january 1974 -- Even Casey thought it was Odd

The early 70's brought lots of interesting records as Top 40 radio wasn't nearly as homogeneous as it became.  Spoken word records, blatant political or religious records, comedy records, and multiple versions of the same song.  And sometimes combinations of those!

The main body of the charts is to be expected -- adult contemporary, singer-songwriters, various beatles, Elton John, and a strong presence of post-motown R&B....and the biggest chart performance yet for Barbra Striesand...if only casey knew!

In between are a couple songs by huge artists that I've never heard...Diana Ross and Paul McCartney, regulars for this feature.

Cheech and Chong had a comedy, spoken-word record at #26.  But most interesting was that moving up into the top 10 was another spoken word record defending the U.S. called "Americans"...yet debuting at #28 was another version of the same spoken song!

Favorites:  no 4- or 5-star songs, so I'll go with last week's #1, the R&B classic "Show and Tell"

1 5 YOU’RE SIXTEEN –•– Ringo Starr (Apple)-7 (1 week at #1) (1)
2 1 SHOW AND TELL –•– Al Wilson (Rocky Road)-15 (1)
3 7 THE WAY WE WERE –•– Barbra Streisand (Columbia)-10 (3)
4 4 I’VE GOT TO USE MY IMAGINATION –•– Gladys Knight and the Pips (Buddah)-10 (4)
5 2 THE JOKER –•– The Steve Miller Band (Capitol)-15 (1)
6 10 LOVE’S THEME –•– The Love Unlimited Orchestra (20th Century)-9 (6)
7 3 SMOKIN’ IN THE BOY’S ROOM –•– Brownsville Station (Big Tree)-14 (3)
8 9 LET ME BE THERE –•– Olivia Newton-John (MCA)-11 (8)
9 6 TIME IN A BOTTLE –•– Jim Croce (ABC)-11 (1)
10 17 AMERICANS –•– Byron MacGregor (Westbound)-4 (10)

11 13 UNTIL YOU COME BACK TO ME (That’s What I’m Gonna Do) –•– Aretha Franklin (Atlantic)-10 (11)
12 8 LIVING FOR THE CITY –•– Stevie Wonder (Tamla)-12 (8)
13 11 NEVER, NEVER GONNA GIVE YA UP –•– Barry White (20th Century)-14 (7)
14 18 SPIDERS & SNAKES –•– Jim Stafford (MGM)-12 (14)
15 15 ME AND BABY BROTHER –•– War (United Artists)-12 (15)
16 14 ARE YOU LONESOME TONIGHT / WHEN I FALL IN LOVE –•– Donny Osmond (MGM)-10 (14)
17 12 HELEN WHEELS –•– Paul McCartney and Wings (Apple)-10 (10)
18 22 JUNGLE BOOGIE –•– Kool and the Gang (De-Lite)-8 (18)
19 20 WALK LIKE A MAN –•– Grand Funk (Capitol)-10 (19)
20 16 THE MOST BEAUTIFUL GIRL –•– Charlie Rich (Epic)-18 (1)

21 19 LIVIN’ FOR YOU –•– Al Green (Hi)-8 (19)
22 29 PUT YOUR HANDS TOGETHER –•– The O’Jays (Philadelphia International)-6 (22)
23 21 LEAVE ME ALONE (Ruby Red Dress) –•– Helen Reddy (Capitol)-13 (3)
24 32 ROCK ON –•– David Essex (Columbia)-12 (24)
25 23 GOODBYE YELLOW BRICK ROAD –•– Elton John (MCA)-14 (2)
26 24 SISTER MARY ELEPHANT (Shudd-Up) –•– Cheech and Chong (Ode)-10 (24)
27 30 LET YOUR HAIR DOWN –•– The Temptations (Gordy)-6 (27)
28 62 THE AMERICANS (A Canadian’s Opinion) –•– Gordon Sinclair (Avco)-3 (28)
29 25 TOP OF THE WORLD –•– The Carpenters (A&M)-17 (1)
30 38 I LOVE –•– Tom T. Hall (Mercury)-8 (30)

