November 1981 — pushing the limits

Another eclectic early 80's countdown from the first year I seriously listened to the charts.  As I’ve noted before, 1981 had strong elements of jazz, pop, country, TV themes, instrumentals, adult contemporary, rock, and R&B.  What made this particular chart notable were a couple extremes in that department.

One was the inimitable "Super Freak" by Rick James, which the DJs described as one the safer, accessible records on the album.  Well, put it up against the Kenny Rogers plaintive “Share your Love with Me” (with Gladys Knight), and it sure doesn’t seem safe.  But the groove is undeniable, which is why it reappeared within a decade on MC Hammer’s iconic “U Can't Touch This”

Another out of place song was by Bob Seger — no ordinary rock song, nor anything like his Americana ballads of 1980...this was a LIVE, rockin' Memphis funk record.  (And the second live record on the countdown, after Billy Joel). And it was WAY up at #5, alongside Sheena Easton!  The Rolling Stones also had their biggest hit of the 80's and for a long time the biggest hit ever on the rock songs chart.  These all helped make the top echelon of the chart not my favorites.

Some notable convergences: Stevie’s Nicks had back to back hits, right next to her bandmate too!  Diana Ross had two in the countdown too, as did Richie, including the Commodores. "Endless Love" was right next to another mega-charter, "Physical" (19 weeks at #1 between them).

A few nostalgia records were charting...The Old Songs, Yesterday’s Songs, Diana Ross’s record...

But looking forward, broadly considered the biggest hit of the 80's, despite only peaking at #9..."Don't Stop Believin'" debuts this week -- it has been downloaded more in the 2000's than any other 80's track, despite being only the 3rd biggest hit off its own album.

First hits:  Quarterflash, Al Jarreau, Chilliwack, James Ingram, and most notably the Go Gos.
Last hit:  Marty Balin of Jefferson Starship.
Favorites (5-star): "Waiting for a Girl Like You," "Super Freak," "Promises in the Dark," "Just Once," and "Endless Love."  

And best song...just once!

1 3 PRIVATE EYES –•– Daryl Hall and John Oates (RCA)-11 (1 week at #1) (1)
2 2 START ME UP –•– The Rolling Stones (Rolling Stones)-12 (2)
3 1 ARTHUR’S THEME (Best That You Can Do) –•– Christopher Cross (Warner Brothers)-13 (1)
4 4 FOR YOUR EYES ONLY –•– Sheena Easton (EMI-America)-16 (4)
5 6 TRYIN’ TO LIVE MY LIFE WITHOUT YOU –•– Bob Seger (Capitol)-9 (5)
6 8 THE NIGHT OWLS –•– The Little River Band (Capitol)-12 (6)
7 7 HARD TO SAY –•– Dan Fogelberg (Full Moon)-11 (7)
8 9 I’VE DONE EVERYTHING FOR YOU –•– Rick Springfield (RCA)-12 (8)
9 11 HERE I AM (Just When I Thought I Was Over You) –•– Air Supply (Arista)-7 (9)
10 15 WAITING FOR A GIRL LIKE YOU –•– Foreigner (Atlantic)-5 (10)

11 12 WHEN SHE WAS MY GIRL –•– The Four Tops (Casablanca)-13 (11)
12 13 THE THEME FROM “HILL STREET BLUES” –•– Mike Post (Featuring Larry Carlton)-12 (12)
13 5 ENDLESS LOVE –•– Diana Ross and Lionel Richie (Motown)-18 (1)
14 23 PHYSICAL –•– Olivia Newton-John (MCA)-6 (14)
15 17 WE’RE IN THIS LOVE TOGETHER –•– Al Jarreau (Warner Brothers)-15 (15)
16 20 OH NO –•– The Commodores (Motown)-7 (16)
17 18 SAY GOODBYE TO HOLLYWOOD –•– Billy Joel (Columbia)-9 (17)
18 19 JUST ONCE –•– Quincy Jones Featuring James Ingram (A&M)-13 (18)
19 21 EVERY LITTLE THING SHE DOES IS MAGIC –•– The Police (A&M)-7 (19)
20 26 THE OLD SONGS –•– Barry Manilow (Arista)-5 (20)

21 28 WHY DO FOOLS FALL IN LOVE –•– Diana Ross (RCA)-4 (21)
22 10 STEP BY STEP –•– Eddie Rabbitt (Elektra)-16 (5)
23 14 SHARE YOUR LOVE WITH ME –•– Kenny Rogers (Liberty)-10 (14)
24 16 SUPER FREAK (Part 1) –•– Rick James (Gordy)-14 (16)
25 30 YOUNG TURKS –•– Rod Stewart (Warner Brothers)-4 (25)
26 22 SHE’S A BAD MAMA JAMA (She’s Built, She’s Stacked) –•– Carl Carlton (20th Century)-12 (22)
27 27 ATLANTA LADY (Something About Your Love) –•– Marty Balin (EMI-America)-8 (27)
28 31 SAUSALITO SUMMERNIGHT –•– Diesel (Regency)-9 (28)
29 36 LET’S GROOVE –•– Earth, Wind and Fire (ARC)-6 (29)
30 55 TROUBLE –•– Lindsey Buckingham (Asylum)-3 (30)

31 50 LEATHER AND LACE –•– Stevie Nicks (with Don Henley) (Modern)-3 (31)
32 24 STOP DRAGGIN’ MY HEART AROUND –•– Stevie Nicks (with Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers) (Modern)-16 (3)
33 49 HARDEN MY HEART –•– Quarterflash (Geffen)-4 (33)
34 40 MY GIRL (Gone, Gone, Gone) –•– Chilliwack (Millenium)-7 (34)
35 39 OUR LIPS ARE SEALED –•– The Go-Go’s (I.R.S.)-11 (35)
36 41 NO REPLY AT ALL –•– Genesis (Atlantic)-7 (36)
37 42 TAKE MY HEART (You Can Have It If You Want It) –•– Kool and the Gang (De-Lite)-4 (37)
38 38 PROMISES IN THE DARK –•– Pat Benatar (Chrysalis)-6 (38)
39 51 THE SWEETEST THING (I’ve Ever Known) –•– Juice Newton (Capitol)-4 (39)
40 56 DON’T STOP BELIEVIN’ –•– Journey (Columbia)-2 (40)