jcs72
Full Member
Posts: 141
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Post by jcs72 on Sept 9, 2012 21:03:29 GMT -5
13: BARRACUDA - HEART (11) - Good song, but I generally preferred their 80s/90s hits. I know something was missing when they skipped over that high note right after "city blues".
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jcs72
Full Member
Posts: 141
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Post by jcs72 on Sept 9, 2012 21:05:25 GMT -5
12: JUST A SONG BEFORE I GO – CROSBY, STILLS & NASH (7) I never heard them leave out "soon" (or is it "Sue"?) after the phrase "She helped me with my suitcase ..."! It was just the instruments; no words. - Great song! One of my favorites by them! Not as good as "Dark Star", which came out about the same time, but which never made the AT40--or 100.
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jcs72
Full Member
Posts: 141
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Post by jcs72 on Sept 9, 2012 21:26:44 GMT -5
7: EASY – THE COMMODORES (4) - Great song! One of my favorites from them. Casey mentioned that they had released a new song called “Brick House” that looked “solid enough to hit the countdown in the next few weeks”. Not sure why he didn’t predict it to debut the following week, as it was right outside the countdown, at #42. The second verse about chains was omitted! (Was the KABG crew trying to placate a certain Biden? LOL!)
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Post by reachinforthestars on Sept 9, 2012 23:10:12 GMT -5
7. “Easy” – Commodores. ....for me, this is the last of their R&B ballads...... Every ballad subsequent to this became pop..... I take it you have never heard "Jesus Is Love" from 1980, which was Top 40 Soul.
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Post by dukelightning on Sept 10, 2012 22:23:34 GMT -5
[2: (YOUR LOVE HAS LIFTED ME) HIGHER AND HIGHER – RITA COOLIDGE (3) - Great song! One of my favorites from her and my favorite version of this song.] An interesting fact about this - after three weeks at No. 3, each with a "star", the song moved up to No. 2 without a star this week. Usually that indicated the song was peaking and going to fall the next week. On the following week's countdown, it plummeted to No. 11. This was the only song between 1974 and 1983 to peak at No. 2 for just one week. You want to know what would have happened had "Higher and Higher" still had a star when it hit #2? Look at what happened with the following week's #2 song, "Float On". It DID have a star, held at 2 for a second week and then dropped all the way to 19. HAH went from 2 to 11 to 20. So with a star in its week at #2, it would have held at 2 a second week and then dropped to 20. Yeah I think the star policy has its issues allowing many records to be set that otherwise may not have happened. ("Float On" set a record for the biggest drop from #2)
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Post by pgfromwp on Sept 12, 2012 18:14:36 GMT -5
Critiquing the 9/19/70 AT40 chart from Premiere, which is anticipated to be aired over selected terresterial radio stations (as 9/15/79 is the alternate offering). The ratings are: (5) Outstanding, a classic through the years; (4) Very good, a fave of mine; (3) Good, listenable tune; (2) Just ok; (1) No, just no. As was the case in my initial appraisal effort (of 8/28/71), the ratings are based on my preference for mainstream top 40 music.