31 33 JOY (Part 1) –•– Isaac Hayes (Enterprise)-6 (31)
32 36 MIDNIGHT RIDER –•– Gregg Allman (Capricorn)-6 (32)
33 41 LAST TIME I SAW HIM –•– Diana Ross (Motown)-4 (33)
34 42 JIM DANDY –•– Black Oak Arkansas (Atco)-7 (34)
35 40 LOVE SONG –•– Anne Murray (Capitol)-7 (35)
36 46 BOOGIE DOWN –•– Eddie Kendricks (Tamla)-4 (36)
37 39 BABY COME CLOSE –•– Smokey Robinson (Tamla)-11 (37)
38 26 HELLO IT’S ME –•– Todd Rundgren (Bearsville)-17 (5)
39 31 ROCKIN’ ROLL BABY –•– The Stylistics (Avco)-15 (14)
40 49 ABRA-CA-DABRA –•– The DeFranco Family Featuring Tony DeFranco (20th Century)-5 (40)

January 1985 -- top loaded

The 2nd half of the 80's kicks off this week, and it's only been a few weeks since the last countdown of 1984.  In fact, the #1 songs hasn't even changed.  And while that isn't a favorite, the other 9 are all three star or higher, and three are 5-star.

New since last time is the debut of David Lee Roth and John Fogerty solo, some low charting songs by Culture Club and Elton John, the biggest pop hit for Midnight Starr (reflecting a bit more R&B on teh chart), and first releases from Kool and the Gang and REO  Speedwagon, both of which will bring a rebound from their recent fortunes.

Favorite -- very hard to pick... so we're still at run to you and the boys of summer.

1 1 LIKE A VIRGIN –•– Madonna (Sire)-11 (6 Weeks at #1) (1)

2 4 I WANT TO KNOW WHAT LOVE IS –•– Foreigner (Atlantic)-8 (2)
3 3 YOU’RE THE INSPIRATION –•– Chicago (Full Moon / Warner Brothers)-11 (3)
4 5 EASY LOVER –•– Philip Bailey & Phil Collins (Columbia)-10 (4)
5 10 CARELESS WHISPER –•– Wham! Featuring George Michael (Columbia)-6 (5)
6 2 ALL I NEED –•– Jack Wagner (Qwest)-15 (2)
7 6 RUN TO YOU –•– Bryan Adams (A&M)-13 (6)
8 12 THE BOYS OF SUMMER –•– Don Henley (Geffen)-12 (8)
9 16 LOVERBOY –•– Billy Ocean (Jive)-9 (9)
10 14 I WOULD DIE 4 U –•– Prince & The Revolution (Warner Brothers)-7 (10)

11 9 BORN IN THE U.S.A. –•– Bruce Springsteen (Columbia)-12 (9)
12 21 METHOD OF MODERN LOVE –•– Daryl Hall & John Oates (RCA)-7 (12)
13 20 NEUTRON DANCE –•– The Pointer Sisters (Planet)-10 (13)
14 17 JAMIE –•– Ray Parker, Jr. (Arista)-11 (14)
15 7 THE WILD BOYS –•– Duran Duran (Capitol)-13 (2)
16 8 WE BELONG –•– Pat Benatar (Chrysalis)-14 (5)
17 13 DO THEY KNOW IT’S CHRISTMAS –•– Band Aid (Columbia)-6 (13)
18 15 COOL IT NOW –•– New Edition (MCA)-19 (4)
19 18 DO WHAT YOU DO –•– Jermaine Jackson (Arista)-14 (13)
20 23 LOVE LIGHT IN FLIGHT –•– Stevie Wonder (Motown)-9 (20)

21 25 SOLID –•– Ashford & Simpson (Capitol)-12 (21)
22 26 CALL TO THE HEART –•– Giuffria (MCA / Camel)-12 (22)
23 27 OPERATOR –•– Midnight Star (Solar)-9 (23)
24 11 SEA OF LOVE –•– The Honeydrippers (Es Paranza)-16 (3)
25 28 FOOLISH HEART –•– Steve Perry (Columbia)-10 (25)
26 30 JUNGLE LOVE –•– The Time (Warner Brothers)-14 (26)
27 32 MISLED –•– Kool & The Gang (De-Lite)-10 (27)
28 19 VALOTTE –•– Julian Lennon (Atlantic)-15 (9)
29 37 THE HEAT IS ON –•– Glenn Frey (MCA)-8 (29)
30 40 THE OLD MAN DOWN THE ROAD –•– John Fogerty (Warner Brothers)-6 (30)

