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Post by mrjukebox on May 14, 2013 21:17:12 GMT -5
Here's my critique of the countdown from 5/19/73 which Premiere is airing this weekend: #40-"Masterpiece"-The Temptations-Great song that radio has chosen to ignore. #39-"Let's Pretend"-The Raspberries-See above critique of "Masterpiece". #38-"Hearts Of Stone"-John Fogerty & The Blue Ridge Rangers-Great rendition of a song that was a hit in 1955 for Otis Williams & The Charms & The Fontaine Sisters. #37-"And I Love You So"-Perry Como-This Don Mc Lean composition became the final top forty hit for this native of Canonsburg,PA (1912-2001)-Great song. #36-"I Can Understand It"-New Birth-The first of two top forty hits for this R&B group that was based in Louisville,KY-Great song that sounds like something James Brown might've recorded. #35-"One Of A Kind (Love Affair)"-Spinners-One of their best songs. #34-"Teddy Bear Song"-Barbara Fairchild-The only top forty hit on the pop chart for this country singer from Knobel,AR-Decent song. #33-"Superfly Meets Shaft"-John & Ernest-The only chart entry for the duo of John Free & Ernest Smith-This is one of those "break-in" records where a reporter asks a question & the response is from a then current hit-This concept was invented by the late Dickie Goodman who produced this record-Great novelty hit. #32-"Walk On The Wild Side"-Lou Reed-The only top forty hit for this native of Brooklyn,NY who founded the influential band The Velvet Underground-Great song that receives recurrent airplay on classic rock stations. #31-"Armed & Extremely Dangerous"-First Choice-The only top forty hit for this female R&B trio from Philadelphia-Great song. #30-"Will It Go Round In Circles"-Billy Preston-Great song that was headed for #1. #29-"No More Mr.Nice Guy"-Alice Cooper-Great song. #28-"It Sure Took A Long Long Time"-Lobo-Decent song. #27-"I'm Doing Fine Now"-New York City-The only top forty hit for this R&B group who named themselves after their hometown-Great song. #26-"Leaving Me"-The Independents-The only top forty hit for this Chicago based R&B group-Great song-FYI:Group member Chuck Jackson is the brother of The Reverend Jesse Jackson. #25-"Right Place,Wrong Time"-Dr.John-The only top forty hit for this New Orleans native whose real name is Malcolm Rebbenack-An undisputed classic. #24-"Sing"-The Carpenters-One of my favorite songs from them. #23-"Steamroller Blues"-Elvis Presley-Great rendition of a song that was written & first recorded by James Taylor. #22-"Playground In My Mind"-Clint Holmes-The only chart entry for this native of Bournemouth,England-A bonafide guilty pleasure-FYI:The voice of the child belongs to Phillip Vance,the son of Paul Vance who had a hand in writing "Playground". #21-"The Twelfth Of Never"-Donny Osmond-Decent rendition of a Johnny Mathis classic. #20-"I'm Gonna Love You Just A Little Bit More,Baby"-Barry White-The breakthrough smash for this R&B singer (1944-2003)-Another undisputed classic. #19-"Thinking Of You"-Loggins & Messina-Can't understand why this song has been ignored by classic hits stations. #18-"The Right Thing To Do"-Carly Simon-See above critique of "Thinking Of You". #17-"Out Of The Question"-Gilbert O'Sullivan-One of his lesser known hits-Great song. #16-"Funky Worm"-The Ohio Players-Their breakthrough smash-This song would definitely fall into the novelty category-Dr.Demento has played it a time or two on his show-Great record. #15-"The Cisco Kid"-War-Their biggest hit overall & a great song to boot. #14-"Daisy A Day"-Jud Strunk-A rather poignant song. #13-"Hocus Pocus"-Focus-The only top forty song for this Dutch band-It's a little on the weird side but I like it. #12-"The Night The Lights Went Out In Georgia"-Vicki Lawrence-A former #1 hit & another bonafide guilty pleasure. #11-"Reeling In The Years"-Steely Dan-Their second top forty hit & a great song. #10-"Wildflower"-Skylark-The only top forty hit for this Canadian group that featured co-vocalists B.J.Cook & Donny Gerard-This one has undisputed classic written all over it. #9-"Pillow Talk"-Sylvia-This native of Harlem,NY (1936-2011) became a one-hit wonder twice-In 1957,she teamed up with singer Mc Houston (Mickey) Baker for the top twenty hit "Love Is Strange"-Sixteen years later,she recorded this sensual song which was a definite precursor to Donna Summer's "Love To Love You Baby"-"Pillow Talk" is another undisputed classic. #8-"Stuck In The Middle With You"-Stealer's Wheel-The first of two top forty hits for the Scottish duo of Gerry Rafferty & Joe Egan-Great song that still receives recurrent airplay. #7-"Drift Away"-Dobie Gray-His biggest hit overall & another undisputed classic. #6-"My Love"-Paul Mc Cartney & Wings-From the album "Red Rose Speedway"-Great song that was headed for #1. #5-"Daniel"-Elton John-From his album "Don't Shoot Me,I'm Only The Piano Player"-This ranks as one of his best songs. #4-"Frankenstein"-Edgar Winter Group-The first of three top forty hits for this band that was founded by Beaumont,TX native Edgar Winter-Classic instrumental. #3-"Little Willy"-The Sweet-The breakthrough smash for this British group that featured Brian Connolly on lead vocals-Another bonafide guilty pleasure. #2-"Tie A Yellow Ribbon Round The Old Oak Tree"-Tony Orlando & Dawn-Their signature song & another bonafide guilty pleasure. #1-"You Are The Sunshine Of My Life"-Stevie Wonder-Another undisputed classic.
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Post by JessieLou on May 17, 2013 13:16:39 GMT -5
My critique for the 70's charts is that there was no Grace Slick.
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Post by Hervard on May 17, 2013 15:44:02 GMT -5
American Top 40: The 80s - May 18, 2013
This week's presentation - May 17, 1980
LW#3: LOST IN LOVE – AIR SUPPLY LW#2: RIDE LIKE THE WIND – CHRISTOPHER CROSS LW#1: CALL ME - BLONDIE Hmm, should I comment on those now? I doubt that any of them will be on the chart this week. Oh wait, Casey just said there are two debuts on the countdown, so at least one of them are still hanging around... 40: WE LIVE FOR LOVE – PAT BENATAR (debut) - Great song! Great synths in this. 39: I DON’T WANT TO WALK WITHOUT YOU – BARRY MANILOW (debut) - Surprisingly, I don't remember ever hearing this one (although I'm sure I did at least once, on the May 24 show a few years back). Anyway, it's pretty good, but one of my least favorites by him. 38: SPECIAL LADY – RAY, GOODMAN & BROWN (21) - Great song! A guilty pleasure of mine! 37: HOLD ON TO MY LOVE – JIMMY RUFFIN (10) - OMG, what a huge drop! Oh well, at least it didn't fall out, which is good, since it's a great song! 36: STARTING OVER AGAIN – DOLLY PARTON (36) - Good song - sounds like something Barbra Streisand would sing. 35: HEADED FOR A FALL - FIREFALL (39) - Great song! Right up there with their first two Top 20 hits. 34: GEE WHIZ – BERNADETTE PETERS (35) - Great song! This one reminds me of "Break It To Me Gently" by Brenda Lee (which is appropriate, because the original of this song, by Carla Thomas, charted around the same time). 33: SHOULD’VE NEVER LET YOU GO – NEIL SEDAKA & DARA SEDAKA (40) - Great song! Sounds a little like something from the sixties. ARCHIVES: REUNITED – PEACHES & HERB - Great song! My favorite song by them! OPTIONAL EXTRA: ONE FINE DAY - CAROLE KING - Great song! One of her best! 32: WONDERING WHERE THE LIONS ARE – BRUCE COCKBURN (34) - Good song - has sort of a folk rock flavor to it. 31: LET ME BE THE CLOCK – SMOKEY ROBINSON (33) - Good song - sounds a lot like his songs with the Miracles. 30: THE SEDUCTION – THE JAMES LAST BAND (31) - Good song. LDD: LEAVING ON A JET PLANE – PETER, PAUL & MARY - Not bad, but I prefer a few others by them. This one fit the dedication like a glove. 29: LET’S GET SERIOUS – JERMAINE JACKSON (32) - This song wasn't too bad, but I prefer a few others by him, especially his 1984 hits. This one sounded kind of like a Stevie Wonder song. 28: I CAN’T TELL YOU WHY – THE EAGLES (16) - Good song, but my favorite song from The Long Run was the album cut "The Sad Cafe". 