40: I'll Be There - Jackson 5 (3) -- Too melodic and not as upbeat as many of their other tunes, yet it's quite listenable. FYI: This is one of six (either former, current, or future) #1's on this chart, which overall spent 17 consecutive weeks at the top spot. 39: Green Eyed Lady - Sugarloaf (3) -- A nice tune from Jerry Corbetta & Co, who took over 4 years to reach the 40 again with another nice song, "Don't Call Us, We'll Call You." 38: Everything's Tuesday - Chairmen of the Board (3) -- Like it, though not as much as their top 10 hit from early 1970, "Give Me Just a Little More Time." 37: That's Where I Went Wrong - Poppy Family (featuring Susan Jacks) (2) -- Sounded like this was Susan's remorse from idolizing her man in "Which Way You Goin' Billy?" Too maudlin for me. 36: Lola - Kinks (3) -- Like it, though it's been so overplayed over the years. FYI: "Lola" is an abbreviated iteration of my last name, so I took lots of ribbing in the fall of 1970. 35: Indiana Wants Me - R Dean Taylor (4) -- Like this one a lot, especially the recording where the police sirens begin the song. 34: Look What They've Done to my Song, Ma - New Seekers (3) -- Like it; pleasant tune. 33: Out in the Country - Three Dog Night (5) -- Have always loved this song; it's possibly my favorite single from my favorite early 70's recording act from Los Angeles who took their name from the description of cold Australian nights where nomads cuddled with dogs for warmth -- a really cold one was a "Three Dog Night." 32: Peace Will Come (According to Plan) - Melanie (1) -- Never liked her songs that much; this one was brutal for me to listen to. 31: Closer to Home - Grand Funk Railroad (3) -- Like it. This song was on the first album I ever purchased, back in the day. 30: Long Long Time - Linda Ronstadt (3) -- A nice tune. 29: Everybody's Got the Right to Love - (New) Supremes (3) -- An upbeat song that should have peaked higher than #21 in the (Billboard) top 40. 28: Joanne - Michael Nesmith and the First National Band (2) -- Disappointed to hear such a slow-paced tune from former Monkee Mike; it does little for me. 27: Neanderthal Man - Hotlegs (2) -- A catchy novelty tune that is burdened by infantile lyrics repeated over 4+ minutes. I wonder if it inspired the Jimmy Castor Bunch to record "Troglodyte" in 1972. FYI: The main group members of Hotlegs later formed 10cc; it seems they like recording songs about love. I'll let you make the connection. 26: Express Yourself - Charles Wright and the Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band (3) -- Nice follow-up song to "Love Land." 25: It's a Shame - Spinners (4) -- A very nice AT40-era debut song from the Detroit-based quintet. 24: (If You Let Me Make Love to You Then) Why Can't I Touch You - Ronnie Dyson (3) -- Like it; would have rated it higher if not for the ridiculous title that is the song's foundation. 23: Solitary Man - Neil Diamond (3) -- Like it about as much as I did when it was first released in 1966, and not as much as some of his other recordings -- also see my comment for #12. 22: Hi-De-Ho - Blood, Sweat and Tears (2) -- Another song with too much of a dragging tempo for my liking. 21: Hand Me Down World - Guess Who (4) -- Like this one a lot; has an edgy tune to it that I occasionally favor. 20: All Right Now - Free (3) -- Like it; see my comment for #36. 19: Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I'm Yours) - Stevie Wonder (3) -- Like it more than the 1977 remake by Peter Frampton. 18: Rubber Duckie - Ernie (1) -- Ok; I get that this release paralleled the beginning of Sesame Street's long TV run, but .. please!!! 17: Groovy Situation - Gene Chandler (3) -- Like it; a song that receives little to no current airplay (except on countdown shows). 16: Spill the Wine - Eric Burdon and War (3) -- Like it; catchy tune. Interesting how War maintained its popularity in the post-Burdon years by changing its musical style to a mix of R&B and funk (in my interpretation). 15: I Who Have Nothing - Tom Jones (3) -- Like it, though nowhere as much as "She's a Lady" in early 1971. 