31 36 SUGAR WALLS –•– Sheena Easton (EMI-America)-6 (31)
32 34 MONEY CHANGES EVERYTHING –•– Cyndi Lauper (Portrait)-6 (32)
33 43 CALIFORNIA GIRLS –•– David Lee Roth (Warner Brothers)-2 (33)
34 46 CAN’T FIGHT THIS FEELING –•– REO Speedwagon (Epic)-2 (34)
35 42 MR. TELEPHONE MAN –•– New Edition (MCA)-6 (35)
36 39 MISTAKE NO. 3 –•– Culture Club (Virgin)-7 (36)
37 41 TENDERNESS –•– General Public (I.R.S.)-11 (37)
38 38 IN NEON –•– Elton John (Geffen)-9 (38)
39 48 ROCKIN’ AT MIDNIGHT –•– The Honeydrippers (Es Paranza)-4 (39)
40 58 PRIVATE DANCER –•– Tina Turner (Capitol)-2 (40)

january 1978 -- how deep is your love of the Bee Gees?

I heard bits and pieces of this countdown, yet it still had a few notable moments.

There were two songs by huge artists that I'd never heard -- Diana Ross and Paul McCartney.  

"Desiree" was the first song I heard on the radio that I liked enough to want to purchase.  I ended up getting Neil Diamond's album, disappointed that "Desiree" wasn't the title track.  It held his solo version of "You Don't Bring Me Flowers" which was mashed with Barbra Striesand's version to become a #1 hit.

Dan Hill's big hit was bounding up the chart, notably jumping over "Stayin' Alive" but that wasn't to last.  The latter spent 4 weeks at #1, while Hill spent none.

Elvis was at #22, the last time he ever charted this high.  It sounded completely weird on a chart full of current songs.  Just above it is "I Go Crazy" which at 20 weeks was only half way through its chart run.

Two teen idols were in the upper half -- Shaun Cassidy and Lief Garrett.

And RSO label had the top 2 songs...they would reign for the first half of the year with a chain of hits!

Favorites:  all the Gibb brothers touched:  Bee Gees, Andy Gibb, Samantha Sang... plus Paul Davis.

Winner:  Ah-ah-ah-ah Stayin Alive!

1 1 HOW DEEP IS YOUR LOVE –•– Bee Gees (RSO) -16 (3 weeks at #1) (1)
2 6 BABY COME BACK –•– Player (RSO) -15 (2)
3 3 BLUE BAYOU –•– Linda Ronstadt (Asylum) -18 (3)
4 4 (Every Time I Turn Around) BACK IN LOVE AGAIN –•– L.T.D. (A&M) -13 (4)
5 8 HERE YOU COME AGAIN –•– Dolly Parton (RCA) -13 (5)
6 2 YOU LIGHT UP MY LIFE –•– Debby Boone (Warner Brothers / Curb) -19 (1)
7 10 SLIP SLIDIN’ AWAY –•– Paul Simon (Columbia) -13 (7)
8 9 SENTIMENTAL LADY –•– Bob Welch (Capitol) -13 (8)
9 11 YOU’RE IN MY HEART (The Final Acclaim) –•– Rod Stewart (Warner Brothers) -11 (9)
10 15 HEY DEANIE –•– Shaun Cassidy (Warner Brothers / Curb) -9 (10)

11 14 COME SAIL AWAY –•– Styx (A&M) -16 (11)
12 12 YOU CAN’T TURN ME OFF (In the Middle Of Turning Me On) –•– High Inergy (Gordy) -17 (12)
13 18 WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS / WE WILL ROCK YOU –•– Queen (Elektra) -12 (13)
14 19 RUNAROUND SUE –•– Leif Garrett (Atlantic) -9 (14)
15 5 IT’S SO EASY –•– Linda Ronstadt (Asylum) -14 (5)
16 7 DON’T IT MAKE MY BROWN EYES BLUE –•– Crystal Gayle (United Artists) -22 (2)
17 20 SHORT PEOPLE –•– Randy Newman (Warner Brothers) -9 (17)
18 28 JUST THE WAY YOU ARE –•– Billy Joel (Columbia) -9 (18)
19 24 SERPENTINE FIRE –•– Earth, Wind and Fire (Columbia) -11 (19)
20 27 TURN TO STONE –•– Electric Light Orchestra (Jet) -8 (20)

