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Post by alann on Sept 23, 2015 15:19:14 GMT -5
Here are my picks for this week: October 1st 1978#6-Dean Friedman-Lucky StarsDean is a one hit wonder in both the UK & USA...but with different songs. Ariel hit #26 in the USA in 1977, but wasn't & UK hit and Lucky Stars hit #3 in the UK in 1978, but wasn't a US Hit. Lucky Stars features Denise Marsa who was uncredited on the record label in 1978. Dean Friedman-Lucky Stars...................................................................................................................................................... September 25th 1983#9-Big Country-ChanceA group from Scotland who put 15 hits in the UK Top 40 between 1983 & 1983. In a big country was their only US hit. Chance hit #9 in the UK Big Country-Chance
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Post by mga707 on Sept 23, 2015 16:12:19 GMT -5
Here are my picks for this week: October 1st 1978#6-Dean Friedman-Lucky StarsDean is a one hit wonder in both the UK & USA...but with different songs. Ariel hit #26 in the USA in 1977, but wasn't & UK hit and Lucky Stars hit #3 in the UK in 1978, but wasn't a US Hit. Lucky Stars features Denise Marsa who was uncredited on the record label in 1978. Dean Friedman-Lucky StarsYes! From his second LP, "Well, Well, Said the Rocking Chair", which I actually bought when it came out back in 1978, mainly because I thought then--and still do--that "Ariel" is one of the greatest songs of all time.
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Post by rayshae3 on Sept 23, 2015 18:28:19 GMT -5
"Lucky Stars" is a great one too, IMO. Never figured out why Denise Marsa never had a billing. This is a duet, pure and simple. Here's the performance of the two on TV's "Top of the Pops": www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-k3hjvMGuUBTW, another long lost song from 'Well, Well,...' called "Lydia" peaked at #31 in the British charts.
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Post by rayshae3 on Sept 23, 2015 20:28:37 GMT -5
Now my current choices: This week in 1978: The Buzzcocks are a group that were formed in 1976, with the first generation of UK punk bands. Like others, the group, at least at the time, were not well known this side of the Atlantic. However, my choice from 1978 is among the influential songs listed by Rock’n’Roll Hall of Fame. One other difference between the Buzzcocks and those early British punk groups: The band is still active today. Anyway, that famous song called “Ever Fallen in Love” was their highest charted single that would peak at #12 in early November. For weekending 9/30/78, it enterned the top 40 portion at #33. Ever Fallen in Love-BuzzcocksThis week in 1983: Onto a British hit single from the summer of ’83 (it peaked at #3 for a couple of weeks in August). But now that the summer was over, it was leaving the Top 40 (#38 for weekending 9/24/83). The official title of the single was “À Paris”. And the flip-side, the sophisti-pop “Paris Match”, was also listed in the singles chart at the time. The single is in sharp contrast to the singer Paul Weller’s previous angry style as the frontman for his ex-group Jam that disbanded in 1982. The Style Council formed by Weller and Mick Talbot (previously of Dexy’s Midnight Runners) would debut on the Hot 100 the following year with “My Ever Changing Mood”. Long Hot Summer-Style Council
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Post by 1finemrg on Sept 30, 2015 22:22:19 GMT -5
October 7, 1972: We wished him a happy birthday today (Sept. 30) on the "Happy Birthday To..." thread. On October 7, 1972 his band was spending the last of three weeks in the #2 slot with their current hit. It would chart for a total of 10 weeks. Children Of The Revolution - T Rex October 6, 1979: They charted in the UK top 40 four times. This one was their best in terms of chart performance, peaking at #3 over a 12 week chart run. Lead vocalist Paul Young would also achieve success as co-lead vocalist of Mike + The Mechanics. Not to be confused with the "Everytime You Go Away" Paul Young or even the "Love Is In The Air" John Paul Young. Everyday Hurts - Sad Cafe October 9, 1982: Synopsis: UK band covers an Irish Rock & Roll HOFer's tribute song to a soul legend. Charted for 7 weeks peaking at #5. Jackie Wilson Said (I'm In Heaven When You Smile) - Dexy's Midnight Runners October 5, 1985: He co-wrote Band Aid's "Do They Know It's Christmas?", and he was atop the UK charts on this date. It was his second Top 10 hit, over three years after his first single peaked at #9. If I Was - Midge Ure
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Post by alann on Oct 1, 2015 9:59:26 GMT -5