14: (I Know I'm) Losing You - Rare Earth (3) -- Like it as much as the Temptations' original recording from 1966-67. 13: Snowbird - Anne Murray (4) -- A very likeable tune that, at two minutes, is just the right length for this upbeat melody. 12: Cracklin' Rosie - Neil Diamond (4) -- One of my favorites (along with a much lesser played tune, "Brother Love's Travelling Salvation Show") by this accomplished solo artist. 11: Don't Play That Song - Aretha Franklin (3) -- Like it, though nowhere as much as her cover of "Spanish Harlem" one year later. 10: Make it With You - Bread (3) -- See my comment for #34. 9: Candida - Dawn (3) -- Like it. 8: Close to You - Carpenters (3) -- Liked this song much more in my younger years; it's quite listenable. 7: In the Summertime - Mungo Jerry (3) -- The quintessential early 70's summer song; like it. 6: 25 or 6 to 4 - Chicago (3) -- Another song that I liked much more as a teenager collecting records. FYI: This song leaped 70 notches in its hot 100 debut week in late July 1970 from a "bubbling under" position of #130 the previous week; this might be the record for such a debut move. 5: Julie Do You Love Me - Bobby Sherman (2) -- A somewhat irritating song, IMHO; not as catchy as "Easy Come, Easy Go" from earlier in 1970. 4: Patches - Clarence Carter (3) -- Like it; would have rated it higher if not for excessive narrative and uneven melody. 3: Looking Out my Back Door - CCR (3) -- Like it, though not as much as the band's previous release, "Up Around the Bend." 2: War - Edwin Starr (3) -- Like it about as much as "25 Miles" from spring 1969, and (obviously) not quite as much as the record buying public at the time. 1: Ain't No Mountain High Enough - Diana Ross (5) -- A spectacular musical score; I've always loved this remake of Marvin Gaye + Tammi Terrell's original recording from 1967. FYI: Ms Terrell left us in early 1970, before she could have compared her effort to that of the former lead singer of the Supremes.
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Post by at40petebattistini on Sept 12, 2012 19:55:30 GMT -5
pgfromwp, I like your number system to critique songs; a quick glance says it all. Unfortunately, we disagree on the rating of most records in this show. Only 2 5s and 4 4s? It appears you're not a huge fan of music from this time period. My 5s? Rare Earth, BS&T, Grand Funk, Michael Nesmith, Edwin Starr, New Seekers, Chicago, Spinners, Charles Wright, 3 Dog Night, Poppy Family and Sugarloaf. The rest are rated 4, maybe a few 3s.
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Post by mrjukebox on Sept 12, 2012 20:08:04 GMT -5
I've heard "Joanne"played on Barry Scott's program "The Lost 45's"-He said it was written about Jack Nicholson's girlfriend.
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Post by mrjukebox on Sept 12, 2012 21:47:54 GMT -5
Here's my critique of the countdown from 9/15/79 which Premiere is airing this weekend-FYI:They are also running the countdown from 9/19/70. #40-"Oh Well"-The Rockets-The only top forty hit for this Detroit based group-Great song that was written & first recorded by Fleetwood Mac ten years earlier. #39-"Dim All The Lights"-Donna Summer-The third & final release from the "Bad Girls" album-A timeless classic. #38-"Ain't That A Shame"-Cheap Trick-The second release from the album "Cheap Trick At Budokan"-Great rendition of a Fats Domino classic. #37-"Dependin On You"-Doobie Brothers-The third & final release from the album "Minute By Minute"-Great song. #36-"Where Were You When I Was Fallin In Love"-Lobo-His final top forty hit-Great song which should've charted a lot higher. #35-"Saturday Night"-Herman Brood & His Wild Romance-The only top forty hit for this Netherlands based group-Decent song. #34-"Morning Dance"-Spyro Gyra-The only top forty hit for this jazz group that was based in Buffalo,NY-Great instrumental. #33-"When You're In Love With A Beautiful Woman"-Dr.Hook-One of their best songs. "AT40 Archives"-"Shining Star"-Earth Wind & Fire-Their biggest hit & a bonafide classic. #32-"Get It Right Next Time"-Gerry Rafferty-The final top forty hit for this native of Paisley,Scotland (1947-2011)-Another great song