21 23 I GO CRAZY –•– Paul Davis (Bang) -20 (21)
22 22 MY WAY –•– Elvis Presley (RCA) -9 (22)
23 32 (Love Is) THICKER THAN WATER –•– Andy Gibb (RSO) -10 (23)
24 26 THE WAY I FEEL TONIGHT –•– The Bay City Rollers (Arista) -13 (24)
25 40 SOMETIMES WHEN WE TOUCH –•– Dan Hill (20th Century) -7 (25)
26 30 DANCE, DANCE, DANCE (Yowsah, Yowsah, Yowsah) –•– Chic (Atlantic) -11 (26)
27 29 GETTIN’ READY FOR LOVE –•– Diana Ross (Motown) -10 (27)
28 39 STAYIN’ ALIVE –•– Bee Gees (RSO) -5 (28)
29 35 DESIREE –•– Neil Diamond (Columbia) -6 (29)
30 34 POINT OF KNOW RETURN –•– Kansas (Kirshner) -9 (30)

31 33 DON’T LET ME BE MISUNDERSTOOD –•– Santa Esmeralda Starring Leroy Gomez (Casablanca) -10 (31)
32 13 ISN’T IT TIME –•– The Babys (Chrysalis) -14 (13)
33 36 NATIVE NEW YORKER –•– Odyssey (RCA) -9 (33)
34 37 GIRLS’ SCHOOL –•– Paul McCartney and Wings (Capitol) -8 (34)
35 16 WE’RE ALL ALONE –•– Rita Coolidge (A&M) -17 (7)
36 17 SWINGTOWN –•– The Steve Miller Band (Capitol) -13 (17)
37 41 EMOTION –•– Samantha Sang (Private Stock) -8 (37)
38 52 WHAT’S YOUR NAME –•– Lynyrd Skynyrd (MCA) -6 (38)
39 43 (You’re My) SOUL AND INSPIRATION –•– Donny and Marie Osmond (Polydor) -8 (39)
40 44 PEG –•– Steely Dan (ABC) -8 (40)

January 1987 -- follow-ups...Zzzzz

Not long ago I reviewed December 1986...and things have only advanced a few weeks since then.  I got to listen to the top 11 while on the road, picking up the rest later on.

The countdown starts with two weak past and future #1's, and it ends with yet another, which took over for a 4th, and would be eclipsed by the worst (Billy Vera).  Thankfully, in future weeks, Bon Jovi and Madonna take a turn at the top.

In between, not quite as blah as back in December with the debuts of Cinderella, Benjamin Orr, Cyndi Lauper, Madonna, Tina Turner, and Samantha Fox.  I also liked the under-charting Miami Sound Machine song.

Favorite:  Easy one this week -- only one 5-star song, Benjamin Orr, of the Cars.

1 3 SHAKE YOU DOWN –•– Gregory Abbott (Columbia)-14 (1) (1 Week at #1)
2 5 C’EST LA VIE –•– Robbie Nevil (EMI-America)-15 (2)
3 2 NOTORIOUS –•– Duran Duran (Capitol)-12 (2)
4 1 WALK LIKE AN EGYPTIAN –•– Bangles (Columbia)-17 (1)
5 9 AT THIS MOMENT –•– Billy Vera & The Beaters (Rhino)-14 (5)
6 6 CONTROL –•– Janet Jackson (A&M)-12 (6)
7 15 OPEN YOUR HEART –•– Madonna (Sire)-7 (7)
8 11 LAND OF CONFUSION –•– Genesis (Atlantic)-12 (8)
9 10 IS THIS LOVE –•– Survivor (Scotti Brothers)-13 (9)
10 4 EVERYBODY HAVE FUN TONIGHT –•– Wang Chung (Geffen)-16 (2)

11 13 VICTORY –•– Kool & The Gang (Mercury)- 12 (11)
12 17 SOMEDAY –•– Glass Tiger (Manhattan)-12 (12)
13 21 CHANGE OF HEART –•– Cyndi Lauper (Portrait)-8 (13)
14 8 WAR –•– Bruce Springsteen & The E. Street Band (Columbia)-9 (8)
15 7 THE WAY IT IS –•– Bruce Hornsby & The Range (RCA)-18 (1)
16 23 TOUCH ME (I Want Your Body) –•– Samantha Fox (Jive)-12 (16)
17 16 LOVE IS FOREVER –•– Billy Ocean (Jive)-13 (16)
18 12 STAND BY ME –•– Ben E. King (Atlantic)-16 (9)
19 22 ALL I WANTED –•– Kansas (MCA)-12 (19)
20 27 KEEP YOUR HANDS TO YOURSELF –•– Georgia Satellites (Elektra)-9 (20)