Here are my picks: October 8th 1972#29-Simon & Garfunkel-AmericaThis was originally on their 1968 album Bookends & it was released as a single in 1972 to promote their greatest hits album . In the US it only hit #97, but in the UK it was at it's peak of #25 Simon & Garfunkel-America.................................................................................................................................................... October 7th 1979#28-The Jags-Back of my handA one hit wonder band and one of my favourite songs of the 70s. This was all over the radio in the UK in the fall of 1979 and still sounds great today and did get to #17 The Jags-Back of my hand................................................................................................................................................. October 10th 1982#8-Mari Wilson-Just what i always wanted
Her biggest hit at it's peak of #8 Mari Wilson-Just what i always wanted.................................................................................................................................................. October 6th 1985#3-Red Box-Lean on me (ah-li-ayo) Another great song from a group who had a couple of UK hits. This was the biggest at #3, but it did hit #1 in several countries. Red Box-Lean on me
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Post by rayshae3 on Oct 6, 2015 23:20:56 GMT -5
From this week in 1972: A sweet and fun nugget of a song, previously peaked at #5 last month now on its way down to #21 for weekending 10/7/72, by the singer-songwriter Lynsey de Paul; her first and biggest of seven Top 40 chart hits, all ignored this side of the Atlantic. The song was originally written and intended for Peter Noone of Herman’s Hermits, but at the suggestion of then her boyfriend Dudley Moore, her demo (later re-recorded) became this major hit. Sugar Me-Lynsey De PaulFrom this week in 1979: This is not a lost song, but my excuse for including it here is that it only got to #74 on BB Hot 100. In the UK, it was spending its second of three weeks at #1 for weekending 10/6/79; the first of five number ones for the trio. Timeless message (pun intended) that never got old even thirty six years later. Message in a Bottle-The PoliceFrom this week in 1982: Highest new entry in the expanded Top 75 at #39 for weekending 10/9/82, and a future #2 by Kid Creole and the Coconuts (their biggest hit in Britain). A tropical dance song to its core. Annie, I'm Not Your Daddy-Kid Creole & the CoconutsFrom this week in 1985: Another easy pick, again because it never charted on the Hot 100 (never released as an A-side 7” single), despite getting into BB R&B chart by the strength of its 12-inch sale (where it was eligible to chart) and that’s not counting its #1 spot on the Dance chart; The first of 13 number ones in the UK singles chart. And a recent news from mid-September: her ex-husband, Sean Penn, wrote he finally appreciated her music. Well, better late than never…#29 for weekending 10/5/85 on its way down from #20. Into the Groove-Madonna
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Post by rayshae3 on Oct 8, 2015 21:33:27 GMT -5
October 7, 1972: We wished him a happy birthday today (Sept. 30) on the "Happy Birthday To..." thread. On October 7, 1972 his band was spending the last of three weeks in the #2 slot with their current hit. It would chart for a total of 10 weeks. Children Of The Revolution - T Rex October 6, 1979: They charted in the UK top 40 four times. This one was their best in terms of chart performance, peaking at #3 over a 12 week chart run. Lead vocalist Paul Young would also achieve success as co-lead vocalist of Mike + The Mechanics. Not to be confused with the "Everytime You Go Away" Paul Young or even the "Love Is In The Air" John Paul Young. Everyday Hurts - Sad Cafe October 9, 1982: Synopsis: UK band covers an Irish Rock & Roll HOFer's tribute song to a soul legend. Charted for 7 weeks peaking at #5. Jackie Wilson Said (I'm In Heaven When You Smile) - Dexy's Midnight Runners October 5, 1985: He co-wrote Band Aid's "Do They Know It's Christmas?", and he was atop the UK charts on this date. It was his second Top 10 hit, over three years after his first single peaked at #9. If I Was - Midge Ure It’s not every week that I enjoy every single of all four choices equally, but your picks this week is such a case. Especially regarding the Sad Café song, I am still baffled why it didn’t make it in the US. If “All by Myself”, “Without You” (by Nilsson), “I’m Not in Love” and maybe “When I Need You” all were hits during more or less the same era, it surely would have made sense if equally structured “Everyday Hurts” (on many British various compilations of easy AC songs) did make it close to the top of the American charts.
