Hello.
For this Critique, I thought, that I would try something different. I wanted to try a year, that I have not covered. Of course, for this Year, it means many Songs that I did not previously know. But it was still fun. I know, that it is not perfect, but I hope you enjoy.
November 11, 1989
Shadoe Stevens now hosts American Top 40.
40. LOVE SONG – TESLA – This power ballad was one of five (?) Songs to debut onto the Top 40. I remember them more for their Song “Comin’ Atcha Live”, which appeared on the videogame “Grand Theft Auto: Vice City” in 2002.
39. GIRL I’M GONNA MISS YOU – MILLI VANILLI – It reminds me of a mix between Phil Collins (who will be coming later) and Chris Deburgh (The Lady In Red, 1986). Though melancholy, it is not too bad, even if Fab and Rob did not sing it. #1 US, #2 DE (Germany), #1 CH (Switzerland).
38. LICENCE TO CHILL – BILLY OCEAN – Another debut Hit. Peaked at #32.
37. PUMP UP THE JAM - TECHNOTRONIC FEAT. FELLY – Debut. #2 US, DE, CH, & AT (Austria). #1 BE (Belgium). One of many dance hits that I believed to be new when I first heard it.
36. THE LAST WORTHLESS EVENING – DON HENLEY – Debut. I have never before realized it, but he sounds like Bryan Adams. Of course they are not the same, but there are still some similarities. A nice Adult Contemporary hit.
35. DON’T MAKE ME OVER – SYBIL – A Remake of a song, that Dionne Warwick recorded. Her only Top 40 Hit, #20 US, #40 DE.
34. LOVESONG – THE CURE – The second love Song on the Chart. They have not had quite the amount of Success in US as in other markets, but they did reach #2 with this one in October. Also #21 DE.
33. ANOTHER DAY IN PARADISE – PHIL COLLINS – Debut. Not his first message about the Homeless. His first (that I know of) was with his band Genesis in the early 1980s. I thought, that the latter Song was a few Years ahead of its time. But this one performs on the charts much better. On the way to #1, it also reached #1 DE and CH. Additionally, #2 UK and AT.
32. SUGAR DADDY – THOMPSON TWINS – Their final hit in the US. It definitely sounds different from their earlier Songs.
31. WHEN I LOOKED AT HIM – Exposé – If I ever hear a Song from them, it is always their hits “Come Go With Me” or “Point Of No Return”. “Seasons Change” was their biggest hit (#1, 1988), and appears on “Billboard Top Hits: 1988”, but I have never heard that Song except for the CD and one Ep. Of American Top 40. Unlike the first two Hits, this one is more of a ballad.
30. IT’S NO CRIME – BABYFACE – This one falls several positions (or Notches, if one so prefers it) for this Week. It peaked at #7 on the Hot 100, and #1 on the R&B Chart.
29. WITH EVERY BEAT OF MY HEART – TAYLOR DAYNE – Man, I remember this Song! But of course not from 1989. A station would play on the Weekends a marathon of 1980s hits. This was one of many that I recorded onto Cassette. And I listened to it over and over. Then the Tape broke. #5 US, #18 CH (10 December 1989).
28. ME SO H***Y – 2 LIVE CREW – This controversial hit rose 2 more Notches to peak at #26, but it did reach #1 on the Rap Chart. Curiously, I have read that Jack Thompson was highly involved in trying to stop sales of the Album, on which this Song is featured. Thompson would later lead efforts to tame (for lack of a better Description) violent Videogames (including the “Grand Theft Auto” Series), and in 2008 was disbarred.
27. THE BEST – TINA TURNER – The first Single from her Album “Foreign Affair”. It was, on the Week before at its peak position of #15 in the Hot 100. It also reached #4 DE, #3 CH, and #2 AT. It sounds to me a little like “I Found Someone” from Cher.
26. LIVING IN SIN – BON JOVI – I think that this is one of the oldest Songs on the countdown. It was the final Single from their “New Jersey” Album (1988). Also charting in Switzerland, it reached #20 there in January 1990. It is interesting, to hear a different Song from their hits that are more well-known.