21 24 COMING AROUND AGAIN –•– Carly Simon (Arista)-12 (21)
22 39 LIVIN’ ON A PRAYER –•– Bon Jovi (Mercury)-6 (22)
23 31 WE’RE READY –•– Boston (MCA)-7 (23)
24 14 DON’T GET ME WRONG –•– Pretenders (Sire)-15 (10)
25 28 FALLING IN LOVE (Uh-Oh) –•– Miami Sound Machine featuring Gloria Estefan (Epic)-12 (25)
26 34 WILL YOU STILL LOVE ME? –•– Chicago (Full Moon / Warner Brothers)-10 (26)
27 40 BALLERINA GIRL –•– Lionel Richie (Motown)-7 (27)
28 33 THIS IS THE TIME –•– Billy Joel (Columbia)-10 (28)
29 38 LOVE YOU DOWN –•– Ready For The World (MCA)-8 (29)
30 30 TWO PEOPLE –•– Tina Turner (Capitol)-9 (30)

31 36 STOP TO LOVE –•– Luther Vandross (Epic)-10 (31)
32 41 YOU GOT IT ALL –•– The Jets (MCA)-10 (32)
33 42 NOBODY’S FOOL –•– Cinderella (Mercury)-11 (33)
34 37 TALK TO ME –•– Chico DeBarge (Motown)-11 (34)
35 18 TO BE A LOVER –•– Billy Idol (Chrysalis)-16 (6)
36 20 THE FUTURE’S SO BRIGHT, I GOTTA WEAR SHADES –•– Timbuk 3 (I.R.S.)-13 (19)
37 43 STAY THE NIGHT –•– Benjamin Orr (Elektra)-11 (37)
38 32 FOR TONIGHT –•– Nancy Martinez (Atlantic)-16 (32)
39 25 THE NEXT TIME I FALL –•– Peter Cetera & Amy Grant (Full Moon / Warner Brothers)-18 (1)
40 — JACOB’S LADDER –•– Huey Lewis & The News (Chrysalis)-1 (40)

january 1982 -- more wonderful variety

Another log jam at the top this week, but lots of favorites, with a especially strong group of adult contemporary songs, headed by Neil Diamond, who duked it out with Barbra Striesand, and both missed the top 10, as did Paul Davis.  Dan Fogelberg made it in a few weeks later.  Juice Newton did the best of this batch of country influenced songs.

Not many out-of-place records like 8 weeks ago, but Loverboy and Don McLean are interesting bedfellows in the first few songs.  And a disco medley of classical songs -- crazy!  Under Pressure was clearly released at the wrong time -- it's at its peak, but went on to be a classic.  You also wouldn't guess a #9 peaking Journey song would be the biggest digital download hit of the 2000s!

Last hits:  McLean

Breakthrough:  Quarterflash

Favorites -- again, lots of 4-stars and some 5's -- Rod Stewart, Stevie Nicks, Foreigner, Ronnie Milsap, Rick Springfield, Stevie Woods.  Honors to Loverboy!

1 1 PHYSICAL –•– Olivia Newton-John (MCA)-15 (8 weeks at #1) (1)
2 2 WAITING FOR A GIRL LIKE YOU –•– Foreigner (Atlantic)-14 (2)
3 3 LET’S GROOVE –•– Earth, Wind and Fire (ARC)-15 (3)
4 4 I CAN’T GO FOR THAT (No Can Do) –•– Daryl Hall and John Oates (RCA)-9 (4)
5 5 YOUNG TURKS –•– Rod Stewart (Warner Brothers)-13 (5)
6 6 HARDEN MY HEART –•– Quarterflash (Geffen)-13 (6)
7 8 LEATHER AND LACE –•– Stevie Nicks (with Don Henley) (Modern)-12 (7)
8 11 CENTERFOLD –•– The J. Geils Band (EMI-America)-10 (8)
9 14 TURN YOUR LOVE AROUND –•– George Benson (Warner Brothers)-12 (9)
10 10 TROUBLE –•– Lindsey Buckingham (Asylum)-12 (10)

