August 1985 -- This is the 80's -- movies rule

Little to say about today's countdown -- it's simply one of those weeks where lots of the biggest artists of the 80's were all charging along making hit records that are still played on the radio today -- Bruce, Whitney, Madonna, Aretha, Phil, Tina, George Michael, Prince, Bryan Adams, Billy Joel, Heart, Huey, John Mellencamp, Bruce, Sting......and even early 80's stars like Rick Springfield, Pat Benatar, Pointer Sisters, Kool & The Gang, REO Speedwagon, and Michael McDonald.

And in the top 4, 3 movie songs.

I still can't believe Freeway of Love didn't hit #1 -- too many songs that could not be denied.

First hit: Sting, though he's hardly new -- everyone's on a roll!

Favorite:  another first-timer, but not one with lasting success:  amidst all these pop giant, A-ha took this MTV classic to #1

1 1 POWER OF LOVE –•– Huey Lewis & The News – 10 (1)
2 4 ST. ELMO’S FIRE (MAN IN MOTION) –•– John Parr – 11 (2)
3 5 FREEWAY OF LOVE –•– Aretha Franklin – 11 (3)
4 6 WE DON’T NEED ANOTHER HERO –•– Tina Turner – 9 (4)
5 7 SUMMER OF ’69 –•– Bryan Adams – 10 (5)
6 2 SHOUT –•– Tears For Fears – 12 (1)
7 3 NEVER SURRENDER –•– Corey Hart – 13 (3)
8 12 CHERISH –•– Kool & The Gang – 9 (8)
9 14 YOU’RE ONLY HUMAN (SECOND WIND) –•– Billy Joel – 8 (9)
10 17 MONEY FOR NOTHING –•– Dire Straits – 8 (10)

11 13 DON’T LOSE MY NUMBER –•– Phil Collins – 7 (11)
12 15 INVINCIBLE –•– Pat Benatar – 9 (12)
13 18 POP LIFE –•– Prince & The Revolution – 6 (13)
14 19 FREEDOM –•– Wham! – 6 (14)
15 10 WHAT ABOUT LOVE? –•– Heart – 14 (10)
16 20 DARE ME –•– The Pointer Sisters – 8 (16)
17 21 SMOKIN’ IN THE BOYS ROOM –•– Motley Crue – 8 (17)
18 8 IF YOU LOVE SOMEBODY SET THEM FREE –•– Sting – 13 (3)
19 9 EVERYTIME YOU GO AWAY –•– Paul Young – 17 (1)
20 23 LIFE IN ONE DAY –•– Howard Jones – 9 (20)

21 11 WHO’S HOLDING DONNA NOW –•– DeBarge – 14 (6)
22 16 YOU SPIN ME AROUND (LIKE A RECORD) –•– Dead Or Alive – 14 (11)
23 31 DRESS YOU UP –•– Madonna – 3 (23)
24 25 MYSTERY LADY –•– Billy Ocean – 9 (24)
25 29 SHAME –•– The Motels – 7 (25)
26 33 OH SHEILA –•– Ready For The World – 5 (26)
27 32 THERE MUST BE AN ANGEL –•– Eurythmics – 5 (27)
28 38 TAKE ON ME –•– A-Ha – 8 (28)
29 35 CRY –•– Godley & Creme – 7 (29)
30 40 LONELY OL’ NIGHT –•– John Cougar Mellencamp – 2 (30)

31 39 SAVING ALL MY LOVE FOR YOU –•– Whitney Houston – 3 (31)
32 22 GLORY DAYS –•– Bruce Springsteen – 14 (5)
33 24 ROCK ME TONIGHT –•– Freddie Jackson – 15 (18)
34 26 STATE OF THE HEART –•– Rick Springfield – 13 (22)
35 36 WHEN YOUR HEART IS WEAK –•– Cock Robin – 12 (35)
36 34 LIVE EVERY MOMENT –•– REO Speedwagon – 8 (34)
37 44 EVERY STEP OF THE WAY –•– John Waite – 4 (37)
38 37 I WONDER IF I TAKE YOU HOME –•– Lisa Lisa, Cult Jam & Full Force – 13 (34)
39 46 C-I-T-Y –•– John Cafferty & The Beaver Brown Band – 4 (39)
40 41 NO LOOKING BACK –•– Michael McDonald – 6 (40)

August 1981 -- from country to Billy Squier

Another repeat countdown played just last year, but still I totally enjoyed the countdown this week from late August 1981, with the amazing eclectic set of songs.  It started with rock, novelty funk, big pop, then super-slow prog rock.  Along the way, lots of country records, adult contemporary, classic rock, light R&B, jazz, plus early 80's staples of a medley and a TV theme.  The previous week had 4 bona fide country records in the top 10.