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Post by 1finemrg on Oct 8, 2015 22:25:54 GMT -5
Thanks for the kind words rayshae3! October 10, 1970 - Months before this song would launch Cat Stevens' career in the US, this Rock & Roll Hall Of Famer would record the original version that Cat wrote. Peaked at #8 in the UK and charted for 12 weeks. Wild World - Jimmy Cliff October 12, 1974 - This live Stax cover was actually the flip of "Young Americans" in the US. In the UK, it charted 6 weeks reaching #10. Knock On Wood - David Bowie October 11, 1980 - A one hit wonder in the US, this band had approximately 2 dozen Top 10 singles in the UK. This one debuted at #27 on 10/11/80, and would leap into the Top 5 the following week. Over an 11 week chart run, the song would eventually peak at #2. What You're Proposing - Status Quo October 10, 1987 - By this time they had worn out their welcome in the US, with this single peaking at #75. In the UK, it was a different story; the song leaped 22-6 on the 10/10/87 chart on its way to a 4 week run at the top of the charts. You Win Again - Bee Gees
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Post by rayshae3 on Oct 15, 2015 22:53:21 GMT -5
From this week in 1970: 1finemrg had an early ska/reggae choice, so let me accompany it with another similar single that was spending its second week in its peak spot at #2 for weekending 10/10/70. It’s by Desmond Dekker & the Aces who had only a single hot 100 entry with “Israelites” (their only #1 in the UK) before. Accidentally the song was written and originally performed by Jimmy Cliff in 1969, and this cover was rather faithful to the original. You Can Get It You Really Want-Desmond DekkerFrom this week in 1974: Also another song that was enjoying its peak position (#29 for weekending 10/12/74) was by Robert Wyatt, his first and biggest chart entry. The very influential musician and multi-instrumentalist of early jazz fusion and experimental progrock became a paraplegic after an accident in June 1873. This cover of the famous Monkees’ song was his first effort after the accident. Having been a former drummer, now that he couldn’t be effective in the role, the single was produced by Nick Mason (Pink Floyd drummer), with violin by Andy Summers (later w/The Police). Robert Wyatt is on vocals in a wheelchair in the following clip from TV’s Top of the Pops: I’m a Believer-Robert WyattFrom this week in 1980: Up to this point this was the highest charting single by Robert Palmer, although previously only peaked at #44 and now descending from #46 to #48 for weekending 10/11/80. And after a few listens for a couple of days you can't get it out of your head either. Johnny and Mary-Robert PalmerFrom this week in 1987: Another proof that quality doesn’t necessarily translate to quantity is my pick by the alternative Scottish group the Motorcycle Boy who had one UK chart number that peaked only at #85 (for weekending 10/10/87) in the extended Top 100 (although it did go to #2 in the independent label or indie chart). Big Rock Candy Mountain-The Motorcycle Boy
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Post by 1finemrg on Oct 16, 2015 22:12:16 GMT -5
October 22, 1977 - Rick Waskeman signed up for his second tour of duty with Yes, and the band produced the #1 UK, #8 US album "Going For The One". This great single released in the UK was in the latter half of a 9 week chart run, having peaked at #7, Wonderous Stories - Yes October 20, 1984 - It's a Freddie Mercury/Georgio Moroder collaboration that had peaked at #10 UK and #69 US. From the "Metropolis" motion picture soundtrack it charted in the UK for 8 weeks. Love Kills - Freddie Mercury
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Post by 1finemrg on Oct 24, 2015 18:18:36 GMT -5
