Early Installment Weirdness

One of the TV/movie tropes on a website I like is called Early Installment Weirdness where an episode early in the run of (especially) a long-running series, just seems out of place as the characters still develop and the writers work out some things.

Applied to American Top 40, the earliest shows definitely are American Top 40 with a remarkable similarity to the shows of the 80's, but some of the features that disappeared over time:

- radio station DJs doing their own name check, rather than Casey

- predicting next weeks' #1

- playing a track off that week's #1 album

and perhaps most oddly as I heard this week, Casey encouraging young people to register to vote (!!)

Longest #1 song titles

"American Pie" was the longest #1 hit single for a long time, but its title was of normal length.  On this week's top 40 replay from 1972, Casey was asked who had the longest song title to hit #1.  At that point, it was Brian Hyland from 1960 with "Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polkadot Bikini." (41 letters) After Casey answered the question, he resumed the countdown with B.J. Thomas'' "Rock and Roll Lullaby"

But what Casey didn't know is that the record for longest #1 song title would be broken by...B.J. Thomas! In 1975, Thomas made it to the top with "Hey, Won't You Play Another Somebody Done Somebody Wrong Song" (49!)

The current record holder is a medley, known in 1981 as "Medley" or colloquially "The Beatles Medley" by Stars on 45, a studio cover band.  The full official title on the label of the single and listed in Billboard was a mouthful:  "Medley: Intro 'Venus' / Sugar Sugar / No Reply / I'll Be Back / Drive My Car / Do You Want to Know a Secret / We Can Work It Out / I Should Have Known Better / Nowhere Man / You're Going to Lose That Girl / Stars on 45."

Among non-medleys, no one has yet to beat Thomas.

December 1972 -- some new songs for me

Late 1972 this week on the random AT40 replay on Thursdays, and a good one for me.  I especially enjoy countdowns with songs I don't recall hearing before.  This week had a couple by artists I have complilations for:

1. Dennis Yost and Classics IV, whose "Spooky" and "Stormy" were on a mini-disc I bought that fit nicely in the smaller notch in the tray where you'd put a CD (which you perhaps had not noticed).  I only owned a couple of those, and for the Classics IV with only 4 top 40 hits, that was perfect!  What Casey didn't know is that they would not chart again after "What am I Crying For."

2.  The Bee Gees:  they would chart, but after "Alive" which I'd never heard, they went on a multi-year drought before "Jive Talkin'" in 1975 began one of the great streaks in pop music... the first of 8 #1's in 4 years.

1 2 I AM WOMAN –•– Helen Reddy (Capitol)-16 (1 week at #1) (1)
2 1 PAPA WAS A ROLLIN’ STONE –•– The Temptations (Gordy)-9 (1)
3 5 IF YOU DON’T KNOW ME BY NOW –•– Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes (Philadelphia International)-11 (3)
4 3 I CAN SEE CLEARLY NOW –•– Johnny Nash (Epic)-14 (1)
5 7 YOU OUGHT TO BE WITH ME –•– Al Green (Hi)-8 (5)
6 13 ME AND MRS. JONES –•– Billy Paul (Philadelphia International)-6 (6)
7 8 IT NEVER RAINS IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA –•– Albert Hammond (Mums)-8 (7)
8 10 VENTURA HIGHWAY –•– America (Warner Brothers)-8 (8)
9 12 CLAIR –•– Gilbert O’Sullivan (MAM)-7 (9)
10 11 I’M STONE IN LOVE WITH YOU –•– The Stylistics (Avco)-9 (10)
11 6 SUMMER BREEZE –•– Seals and Crofts (Warner Brothers)-14 (6)

12 20 FUNNY FACE –•– Donna Fargo (Dot)-11 (12)
13 16 SOMETHING’S WRONG WITH ME –•– Austin Roberts (Chelsea)-9 (13)
14 15 CRAZY HORSES –•– The Osmonds (MGM)-8 (14)
15 19 ROCKIN’ PNEUMONIA – BOOGIE WOOGIE FLU –•– Johnny Rivers (United Artists)-10 (15)
16 4 I’D LOVE YOU TO WANT ME –•– Lobo (Big Tree)-12 (2)
17 18 OPERATOR (That’s Not the Way It Feels) –•– Jim Croce (ABC)-9 (17)
18 9 I’LL BE AROUND / HOW COULD I LET YOU GET AWAY –•– The Spinners (Atlantic)-17 (3)
19 22 CORNER OF THE SKY –•– Jackson 5 (Motown)-7 (19)
20 24 SWEET SURRENDER –•– Bread (Elektra)-5 (20)
21 14 IF I COULD REACH YOU –•– The 5th Dimension (Bell)-14 (10)
22 31 SUPERFLY –•– Curtis Mayfield (Curtom)-4 (22)
23 27 WALK ON WATER –•– Neil Diamond (Uni)-5 (23)
24 26 DIALOGUE (Parts 1 and 2) –•– Chicago (Columbia)-7 (24)
25 32 KEEPER OF THE CASTLE –•– The Four Tops (Dunhill)-5 (25)
26 30 LIVING IN THE PAST –•– Jethro Tull (Chrysalis)-6 (26)
27 35 SITTING –•– Cat Stevens (A&M)-4 (27)
28 21 CONVENTION ’72 –•– The Delegates (Mainstream)-8 (8)
29 34 YOUR MAMA DON’T DANCE –•– Kenny Loggins and Jim Messina (Columbia)-5 (29)
30 33 LONG DARK ROAD –•– The Hollies (Epic)-6 (30)
31 29 ROCK ‘N ROLL SOUL –•– Grand Funk Railroad (Capitol)-12 (29)
32 43 SUPERSTITION –•– Stevie Wonder (Tamla)-4 (32)
33 47 PIECES OF APRIL –•– Three Dog Night (Dunhill)-4 (33)
34 36 SUNNY DAYS –•– Lighthouse (Evolution)-10 (34)
35 37 ALIVE –•– The Bee Gees (Atco)-4 (35)
36 38 I DIDN’T KNOW I LOVED YOU (‘Till I Saw You Rock and Roll) –•– Gary Glitter (Bell)-6 (36)
37 45 I WANNA BE WITH YOU –•– The Raspberries (Capitol)-3 (37)
38 39 THEME FROM “THE MEN” –•– Isaac Hayes (Enterprise)-8 (38)
39 41 WHAT AM I CRYING FOR –•– Dennis Yost and the Classics IV (MGM South)-8 (39)
40 50 BEEN TO CANAAN –•– Carole King (Ode)-3 (40)

April 1976 -- O What a Night

 In 1976 today, and it was a particularly good week for things Casey didn't know.

At #39, Hall and Oates made a modest debut with their first hit, and Casey couldn't have known how after a respectable string of hits for the next 5 years, they would explode into the biggest act of the early 80's.  In fact, they're in the top 5 of any list I've seen of 80's artists, but they're often forgotten often in comparison to the flashier MTV icons.  But to be fair, their greatest hits is in the top 200 here in 2023...

At #33, Casey remarked how it was 4 in a row for Freddy Fender, all #1 country hits...except in this case, it was his last #1 country and pop top 40.

He wished Carole King "Happy Anniversary" for 5 years on the album charts with "Tapestry" -- it would hang out for the rest of 1976, ending the streak with over 300 weeks, which at the time put in in 4th place among solo artists.  What Casey didn't know was that once the album charts moved to electronic counting, rather than sales reports...and further decided to not shunt off older albums arbitrarily, 300 weeks is now far from unusual.  This week's top 100 here in 2023 has _19_ albums with over 300 weeks, led by Pink Floyd's "Dark Side of the Moon" which is closing in on 1,000 weeks.  The highest with at least 300 weeks is Taylor Swift's "1989" way up at #22.