The two biggest hits of 1981 and among the top charting songs of all time are at either end, Bette Dais Eyes exiting and Endless Love at the top, both 9-week #1s.  Yet, the most iconic?  Arguably stuck at #19 for a 2nd week -- "In the Air Tonight."  Similarly the lead single from Journey's album, never heard on the radio today, is heading to #4, while it's most iconic hit would only make it to #9 in coming months, "Don't Stop Believin'"

First hit: Stevie Nicks (solo), Greg Kihn, Alabama, Billy Squier,
Last hit:  Carpenters, who ruled the charts in the early 70's
Favorites:  so many!  Fire and Ice, Endless Love, Lady, ... But #1 is "The Voice"

1 1 ENDLESS LOVE –•– Diana Ross and Lionel Richie (Motown)-7 (2 weeks at #1) (1)
2 2 THEME FROM “GREATEST AMERICAN HERO” (Believe It Or Not) –•– Joey Scarbury (Elektra)-16 (2)
3 3 I DON’T NEED YOU –•– Kenny Rogers (Liberty)-11 (3)
4 6 SLOW HAND –•– The Pointer Sisters (Planet)-13 (4)
5 4 JESSIE’S GIRL –•– Rick Springfield (RCA)-22 (1)
6 21 STOP DRAGGIN’ MY HEART AROUND –•– Stevie Nicks (with Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers) (Modern)-5 (6)
7 7 BOY FROM NEW YORK CITY –•– The Manhattan Transfer (Atlantic)-14 (7)
8 9 QUEEN OF HEARTS –•– Juice Newton (Capitol)-13 (8)
9 10 (There’s) NO GETTIN’ OVER ME –•– Ronnie Milsap (RCA)-9 (9)
10 11 LADY (You Bring Me Up) –•– The Commodores (Motown)-10 (10)

11 13 WHO’S CRYING NOW –•– Journey (Columbia)-6 (11)
12 8 HEARTS –•– Marty Balin (EMI-America)-14 (8)
13 5 ELVIRA –•– The Oak Ridge Boys (MCA)-15 (5)
14 14 IT’S NOW OR NEVER –•– John Schneider (Scotti Brothers)-13 (14)
15 18 URGENT –•– Foreigner (Atlantic)-8 (15)
16 16 TOUCH ME WHEN WE’RE DANCING –•– The Carpenters (A&M)-10 (16)
17 17 THE STROKE –•– Billy Squier (Capitol)-15 (17)
18 20 COOL LOVE –•– Pablo Cruise (A&M)-8 (18)
19 19 IN THE AIR TONIGHT –•– Phil Collins (Atlantic)-13 (19)
20 25 THE BREAKUP SONG (They Don’t Write ‘Em) –•– The Greg Kihn Band (Beserkley)-13 (20)

21 23 REALLY WANNA KNOW YOU –•– Gary Wright (Warner Brothers)-8 (21)
22 24 FIRE AND ICE –•– Pat Benatar (Chrysalis)-6 (22)
23 27 STEP BY STEP –•– Eddie Rabbitt (Elektra)-5 (23)
24 26 FEELS SO RIGHT –•– Alabama (RCA)-12 (24)
25 36 THAT OLD SONG –•– Ray Parker Jr. and Raydio (Arista)-7 (25)
26 28 DON’T GIVE IT UP –•– Robbie Patton (Liberty)-7 (26)
27 29 YOU’RE MY GIRL –•– Frankie and the Knockouts (Millenium)-8 (27)
28 33 HOLD ON TIGHT –•– ELO (Jet)-5 (28)
29 31 LOVE ON A TWO WAY STREET –•– Stacy Lattisaw (Cotillion)-10 (29)
30 37 THE BEACH BOYS MEDLEY –•– The Beach Boys (Capitol)-5 (20)

31 39 THE VOICE –•– The Moody Blues (Threshold)-3 (31)
32 34 EVERLASTING LOVE –•– Rex Smith/Rachel Sweet (Columbia)-9 (32)
33 12 THE ONE THAT YOU LOVE –•– Air Supply (Arista)-15 (1)
34 46 I COULD NEVER MISS YOU (More Than I Do) –•– Lulu (Alfa)-4 (34)
35 47 FOR YOUR EYES ONLY –•– Sheena Easton (EMI-America)-5 (35)
36 40 BREAKING AWAY –•– Balance (Portrait)-7 (36)
37 15 TIME –•– The Alan Parsons Project (Arista)-19 (15)
38 22 BETTE DAVIS EYES –•– Kim Carnes (EMI-America)-22 (1)
39 30 DOUBLE DUTCH BUS –•– Frankie Smith (WMOT)-15 (30)
40 32 ROCK AND ROLL DREAMS COME THROUGH –•– Jim Steinman (with Rory Dodd) (Cleveland International)-13 (32)

Best by Chart position -- #39

#39 was not a great chart position for songs I liked, but the 80's had a nice variety of reggae, rock, a/c, and new wave.