27: LITTLE JEANNIE – ELTON JOHN (38) - Great song! One of my favorite of his 80s hits! 26: SHE’S OUT OF MY LIFE – MICHAEL JACKSON (30) - Great song, although this one can make me cry, since I heard it four years ago soon after finding out what had happened to him. 25: TRAIN IN VAIN – THE CLASH (28) - Good song, although I preferred "Rock The Casbah". 24: FIRE LAKE – BOB SEGER (6) - Great song! My favorite of the Against The Wind singles. 23: DO RIGHT – PAUL DAVIS (24) - Good song. I never thought of this as a religious song, but then again, I had never paid attention to the lyrics until now. ARCHIVES: HOT STUFF – DONNA SUMMER - Good song, though quite overplayed. OPTIONAL EXTRA: ATOMIC - BLONDIE - Good song, though not quite as good as her song on the countdown this week. 22: HEART HOTELS – DAN FOGELBERG (25) - Great song! One of my favorite songs from him! 21: STEAL AWAY – ROBBIE DUPREE (23) - Great song! My favorite of his two big hits! 20: THE ROSE – BETTE MIDLER (22) - Good song, but I prefer a few other songs by her. 19: COMING UP – PAUL McCARTNEY (27) - Great song! Much better than the robotic sounding studio version, especially since it sounds more like McCartney, due to his voice not being overdubbed multiple times. 18: AGAINST THE WIND – BOB SEGER & THE SILVER BULLET BAND (26) - Great song! Earlier, I mentioned that "Fire Lake" was my favorite song from this album, but this one is a close second. Too bad they never played the full album version on AT40 (that I know of, anyway). 17: BRASS IN POCKET – THE PRETENDERS (20) - Great song! Not sure if I prefer this or "Back On The Chain Gang". 16: STOMP – THE BROTHERS JOHNSON (18) - Meh, not a huge fan of this one, and I think we all know why, lol! 15: BREAKDOWN DEAD AHEAD – BOZ SCAGGS (17) - Great song! This one reminded me a little of "Lido Shuffle". 14: PILOT OF THE AIRWAVES – CHARLIE DORE (13) - Good song - her only Top 40 hit. 13: I CAN’T HELP IT – ANDY GIBB & OLIVIA NEWTON-JOHN (14) - Good song - they definitely sounded good together. 12: CARS – GARY NUMAN (15) - Great song! One I remember quite well from when it was on the charts! ARCHIVES: LOVE YOU INSIDE OUT – THE BEE GEES - Good song. I swore that this one hit #1 before "Hot Stuff". Well, I was kind of right - this song actually interrupted the three week #1 streak of "Hot Stuff", hence it was #1 before Summer resumed her run at the top. OPTIONAL EXTRA: CUPID/I'VE LOVED YOU FOR A LONG TIME - THE SPINNERS - Great song! I liked their two big 1980 hits about the same. 11: HURT SO BAD – LINDA RONSTADT (12) - Great song, but not quite her best. 10: BIGGEST PART OF ME - AMBROSIA (11) - Great song! One of their best. This was the current #1 on the Radio & Records chart, where it spent four weeks on top. 9: ANOTHER BRICK IN THE WALL – PINK FLOYD (5) - Good song, and interesting story about this single, as well as the album, being banned in England - so much that mere possession of either could result in jail time. 8: DON’T FALL IN LOVE WITH A DREAMER – KENNY ROGERS W/ KIM CARNES (9) - Great song! One of my favorites from both of them! 7: YOU MAY BE RIGHT – BILLY JOEL (7) - Great song! 6: SEXY EYES – DR. HOOK (8) - Good song, but, of course, we all know what Dr. Hook song I like best. LDD: WE ARE FAMILY – SISTER SLEDGE - Good song, and a very touching LDD! 5: WITH YOU I’M BORN AGAIN – BILLY PRESTON & SYREETA (4) - Great song! Very hypnotic sounding! 4: FUNKY TOWN – LIPPS, INC. (19) - Wow, what a huge move! It was clear where this song was going! Anyway, I wasn't a huge fan of this, but I've learned to like it a little better than I used to. 3: LOST IN LOVE – AIR SUPPLY (3) - Great song! One of my favorite songs by them with Graham Russell on lead vocals. OPTIONAL EXTRA: SHINING STAR - THE MANHATTANS - Great song! Of their two Top Five hits, this is far and away my favorite (as their other one gets a "No. Just no" from me everytime). 2: RIDE LIKE THE WIND – CHRISTOPHER CROSS (2) - Wow, this song really wanted into the #1 spot, as this was its fourth week in the runner-up position. It was a great one, but I preferred a few others from him, including his two #1 songs. 1: CALL ME - BLONDIE (1) - Great song! This song was in its fifth of six weeks on top, and would become the top song of the entire year.