At #27, Elvin Bishop debuted with "his" first hit, "Fooled Around And Fell in Love" -- Casey clearly wouldn't know that it would be prominently featured in a quirky Marvel blockbuster, "Guardians of the Galaxy" 40 years later!  Casey called Bishop a group, since Bishop didn't sing lead... he'd have been surprised to know that the uncredited lead vocalist Mickey Thomas would 3 years later begin to lead (Jefferson) "We Built This City" Starship through the 80's.

At #22, the Miracles were easing down the chart with their recent #1, "Love Machine"....and they were to never hit the top 100 again, much less the top 40, though their former lead singer Smokey Robinson had a good run through the 80's.  Early 70's icons the Carpenters and John Denver were on the chart, but wouldn't go top 10 again.

The Four Seasons were enjoying a resurgence in the mid-70's, but it was the "Jersey Boys" that turned them into a 1990's phenomenon, with "December 1963" adding a second 27-week chart run in 1994/5.  It was recently among the top 10 hits in a Sirius SX user survey of 70's songs, which I don't believe would've been true had the survey been done in, say, 1990.

Casey commended the Eagles for being at #1 with their greatest hits the past 4 weeks.  Would he guess it would go on to sell 29 million copies, being the biggest selling album of all time at one point?  And yes, it also happens to be on this week's Top 200 chart in 2023, sharing space with its rival "Thriller" by Michael Jackson in the bottom half.

1 5 DISCO LADY –•– Johnnie Taylor (Columbia)-9 (1 week at #1) (1)
2 2 DREAM WEAVER –•– Gary Wright (Warner Brothers)-14 (2)
3 3 LONELY NIGHT (Angel Face) –•– The Captain and Tennille (A&M)-11 (3)
4 8 LET YOUR LOVE FLOW –•– The Bellamy Brothers (Warner Brothers / Curb)-10 (4)
5 6 SWEET THING –•– Rufus Featuring Chaka Khan (ABC)-14 (5)
6 9 RIGHT BACK WHERE WE STARTED FROM –•– Maxine Nightingale (United Artists)-8 (6)
7 7 DREAM ON –•– Aerosmith (Columbia)-22 (7)
8 1 DECEMBER, 1963 (Oh, What a Night) –•– The Four Seasons (Warner Brothers / Curb)-15 (1)
9 10 MONEY HONEY –•– The Bay City Rollers (Arista)-9 (9)
10 11 GOLDEN YEARS –•– David Bowie (RCA)-17 (10)

11 13 ONLY SIXTEEN –•– Dr. Hook (Capitol)-14 (11)
12 15 SWEET LOVE –•– The Commodores (Motown)-15 (12)
13 18 SHOW ME THE WAY –•– Peter Frampton (A&M)-7 (13)
14 14 DEEP PURPLE –•– Donny and Marie Osmond (MGM)-17 (14)
15 17 BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY –•– Queen (Elektra)-14 (15)
16 25 BOOGIE FEVER –•– The Sylvers (Capitol)-8 (16)
17 24 THERE’S A KIND OF HUSH (All Over the World) –•– The Carpenters (A&M)-6 (17)
18 19 TANGERINE –•– The Salsoul Orchestra (Salsoul)-11 (18)
19 4 ALL BY MYSELF –•– Eric Carmen (Arista)-16 (2)
20 16 TAKE IT TO THE LIMIT –•– Eagles (Asylum)-16 (4)

21 23 ACTION –•– Sweet (Capitol)-8 (21)
22 21 LOVE MACHINE (Part 1) –•– The Miracles (Tamla)-24 (1)
23 12 FANNY (Be Tender With My love) –•– Bee Gees (RSO)-15 (12)
24 20 JUNK FOOD JUNKIE –•– Larry Groce (Warner Brothers / Curb)-13 (9)
25 26 GOOD HEARTED WOMAN –•– Waylon and Willie (RCA)-9 (25)
26 36 I DO, I DO, I DO, I DO, I DO –•– Abba (Atlantic)-8 (26)
27 41 FOOLED AROUND AND FELL IN LOVE –•– Elvin Bishop (Capricorn)-5 (27)
28 30 ONLY LOVE IS REAL –•– Carole King (Ode)-8 (28)
29 34 LOOKING FOR SPACE –•– John Denver (RCA)-5 (29)
30 33 LOVE FIRE –•– Jigsaw (Chelsea)-9 (30)

31 37 LIVIN’ FOR THE WEEKEND –•– The O’Jays (Philadelphia International)-5 (31)
32 27 LOVE HURTS –•– Nazareth (A&M)-20 (8)
33 35 YOU’LL LOSE A GOOD THING –•– Freddy Fender (ABC / Dot)-8 (33)
34 50 SHANNON –•– Henry Gross (Lifesong)-6 (34)
35 39 LORELEI –•– Styx (A&M)-8 (35)
36 38 HE’S A FRIEND –•– Eddie Kendricks (Tamla)-8 (36)
37 40 FOPP –•– The Ohio Players (Mercury)-7 (37)
38 42 WE CAN’T HIDE IT ANYMORE –•– Larry Santos (Casablanca)-8 (38)
39 43 SARA SMILE –•– Daryl Hall and John Oates (RCA)-10 (39)
40 44 HIT THE ROAD JACK –•– The Stampeders (Quality)-6 (40)

Longest Span of Chart Hits

In the last few weeks (this week in 1975), and Casey twice answered an interesting chart question that has changed answers over the years....who has had the longest span of top 40 hits?  His answer both times was Frank Sinatra, who first hit the charts in 1940 (on the very first Billboard chart) as a supporting artist and then in 1943 as a soloist, with his last hit (by then) in 1969 with "My Way."  

Since American Top 40 debuted in 1970, Casey Kasem had yet to play any Sinatra records.  That changed a few years later as the theme from "New York, New York," made an unlikely run up the charts into the top 40, extending Sinatra's record to 40 years (or 37 as a solo artist.)

The next to enter that range was Michael Jackson, whose first solo hit "Got to Be There" was in 1972 and his first song with the Jackson 5 debuted in late 1969.  His last (to date) posthumous hit "Hold My Hand" charted in 2011, giving him the record of 42 years overall and 40 as a soloist.

The next artist to break that with a newly record song was Sir Elton John whose 2022 hit "Hold Me Closer" (w/ Britney Spears) bookending his first hit "Your Song" in 1970...52 years with top 40's... in this case top 10's!

If you include re-released songs, Burl Ives topped Elton's longevity in the top 10 later in 2022 with "Holly Jolly Christmas" reaching #5 into early 2023, extending his span from early 1962's "A Little Bitty Tear"...61 years! (which will likely extend year over year for the foreseeable future).   

As for top 40 longevity including re-releases...Chuck Berry's even one step longer from 1955 "Maybellene" until recent re-chartings of 1958's "Run, Rudolph, Run" (#32 this January) -- 64 years...and counting!

 

Slowest Climbs To and Falls from #1

As for slowest falls from #1, Casey noted that the record at as of 1972 was 24 weeks by Pat Boone's "Love Letters in the Sand" by Pat Boone from 1958, which I would believe would hold until at least 1991 when the charts changed to Soundscan.  

Without doing a full accounting for every song, "Blinding Lights" by the Weeknd would clearly be a contender.  Its last week at #1 was 2 June 2000, and it spent the next 31 weeks in the top _10_ alone and a total of 66 more weeks on the chart (having been bumped off for a few weeks over Christmas).  No wonder it finished in the top 3 two consecutive years and Billboard now lists it as the #1 song of all time.

Another likely contender was Glass Animals' "Heat Wave" which now holds the record for longest chart run and slowest climb _to_ #1 (a stunning 59 weeks on the chart...), but it "only" spent 21 weeks on the chart after hitting #1.

The slowest fall statistic will always need an * as the rules for when a song is removed has changed over time, with the biggest change in 1991 when songs below #50 were removed if they'd charted more than 20 weeks.  Both "Blinding Lights" and "Heat Wave" were removed when they dropped below #25 having already charted more than 52 weeks.