1980s
Electric Light Orchestra - Last Train To London 1980 -- 5 star and best overall
Dave Edmunds - Slipping Away 1983 -- 5-star and last top 40 hit
Animotion - Let Him Go 1984 follow up to iconic "Obsession"
Bon Jovi - Runaway 1984 -- first hit
Phil Collins - I Don't Care Anymore 1982

John Hunter - Tragedy  1985

Bette Midler - My Mother's Eyes 1981

Prism - Don't Let Him Know 1982 -- only hit
Michael Stanley Band - My Town 1983 -- last top 40 hit

Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers - Tomorrow People 1988 -- only hit

1970's -- only 3-stars

The Guess Who - Star Baby 1974

The Stylistics - Stop, Look, Listen (To Your Heart)   1971

1990's 

Rod Stewart - Ooh La La 1998 5-star and last hit

Def Leppard - Miss You In A Heartbeat  1994 3-star

Peach Union - On My Own 1997 3-star

Oasis - Live Forever   1994 3-star

2000's
Blessid Union of Souls - I Wanna Be There 2001

2010's
Selena Gomez - Kill Em with Kindness 2016

August 1989 -- still pretty bad

Last year I reviewed the chart that was two weeks before this one when "Batdance" was #1.  Well, not much has changed -- it's been replaced by Richard Marx, which isn't horrible, but still not good. Two through 4 are fine, but then New Kids worst song.  Further down, Donny Osmond, Martika, Eddie Murphy....

On the upside, most of the worst songs are falling, while Don Henley, Karyn White, and Skid Row climb.  Good songs by Bee Gees, Katrina and Waves, Howard Jones, Madonna, even Milli Vanilli have debuted.

Lots of big hair too -- Warrant, Skid Row, Winger, and Bon Jovi all in a bunch...and Richard Marx and Cher had a lot too!

Last hit:  Katrina and the Waves
Favorites (4-star) -- Henley, Abdul, and Brown.  Top:  Don Henley, with a little help from Bruce Hornsby, yet it still couldn't get about #8.

1 1 RIGHT HERE WAITING –•– Richard Marx – 7 (1)
2 2 ON OUR OWN –•– Bobby Brown – 11 (2)
3 6 COLD HEARTED –•– Paula Abdul – 9 (3)
4 9 DON’T WANNA LOSE YOU –•– Gloria Estefan – 7 (4)
5 5 ONCE BITTEN TWICE SHY –•– Great White – 15 (5)
6 11 HANGIN’ TOUGH –•– New Kids On The Block – 6 (6)
7 7 I LIKE IT –•– Dino – 15 (7)
8 3 BATDANCE –•– Prince – 10 (1)
9 12 SECRET RENDEZVOUS –•– Karyn White – 13 (9)
10 4 SO ALIVE –•– Love And Rockets – 14 (3)

11 14 THE END OF THE INNOCENCE –•– Don Henley – 9 (11)
12 13 FRIENDS –•– Jody Watley with Eric B. & Rakim – 10 (12)
13 18 ANGEL EYES –•– Jeff Healey Band – 10 (13)
14 20 SACRED EMOTION –•– Donny Osmond – 10 (14)
15 22 KEEP ON MOVIN’ –•– Soul II Soul – 9 (15)
16 10 TOY SOLDIERS –•– Martika – 14 (1)
17 25 SHOWER ME WITH YOUR LOVE –•– Surface – 8 (17)
18 8 LAY YOUR HANDS ON ME –•– Bon Jovi – 12 (7)
19 21 HEADED FOR A HEARTBREAK –•– Winger – 12 (19)
20 26 18 AND LIFE –•– Skid Row – 7 (20)

21 27 IF I COULD TURN BACK TIME –•– Cher – 7 (21)
22 30 HEAVEN –•– Warrant – 5 (22)
23 15 I’M THAT TYPE OF GUY –•– L.L. Cool J – 11 (15)
24 23 HOOKED ON YOU –•– Sweet Sensation – 24 (23)
25 16 IF YOU DON’T KNOW ME BY NOW –•– Simply Red – 16 (1)
26 17 NO MORE RHYME –•– Debbie Gibson – 10 (17)
27 19 HEY BABY –•– Henry Lee Summer – 14 (18)
28 35 GIRL I’M GONNA MISS YOU –•– Milli Vanilli – 3 (28)
29 33 TALK IT OVER –•– Grayson Hugh – 9 (29)
30 40 ONE –•– Bee Gees – 4 (30)

31 36 SOUL PROVIDER –•– Michael Bolton – 8 (31)
32 41 KISSES ON THE WIND –•– Neneh Cherry – 5 (32)
33 31 COVER OF LOVE –•– Michael Damian – 10 (31)
34 38 THE PRISONER –•– Howard Jones – 8 (34)
35 42 THAT’S THE WAY –•– Katrina & The Waves – 5 (35)
36 24 EXPRESS YOURSELF –•– Madonna – 12 (2)
37 — CHERISH –•– Madonna – 1 (37)
38 32 BABY DON’T FORGET MY NUMBER –•– Milli Vanilli – 17 (1)
39 29 DRESSED FOR SUCCESS –•– Roxette – 13 (14)
40 49 PUT YOUR MOUTH ON ME –•– Eddie Murphy – 4 (40)

August 1977 -- Star Wars!

