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Post by rayshae3 on Aug 27, 2015 2:35:07 GMT -5
First last weekend’s British picks that I missed: Last week in 1975: Up two spots to #6 for weekending 8/23/75 to peak at #4 the following week; His fifth chart hit following his disco debut “Rock Your Baby” a little over a year before and his biggest success after that disco beginner in Britain. Another dance tune written & produced by Harry Wayne Casey & Richard Finch. It’s Been So Long-George McCraeLast week in 1984: Out of the Top 40 at #53 for the weekending 8/25/84 and previously peaked at #20, is the single “Come Back” by Mighty Wah!, who had an excellent #3 hit in 1982 called “Story of the Blues” when they were known then as simply Wah! This song also gets better and better with each listening… Come Back-Mighty Wah!Coming up a little later my UK chart picks from the four years of this weekend’s AT40 dates/options…
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Post by alann on Aug 27, 2015 13:02:48 GMT -5
Here are my picks: August 27th 1972#38-Jr Walker & The All Stars-Walk in the nightA group who had 12 US Top 40 hits & 6 Top 40 hits. Walk in the night hit #16 in the UK and #46 in the US in 1972 Jr Walker and The All Stars-Walk in the night......................................................................................................................... August 27th 1978#27-Herbie Hancock-I thought it was youHard to believe that Herbie has never had a US Top 40 hit himself. He hit the UK Top 40 4 times and this disco hit went to #15 in the UK. Herbie Hancock-I thought it was you............................................................................................................................ August 30th 1981#23-OMD-SouvenirOMD had their first UK in 1980. Just as they were starting to loose their UK appeal, they started charting in the USA. Souvenir went to #3 in the UK in 1981 OMD-Souvenir.......................................................................................................................... August 31st 1986#18-It Bites-Calling all the heroesA one hit wonder band with one of the summer hits of 1986. This had hit #6 It Bites-Calling all the heroes
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Post by pb on Aug 28, 2015 13:06:36 GMT -5
#27-Herbie Hancock-I thought it was youHard to believe that Herbie has never had a US Top 40 hit himself. Looking it up I was surprised to find that "Rockit" (which I thought was big in 1984) only hit #71. His highest charting Billboard single turns out to be "Chameleon" at #42 in 1974.
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Post by rayshae3 on Sept 3, 2015 22:24:45 GMT -5
Onto last weekend’s UK dates/options: This week in 1972: peaked at #2 for the previous two weeks and was now down to #5 for weekending 8/26/72. Just like Huey Lewis who started his musical career as Hughie Louis, then Huey Louis, before settling on the name Huey Lewis, the British musician and songwriter Jona Lewis (who would go on to sing the great 1980 song “You’ll Always Find Me in the Kitchen at Parties”) recorded and was credited under John Lewis when he was a member of the novelty band Terry Dactyl and the Dinasaurs in the early 70s. Here’s the band’s only Top 40 single that just missed #1 in Britain: Sea Side Shuffle-Terry Dactyl and the DinasaursThis week in 1978: Welcome debut for the first chart week ever of the great wailing sound of Siouxie Sioux and her band the Banshees; now punk rock had a supernatural element, but unlike the latter gothic rock groups, the singer had a clear voice to sing the hard-hitting compositions, with mysterious haunting melodies as well as lyrics. New entry at #49 for weekending 8/26/78 to peak at #7 the following month, the first of 30 chart titles for the band. And yes, in the UK, the Chinese food take-outs, are known as Chinese take-aways (as Siouxie sings). The subject of the song is in reference to a personal experience Siouxie witnessed as the workers of the take-away face the ugly reality of skin-head racism. Hong Kong Garden-Siouxie and the BansheesThis week in 1981: The fifth UK singles chart hit, and their biggest success prior to states-side #1 “Don’t You Want Me” was at #6 for the weekending 8/29/81 descending from the peak of #3 the previous week. Love Action (I Believe in Love)-Human LeagueThis week in 1986: Down nine places to #23 for the week is the single “Panic” from the Manchester band the Smiths that previously peaked at #11. The non-album single was co-written by their singer Morrisey. Panic-The Smiths
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Post by 1finemrg on Sept 3, 2015 23:09:38 GMT -5
September 3, 1977: Note: In the wake of Elvis's death, his current single "Way Down" sat atop the UK charts. There were 8 debut singles in the UK Top 50 the week of 9/3/77. All were by Elvis. I usually select a single that peaked in the Top 10, but this is such a great song. It's a shame that it only made it to #13 in the UK charting 8 weeks, and missed the US Hot 100. Dancin' In The Moonlight - Thin Lizzy September 13, 1980: She was the guest vocalist on the Crusaders only US Top 40 hit "Street Life". Her highest charting UK single took a 26-4 leap in its third week on the charts. Although it charted an additional 8 weeks, it peaked in the runner-up position. One Day I'll Fly Away - Randy Crawford September 7, 1985: This one debuted at #23 on the way to a #5 peak during a 9 week chart run. Great follow-up to their signature international hit "Kayleigh". Lavender - Marillion
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Post by rayshae3 on Sept 5, 2015 16:26:03 GMT -5
100% agreed about Thin Lizzy song. And Kudos to Japan, one of the first countries that honored Randy Crawford in 1980 at Tokyo Music Festival with an award. Such a positive and lovely lady. Her version of Brook Benton’s “Rainy Night in Georgia” was great too. What a shame “One Day I’ll Fly Away” even missed the US Soul chart; the song that Nicole Kidman revived as an ongoing theme of sorts in 2001 musical movie ‘Moulin Rouge’.