That rule also impacted the slowest climb to #1 -- Los Del Rio's "Macarena" which by chart rules hit #1 in its 33rd week, but because it hadn't made it to #50 by its 20th week on the chart, it was dropped from the Hot 100 for the next 4 months until it reached the #47 and then continued its climb to #1 13 weeks later.  It was on the Hot 100 Sales chart the whole time, so it was clearly one chart run.

Mariah Carey's "All I Want For Christmas is You" was also a slow climber to #1 in two senses:  it didn't make it until 25 years after first release, plus its 3-5 weeks of charting many years over Christmas before hitting #1 gave it a remarkable tally of 35 non-consecutive chart weeks prior to hitting #1.

Quickest Falls from #1

This week's random retro countdown on SiriusXM was from December 1972, and Casey Kasem read a letter about fastest and slowest falls from #1.  At that point, The Rascals' "Groovin'" had the record for the quickest drop off the chart with "Groovin'" which fell 1 to 2 to 9 to 38 and then off.

In the next few years to follow, this dubious record was tied by Billy Preston's "Nothing from Nothing", which fell 1-15-39-72-off, Andy Kim's "Rock Me Gently", which fell 1-12-32-48-off, and Freddy Fender's "Before the Next Teardrop Falls", which fell 1-7-19-44-off.  Preston's record was the long-standing record holder for biggest drop from #1.

Casey made no qualifications about seasonal records, so I was surprised the answer wasn't "The Chipmunk Song" which spent 4 weeks at #1 over the 1958 Christmas season, but overall charted for 13 weeks, 6 of which were after it was #1.

The current record holder will be the all-time record holder, since no one can do more than tie... Mariah Carey's "All I Want for Christmas is You" in the 2019 Christmas season hit #1 (a record 25 years after its release), and when Christmas was over, it fell from #1 all the way off the charts.  Due to the timing of when Christmas Day falls in a given official chart week, in subsequent years she has actually stayed on the chart for an extra week .

Given the extraordinarily slow falls most records take, I doubt any non-seasonal records will even match the Rascal's achievement.  I looked up "Harlem Shake" and even that spent 9 weeks on the chart following the peak of the meme.

Separate Trips to #1

This week on American Top 40 from 1979, Casey made a big deal out of "Le Freak" by Chic moving into the #1 position for the 3rd time in the same chart run.  Once hitting #1, it was replaced by "You Don't Bring Me Flowers," regained the top spot, was replaced by "Too Much Heaven" for a couple weeks, then regained the top spot again.  No record in the rock era had ever done that.

And for the next few decades, no one did again!  Even the arrival of the Soundscan era didn't lead to a lot of bouncing and rebounding near the top, though some #1 runs were interrupted by the first-week surge of an artist with a huge fan base (mostly Mariah Carey).

The introduction of streaming and digital downloads made that easier to do, leading to 

a) More interruptions by a surge from a new release (at first, many "American Idol" winners then later big sellers like BTS, Drake, and Taylor Swift) 

b) true dueling between songs, which began most seriously in 2008 with T.I. matching "Le Freak"

c) occasional remixes and the addition of a duet partner leading to a resurgence of popularity, and 

d) the late 2010's rise in Holiday hits disrupting the normal charts

The first song to have 4 runs at #1 was Drake's "Nice for What" in 2018 which logged 8 weeks over the course of thirteen weeks, including one gap with two different songs.

2022 took the record to 5 separate moves into the #1 spot, with Harry Styles "As it Was" being bumped mostly for reason a) above, including once by 3 different songs in a row!  Despite the bumps, it logged 15 weeks at #1 over a stunning 25-week period -- the longest such period in a single chart run -- look for that in the next listing of biggest hits of all time!

Speaking of which, also look for Mariah Carey's "All I Want for Christmas is You" -- it too has risen to #1 five times, four of them marking the beginning of the 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022 holiday seasons dominating streaming and sales...plus being interrupted during the 2020 run.  She's now logged 12 weeks at #1, with four this year.  She'll almost certainly break Styles' record for runs at #1 by the same song and within three years should have the most weeks at #1 overall (the record is currently 19 by "Old Town Road" by Lil Nas X)...a record she held for a long time at 16 weeks for "One Sweet Day."

  

Top 10's per album

This week Casey noted the then historic accomplishment of Fleetwood Mac having four hits that made the top 10, all originating from one album, Rumours.  He claimed it was the first album of the 70's to do such, implying an act like the Beatles might've had more.  The "originating" word would leave out compilation/Greatest Hits albums or live versions on a concert album.

Michael Jackson would be the first to match that accomplishment with four top 10 hits in 1979-80 with "Off the Wall," and he then crushed the record in 1982-1984 with 7 top 10 hits from "Thriller" which broke open the floodgates for hit albums suddenly having 5 or more singles released, with 4 top 10's being done by rather ordinary artists like Richard Marx or Expose....and the standard became 4 or 5 number one singles from an album (Michael Jackson again, George Michael, Whitney Houston, Janet Jackson, Paula Abdul).

The arrival of the "Soundscan" era of actually counting singles and sales in 1991 brought an end for awhile to such huge numbers of even top 10's, making even 2 #1's from an album a serious accomplishment and the top 10's per album were likewise limited as the charts slowed way down.

That all flipped around again when then whole idea of a single was challenged with streaming music and digital downloads of tracks from albums.  Now, for a big name artist like Drake (the master of this!) or Taylor Swift, or even SZA, your opening week for an album might carry many of the tracks into the Hot 100...with Taylor Swift in late 2022 pulling off the ultimate -- she claimed the entire top 10, with only one of those being a traditional radio-pushed single "Anti-Hero."

Ten does seem the natural limit -- to get to 11, you'd have to do the Taylor trick of covering the top 10 your first week then push one of the rest of the tracks later to radio eventually get to top 10 status, knowing that on initial release, it was not a fan favorite.

Given that Thriller only had 9 tracks to begin with, it demonstrates how fundamentally music purchasing and marketing has changed. 

November 1974 -- more Candid Casey

Casey's only 4 years into AT40, and I can clearly tell the difference between now and when I listened in the 80's.  A major difference is the commentary on potential further movement or not on the chart.  

He started with a very positive story about how Three Dog Night had had 18 top 20 hits in a row.  Quite an achievement for any artist.  But he then followed with the unfortunate fact that their current single was only up 1 to #33 and how it would need new momentum.  In fact, #33 was its peak, and not only did this song miss the top 20, they never hit the top 30 again -- quite a steep fall from grace from a group that had had such a long steady streak.

The next candid comment was in introducing Jim Weatherly as a very successful songwriter for Gladys Knight, and also a "pretty good singer" -- listening to the record, that was as nice a thing as could be said!

He then predicted all sorts of songs to hit #1 -- Neil Diamond, Billy Swan, Bobby Vinton, and BT Express.... and given the way songs were plummeting from #1 in this period, that's no surprise.  Only Billy Swan made it, and Casey made no particular comment on Kung Fu Fighting (who was #1 in a mere 3 weeks), Angie Baby, Cats in the Cradle, or Laughter in the Rain though all did.

He ended with a big lead up to the first #1 for the last Beatle to make it to the top, John Lennon.  All 4 Beatles ended up with multiple number ones -- Starr (2), Lennon (2), Harrison (3), and McCartney (9).  Together, that's still fewer than their 20 as a group!  For Lennon, this was the only week at #1 for him before he died in 1980.  His 2nd #1 was heading up the chart when he was murdered, but it's hard to say whether "(Just Like) Starting Over" would've made it otherwise.