Predictions for next week: Well, due to a clue in the 80s thread, as well as my DJ friend who I mentioned on a recent critique spilling the beans once again (I have, BTW, asked him not to do that anymore), I already know what next week's show is. In case you haven't read the one post - when you see next week's show, you might say, "You've got to be KIDDING me!" (about both shows selected, that is).
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Post by bestmusicexpert on May 17, 2013 20:31:49 GMT -5
I love the Brothers Johnso . Not this one as much but it grew on me after I did the A&M countdown.
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Post by bestmusicexpert on May 17, 2013 20:32:42 GMT -5
a few weeks from this time didn't they screw up the chart position for Focus putting them at 8 instead of 9?
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Post by mrjukebox on May 17, 2013 20:54:11 GMT -5
Here's my critique of the countdown from 5/17/80 which Premiere is airing this weekend: #40-"We Live For Love"-Pat Benatar-Great follow up to her debut release "Heartbreaker". #39-"I Don't Walk To Walk Without You"-Barry Manilow-Here's a song that dates back to the pre-rock era:In 1942,it was a #1 song for Harry James & His Orchestra-Great rendition by Mr.Manilow. #38-"Special Lady"-Ray,Goodman,& Brown-Great song that radio has chosen to ignore. #37-"Hold On To My Love"-Jimmy Ruffin-See above critique of "Special Lady". #36-"Starting Over Again"-Dolly Parton-One of her lesser known hits-Decent song. #35-"Headed For A Fall"-Firefall-Great song that should've been a bigger hit. #34-"Gee Whiz"-Bernadette Peters-Back in 1961,this was a top ten smash for Carla Thomas-Nineteen years later,it was the only charted single for this singer & actress from Queens,NY-Great rendition. #33-"Should've Never Let You Go"-Neil & Dara Sedaka-Great one-off duet between this legendary singer & his daughter. "AT40 Archives"-"Reunited"-Peaches & Herb-Their biggest hit overall & an undisputed classic. #32-"Wondering Where The Lions Are"-Bruce Cockburn-The only top forty hit for this folksinger from Ottawa,Canada-Great song. #31-"Let Me Be The Clock"-Smokey Robinson-Great follow up to "Cruisin". #30-"The Seduction"-James Last Band-The only top forty entry for this German composer & band leader-Great instrumental that was featured in the Richard Gere movie "American Gigolo". #29-"Let's Get Serious"-Jermaine Jackson-Great song that featured background vocals by Stevie Wonder. #28-"I Can't Tell You Why"-The Eagles-The final release from "The Long Run"-Great song that featured Timothy B.Schmitt on lead vocals. #27-"Little Jeannie"-Elton John-The initial release from his album "21 At 33"-Another undisputed classic. #26-"She's Out Of My Life"-Michael Jackson-The fourth & final release from "Off The Wall"-One of his best ballads. #25-"Train In Vain"-The Clash-The first of two top forty hits for this British punk rock group that featured Joe Strummer on lead vocals-Great song. #24-"Fire Lake"-Bob Seger-The initial release from his album "Against The Wind"-Great song. #23-"Do Right"-Paul Davis-One of his lesser known hits-Great song. "AT40 Archives"-"Hot Stuff"-Donna Summer-An all-time dance floor classic. #22-Heart Hotels"-Dan Fogelberg-Can't understand why this song doesn't receive recurrent airplay. #21-"Steal Away"-Robbie Dupree-The first of two top forty hits for this native of Brooklyn,NY-Great song that still