE HORNSBY AND THE RANGE
Melancholy ballad featured Hornsby’s excellent piano work—and, yes, a good mandolin trilling away.
15 WHAT YOU GET IS WHAT YOU SEE-TINA TURNER
High-energy pop rocker was mainstream fare.
14 WALKING DOWN YOUR STREET-BANGLES
Enjoyable pop rocker that is seldom heard today
13 LET'S WAIT AWHILE-JANET JACKSON
This was my favorite hit from her album Control. While the video, filmed outside on a cold night, had a wintry feel to it, the song itself reminded me of early spring. It was popular during the pleasant, sunny February-March period of 1987. Melodically, it was reminiscent of America's 1975 hit. Lyrically, the song wisely tells young people that it is best to delay sex until both parties are more mature. The song peaked at #2, giving Control the eerie coincidence of singles that peaked at #1, #2, #3, #4, and #5--five top-five hits, five different peak positions. Too bad the sixth single, “The Pleasure Principle,” didn’t reach #6!
12 LOOKING FOR A NEW LOVE-JODY WATLEY
Yuppie-sounding pop tune with R&B edge—not one of my favorites back then—too derivative of Janet Jackson, who ironically preceded her in the countdown. I had to turn away from this tune for a minute or so.
11 THE FINAL COUNTDOWN-EUROPE
Fanfare riff was the highlight of this rocker.
10 THE FINER THINGS-STEVE WINWOOD
Yuppie tune was well-written and produced—a caressing song.
9 LET’S GO-WANG CHUNG
One of my least favorites on the countdown, I found this tune to be annoying and pushy, as well as monotonous and soulless.
8 MIDNIGHT BLUE-LOU GRAMM
Good guitar hook but macho, suggestive lyrics—this was big on both pop and AOR.
LDD: THE GLORY OF LOVE-PETER CETERA—I enjoyed the story, but the song was standard mid-‘80s pabulum—I predicted that it would be this song before it was announced.
7 SIGN O’ THE TIMES-PRINCE
Ominous, autumnal-sounding funky jam was one of my favorites at the time—sparse production enhanced the somber vibe.
6 COME GO WITH ME-EXPOSÉ
Enjoyable freestyle dance-pop song was a guilty pleasure and had a yearning early spring Friday sound.
5 DON’T DREAM IT’S OVER-CROWDED HOUSE
This was my personal favorite at the time, and it had an encouraging, hang-in-there, late winter feel. I enjoyed it right away the first time I heard it, in December 1986. I strongly hoped that it would be a hit—and fortunately, it was.
4 TONIGHT, TONIGHT, TONIGHT-GENESIS
Fourth single from Invisible Touch was a yearning rock ballad. This song of three words ( the same word in triplicate) in the title, by this three-man band, which had peaked at #3, was a hit three times three times three (27) years ago.
3 I KNOW YOU WERE WAITING FOR ME-ARETHA FRANKLIN/GEORGE MICHAEL
This song was fairly catchy but also a bit bland—the Queen of soul meets British blue-eyed soul—the youthfulness of George Michael helped give Aretha her second chart topper.
2 LEAN ON ME-CLUB NOVEAU
I enjoyed this remake—it had a good beat, though I enjoyed the Bill withers original more.
1 NOTHING’S GONNA STOP US NOW-STARSHIP
Mainstream movie power ballad written by Diane warren was likable, if a bit bland and hackneyed.
SHOULD HAVE MADE THE TOP 40: DON'T GIVE UP (PETER GABRIEL AND KATE BUSH)
An anti-suicide ballad that was well-written and understated
GLAD IT MISSED THE TOP 40 (NEW FEATURE!): THE SECRET OF MY SUCCESS-NIGHT RANGER—humdrum tune
In April 1987, I was enjoying my work at a thrift shop, as well as doing odd jobs for a neighbor. April 11 itself was a sunny, warm day—perfect for working outdoors.
Of the songs that dropped off, I would have liked to hear the Jets’ “You Got It All” (a guilty pleasure).
40 I KNOW WHAT I LIKE HUEY LEWIS & THE NEWS
Yuppie-sounding mainstream number—It sounded more like an early fall song—while the next single, “doing It all for My Baby” sounded like late spring and should have been the fourth single. The tune seemed like a nod to conservativism, saying that he liked things that did not change.
39 RIGHT ON TRACK-BREAKFAST CLUB
I enjoyed this song back in 1987, and I still find the song catchy.