Favorites: Laughter in the Rain, When Will I See You Again, 

1 3 WHATEVER GETS YOU THRU THE NIGHT –•– John Lennon with the Plastic Ono Nuclear Band (Apple)-8 (1 week at #1) (1)

2 7 DO IT (‘Til You’re Satisfied) –•– B.T. Express (Scepter)-8 (2)
3 6 MY MELODY OF LOVE –•– Bobby Vinton (ABC)-9 (3)
4 4 TIN MAN –•– America (Warner Brothers)-13 (4)
5 5 BACK HOME AGAIN –•– John Denver (RCA)-9 (5)
6 15 I CAN HELP –•– Billy Swan (Monument)-8 (6)
7 13 LONGFELLOW SERENADE –•– Neil Diamond (Columbia)-7 (7)
8 9 LIFE IS A ROCK (But the Radio Rolled Me) –•– Reunion (RCA)-11 (8)
9 11 EVERLASTING LOVE –•– Carl Carlton (Back Beat)-9 (9)
10 10 CAREFREE HIGHWAY –•– Gordon Lightfoot (Reprise)-11 (10)
11 2 JAZZMAN –•– Carole King (Ode)-12 (2)
12 1 YOU AIN’T SEEN NOTHING YET / FREE WHEELIN’ –•– Bachman-Turner Overdrive (Mercury)-9 (1)
13 14 THE NEED TO BE –•– Jim Weatherly (Buddah)-10 (13)
14 8 THE BITCH IS BACK –•– Elton John (MCA)-11 (4)
15 17 LOVE DON’T LOVE NOBODY (Part 1) –•– The Spinners (Atlantic)-9 (15)
16 20 WHEN WILL I SEE YOU AGAIN –•– The Three Degrees (Philadelphia International)-8 (16)
17 19 I’VE GOT THE MUSIC IN ME –•– The Kiki Dee Band (Rocket)-10 (17)
18 22 ROCKIN’ SOUL –•– The Hues Corporation (RCA)-6 (18)
19 25 WISHING YOU WERE HERE –•– Chicago (Columbia)-5 (19)
20 26 ANGIE BABY –•– Helen Reddy (Capitol)-5 (20)
21 27 SHA-LA-LA (Make Me Happy) –•– Al Green (Hi)-8 (21)
22 29 CAT’S IN THE CRADLE –•– Harry Chapin (Elektra)-7 (22)
23 23 SO YOU ARE A STAR –•– The Hudson Brothers (Casablanca)-9 (23)
24 24 PEOPLE GOTTA MOVE –•– Gino Vannelli (A&M)-9 (24)
25 30 AFTER THE GOLDRUSH –•– Prelude (Island)-7 (25)
26 32 YOU GOT THE LOVE –•– Rufus Featuring Chaka Khan (ABC)-6 (26)
27 33 KUNG FU FIGHTING –•– Carl Douglas (20th Century)-6 (27)
28 12 YOU HAVEN’T DONE NOTHIN’ –•– Stevie Wonder (Tamla)-16 (1)
29 37 PROMISED LAND –•– Elvis Presley (RCA)-4 (29)
30 38 LA LA PEACE SONG –•– Al Wilson (Rocky Road)-7 (30)
31 42 TOUCH ME –•– Fancy (Big Tree)-6 (31)
32 40 FAIRYTALE –•– The Pointer Sisters (Blue Thumb)-7 (32)
33 34 PLAY SOMETHING SWEET (Brickyard Blues) –•– Three Dog Night (Dunhill)-8 (33)
34 36 YOU CAN HAVE HER –•– Sam Neely (A&M)-9 (34)
35 35 DORAVILLE –•– The Atlanta Rhythm Section (Polydor)-7 (35)
36 46 YOU’RE THE FIRST, THE LAST, MY EVERYTHING –•– Barry White (20th Century)-3 (36)
37 47 I FEEL A SONG (In My Heart) / DON’T BURN DOWN THE BRIDGE –•– Gladys Knight and the Pips (Buddah)-6 (37)
38 18 OVERNIGHT SENSATION (Hit Record) –•– The Raspberries (Capitol)-10 (18)
39 50 LAUGHTER IN THE RAIN –•– Neil Sedaka (Rocket)-5 (39)
40 64 AIN’T TOO PROUD TO BEG –•– The Rolling Stones (Rolling Stones)-2 (40)

All Year in the Top 40

Casey took a question this week back in 1977, asking if any artist had ever spent a whole year in the top 40.  Since at that point, the longevity record for the Hot 100 was only 36 weeks, clearly no one had.  But, his staff looked across all the major charts and found a country record that had in fact been on the Country and Western top 40 chart for 53 weeks!  Casey clearly thought that that record was unassailable.

Flash forward to 2022, with the record charts being admittedly quite different, but still reflecting broadly sales and airplay (but now including streaming)...and now a record has not only spent a year in the top 40, but in the top 10!  "Blinding Lights" by The Weeknd was the #1 song of 2020, and it nearly repeated, ending up as the #3 song of 2021, after 53 weeks in the top 10, 86 in the top 40, and 90 on the Hot 100, all records...

...until this week.  Glass Animals' "Heat Wave" has now spent 91 weeks on the Hot 100!  It won't break the record for the top 10, but the top 40 longevity record is still in play as it's still at #19 after nearly 2 years!

January 1972 -- Michael Jackson gets rolling

This week's AT40 was from January 1972, when Michael Jackson was enjoying his first solo top 40 hit "Got to Be There."  Casey highlighted how he already had 4 #1 hits to his credit (with his brothers, who were also on the countdown with "Sugar Daddy") and he wasn't even a teenager!

What Casey didn't know was that in the next 50 years anyway, the Jackson 5 would never hit #1 again, but Michael would hit #1 by year's end with "Ben," have a little gap, then begin a huge streak in 1979 through 1995, ending with 13 solo #1's (including two duets) plus the work with his brothers.

He was also the first artist to debut* at #1 with "You are Not Alone" (* before chart rules changed to allow radio-only songs to chart)

At the time, it was quite unknown if Jackson or Donny Osmond would end up the bigger hitmaker, but let's just say it wasn't close...

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)

Most charted Songs (Elvis vs Drake)

By the time AT40 started in July 1970, Elvis' biggest charting days were behind him, but he'd already wracked up over 100 Hot 100 hits, clearly leading the pack of all artists.  Casey acknowledged this in his intro for "The Wonder of You" this week in 1970 (the 3rd episode of AT40), and as Elvis kept charting through the 70's, Casey normally acknowledged how Elvis kept breaking his own record, up to this week in 1977 when Elvis had his "134th chart record."

What Casey said less often, but did this week in 1970, was guessing no one would _ever_ break the record.  At the time, Ray Charles and James Brown were his nearest competition, and they were also past their peak.

As late as 2010 (the year of my latest Top Pop Singles book), Madonna, Mariah Carey, and Jay-Z had the most of active artists, each with about 50 hits.  Joel Whitburn, the author of Top Pop Singles, did not count any song an artist was "featured" on (which in the industry is a step below being the lead, or "with" or "&" another artists, but became commonplace in the 2000s.)  Even including the "featuring"s, would've only taken Jay-Z to 76.  In all cases, double-sided hits count as two.

But then around 2010, with the breakout of digital releases, the chart records were all re-written.  The Glee Cast alone charted over 200 songs, as an entire episode's worth of songs would all drop on one day.  The next week another batch would drop, driving the previous ones off the chart.  None hit #1, and none charted more than a few weeks, but each was legitimately among the top 100 in sales/airplay for that week....without the trouble of having to actually physically make, ship, and market a 45-rpm record around the country.

Another repercussion with the digital revolution was that artists could drop an album's worth of material with no designation of which were "singles"...then the buying public could download (and later stream) the songs they liked the best, and for the biggest artists, 10 or more songs on an album might make enough of an impact to be on the top 100 for a week or two during the initial surge.  The top performers would give record executives great data about what songs to release to radio.  Taylor Swift, Adele, and Mumford and Sons have all charted dozens of songs this way.

But the King of these developments is clearly Drake.  From his own albums as lead artist, he's beaten Elvis with 195 songs, but I feel safe characterizing over 100 of them as fundamentally album tracks, not singles.  But, throw in the "featurings" (of which Elvis had none, nor even a duet!), he picks up another 86 songs, which are indeed overwhelmingly actual singles.