receives recurrent airplay. #20-"The Rose"-Bette Midler-The title song from the movie that starred The Divine Miss M-Another undisputed classic. #19-"Coming Up"-Paul Mc Cartney-Great song that was recorded live in Glasgow,Scotland. #18-"Against The Wind"-Bob Seger-This was the title track from that album-One of his best songs. #17-"Brass In Pocket"-The Pretenders-Great song. #16-"Stomp"-Brothers Johnson-Their final top forty hit-Great song. #15-"Breakdown Dead Ahead"-Boz Scaggs-The initial release from the album "Middle Man"-Great song that featured Steve Lukather from Toto on guitar. #14-"Pilot Of The Airwaves"-Charlie Dore-The only top forty hit for this British singer-songwriter-Great song-FYI:Dore returned to the top forty in 1984 as the writer of Sheena Easton's top ten hit "Strut". #13-"I Can't Help It"-Andy Gibb & Olivia Newton-John-Great one-off duet. #12-"Cars"-Gary Numan-The only top forty hit for this British singer-Great song. "AT40 Archives"-"Love You Inside Out"-Bee Gees-This became their ninth #1 hit of the 70's-Great song-FYI:In the rock era,The Bee Gees are the second most popular trio-Way ahead of them are Diana Ross & The Supremes who had 12 #1 hits during the mid to late 60's. #11-"Hurt So Bad"-Linda Ronstadt-Great rendition of a song that was also a top forty hit for Little Anthony & The Imperials & The Lettermen. #10-"Biggest Part Of Me"-Ambrosia-One of their best songs. #9-"Another Brick In The Wall"-Pink Floyd-Their biggest hit overall & another undisputed classic. #8-"Don't Fall In Love With A Dreamer"-Kenny Rogers & Kim Carnes-Great one-off duet. #7-"You May Be Right"-Billy Joel-The initial release from his album "Glass Houses"-Great song. #6-"Sexy Eyes"-Dr.Hook-A bonafide guilty pleasure. #5-"With You,I'm Born Again"-Billy Preston & Syreeta-This one has undisputed classic written all over it. #4-"Funky Town"-Lipps Inc-The only top forty hit for this studio band that was assembled by Minneapolis,MN native Steve Greenberg-Another all-time dance floor classic-FYI:In 1987,"Funky Town" became a top forty hit for the second time by a band called Pseudo Echo who were also one-hit wonders. #3-"Lost In Love"-Air Supply-The first top forty hit for the Australian duo of Graham Russell & Russell Hitchcock-Another undisputed classic. #2-"Ride Like The Wind"-Christopher Cross-Great song that featured Michael Mc Donald on background vocals. #1-"Call Me"-Blondie-Their biggest hit overall & another undisputed classic.
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Post by blackbowl68 on May 18, 2013 11:34:35 GMT -5
Chart Critique for CASEY KASEM'S AMERICAN TOP 40 – May 18, 2013 Countdown for the week ending May 17, 1980
PERSONAL: I was living in Wichita Falls, TX at this time after my brief stay in Queens, NY. I had already been exposed to American Top 40 towards the end of my stay in Italy by December 1979. Once in Texas, it would take me three months to find a station carrying the show. I finally did on KSWO-AM based out of Lawton, OK. (For those paying attention, this was a new affiliate announced by Casey on the 4/21/1979 show...which was one week after a series of large tornadoes destroyed downtown Wichita Falls.) The very first AT40 show I heard on that station was for the chart week of 5/10/1980 and I have been hooked ever since...even into the Ryan Seacrest era! But despite all the time that has passed, the charts from the spring of 1980 are the ones most vividly remember.