38 BIG LOVE-FLEETWOOD MAC
This was another song that, despite pedestrian lyrics, worked because of excellent guitar licks. The instruments keep building up pent-up tension until they reach a crescendo at the very end of the song. It is one of many examples of Lindsey Buckingham's innovation--he knows how to craft a killer instrumental hook (as he had in 1984 with his solo hit, "Go Insane.")
37 NOTHING’S GONNA CHANGE MY LOVE FOR YOU-GLENN MEDEIROS
I enjoyed this ballad back in 1987, but grew to dislike it because of considerable AC airplay the next 10-15 years. However, I once again enjoy the song because I have not heard it as much lately. It was an earnest tune. The singer’s last name was similar to that of one of my supervisors at the time.
36 TALK DIRTY TO ME-POISON
Casey called them “glam metal,” but we all know what they were—look at their hair! I was almost 26 when this tune came out, so I wasn’t to crazy about it. If I were 16, I might have enjoyed it more.
35 LIGHT OF DAY-BARBUSTERS (JOAN JETT & THE BLACKHEARTS/MICHAEL J FOX)
Boogie rock tune that is seldom heard these days—this sounded like a summer tune released three months early. It had some garage rock elements.
AT40 EXTRA: I WANNA BE YOUR MAN-ROLLING STONES
A fun tune I was not familiar with
34 I WILL BE THERE-GLASS TIGER
Earnest, if trite, arena rock number was likable enough.
33 SHIP OF FOOLS (SAVE ME FROM TOMORROW)-WORLD PARTY
Enjoyable, melodic, engaging tune should have been a bigger hit. It might have done better around 1991 or 1992. The subtle piano hook was a highlight.
32 HEAT OF THE NIGHT-BRYAN ADAMS
Adams' next hit was another slice of AOR rock fodder: It had some foreboding overtones, but it wasn't anything unusual—though I enjoyed the instrumental break. This song had more of an autumnal feel to it, so I might have enjoyed it more had it been popular six months earlier/later.
31 AS WE LAY-SHIRLEY MURDOCK
R&B slow jam that captures the morning-after guilt and regret associated with an extramarital affair. The tune had a soulful hook. Casey still called it the soul chart—I wonder which week was the last week he called it the “soul,” rather than “black” chart (or “urban,” as he called it in the ‘90s.)
30 THE LADY IN RED-CHRIS DEBURGH
Earnest soft rock tune has received huge amounts of recurrent AC airplay.
29 THAT AIN’T LOVE-REO SPEEDWAGON
Guilty pleasure with strong vocal and instrumental hooks
28 SERIOUS-DONNA ALLEN
Standard freestyle dance tune--meh
27 SOMEWHERE OUT THERE-LINDA RONSTADT/JAMES INGRAM
romantic movie ballad that was well sung
26 SMOKING GUN-ROBERT CRAY BAND
Enjoyable blues-rock tune was one of my favorites in the countdown.
25 CANTCHA SAY/STILL IN LOVE)-BOSTON
Likable medley showed off the band’s excellent guitar work.
24 WHAT’S GOING ON-CYNDI LAUPER
I enjoyed Casey’s story about Marvin Gaye and the original version of the song—Lauper’s version was pop-oriented—earnest but a bit off in the phrasings.
23 WITH OR WITHOUT YOU -U2
When I first heard this song, I had a feeling it would be the band’s commercial breakthrough on the pop charts. It was their biggest hit ever. The track has a foreboding quality to it, and the lyrics reflect on a co-dependent relationship that one cannot let go of. The song’s tone is torturous, and there is a strain of martyrdom to it) The guitars unleash a torrent of frustration at the end of the song and serves as a catharsis.
22 COME AS YOU ARE-PETER WOLF
No, this was not the more famous Nirvana tune—but a catchy rocker that was actually a considerably higher-charting tune than the Nirvana classic. The guitar hook was cool, and the sax break added a party rock vibe.
21 THE HONEY THIEF-HIPSWAY
Tune had a catchy hook, but the lyrics were very questionable—sly and Lolita-ish. It also had an INXS feel to it, as well as Frankie Goes to Hollywood.
LDD: MY HOMETOWN,” BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN—A poignant dedication—I hope Melissa and her father made out all right—Melissa would be 42 years of age now and could have a song or daughter that age now.
20 DOMINOES-ROBBIE NEVILL
Standard mainstream pop fare—the refrain was catchy, however.