My bottom line -- Casey was obviously wrong in his predictions in the strict sense of counting Hot 100 entries, but even counting songs intended as singles, Drake's got Elvis beat.  Casey himself, I expect, would've counted all duets and "featuring"s.

Someday, I'll do the analysis to include group participation to see where Paul McCartney falls.

July 1970 -- part 2 -- Casey looking for his groove

SiriusXM 70's on 7 traditionally plays the inaugural broadcast of American Top 40 on July 4th weekend, which is nice, but it means that the next 7 or 8 shows from 1970 never get played since they try to spread out the weekly countdown replays by year.  This year, they changed, playing the inaugural show as a "extra" show on the Thursday before, leaving them free this week to play the overall 3rd episode of AT 40.

In this countdown, it was more clear that Casey hadn't found his groove in a few ways.  First obvious one was that when he previewed that an artist was coming up who clearly loved songs about states.  But when John Phillips' "Mississippi" came up, he mentioned that he'd hit #1 previously with "California Dreamin'" when he was with the Mamas and the Papas, but he did not explicitly repeat the state reference.  In later years, his previews always explicitly connected.

Then, before playing "Mississippi Queen" he informed the audience that besides singers and musicians, he'd occasionally talk about a record's producers as well (which he certainly did in years to come).  Unfortunately, and uncharacteristically, he came across as apologetic, including a couple of stammering "um"s which I'd never heard before!

I also smiled when he made reference to the personal life of Mark Lindsey, particularly his valuable hub caps.  By as early at 1972, that would've been very odd.  If a record was expensive, maybe... but not the wealth, children, or marriages of artists...unless that child or spouse was also a recording artist.

As for songs, the Delfonics debuted and peaked this week with their only hit of the AT40 era.  It was also the last weeks for John Phillips, White Plains, and Crabby Appleton tying all four as the first artists to disappear from AT40.  The Beatles also depart next week with their last regular release, but they appeared later in re-releases, medleys, and solo Beatle songs having the other members add their parts....and countless special countdowns, long-distance dedications, and retrospectives of #1s.

June 1976 -- Icons return & more TV themes

Great countdown today, and Casey was very excited today as of the 5 debuts, one was by the Beach Boys and another by the Beatles!   Despite being 10 years old, "Got to Get You Into My Life" doesn't sound dated at all -- another sign of genius of the Beatles.  Both will eventually make the top 10.

Meanwhile, joining the Happy Days theme, the theme from the spin-off show "Laverne and Shirley" --- "Making Our Dreams Come True" is at #32.  John Travolta (then a TV star) and his show "Welcome Back, Kotter"'s theme song both charted as well, along with Baretta's great theme.

Another disco classic "Turn the Beat Around" entered, as did one of the few outdated songs, a Tony Orlando throwback "Save your Kisses for Me."

Bolting up the chart were two other 70's classics "Moonlight Feels Right" and "Afternoon Delight," two I clearly remember from the radio that summer.

At the top, Wings in is third non-consecutive week at #1 -- meaning the same person (Paul McCartney) is singing lead for two different groups on the same countdown.  I've heard of a solo artist co-charting with their main band (Lionel Richie, Phil Collins), but never two bands.

Wings was interrupted at #1 by Diana Ross.  Casey mentioned how she'd hit the top 10 four times as a solo artist, each of them hitting #1...and she'd go 5 for 5 in 1980 with "Upside Down."  "Love Hangover" was also the song that broke the tie with Cher, Helen Ready, Roberta Flack, and Connie Francis for most solo #1's by a female...a trivia question he'd answered in 1972 when only Francis even had 3.  I doubt Casey would've guessed that Mariah Carey would one day have 19!

19 first-timers on the chart today, including Hall & Oates

No 5-star songs today, but 4-stars from Nightingale, Carmen, the Beatles, Robinson, Seals and Crofts, and the Starland Vocal Band.

1 1 SILLY LOVE SONGS –•– Wings (Capitol)-11 (3 weeks at #1) (1)
2 2 GET UP AND BOOGIE (That’s Right) –•– Silver Convention (Midland International)-15 (2)
3 3 MISTY BLUE –•– Dorothy Moore (Malaco)-14 (3)
4 4 LOVE HANGOVER –•– Diana Ross (Motown)-12 (1)
5 7 SARA SMILE –•– Daryl Hall and John Oates (RCA)-21 (5)
6 6 SHANNON –•– Henry Gross (Lifesong)-17 (6)
7 8 SHOP AROUND –•– The Captain and Tennille (A&M)-8 (7)
8 9 MORE, MORE, MORE (Part 1) –•– The Andrea True Connection (Buddah)-15 (8)
9 25 AFTERNOON DELIGHT –•– The Starland Vocal Band (Windsong)-7 (9)

10 13 I’LL BE GOOD TO YOU –•– The Brothers Johnson (A&M)-8 (10)

11 5 HAPPY DAYS –•– Pratt and McClain (Reprise)-12 (5)
12 21 KISS AND SAY GOODBYE –•– The Manhattans (Columbia)-10 (12)
13 15 LOVE IS ALIVE –•– Gary Wright (Warner Brothers)-10 (13)
14 16 TAKIN’ IT TO THE STREETS –•– The Doobie Brothers (Warner Brothers)-10 (14)
15 17 MOVIN’ –•– Brass Construction (United Artists)-12 (15)
16 18 I WANT YOU –•– Marvin Gaye (Tamla)-9 (16)
17 19 NEVER GONNA FALL IN LOVE AGAIN –•– Eric Carmen (Arista)-8 (17)
18 24 MOONLIGHT FEELS RIGHT –•– Starbuck (Private Stock)-10 (18)
19 23 TAKE THE MONEY AND RUN –•– The Steve Miller Band (Capitol)-7 (19)
20 20 BARETTA’S THEME (“Keep Your Eye On the Sparrow”) –•– Rhythm Heritage (ABC)-11 (20)

21 10 FOOL TO CRY / HOT STUFF –•– The Rolling Stones (Rolling Stones)-9 (10)
22 26 THE BOYS ARE BACK IN TOWN –•– Thin Lizzy (Mercury)-6 (22)
23 11 RHIANNON (Will You Ever Win) –•– Fleetwood Mac (Reprise)-16 (11)
24 12 WELCOME BACK –•– John Sebastian (Reprise)-13 (1)
25 14 BOOGIE FEVER –•– The Sylvers (Capitol)-19 (1)
26 30 GET CLOSER –•– Seals and Crofts (Featuring Carolyn Willis) (Warner Brothers)-10 (26)
27 32 YOU’RE MY BEST FRIEND –•– Queen (Elektra)-5 (27)
28 34 THAT’S WHERE THE HAPPY PEOPLE GO –•– The Trammps (Atlantic)-11 (28)
29 54 GOT TO GET YOU INTO MY LIFE –•– The Beatles (Capitol)-2 (29)

31 36 LET HER IN –•– John Travolta (Midland International)-8 (31)
32 38 MAKING OUR DREAMS COME TRUE –•– Cyndi Grecco (Private Stock)-7 (32)
33 37 TEAR THE ROOF OFF THE SUCKER (Give Up the Funk) –•– Parliament (Casablanca)-6 (33)
34 22 FOOLED AROUND AND FELL IN LOVE –•– Elvin Bishop (Capricorn)-16 (3)
35 42 SAVE YOUR KISSES FOR ME –•– The Brotherhood Of Man (Pye)-7 (35)
36 41 TURN THE BEAT AROUND –•– Vicki Sue Robinson (RCA)-11 (36)
37 40 I’M EASY –•– Keith Carradine (ABC)-7 (37)
38 27 RIGHT BACK WHERE WE STARTED FROM –•– Maxine Nightingale (United Artists)-19 (2)
39 43 MAMMA MIA –•– Abba (Atlantic)-5 (39)
40 58 ROCK AND ROLL MUSIC –•– The Beach Boys (Brother)-3 (40)

February 1973 -- an Oddity or two

Fun countdown today as Casey made a couple comments that 50 years later really resonated.  First up was David Bowie (which he pronounced Boo'-ee), who debuted with his first top 40 hit, "Space Oddity," in its 3rd release in 5 years.  While it made a respectable #15, what Casey didn't know is that he would go on to 2 #1s and become a rock icon.  He also didn't connect that the theme from 2001: A Space Odyssey was also charting, and I think the movie helped Bowie's song.

