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Post by woolebull on Sept 21, 2021 22:45:01 GMT -5
It looks like we are about to see something amazing happen as Elton John appears to be close to hitting AT 40 with his duet with Dua Lipa, "Cold Heart". If that happens, it surely will be one of the greatest feats of an already amazing career.
For fun, I thought I would ask you all which would be the more amazing feat: Frank Sinatra hitting the Top 40 in 1980 or Elton doing it in 2021? For me, it is a tough answer. Sinatra doing it at 64 (and charting for 41 years) after being out of the top 40 for 11 years is pretty amazing. However, he had number ones up to 13 years before, "New York, New York" and came pretty close to hitting the top 40 in 1975. Elton, 74, has been charting for 51 years, including a string of top 40 hits that found him in the top 40 every year from 1970 to 1995. However, he hasn't had a top 40 hit since 1998. The world of pop music had changed considerably for Sinatra from 1969 to 1980 (the time between "My Way" hitting the top 40 and "New York New York"), however it has changed, in my opinion, much more in the 23 years since Elton last hit the top 40. My initial thought is that it doesn't seem as bizarre for Elton to hit in 2021 just because it seems that he has still been such a pop influence throughout the years. I was only seven when Frank hit in 1980, but it seems when people talk about "New York" hitting, it was one of those rare AT 40 moments that people remember because it was so unique. "New York" did not sound like any of the other songs that were on AT 40 at the time, while "Cold Heart" certainly fits into the current mold of songs. Elton also has the great advantage of having a duet with one of the biggest pop starts on the planet, whereas Frank did it solo.
Certainly there are many points that could be made for both artists. Both were tremendous feats for two of the best pop artists in history. If I had to pick, I think I am leaning to Sinatra as the more amazing feat, though it's not by much. Truly both accomplishments are great and a testament to how great Elton is and Frank was.
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Post by mga707 on Sept 22, 2021 0:56:55 GMT -5
Elton, since it's been a longer period of time since he was a consistent hitmaker. As you state, Sinatra (sorry, just can't call him 'Frank') had been a consistent chart artist all through the '60s, including his two #1s in '66/'67, "Strangers In the Night" and "Something Stupid". During the '70s he had a short but much-publicized 'retirement' from both recording and performing between 1971 and '73, as well as another 'break' from recording in the second half of the '70s, although he continued to perform. What surprised me was that Sinatra did not chart any singles after "New York, New York", either another one from the "Trilogy" 3-record set that "NY, NY" was from; or his 1981 album "She Shot Me Down"; or from what would turn out to be his final album of original material, his 1984 collaboration with the then-sizzling hot producer Quincy Jones, "L.A. Is My Lady". All three of those 1980s Sinatra albums sold well and were well-regarded by critics.
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Post by Rodney on Sept 22, 2021 20:53:22 GMT -5
Love them both, my vote goes for Elton's accomplishment. Both of their return to the charts are impressive, but I think it’s the 23 yr gap that seals it for me.
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Post by dth1971 on Sept 23, 2021 7:23:19 GMT -5
Elton, since it's been a longer period of time since he was a consistent hitmaker. As you state, Sinatra (sorry, just can't call him 'Frank') had been a consistent chart artist all through the '60s, including his two #1s in '66/'67, "Strangers In the Night" and "Something Stupid". During the '70s he had a short but much-publicized 'retirement' from both recording and performing between 1971 and '73, as well as another 'break' from recording in the second half of the '70s, although he continued to perform. What surprised me was that Sinatra did not chart any singles after "New York, New York", either another one from the "Trilogy" 3-record set that "NY, NY" was from; or his 1981 album "She Shot Me Down"; or from what would turn out to be his final album of original material, his 1984 collaboration with the then-sizzling hot producer Quincy Jones, "L.A. Is My Lady". All three of those 1980s Sinatra albums sold well and were well-regarded by critics. The title track from the 1984 Sinatra album "L.A. Is My Lady" had an music video that aired on MTV in mid-late Summer 1984 rotation, but the "L.A. Is My Lady" single never made Billboard's Hot 100 chart. |
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Post by mrjukebox on Sept 23, 2021 17:45:52 GMT -5
Perhaps my local AC station in Connecticut,WEBE 108,will play the Elton John-Dua Lipa collaboration-They've played both "Break My Heart" & "Levitating".