11 12 YESTERDAY’S SONGS –•– Neil Diamond (Columbia)-10 (11)
12 13 COMIN’ IN AND OUT OF YOUR LIFE –•– Barbra Streisand (Columbia)-9 (12)
13 15 THE SWEETEST THING (I’ve Ever Known) –•– Juice Newton (Capitol)-13 (13)
14 16 HOOKED ON CLASSICS (Medley) –•– Louis Clark Conducting the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (RCA)-11 (14)
15 7 WHY DO FOOLS FALL IN LOVE –•– Diana Ross (RCA)-13 (7)
16 18 COOL NIGHT –•– Paul Davis (Arista)-10 (16)
17 17 TAKE MY HEART (You Can Have It If You Want It) –•– Kool and the Gang (De-Lite)-13 (17)
18 9 DON’T STOP BELIEVIN’ –•– Journey (Columbia)-11 (9)
19 21 SOMEONE COULD LOSE A HEART TONIGHT –•– Eddie Rabbitt (Elektra)-9 (19)
20 26 WAITING ON A FRIEND –•– The Rolling Stones (Rolling Stones)-6 (20)

21 24 SHAKE IT UP –•– The Cars (Elektra)-8 (21)
22 23 I WOULDN’T HAVE MISSED IT FOR THE WORLD –•– Ronnie Milsap (RCA)-12 (22)
23 33 LEADER OF THE BAND –•– Dan Fogelberg (Full Moon / Epic)-7 (23)
24 30 COME GO WITH ME –•– The Beach Boys (Caribou)-8 (24)
25 25 STEAL THE NIGHT –•– Stevie Woods (Cotillion)-18 (25)
26 28 SHE’S GOT A WAY –•– Billy Joel (Columbia)-8 (26)
27 27 OUR LIPS ARE SEALED –•– The Go-Go’s (I.R.S.)-20 (20)
28 32 YOU COULD HAVE BEEN WITH ME –•– Sheena Easton (EMI-America)-7 (28)
29 31 UNDER PRESSURE –•– Queen and David Bowie (Elektra)-10 (29)
30 35 TAKE IT EASY ON ME –•– Little River Band (Capitol)-6 (30)

31 19 OH NO –•– The Commodores (Motown)-16 (4)
32 42 SWEET DREAMS –•– Air Supply (Arista)-5 (32)
33 20 EVERY LITTLE THING SHE DOES IS MAGIC –•– The Police (A&M)-16 (3)
34 22 HERE I AM (Just When I Thought I Was Over You) –•– Air Supply (Arista)-16 (5)
35 40 LOVE IS ALRIGHT TONITE –•– Rick Springfield (RCA)-6 (35)
36 36 CASTLES IN THE AIR (1981 Version) –•– Don McLean (Millennium)-11 (36)
37 37 MORE THAN JUST THE TWO OF US –•– Sneaker (Handshake)-11 (37)
38 29 MY GIRL (Gone, Gone, Gone) –•– Chilliwack (Millennium)-16 (22)
39 34 HEART LIKE A WHEEL –•– The Steve Miller Band (Capitol)-11 (24)
40 41 WORKING FOR THE WEEKEND –•– Loverboy (Columbia)-9 (40)

January 1972 -- all about family

I heard the whole chart today, cruising through California.  When I last wrote about 1971, the top 2 songs were debuting, and now these sit at #1 and 2!

The charts had a lot of interesting convergences.  Two different versions of the iconic Coke Commercial were charting in the top 20 and moving up -- "I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing" -- reflecting a large number of songs in the early 70s about war, peace, and culture at large.

Both David Cassidy (#17) and his Partridge Family (#21).  Michael Jackson was one of the two songs preventing his brothers from making the top 10....though they did eventually.  Cher was just out of the top 40 while she was in with her husband.  And then Three dog Night had rare consecutive top 40 entries.

Favorites: no 4- or 5-stars this week, so I'll go with Al Green (though I like Tina Turner's version more!)