19 STONE LOVE-KOOK AND THE GANG
Enjoyable, spring-sounding pop tune—this would be their last top-40 hit.
18 LA ISLA BONITA-MADONNA
I enjoyed this much more than “Open Your Heart.” This song had a tropical flavor, both lyrically and musically, and it was apropos that the song peaked during the warm month of May. This was one of my personal favorites by Madonna--you can't help but to be uplifted by this almost-perfect recording.
17 (I JUST) DIED IN YOUR ARMS-CUTTING CREW
Tuneful mainstream pop rocker has gotten a lot of recurrent airplay.
16 MANDOLIN RAIN-BRUCE HORNSBY AND THE RANGE
Melancholy ballad featured Hornsby’s excellent piano work—and, yes, a good mandolin trilling away.
15 WHAT YOU GET IS WHAT YOU SEE-TINA TURNER
High-energy pop rocker was mainstream fare.
14 WALKING DOWN YOUR STREET-BANGLES
Enjoyable pop rocker that is seldom heard today
13 LET'S WAIT AWHILE-JANET JACKSON
This was my favorite hit from her album Control. While the video, filmed outside on a cold night, had a wintry feel to it, the song itself reminded me of early spring. It was popular during the pleasant, sunny February-March period of 1987. Melodically, it was reminiscent of America's 1975 hit. Lyrically, the song wisely tells young people that it is best to delay sex until both parties are more mature. The song peaked at #2, giving Control the eerie coincidence of singles that peaked at #1, #2, #3, #4, and #5--five top-five hits, five different peak positions. Too bad the sixth single, “The Pleasure Principle,” didn’t reach #6!
12 LOOKING FOR A NEW LOVE-JODY WATLEY
Yuppie-sounding pop tune with R&B edge—not one of my favorites back then—too derivative of Janet Jackson, who ironically preceded her in the countdown. I had to turn away from this tune for a minute or so.
11 THE FINAL COUNTDOWN-EUROPE
Fanfare riff was the highlight of this rocker.
10 THE FINER THINGS-STEVE WINWOOD
Yuppie tune was well-written and produced—a caressing song.
9 LET’S GO-WANG CHUNG
One of my least favorites on the countdown, I found this tune to be annoying and pushy, as well as monotonous and soulless.
8 MIDNIGHT BLUE-LOU GRAMM
Good guitar hook but macho, suggestive lyrics—this was big on both pop and AOR.
LDD: THE GLORY OF LOVE-PETER CETERA—I enjoyed the story, but the song was standard mid-‘80s pabulum—I predicted that it would be this song before it was announced.
7 SIGN O’ THE TIMES-PRINCE
Ominous, autumnal-sounding funky jam was one of my favorites at the time—sparse production enhanced the somber vibe.
6 COME GO WITH ME-EXPOSÉ
Enjoyable freestyle dance-pop song was a guilty pleasure and had a yearning early spring Friday sound.
5 DON’T DREAM IT’S OVER-CROWDED HOUSE
This was my personal favorite at the time, and it had an encouraging, hang-in-there, late winter feel. I enjoyed it right away the first time I heard it, in December 1986. I strongly hoped that it would be a hit—and fortunately, it was.
4 TONIGHT, TONIGHT, TONIGHT-GENESIS
Fourth single from Invisible Touch was a yearning rock ballad. This song of three words ( the same word in triplicate) in the title, by this three-man band, which had peaked at #3, was a hit three times three times three (27) years ago.
3 I KNOW YOU WERE WAITING FOR ME-ARETHA FRANKLIN/GEORGE MICHAEL
This song was fairly catchy but also a bit bland—the Queen of soul meets British blue-eyed soul—the youthfulness of George Michael helped give Aretha her second chart topper.
2 LEAN ON ME-CLUB NOVEAU
I enjoyed this remake—it had a good beat, though I enjoyed the Bill withers original more.
1 NOTHING’S GONNA STOP US NOW-STARSHIP
Mainstream movie power ballad written by Diane warren was likable, if a bit bland and hackneyed.
SHOULD HAVE MADE THE TOP 40: DON'T GIVE UP (PETER GABRIEL AND KATE BUSH)
An anti-suicide ballad that was well-written and understated
GLAD IT MISSED THE TOP 40 (NEW FEATURE!): THE SECRET OF MY SUCCESS-NIGHT RANGER—humdrum tune