I got to hear the whole chart today, and it was a fine late-70's set of songs. Casey made the biggest deal of the Star Wars theme, mentioning how the movie had crossed $100M in receipts in "just two months" (today, big movies debut that high) and that it might cross $200M in another year.  In the end, it topped $300M, even before official re-releases or inflation.

It was a big week for last top 40 hits -- including some icons of the lighter side of early 70's music -- Helen Reddy, Cat Stevens (off the previous week), BJ Thomas, Johnny Rivers. The saddest one was the King himself, whom Casey didn't know would die that very week -- he called him not only the King but one who's career defined the rock and roll era.  This song sounded out of place, but he had at least one Top 40 hit each year between 1955 and 1977!

Many good songs on the chart -- two 5-stars, by Barbra and Foreigner.  I'll go with Foreigner as my fav.

1 1 I JUST WANT TO BE YOUR EVERYTHING –•– Andy Gibb (RSO)-17 (3 weeks at #1) (1)
2 2 I’M IN YOU –•– Peter Frampton (A&M)-12 (2)
3 3 BEST OF MY LOVE –•– The Emotions (Columbia)-10 (3)
4 7 (You’re Love Has Lifted Me) HIGHER AND HIGHER –•– Rita Coolidge (A&M)-15 (4)
5 5 DO YOU WANNA MAKE LOVE –•– Peter McCann (20th Century)-17 (5)
6 4 MY HEART BELONGS TO ME –•– Barbra Streisand (Columbia)-13 (4)
7 8 EASY –•– The Commodores (Motown)-11 (7)
8 9 WHATCHA GONNA DO –•– Pablo Cruise (A&M)-18 (8)
9 10 YOU AND ME –•– Alice Cooper (Warner Brothers)-16 (9)
10 11 YOU MADE ME BELIEVE IN MAGIC –•– The Bay City Rollers (Arista)-11 (10)

11 13 JUST A SONG BEFORE I GO –•– Crosby, Stills and Nash (Atlantic)-12 (11)
12 6 DA DOO RON RON –•– Shaun Cassidy (Warner Brothers / Curb)-14 (1)
13 16 DON’T STOP –•– Fleetwood Mac (Warner Brothers)-6 (13)
14 12 LOOKS LIKE WE MADE IT –•– Barry Manilow (Arista)-15 (1)
15 17 HANDY MAN / BARTENDER’S BLUES –•– James Taylor (Columbia)-9 (15)
16 18 BARRACUDA –•– Heart (Portrait)-12 (14)
17 14 UNDERCOVER ANGEL –•– Alan O’Day (Pacific)-20 (1)
18 26 SMOKE FROM A DISTANT FIRE –•– The Sanford / Townsend Band (Warner Brothers)-9 (18)
19 20 TELEPHONE MAN –•– Meri Wilson (GRT)-11 (19)
20 22 TELEPHONE LINE –•– The Electric Light Orchestra (United Artists / Jet)-10 (20)

21 23 GIVE A LITTLE BIT –•– Supertramp (A&M)-11 (21)
22 24 HOW MUCH LOVE –•– Leo Sayer (Warner Brothers)-6 (22)
23 29 FLOAT ON –•– The Floaters (ABC)-6 (23)
24 25 YOU’RE MY WORLD –•– Helen Reddy (Capitol)-16 (18)
25 27 BLACK BETTY –•– Ram Jam (Epic)-10 (25)
26 28 SWAYIN’ TO THE MUSIC (Slow Dancin’) –•– Johnny Rivers (Big Tree)-8 (26)
27 34 STRAWBERRY LETTER 23 –•– The Brothers Johnson (A&M)-7 (27)
28 42 STAR WARS (Main Title) –•– The London Symphony Orchestra / John Williams (20th Century)-6 (28)
29 30 ON AND ON –•– Stephen Bishop (ABC)-14 (29)
30 48 COLD AS ICE –•– Foreigner (Atlantic)-4 (30)

31 31 WAY DOWN / PLEDGING MY LOVE –•– Elvis Presley (RCA)-8 (31)
32 35 CHRISTINE SIXTEEN –•– Kiss (Casablanca)-5 (32)
33 36 SLIDE –•– Slave (Cotillion)-9 (33)
34 68 KEEP IT COMIN’ LOVE –•– K.C. and the Sunshine Band (T.K.)-3 (34)
35 15 MARGARITAVILLE –•– Jimmy Buffett (ABC)-20 (8)
36 39 DON’T WORRY BABY –•– B.J. Thomas (MCA)-7 (36)
37 44 IT’S A CRAZY WORLD –•– Mac McAnally (Ariola America)-6 (37)
38 50 SO YOU WIN AGAIN –•– Hot Chocolate (Big Tree)-5 (38)
39 54 EDGE OF THE UNIVERSE –•– The Bee Gees (RSO)-4 (39)
40 45 SUNFLOWER –•– Glen Campbell (Capitol)-6 (40)

August 1971 -- the beginning of the Bee Gee domination

On the road this week, so I had to fight with my rental company to activate SiriusXM for the road, but I did catch all but a couple songs.