1 2 AMERICAN PIE (Parts 1 and 2) –•– Don McLean (United Artists)-8 (1 week at #1) (1)

2 1 BRAND NEW KEY –•– Melanie (Neighborhood)-12 (1)
3 4 LET’S STAY TOGETHER –•– Al Green (Hi)-7 (3)
4 7 SUNSHINE –•– Jonathan Edwards (Capricorn)-10 (4)
5 3 FAMILY AFFAIR –•– Sly and the Family Stone (Epic)-11 (1)
6 6 SCORPIO –•– Dennis Coffey and the Detroit Guitar Band (Sussex)-12 (6)
7 8 I’D LIKE TO TEACH THE WORLD TO SING (In Perfect Harmony) –•– The New Seekers (Elektra)-7 (7)
8 5 GOT TO BE THERE –•– Michael Jackson (Motown)-12 (4)
9 10 HEY GIRL / I KNEW YOU WHEN –•– Donny Osmond (MGM)-8 (9)
10 13 CLEAN UP WOMAN –•– Betty Wright (Alston)-8 (10)

11 11 YOU ARE EVERYTHING –•– The Stylistics (Avco)-11 (11)
12 12 SUGAR DADDY –•– Jackson 5 (Motown)-6 (12)
13 14 I’D LIKE TO TEACH THE WORLD TO SING (In Perfect Harmony) –•– The Hillside Singers (Metromedia)-8 (13)
14 16 DAY AFTER DAY –•– Badfinger (Apple)-7 (14)
15 15 ONE MONKEY DON’T STOP NO SHOW (Part 1) –•– The Honey Cone (Hot Wax)-9 (15)
16 17 DROWNING IN THE SEA OF LOVE –•– Joe Simon (Spring)-8 (16)
17 9 CHERISH –•– David Cassidy (Bell)-11 (9)
18 24 NEVER BEEN TO SPAIN –•– Three Dog Night (Dunhill)-4 (18)
19 18 AN OLD FASHIONED LOVE SONG –•– Three Dog Night (Dunhill)-10 (4)
20 22 HEY BIG BROTHER –•– Rare Earth (Rare Earth)-8 (20)

21 25 IT’S ONE OF THOSE NIGHTS (Yes Love) –•– The Partridge Family (Starring Shirley Jones and Featuring David Cassidy) (Bell)-5 (21)
22 23 ANTICIPATION –•– Carly Simon (Elektra)-6 (22)
23 26 ONCE YOU UNDERSTAND –•– Think (Featuring Lou Stallman) (Laurie)-7 (23)
24 20 ALL I EVER NEED IS YOU –•– Sonny and Cher (Kapp)-14 (7)
25 27 KISS AN ANGEL GOOD MORNIN’ –•– Charley Pride (RCA)-9 (25)
26 19 HAVE YOU SEEN HER –•– The Chi-Lites (Brunswick)-13 (3)
27 29 THE WITCH QUEEN OF NEW ORLEANS –•– Redbone (Epic)-9 (27)
28 30 WHITE LIES, BLUE EYES –•– Bullet (Big Tree)-11 (28)
29 21 RESPECT YOURSELF –•– The Staple Singers (Stax)-14 (12)
30 35 LEVON –•– Elton John (Uni)-5 (30)

31 37 THAT’S THE WAY I FEEL ABOUT ‘CHA –•– Bobby Womack and Peace (United Artists)-6 (31)
32 38 MAKE ME THE WOMAN THAT YOU GO HOME TO –•– Gladys Knight and the Pips (Soul)-5 (32)
33 42 BLACK DOG –•– Led Zeppelin (Atlantic)-4 (33)
34 28 AN AMERICAN TRILOGY (Dixie / Battle Hymn Of the Republic / All My Trials) (Medley) –•– Mickey Newbury (Elektra)-11 (26)
35 46 STAY WITH ME –•– The Faces (Warner Brothers)-3 (35)
36 54 WITHOUT YOU –•– Nilsson (RCA)-5 (36)
37 51 FIRE AND WATER –•– Wilson Pickett (Atlantic)-4 (37)
38 33 GEORGE JACKSON –•– Bob Dylan (Columbia)-7 (33)
39 48 LOOKING FOR A LOVE –•– The J. Geils Band (Atlantic)-7 (39)
40 43 ME AND BOBBY McGEE –•– Jerry Lee Lewis (Mercury)-8 (40)

January 1980 -- the very beginning of the 80's

It's the first countdown of the 1980's, one I'd been hoping for since I started listening to Sirius, and it did not disappoint. 

First thing I noticed was how many #1's were on the chart -- Still, Babe, Pop Music, No More Tears, Heartache Tonight -- all of which I associate with the 70's and did not realize they had hung on.

We also had songs I've never heard -- the O'Jays (with a stinker), Rita Coolidge, Blackfoot.  Three I only ever heard because they were on greatest hits packages...Herb Alpert, Hall & Oates, and Pablo Cruise.