He also made a big deal out of the 5th Dimension going on an eastern Europe goodwill tour...but he didn't know that that was his last opportunity to talk about it.  They never spent another week in the top 40.  By contrast, the Eagles, Doobie Brothers, newcomer Bette Midler would have hit songs through 1990, despite not exactly hot starts.

He made a big deal about the Barbara Mason record being a most unusual third hit from the same soundtrack.  Little did know that Saturday Night Fever, Urban Cowboy, and Footloose were coming down the pike....with 6 each.

Funny connections to the parallel 80's-on-8 broadcast from 1980, where they mentioned Barbara Mason and Deodato!

1 5 KILLING ME SOFTLY WITH HIS SONG –•– Roberta Flack (Atlantic)-5 (1 week at #1) (1)
2 4 DUELING BANJOS –•– Deliverance (Eric Weissberg and Steve Mandell) (Warner Brothers)-7 (2)
3 1 CROCODILE ROCK –•– Elton John (MCA)-12 (1)
4 2 YOU’RE SO VAIN –•– Carly Simon (Elektra)-13 (1)
5 7 COULD IT BE I’M FALLING IN LOVE –•– The Spinners (Atlantic)-9 (5)
6 6 DO IT AGAIN –•– Steely Dan (ABC)-15 (6)
7 13 LAST SONG –•– Edward Bear (Capitol)-11 (7)
8 8 DON’T EXPECT ME TO BE YOUR FRIEND –•– Lobo (Big Tree)-9 (8)
9 15 LOVE TRAIN –•– The O’Jays (Philadelphia International)-6 (9)
10 10 ROCKY MOUNTAIN HIGH –•– John Denver (RCA)-14 (10)
11 3 OH, BABE, WHAT WOULD YOU SAY –•– Hurricane Smith (Capitol)-13 (3)
12 16 DADDY’S HOME –•– Jermaine Jackson (Motown)-12 (12)
13 14 DANCING IN THE MOONLIGHT –•– King Harvest (Perception)-18 (13)
14 9 WHY CAN’T WE LIVE TOGETHER –•– Timmy Thomas (Glades)-14 (3)
15 19 THE COVER OF “ROLLING STONE” –•– Dr. Hook and the Medicine Show (Columbia)-13 (15)
16 18 JAMBALAYA (On the Bayou) –•– The Blue Ridge Rangers (Fantasy)-13 (16)
17 12 SUPERSTITION –•– Stevie Wonder (Tamla)-15 (1)
18 25 ALSO SPRACH ZARATHUSTRA (2001) –•– Deodato (CTI)-4 (18)
19 22 DO YOU WANT TO DANCE –•– Bette Midler (Atlantic)-10 (19)
20 11 THE WORLD IS A GHETTO –•– War (United Artists)-15 (7)
21 23 DREIDEL –•– Don McLean (United Artists)-10 (21)
22 28 I’M JUST A SINGER (In a Rock and Roll Band) –•– The Moody Blues (Threshold)-4 (22)
23 20 LOVE JONES –•– Brighter Side Of Darkness (20th Century)-12 (16)
24 29 PEACEFUL EASY FEELING –•– Eagles (Asylum)-9 (24)
25 17 TROUBLE MAN –•– Marvin Gaye (Tamla)-11 (7)
26 35 DANNY’S SONG –•– Anne Murray (Capitol)-8 (26)
27 36 AUBREY –•– Bread (Elektra)-4 (27)
28 30 I GOT ANTS IN MY PANTS (And I Want To Dance) (Part 1) –•– James Brown (Polydor)-6 (28)
29 34 BIG CITY MISS RUTH ANN –•– Gallery (Sussex)-9 (29)
30 21 YOUR MAMA DON’T DANCE –•– Kenny Loggins and Jim Messina (Columbia)-16 (4)
31 40 NEITHER ONE OF US (Wants To Be the First To Say Goodbye) –•– Gladys Knight and the Pips (Soul)-5 (31)
32 32 LIVING TOGETHER, GROWING TOGETHER –•– The 5th Dimension (Bell)-8 (32)
33 38 HUMMINGBIRD –•– Seals and Crofts (Warner Brothers)-6 (33)
34 41 GIVE ME YOUR LOVE –•– Barbara Mason (Buddah)-7 (34)
35 37 JESUS IS JUST ALRIGHT –•– The Doobie Brothers (Warner Brothers)-11 (35)
36 42 SPACE ODDITY –•– David Bowie (RCA)-5 (36)
37 43 DON’T CROSS THE RIVER –•– America (Warner Brothers)-5 (37)
38 24 HI, HI, HI –•– Wings (Apple)-11 (10)
39 46 AIN’T NO WOMAN (Like the One I Got) –•– The Four Tops (Dunhill)-4 (39)
40 47 DEAD SKUNK –•– Loudon Wainwright III (Columbia)-5 (40)

November 1985 -- All about the City

The DJs opened this countdown extolling the wonderful virtues of 1985 and this countdown as representing all that is good about 80's music.  I'll not be that hyperbolic -- it had little to hate -- no rap, no heavy metal, no country, and a more mature feel across the board, even on the synth pop (Tears, Thompsons, ABC).  

No kiddie music, indeed leaning adult contemporary for such a cool time, and two instrumentals (pre-Kenny G!), including last week's number one.  Last #1 of so many for Stevie Wonder, two hits for a resurgent Aretha Franklin, and at the top, a pair of city songs.

Last hit at all for Olivia Newton John (going out with an interesting one) and Ray Parker Jr. (not!)

And along the way, a very respectable four 5-star songs:  Bryan Adams, A-ha, Stevie Wonder, and the Hooters.

1 5 WE BUILT THIS CITY –•– Starship (Grunt)-11 (1 Week at #1) (1)
2 4 YOU BELONG TO THE CITY –•– Glenn Frey (MCA)-10 (2)
3 1 MIAMI VICE THEME –•– Jan Hammer (MCA)-11 (1)
4 3 HEAD OVER HEELS –•– Tears For Fears (Mercury)-10 (3)
5 2 PART-TIME LOVER –•– Stevie Wonder (Tamla)-11 (1)
6 7 SEPARATE LIVES –•– Phil Collins & Marilyn Martin (Atlantic)-7 (6)
7 11 BROKEN WINGS –•– Mr. Mister (RCA)-9 (7)
8 12 NEVER –•– Heart (Capitol)-10 (8)
9 9 BE NEAR ME –•– ABC (Mercury)-13 (9)
10 10 LAY YOUR HANDS ON ME –•– Thompson Twins (Arista)-9 (10)

11 16 WHO’S ZOOMIN’ WHO –•– Aretha Franklin (Arista)-8 (11)
12 14 YOU ARE MY LADY –•– Freddie Jackson (Capitol)-11 (12)
13 8 TAKE ON ME –•– A-Ha (Warner Brothers)-19 (1)
14 6 SAVING ALL MY LOVE FOR YOU –•– Whitney Houston (Arista)-14 (1)
15 19 LOVE THEME FROM “ST. ELMO’S FIRE” –•– David Foster (Atlantic)-13 (15)
16 13 ONE NIGHT LOVE AFFAIR –•– Bryan Adams (A&M)-10 (13)
17 21 ONE OF THE LIVING –•– Tina Turner (Capitol)-7 (17)
18 29 ELECTION DAY –•– Arcadia (Capitol)-4 (18)
19 25 SLEEPING BAG –•– ZZ Top (Warner Brothers)-5 (19)
20 15 LOVIN’ EVERY MINUTE OF IT –•– Loverboy (Columbia)-13 (9)