Last year I blogged about the week before when James Taylor moved into the #1 spot, with a song written by Carole King and a song charting that very week by a different artists.  Casey neglect to mention it again this week. 

His big news was the jump to #1 by the Bee Gees (I gather because it made two modest moves the weeks previous) -- and what he really didn't know was that this first week at #1 for the group would be followed by 8 other #1s in the 70's.

First hit:  John Denver was still credited "with Fat City," Olivia Newton-John
Last hits:  none that I can see

Favorites: Don't Pull your love (5-star), though John Denver, Chase, Carole King and THE Who (Casey left off the "The" :-) are all 4-stars

1 6 HOW CAN YOU MEND A BROKEN HEART –•– The Bee Gees (Atco)-7 (1 week at #1)
2 2 INDIAN RESERVATION (The Lament Of the Cherokee Reservation Indian) –•– The Raiders (Columbia)-18
3 1 YOU’VE GOT A FRIEND –•– James Taylor (Warner Brothers)-10
4 4 MR. BIG STUFF –•– Jean Knight (Stax)-11
5 5 DRAGGIN’ THE LINE –•– Tommy James (Roulette)-9
6 8 TAKE ME HOME, COUNTRY ROADS –•– John Denver with Fat City (RCA)-16
7 3 IT’S TOO LATE / I FEEL THE EARTH MOVE –•– Carole King (Ode)-14
8 16 BEGINNINGS / COLOUR MY WORLD –•– Chicago (Columbia)-7
9 10 WHAT THE WORLD NEEDS NOW IS LOVE / ABRAHAM, MARTIN AND JOHN (Medley) –•– Tom Clay (Mowest)-5
10 11 MERCY MERCY ME (The Ecology) –•– Marvin Gaye (Tamla)-6

11 7 DON’T PULL YOUR LOVE –•– Hamilton, Joe Frank and Reynolds (Dunhill)-12
12 14 BRING THE BOYS HOME –•– Freda Payne (Invictus)-10
13 13 NEVER ENDING SONG OF LOVE –•– Delaney and Bonnie and Friends (Atco)-12
14 9 SOONER OR LATER –•– The Grass Roots (Dunhill)-10
15 19 SIGNS –•– Five Man Electrical Band (Lionel)-11
16 18 HOT PANTS (She Got To Use What She Got To Get What She Wants) (Part 1) –•– James Brown (People)-6
17 28 RINGS –•– Cymarron (Entrance)-9
18 29 SWEET HITCH-HIKER –•– Creedence Clearwater Revival (Fantasy)-4
19 22 LOVE THE ONE YOU’RE WITH –•– The Isley Brothers (T-Neck)-8
20 26 LIAR –•– Three Dog Night (Dunhill)-5

21 15 HERE COMES THAT RAINY DAY FEELING AGAIN –•– The Fortunes (Capitol)-13
22 23 DOUBLE BARREL –•– David and Ansil Collins (Big Tree)-9
23 36 RIDERS ON THE STORM –•– The Doors (Elektra)-6
24 30 MAYBE TOMORROW –•– Jackson 5 (Motown)-5
25 37 SMILING FACES SOMETIMES –•– The Undisputed Truth (Gordy)-7
26 12 TREAT HER LIKE A LADY –•– Cornelius Brothers and Sister Rose (United Artists)-18
27 24 GET IT ON –•– Chase (Epic)-12
28 17 I DON’T WANT TO DO WRONG –•– Gladys Knight and the Pips (Soul)-10
29 69 SPANISH HARLEM –•– Aretha Franklin (Atlantic)-2
30 40 WHATCHA SEE IS WHATCHA GET –•– The Dramatics (Volt)-6

31 31 YOU’VE GOT A FRIEND –•– Roberta Flack and Donny Hathaway (Atlantic)-9
32 32 MOON SHADOW –•– Cat Stevens (A&M)-7
33 34 IF NOT FOR YOU –•– Olivia Newton-John (Uni)-11
34 27 FUNKY NASSAU (Part 1) –•– The Beginning Of the End (Alston)-14
35 20 THAT’S THE WAY I’VE ALWAYS HEARD IT SHOULD BE –•– Carly Simon (Elektra)-17
36 21 SHE’S NOT JUST ANOTHER WOMAN –•– The 8th Day (Invictus)-13
37 47 I JUST WANT TO CELEBRATE –•– Rare Earth (Rare Earth)-4
38 33 SUMMER SAND –•– Dawn (Bell)-8
39 49 WON’T GET FOOLED AGAIN –•– The Who (Decca)-4
40 41 RESURRECTION SHUFFLE –•– Aston, Gardner and Dyke (Capitol)-8

August 1982 -- Hurts so good

ANOTHER repeat countdown from last year...