25. HEALING HANDS – ELTON JOHN – Five Years before the release of the film “The Lion King”, which was my introduction to Elton John. We once view the Film in School, and when the Video was stopped before the credits, I cried because I could not hear him Sing “Can You Feel The Love Tonight”. As for “Healing Hands”, it was an excellent Song! In addition to the US, it also reached #39 DE, #13 CH, and #10 AT.
24. DON’T SHUT ME OUT – KEVIN PAIGE – One of two hits for this Singer, born in Memphis, Tennessee.
23. SUNSHINE – DINO – This was at its peak position for this Week. It also reached #47 on the R&B Chart. At one point, he actually sings “Ain’t no Sunshine when she’s gone” which are lyrics from an earlier hit from singer Bill Withers.
22. CALL IT LOVE – POCO – This was a comeback Top 40 Hit for this Band from Los Angeles, California. I enjoyed it.
21. LEAVE A LIGHT ON – BELINDA CARLISLE – This member of the Go-Go’s, who disbanded in 1985, continues her success as a solo artist.
20. DR. FEELGOOD – MÖTLEY CRÜE – It reminds me a little of Alice In Chains. Recently I have heard their Song "Home Sweet Home", which have but now learned that it was not recorded by Guns N Roses.
19. DON’T CLOSE YOUR EYES – KIX – After the heavy-metal "Dr. Feelgood", I did not know what to expect with this one. As it is, it is a power-ballad featuring a persistant piano riff. Kid tested, Mother approved.
18. DON’T KNOW MUCH – LINDA RONSTADT & AARON NEVILLE – Beautiful Duet. #2 US, #34 DE, #3 AT. Both singers have had success of their own. It is shame, that Parkinson's Disease has rendered Linda Ronstadt unable to sing.
17. GET ON YOUR FEET – GLORIA ESTEFAN – #11 US, #46 DE. It follows her big hit "Don't Wanna Lose You", which I enjoy very much. A few Months after this chart date, she was almost killed in a traffic accident. Thankfully did she recover.
16. BACK TO LIFE – SOUL II SOUL – #4 US and DE, #2 CH, #13. Also #1 on R&B Chart. Good beat and inspirational lyrics.
15. BUST A MOVE – YOUNG M.C. – Some more Hip-hop for the Countdown. One of two Top 40 hits for this performer born in United Kingdom, but raised in Queens, New York City.
14. POISON – ALICE COOPER – A Comeback for this legend from Detroit, Michigan, and his last Top 40 Hit.
13. WE DIDN’T START THE FIRE – BILLY JOEL – A history Lesson of 40 Years in only four Minutes. His last of 3 #1 Billboard Hot 100 hits. #4 DE, #7 AT.
12. LOVE IN AN ELEVATOR - AEROSMITH – This is for me a close contender for most played Song on the countdown.
11. ANGELIA – RICHARD MARX – Richard Marx' latest hit is a semi power ballad typical of this period. His last hit "Right Here Waiting" went to #1 in August 1989.
10. ROCK WIT’CHA – BOBBY BROWN – Earlier in the Countdown was heard a hit from Babyface. Now here is a Song, that he co-wrote. This was the last Single from the Album "Don't Be Cruel" (1988).
9. DIDN’T I (BLOW YOUR MIND) - NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK – One of two hits from them on the Countdown. Unlike their others from this Year, this Song, originally from the Delfonics, was from their debut Album (1986).
8. SOWING THE SEEDS OF LOVE - TEARS FOR FEARS – A great Comeback for Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith. It does not seem to receive the level of airplay as their earlier hits, but it is still worth hearing (in my opinion). #2 US, #5 UK, #11 DE & CH, and #17 AT.
7. MISS YOU MUCH – JANET JACKSON - Her second #1 Hit on the Hot 100 (for all four Weeks in October 1989). Also #16 DE, #20 CH. It is the first Single from her Album “Rhythm Nation 1814” (partially named for the Year that the US national anthem was written), which produced four #1 Billboard hits.
6. LOVE SHACK - THE B-52’S – It is no question; this is the Song on this List, that I hear most often. Almost every day, if I try hard enough. #3 on the Hot 100. And there are many Songs that hit #1, which are now rarely heard.
5. (IT’S JUST) THE WAY THAT YOU LOVE ME - PAULA ABDUL – When it was first released, it only reached #88. Later it was re-released, probably for reasons similar to the Song at #9: to capitalize on the Success of the performer in the time since. It worked out well, because on this time, it went to #3.