21 24 SOUL KISS –•– Olivia Newton-John (MCA)-7 (21)
22 28 ALIVE AND KICKING –•– Simple Minds (A&M)-5 (22)
23 31 I MISS YOU –•– Klymaxx (Constellation)-10 (23)
24 35 PARTY ALL THE TIME –•– Eddie Murphy (Columbia)-7 (24)
25 30 PERFECT WAY –•– Scritti Politti (Warner Brothers)-11 (25)
26 26 SO IN LOVE –•– Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark (A&M)-12 (26)
27 18 I’M GONNA TEAR YOUR PLAYHOUSE DOWN –•– Paul Young (Columbia)-11 (13)
28 17 FORTRESS AROUND YOUR HEART –•– Sting (A&M)-13 (8)
29 20 OH SHEILA –•– Ready For The World (MCA)-16 (1)
30 23 AND WE DANCED –•– The Hooters (Columbia)-15 (21)

31 37 SISTERS ARE DOING IT FOR THEMSELVES –•– Eurythmics & Aretha Franklin (RCA)-5 (31)
32 40 SAY YOU, SAY ME –•– Lionel Richie (Motown)-2 (32)
33 38 WRAP HER UP –•– Elton John (Geffen)-4 (33)
34 36 GIRLS ARE MORE FUN –•– Ray Parker, Jr. (Arista)-7 (34)
35 39 RUNNING UP THAT HILL –•– Kate Bush (EMI-America)-11 (35)
36 42 SMALL TOWN –•– John Cougar Mellencamp (Riva)-3 (36)
37 43 OBJECT OF MY DESIRE –•– Starpoint (Elektra)-8 (37)
38 44 TONIGHT SHE COMES –•– The Cars (Elektra)-3 (38)
39 22 LONELY OL’ NIGHT –•– John Cougar Mellencamp (Riva)-13 (6)
40 45 WALK OF LIFE –•– Dire Straits (Warner Brothers)-3 (40)

October 1978 -- A Yacht-Rock break from Disco

Great late-70's countdown this week.  We're past the Saturday Night Fever surge and now on the tail end of "Grease" with Olivia Newton John logging two records in the top 10.  Joining is in the top 10 is minimal disco collection with more yacht rock.  A little country is sprinkled in the countdown as usual, plus some classic rock, adult contemporary, and just a little R&B, plus yet another late 70's Wings track I've never heard.

First/Last hits:  none that I see

Favorites (5-star) : none, 4-star:  Boston, Andy Gibb, Kenny Loggins, 

1 1 KISS YOU ALL OVER –•– Exile (Warner Brothers / Curb) -15 (3 weeks at #1) (1)
2 3 HOT CHILD IN THE CITY –•– Nick Gilder (Chrysalis) -19 (2)
3 2 BOOGIE OOGIE OOGIE –•– A Taste Of Honey (Capitol) -17 (1)
4 4 DON’T LOOK BACK –•– Boston (Epic) -9 (4)
5 6 REMINISCING –•– The Little River Band (Harvest) -12 (5)
6 9 YOU NEEDED ME –•– Anne Murray (Capitol) -14 (6)
7 8 LOVE IS IN THE AIR –•– John Paul Young (Scotti Brothers) -14 (7)
8 10 WHENEVER I CALL YOU “FRIEND” –•– Kenny Loggins (Columbia) -12 (8)
9 5 SUMMER NIGHTS –•– John Travolta, Olivia Newton-John and Cast (RSO) -11 (5)
10 7 HOPELESSLY DEVOTED TO YOU –•– Olivia Newton-John (RSO) -15 (3)

11 21 MacARTHUR PARK –•– Donna Summer (Casablanca) -6 (11)
12 12 HOLLYWOOD NIGHTS –•– Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band (Capitol) -10 (12)
13 14 RIGHT DOWN THE LINE –•– Gerry Rafferty (United Artists) -10 (13)
14 16 HOW MUCH I FEEL –•– Ambrosia (Warner Brothers) -7 (14)
15 17 GET OFF –•– Foxy (Dash) -13 (15)
16 18 BACK IN THE U.S.A. –•– Linda Ronstadt (Asylum) -9 (16)
17 19 SHE’S ALWAYS A WOMAN –•– Billy Joel (Columbia) -10 (17)
18 20 YOU NEVER DONE IT LIKE THAT –•– The Captain and Tennille (A&M) -11 (18)
19 22 WHO ARE YOU –•– The Who (MCA) -8 (18)
20 26 DOUBLE VISION –•– Foreigner (Atlantic) -4 (20)

21 11 THREE TIMES A LADY –•– The Commodores (Motown) -18 (1)
22 24 I LOVE THE NIGHT LIFE (Disco ‘Round) –•– Alicia Bridges (Polydor) -15 (22)
23 25 TALKING IN YOUR SLEEP –•– Crystal Gayle (United Artists) -12 (23)
24 27 BEAST OF BURDEN –•– Rolling Stones (Rolling Stones) -6 (24)
25 30 IT’S A LAUGH –•– Daryl Hall and John Oates (RCA) -8 (25)
26 29 JOSIE –•– Steely Dan (ABC) -8 (26)
27 28 5.7.0.5 –•– City Boy (Mercury) -10 (27)
28 13 AN EVERLASTING LOVE –•– Andy Gibb (RSO) -14 (5)
29 43 I JUST WANNA STOP –•– Gino Vannelli (A&M) -6 (29)
30 34 DANCE (Disco Heat) –•– Sylvester (Fantasy) -9 (30)

31 39 READY TO TAKE A CHANCE AGAIN –•– Barry Manilow (Arista) -5 (31)
32 35 I WILL STILL LOVE YOU –•– Stonebolt (Parachute) -11 (32)
33 33 ALMOST LIKE BEING IN LOVE –•– Michael Johnson (EMI-America) -10 (33)
34 15 OH DARLING –•– Robin Gibb (RSO) -10 (15)
35 23 COME TOGETHER –•– Aerosmith (Columbia) -11 (23)
36 38 TOOK THE LAST TRAIN –•– David Gates (Elektra) -10 (36)
37 48 SHARING THE NIGHT TOGETHER –•– Dr. Hook (Capitol) -5 (37)
38 40 SWEET LIFE –•– Paul Davis (Bang) -8 (38)
39 42 LONDON TOWN –•– Wings (Capitol) -6 (39)
40 37 HEARTBREAKER –•– Dolly Parton (RCA) -8 (37)

September 1980 -- Xanadu!

The annoyance of the 80's on 8 team to play nearly identical rotations of top 40's, this is another one from September 1980.

Movie songs continue to dominate with 2 songs from Fame joining Urban Cowboy and Xanadu.  Speaking of Xanadu, this is another chart with a duet and both artists in it (ELO and ONJ) all charting simultaneously.  Billy Joel also had 2 simultaneous hits as well.

Country crossover is undaunted by the rock, pop, and disco records around it.

First hits:  Irene Cara with 2 (!)
Last hits: Al Stewart
Favorites: many, but Sailing is still the best.