LW#3: LOST IN LOVE – AIR SUPPLY LW#2: RIDE LIKE THE WIND – CHRISTOPHER CROSS LW#1: CALL ME - BLONDIE Falling off the chart this week are... THINK ABOUT ME - FLEETWOOD MAC (37) WORKING MY WAY BACK TO YOU/ FORGIVE ME, GIRL - THE SPINNERS (29)
And we now begin this week's biggest hits...(Songs I heard for the very first time via AT40 have an asterisk after them...sans the extras.) 40: WE LIVE FOR LOVE – PAT BENATAR* (debut) Good rocker from Long Island, NY native that showcases some of her operatic training. 39: I DON’T WANT TO WALK WITHOUT YOU – BARRY MANILOW* (debut) I wasn't really fond of this updating of oft covered pre-R-N-R standard. Listener question: What song spent the most weeks in the top 10 without reaching #1? 38: SPECIAL LADY – RAY, GOODMAN & BROWN (21) Nice vocal crooning from Inglewood, NJ group formerly known as the Moments. Answer: So Rare - Jimmy Dorsey (17 weeks only reaching #2) 37: HOLD ON TO MY LOVE – JIMMY RUFFIN (10) Mississippi native with a decent comeback hit of sorts produced by Bee Gee Robin Gibb. 36: STARTING OVER AGAIN – DOLLY PARTON* (36) Rather sad rendition of Donna Summer composition that is likely about her first marriage. 35: HEADED FOR A FALL - FIREFALL* (39) OK soft rock number from Denver based quintet. 34: GEE WHIZ – BERNADETTE PETERS* (35) Great update of Carla Thomas' chestnut with nice sax touch at the end from thespian I did not know was an actress at the time. 33: SHOULD’VE NEVER LET YOU GO – NEIL SEDAKA & DARA SEDAKA (40) Sad ballad that sounds very spooky as a father/daughter pairing. AT40 ARCHIVES: (#1 hits of the 70's) REUNITED – PEACHES & HERB (May 1979) Great ballad & sole charttopper from the sweethearts of soul. PREMIERE OPTIONAL EXTRA: ONE FINE DAY - CAROLE KING - Great update of pop classic she co-wrote for the Chiffons in 1963. 32: WONDERING WHERE THE LIONS ARE – BRUCE COCKBURN* (34) I love the groove on this track that sounds stronger than many Gordon Lightfoot numbers. 31: LET ME BE THE CLOCK – SMOKEY ROBINSON (33) America's greatest poet comes up with a number that would likely inspire a Culture Club hit. 30: THE SEDUCTION – THE JAMES LAST BAND* (31) Great jazz number from American Gigolo with a very distracting synthesizer underneath. LDD: LEAVING ON A JET PLANE – PETER, PAUL & MARY - A very appropriate song for this dedication. 29: LET’S GET SERIOUS – JERMAINE JACKSON (32) Funky Stevie Wonder production that took this Motown soloist off one-hit wonder status. 28: I CAN’T TELL YOU WHY – THE EAGLES* (16) Likely their most soulful ballad & swan song (of sorts) for California based rock band led here by Timothy B. Schmidt. 27: LITTLE JEANNIE – ELTON JOHN* (38) Decent midtempo number from the Rocket Man with interesting synthesized tambourine shakes. 26: SHE’S OUT OF MY LIFE – MICHAEL JACKSON* (30) This was a track I never really listened to despite already having the parent album. Slow ballad bombed as a soul record & became fodder for Eddie Murphy jokes. 25: TRAIN IN VAIN (STAND BY ME) – THE CLASH* (28) This catchy punk rock number likely climbed the chart on the strength of sales as I never heard it on radio much. Listener question: Have any songs about God ever make the Top 40? 24: FIRE LAKE – BOB SEGER (6) Michigan native redeems himself here after his God awful last chart hit with groovin' riverboat rocker. Answer: Yes, including six that reached the Top 5. (Apparently, this question made Casey grin. BTW, he missed one: a #3 record in early 1961.) 23: DO RIGHT – PAUL DAVIS* (24) Mississippi native with a testimony about remaining righteous. AT40 ARCHIVES: (#1 hits of the 70's) HOT STUFF – DONNA SUMMER (June 1979) Charttopper that takes Lady Marmalade to the next level. PREMIERE OPTIONAL EXTRA: ATOMIC - BLONDIE - Single from Eat To The Beat that falls through the cracks due to their current monster hit. 22: HEART HOTELS – DAN FOGELBERG* (25) Somewhat weak follow-up for Illinois native that despite its musicianship doesn't sound that strong. 