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Post by woolebull on Sept 23, 2021 18:13:26 GMT -5
Perhaps my local AC station in Connecticut,WEBE 108,will play the Elton John-Dua Lipa collaboration-They've played both "Break My Heart" & "Levitating". Since it is currently 10 on the AC chart and 18 on HAC, I would think it will be sooner than later when you hear it. |
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Post by pb on Sept 25, 2021 12:54:27 GMT -5
Elton, since it's been a longer period of time since he was a consistent hitmaker. As you state, Sinatra (sorry, just can't call him 'Frank') had been a consistent chart artist all through the '60s, including his two #1s in '66/'67, "Strangers In the Night" and "Something Stupid". During the '70s he had a short but much-publicized 'retirement' from both recording and performing between 1971 and '73, as well as another 'break' from recording in the second half of the '70s, although he continued to perform. What surprised me was that Sinatra did not chart any singles after "New York, New York", either another one from the "Trilogy" 3-record set that "NY, NY" was from; or his 1981 album "She Shot Me Down"; or from what would turn out to be his final album of original material, his 1984 collaboration with the then-sizzling hot producer Quincy Jones, "L.A. Is My Lady". All three of those 1980s Sinatra albums sold well and were well-regarded by critics. Until I looked up his stats I didn't know Sinatra had a single in 1975 called "I Believe I'm Gonna Love You" that got as high as #47. www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lrtalv_a3tU |
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Post by mga707 on Sept 25, 2021 13:10:26 GMT -5
On what chart? Per Whitburn, "New York, New York" in '80 was his final 'Hot 100' appearance. (edit) Disregard. Misread your comment as '1985'. |
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Post by pb on Sept 25, 2021 13:33:25 GMT -5
The Hot 100, "I Believe I'm Gonna Love You" peaked at #47 on 9/6/75, his only time reaching the top 50 between "My Way" and "New York, New York." |
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Post by mga707 on Sept 25, 2021 18:33:49 GMT -5
The Hot 100, "I Believe I'm Gonna Love You" peaked at #47 on 9/6/75, his only time reaching the top 50 between "My Way" and "New York, New York." Ah, gotcha. 1975. Misread it as 1985 for some reason. I blame aging eyes... What's funny is while I do not ever recall hearing that song at that time, i do recall hearing two other '70s singles by 'The Chairman': His previous release, "Anytime (I'll Be There)" a #75 peaker earlier in 1975 that songwriter Paul Anka would have greater success with the following year, reaching #33; and his rather interesting cover of Jim Croce's "Bad Bad Leroy Brown", #83 in '74. |
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Post by Rodney on Sept 25, 2021 20:41:25 GMT -5
Jerry Lee Lewis did a cover of Leroy Brown as well. I liked it.
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Post by dth1971 on Sept 26, 2021 8:40:39 GMT -5
On what chart? Per Whitburn, "New York, New York" in '80 was his final 'Hot 100' appearance. (edit) Disregard. Misread your comment as '1985'. In recent Billboard Hot 100 years, during the Christmas season when Christmas songs - a mix and new and vintage - made the Billboard Hot 100 because of streaming/Christmas music radio airplay/downloads, did any Frank Sinatra Christmas songs make the recent Billboard Hot 100 charts and maybe the top 40 reaches? |
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Post by mrjukebox on Sept 26, 2021 10:47:23 GMT -5
Just heard "Cold Heart"-Thought it was fabulous!
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Post by jlthorpe on Sept 26, 2021 11:49:00 GMT -5
On what chart? Per Whitburn, "New York, New York" in '80 was his final 'Hot 100' appearance. (edit) Disregard. Misread your comment as '1985'. In recent Billboard Hot 100 years, during the Christmas season when Christmas songs - a mix and new and vintage - made the Billboard Hot 100 because of streaming/Christmas music radio airplay/downloads, did any Frank Sinatra Christmas songs make the recent Billboard Hot 100 charts and maybe the top 40 reaches? In the most recent "Top Pop Singles", it shows "Jingle Bells" reached #49 for Christmas 2018. There may be ones that charted after that, but I'd have to check. |
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Post by lasvegaskid on Oct 11, 2021 19:46:53 GMT -5
Elt back in the top 40
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