4. BLAME IT ON THE RAIN - MILLI VANILLI – Their second Song on the countdown (more or less, or course). Their third #1 in US, and #2 DE, #1 CH.
3. COVER GIRL – NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK – "... had a bunch of Hits, Chinese food makes me sick, and I think it's fly..." so these are the New Kids On The Block. This was from their most recent album "Hangin' Tough". #2 on the Charts; the Song above hindered it from reaching #1.
2. LISTEN TO YOUR HEART - ROXETTE – Definitely a favorite of mine! It was the previous Weeks #1 Song. Also #7 DE, #8 CH, #2 AT, and #3 SE. A coverversion from the Duo DHT (from Belgium) was released in 2005.
1. WHEN I SEE YOU SMILE – BAD ENGLISH - A combination of different rock performers came together to form this band. It spent two Weeks on the top of the Hot 100. Curiously, it was the first of three successive Songs to hold the top in weekly pairs. Finally, it is the first Song on Billboard Top Hits: 1989.
My Extra:
ICH DENK' AN DICH - MARIANNE ROSENBERG - It has been a while since I have listed anything from her. This was more or less of a comeback for her; she had her first Hit at the age of 15, and would continue to chart throughout the 1970s into the early 1980s. After a remake of the Abba song "One Of Us" in 1982, she was away from the Charts until 1989 when she had two Hits. One in the Spring ("I Need Your Love Tonight") and this seductive one:
Ich denk' an dich, find' keine Ruh'
Ich mach' heut' nacht kein Auge zu.
Ich denk' an dich, was ich auch tu'
Mein Herz schlägt schnell und schuld bist du
Du weißt genau, ich bin die Frau der du heut' verfällst
nur ich und du, niemand sieht zu und der Mond scheint hll.
Ich möcht' so gern mit dir allein sein auf einem ander'n Stern
Weit weg von hier, lieb' mich, denn morgen ist fern
Ich denk' an dich, doch du bleibst kühl
Du spielst mit mir, zeigst kein Gefühl
Ich denk' an dich, brich dein Tabu
Mein Herz schlägt schnell und schuld bist du
Du bist der Mann in meinem Bann und du weißt genau
Du bist verlor'n, wenn ich dir nur in die Augen schau'
Du wirst mich für immer lieben, hast alles neu entfacht
Du hast die Wahl, ich spiel' das Spiel dieser Nacht
Ich denk' an dich, brich dein Tabu
Mein Herz schlägt schnell, und schuld bist du
Ich möcht' so gern mit dir allein sein auf einem ander'n stern
Weit weg von hier, lieb' mich, denn morgen ist fern
Ich denk' an dich vertausendfacht
Wenn alles schläft, dann lieg' ich wach
Ich denk' an dich, was ich auch tu'
Mein Herz schlägt schnell und schuld bist du
Ich denk' an dich
I'm thinking of you, I can find no Peace
I will not close my Eyes tonight
I think of you, (no matter) what I do
My Heart beats fast, and you are to blame.
You know well, that I am the Woman that
Just you and I, nobody watching, and the Moon is shining bright
I would really like to be with you
Far away from here, love me because tomorrow is far away.
I'm thinking of you, yet you remain distant
You're playing with me, you show no feelings (insensitive)
I'm thinking of you, break your inhibitions
My Heart beats fast, and you are to blame.
You are the Man, under my spell, and you know well (that)
You lose yourself, when I look at you straight in the eyes.
You will love me forever, you have rekindled everything
It's your choice, tonight I will play the Game
I'm thinking of you, break your inhibitions
My Heart beats fast, and you are to blame
I would really like to be with you
Far away from here, love me because tomorrow is far away
I'm thinking of you, a thousandfold
When everyone is sleeping, I lay awake
I think of you, (no matter) what I do
My Heart beats fast, and you are to blame
I'm thinking of you"Ich denk' an dich" appeared on her Album "Uns verbrennt die Nacht". A smaller hit compared to here earlier ones, it reached #40 DE in late October 1989.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=yXbghU70Nkowww.youtube.com/watch?v=WlriZ-YP6EA Thank you for reading.