21: STEAL AWAY – ROBBIE DUPREE* (23) Catchy debut single with a Kenny Loggins/ Michael McDonald type groove that works well here. 20: THE ROSE – BETTE MIDLER* (22) Title ballad track from her movie that has an eerie but somber feel you hate one minute and love the next. 19: COMING UP (Live in Glasgow) – PAUL McCARTNEY & WINGS* (27) First exposure of well known live version on B-side of hit single. I actually like both versions equally for they offer. 18: AGAINST THE WIND – BOB SEGER & THE SILVER BULLET BAND* (26) This has since become my favorite track from this Dearborn native mostly due to its highway aura. Listener question: What album took the longest time to hit #1? 17: BRASS IN POCKET (I'M SPECIAL) – THE PRETENDERS (20) Funky new wave song from British group led by Akron, OH native Chrisse Hynde. Answer: Fleetwood Mac's 1975 eponymous album. (58 weeks to #1) 16: STOMP – THE BROTHERS JOHNSON (18) Great dancefloor favorite from R&B funk guitar duo that was their last major hit. 15: BREAKDOWN DEAD AHEAD – BOZ SCAGGS* (17) OK pop rocker from Steve Miller alumni. 14: PILOT OF THE AIRWAVES – CHARLIE DORE (13) Poppy song that would make a great dedication to Casey himself. 13: I CAN’T HELP IT – ANDY GIBB & OLIVIA NEWTON-JOHN (14) Song is essentially "Don't Throw It All Away (Our Love)" with an additional female vocal on it. Good, but feels like overkill. 12: CARS – GARY NUMAN (15) Lone American hit by British techno wizard that has become an early time capsule to define the decade. AT40 ARCHIVES: (#1 hits of the 70's) LOVE YOU INSIDE OUT – THE BEE GEES (June 1979) The last #1 hit for British family supergroup that was getting unfair treatment by radio at this time. PREMIERE OPTIONAL EXTRA: CUPID/I'VE LOVED YOU FOR A LONG TIME - THE SPINNERS - Detroit vocal group repeats current formula and scores the biggest version of Sam Cooke chestnut coupled with new song about where the arrow should go. Great medley with a catchy dance beat. 11: HURT SO BAD – LINDA RONSTADT (12) Tucson native does a slightly punchier rendition of Little Anthony classic hit that she makes her own. 10: BIGGEST PART OF ME - AMBROSIA* (11) Doobie Brothers soundalike group from L.A. with good sounding soulful ballad. 9: ANOTHER BRICK IN THE WALL (Part II) – PINK FLOYD (5) Despite their immense popularity and body of work, this funky rock classic remains far and away this British progressive rock band's biggest hit. 8: DON’T FALL IN LOVE WITH A DREAMER – KENNY ROGERS with KIM CARNES* (9) Good outlaw ballad that fails to show Houston native was trying to turn a corner. 7: YOU MAY BE RIGHT – BILLY JOEL (7) The Piano Man attempts to squash his poor man's Harry Chapin persona with this outrageous rocker, which I thought he did with "Big Shot." 6: SEXY EYES – DR. HOOK (8) Stronger follow-up for West Coast soft rockers that made the soul charts LDD: WE ARE FAMILY – SISTER SLEDGE - Not really a good choice for the dedication in which story had me listening with one eye open. 5: WITH YOU, I’M BORN AGAIN – BILLY PRESTON & SYREETA (4) Slooow duet ballad that became a surprise pop hit for Motown release. 4: FUNKY TOWN – LIPPS, INC.* (19) From the ashes of disco demolition comes this Minneapolis funky jam about NYC that was the week's biggest climber on the entire Hot 100 & is now considered a dancefloor pulsator. 3: LOST IN LOVE – AIR SUPPLY* (3) First American hit for Aussie group with a very breezy feel to it. PREMIERE OPTIONAL EXTRA: SHINING STAR - THE MANHATTANS - Great acoustic soul number from NJ vocal group that's very bright. 2: RIDE LIKE THE WIND – CHRISTOPHER CROSS* (2) Debut single from Austin, TX native with good jazz fusion pop sound. 1: CALL ME - BLONDIE (1) Monster track from American Gigolo that not only rocks but you can dance to it as well.