Slow chart time here in 1982 -- by some accounts, there was a rule change for the Hot 100, which led to some extra long holds at certain chart positions -- Rick Springfield spent 6 weeks at #21!  Hold Me had 7 weeks at #4.  Chicago had a full month at #5 before then moving up to #1.

John Cougar had two charting hits, both among the Top 100 of all time -- "Hurts So Good" never hit #1, but it spent 16 weeks in the top 10 and finished the year on Casey's countdown ahead of his #1 hit "Jack and Diane"

Utterly out of place was the Jennifer Holliday belter from "Dreamgirls," -- she could out-sing everyone.

First hit:  Motels, Men at Work

Last hit:  Gary US Bonds, who qualifies based on his 60's hits

Favorites: Chicago, Toto, Stevie Wonder, Go-go, Human League...but Soft Cell reigns

1 1 EYE OF THE TIGER –•– Survivor (Scotti Brothers)-10 (3 weeks at #1) (1)

2 3 HURTS SO GOOD –•– John Cougar (Riva)-16 (2)
3 5 ABRACADABRA –•– The Steve Miller Band (Capitol)-11 (3)
4 4 HOLD ME –•– Fleetwood Mac (Warner Brothers)-8 (4)
5 6 HARD TO SAY I’M SORRY –•– Chicago (Full Moon)-10 (5)
6 2 ROSANNA –•– Toto (Columbia)-17 (2)
7 8 EVEN THE NIGHTS ARE BETTER –•– Air Supply (Arista)-9 (7)
8 10 KEEP THE FIRE BURNIN’ –•– REO Speedwagon (Epic)-9 (8)
9 9 ONLY THE LONELY –•– The Motels (Capitol)-16 (9)
10 7 DON’T YOU WANT ME –•– The Human League (A&M)-23 (1)

11 13 WASTED ON THE WAY –•– Crosby, Stills and Nash (Atlantic)-7 (11)
12 15 VACATION –•– The Go-Go’s (I.R.S.)-6 (12)
13 11 LET IT WHIP –•– The Dazz Band (Motown)-16 (5)
14 18 TAKE IT AWAY –•– Paul McCartney (Columbia)-5 (14)
15 22 YOU SHOULD HEAR HOW SHE TALKS ABOUT YOU –•– Melissa Manchester (Arista)-12 (15)
16 23 LOVE IS IN CONTROL (Finger On the Trigger) –•– Donna Summer (Geffen)-7 (16)
17 12 TAINTED LOVE –•– Soft Cell (Sire)-30 (8)
18 14 LOVE’S BEEN A LITTLE BIT HARD ON ME –•– Juice Newton (Capitol)-14 (7)
19 20 PERSONALLY –•– Karla Bonoff (Columbia)-15 (19)
20 16 DO I DO –•– Stevie Wonder (Tamla)-11 (13)

21 21 WHAT KIND OF FOOL AM I –•– Rick Springfield (RCA)-10 (21)
22 26 LOVE WILL TURN YOU AROUND –•– Kenny Rogers (Liberty)-6 (22)
23 27 OUT OF WORK –•– Gary U.S. Bonds (EMI-America)-9 (23)
24 28 THINK I’M IN LOVE –•– Eddie Money (Columbia)-6 (24)
25 29 AMERICAN MUSIC –•– The Pointer Sisters (Planet)-7 (25)
26 30 KIDS IN AMERICA –•– Kim Wilde (EMI-America)-12 (26)
27 42 WHO CAN IT BE NOW –•– Men At Work (Columbia)-5 (27)
28 35 EYE IN THE SKY –•– The Alan Parsons Project (Arista)-6 (28)
29 39 AND I AM TELL YOU I’M NOT GOING –•– Jennifer Holliday (Geffen)-6 (29)
30 32 IF THE LOVE FITS WEAR IT –•– Leslie Pearl (RCA)-12 (30)

31 33 I FOUND SOMEBODY –•– Glenn Frey (Asylum)-10 (31)
32 34 PAPERLATE –•– Genesis (Atlantic)-10 (32)
33 47 JACK AND DIANE –•– John Cougar (Riva)-3 (33)
34 36 YOUR IMAGINATION –•– Daryl Hall and John Oates (RCA)-8 (34)
35 17 CAUGHT UP IN YOU –•– 38 Special (A&M)-15 (10)
36 41 HOT IN THE CITY –•– Billy Idol (Chrysalis)-6 (36)
37 38 LOVE PLUS ONE –•– Haircut One Hundred (Arista)-13 (37)
38 40 ROUTE 101 –•– Herb Alpert (A&M)-7 (38)
39 19 STILL THEY RIDE –•– Journey (Columbia)-12 (19)
40 24 EARLY IN THE MORNING –•– The Gap Band (Total Experience)-12 (24)

August 1986 -- Movies, movies, movies

This chart started and ended at the movies -- "Man Sized Love" from "Running Scared" (as was "Sweet Freedom") to "Glory of Love" from "Karate Kid II.  Along the way, two songs from "Top Gun," one from "Legal Eagles," and one from "Short Circuit."