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Post by 1finemrg on Sept 9, 2015 22:04:56 GMT -5
September 18,1976: Though it had been more than 13 years since he charted in the UK, he crashed the Top 10 on this date moving 17-5 in its fifth week. Though he would chart an additional six weeks, his final UK single would move no higher. In the US, his only Top 40 hit "Stranger On The Shore" would be #1 on St. Patrick's Day in 1962. Aria - Acker Bilk September 18,1982: ABC had just debuted in the US the previous week with their first Hot 100 single "The Look Of Love (Part One)". In the UK, this one was a notch from its #5 peak position three weeks into an eight week chart run. All Of My Heart - ABC September 8,1984: Adapted from South African Phineas MkHize's 1960s song "Isonto Lezayoni", Elton John's latest single was at its #5 peak. Bernie Taupin wrote new lyrics that would become the rallying cry against public transportation segregation in South Africa. Passengers - Elton John
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Post by alann on Sept 10, 2015 14:13:55 GMT -5
Here are my picks September 19th 1976#12-Chi-Lites-You don't have to goThe Chicago group best known for Have you seen her and Oh Girl in the early 70's. This song failed to hit the American Top 40, but hit #3 in the UK. Chi-Lites-You don't have to go.................................................................................................................................................. September 19 1982#17-Fat Larry's Band-ZoomA group from PA led by "Fat" Larry James who sadly died in 1987. This was their biggest hit going to #2 in the UK and is still played on UK radio today Fat Larrys Band-Zoom................................................................................................................................................. September 9th 1984 #36-A Flock Of Seagulls-The more you live, the more you live. A group from Liverpool whose biggest US hit (I ran) failed to hit the UK Top 40 and their biggest UK hit (Wishing ...If i had a photograph of you) hit #10 in the UK and #26 in the US. This one missed the US top 40 but hit #26 in the UK and is a slice of pure 80s pop. A Flock Of Seagulls-The more you live, the more you love
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Post by rayshae3 on Sept 12, 2015 23:51:55 GMT -5
First off, last weekend’s AT40 dates that I missed: Last week in 1977: “Lookin’ After No. 1”, their first single release, was not a #1 (They had to wait another year for their first UK #1), but it eventually made it to #11. For weekending 9/3/77 it was still climbing to #28. Lookin’ After No. 1-The Boomtown RatsLast week in 1980: Continuing the odd odyssey of Major Tom of “…an early song…from Ground Control” as Bowie indicates in the opening lyrics of this superior former British #1, now on the way down a place to #3 (for weekending 9/13/80); low-budget, but legendary eerie clip: Ashes to Ashes-David BowieLast week in 1985: The 20th British chart hit since their debut in early 1979 (and all has gotten to the Top 20 portion), including this one that the following week would peak at #18. For weekending 9/7/85 it is climbing nine places to #21: Yesterday’s Men-Madness
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Post by rayshae3 on Sept 13, 2015 2:21:48 GMT -5
And onto the current weekend AT40 dates… From this week in 1976: A great pub-punk-rock band with their first UK single chart entry, and yes unlike the US, an EP would be qualified to get in the singles chart rather than the albums. The following clip includes the complete 12-minutes-plus three tracks of the EP; bombastic covers of : “96 Tears” “Get out of Denver” and the medley of “Gloria/Satisfaction”. The record was spending its second week at #46 for weekending 9/18/76, but would struggle no higher than #43 the following week in the chart and drop off the chart eventually after five weeks. Live at the Marquee EP-Eddie and the Hot RodsFrom this week in 1982: The classic rap from the South Bronx act hit #62 on the Hot 100, but was far more successful on the other side of the Atlantic not only in sales but also the airplay. For the weekending 9/18/82, it was at its peak spot of #8 after only four weeks in the entire expanded Top 75. The Message-Grandmaster Flash & the Furious FiveFrom this week in 1984: Loved the exciting original in 1979 and the remixed version five years later. The latter edition was the highest debut in the UK Top 100 at #32 for weekending 9/8/84 (with additional background vocals from Simon Le Bon & Andy Taylor of Duran Duran mixed by Nile Rodgers); this version eventually would top the #17 original to this time peak at #4. Lost in Music{1984}-Sister Sledge
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Post by 1finemrg on Sept 18, 2015 23:14:39 GMT -5
September 18, 1971: Last week on the UK charts for this monster hit from Sweet. Their second hit had peaked at #2, the first of five singles to do so. Co-Co - Sweet September 27, 1975: It would only peak at #58 in the US, but it topped the charts for 4 weeks in the UK. It was his first solo single on Warner Brothers after leaving Mercury records. Originally written and recorded by Gavin Sutherland of the Sutherland Brothers Band (before Quiver). Sailing - Rod Stewart September 19, 1981: Debuting this week, this Lesley Gore cover would top the UK charts for 4 weeks, and reach #72 in the US. The male half of this duo is different from Dave Stewart of the Eurhythmics. It's My Party - Dave Stewart and Barbara Gaskin September 20, 1986: That it topped the UK charts for 3 weeks was somewhat a surprise since this Jamaican reggae singer has been recording since the early 60s. He hadn't appeared on the UK charts since 1970. A love song that Lionel Ritchie should cover, but Engelbert Humperdinck did. I Want To Wake Up With You - Boris Gardiner