SYNOPSIS: Despite my strong identification with the records on this show, the spring of 1980 is likely the least representative period of what we come to identify with the decade. This was a transitional period in every way, shape, or form. Though many associate this time with British new wave & punk rock, the American charts contained songs associated with all sorts of genres and eras. Part of this may be due to pop stations seeking input from radio consultants to determine their playlists. As a result, we have a period of popular music with no real distinct trend.
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Post by Hervard on May 18, 2013 11:54:20 GMT -5
AT40 ARCHIVES: (#1 hits of the 70's) LOVE YOU INSIDE OUT – THE BEE GEES (June 1979) The last #1 hit for British family supergroup that was getting unfair treatment by radio at this time.
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Post by pb on May 18, 2013 13:27:00 GMT -5
SYNOPSIS: Despite my strong identification with the records on this show, the spring of 1980 is likely the least representative period of what we come to identify with the decade. Listening to some of these early 80's episodes I had the thought that the 80's didn't actually start until Thriller came out.
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Post by bestmusicexpert on May 18, 2013 20:13:50 GMT -5
Pb. Gotta disagree. Don't like him but John Cougar and Hurts So Good and Jack & Diane as well as Physical, Don't Stop Believin and even Foreigner and Kim Carnes hits I believe help define the decade. Queens Another One Bites The Dust with an honorable mention.
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Post by bestmusicexpert on May 18, 2013 22:00:36 GMT -5
Meaning don't like JC, not MJ. Dont want someone's tits to get twisted on misunderstanding my words... even if I'd win.... again...
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Post by donwa001 on May 18, 2013 22:19:08 GMT -5
While a lot of people seem to dislike the Top 40 chart at the start of the 80's (and they feel the decade didn't improve until Thriller came out), I'll say these Adult Contemporary leaning songs were great to play on the piano. "With You I'm Born Again", "The Rose" and "Should Have Never Let You Go" are among my favorite songs to play.
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Post by tpanther775 on May 19, 2013 8:18:37 GMT -5
SYNOPSIS: Despite my strong identification with the records on this show, the spring of 1980 is likely the least representative period of what we come to identify with the decade. Listening to some of these early 80's episodes I had the thought that the 80's didn't actually start until Thriller came out. Now with today's radio. They will definitely have you believe that. Radio has the 80's as this criteria mid to late 1982 along with about 10 songs from 1980 and 1981 until early 1988. That's the way it is in this part of the country. This included with Sirius XM 80's. So basically the bookends of the decade basically get forgotten. That's why a lot of the times when AT40 is played in first two years of the decade. I hear a lot of people I know enjoy that, simply for the fact they hear songs they hadn't heard in years.
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Post by pb on May 19, 2013 13:00:34 GMT -5
Pb. Gotta disagree. Don't like him but John Cougar and Hurts So Good and Jack & Diane as well as Physical, Don't Stop Believin and even Foreigner and Kim Carnes hits I believe help define the decade. Queens Another One Bites The Dust with an honorable mention. I like a lot of early 80s music too. What I had in mind is that there was a fair amount of 70's hangover in terms of disco, singer-songwriter, prog-rock etc type hits before the MTV people took over.
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Post by mga707 on May 19, 2013 19:00:20 GMT -5
Listening to some of these early 80's episodes I had the thought that the 80's didn't actually start until Thriller came out. I'd go about half a year earlier, to when "Don't You Want Me" hit #1 in the summer of 82. To me that was the first #1 record with what came to be the stereotypical "80s sound".
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