November 1983 — the crossroads

Nearing the end of 1983, which marked the end of when I was writing down and tracking the top 40 every week.  I kept tabs on the charts for many years afterwards, but not in detail.  And the year ended on a generally good note.  Notable here is the last intersections of very different artists...Barry Manilow shared chart space with Duran Duran.  Air supply and the Fixx charted together.  Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton are next to both billy Joel (reasonable) and quiet riot, representing the big hair bands to come.

Billy Joel was on a resurgence...without a top 10 song from two albums in a row, he became an MTV staple.  Ditto for Pat Benatar and Elton John.  The veterans were figuring this thing out.

Scotland had a big week with sheena Easton, who also made the jump into the mtv era, one hit wonder Big Country, and the police’s song referencing Scotland.

David Bowie charted near peter schilling, who borrowed Major tom and had a big hit.

Final hit for Asia, sadly.  Jackson Browne, Barry?  And yes, the police.

Favorites are many ... lots of 4 star songs, plus the 5-star ain’t nobody, yes, love is a battlefield, Bonnie Tyler.  Award for the week goes to Pat Benatar!



1 1 ALL NIGHT LONG (All Night) –•– Lionel Richie (Motown)-11 (3 weeks at #1) (1)
2 2 SAY SAY SAY –•– Paul McCartney & Michael Jackson (Columbia)-7 (2)
3 3 UPTOWN GIRL –•– Billy Joel (Columbia)-10 (3)
4 4 ISLANDS IN THE STREAM –•– Kenny Rogers with Dolly Parton (RCA)-14 (1)
5 5 CUM ON FEEL THE NOIZE –•– Quiet Riot (Pasha)-11 (5)
6 7 LOVE IS A BATTLEFIELD –•– Pat Benatar (Chrysalis)-10 (6)
7 10 SAY IT ISN’T SO –•– Daryl Hall John Oates (RCA)-5 (7)
8 12 HEART AND SOUL –•– Huey Lewis & The News (Chrysalis)-12 (8)
9 14 CRUMBLIN’ DOWN –•– John Cougar Mellencamp (Riva)-7 (9)
10 13 P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing) –•– Michael Jackson (Epic)-8 (10)

11 17 CHURCH OF THE POISON MIND –•– Culture Club (Virgin)-6 (11)
12 6 TOTAL ECLIPSE OF THE HEART –•– Bonnie Tyler (Columbia)-20 (1)
13 9 SUDDENLY LAST SUMMER –•– The Motels (Capitol)-13 (9)
14 24 UNION OF THE SNAKE –•– Duran Duran (Capitol)-4 (14)
15 8 ONE THING LEADS TO ANOTHER –•– The Fixx (MCA)-13 (4)
16 20 WHY ME –•– Irene Cara (Geffen)-6 (16)
17 15 TELEFONE (Long Distance Love Affair) –•– Sheena Easton (EMI-America)-15 (9)
18 11 DELIRIOUS –•– Prince (Warner Brothers)-13 (8)
19 18 TONIGHT, I CELEBRATE MY LOVE –•– Peabo Bryson / Roberta Flack (Capitol)-21 (16)
20 16 MAKING LOVE OUT OF NOTHING AT ALL –•– Air Supply (Arista)-18 (2)

21 32 TWIST OF FATE –•– Olivia Newton-John (with John Travolta) (MCA)-4 (21)
22 34 SYNCHRONICITY II –•– The Police (A&M)-4 (22)
23 23 SEND HER MY LOVE –•– Journey (Columbia)-10 (23)
24 26 IN A BIG COUNTRY –•– Big Country (Mercury)-6 (24)
25 28 MAJOR TOM (Coming Home) –•– Peter Schilling (Elektra)-10 (25)
26 29 AIN’T NOBODY –•– Rufus & Chaka Khan (Warner Brothers)-9 (26)
27 37 OWNER OF A LONELY HEART –•– Yes (Atlantic)-4 (27)
28 25 TENDER IS THE NIGHT –•– Jackson Browne (Asylum)-10 (25)
29 33 SOULS –•– Rick Springfield (RCA)-7 (29)
30 19 MODERN LOVE –•– David Bowie (EMI-America)-11 (14)

31 27 HOW MANY TIMES CAN WE SAY GOODBYE –•– Dionne Warwick & Luther Vandross (Arista)-8 (27)
32 30 MIRROR MAN –•– The Human League (A&M)-9 (30)
33 39 UNDERCOVER OF THE NIGHT –•– The Rolling Stones (Rolling Stones)-3 (33)
34 35 THE SMILE HAS LEFT YOUR EYES –•– Asia (Geffen)-7 (34)
35 38 I GUESS THAT’S WHY THEY CALL IT THE BLUES –•– Elton John (Geffen)-5 (35)
36 36 JUST GOT LUCKY –•– JoBoxers (RCA)-12 (36)
37 42 BREAK MY STRIDE –•– Matthew Wilder (Private I)-11 (37)
38 53 READ ‘EM AND WEEP –•– Barry Manilow (Arista)-2 (38)
39 43 TIME WILL REVEAL –•– DeBarge (Gordy)-7 (39)
40 41 INVISIBLE HANDS –•– Kim Carnes (EMI-America)-7 (40)