October 25, 1975 - We would come to know them when they lived next door to Alice in the US. In the UK, this was one of 7 Top 10 singles for the band. Was at its #8 peak during a seven week chart run. Don't Play Your Rock & Roll To Me - Smokie October 24, 1981 - First single for this duo after they broke away from 10cc. It has just fallen from its #3 peak position in the eighth week of an 11 week chart run. Under Your Thumb - Godley & Creme October 25, 1986 - He took a break from the BBC soap opera EastEnders to record an album and tour. The single release debuted at #66 then moved to #4 in its second week. The following week, he would top the charts and stay there for three weeks. It was the #2 song of the year on the UK charts, behind "Don't Leave Me This Way" by the Communards. Every Loser Wins - Nick Berry
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Post by rayshae3 on Oct 26, 2015 19:51:27 GMT -5
Catching up with the last week’s dates Last week in 1977: My favorite track off their LP ‘Never Mind the Bollocks, Here’s the Sex Pistols’. Still the radio stations shied away playing anything by the Pistols as they repeatedly rocked the establishments’ boats, no matter how high they climbed the official sales chart like this highest new entry for weekending 10/22/77 at #15, a future #8. Holiday in the Sun-The Sex PistolsLast week in 1984: Second of their ten chart entries, and the followup to their big debut “Smalltown Boy” did okay in the UK chart and peaked at #6; for weekending 10/20/1984, it was out of the top 10, four places down at #11. Why-Bronski Beat
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Post by rayshae3 on Oct 27, 2015 20:38:24 GMT -5
Now my pix for the current week: From this week in 1975: The original version of “Love Hurts” by the Everly Brothers never got released as a single. But an earlier 1961 version by Roy Orbison was a hit in Australia. Then in 1975, the ex-Traffic member Jim Capaldi covered (less painfully! ) and released it a month before Nazareth’s version Hit the US charts (Jim Capaldi’s version was a UK Top 50 new entry at #48 for weekending 10/25/75). While this Jim Capaldi’s version also debuted later in December 1975 in the US, it couldn’t compete with Nazareth’s cover and got stuck at #97 on BB Hot 100 while Nazareth’s version climb to #8. In British chart, it was the other way around (almost), and Jim Capaldi’s solo cover eventually climbed to #4 in the UK, while Nazareth’s version, the lead track as part of an EP, hit the UK singles chart belatedly at #15 in 1977. Love Hurts-Jim CapaldiFrom this week in 1981: A surprise re-make was this former #2 US country hit from 1970 originally recorded by George Jones. Now that Elvis Costello was not as angry with mellower songs like “New Amsterdam”, why not cover the aforementioned slow country song. It also returned Elvis Costello to the UK Top 10 after three consecutive failed efforts (climbing five places to #9 for weekending 10/24/81 and peaking at #6 couple of weeks later.) Good Year for the Roses-Elvis Costello & the AttractionsFrom this week in 1986: A lost but a great song from the ex-member of Teardrop Explodes, Julian Cope was enjoying its highest position in the UK chart at #19 for weekending 10/25/1986. It also eventually charted in the US in 1987 at #84. World Shut Your Mouth-Julian Cope
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Post by 1finemrg on Oct 30, 2015 22:24:29 GMT -5
November 4, 1972: Recorded in 1969, the song was re-released in 1972 to coincide with the popularity of then session singer Rod Stewart. Peaked at #56 in the US earlier in the year, but made it to #3 in the UK. In A Broken Dream - Python Lee Jackson October 28, 1978: Bob Geldof and the boys first UK #1, ruling the roost for 2 weeks. Very Thin Lizzy sounding song. Rat Trap - Boomtown Rats October 29, 1983: This band's biggest UK hit peaked at #3, and was of all things a pretty decent Beatles cover. Dear Prudence - Siouxsie and the Banshees October 31, 1987: This one jumped 43-19 in its second week on its way to topping the UK charts for 5 weeks. It held off such heavyweights as George Harrison's - "Got My Mind Set on You" and Pet Shop Boys - "Always On My Mind". China In Your Hand - T'Pau
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