1 1 UPSIDE DOWN –•– Diana Ross (Motown)-12 (4 weeks at #1) (1)
2 2 ALL OUT OF LOVE –•– Air Supply (Arista)-16 (2)
3 3 ANOTHER ONE BITES THE DUST –•– Queen (Elektra)-7 (3)
4 6 GIVE ME THE NIGHT –•– George Benson (Warner Brothers / Qwest)-13 (4)
5 5 LOOKIN’ FOR LOVE –•– Johnny Lee (Full Moon)-12 (5)
6 7 LATE IN THE EVENING –•– Paul Simon (Warner Brothers)-8 (6)
7 8 DRIVIN’ MY LIFE AWAY –•– Eddie Rabbitt (Elektra)-15 (7)
8 4 FAME –•– Irene Cara (RSO)-16 (4)
9 9 ONE IN A MILLION YOU –•– Larry Graham (Warner Brothers)-14 (9)
10 11 I’M ALRIGHT –•– Kenny Loggins (Columbia)-12 (10)

11 12 XANADU –•– Olivia Newton-John / Electric Light Orchestra (MCA)-8 (11)
12 25 WOMAN IN LOVE –•– Barbra Streisand (Columbia)-4 (12)
13 13 YOU’RE THE ONLY WOMAN (You & I) –•– Ambrosia (Warner Brothers)-12 (13)
14 14 YOU’LL ACCOMP’NY ME –•– Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band (Capitol)-10 (14)
15 16 ALL OVER THE WORLD –•– Electric Light Orchestra (MCA)-9 (15)
16 17 REAL LOVE –•– The Doobie Brothers (Warner Brothers)-4 (16)
17 18 HOT ROD HEARTS –•– Robbie Dupree (Elektra)-11 (17)
18 20 HE’S SO SHY –•– The Pointer Sisters (Planet)-10 (18)
19 19 DON’T ASK ME WHY –•– Billy Joel (Columbia)-9 (19)
20 22 NEVER KNEW LOVE LIKE THIS BEFORE –•– Stephanie Mills (20th Century)-8 (20)

21 21 SOMEONE THAT I USED TO LOVE –•– Natalie Cole (Capitol)-15 (21)
22 23 JESSE –•– Carly Simon (Warner Brothers)-9 (22)
23 24 LOOK WHAT YOU’VE DONE TO ME –•– Boz Scaggs (Columbia)-6 (23)
24 10 EMOTIONAL RESCUE –•– The Rolling Stones (Rolling Stones)-13 (3)
25 26 NO NIGHT SO LONG –•– Dionne Warwick (Arista)-10 (25)
26 15 SAILING –•– Christopher Cross (Warner Brothers)-16 (1)
27 27 MAGIC –•– Olivia Newton-John (MCA)-19 (1)
28 32 HOW DO I SURVIVE –•– Amy Holland (Capitol)-8 (28)
29 28 INTO THE NIGHT –•– Benny Mardones (Polydor)-16 (11)
30 43 THE WANDERER –•– Donna Summer (Geffen)-2 (30)

31 41 MIDNIGHT ROCKS –•– Al Stewart (Arista)-5 (31)
32 52 DREAMING –•– Cliff Richard (EMI-America)-3 (32)
33 36 WHO’LL BE THE FOOL TONIGHT –•– The Larsen-Feiten Band (Warner Brothers)-7 (33)
34 29 TAKE YOUR TIME (Do It Right) (Part 1) –•– The S.O.S. Band (Tabu)-18 (3)
35 50 ON THE ROAD AGAIN –•– Willie Nelson (Columbia)-4 (35)
36 30 BOULEVARD –•– Jackson Browne (Asylum)-13 (19)
37 35 IT’S STILL ROCK AND ROLL TO ME –•– Billy Joel (Columbia)-19 (1)
38 45 THE LEGEND OF WOOLEY SWAMP –•– The Charlie Daniels Band (Epic)-7 (38)
39 40 (Sartorial Eloquence) DON’T YA WANNA PLAY THIS GAME NO MORE –•– Elton John (MCA)-8 (39)
40 44 OUT HERE ON MY OWN –•– Irene Cara (RSO)-7 (40)

September 1972 -- A bit of nostalgia

Fun countdown today filled with little interesting facts, and I almost got to hear every song. A few key veterans were charting well, including Rick Nelson's nostalgic comeback record, Elvis on his way to his last top 10, and Chuck Berry on his way to his only #1 hit with a naughty little novelty record.

Michael Jackson was also heading for his first solo #1, and he'd be the only person (check this) to have #1 featuring a man's name and then also a woman's name ("Billie Jean.")

Having their very first hit, the Doobie's went on to a solid decade of fame, the Raspberries lead singer Eric Carmen would do the same, and more oddly, there's Rick Springfield with a country-tinged song about prayer (!!).  Jim Croce would only live one more year, sadly.

Casey made a big point about a recent survey naming Moody Blues as the best group in rock -- they took "Nights" with a full symphony orchestra to #2, their only top 10 in the 70's (matched by one each in the 60's and 80's), despite being first released in 1968!

Favorites:  Jim Croce (4) and Nights in White Satin (5)

1 2 BABY DON’T GET HOOKED ON ME –•– Mac Davis (Columbia)-13 (1 week at #1)

2 1 BLACK & WHITE –•– Three Dog Night (Dunhill)-7
3 4 SATURDAY IN THE PARK –•– Chicago (Columbia)-8
4 5 BACK STABBERS –•– The O’Jays (Philadelphia International)-10
5 3 ALONE AGAIN (Naturally) –•– Gilbert O’Sullivan (MAM)-15
6 13 BEN –•– Michael Jackson (Motown)-8
7 16 EVERYBODY PLAYS THE FOOL –•– The Main Ingredient (RCA)-10
8 9 HONKY CAT –•– Elton John (Uni)-7
9 12 GO ALL THE WAY –•– The Raspberries (Capitol)-13
10 7 ROCK AND ROLL (Part 2) –•– Gary Glitter (Bell)-10

11 14 POWER OF LOVE –•– Joe Simon (Spring)-12
12 17 PLAY ME –•– Neil Diamond (Uni)-7
13 25 USE ME –•– Bill Withers (Sussex)-5
14 18 POPCORN –•– Hot Butter (Musicor)-12
15 15 BEAUTIFUL SUNDAY –•– Daniel Boone (Mercury)-17
16 19 RUN TO ME –•– The Bee Gees (Atco)-9
17 20 NIGHTS IN WHITE SATIN –•– The Moody Blues (Deram)-8
18 22 BURNING LOVE / IT’S A MATTER OF TIME –•– Elvis Presley (RCA)-6
19 23 SPEAK TO THE SKY –•– Rick Springfield (Capitol)-8
20 26 MY DING-A-LING –•– Chuck Berry (Chess)-8

21 6 LONG COOL WOMAN (In a Black Dress) –•– The Hollies (Epic)-14
22 33 GARDEN PARTY –•– Rick Nelson and the Stone Canyon Band (Decca)-9
23 8 BRANDY (You’re a Fine Girl) –•– Looking Glass (Epic)-15
24 24 POP THAT THANG –•– The Isley Brothers (T-Neck)-13
25 11 THE GUITAR MAN –•– Bread (Elektra)-9
26 31 THE CITY OF NEW ORLEANS –•– Arlo Guthrie (Reprise)-9
27 39 YOU WEAR IT WELL –•– Rod Stewart (Mercury)-5
28 35 GET ON THE GOOD FOOT (Part 1) –•– James Brown (Polydor)-8
29 29 YOU’RE STILL A YOUNG MAN –•– The Tower Of Power (Warner Brothers)-11
30 38 WHY / LONELY BOY –•– Donny Osmond (MGM / Kolob)-5

31 10 I’M STILL IN LOVE WITH YOU –•– Al Green (Hi)-12
32 37 STARTING ALL OVER AGAIN –•– Mel and Tim (Stax)-12
33 21 YOU DON’T MESS AROUND WITH JIM –•– Jim Croce (ABC)-13
34 41 TIGHT ROPE –•– Leon Russell (Shelter)-5
35 27 JOIN TOGETHER –•– The Who (Decca)-10
36 44 FREDDIE’S DEAD (Theme From “Superfly”) –•– Curtis Mayfield (Curtom)-6
37 52 LISTEN TO THE MUSIC –•– The Doobie Brothers (Warner Brothers)-4
38 49 DON’T EVER BE LONELY (A Poor Little Fool Like Me) –•– Cornelius Brothers and Sister Rose (United Artists)-4
39 40 EASY LIVIN –•– Uriah Heep (Mercury)-9
40 51 GOOD TIME CHARLIE’S GOT THE BLUES –•– Danny O’Keefe (Signpost)-4