Along the way are a ton of songs you'd still hear on your favorite 80's station.

Last songs:  Wham, as a team; the Monkees (their one hit of the comeback).

First songs: Belinda Carlisle (without her usual team)

Other former band members include both Peters, Steve Winwood, Lionel Richie, Michael Mcdonald, Andy Taylor, Mike Rutherford and David Lee Roth.

Favorites:  Blow Monkeys, GTR, Madonna, Belinda, Moody Blues, and my fave, Opportunities.

1 5 GLORY OF LOVE –•– Peter Cetera – 9 (1)
2 1 SLEDGEHAMMER –•– Peter Gabriel – 13 (1)
3 2 DANGER ZONE –•– Kenny Loggins – 13 (2)
4 6 PAPA DON’T PREACH –•– Madonna – 6 (4)
5 3 INVISIBLE TOUCH –•– Genesis – 10 (1)
6 8 MAD ABOUT YOU –•– Belinda Carlisle – 12 (6)
7 7 LOVE TOUCH –•– Rod Stewart – 10 (7)
8 4 NASTY –•– Janet Jackson – 12 (3)
9 12 WE DON’T HAVE TO TAKE OUR CLOTHES OFF –•– Jermaine Stewart – 12 (9)
10 11 OPPORTUNITIES –•– Pet Shop Boys – 10 (10)

11 10 MODERN WOMAN –•– Billy Joel – 9 (10)
12 18 HIGHER LOVE –•– Steve Winwood – 8 (12)
13 20 RUMORS –•– Timex Social Club – 8 (13)
14 15 DIGGING YOUR SCENE –•– Blow Monkeys – 14 (14)
15 23 VENUS –•– Bananarama – 6 (15)
16 22 THE EDGE OF HEAVEN –•– Wham! – 5 (16)
17 21 YOU SHOULD BE MINE (THE WOO WOO SONG) –•– Jeffrey Osborne – 11 (17)
18 24 SWEET FREEDOM –•– Michael McDonald – 8 (18)
19 33 DANCING ON THE CEILING –•– Lionel Richie – 3 (19)
20 13 YOUR WILDEST DREAMS –•– Moody Blues – 16 (9)

21 27 SUZANNE –•– Journey – 7 (21)
22 9 HOLDING BACK THE YEARS –•– Simply Red – 18 (1)
23 32 TAKE MY BREATH AWAY –•– Berlin – 7 (23)
24 26 TAKE IT EASY –•– Andy Taylor – 10 (24)
25 19 SECRET SEPARATION –•– The Fixx – 11 (19)
26 30 ALL THE LOVE IN THE WORLD –•– The Outfield – 9 (26)
27 14 WHO’S JOHNNY –•– El DeBarge – 15 (3)
28 31 ONE STEP CLOSER TO YOU –•– Gavin Christopher – 11 (28)
29 16 THERE’LL BE SAD SONGS –•– Billy Ocean – 16 (1)
30 34 BABY LOVE –•– Regina – 7 (30)

31 41 FRIENDS AND LOVERS –•– Gloria Loring & Carl Anderson – 5 (31)
32 17 WHEN THE HEART RULES THE MIND –•– GTR – 13 (14)
33 37 WORDS GET IN THE WAY –•– Miami Sound Machine featuring Gloria Estefan – 8 (33)
34 40 YANKEE ROSE –•– David Lee Roth – 5 (34)
35 45 RUMBLESEAT –•– John Cougar Mellencamp – 6 (35)
36 46 THAT WAS THEN, THIS IS NOW –•– The Monkees – 5 (36)
37 25 NO ONE IS TO BLAME –•– Howard Jones – 17 (4)
38 43 TAKEN IN –•– Mike + The Mechanics – 6 (38)
39 42 HANGING ON A HEART ATTACK –•– Device – 8 (39)
40 47 MAN SIZE LOVE –•– Klymaxx – 5 (40)

August 1979 -- Peak Donna Summer...and the beginning of the end

It took awhile, but I finally heard almost all of this chart.  Part of the "trouble" is that this is one of the dreaded 1979 countdowns which had been extended to 4 hours, making room for long distance dedications (2x), recaps of the #1 songs of the 70's (3x), and replaying the top 3 from the previous week.  No thanks!