Speaking of Hall and Oates, "Wait for Me" was hardly the sort of success that you'd expect given how they owned the next 5 years on the pop chart.  Prince made the top 10, but it would have been hard to predict his success.  Kenny also started very strong.  Michael Jackson was be best bellweather -- bounding into the top 10, setting the stage for decade domination.

And who would've known what avalanche the Sugar Hill Gang started!

Last hits: Hayes, O'Jays, Foghat

Lots of favorites here, including the whole top 10 plus Sara, Take the Long Way Home (an all-time favorite).

1 2 PLEASE DON’T GO –•– K.C. and the Sunshine Band (T.K.)-20 (1 week at #1) (1)
2 1 ESCAPE (The Pina Colada Song) –•– Rupert Holmes (Infinity)-12 (1)
3 11 ROCK WITH YOU –•– Michael Jackson (Epic)-10 (3)
4 4 SEND ONE YOUR LOVE –•– Stevie Wonder (Tamla)-10 (4)
5 6 DO THAT TO ME ONE MORE TIME –•– The Captain and Tennille (Casablanca)-12 (5)
6 3 BABE –•– Styx (A&M)-14 (1)
7 5 STILL –•– The Commodores (Motown)-15 (1)
8 22 COWARD OF THE COUNTY –•– Kenny Rogers (United Artists)-8 (8)
9 9 LADIES NIGHT –•– Kool and the Gang (De-Lite)-14 (9)
10 13 WE DON’T TALK ANYMORE –•– Cliff Richard (EMI-America)-12 (10)

11 12 COOL CHANGE –•– The Little River Band (Capitol)-12 (11)
12 15 CRUISIN’ –•– Smokey Robinson (Tamla)-14 (12)
13 17 THE LONG RUN –•– The Eagles (Asylum)-5 (13)
14 14 HEAD GAMES –•– Foreigner (Atlantic)-9 (14)
15 16 BETTER LOVE NEXT TIME –•– Dr. Hook (Capitol)-13 (15)
16 18 JANE –•– Jefferson Starship (Grunt)-10 (16)
17 23 I WANNA BE YOUR LOVER –•– Prince (Warner Brothers)-7 (17)
18 21 THIS IS IT –•– Kenny Loggins (Columbia)-12 (18)
19 19 I WANT YOU TONIGHT –•– Pablo Cruise (A&M)-13 (19)
20 7 YOU’RE ONLY LONELY –•– J.D. Souther (Columbia)-18 (7)

21 8 NO MORE TEARS (Enough Is Enough) –•– Barbra Streisand / Donna Summer (Columbia / Casablanca)-12 (1)
22 25 DON’T DO ME LIKE THAT –•– Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers (Backstreet)-8 (22)
23 26 WAIT FOR ME –•– Daryl Hall and John Oates (RCA)-11 (23)
24 28 DON’T LET GO –•– Isaac Hayes (Polydor)-11 (24)
25 35 SARA –•– Fleetwood Mac (Warner Brothers)-4 (25)
26 10 TAKE THE LONG WAY HOME –•– Supertramp (A&M)-13 (10)
27 27 DAMNED IF I DO –•– The Alan Parsons Project (Arista)-15 (27)
28 30 THIRD TIME LUCKY (First Time I Was a Fool) –•– Foghat (Bearsville)-8 (28)
29 34 DEJA VU –•– Dionne Warwick (Arista)-9 (29)
30 31 CHIQUITITA –•– Abba (Atlantic)-9 (30)

31 36 YES, I’M READY –•– Teri DeSario with K.C. (Casablanca)-8 (31)
32 32 POP MUZIK –•– M (Sire)-22 (1)
33 24 HALF THE WAY –•– Crystal Gayle (Columbia)-15 (15)
34 20 HEARTACHE TONIGHT –•– The Eagles (Asylum)-14 (1)
35 48 ROMEO’S TUNE –•– Steve Forbert (Nemperor)-6 (35)
36 40 ROTATION –•– Herb Alpert (A&M)-8 (36)
37 43 RAPPER’S DELIGHT –•– Sugarhill Gang (Sugar Hill)-9 (37)
38 38 TRAIN, TRAIN –•– Blackfoot (Atco)-12 (38)
39 44 I’D RATHER LEAVE WHILE I’M IN LOVE –•– Rita Coolidge (A&M)-8 (39)
40 42 FOREVER MINE –•– The O’Jays (Philadelphia International)-7 (40)