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Post by 1finemrg on Sept 22, 2015 22:17:03 GMT -5
September 30, 1978: This would be the third consecutive #2 single for this throwback doo-wop group. One of six top ten singles for the band, it was the first non-cover penned by member Griff Fender. It's Raining - Darts September 24, 1983: This one would leap 33-12 in its second week on the charts. It would become the most successful single for the band, post-Limahl. Peaked at #8 during its 8 week chart stay. Big Apple - Kajagoogoo
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Post by rayshae3 on Sept 23, 2015 1:44:12 GMT -5
This week in 1971: Diana Ross had a stellar career in the UK especially in the 90s when her hits dried up in America; but what about her first solo UK #1, that was also her first Hot 100 chart song that missed the American Top 40 and got to #63 in the US. The song “I’m Still Waiting” dropped to #2 for weekending 9/18/71 after four weeks on top. I’m Still Waiting-Diana RossThis week in 1975: The very first of 24 chart entries for Bob Marley & the Wailers in Britain that broke out internationally the career of the Jamaican act (probably the most significant artist ever in the history of Reggae). The celebrated song “No Woman, No Cry” (new entry at #40 for weekending 9/27/75) would peak at #22 in four weeks’ time, but a updated outing finds another life in the Britisih chart and this time would peak at #8 six years later just after passing of Bob Marley himself. The celebrated song like most of the important Bob Marley hits was ignored in the US, but ultimately found its way to both Rock’n’Roll and Grammy Hall of Fames, and that’s despite Marley being a significant album act in the US (not a singles artist). BTW, the title might give the impression that it is a chauvinistic/anti-female song, but in reality, it’s the first person account of the singer growing up in ghetto persuading and addressing a woman not to cry and giving her hope things would get better. No Woman, No Cry-Bob Marley & the WailersThis week in 1981:Another historic song that was at #73 (spending its last time in the expanded UK Top 75 for weekending 9/19/81) is a former #1 by another virtually unknown band in America called Specials (a new mod multi-racial indie-reggae group not unlike UB40). Now, why a Holloween-esque song would top the UK chart in early summer (July 1981 for three weeks to be exact)? Because the seemingly ghost town of the song’s subject is about the urban decay, violence and unemployment of the early 80s Britain. And why I said the song is historic to this day? Because its peak popularity coincided with the British inner city riots of 1981 and actual racial tensions mostly directed against authority and police. Perhaps this caused three of the four UK consumer music publications critics to award the song at the year’s end, “the Single of the Year.” Ghost Town-SpecialsThis week in 1986: “Thorn In My Side” was a top 10 entry for weekending 9/20/86 and would peak at #5 in two weeks in early October. It’s also the Eurythmic’s last British Top 10, I might add. The same song only peaked at #68 on the Hot 100 later on. Torn In My Side-EurythmicsLater on my pix from the upcoming weekend’s AT40 dates…
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Post by mitchm on Sept 23, 2015 11:03:59 GMT -5
This week in 1971: Diana Ross had a stellar career in the UK especially in the 90s when her hits dried up in America; but what about her first solo UK #1, that was also her first Hot 100 chart song that missed the American Top 40 and got to #63 in the US. The song “I’m Still Waiting” dropped to #2 for weekending 9/18/71 after four weeks on top. I’m Still Waiting-Diana Ross I bought my first British Chart book in June, and I have noticed a lot of US soul performers did well in England in the 70's and beyond. I'm thinking of acts like the Drifters who mostly disappeared from the American charts after 1964. Who knew that such a thing was happening? I just figured at the time that the group was more or less retired since they were never heard on American radio anymore, but several performers found an audience in England.
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Post by rayshae3 on Sept 23, 2015 13:41:44 GMT -5
That’s because of a movement in the late 60s/early 70s that started in the industrial northern part of the UK; the movement is known as “The Northern Soul”. A sub-section of the movement was re-discovery of the American R&B acts and their records (the records themselves were not necessarily brand new then.) But for Drifters the newly found fame caused them to move their musical business entirely inside the UK, especially when their earlier classic American line-up was drastically changed. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_soul#Hits_and_favouritesBTW, there’s a fictional point of view of a movie called “Northern Soul” that was released in the UK last year. But finally will open in the US theaters next week (starting on 10/2/2015). Here’s the trailer; but you might need subtitles to get everything! www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi3465785113/
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