Clearly this was one of the great weeks of peak disco and not far off peak Donna Summer.  Her previous #1 was still in the top 10, while her latest song was #1, both classics of the era.  At one point she had 2 of the top 3, which she repeated later in the year.

Adding to the disco are classics Boogie Wonderland, Ring My Bell, and Good times.  Elton John and Kiss both had distinctly disco-sounding records.

Other genres were on the move though -- country & country crossover were leading into a 3-year surge, yacht rock was doing very well, jazz crossover began a 3-year run (Spyrogyra), but perhaps biggest was new wave which looked to knock disco off its perch, which the Knack did 3 weeks from now becoming the #1 song of the year.

Casey mentioned that a stunning 13 artists were having their first hit, including the Knack.  The biggest and only multi-hit artist was Cheap Trick.

A couple strangely unheard songs for this late in the 70's -- the Peter Frampton song, Wings (as happens often!), and Kansas.

Top song -- Charlie Daniels Band!


1 1 BAD GIRLS –•– Donna Summer (Casablanca)-11 (4 weeks at #1) (1)
2 3 GOOD TIMES –•– Chic (Atlantic)-8 (2)
3 2 RING MY BELL –•– Anita Ward (Juana)-13 (1)
4 10 THE MAIN EVENT / FIGHT –•– Barbra Streisand (Columbia)-8 (4)
5 6 GOLD –•– John Stewart (RSO)-12 (5)
6 18 MY SHARONA –•– The Knack (Capitol)-7 (6)
7 5 MAKIN’ IT –•– David Naughton (RSO)-19 (5)
8 9 WHEN YOU’RE IN LOVE WITH A BEAUTIFUL WOMAN –•– Dr. Hook (Capitol)-17 (8)
9 4 HOT STUFF –•– Donna Summer (Casablanca)-16 (1)
10 7 I WANT YOU TO WANT ME –•– Cheap Trick (Epic)-16 (7)

11 12 YOU CAN’T CHANGE THAT –•– Raydio (Arista)-15 (11)
12 16 MAMA CAN’T BUY YOU LOVE –•– Elton John (MCA)-9 (12)
13 15 I WAS MADE FOR LOVIN’ YOU –•– Kiss (Casablanca)-11 (13)
14 13 AIN’T NO STOPPIN’ US NOW –•– McFadden and Whitehead (Philadelphia International)-15 (13)
15 8 SHINE A LITTLE LOVE –•– Electric Light Orchestra (Jet)-12 (8)
16 23 SAD EYES –•– Robert John (EMI-America)-12 (16)
17 22 LEAD ME ON –•– Maxine Nightingale (Windsong)-11 (17)
18 11 BOOGIE WONDERLAND –•– Earth, Wind and Fire with the Emotions (ARC)-13 (6)
19 19 DO IT OR DIE –•– The Atlanta Rhythm Section (Polydor)-11 (19)
20 20 GETTING CLOSER –•– Wings (Columbia)-8 (20)

21 14 I CAN’T STAND IT NO MORE –•– Peter Frampton (A&M)-11 (14)
22 31 AFTER THE LOVE HAS GONE –•– Earth, Wind and Fire (ARC)-5 (22)
23 24 PEOPLE OF THE SOUTH WIND –•– Kansas (Kirshner)-10 (23)
24 26 ONE WAY OR ANOTHER –•– Blondie (Chrysalis)-10 (24)
25 27 IS SHE REALLY GOING OUT WITH HIM –•– Joe Jackson (A&M)-9 (25)
26 33 THE DEVIL WENT DOWN TO GEORGIA –•– The Charlie Daniels Band (Epic)-7 (26)
27 30 SUSPICIONS –•– Eddie Rabbitt (Elektra)-9 (27)
28 17 SHE BELIEVES IN ME –•– Kenny Rogers (United Artists)-15 (5)
29 35 I’LL NEVER LOVE THIS WAY AGAIN –•– Dionne Warwick (Arista)-7 (29)
30 21 DOES YOUR MOTHER KNOW –•– Abba (Atlantic)-12 (19)

31 25 SHADOWS IN THE MOONLIGHT –•– Anne Murray (Capitol)-11 (25)
32 45 GOODBYE STRANGER –•– Supertramp (A&M)-5 (32)
33 44 LONESOME LOSER –•– Little River Band (Capitol)-3 (33)
34 36 MORNING DANCE –•– Spyro Gyra (Infinity)-8 (34)
35 37 LET’S GO –•– The Cars (Elektra)-6 (35)
36 39 HEAVEN MUST HAVE SENT YOU –•– Bonnie Pointer (Motown)-8 (36)
37 38 KISS IN THE DARK –•– Pink Lady (Elektra / Curb)-10 (37)
38 42 HIGHWAY SONG –•– Blackfoot (Atco)-7 (38)
39 43 HOT SUMMER NIGHTS –•– Night (Planet)-7 (39)
40 47 BORN TO BE ALIVE –•– Patrick Hernandez (Columbia)-7 (40)