that should've charted a lot higher. #31-"Bad Girls"-Donna Summer-Another bonafide classic. #30-"Spooky"-Atlanta Rhythm Section-Great rendition of a song that was originally a hit for The Classics IV in late 1967-early 1968-FYI:With Halloween coming up next month,it's an appropriate choice. #29-"Suspicions"-Eddie Rabbitt-Great song that radio has chosen to ignore. #28-"Don't Stop Til You Get Enough"-Michael Jackson-The initial release from the album "Off The Wall"-A bonafide classic that was headed for #1. #27-"Whatcha Gonna Do With My Loving"-Stephanie Mills-The initial release for this native of Brooklyn,NY who got her big break when she starred as Dorothy in the hit musical "The Wiz"-Great song. #26-"Lovin,Touchin,Squeezin"-Journey-The first top forty hit for this San Francisco based group that featured Steve Perry on lead vocals-A timeless classic. #25-"The Boss"-Diana Ross-One of her lesser known solo hits-Great song that was written by Nick Ashford & Valerie Simpson. #24-"Hot Summer Nights"-Night-The only top forty hit for this Los Angeles based group that featured Chris Thompson-Great song-FYI:Thompson had also made the top forty as a member of Manfred Mann's Earth Band. #23-"Different Worlds"-Maureen Mc Govern-The second of her two top forty hits-Great song that was the theme to the short lived TV series "Angie" that starred Donna Pescow & Robert Hayes. "AT40 Archives"-"Before The Next Teardrop Falls"-Freddy Fender-The first & biggest hit for this Texas native whose real name was Baldemar Huerta-A timeless classic. #22-"I Do Love You"-GQ-Fantastic rendition of a song that was originally a hit for Billy Stewart in 1965. #21-"Cruel To Be Kind"-Nick Lowe-The only top forty hit for this British singer-songwriter-Great tune. #20-"Born to Be Alive"-Patrick Hernandez-The only top forty hit for this French singer-An all-time dance floor classic. #19-"Pop Muzik"-M-The only top forty hit for this Englishman whose real name is Robin Scott-A bonafide classic. #18-"Driver's Seat"-Sniff & The Tears-The only top forty hit for this British group-Great song that never receives recurrent airplay. #17-"Bad Case Of Lovin You"-Robert Palmer-Great song. #16-"Heaven Must Have Sent You"-Bonnie Pointer-The first of two top forty hits for this native of Oakland,CA who was a founding member of The Pointer Sisters-Great song that was a minor hit for The Elgins in 1966. #15-"Goodbye Stranger"-Supertramp-The second release from the album "Breakfast In America"-Great song. #14-"Let's Go"-The Cars-The initial release from their second album "Candy-O"-Great song. #13-"Mama Can't Buy You Love"-Elton John-Great song that displays the soulful side of Captain Fantastic. "AT40 Archives"-Thank God I'm A Country Boy"-John Denver-From his live album "An Evening With John Denver"-Another bonafide classic. #12-"Rise"-Herb Alpert-Great instrumental that was headed for #1. #11-"The Main Event/Fight"-Barbra Streisand-Great song that was featured in the movie of the same name that starred Streisand & Ryan O' Neal. #10-"Sail On"-Commodores-Great song. #9-"Good Times"-Chic-A former #1 song & another all-time dance floor classic. #8-"I'll Never Love This Way Again"-Dionne Warwick-After a five year absence from the top forty,this native of East Orange,NJ returned with this timeless classic that was produced by Barry Manilow. #7-"Lonesome Loser"-Little River Band-Great song. #6-"Sad Eyes"-Robert John-His biggest hit overall & another timeless classic. #5-"Lead Me On"-Maxine Nightingale-The second of her two top forty hits & another timeless classic. #4-"Don't Bring Me Down"-Electric Light Orchestra-Great song that still receives recurrent airplay. #3-"The Devil Went Down To Georgia"-Charlie Daniels Band-A bonafide classic that was later parodied as "The Devil Went To Jamaica" by Travis Meyer. #2-"After The Love Has Gone"-Earth,Wind & Fire-Their second biggest hit & another timeless classic. #1-"My Sharona"-The Knack-The first & biggest hit for this Los Angeles group that featured the late Doug Fieger on lead vocals-A bonafide classic-FYI:The song was written about Sharona Alperin,who was dating Fieger at the time.
