October 1982 -- peak Johnny Cougar

Another early 80's countdown with the eclectic mix of serious rock (Joan Jett) and slow country (Juice Newton).  Medleys, Jazz, and instrumentals were gone, replaced by some serious yacht Rock from 70's heroes like America, Alan Parsons, and Crosby Stills and Nash.

Due to some heavier than usual turnover at the top, 5 of the top 6 were all past or eventual #1s, with the next two also charting.  There was also still a little room for a bunch of guys who sounded like they mixed their tape in the garage to hit the top 40:  Steel Breeze.

And the nature of the charts led to some unusual stalls:  Gap Band spent 6 weeks at #31, MMM spent 5 at #19.  

Surprising duds:  REO Speedwagon, Kim Carnes (lead single from new album after "Better Davis Eyes") but especially Toto -- Make Believe was released in between Rosanna and Africa. 

Last top 10:  Neil Diamond, Alan Parsons, Steve Miller, America

Last hit at all:  Crosby Stills and Nash, Melissa Manchester, Michael Martin "Wildfire" Murphey, The Who, 

First hit: Michael McDonald (solo), Flock of Seagulls, Men at Work, Laura Branigan, Rush (first and only)

Not a big week for favorites at the top, but further down:

(5-star) Flock of Seagulls, Chicago, Mickey -- favorite:  I Ran

1 1 JACK & DIANE –•– John Cougar (Riva)-12 (2 weeks at #1) (1)
2 2 ABRACADABRA –•– The Steve Miller Band (Capitol)-20 (1)
3 3 HARD TO SAY I’M SORRY –•– Chicago (Full Moon)-19 (1)
4 6 EYE IN THE SKY –•– The Alan Parsons Project (Arista)-15 (4)
5 7 WHO CAN IT BE NOW –•– Men At Work (Columbia)-14 (5)
6 4 EYE OF THE TIGER –•– Survivor (Scotti Brothers)-19 (1)
7 9 I KEEP FORGETTIN’ (Every Time You’re Near) –•– Michael McDonald (Warner Brothers)-10 (7)
8 8 SOMEBODY’S BABY –•– Jackson Browne (Asylum)-11 (8)
9 11 YOU CAN DO MAGIC –•– America (Capitol)-11 (9)
10 14 I RAN (So Far Away) –•– A Flock Of Seagulls (Jive)-14 (10)

11 13 HEART ATTACK –•– Olivia Newton-John (MCA)-6 (11)
12 12 BLUE EYES –•– Elton John (Geffen)-14 (12)
13 15 BREAK IT TO ME GENTLY –•– Juice Newton (Capitol)-8 (13)
14 5 YOU SHOULD HEAR HOW SHE TALKS ABOUT YOU –•– Melissa Manchester (Arista)-21 (5)
15 10 HURTS SO GOOD –•– John Cougar (Riva)-25 (2)
16 19 HOLD ON –•– Santana (Columbia)-9 (16)Chicago, 
17 35 UP WHERE WE BELONG –•– Joe Cocker and Jennifer Warnes (Island)-8 (17)
18 21 GLORIA –•– Laura Branigan (Atlantic)-14 (18)
19 22 WHAT’S FOREVER FOR –•– Michael Martin Murphey (Liberty)-12 (19)
20 20 DO YOU WANNA TOUCH ME (Oh Yeah) –•– Joan Jett and the Blackhearts (Boardwalk)-11 (20)

21 27 GYPSY –•– Fleetwood Mac (Warner Brothers)-6 (21)
22 24 BIG FUN –•– Kool and the Gang (De-Lite)-7 (22)
23 26 DON’T FIGHT IT –•– Kenny Loggins with Steve Perry (Columbia)-7 (23)
24 25 JUMP TO IT –•– Aretha Franklin (Arista)-8 (24)
25 16 THINK I’M IN LOVE –•– Eddie Money (Columbia)-15 (16)
26 32 THE ONE YOU LOVE –•– Glenn Frey (Asylum)-8 (26)
27 34 HEARTLIGHT –•– Neil Diamond (Columbia)-5 (27)
28 33 YOU DON’T WANT ME ANYMORE –•– Steel Breeze (RCA)-7 (28)
29 29 VOYEUR –•– Kim Carnes (EMI-America)-8 (29)
30 30 MAKE BELIEVE –•– Toto (Columbia)-10 (30)

31 31 YOU DROPPED A BOMB ON ME –•– The Gap Band (Total Experience)-9 (31)
32 36 LOVE COME DOWN –•– Evelyn King (RCA)-7 (32)
33 53 NEW WORLD MAN –•– Rush (Mercury)-4 (33)
34 43 NOBODY –•– Sylvia (RCA)-7 (34)
35 39 SWEET TIME –•– REO Speedwagon (Epic)-7 (35)
36 45 SOUTHERN CROSS –•– Crosby, Stills and Nash (Atlantic)-4 (36)
37 41 ATHENA –•– The Who (Warner Brothers)-6 (37)
38 38 YOU KEEP RUNNIN’ AWAY –•– 38 Special (A&M)-8 (38)
39 48 MICKEY –•– Toni Basil (Chrysalis)-6 (39)
40 44 I GET EXCITED –•– Rick Springfield (RCA)-5 (40)