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Post by reachinforthestars on Sept 12, 2012 23:50:14 GMT -5
#39-"Dim All The Lights"-Donna Summer-The third & final release from the "Bad Girls" album-A timeless classic. "Walk Away" was actually the final single released from this album. Although when the single was released in 1980, it was promoting a compilation album called "Walk Away" and not the album it originally came from.
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Post by reachinforthestars on Sept 12, 2012 23:55:30 GMT -5
#24-"Hot Summer Nights"-Night-The only top forty hit for this Los Angeles based group that featured Chris Thompson Some pressings of the Top 40 single "If You Remember Me" also credit the group Night.
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Post by pgfromwp on Sept 13, 2012 9:38:15 GMT -5
^Pete, overall that AT40 chart isn't a strong one for me, personally. Nevertheless, my rating methodology is strictly based on a normal curve grading system that approximates standard deviations across a population -- for example, a sample of 40 should have approximately 26 items within the wide middle range, approximately 5 just above and 5 just below that range, and, lastly, 2 at the top and 2 at the bottom. (I've shared a love for both popular music -- specifically 1965-74 era -- and basic mathematics throughout my lifetime.) As a result, only a very few songs will receive either my highest or my lowest ratings. It's strictly personal .
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Post by dukelightning on Sept 13, 2012 15:02:22 GMT -5
pgfromwp, I like your number system to critique songs; a quick glance says it all. Unfortunately, we disagree on the rating of most records in this show. Only 2 5s and 4 4s? It appears you're not a huge fan of music from this time period. My 5s? Rare Earth, BS&T, Grand Funk, Michael Nesmith, Edwin Starr, New Seekers, Chicago, Spinners, Charles Wright, 3 Dog Night, Poppy Family and Sugarloaf. The rest are rated 4, maybe a few 3s. I was thinking similar thoughts as I read through that critique. Green Eyed Lady is a definite 5. Too bad they only played the long version in the top 80 of 1970.
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Post by albe on Sept 13, 2012 16:35:31 GMT -5
^Pete, overall that AT40 chart isn't a strong one for me, personally. Nevertheless, my rating methodology is strictly based on a normal curve grading system that approximates standard deviations across a population -- for example, a sample of 40 should have approximately 26 items within the wide middle range, approximately 5 just above and 5 just below that range, and, lastly, 2 at the top and 2 at the bottom. (I've shared a love for both popular music -- specifically 1965-74 era -- and basic mathematics throughout my lifetime.) As a result, only a very few songs will receive either my highest or my lowest ratings. It's strictly personal . pgfromwp...while I understand your rationale for using the normal curve to grade the top 40 i.e. 34% of the songs are average above the mean while 34% are average below the mean. (+/- 1sd) ; 13.5% of the songs are above average while 13.5% are below average (+/- 2sd) ; and 2.5% are exceptional while 2.5% are poor (+/- 3sd). The songs by their own are not categorized by this classification until someone applies the rating as you did (i.e 5,4,3,2,1,). Therefore an appropriate presentation of the data using your rating scale and a normal curve interpretation would be... let say for example how 100 or 1000 people rate the songs and then we graph them according to the bell curve. Your rating therefore is just 1 sample of the population...and while I agree it is just your personal take on the songs.....I think you may have stumble on a way to rate a top 40 using empirical data. If only there was a way to poll each person on this board after a countdown, and show their findings...I think that would be a much more substantial way to do a chart critque IMHO
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Post by pgfromwp on Sept 13, 2012 21:48:47 GMT -5
^Albe, thanks for the insightful comments. I admittedly used an unscientific rating system that would approximate bell curve results (as some college instructors do when grading tests from a very large class) in my critique, to offer a different approach in this regard. After all, this is a "fun and games" board .
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